DE102016200088A1 - Battery module housing, battery module, and method of making a battery module housing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery module housing (20), comprising a plurality of chambers (45) for receiving battery cells, separating walls (30) arranged between the chambers (45) and a sheath (22) enclosing the chambers (45) and the partitions (30). at least partially surrounds. In the partitions (30) cooling channels (32) are formed, which can be traversed by a cooling liquid. The invention also relates to a battery module, which comprises a battery module housing according to the invention. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a battery module housing (20), comprising the following steps: - manufacture of partitions (30) by means of injection molding, wherein in the partitions (30) by a cooling liquid flow-through cooling channels (32) are formed; - Arranging a plurality of partitions (30) at defined distances from each other; - Generation of a partitions (30) at least partially surrounding the envelope (22) by injection molding, wherein between the partitions (30) chambers (45) for receiving battery cells remain.

Description

The invention relates to a battery module housing, which comprises a plurality of chambers for receiving battery cells, separating walls arranged between the chambers and an enclosure which at least partially surrounds the chambers and the partition walls. The invention also relates to a battery module, which comprises a battery module housing according to the invention, and to a method for producing a battery module housing according to the invention.

State of the art

Electrical energy can be stored by means of batteries. Batteries convert chemical reaction energy into electrical energy. Here, a distinction is made between primary batteries and secondary batteries. Primary batteries are only functional once, while secondary batteries, also referred to as accumulators, are rechargeable. A battery comprises one or more battery cells.

In particular, so-called lithium-ion battery cells are used in an accumulator. These are characterized among other things by high energy densities, thermal stability and extremely low self-discharge. Lithium-ion battery cells are used, inter alia, in motor vehicles, in particular in electric vehicles (EV), hybrid vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).

Lithium-ion battery cells have a positive electrode, also referred to as a cathode, and a negative electrode, also referred to as an anode. The cathode and the anode each comprise a current conductor, on which an active material is applied.

Several battery cells are combined to form a battery assembly, in particular to a battery module. In this case, on the one hand, the terminals of the individual battery cells are electrically connected in parallel or in series with each other. On the other hand, the battery cells are mechanically connected to each other.

The document DE 10 2013 002 847 A1 discloses a battery assembly that includes a plurality of battery cells. The battery cells are arranged in a housing and separated from each other by partitions. The housing is made of a phase change material which is in thermal contact with a cooling plate for cooling the battery assembly.

From the document DE 10 2013 204 180 A1 An enclosure for receiving a cell packet is known. The enclosure is partially made of plastic.

From the document DE 10 2013 210 585 A1 goes out a housing device for energy storage cells. The housing device has a plurality of housing elements arranged one behind the other, which are mechanically connected to one another. Between the housing elements remain spaces for receiving the energy storage cells. The housing elements are made of plastic, for example.

The document DE 10 2005 061 053 A1 discloses an apparatus and a method for producing foamed moldings, in particular by injection molding. In this case, the material used is in particular a polymer to which a blowing agent is supplied.

From the document DE 10 2011 105 775 A9 is a method for injection molding of molded parts made of thermoplastic materials known. In this case, a fluid of the thermoplastic material is added to a injection molding tool prior to injection.

From the document EP 2 342 068 B1 goes out a method and an apparatus for the production of plastic moldings. In this case, a reinforcing agent is introduced from continuous fibers before injecting a plastic molding compound into a mold.

The document DE 44 37 414 C2 discloses a method for injection molding plastic parts. In this case, before injecting a melt into an injection mold, a fluid is introduced into a mold cavity of the injection mold and held at a pressure which is below the injection pressure of the melt.

From the document DE 44 14 258 C2 For example, a method of injection molding articles consisting of at least two different layers is known.

Disclosure of the invention

It is proposed a battery module housing, which comprises a plurality of chambers for receiving battery cells, arranged between the chambers partitions and a sheath. The enclosure surrounds the chambers and the partitions at least partially.

The envelope is formed in one piece. The chambers are electrolyte-tight, so that In particular, liquid electrolyte from the battery cells used can not escape.

According to the invention cooling channels are formed in the partitions, which can be flowed through by a cooling liquid. The cooling liquid flowing in the cooling channels serves primarily to cool the battery cells accommodated in the chambers.

Advantageously, the cooling channels are connected to each other by channel bridges, which are at least partially disposed within the enclosure. Thus, the cooling liquid can flow in a cooling circuit through all partitions as well as through the surrounding the partitions enclosure.

Preferably, the partitions are made of a plastic, in particular by injection molding. Also, the envelope is preferably made of a plastic, in particular by injection molding. In this case, the plastics from which the partitions and the envelope are made, preferably contain a same polymer. As a result, the adhesion between the partitions and the enclosure is increased.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, an organo sheet is arranged between at least one partition wall, in particular an externally arranged partition wall, and the enclosure. The organic sheet increases the mechanical strength of the battery module housing. The organic sheet is a flat composite material which comprises several layers. Among other things, the organic sheet comprises an outer layer containing a polymer. Preferably, this layer contains the same polymer as the partitions and / or the covering, whereby the adhesion between the organic sheet and the partitions and / or between the organo-sheet of the envelope is increased.

According to yet another advantageous development of the invention, the chambers for receiving the battery cells are lined with a composite foil containing aluminum. The composite foil ensures that the chambers are made electrolyte-tight. The composite film comprises several layers. In addition to an aluminum-containing layer, the composite film comprises an outer layer containing a polymer. In this case, this layer preferably contains the same polymer as the partitions and / or the cover, whereby the adhesion between the composite film and the partitions and / or between the composite film of the cover is increased.

A battery module is also proposed which comprises a battery module housing according to the invention and a plurality of battery cells. The battery cells are received in the chambers of the battery module housing and electrically interconnected.

• – Fertigen von mehreren Trennwänden mittels Spritzgießens, wobei in den einzelnen Trennwänden von einer Kühlflüssigkeit durchströmbare Kühlkanäle, insbesondere durch den Einsatz eines Fluids, das mittels Injektionsnadeln eingespritzt wird, ausgebildet werden;
• – Anordnen mehrerer so gefertigter Trennwände in definierten Abständen zueinander;
• – Erzeugung einer die derart angeordneten Trennwände zumindest teilweise umgebenden Umhüllung mittels Spritzgießens, wobei zwischen den einzelnen Trennwänden Kammern zur Aufnahme von Batteriezellen verbleiben.

A method for producing a battery module housing is also proposed, which comprises the following steps:

• - Manufacture of several partitions by injection molding, being formed in the individual partitions by a cooling liquid flow-through cooling channels, in particular by the use of a fluid which is injected by means of injection needles, are formed;
• Arranging a plurality of partition walls produced in this way at defined distances from each other;
• - Generation of a partition thus arranged at least partially surrounding casing by injection molding, wherein remain between the individual partitions chambers for receiving battery cells.

Before the enclosure is formed, the cooling channels of the partition walls are preferably connected to each other by channel bridges, and the channel bridges remain at least partially within the enclosure. Thus, a cooling circuit is created by all the partitions as well as by the surrounding the partitions enclosure, through which the cooling liquid can flow.

Preferably, the partitions are made by injection molding of a plastic, and the envelope is preferably made by injection molding of a plastic. In this case, the plastics from which the partitions and the envelope are made, preferably contain a same polymer. As a result, the adhesion between the partitions and the enclosure is increased.

Before the casing is produced, an organic sheet is advantageously arranged in addition to at least one dividing wall, in particular an externally arranged dividing wall. The organic sheet is preferably preheated. Among other things, the organic sheet comprises an outer layer containing a polymer. Preferably contains this layer thereby the same polymer as the partitions and / or the envelope, whereby the adhesion between the organic sheet and the partitions and / or between the organo-sheet of the envelope is increased.

Advantageously, an aluminum-containing composite film is introduced between the two partitions before production of the envelope, which lines the chambers. The composite film is pulled, for example, on corresponding mandrels of an injection mold. Among other things, the composite film comprises an outer layer which contains a polymer. In this case, this layer preferably contains the same polymer as the partitions and / or the cover, whereby the adhesion between the composite film and the partitions and / or between the composite film of the cover is increased.

Advantages of the invention

The battery module housing according to the invention and the battery module according to the invention are relatively inexpensive to produce. By applying the method according to the invention, the battery module housing according to the invention and the battery module according to the invention can also be produced in a relatively short time. Furthermore, the battery module housing is mechanically stable and still has only a relatively low weight.

Furthermore, the battery module housing according to the invention makes it possible to accommodate battery cells without a separate cell housing. For example, an electrode unit including a sheet-like anode and a sheet-like cathode wound to an electrode coil with the interposition of a sheet-like separator may be inserted into a chamber of the battery module case, and the chamber may be filled with a liquid electrolyte.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings and the description below.

1 : a sectional view of a partition wall during its production,

2 : a side view of the partition off 1 .

3 FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a plurality of partitions immediately before the production of an envelope, FIG.

4 : a side view of one of the partitions 3 .

5 : A sectional view of several partitions during the production of the casing and

6 : A sectional view of a battery module housing.

Embodiments of the invention

In the following description of the embodiments of the invention, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, wherein a repeated description of these elements is dispensed with in individual cases. The figures illustrate the subject matter of the invention only schematically.

1 shows a sectional view of a partition 30 a battery module housing to be manufactured 20 during their manufacture in a first injection mold 71 , In the first injection mold 71 becomes the dividing wall 30 with cooling channels 32 made of thermally conductive plastic by the injection molding fluid injection process.

In the first injection mold 71 becomes a fan shifter 62 drove up, and via a central first sprue 81 is a thermally conductive melt, or a liquefied plastic, without emphasis in a flow direction 65 in a cavity of the first injection mold 71 injected. Here, several interconnected needles protrude 63 in the first injection mold 71 , By injecting the fluid, the walls are completely filled and additionally compacted. Through the compression gets the partition 30 a higher mechanical stability.

The plastic contains a polymer, for example a polypropylene (PP) or polyketone (PK), and is filled, for example, with thermally conductive graphite platelets and / or boron nitride.

Shortly after the injection is over the injected injection needles 63 a fluid, such as water, oil or gas, injected, causing the cooling channels 32 be formed. The cooling channels 32 thus run parallel to each other in the partition 30 , By appropriate choice of a delay time of the injection via the injection needles 63 can be a diameter of the cooling channels 32 be set. The injected fluid also accelerates the cooling of the manufactured partition 30 ,

2 shows a side view of the partition 1 , After cooling, the fan shifter 62 pulled outward, and the injection needles 63 being deleted. Subsequently, the manufactured partition 30 demoulded and by ejecting 61 from the first injection mold 71 taken.

Subsequently, the partition wall 30 along with other partitions 30 supplied to a mounting device, not shown here. In the mounting device, the partitions 30 arranged at defined distances from each other, and channel bridges 33 be between the individual cooling channels 32 plugged. Thus, a continuous cooling circuit through all partitions 30 generated, which has a central entrance and a central Output has. The canal bridges 33 For example, in an upstream process, they are thermally bent from an extruded profile and have a U-shape.

Subsequently, the appropriately arranged partitions 30 removed from the mounting device and into a second injection mold 72 used. In 3 is a sectional view of several corresponding in the second injection mold 72 arranged partitions 30 immediately before the production of a wrapper 22 shown.

Before inserting the partitions 30 in the second injection mold 72 be in the second injection mold 72 already heated organic sheets 35 to the outer walls of a cavity of the second injection mold 72 inserted. In the illustration shown is only such an organic sheet 35 visible, noticeable. The organic sheets 35 cause a high mechanical stability of the battery module housing 20 , The organic sheets 35 include an outer layer containing a polymer, in particular polypropylene (PP) or polyketone (PK).

Before inserting the partitions 30 in the second injection mold 72 be in the second injection mold 72 composite films 40 brought in. This will be the composite films 40 about mandrels 75 drawn, which is the space for chambers to be created 45 define, which are intended to receive battery cells. The composite films 40 comprise at least one layer of aluminum and an outer layer containing a polymer, in particular polypropylene (PP) or polyketone (PK).

A side view of one of the partitions 3 is in 4 shown. The canal bridges 33 on the one hand connect cooling channels 32 the partition shown here 30 together. On the other hand, the canal bridges connect 33 but also cooling channels 32 the partition shown here 30 with cooling channels 32 another partition 30 ,

5 shows a sectional view of several partitions 30 in the second injection mold 72 during the generation of the serving 22 , The second injection mold 72 is associated, for example, with a cylinder, not shown here, which has been developed specifically for the ProFoam process.

Plastic granules filled with long glass fibers, which contains a polymer, for example polypropylene (PP) or polyketone (PK), are melted in the cylinder under a pressure of up to 50 bar without shearing elements, so that a driving fluid can diffuse into the polymer. The liquefied plastic is very gentle on the material in the cavity of the second injection mold due to low pressure 72 over a second sprue 82 in a flow direction 65 injected. The long glass fibers are retained.

The driving fluid causes a very low viscosity of the liquefied plastic, so in combination with a foaming of the liquefied plastic in the cavity of the second injection molding tool 72 also relatively thin walls are filled very well. In particular, the liquefied plastic also flows into that of the fan shifter 62 generated cavities in the partitions 30 ,

After hardening and cooling, the liquefied plastic forms the coating 22 , This creates the battery module housing 20 with chambers 45 for receiving battery cells. The battery module housing 20 is mechanically stable and has a low weight. After a given cooling time, the battery module housing 20 with ejectors not shown here 61 pushed out of the cavity and the second injection mold 72 taken.

The serving 22 Alternatively, it may be carried out by a standard injection-molding process with normal fiber-reinforced thermoplastic.

In this case, the partitions 30 , the organic sheets 35 , the composite films 40 and the serving 22 have an identical polymer, namely polypropylene (PP) or polyketone (PK), results in a relatively good adhesion between said components.

In 6 is a sectional view of the battery module housing manufactured accordingly 20 shown. The battery module housing 20 is part of a battery module, which includes a plurality of battery cells in the chambers 45 of the battery module housing 20 recorded and electrically interconnected.

After removal of the battery module housing 20 from the second injection mold 72 be in the electrolyte-tight chambers 45 of the battery module housing 20 introduced here not shown battery cells. The battery cells each comprise an electrode unit which contains a foil-type anode and a foil-like cathode, which are wound to form an electrode coil with the interposition of a foil-like separator. The chambers 45 are filled up with a liquid electrolyte. The battery cells thus do not have a separate cell housing.

Subsequently, the composite films 40 welded, with electrical contacts 51 the battery cells the composite foil 40 project through. The contacts 51 The individual battery cells are in corresponding recesses in the partitions 30 used and electrically interconnected in series or in parallel.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and the aspects highlighted therein. Rather, within the scope given by the claims a variety of modifications are possible, which are within the scope of expert action.

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 102013002847 A1 [0006]
• DE 102013204180 A1 [0007]
• DE 102013210585 A1 [0008]
• DE 102005061053 A1 [0009]
• DE 102011105775 A9 [0010]
• EP 2342068 B1 [0011]
• DE 4437414 C2 [0012]
• DE 4414258 C2 [0013]

Claims (11)

Battery module housing ( 20 ), comprising several chambers ( 45 ) for receiving battery cells, between the chambers ( 45 ) arranged partitions ( 30 ) and an envelope ( 22 ), which the chambers ( 45 ) and the partitions ( 30 ) at least partially, characterized in that in the partitions ( 30 ) Cooling channels ( 32 ) are formed, which can be traversed by a cooling liquid. Battery module housing ( 20 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling channels ( 32 ) by channel bridges ( 33 ), which at least partially within the envelope ( 22 ) are arranged. Battery module housing ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partitions ( 30 ) are made of a plastic, and that the envelope ( 22 ) is made of a plastic, wherein the plastics contain a same polymer. Battery module housing ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between at least one partition wall ( 30 ) and the envelope ( 22 ) an organic sheet ( 35 ) is arranged. Battery module housing ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chambers ( 45 ) with an aluminum-containing composite film ( 40 ) are lined. Battery module comprising a battery module housing ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims and a plurality of battery cells. Method for producing a battery module housing ( 20 ), comprising the following steps: - manufacture of partitions ( 30 ) by injection molding, wherein in the partitions ( 30 ) Cooling passages through which a coolant can flow ( 32 ) be formed; - arranging several partitions ( 30 ) at defined distances from each other; - production of the partitions ( 30 ) at least partially surrounding envelope ( 22 ) by injection molding, wherein between the partitions ( 30 ) Chambers ( 45 ) remain to receive battery cells. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that before production of the envelope ( 22 ) the cooling channels ( 32 ) by channel bridges ( 33 ) and that the channel bridges ( 33 ) at least partially within the envelope ( 22 ) remain. Method according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the partitions ( 30 ) are made by injection molding of a plastic, and that the envelope ( 22 ) is made by injection molding of a plastic, wherein the plastics contain a same polymer. Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that before production of the envelope ( 22 ) next to at least one partition wall ( 30 ) an organic sheet ( 35 ) is arranged, which of the envelope ( 22 ) is at least partially surrounded. Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that before production of the envelope ( 22 ) between each two partitions ( 30 ) an aluminum-containing composite film ( 40 ) introducing the chambers ( 45 ).

Images