Battery module

A battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells (2), in particular lithium-ion battery cells (20), which are received in a receptacle space (11) of the battery module (1), wherein the battery module (1) has a temperature-regulating plate (5) configured for regulating the temperature of the plurality of battery cells (2), said temperature-regulating plate furthermore forming a receptacle element (6) that receives a housing element (10) of the battery module (1) in such a way that the receptacle space (11) is closed off vis-à-vis the surroundings (12) of the battery module (1), wherein the housing element (10) is connected to the temperature-regulating plate (5) in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner by means of a securing element (8) formed by the temperature-regulating plate (5).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on a battery module.

It is known from the prior art that battery modules can consist of a plurality of individual battery cells which can be electrically conductively interconnected with one another in series and/or in parallel.

Hybrid-driven electric vehicles (HEVs) and also electrically driven vehicles (EVs) require high-energy and high-capacity battery systems in order that the electric drive machines thereof can achieve driving performance levels to be achieved.

In this case, high-energy and high-capacity lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery cells are usually used as electrical energy stores, with approximately 100 battery cells being interconnected to form a battery module.

Such high-performance battery cells here each have a capacity of approximately 90 ampere-hours (Ah).

Particularly in electrically operating vehicles or else in hybrid electric vehicles and in stationary applications, use is made of battery systems usually with a plurality of such battery modules.

Battery cells can be embodied here for example as prismatic or cylindrical battery cells, with so-called pouch cells also increasingly being used in the field of electromobility.

Particularly during charging and discharging, lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery cells heat up on account of chemical conversion processes.

The higher the performance of such a battery module here, the greater the resulting heating, too, and so efficient and active temperature-regulating systems that can both heat and cool the battery cells are often required.

It is known here from the prior art that battery modules can have a cooling plate through which temperature-regulating fluid can flow and which is configured to regulate the temperature of the battery cells of a battery module, that is to say to cool or else to heat them.

By way of example, the documents DE 20 2012 102 349 U1 and DE 10 2008 059 955 A1 disclose such cooling plates known from the prior art, which are embodied in particular from a first plate element and a second plate element cohesively connected to the first plate element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A battery module according to the invention affords the advantage that a plurality of battery cells can be received in a receptacle space of the battery module in a reliable and simple manner.

Furthermore, a battery module according to the invention affords the advantage, in particular, that it is possible to form a reliable separation between a temperature-regulating fluid and a receptacle space that receives the plurality of battery cells of the battery module.

To that end, the invention provides a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells.

In this case, the battery cells are embodied in particular as lithium-ion battery cells.

Furthermore, the battery cells are received in a receptacle space of the battery module. In this case, the battery module furthermore has a temperature-regulating plate configured for regulating the temperature of the plurality of battery cells.

Furthermore, the temperature-regulating plate forms a receptacle element.

In this case, the receptacle element of the temperature-regulating plate receives a housing element of the battery module in such a way that the receptacle space is closed off vis-à-vis the surroundings of the battery module.

In this case, the housing element is connected to the temperature-regulating plate in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner by means of a securing element formed by the temperature-regulating plate.

A positively locking connection between the securing element of the temperature-regulating plate and the housing element should be understood here to mean that the housing element latches, engages or snaps into the receptacle element of the temperature-regulating plate by means of the securing element, for example.

A force-locking connection between the securing element of the temperature-regulating plate and the housing element should be understood here to mean that the securing element and the housing element are secured to one another or held together by means of a friction force formed between them.

It is advantageous if the receptacle element of the temperature-regulating plate is embodied as a groove.

It is thereby possible to provide a simple embodiment of the receptacle element, which embodiment enables the housing element of the battery module to be received by the receptacle element of the temperature-regulating plate in a reliable manner.

A groove should be understood here to mean for example a depression which is introduced into the temperature-regulating plate and which preferably circumferentially surrounds the temperature-regulating plate.

It is expedient if a sealing element is furthermore arranged between the temperature-regulating plate and the housing element of the battery module.

In particular, it is possible in this case for the sealing element to be embodied in this case as a separate insert part, for example, or for the sealing element to be embodied for example as an adhesive, as a sealant or as a sealing element attached to the housing element.

This affords the advantage that the receptacle space of the battery module can be sealed vis-à-vis the surroundings in particular solely by the sealing element arranged between the temperature-regulating plate and the housing element of the battery module.

Furthermore, this affords the particular advantage that there is no need to form additional sealing between a flow space that receives a temperature-regulating fluid and the receptacle space of the battery module, with the result that the safety of the battery module can be increased in a reliable and simple manner.

Advantageously, the securing element formed by the temperature-regulating plate is embodied as an elastically and/or plastically deformable spring element.

A plastic deformation differs from an elastic deformation to the effect that, in the case of a plastic deformation, the deformation formed is not reversed, but rather remains formed with the attendant formation of material changes, whereas in the case of an elastic deformation the original state is reestablished after the deformation force has been removed.

The embodiment of the securing element as an elastically and/or plastically deformable spring element has the advantage, in particular, that additional, separate securing elements such as screws, rivets or clips are not required.

In this case, the securing element can be embodied for example in such a way that, under a plastic deformation, the securing element is movable from a first position into a second position in such a way that, when arranged in the second position, the securing element connects the housing element to the temperature-regulating plate in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner.

In this case, the securing element can for example also be embodied in such a way that, under an elastic deformation, the securing element is movable from a first position into a second position in such a way that, when arranged in the second position, the securing element connects the housing element to the temperature-regulating plate in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner, wherein the securing element is held in the second position for example by a positively locking and/or force-locking connection to the housing element.

In accordance with one expedient aspect of the invention, the temperature-regulating plate forms a flow space through which temperature-regulating fluid can flow.

This has the advantage that a reliable regulation of the temperature of the plurality of battery cells can be formed.

In particular, this affords the particular technical advantage that the temperature-regulating plate can be embodied in such a way that there is no need to form additional sealing between the receptacle space of the battery module and the temperature-regulating plate.

It goes without saying that it is also possible, however, that the temperature-regulating plate can comprise a phase change material, for example, such that the invention presented here is not restricted to the preferred embodiment of a flow space through which temperature-regulating fluid can flow.

Expediently, the temperature-regulating plate comprises a first plate element and a second plate element, which are cohesively connected to one another to form the flow space.

In this case, it is possible, for example, for the first plate element and/or the second plate element to form supporting structures which serve for forming the flow space, and in particular the flow fields thereof, and contribute to maintaining a required internal pressure in order to ensure a stable embodiment of the flow space.

It is preferred in this case for the first plate element and the second plate element to be connected to one another cohesively, such as is embodied for example in a soldered or welded manner.

Such an embodiment of the temperature-regulating plate affords in particular the advantage, which is preferred in the context of this invention, that the flow space can be arranged in such a way that there is no need to form additional sealing between the flow space and the receptacle space that receives the plurality of battery cells of the battery module, since the temperature-regulating plate can be embodied in such a way that the flow space is separated from the receptacle space solely by the arrangement of the first plate element with respect to the second plate element.

It is preferred if the temperature-regulating plate has a first connection configured for temperature-regulating fluid to flow into the flow space and a second connection configured for temperature-regulating fluid to flow out of the flow space.

In this case, the first connection and the second connection are sealed with respect to the housing.

By means of the first connection and the second connection this is possible to connect the flow space to further structures, such as, for example, the temperature-regulating circuit of a vehicle that receives the battery module according to the invention.

This has the advantage that the first connection and the second connection can be sealed with respect to the housing element in such a way that there is no need to form additional sealing with respect to the receptacle space.

In accordance with one expedient aspect of the invention, the plurality of battery cells is arranged directly at the temperature-regulating plate. It is thereby possible to form a reliable directly formed heat transfer between the plurality of battery cells and the temperature-regulating plate.

Consequently, the plurality of battery cells can be temperature-regulated in a reliable manner, such as in particular reliably cooled, such that the battery cells can be operated in a preferred temperature range.

Furthermore, it can alternatively also be expedient if the plurality of battery cells is connected to the temperature-regulating plate cohesively, such as in an adhesively bonded manner, for example.

It is thereby possible to form a reliably formed securing between the battery cells and the temperature-regulating plate.

In particular, the cohesive connection formed in an adhesively bonded manner can additionally comprise additives for improving the thermal conductivity.

It is expedient if the temperature-regulating plate forms a base of the battery module.

A base should be understood here to mean, given a customary arrangement of the battery module, in particular an underside of the battery module. It is thus possible that the cooling plate can be embodied as a carrying component of the battery module. The embodiment of the temperature-regulating plate as a preferably closed base of the battery module makes it possible to save an additional component, such as a separate base element, for example, since the base element can be formed by the cooling plate.

A battery module according to the invention as just described can be used for example in electrically driven motor vehicles or else in stationary energy storage systems, and so the use of the battery module according to the invention in these systems is also intended to be the subject matter of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows a battery module1, wherein a housing element of the battery module1is not discernible.

The battery module1has a plurality of battery cells2.

The battery cells2are each embodied here in particular as lithium-ion battery cells20.

By way of example, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment inFIG.1, the battery cells2are embodied as prismatic battery cells200.

Furthermore, the battery cells2,20,200each have voltage taps3, by means of which the plurality of battery cells2can be electrically interconnected in series and/or in parallel by means of cell connectors, not shown inFIG.1.

Furthermore, the battery cells2,20,200additionally also have gas venting openings4, which serve to allow gas to escape from the interior of the battery cells2particularly in safety-critical situations.

Furthermore,FIG.1also shows that the battery module1has a temperature-regulating plate5. In this case, the temperature-regulating plate5is configured to regulate the temperature of the plurality of battery cells2.

Furthermore, the temperature-regulating plate5forms a receptacle element6configured to receive a housing element of the battery module1, said housing element not being discernible inFIG.1.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention as shown in the figures, the receptacle element6of the temperature-regulating plate5is embodied here as a groove7.

In particular,FIG.1shows here that the receptacle element6of the temperature-regulating plate5that is embodied as a groove7can be arranged circumferentially on a top side80of the temperature-regulating plate5facing the battery cells2.

It should already be noted at this juncture that the temperature-regulating plate5forms securing elements8configured to connect a housing element, not discernible inFIG.1, to the temperature-regulating plate5in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner.

Furthermore, the temperature-regulating plate5forms a first connection91and a second connection92. In this case, the first connection91is configured to the effect that temperature-regulating fluid can flow into a flow space of the temperature-regulating plate5.

In this case, the second connection92is configured to the effect that temperature-regulating fluid can flow out of the flow space of the temperature-regulating plate5.

FIG.1also reveals that the plurality of battery cells2are arranged directly at the temperature-regulating plate5.

Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the battery cells2to be connected to the temperature-regulating plate5cohesively, such as preferably in an adhesively bonded manner, for example. As a result, it is possible to form a reliable heat transfer between the temperature-regulating plate5and the battery cells2.

FIG.2shows a battery module1according to the invention in an exploded illustration.

In contrast toFIG.1,FIG.2furthermore also shows a housing element10of the battery module1.

In this case, the housing element10can be received by the receptacle element6of the temperature-regulating plate5in such a way that a receptacle space11is formed, which receives the plurality of battery cells2.

After the housing element10has been received by the receptacle element6of the temperature-regulating plate5, the receptacle space11is closed off vis-à-vis the surroundings12of the battery module1.

In this case, the housing element10can be connected to the temperature-regulating plate5in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner by means of the securing elements8formed by the temperature-regulating plate5, although this will also be described with reference to the further figures.

Furthermore, it is already evident fromFIG.2that a sealing element13can furthermore be arranged between the temperature-regulating plate5and the housing element10of the battery module1.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment inFIG.2, the sealing element13is embodied here as an insert part14.

FIG.3shows one embodiment of the battery module1in an assembled state; in particular, the exemplary embodiment inFIG.3corresponds to the battery module1shown in an exploded illustration inFIG.2.

At this juncture, in association withFIG.3, it should also be pointed out that the securing elements8formed by the temperature-regulating plate5connect the housing element10to the temperature-regulating plate5in a positively locking and/or force-locking manner.

Furthermore,FIG.3reveals that the battery module1has electrical connections15led out from the housing element10, said electrical connections serving for tapping of the voltage of the battery module1.

It is evident in particular from the illustration inFIG.3that the temperature-regulating plate5forms a base22of the battery module1.

In this case, a base22should be understood to mean that part of the battery module1which, given a customary arrangement of the battery module1, is arranged at an underside of the battery module1and by which the battery module1stands on a support, for example.

FIG.4shows, in a sectional view, a connection of the housing element10to the temperature-regulating plate5.

In this case, it is evident that the receptacle element6of the temperature-regulating plate5is embodied as a groove7.

Furthermore, the housing element10forms a projection16configured to engage into the groove7of the temperature-regulating plate5.

After the projection16of the housing element10has engaged into the groove7of the temperature-regulating plate5, the housing element10is secured in the receptacle element6of the temperature-regulating plate5that is embodied as a groove7.

To that end, the temperature-regulating plate5forms securing elements8, which are embodied as elastically and/or plastically deformable spring elements17in accordance with the exemplary embodiment inFIG.4.

In this case, it is possible, for example, for engagement of the projection16of the housing element10into the groove7of the temperature-regulating plate5to result in the spring element17being elastically deformed and securing the housing element10in the groove after the engagement. Such a connection can for example also be understood as a clip connection.

Furthermore, it is also possible for the spring element17to be plastically deformed from a first position into a second position after the engagement of the projection16of the housing element10into the groove7of the temperature-regulating plate5, such that when the spring element17is arranged in a second position, the housing element10is secured in the groove7. In particular,FIG.4shows here an arrangement of the spring element17plastically deformed in the second position.

At this juncture, it should also be noted in this respect thatFIG.4also shows the sealing element13embodied as an insert part14, said sealing element being arranged between the temperature-regulating plate5and the housing element10of the battery module1.

FIG.5shows, in a further sectional view, the connection of the housing element10to the temperature-regulating plate5.

In particular, it should also be noted in this respect that the housing element10can also comprise supporting elements18, which can provide for increasing the stability of the connection between the housing element10and the temperature-regulating plate5.

In this case, it is furthermore evident fromFIG.5that securing elements8are not arranged circumferentially at the temperature-regulating plate5, but rather can have interruptions19, wherein the spacer elements18are arranged in the region of the interruptions19.

FIG.6shows, in a sectional view, in particular the first connection91or the second connection92.

As already noted, the first connection91is configured for temperature-regulating fluid to flow into the flow space of the temperature-regulating plate5and the second connection92is configured for temperature-regulating fluid to flow out of the flow space.

In this case,FIG.6reveals that the first connection91and respectively the second connection92are sealed with respect to the housing element10by means of a sealing element21.

In this case, the connection91and respectively the second connection92need only be sealed with respect to the housing element10, with the interior of the battery module1and respectively the receptacle space11thus being sealed vis-à-vis the surroundings.

FIG.7shows one embodiment of a temperature-regulating plate5of a battery module1according to the invention in an exploded illustration.

In this case,FIG.7firstly shows that the temperature-regulating plate5comprises a first plate element23and a second plate element24.

In this case, the first plate element23and the second plate element24can be connected to one another to form a flow space25.

Preferably, in this case, the first plate element23and the second plate element24can be cohesively connected to one another.

In this case, temperature-regulating fluid can flow through the flow space25.

Furthermore,FIG.7also shows that, for example, the second plate element24forms supporting elements26that are used to the effect that the first plate element23and the second plate element24can be connected to one another to form the flow space25.

In this case, the first plate element23and the second plate element24can be connected to one another for example cohesively, such as preferably in a soldered or else welded manner.

Furthermore, the first connection91and the second connection92are also discernible.

In this case, the first connection91and respectively the second connection92comprise the sealing element21.

Furthermore,FIG.7also reveals the top side80, at which is arranged the plurality of battery cells2, as is evident fromFIG.1.

Moreover, the receptacle element6arranged circumferentially at the temperature-regulating plate5is also discernible, said receptacle element being embodied as a groove7.