Patent Description:
In the recent years, vehicles for transportation of goods and peoples have been developed using electric power as a source for motion. Such an electric vehicle is an automobile that is propelled by an electric motor, using energy stored in rechargeable batteries. An electric vehicle may be solely powered by batteries or may be a form of hybrid vehicle additionally powered by for example a gasoline generator or a hydrogen fuel power cell. Furthermore, the vehicle may include a combination of electric motor and conventional combustion engine. In general, an electric-vehicle battery, EVB, or traction battery is a battery used to power the propulsion of battery electric vehicles, BEVs. Electric-vehicle batteries differ from starting, lighting, and ignition batteries because they are designed to give power over sustained periods of time. A rechargeable or secondary battery differs from a primary battery in that it can be repeatedly charged and discharged, while the latter provides only an irreversible conversion of chemical to electrical energy. Low-capacity rechargeable batteries are used as power supply for small electronic devices, such as cellular phones, notebook computers and camcorders, while high-capacity rechargeable batteries are used as the power supply for electric and hybrid vehicles and the like.

The shape of the case, e. cylindrical or prismatic, depends on the battery's intended purpose.

Rechargeable batteries may be used as a battery module formed of a plurality of unit battery cells coupled in series and/or in parallel so as to provide a high energy content, in particular for motor driving of a hybrid or fully electric vehicle. That is, the battery module is formed by interconnecting the electrode terminals of the plurality of unit battery cells depending on a required amount of power and in order to realize a high-power rechargeable battery.

Battery modules can be constructed either in block design or in modular design. In block designs each battery is coupled to a common current collector structure and a common battery management system and the unit thereof is arranged in a housing. In modular designs, pluralities of battery cells are connected to form submodules and several submodules are connected to form the battery module. In automotive applications, battery systems often consist of a plurality of battery modules connected in series for providing a desired voltage. Therein, the battery modules may comprise submodules with a plurality of stacked battery cells, each stack comprising cells connected in parallel that are connected in series (XpYs) or multiple cells connected in series that are connected in parallel (XsYp).

The mechanical integration of such a battery pack requires appropriate mechanical connections between the individual components, e. , of battery modules, and between them and a supporting structure of the vehicle. These connections must remain functional and save during the average service life of the battery system. Further, installation space and interchangeability requirements must be met, especially in mobile applications.

Mechanical integration of battery modules may be achieved by providing a carrier framework and by positioning the battery modules thereon. Fixing the battery cells or battery modules may be achieved by fitted depressions in the framework or by mechanical interconnectors such as bolts or screws. Alternatively, the battery modules are confined by fastening side plates to lateral sides of the carrier framework. Further, cover plates may be fixed atop and below the battery modules.

The carrier framework of the battery pack is mounted to a carrying structure of the vehicle. In case the battery pack shall be fixed at the bottom of the vehicle, the mechanical connection may be established from the bottom side by for example bolts passing through the carrier framework of the battery pack. The framework is usually made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy to lower the total weight of the construction.

Battery systems according to the prior art, despite any modular structure, usually comprise a battery housing that serves as enclosure to seal the battery system against the environment and provides structural protection of the battery system's components. Housed battery systems are usually mounted as a whole into their application environment, e. an electric vehicle. Thus, the replacement of defect system parts, e. , a defect battery submodule, requires dismounting the whole battery system and removal of its housing first. Even defects of small and/or cheap system parts might then lead to dismounting and replacement of the complete battery system and its separate repair. As high-capacity battery systems are expensive, large and heavy, said procedure proves burdensome and the storage, e. , in the mechanic's workshop, of the bulky battery systems becomes difficult.

<CIT> relates to a vehicle body structure including a pair of side sills and a battery case joined to the side sills via respective brackets, each side sill includes an outer panel, an inner panel defining a closed cross section structure jointly with the outer panel, a first stiffener extending in the fore and aft direction in a space defined between the outer panel and the inner panel and having a lower edge joined to the lower edges of the outer panel and the inner panel, and a second stiffener formed as a channel member extending in the fore and aft direction and having an open side facing in the inboard direction, the second stiffener having an upper edge and a lower edge attached to an outboard side of the first stiffener.

In <CIT>, an ensemble of support assemblies for a battery pack is described. The support assemblies each include, among other things, a hoop bracket coupling a battery pack to a vehicle body structure, and a tuned bracket within an open area of the hoop bracket. The tuned bracket is configured to control a collapse of the hoop bracket in response to a load above a threshold level to reduce a transfer of the load to the battery pack.

<CIT> discloses a fastening device for an electrical energy source which is used for traction, that is to say to drive a vehicle and which can be arranged below a vehicle floor between rocker panels of the vehicle, having a housing for receiving and holding the electrical energy source and a plurality of fastening elements for fastening the housing to a body of the vehicle, the plurality of fastening elements having a housing-side end for fastening to the housing, a sill-side end for fastening to one of the sills and in an installed state in at least one imaginary plane arranged perpendicular to a straight-ahead driving direction of the vehicle between the housing-side The end and the sill-side end have an at least partially curved course with at least one turning point.

Till now, mostly in use are aluminum-casted battery pack cases with battery brackets made of screwed steel or casted by aluminum die pressure. This also restricts the possibilities of mounting the battery pack into a vehicle, as connecting the battery pack case to the vehicle chassis is only possible in several chosen points.

Thus, there is a need of finding new design solutions with respect, i. , to geometry problems, production problems, and material properties.

It is thus an object of the present invention as defined by the independent claims to overcome or reduce at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a battery pack with improved characteristics at least as to geometry, production, and material properties. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lateral battery member (battery bracket) as part of housing structure that can take a load of one or more foreign impact bodies (e. , in case of a crush or crash event on vehicle level) coming from aside.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a battery bracket for mounting a battery pack case inside a vehicle. The battery bracket comprises: an outer structure having a lower part and an upper part forming a cavity between the lower part and the upper part; an inner structure arranged in the cavity. The outer structure is configured for being fixed to an outer side face of the battery pack case. The inner structure meanders between the lower part and the upper part in that the inner structure comprises one or more lower contact areas and one or more upper contact areas, wherein the inner structure contacts the lower part in the lower contact areas and contacts the upper part in the upper contact areas. A region of the inner structure is configured to being fixed to an outer side face of the battery pack case.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a battery pack comprising a case, the case having at least one outer side face, on which a battery bracket according to the afore-described aspect is fixed.

Yet another aspect of the present invention refers to a vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to the afore-mentioned aspect.

Further aspects of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Effects and features of the exemplary embodiments, and implementation methods thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The present disclosure, however, may be embodied in various different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to only the illustrated embodiments herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the aspects and features of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

" In the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It will be understood that although the terms "first" and "second" are used to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element may be named a second element and, similarly, a second element may be named a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

To facilitate the description, a Cartesian coordinate system with axes x, y, z maybe also provided in at least some of the figures. Herein, the terms "upper" and "lower" are defined according to the z-axis. For example, the upper cover is positioned at the upper part of the z-axis, whereas the lower cover is positioned at the lower part thereof. In the drawings, the sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity. For example, in the drawings, the size or thickness of each element may be arbitrarily shown for illustrative purposes, and thus the embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited thereto.

A first aspect of the present invention refers to a battery bracket for mounting a battery pack case inside a vehicle. The battery bracket comprises: an outer structure having a lower part and an upper part forming a cavity between the lower part and the upper part; an inner structure arranged in the cavity. The outer structure is configured for being fixed to an outer side face of the battery pack case. The inner structure meanders between the lower part and the upper part in that the inner structure comprises one or more lower contact areas and one or more upper contact areas, wherein the inner structure contacts the lower part in the lower contact areas and contacts the upper part in the upper contact areas. Further, a region of the inner structure is configured for being fixed to an outer side face of the battery pack case.

The term "battery pack case" relates to a case configured for housing a battery pack.

Instead of the term "area" one could also use the term "region" or the like in the present context. This holds also for the following remarks and explanations. Also, instead of "case," the term "casing" or "housing" could be used. Further, the terms "lower" and "upper" are used to distinguish the two different parts of the outer structure in a simple, intuitive, and easily legible manner. Of course, the terms "lower part" and "upper part" could be replaced, throughout the complete disclosure, for example by the expressions "first part" and "second part". Instead of "battery bracket", the term "battery lateral member" could be alternatively used.

In embodiments, the inner structure may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, or more lower contact areas. Further, the inner structure may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, or more upper contact areas.

In embodiments, there may be lower and/or upper contact areas, where the inner structure is not fixated to the respective lower and/or upper part. In those embodiments, the inner structure may glide or slide on the inner surface of the outer structure (i. , on the surface of the cavity) when the outer structure deforms such that a force is exerted to at least some of the lower and/or upper contact areas of the inner structure. Nonetheless, due to the elasticity of the inner structure, counteracting forces are exerted by the inner structure to the outer structure through the contact areas. These counteracting forces support (i. , stabilize) the outer structure up to a certain degree, while at the same time still allowing for deformation of the outer structure.

The term "meandering" may denote that the inner structure contacts the lower part and the upper part of the outer structure in an alternating manner. However, in alternative embodiments, the inner structure may contact one of the lower and upper part of the outer structure two or more times before it then contacts the respective other part of the outer structure.

The fixation of the outer structure to a side face of the battery pack may preferably become established by welding (e. , weld seams). However, in embodiments, the fixation of the outer structure to a side face of the battery pack may also be established (alternatively or additionally) by other fixing methods such as screwing.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, the inner structure is fixed to the lower part in at least one of the lower contact areas.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, the inner structure is fixed to the upper part in at least one of the upper contact areas.

In embodiments, the inner structure is fixed to the lower part of the outer structure in one, two, three, four, five, six, or more lower contact areas. Further, the inner structure may be fixed to the upper part of the outer structure in one, two, three, four, five, six, or more upper contact areas.

In embodiments, the inner structure is fixed to the lower part of the outer structure in all lower contact areas. Further, the inner structure may be fixed to the upper part of the outer structure in all upper contact areas.

In comparison to embodiments, wherein the inner structure only contacts the inner surface of the cavity (without being fixed to the latter), the stabilization effect (support) of the inner structure onto the outer structure in case of deformations of the outer structure is increased, in particular due to shear forces transmitted through the inner structure between those lower and upper contact areas, in which the inner structure is fixed to the outer structure. A deformation of the outer structure in case of external forces acting on the outer structure may thus be reduced in comparison to embodiments, wherein the inner structure is not fixed to the outer structure.

The fixation(s) of the inner structure to the lower part and/or the upper part of the outer structure may preferably become established by welding (e. , weld seams). However, in embodiments, the fixation(s) of the inner structure to the lower part and/or the upper part may also be established (alternatively or additionally) by other fixing methods such as screwing.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, the cavity formed between the lower part and the upper part comprises an opening. The lower part comprises a lower flange at the opening. The upper part comprises an upper flange at the opening. The lower flange and the upper flange are each configured for being fixed to an outer side face of the battery pack case.

Preferably, the lower flange and the upper flange are each directed away from the opening of the cavity. The flanges are each an example for a fastening means that allows a fixation of the outer structure to a side face of the battery pack. Of course, in other embodiments, other fastening means may be provided alternatively or additionally to allow for a fixation of the outer structure to a side face of the battery pack.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, a region of the cavity located opposite to the opening is left void.

The expression "left void" denotes that the respective region of the cavity is not filled by the inner structure. This has the effect that the outer structure is not supported by the inner structure, resulting that this region realizes a first "crush zone," in which external mechanical energy operating on the outer structure may be absorbed by a deformation of the first "crush zone" to a larger extend than in the region of the outer structure being internally supported by the inner structure (second "crush zone").

Then, when the battery bracket is fixed to a side face of a case of a battery pack, a distal end (i. , a region opposite to the region fixed to the side face or the region closest to the side face) of the inner structure is arranged at a distance to a distal end of the outer structure such that a "crush zone" (above: second "crush zone") of lower rigidity is realized outside the distal end of the inner structure compared to a further "crush zone" (above: first "crush zone") of higher rigidity realized in the region, wherein the inner structure is located inside the outer structure.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, the cross-sectional profile of the outer structure tapers, at least in a region of said cross-sectional profile, when viewed along a direction pointing from the opening of the cavity through the cavity or into the cavity. It is clear that the afore-mentioned region of the inner structure is configured for being fixed to an outer side of a case of a battery pack facing the opening of the cavity formed by the outer structure, as otherwise, no mechanical connection between the inner structure and the case could be established. Preferably, when the battery bracket is mounted on the case of a battery pack, each of the lower flange, the upper flange, and the afore-mentioned region of the inner structure configured for being fixed to an outer face of a case of a battery pack are fixed at a time to a face of said case of a battery pack.

The fixation of the inner structure to a side face of the battery pack may preferably become established by welding (e. , by a weld seam). However, in embodiments, the fixation of the inner structure to a side face of the battery pack may also be established (alternatively or additionally) by other fixing methods such as screwing.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, wherein the region of the inner structure configured for being fixed to an outer side face of the battery pack case is located, on a surface of the inner structure, between one of the lower contact areas of the inner structure and one of the upper contact areas of the inner structure.

Then, when viewing at a cross-sectional profile of the battery bracket when fixed to a side face of a case of a battery pack, the inner structure may first contact (or be fixed to), e. , the upper part of the outer structure, then be fixed to the side face of the battery pack, and subsequently contact (or be fixed to) the lower part of the outer structure.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, the cross-sectional profile of the battery bracket is constant at least in a region of the bracket, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the outer side face.

In other words, there is one direction relative to the battery bracket, measured in which the curvature of the outer structure as well as the curvature of the inner structure is zero for any arbitrary point of a surface of the respective (outer or inner) structure. Still in other words, any curvatures of the outer structure as well as of the inner structure are curvatures have parallel axes of curvature (note that the curvature and the respective axis of curvature generally differentially changes for any point of a surface of a curved structure, hence also for any point of the outer structure and any point of a surface of the outer structure). Usually, the battery bracket is an elongated body configured for extending along the planar side face of a case of a battery pack. Then, when the battery bracket is fixed to the side face of this case, the cross-sectional profile of the battery bracket is the same for all cross-sections taken perpendicular to the side face at least over the main region of the side face. In embodiments, however, the ends of the battery brackets (with regard to a direction perpendicular to the afore-mentioned cross-sections) may exhibit different cross-sections, e. , to form end caps of the battery brackets or the like.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, the outer structure is made of a sheet of metal, preferably a sheet of metal made of one piece of metal.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, the inner structure is made of a sheet of metal, preferably a sheet of metal made of one piece of metal.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, the outer structure is made of a sheet of steel.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, the inner structure is made of a sheet of steel.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, the outer structure is made of a cold roll-formed steel.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, the inner structure is made of a cold roll-formed steel.

According to one embodiment of the battery bracket, the outer structure and the inner structure are each made of a cold roll-formed steel, and the cold roll-formed steel of the outer structure has a higher steel material grade than the cold roll-formed steel of the inner structure.

A second aspect of the disclosure relates to a battery pack comprising a case. The case has at least one outer side face, on which a battery bracket according to the first aspect is fixed.

Typically, the case of a battery pack essentially exhibits a cuboid shape or is formed like a parallelepiped or like a prism, e. , like a prism with a trapezoidal base area. Such cases of a battery pack comprise six (essentially planar) side faces. Accordingly, in embodiments of battery packs, battery brackets according to the invention (see above) may be mounted onto one, two, three, four, five, or six of the side faces of a case of a battery pack.

In one embodiment of the battery pack according to the invention, the at least one outer side face comprises an outer layer made of steel.

In one embodiment of the battery pack according to the invention, the case comprises at least one stiffener formed in a planar shape and arranged perpendicular to an outer side face, to which the battery bracket is fixed.

A third aspect of the disclosure refers to a vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to the second aspect.

Implementing materials with higher strength, better ductile behavior and, consequently, fatigue behavior, can, from a mechanical point of view, allow for a better performance of the battery pack housing in total (e. , a housing with welded brackets) and at the same time save the space required for the rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) in a vehicle chassis in order to reach higher volumetric (or mass) energy density of a RESS.

For example, the crush folding zone of one or more lateral members (in the following also referred to as "battery brackets") should stay outside of the battery pack housing and the space of the cell stacks. Specifically, a covering of the lateral battery housing length with a lateral member can distribute an impactor force on further stiffener elements of the battery pack housing.

Steel is a common material in the world of technic, as it is easily to handle during production (e. , forming, cutting, joining,. Steel also exhibits a high fire resistance: The melting point is high such that a degradation of physical material properties with raising of temperature is less significant in comparison to other metals being commonly in use such as aluminum. This concerns, for example, the (offset) yield point Rp0,<NUM>(T), the tensile strength Rm(T), and the expansion coefficient ε(T), each of these quantities being a function of the temperature T. Specifically, the expansion coefficient ε(T) can contribute to a safer battery system in a case of malfunction of the latter (e. , thermal runaway of battery the cells and, as a consequence thereof, thermal propagation).

Another aspect is the way of fixing battery brackets onto the battery pack housing. For example, welding of battery brackets on the battery pack housing may contribute to cost saving during manufacture, at transport, and even with regard to investment costs (tooling) in comparison with battery brackets being implemented in design solution as separate parts.

To design a lateral battery member (battery bracket) as part of housing structure that can take a load of one or more foreign impact bodies (e. , in case of a crush or crash event on vehicle level) coming from aside, the lateral battery member must exhibit a suitable ductile behavior (from geometrical and material point of view). Preferably, the lateral battery member must guide (distribute) the force of an external impactor to the stiffener structure inside the housing, while at the same time prohibiting a deformation of battery cells inside the housing. Thus, crush folding zone(s) of the lateral member shall stay outside the battery case. Moreover, the lateral battery member should have a progressive resistance behavior to the impactor.

<FIG> provides a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a battery bracket <NUM> according to the invention. Here, the battery bracket <NUM> is shown in a state being mounted onto an outer side face <NUM> of a battery pack case <NUM> for accommodating a battery pack (not shown). Only a part of the battery pack case <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The battery bracket <NUM> comprises an outer structure <NUM> and an inner structure <NUM>. The outer structure <NUM> and the inner structure <NUM> are two different linear semi-products, each being realized as a cold roll-formed steel profile. Here, the term "linear" refers to the y-axis of the coordinate system orientated perpendicular to the drawing plane of <FIG> and thus not shown in the figure. In other words, the outer structure <NUM> as well as the inner structure <NUM> extend linearly along the y-direction (see <FIG>). In other words, the cross-sectional profile of the battery bracket <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is the same for any intersection through the battery bracket <NUM> taken along a plane parallel to the x-z-plane (i. , parallel to the drawing plane of <FIG>).

In embodiments, the cold roll-formed steel profile forming the outer structure <NUM> is made of a material belonging to a group of steel materials with higher steel material grades (e. , advanced or ultra-high steel grades). Specifically, the steel material grade of the outer structure <NUM> should be chosen depending on the design space for the battery bracket <NUM> and the impactor force, which the battery bracket <NUM> must be able to resist. In contrast to this, the cold roll-formed steel profile forming the inner structure <NUM> is made of the material belonging to the group of steel materials having a lower steel material grade in comparison to the steel material grade of the outer structure <NUM>. For example, with regard to the (offset) yield point Rp0. <NUM> of the used steel materials, the (offset) yield point of the outer structure <NUM> is greater than the (offset) yield point of the inner structure <NUM>. In comparison to a steel having a higher material grade, steel with a lower material grade may provide less rigidity but a higher degree of ductility such that larger deformations are possible without breakage. A reason therefore is that the inner structure shall absorb energy over its entire travel (in case of a deformation) as far as possible without breaking. A choice of the materials as described in the foregoing has the advantageous effect that the shape of the inner structure <NUM> adapts to changes in the shape of the outer structure <NUM> upon deformation of the latter due to the impact of external forces. This will be described in further detail below in the context of <FIG>.

The outer structure <NUM> comprises, with respect to the z-axis of the coordinate system, a lower part 12a and an upper part 12b. A cavity C is formed between the lower part 12a and the upper part 12b of the outer structure <NUM>. On the left end of the outer structure <NUM> (with respect to the view provided by <FIG>), the cavity C has an opening O. The cavity C is closed at its end opposite to the opening O.

Two flanges, i. , a lower flange 120a and an upper flange 120b, are arranged at the opening O. Specifically, the lower flange 120a is formed as part of the lower part 12a of the outer structure <NUM>, and correspondingly, the upper flange 120b is formed as part of the upper part 12b of the outer structure <NUM>. Each of the flanges 120a, 120b protrudes away from the opening O. The flanges 120a, 120b are each configured to be fixed to outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM>. Thus, the flanges 120a, 120b each provide contact regions <NUM>, <NUM> configured for being brought into areal contact (surface contact) with the outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM>. As shown in the example of <FIG>, the outer side face <NUM> may not be necessarily of essentially planar shape. Here, an upper region of the outer side face <NUM> (i. , the region, where it contacts with the upper flange 120b) is essentially arranged upright (i. , forms a plane spanned by the z-axis and the y-axis, the y-axis not shown in <FIG>, as it is perpendicular to the drawing plane), whereas a lower region of the outer side face <NUM> is inclined with respect to the y-z-plane by a certain angle. Consequently, the shape of the flanges 120a, 120b preferably reflects the shape of the surface of the respective regions on the outer side face <NUM>, to which the flanges 120a, 120b shall be fixed. Thus, in the shown example, the upper flange 120b is arranged upright and the lower flange 120a is inclined with respect to the y-z-plane by the same angle as the lower region of outer side face <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the battery bracket <NUM> is illustrated in a state being mounted on the outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM>, i. , each of the flanges 120a, 120b is affixed to the outer side face <NUM>. Preferably, the fixation of the flanges 120a, 120b to the outer side face <NUM> is realized by welding. To facilitate the welding, the outer side face <NUM> may comprise an outer layer <NUM> made of steel. However, in alternative embodiments of the battery bracket <NUM>, the fixation of the flanges 120a, 120b to the outer side face <NUM> could alternatively or additionally be realized by other fastening means such as screws and/or rivets or the like.

Starting from the flanges 120a, 120b, the lower and upper parts 12a, 12b of the outer structure <NUM> running toward each other in a left region of the outer structure <NUM>, when viewed into the x-direction of the coordinate system. In other words, the outer structure <NUM> of the embodiment of the battery bracket <NUM> shown in <FIG> tapers in a left region of the outer structure <NUM>. In contrast to this, the lower and upper parts 12a, 12b of the outer structure <NUM> run in parallel in the right region of the outer structure <NUM>.

In the cavity C formed inside the outer structure <NUM>, the inner structure <NUM> is accommodated. The inner structure <NUM> meanders between the upper part 12b and the lower part 12a of the outer structure <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the inner structure <NUM> contacts the inner surface of the outer structure <NUM> at four contact areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> such that the lower part 12a and the upper part 12b the outer structure <NUM> are touched in an alternating manner by the inner structure <NUM>. Specifically, a first end of the inner structure <NUM> forms a first contact area <NUM>, which contacts with the upper part 12b of outer structure <NUM> within the tapering region (left region) of outer structure <NUM> (see above). Then, when following the meandering line of the inner structure <NUM> in the cross-sectional view of <FIG>, the next contact of the inner structure <NUM> with the outer structure <NUM> is established with the lower part 12a of outer structure <NUM> within the tapering region of the latter by means of the second contact area <NUM>. Further following the inner structure <NUM> in view of <FIG>, the inner structure <NUM> then contacts the upper part 12b again in the region of a third contact area <NUM>. The third contact area <NUM> is located in that portion of the outer structure <NUM>, wherein the lower and upper parts 12a, 12b run in parallel to each other (see above). Eventually, the inner structure <NUM> bends down so as to contact in turn the lower part 12a of outer structure <NUM>, again in the region of the latter, wherein the lower and upper parts 12a, 12b run in parallel to each other (i. , the right region of the outer structure <NUM> as shown in <FIG>; see above).

By means of the four contact areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the inner structure <NUM> provides support, from the inside of outer structure <NUM>, to the lower and upper parts 12a, 12b the outer structure <NUM> such that the latter is stabilized in the region, wherein the inner structure <NUM> extends within the cavity C. Preferably, the inner structure <NUM> is fixed to the outer structure <NUM> at each of the four contact areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. However, in embodiments, the inner structure <NUM> may not be fixed to the outer structure <NUM> at least some of the contact areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Even in the latter case, however, the inner structure <NUM> may provide support to the outer structure <NUM>. Upon deformation of the outer structure <NUM>, contact areas of the inner structure <NUM> may slide or glide along the inner surface of the structure <NUM>. However, such as sliding or gliding is prohibited in the case of contact areas, where the inner structure <NUM> is fixed to the outer structure <NUM>. In the latter case, a deformation of the outer structure <NUM> may have more impact onto the inner structure <NUM>, i. , there may be more deformation energy be absorbed by the inner structure <NUM> upon deformation of the outer structure <NUM> in comparison to embodiments, wherein the inner structure <NUM> and the outer structure <NUM> are fixed to each other and each of the contact areas <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Preferably, any fixations of the inner structure <NUM> to the outer structure <NUM> is realized by welding. However, in alternative embodiments of the battery bracket <NUM>, the fixation of the inner structure <NUM> to the outer structure <NUM> could alternatively or additionally be realized by other fastening means such as screws and/or rivets or the like.

The inner structure <NUM> is configured to be fixed to the outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the inner structure <NUM> it is fixed to the outer side face <NUM> in a region <NUM> being arranged, on a surface of the inner structure <NUM>, between the first contact area <NUM> and the second contact area <NUM> as described above. To that end, the shape of the inner structure <NUM> preferably reflects, in the region to be brought into contact with the outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM>, the geometry of the respective region of the outer side face <NUM>. Then, the inner structure <NUM> is configured for being brought into areal contact with the outer side face <NUM>.

Preferably, the fixation of the inner structure <NUM> to the outer side face <NUM> of is realized by welding. To facilitate the welding, the outer side face <NUM> may comprise an outer layer <NUM> made of steel. However, in alternative embodiments of the battery bracket <NUM>, the fixation of the of the inner structure <NUM> to the outer side face <NUM> could alternatively or additionally be realized by other fastening means such as screws and/or rivets or the like.

The inner structure <NUM> accommodated in the cavity C formed by the outer structure <NUM> may not completely fill the cavity C. Instead, as shown in <FIG>, a certain portion of the cavity C maybe left void, i. , the inner structure <NUM> may not extend into the portion of the cavity C left void. Here, the inner structure <NUM> completely fills this portion of the cavity C, which is formed within the tapering region of the outer structure <NUM> (see above). From the tapering region of the outer structure <NUM>, the inner structure <NUM> extends into the right portion of the outer structure <NUM> (as to the view depicted in <FIG>), where the lower and the upper parts 12a, 12b run parallel to each other. However, the latter region (i. , the right portion of outer structure <NUM>) it is not completely filled by the inner structure <NUM>. Accordingly, an end portion of the outer structure <NUM> located opposite to the opening O of the cavity C is left void. This is schematically indicated in <FIG> by the vertical dashed line B separating, with respect to the x-axis of the coordinate system, a first portion of the outer structure <NUM> being filled by the inner structure <NUM> (i. , the region between the outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM> and the dashed line B; in the following referred to as "filled portion" F of the battery bracket <NUM>) from a second portion of the outer structure <NUM> not being filled by the structure <NUM> (i. , the region between the dashed line B and the right end of the outer structure <NUM>; in the following referred to as "void portion" V of the battery bracket <NUM>).

In above-described exemplary assembly of an embodiment of the battery bracket <NUM> according to the invention, the outer structure <NUM> is supported by the inner structure <NUM> only in the filled portion F. In the void portion V, however, the outer structure <NUM> does not enjoy any support from inside. Consequently, the overall rigidity of the filled portion F is higher than the overall rigidity of the void portion V. The effect of this construction in case of external forces acting on the battery bracket <NUM> will be described in further detail below with the help of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic top view of an embodiment of the battery bracket according to the invention. As in <FIG>, the battery bracket <NUM> is shown in a state being mounted to the battery pack case <NUM> for a battery pack (not shown). Only a part of the battery pack case <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The battery bracket <NUM> extends linearly along the y-direction of the coordinate system. In the top view, only the outer structure <NUM> of the battery bracket <NUM> is visible. A plurality of through-holes <NUM> is provided in the end of the battery bracket <NUM> depicted as its bottom end in the view of <FIG>. The bottom end of the battery bracket <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> corresponds to the right end of the battery bracket <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The plurality of through-holes <NUM> provides a means for mounting the battery bracket <NUM> into a vehicle (not shown). The plurality of through-holes <NUM> is arranged as a series of through-holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> stringed along a direction parallel to the y-axis. Each of the through-holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is arranged in the void portion V of the battery bracket <NUM> (see <FIG>) such that the shape of the inner structure <NUM> is not affected by pins, screws, or other means used for mounting the battery bracket <NUM> into a vehicle.

At its upper end (with respect to the view of <FIG>), the battery bracket <NUM> is fixed to the outer layer <NUM> covering the outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM> (see <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the outer layer <NUM> is reverted around the lower and upper edges of the outer side face <NUM> so as to cover at least a part of the lower and upper side faces of the battery pack case <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the battery bracket <NUM> according to the invention in a state mounted to the outer side face <NUM> of a battery pack case <NUM>. Opposite to the outer side face <NUM>, to which the battery bracket <NUM> is affixed, the battery pack case <NUM> is confined by a rear side 22a. To the right, the battery pack case <NUM> is confined by a right side face 22c. The left side of battery pack case <NUM> is not shown in <FIG>. Instead, the structure of the battery pack case <NUM> as described in the following could be continued to the left side. As shown in <FIG>, the battery pack case <NUM> may be subdivided into a plurality of compartments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> separated from each other by separators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The separators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may also act as an inner stiffness structure for the battery pack case <NUM>. Each of the compartments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is configured for accommodating a stack of battery cells (not shown). In the illustrated example of the battery pack case <NUM>, the compartments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are aligned or stacked one after the other along the y-direction. The outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM> is then formed by the entirety of the respective outer side faces of the compartments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> facing into the x-direction (only a side face <NUM> of the leftmost compartment <NUM> is visible in <FIG>). In examples for battery pack cases <NUM> suitable for being used with embodiments of the battery bracket <NUM> according to the invention, the outer layer <NUM> may thus be correspondingly subdivided into a plurality of layer-stripes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The layer-stripes may also act as a thermal interface to the battery module or the corresponding battery cell. Each of the layer-stripes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> covers a corresponding area of the outer side face <NUM> in the region of the respective compartment <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Adjacent layer-stripes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may the separated from each other in the regions of the separators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

However, the separators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> not only separate the individual compartments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> from each other but also act an inner stiffener structure within the battery pack case <NUM>, i. , the separators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are able to absorb mechanical energy exerted onto the outer side face <NUM> (or the rear side 22a). This stabilizes the battery pack case <NUM> and in particular plays a role in the distribution of external forces acting on the battery pack case <NUM> via the transmission through the battery bracket <NUM>. This will be explained in further detail below with reference to <FIG>.

The outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM> (only the side face <NUM> of the leftmost compartment <NUM> is visible in <FIG>, which forms a part of the outer side face <NUM> as described above) is covered by the outer layer <NUM> made of steel. By means of the lower flange 120a and upper flange 120b, the outer structure <NUM> is affixed (preferably by welding) to the outer layer <NUM> covering the outer side face <NUM> as described already above in the context of <FIG>. Likewise, the inner structure <NUM> is affixed (preferably by welding) to the outer layer <NUM> is also described with reference to <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the deformation of an embodiment of the battery bracket <NUM> according to the invention, when an external mechanical force is applied to the battery bracket <NUM>, is schematically illustrated by a three-dimensional simulation (FEA calculations) of the battery bracket <NUM> and (a portion of) the battery pack case <NUM>, to which the battery bracket <NUM> is attached in a manner as described before with reference to <FIG>. Specifically, the inner and outer structures <NUM>, <NUM> of the battery bracket <NUM> as well as the outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM> extend linearly along the y-direction. The internal strains evolving within the cold roll-formed steel sheets of the outer and inner structures <NUM>, <NUM> of the battery bracket <NUM> as well as within the outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM> upon the impact of an external force are indicated by shades of a gray scale. Thereby, a darker shade of gray denotes a higher strain compared to a lighter shade of gray. As only the relative differences / changes in the strains are relevant in the present context, no units are provided in <FIG> with regard to the gray scale. The filled portion F and the void portion V of the battery bracket <NUM> are indicated by curly brackets, which refer to the intersectional cut being visible at the front of the three-dimensional illustrations, these intersectional cuts taken through a plane parallel to the x-z-plane of the coordinate system.

In the illustrated simulation, the source of the external mechanical force (i. , the foreign impactor) is indicated by a geometrically simple external structure S shaped essentially like a part of a curved surface area of cylinder with a symmetry axis extending parallel to the z-direction. The external structure S pushes, by its curved surface area, into the void portion V of the outer structure <NUM> of battery bracket <NUM> in a direction against the x-direction of the coordinate system. Due to these pushes, the battery bracket <NUM> becomes deformed. In <FIG>, the deformation may be depicted in an exaggerated manner in comparison to typical situations in reality for the sake of illustration.

As already pointed out above with reference to <FIG>, the overall rigidity of the filled portion F is higher than the overall rigidity of the void portion V. This results in two different "crush zones" or "crush folding zones" or "quenching zones" provided by the battery bracket <NUM>, as will now be explained. The mechanical function of the shown assembly can be described as follows: The outer structure <NUM> must resist the force of the foreign impactor (here: the external structure S) and at the same time guide (distribute) the force of the foreign impactor onto the stiffness structure of the battery pack case <NUM>. This is realized by a first crush zone corresponding to the void portion V and second crush zone corresponding to the filled portion F.

Crush zones generally are zones that may deform upon an impact exerted by an external force. To deform the crush zones, at least a part of the energy provided by the external force is absorbed and distributed within the structures forming the crush zones. The energy transmitted to the battery pack case <NUM> is then reduced by the amount of energy absorbed by the crush zones or, in other words, the impact of the external force onto the battery pack case <NUM> is alleviated by the crush zones.

Due to the lower rigidity of the battery bracket <NUM> in the first crush zone, the battery bracket <NUM> becomes easier deformed upon impact of an external force in comparison to the second crush zone. Thus, a main part of an external force is alleviated by the first crush zone. A remainder of the force, however, is transmitted to the second crush zone with higher rigidity. The second crush zone can also be deformed, but its main purpose is to distribute the (remainder of the) external force on the outer side face <NUM> and thus decrease, on the outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM>, the punctual impact (local impact onto a relatively small region of the outer side face <NUM>) of the external force. Then, due to the distribution of the external force by means of the battery bracket <NUM>, the mechanical energy provided by the external force can be further absorbed by internal state of the structures of the battery pack case <NUM>, as, for example, provided by the separators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (each of them arranged in parallel to the x-z-plane of the coordinate system) as described above with reference to <FIG>.

Specifically, the inner structure <NUM> provides support to the outer structure <NUM>. To that end, the inner structure <NUM> must be configured to stabilize the walls of the outer structure <NUM> (i. , the internal walls of the cavity C in the region of the filled portion F) and, moreover, should take a role to guide (distribute), via the region of the filled portion (i. , via the second crush zone), the impactor force to other stiffness structure of battery pack case <NUM>, thereby reducing the surface pressure on the outer side face <NUM> of the battery pack case <NUM>. Accordingly, the geometry of the internal structure must be designed as crush folding suitable geometry, i. , it must be designed such that the intended crush folding direction (against the x-axis) is perpendicular to the roll forming direction (parallel to the y-axis). From same point of view, also the material grade of the inner structure <NUM> must be defined adequately (see above).

As can be taken from the foregoing, the first and second crush zones provide a progressive resistance behavior of the battery bracket <NUM> against an external force such as the force exerted by the external structure S.

<FIG> are distinguished in that the force applied to the battery bracket <NUM> by the external structure S is less in the situation depicted in <FIG> in comparison to the situation depicted in <FIG>. Again, the absolute values of the applied forces are not relevant in the present context. In the situation illustrated in <FIG>, only the void portion V of the battery bracket <NUM> is affected by the force exerted by the external structure S. In other words, solely the void portion V of the battery bracket <NUM> (i. , the first crush zone) undergoes a deformation, whereas the filled portion F (i. e, the second crush zone) remains undeformed. Accordingly, the internal strain present in the outer structure <NUM> in the region of the void portion V is large in comparison to the internal strain present in the outer structure <NUM> in the region of the filled portion F and in the inner structure <NUM>, as can be taken by the different shades of gray. In other words, the impact applied by the external structure S towards the battery pack case <NUM> is almost completely absorbed by the first crush zone.

Claim 1:
A battery bracket (<NUM>) for mounting a battery pack case (<NUM>) at a vehicle, the battery bracket comprising:
an outer structure (<NUM>) having a lower part (12a) and an upper part (12b) forming a cavity (C) between the lower part (12a) and the upper part (12b);
an inner structure (<NUM>) arranged in the cavity (C);
wherein the outer structure (<NUM>) is configured for being fixed to an outer side face (<NUM>) of the battery pack case (<NUM>);
wherein the inner structure (<NUM>) meanders between the lower part (12a) and the upper part (12b) in that the inner structure (<NUM>) comprises one or more lower contact areas (<NUM>, <NUM>) and one or more upper contact areas (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the inner structure (<NUM>) contacts the lower part (12a) in the one or more lower contact areas (<NUM>, <NUM>) and contacts the upper part (12b) in the one or more upper contact areas (<NUM>, <NUM>),
characterized in that a region (<NUM>) of the inner structure (<NUM>) is configured for being fixed to an outer side face (<NUM>) of the battery pack case (<NUM>).