Patent ID: 12237529

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments explained hereafter are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual characteristics of the invention to be considered individually, which characteristics each further develop the invention independently of each other. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to also comprise combinations of characteristics of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be complemented by further characteristics of the invention already described.

Identical reference numbers in the drawings designate elements that have the same function.

FIG.1shows a battery module10of a battery. The battery, which can be designed in particular as a traction battery, can be a component of a motor vehicle, for example. The motor vehicle is preferably designed as an electric vehicle.

The battery module10comprises at least one battery cell12. The battery module10preferably comprises multiple battery cells. The term “battery cell” in particular refers to an electrical energy storage device, preferably an electrically rechargeable energy storage device. Only one battery cell12is shown inFIGS.1to4. The battery cell12comprises two terminals, a positive terminal14and a negative terminal16. The battery cell12has a square shape. The battery cell12also has a degassing opening18. Gas is discharged from the battery cell12via the degassing opening18, which can also be referred to as a degassing valve.

Furthermore, the battery module10or the battery has a battery housing20. The battery housing20comprises a housing cover22, a housing base24and side walls26. The battery cell12is arranged on or at the housing base24or rests on the housing base24. Preferably, the housing cover22is arranged at a predetermined distance to, in particular parallel to, the housing base24. The side walls26are arranged between the housing base24and the housing cover22. Together, the housing base24, the housing cover22and the side walls26enclose a chamber27. In other words, a cavity may be formed or enclosed between the housing base24, the housing cover22and the side walls26. The battery cell12is arranged or accommodated in the chamber27.FIGS.1to4show two side walls of the side walls26of the battery module10. The battery module10or the battery preferably has four side walls26, wherein two respective side walls are arranged in pairs opposite to each other at a predetermined distance from one another. In particular, the side walls include the battery cell12or the battery cells of the battery module10.

InFIG.1, a first sidewall28at an end or end portion of the housing cover22and/or the housing bottom24, and a second sidewall30at an opposite end or end portion of the housing cover22and/or the housing bottom24are arranged at a predetermined distance to each other, in particular at a distance in a width direction y. The first side wall28and the second side wall30can be arranged parallel to each other. The first side wall28and the second side wall30extend in a main direction of expansion x or in a longitudinal direction of the battery housing20. The first side wall28and the second side wall30can be designed identically to each other. Therein, the first side wall28has two side wall elements—a first sidewall element32and a second sidewall element34. The two side wall elements32,34are arranged opposite each other, in particular at a predetermined distance to each other, preferably parallel to each other. The two side wall elements32,34enclose a duct36between them. Therein, the first sidewall element32faces the chamber27.

The second sidewall30is designed analogously or identically to the first sidewall28. Correspondingly, the second side wall30also has two side wall elements—a first sidewall element32′ and a second sidewall element34′. The two side wall elements32′,34′ of the second side wall30are arranged opposite each other, in particular at a predetermined distance to each other, preferably parallel to each other. The two side wall elements32′,34′ of the second side wall30enclose another duct36′ between them. The first side wall element32′ of the second side wall30faces the chamber27. The housing cover22, the housing base24, the first sidewall element32of the first sidewall28and/or the second sidewall element34of the first sidewall28and/or the first sidewall element32′ of the second sidewall30and/or the second sidewall element34′ of the second sidewall30are preferably panel-shaped or designed as a panel. The first side wall28and/or the second side wall30may be designed as a profile, in particular as a hollow profile or a structure.

As shown inFIG.1, the degassing opening18of the battery cell12is arranged on the side of the battery cell12facing the first sidewall element32of the first side wall28. In other words, the degassing opening18is arranged opposite the first side wall element32of the first side wall28.

The other or additional side walls of the battery module10or of the battery housing20can preferably also be designed analogously to the first side wall28with the first side wall element32and the second side wall element34, and the duct36arranged between them. The duct36,36′ arranged in the side walls28,30can be designed as a degassing duct.

The gas escaping from the degassing opening18or the escaping gas flow is directed toward at least one side wall28,30. Due to the arrangement of the degassing opening18, as shown inFIGS.1to4, the gas flow escaping from the battery cell12is directed toward the first sidewall element32of the first sidewall28. In order for the gas escaping from the battery cell12to reach the duct36of the first side wall28, different embodiments of one of the side walls are shown inFIGS.2and3. InFIGS.2and3, the first sidewall28has different embodiments.

For the gas escaping from the degassing opening18to enter the duct36of the first side wall28, the first sidewall element32has a weak point40at a predetermined area38, as shown inFIG.2. The weak point40is formed as a result of the first side wall element32having a reduced wall thickness at the predetermined area38compared to the rest of the side wall element32. The predetermined area38preferably has a smaller expansion or takes up a smaller area of the side wall element than the rest of the side wall element. The predetermined area38is preferably arranged at the height of the degassing opening18of the battery cell12. In other words, the degassing opening18and the predetermined area38can be arranged opposite each other, in particular at the same height.

The first side wall element32can be removed, in particular can be broken, at the predetermined area38at a predetermined pressure and/or a predetermined temperature by the gas acting on the predetermined area38. In other words, the sidewall element32is breakable at the predetermined area38at a predetermined pressure and/or a predetermined temperature by the gas acting on the predetermined area38, such that the first sidewall element32then has an opening in the area of the predetermined area38. For example, the first sidewall element32can be melted or opened at a predetermined pressure and/or a predetermined temperature of the gas at the predetermined area38. In other words, the weak point40can be opened by the influence of heat and/or pressure in the duct intended for the gas flow.

To allow the predetermined area38of the first sidewall element32to be opened under a predetermined pressure and/or a predetermined temperature of the gas, the first sidewall element32or the predetermined area of the first sidewall element32is formed from aluminum or a polymer.

FIG.3shows an alternative embodiment of the first sidewall element32. Instead of the first sidewall element32having a weak point in a predetermined area38, the first sidewall element32inFIG.3has an opening, which is closed or covered by a cover element42. In a closed state of the opening, i.e., if the cover element42closes the predetermined area38, i.e., the opening, the cover element42is pressed into the first sidewall element32. At a predetermined pressure and/or a predetermined temperature of a gas exiting from the degassing opening18and acting on the cover element42, the cover element42is detachable from the opening. The cover element42is designed as a plug, for example. The opening38is preferably arranged at the height of the degassing opening18of the battery cell12. In other words, the degassing opening18and the opening38can be arranged opposite each other, in particular at the same height.

FIG.4shows a further embodiment of the first side wall28. Therein, the first sidewall element32can be designed as shown inFIG.2orFIG.3. Therein, the first side wall28has a protective wall44. The protective wall44is arranged between the two side wall elements32,34and extends in the direction of the side wall elements32,34. The protective wall44divides the duct36of the first side wall28into two duct sections: a first duct section36aand a second duct section36b. The protective wall is preferably panel-shaped. The protective wall44is formed from a fire protection material, in particular from mica. In particular, the protective wall44can be designed as a mica wall.

FIG.5shows a battery46with multiple battery modules10. In total, the battery46has eight battery modules10. Each battery module10has four battery cells12. The battery has two rows of battery modules10. Therein, the rows are separated from each other by a side wall, which in particular is designed as a partition. The battery modules10are delimited or enclosed by four further side walls, which are arranged in particular orthogonally to each other. The respective side walls are designed as described inFIGS.1to4. In particular, the partition is designed like the first side wall, as described inFIG.3orFIG.4. Therein, the first side wall element faces the battery modules10and/or battery cells12. The respective battery modules10and/or battery cells12have a degassing opening. The respective degassing opening of the battery cells12and/or the battery modules10faces the partition. The gas escaping from the battery module10and/or the battery cells12passes through the degassing opening into the duct36of the side wall or partition, in particular via the predetermined area as described inFIG.3orFIG.4According to the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.5, the escaping gas enters the side wall designed as a partition, in particular duct36. As illustrated by arrows P, the escaping gas is transferred into the duct36via the degassing opening18. A valve48, which in particular is designed as a degassing valve, is arranged at the respective ends of the duct36.

The valve48couples the duct36fluid-tight with an environment50of the battery housing20or with further ducts of the other side walls. In particular, a fluid located in the duct36can be released to the environment50of the battery housing20via the valve48.

FIG.6shows a motor vehicle52with a battery46. The battery46may be arranged in the area of an underbody of the motor vehicle52. The motor vehicle52is particularly preferably designed as an electric vehicle.

Overall, the examples show how the disclosure can provide a battery housing with integrated degassing duct in the structural component.

In order to be able to ensure that the gases escaping from the cell can flow into the cavities of the structural spaces, appropriate possibilities must be created.

Primarily, the outgassing direction of the cell can be adjusted to point in the direction of the ducts provided for the gas flow. It is also possible to ensure that the gas of the cell can enter the duct. For this purpose, an inlet opening can be provided in the profile, which is opened by the temperature and/or pressure of the escaping gases. In addition, it must be prevented that the gas flows back through other openings.

According to an embodiment, a local reduction of the wall thickness is provided in the duct provided for the gas flow, which forms a weak point, which is opened by the influence of heat and/or pressure. This is especially conceivable for gas-bearing profile materials with lower temperature resistance, such as aluminum and/or polymers.

Alternatively, a local opening can be provided in the gas-bearing duct, which is closed by means of a plug. This plug must be designed in such a way that it only detaches or opens due to the external influence of pressure and/or temperature.

The gas directed through the ducts can then be transferred to the outside via the degassing valves at the beginning and end of the battery system. In order to prevent the gases from escaping on the opposite side of the duct, a protective wall from a fire protection material, such as mica, can optionally be inserted.