DE102015007960A1 - Battery housing for a motor vehicle and method for sealing a battery housing for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Battery housing (10) for a motor vehicle (36), having at least one bottom region (12) and a lid region (14) for delimiting at least one receiving space (16) for at least one battery (18) from the environment (20) and with at least one through-channel (22) extending between the bottom portion (12) and the lid portion (14). In the passageway (22) a sleeve member (24) for sealing the passageway (22) from the environment (20) is arranged.

Description

The invention relates to a battery housing for a motor vehicle, having at least one bottom region and a lid region for delimiting at least one receiving space for at least one battery from the environment and with at least one through-channel extending between the bottom region and the lid region. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with such a battery case. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for sealing a battery case for a motor vehicle.

Such battery housing can protect batteries or battery cells received therein, for example, from damage as a result of accident-related forces. Depending on the type of battery case, a suitable for starting an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle battery, or for example, a high-voltage battery or a plurality of high-voltage batteries for providing drive energy for a motor vehicle driving electric motor can be included in this.

From the DE 102 00 670 A1 For example, a battery mounting structure is known, which has a shell-shaped battery carrier and a belt-shaped strap which can be screwed thereto, as a fastening element for a battery. The battery is clamped between the battery carrier and the band. The battery carrier and the belt are spaced apart by means of a plurality of spacers at their respective edge regions. Through these spacers and through holes in the battery carrier and the band screws can be performed, by means of which the tape can be releasably fixed to the battery carrier.

Object of the present invention is to provide a battery case, a motor vehicle, and a method of the type mentioned, which allow a particularly good protection of a battery from damage.

This object is achieved by a battery housing having the features of patent claim 1, by a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 7 and by a method having the features of patent claim 8. Advantageous developments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is based on a battery housing for a motor vehicle. The battery housing comprises at least one bottom area and a lid area for delimiting at least one receiving space for at least one battery from the surroundings and at least one through-channel extending between the floor area and the lid area. The bottom portion and the lid portion may be opposed housing portions, which may even be made in one piece. These housing areas may limit the receiving space for the battery, or at least partially, for example, by mutual juxtaposition in the vehicle vertical direction, in the vehicle transverse direction or in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

According to the invention, a sleeve member for sealing the passageway from the environment is arranged in the passageway. The sleeve member is thus arranged in the passageway that it seals the passageway without further fixation elements, such as screws or rivets, by means of which the sleeve member may be held in the passageway. The sleeve member may form, for example, with a channel wall of the passage channel a sliding fit or a press fit, so that the sleeve member does not fall out of the passageway. The sleeve member may thus be held in the passage channel, for example by a contact force between the sleeve member and the battery case. This has the advantage that the battery housing is also tight, for example, to the effects of weathering or spray, when one of a plurality of fixing elements (for example in the form of a plurality of screws) pressed together by means of which the bottom portion and the lid portion of the battery case and screwed to an underbody of a vehicle can be solved. Namely, the passageway is already sealed by the sleeve member, so that even if one of the fixing members should come loose, the battery case remains tight. As a result, a particularly good protection against the effects of weather and thus created from any damage of arranged in the receiving space batteries. The channel wall may comprise a plurality of wall regions, that is to say, for example, a first wall region and a second wall region. The wall regions can each be designed as web regions through which the through-channel extends. In this case, the floor area may, for example, have the first wall area and the cover area may have the second wall area. When arranging the bottom region and the lid region, the two wall regions can then be aligned with one another and form the passageway which extends between the bottom region and the lid region. In this case, the first wall region and the second wall region at the point where they adjoin one another form a gap. Also this gap can be reliably sealed by means of the sleeve member.

In an advantageous embodiment, at least one sleeve end of the sleeve element at least partially has an outer diameter which is greater than a channel diameter of the through-channel. This has the advantage that the outer diameter may for example be associated with a shoulder on the sleeve end, which could, for example, rest in a countersink in the passage wall bounding the channel wall. The counterbore can be arranged, for example, on an upper side of the passage channel, so that the sleeve element rests solely on account of gravity with its shoulder, which has the outer diameter. Even if the sleeve element arranged in the through-channel should become detached, for example, from an interference fit with the channel wall, a falling-out of the sleeve element from the through-channel is nevertheless largely prevented.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one sleeve end of the sleeve element is pressed against at least one surface of the bottom area and / or the lid area facing the surroundings. The sleeve member may, for example, at the sleeve end, or at both, opposite sleeve ends have a projection with a certain projection diameter. This projection diameter may be greater than the channel diameter of the passageway, which then results in the projection being able to rest on the surface with the sleeve member inserted into the passageway. The sleeve member may be biased, for example, in the passageway and thereby be pressed against the sleeve end and thus the projection on the surface. This results in a particularly reliable sealing of the through-channel.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the sleeve element exerts a force on the bottom area and on the lid area. The sleeve member may, for example, be biased between the bottom portion and the lid portion and thereby pull the bottom portion and the lid portion together. On the one hand, this increases the tightness, for example, against the penetration of water into the through-channel and, on the other hand, the bottom area and the lid area can be held together without further fixing elements and thus solely by the sleeve element or several sleeve elements. This is particularly advantageous if the bottom area and the lid area are each individual housing parts, which can then be pulled together (pulled together) by the sleeve element at least in one area. This then also increases the tightness, for example, at edge regions of the individual housing parts, especially since seals arranged therebetween can be clamped between the housing parts by the use of the sleeve element or several sleeve elements even without fixing elements (eg screws) and thus also at these edge regions improved tightness is created.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the sleeve member is connected at least partially cohesively to the bottom portion and / or the lid portion. The sleeve element can - depending on the material from which the sleeve member is formed - with the bottom portion and additionally or alternatively with the lid portion, for example, glued, soldered or welded, to name just a few cohesive types of connection. As a result, the sleeve element can be arranged particularly captive in the passageway. Thus, for example, the sleeve element can be rotated relative to the respective wall region in its position introduced into at least one of the wall regions (web regions) of the channel wall (web which delimits the passage channel) and thereby be friction-welded.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the sleeve element is caulked to a caulking with the bottom portion and / or the lid portion. The caulking can extend over the entire sleeve member, or only over a portion which is limited, for example, on one of the sleeve ends. The area between the two sleeve ends could also be caulked to the floor area and additionally or alternatively to the lid area. For example, could pass through the bottom portion and additionally or alternatively through the lid portion and a groove parallel to and adjacent to the passageway into which the sleeve material of the sleeve member when caulking penetrates (positive engagement) and thereby a longitudinal projection on the sleeve member is formed by plastic deformation of the sleeve member , which is pressed into the groove. The wall areas (web areas) can thus limit both the passageway and the groove. By caulking the sleeve member is at least partially plastically deformed and it can be created a positive and positive connection between the sleeve member and the bottom portion and additionally or alternatively the lid portion. The caulking of the sleeve member allows a particularly reliable sealing of the passageway.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a battery case, wherein the battery housing is fixed to the motor vehicle by means of at least one fixing element guided through the at least one through-channel and through the sleeve element. Such a motor vehicle can be operated particularly reliably, since penetration of liquid into the through-channel can be at least largely avoided. This at least largely precluded that in the receiving space of the battery case recorded batteries come into contact with moisture, which could lead to damage and even failure of the batteries. Instead, it is largely ensured by the particularly high tightness of the battery housing that the drive energy provided by the batteries is available for driving the motor vehicle. The fixing element may be formed, for example, as a screw, which is guided through the through-channel and the screw head is applied to the bottom portion. As a result, the battery case can be reliably fixed, for example, to an underbody of the motor vehicle. Even if one of the screws should be lost, so can still be ensured by the remaining sleeve in the passage passage element a high tightness.

• – Anordnen wenigstens eines Bodenbereichs und eines Deckelbereichs des Batteriegehäuses aneinander unter Ausbildung wenigstens eines Aufnahmeraums für wenigstens eine Batterie,
• – Abdichten eines Durchgangskanals zwischen dem Bodenbereich und dem Deckelbereich gegenüber der Umgebung durch Anordnen eines Hülsenelements in dem Durchgangskanal.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for sealing a battery case for a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• Arranging at least one bottom area and one lid area of the battery housing together to form at least one receiving space for at least one battery,
• - Sealing a passageway between the bottom portion and the lid portion from the environment by placing a sleeve member in the passageway.

When arranging the bottom area and the lid area, a plurality of batteries can be accommodated in the receiving space and protected from weather influences by the sealing by means of the one sleeve element or by means of a plurality of sleeve elements.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one sleeve end of the sleeve element is crimped and thereby the sleeve end is pressed against a surface of the battery housing facing the environment. The sleeve end may, for example, have a protruding from the passage edge or a collar which is crimped. This edge or collar is then widened during crimping and pressed against the surface of the bottom portion or the lid portion, resulting in a reliable seal and at the same time the sleeve member can be held captive even without fixing in the passageway.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the sleeve element is connected to the bottom region or the lid region by friction welding. By friction welding, a particularly reliable connection can be created. The sleeve element can be contacted, for example, with a first wall region and additionally or alternatively with a second wall region of the through-channel and rotated relative to the respective wall region. By this rotation, the sleeve element can then be friction-welded to the first wall region and additionally or alternatively to the second wall region.

The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

In the following, the invention is explained once again with reference to a concrete embodiment. This shows:

1 in a sectional view a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a battery housing according to the invention, wherein a sleeve member is disposed in a passageway;

2 in a further sectional view of the portion of the battery case, wherein the sleeve member is friction welded to a wall portion of a passage channel;

3 a perspective view of the battery case; and

4 a sectional view of the battery case, which is fixed to an underbody of a motor vehicle.

1 shows a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a battery housing according to the invention 10 , The battery case 10 is present on a floor panel 37 a body structure of a vehicle only partially shown here 36 fixed. Here is the battery case 10 by means of a fixing element 38 , which in the present embodiment as Screw is formed on an underbody of the motor vehicle 38 bolted in a fixing position. In this fixing position holds a disc 40 the battery case 10 at a distance from an internal thread in the subfloor, in which the fixing element 38 is screwed. The fixing element 38 is through a passageway 22 guided, which is through the battery case 10 extends through.

Furthermore, the battery case 10 present in a floor area 12 and a lid area 14 divided. The floor area 12 and the lid area 14 border a recording room 16 opposite the environment 20 from where in the recording room 16 a battery 18 is included. The passageway 22 extends between the floor area 12 and the lid area 14 , wherein the passageway 22 on the one hand by a first wall area 44 in the lid area 14 and on the other hand by a second wall area 46 in the floor area 12 runs. The two wall areas 44 . 46 form a bridge, which extends through the battery case 10 extends. The floor area 12 and the lid area 14 can, as in 1 shown by one on the edge of the battery case 10 extending gap 48 be separated from each other. This gap 48 can be a division of the battery case 10 correspond. In the gap 48 may be a seal, not shown here for sealing the battery case 10 opposite the environment 20 be arranged.

In the passageway 22 is further a sleeve member 24 for sealing the through-channel 22 opposite the environment 20 arranged. The sleeve element 24 may for example be made of a metal or of a plastic and has a first sleeve end 26 and a second sleeve end 28 on. In the in 1 embodiment shown is the sleeve member 24 at a caulking area 32 with the battery case 10 caulked. The caulking region extends from the first end of the sleeve 26 over the middle of the sleeve element 10 to the second end of the sleeve 28 , By caulking is the sleeve member 10 both with the two wall areas 44 . 46 as well as with the two sleeve ends 26 . 28 to respective surfaces 34 . 35 of the lid area 14 , or the floor area 12 pressed. By caulking is the first sleeve end 26 of the sleeve element 24 at least partially plastically deformed and thereby expanded to an outer diameter D, which is greater than a channel diameter d of the through-channel 22 , The expansion is possible because the two sleeve ends 26 . 28 in each case as from the passageway 22 outstanding and thus protruding edge or collar are formed, this edge, or collar flanged and to the surface 34 is pressed. The caulked sleeve element 24 also exerts a force F on the ground area 12 and on the lid area 14 out, since the sleeve element 24 by caulking in the passageway 22 is also biased. One of the two sleeve ends 26 . 28 can also be designed as a collar, which has the outer diameter D, which accordingly also only by a one-sided caulking of the corresponding, other sleeve end 26 . 28 an effective seal is possible.

The sleeve element 24 can also, as in 2 shown, at least partially on a material bond area 30 cohesively with the bottom area 12 and additionally or alternatively with the lid portion 14 be connected. Im in 2 the embodiment shown is the second sleeve end 28 with the second wall area 46 at the material connection area 30 friction welded. Alternatively, the sleeve member could 24 also the lid area 14 and additionally or alternatively with the floor area 12 glued, just to name one of several other possibilities for a material bond.

3 shows the battery case 10 again in a perspective view, in which it can be seen that the battery case 10 a plurality of passageways 22 of which in the present case each passageway 22 through a sleeve element 24 is sealed. Through the passageways 22 and by the sleeve elements arranged therein 24 are fixation elements 38 led, by means of which the battery case 10 on the underbody of the motor vehicle 36 is fixed.

4 shows the battery case 10 in the car 36 mounted position.

In summary, the battery case by arranging the sleeve members 24 opposite the environment 20 also without screwing to the body of the motor vehicle 36 be sealed.

Through the sleeve elements 24 can also have extra spacious battery case 10 , which are needed for large batteries to meet increased range requirements, even without screwing (fixing elements 38 ) are effectively sealed.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10200670 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Battery case ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle ( 36 ), with at least one floor area ( 12 ) and a lid area ( 14 ) for delimiting at least one recording room ( 16 ) for at least one battery ( 18 ) to the environment ( 20 ) and with at least one through-channel ( 22 ), which extends between the floor area ( 12 ) and the lid area ( 14 ), characterized in that in the passageway ( 22 ) a sleeve element ( 24 ) for sealing the through-channel ( 22 ) to the environment ( 20 ) is arranged. Battery case ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one sleeve end ( 26 . 28 ) of the sleeve element ( 24 ) at least partially an outer diameter (D) which is greater than a channel diameter (d) of the through-channel ( 22 ). Battery housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one sleeve end ( 26 . 28 ) of the sleeve element ( 24 ) to at least one of the surroundings ( 20 ) facing surface ( 34 . 35 ) of the ground area ( 12 ) and / or the lid area ( 14 ) is pressed. Battery case ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve element ( 24 ) a force (F) on the ground area ( 12 ) and on the lid area ( 14 ) exercises. Battery case ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve element ( 24 ) at least partially cohesively with the bottom area ( 12 ) and / or the lid area ( 14 ) connected is. Battery case ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve element ( 24 ) at a caulking area ( 32 ) with the floor area ( 12 ) and / or the lid area ( 14 ) is caulked. Motor vehicle ( 36 ) with a battery case ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the battery housing ( 10 ) by means of at least one through the at least one passageway ( 22 ) as well as through the sleeve element ( 24 ) guided fixing element ( 38 ) on the motor vehicle ( 36 ) is fixed. Method for sealing a battery housing ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle ( 36 ), comprising the steps of: arranging at least one floor area ( 12 ) and a lid area ( 14 ) of the battery case ( 10 ) to each other to form at least one receiving space ( 16 ) for at least one battery ( 18 ), - sealing a through-channel ( 22 ) between the floor area ( 12 ) and the lid area ( 14 ) to the environment ( 20 ) by arranging a sleeve element ( 24 ) in the passageway ( 22 ). A method according to claim 8, characterized by the step of flanging at least one sleeve end ( 26 . 28 ) of the sleeve element ( 24 ) and thereby pressing the sleeve end ( 26 . 28 ) to an environment-facing surface ( 34 . 35 ) of the battery case ( 10 ). Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the step: connecting the sleeve element ( 24 ) with the floor area ( 12 ) or the lid area ( 14 ) by friction welding.

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