DE102018208896A1 - battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery module with a plurality of battery cells (2), each of which forms a first electrical voltage tap (31) on a first side surface (21) and a second electrical voltage tap on a second side surface (22) opposite the first side surface (21) (32), the battery cells (2) being arranged in a plurality of sub-strands (4) of the battery module (1), and the battery cells (2) of a sub-strand (4) being arranged alternately in a longitudinal direction (7) of the respective sub-strand (4) are, the battery module (1) comprises two first sub-strands (41, 43) with T-shaped cell connectors (8), which connect the battery cells (2) of the respective first sub-strand (41, 43) to one another in an electrically conductive manner, and that Battery module (1) at least one second partial strand (42) with cross-shaped cell connectors (9) which connect the battery cells (2) of the at least one second partial strand also connected (42) in an electrically conductive manner with one another, the T-shaped cell connectors (8) of the first sub-strands (41, 43) for a parallel connection of the sub-strands (4) to each other also each being electrically conductive with one of the cross-shaped cell connectors (9) of the at least one second partial strand (42) are connected.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a battery module according to the preamble of the independent claim.

Battery-powered motor vehicles (electric vehicles) usually have batteries consisting of a plurality of battery modules which are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner.
In this case, the battery modules can be electrically connected in series and / or in parallel with one another in order to meet the requirements imposed on a battery module.
In this case, such battery modules continue to be composed of individual electrically connected in series and / or parallel battery cells.

Requirements placed on such batteries of electric vehicles may be, for example, the space available in such a vehicle as well as the required power or the required form of energy.

Batteries of battery-electric motor vehicles can usually have operating voltages in the high-voltage range at approximately 380 volts, the battery modules in this case being electrically connected to one another in series. Such a battery may be constructed, for example, of 104 serially interconnected lithium-ion battery cells.
Furthermore, it is also possible that batteries in smaller electric vehicles and scooters operating voltages in the low voltage range at about 48 volts to 60 volts, wherein the battery modules are electrically connected in parallel with each other.
Such a battery can be constructed, for example, from 13 lithium ion battery cells connected in series with each other.
The number of battery modules used is adapted to the required power of the motor vehicle.

Often, for each application of a battery in a battery-powered motor vehicle, a suitable battery cell, which is adapted to such an application, is developed, whereby, for example, a development of a battery adapted to the respective requirement may be necessary.
As a result, in such adapted solutions, the costs increase, which are decisive in addition to a range of the vehicle and the necessary charging time of the battery for the end customer in a decision for an electric vehicle.
Thus, an individual, costly construction of a battery of an electric vehicle does not contribute to its acceptance.

Disclosure of the invention

A battery module having the features of the independent claim has the advantage that a structure of a battery module is possible with which different requirements can be standardized both to the operating voltage and to the required power and thus implemented inexpensively. Thus, by means of such standardization, the disadvantages of the prior art can be overcome.
In particular, it is possible with a battery module according to the invention to standardize a parallel connection of individual battery modules.

For this purpose, a battery module is provided according to the invention.
The battery module has a plurality of battery cells.
The battery cells each form a first electrical voltage tap on a first side surface.
The battery cells each form a second electrical voltage tap on a second side surface.
The first side surface is arranged opposite to the second side surface. In particular, the first side surface is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the battery cells opposite to the second side surface.
Furthermore, the plurality of battery cells are arranged in several sub-strands of the battery module.
The battery cells of a sub-string are arranged alternately in a longitudinal direction of the sub-strand.
The battery module comprises two first sub-strands.
The first sub-strands in each case have T-shaped cell connectors, which electrically connect the battery cells of the respective first sub-string in series with each other.
The battery module comprises at least a second sub-string.
The at least one second sub-strand has cross-shaped cell connectors, which electrically connect the battery cells of the at least one second sub-string in series with each other.

Furthermore, the T-shaped cell connectors of the first sub-strands are each further electrically conductively connected to one of the cross-shaped cell connectors of the at least one second sub-string to form a parallel interconnection of the sub-strands with each other.

The measures listed in the dependent claims advantageous refinements and improvements of the independent claims are possible devices.

It is expedient if the battery cells are each designed as round cells. In this case, the first side surface may be formed as a first end face and the second side face as a second end face, wherein the first end face and the second end face are arranged opposite each other and in particular also parallel to each other.
In this case, the first electrical voltage tap can be arranged on the first end face and the second electrical voltage tap on the second end face.
It should also be noted that it is also possible that the round cell has at a first end face a first electrical voltage tap and a housing of the round cells forms the second voltage tap. Thus, a battery module can be modularly constructed from standardized round cells.

It is preferred if the battery cells of a sub-strand are each accommodated in a sub-strand housing.
The arrangement of the battery cells in a sub-strand housing simplifies the construction of the battery module and increases its stability.
In this case, the sub-strand housing, for example, have openings into which the individual battery cells of the respective sub-string can be introduced.
Such sub-strand housing can be formed in particular of plastic.
For this purpose, the battery cells, for example, in a longitudinal direction of the respective sub-strand alternately with the first electrical voltage tap and the second electrical Spannungsabgriff be introduced into the openings, so that ultimately in the longitudinal direction of the respective sub-strand at the top alternately a first electrical voltage tap and a second electrical Voltage tap are arranged. For example, the battery cells can also be glued for this purpose.

Furthermore, it is also preferred if the T-shaped cell connectors or cross-shaped cell connectors are accommodated in the respective sub-strand housing of the first sub-string or of the second sub-string.
For example, the sub-strand housing may have guides or receptacles for insertion, insertion or insertion of the respective cell connectors.
Furthermore, the cell connectors are electrically connected to a serial connection of two adjacent battery cells with each other with a first electrical voltage tap of a first battery cell and a second electrical voltage tap of a second battery cell.
Preferably, such a connection is formed cohesively, such as laser-welded.
Thus, for example, can be dispensed with bonding wires and a total of a solid structure of the battery module are provided. Therefore, the electrical voltage taps of the individual round cells can be reliably connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner.

Conveniently, two adjacently arranged sub-strand housing are positively connected to each other.
It is possible, for example, to connect the sub-strand housing by means of the tongue and groove principle with each other.
Thus, a reliable mechanical connection of the individual sub-string housing can be formed with each other.

It is advantageous if the T-shaped cell connectors of a first first sub-string of the two first sub-strings and a second first sub-string of the first two sub-strings are arranged mirror-symmetrically to each other.

In this case, the mirror plane extends, for example, parallel to the longitudinal direction of a partial strand and is furthermore preferably arranged exactly in a middle position between the two first partial strands.
As a result, a simple construction of the battery module is possible.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the first partial strands furthermore have at least one terminally arranged L-shaped cell connector.
In particular, the first partial strands each have an L-shaped cell connector on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the respective first partial strand.
This makes it possible to easily expand the battery module, in particular the first sub-strands, in the serial direction.
Thus, the operating voltage of the battery module can be easily extended.
In other words, this means that the battery module can be easily connected in the longitudinal direction with another battery module.

According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, the at least one second sub-string furthermore has at least one terminally arranged T-shaped cell connector.
In particular, the at least one second sub-strand in each case has a T-shaped cell connector on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the at least one second sub-strand.
This makes it possible to easily expand the battery module, in particular the second sub-string, in the serial direction.
Thus, the operating voltage of the battery module can be easily extended.
In other words, this means that the battery module can be easily connected in the longitudinal direction with another battery module.

It is expedient if the battery module has a plurality of second sub-strands.

This makes it possible to easily expand the battery module in a parallel direction.
Thus, the power consumption and the performance of the battery module can be easily extended.

Overall, a battery module according to the invention has the advantage that a battery module requiring only a few standardized components can be made available, which can also be adapted to different tree shapes of a vehicle and is furthermore also easy to assemble.

Of course, it is possible to use such a battery module for a wide variety of applications, such as for electric vehicles or stationary energy storage.

list of figures

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description.

• 1 in einer Explosionsdarstellung schematisch den Aufbau eines erfindungsgemäßen Batteriemoduls und
• 2 schematisch eine Verbindungsmöglichkeit von zwei Teilsträngen.

It shows

• 1 in an exploded view schematically the structure of a battery module according to the invention and
• 2 schematically a possibility of connecting two sub-strands.

The 1 schematically shows the structure of a battery module according to the invention 1 in an exploded view.

The battery module 1 has a plurality of battery cells 2 on.
The battery cells 2 are doing according to 1 each as round cells 20 educated.
The battery cells 2 . 20 form on a first side surface 21 a first electrical voltage tap 31 out.
The battery cells 2 . 20 form on a second side surface 22 a second electrical voltage tap 32 out.
Here is the first side surface 21 from the second side surface 22 differently formed and the first side surfaces 21 is the second side surface 22 arranged opposite.
The first side surface 21 can have a first end face and the second side face 22 to be a second end face.
For example, the first electrical voltage tap 31 be a positive voltage tap and the second electrical voltage tap 32 be a negative voltage tap.

The battery cells 2 . 20 are still in partial strands 4 of the battery module 1 arranged.

These are in the embodiment of the battery module 1 according to 1 the battery cells 2 . 20 in a sub-string housing 6 added.
Preferably, the sub-strand housing 6 made of plastic.

In the embodiment of the battery module 1 according to 1 is a first number 51 of battery cells 2 . 20 in a first first sub-string 41 arranged, the 1 the four battery cells 2 . 20 the first number 51 outside a first sub-string housing 61 of the first first branch 41 represents.
Furthermore, a second number 52 of battery cells 2 . 20 in a second sub-string 42 arranged, the 1 the four battery cells 2 . 20 the second number 52 in a second sub-strand housing 62 of the second branch 42 arranged state shows.
Furthermore, a third number 53 of battery cells 2 . 20 in a second first sub-string 43 arranged, the 1 the four battery cells 2 . 20 the third number 53 in a third sub-branch housing 63 of the second first branch 43 arranged state shows.

Here is the second sub-string 42 always between the first two strands 41 . 43 arranged.

Furthermore, from the 1 to realize that the battery cells 2 . 20 in a longitudinal direction 7 are arranged alternately.
In particular, the first number 51 in a first longitudinal direction 71 of the first first branch 41 arranged alternately, is the second number 52 in a second longitudinal direction 72 of the second branch 42 arranged alternately and is the third number 53 in a third longitudinal direction 73 of the second first branch 43 arranged alternately.
Like from the 1 can be seen, should be understood by alternation that the first electrical voltage taps 31 and the second electrical voltage taps 32 each in the longitudinal direction 7 alternately on an upper side of the respective sub-string housing 6 . 61 . 62 . 63 are arranged so that at the top in the direction of the respective longitudinal direction 7 . 71 . 72 . 73 to a first electrical voltage tap 31 a second electrical voltage tap 32 follows and on a second electrical voltage tap 32 a first electrical voltage tap 31 follows.

At this point it should be noted that immediately adjacent battery cells 2 . 20 different partial strands 4 have a same arrangement, so that always first electrical voltage taps 31 from neighboring battery cells 2 . 20 different sub-strands are arranged on an upper side or on a lower side.

Furthermore, the first partial strands 41 . 43 each T-shaped cell connector 8th on. The T-shaped cell connectors connect 8th each a first electrical voltage tap 31 a battery cell 2 . 20 and a second electrical voltage tap 32 another battery cell 2 . 20 which is adjacent to the battery cell 2 . 20 with the first electrical voltage tap 31 is arranged. This causes the battery cells 2 . 20 the first number 51 of the first first branch 41 and the battery cells 2 . 20 the third number 53 of the second first branch 43 each electrically connected in series with each other.

Furthermore, the second sub-string 42 each cross-shaped cell connectors 9 on.
The cross-shaped cell connectors connect 9 each a first electrical voltage tap 31 a battery cell 2 . 20 and a second electrical voltage tap 32 another battery cell 2 . 20 which is adjacent to the battery cell 2 . 20 with the first electrical voltage tap 31 is arranged.
This causes the battery cells 2 . 20 the second number 52 of the second branch 42 each electrically connected in series with each other.

Here are the T-shaped cell connectors 8th or the cross-shaped cell connector 9 at the in the 1 shown embodiment of the battery module 1 to a connection of a first battery cell 23 and a second battery cell 24 on an underside of the respective sub-string 4 arranged, to a connection of the second battery cell 24 and a third battery cell 25 on an upper side of the respective sub-string 4 arranged and connected to a third battery cell 25 and a fourth battery cell 26 on an underside of the respective sub-string 4 arranged.
The name of the battery cells 2 . 20 as the first, second, third or fourth takes place as an example of the embodiment according to 1 along the longitudinal directions 71 . 72 . 73 ,
In other words, this means that the T-shaped cell connectors 8th or the cross-shaped cell connectors 9 alternately on an underside of the respective sub-string 4 and on an upper side of the respective sub-string 4 are arranged.

Furthermore, from the 1 to recognize that the T-shaped cell connectors 8th the first partial strands 41 . 43 furthermore electrically conductive with one of the cross-shaped cell connectors 9 of the second branch 42 are connected.
This allows the individual strands 4 electrically connected to each other in parallel.
At this point it should be noted that this results in a so-called 4s3p interconnection of the battery cells 2 . 20 can be trained.

This shows the 1 for example, that the T-shaped cell connectors 8th or the cross-shaped cell connector 9 a fold at their ends 10 which in particular run at right angles to the rest of the cell connector 8th . 9 is trained.
This allows a sufficiently large contact surface between the cell connectors 8th . 9 be formed and thus a reliable contact can be ensured.

The T-shaped cell connectors 8th or the cross-shaped cell connector 9 may be preferred in the respective sub-strand housing 6 be included.

It should be noted at this point that the first first sub-string 41 and the second first sub-string 43 are arranged substantially mirror-symmetrically to each other. In particular, the T-shaped cell connectors 8th arranged mirror-symmetrically to each other.

The sub-string housing 6 are preferably formed of plastic and may be suitably positively connected to each other.

Furthermore, the shows 1 that the first two sub-strands 41 . 43 furthermore an L-shaped cell connector 11 respectively.
An L-shaped cell connector 11 is in the longitudinal direction 7 of the respective sub-string 4 arranged terminally.
It is from the 1 to recognize that both the first first substring 41 as well as the second first substrand 43 in the longitudinal direction 71 . 73 of the respective first partial string 41 . 43 opposite sides each have an L-shaped cell connector 11 respectively.
The L-shaped cell connectors 11 are each with an electrical voltage tap 31 . 32 a terminal battery cell 2 . 20 electrically connected.

Furthermore, the shows 1 that the second substrand 42 furthermore a T-shaped cell connector 12 having.
The T-shaped cell connector 12 is in the longitudinal direction 7 of the second branch 42 arranged terminally.
It is from the 1 to recognize that the second substring 42 in the longitudinal direction 72 of the second branch 42 opposite sides each have a T-shaped cell connector 12 having.
The T-shaped cell connectors 12 are each with an electrical voltage tap 31 . 32 a terminal battery cell 2 . 20 electrically connected.

Furthermore, the L-shaped cell connectors 11 the first two strands 41 . 43 each electrically conductive with the adjacent T-shaped cell connector 12 of the second branch 42 connected, thus a parallel connection of the individual sub-strands 4 train.

For example, an L-shaped cell connector 11 of the first first branch 41 serve a positive voltage of the battery module 1 to tap and an L-shaped cell connector 11 of the second first branch 43 serve a negative voltage of the battery module 1 tap off.

Furthermore, the L-shaped cell connectors 11 and the T-shaped cell connectors 12 one free end each 13 on, by means of which the battery module 1 serial electrical with another such battery module 1 can be interconnected.

In the simplest case of a battery module 1 this consists of three sub-strands, namely a first first sub-strand 41 , a second sub-string 42 and a second first sub-string 43 ,
This can on the one hand a sufficient mechanical stability can be ensured and on the other hand, the voltage and the power can be changed.
These three components can be provided as standardized sub-modules and by means of the number of second sub-strands 42 the battery module can be flexibly set up.
The 1 shows an embodiment of a battery module 1 with three parallel strands 4 where each substring 4 four battery cells connected in series with each other 2 . 20 having.

For example, a substring 4 furthermore also from 13 battery cells 2 . 20 exist, whereby a 48 V system can be established.
Become a total of eight of these sub-strands 4 consisting of 13 battery cells 2 . 20 connected in series, a 380 V system can be set up. About the number of partial strands 4 the electric power can be influenced.

At this point should again be detailed and general on the training of cell connectors 8th . 9 . 11 . 12 To be received.

The T-shaped cell connectors 8th have a first end 81 , a second end 82 as well as a third end 83 on.

The T-shaped cell connectors 8th are from a first straight section 84 and a second straight section 85 formed, wherein the second straight section 85 with the first straight section 84 is connected and arranged at right angles to this.
The first end 81 and the second end 82 are opposite to the first straight section 84 arranged and the third end 83 is doing at the second straight section 85 arranged.
The first end 81 is formed to an electrically conductive connection with a voltage tap of a battery cell 2 . 20 and the second end 82 is formed to an electrically conductive connection with a voltage tap of another battery cell 2 . 20 , causing the two battery cells 2 . 20 can be electrically connected to each other.
The third end 83 is formed to an electrically conductive connection with a cross-shaped cell connector 9 ,

The cross-shaped cell connectors 9 have a first end 91 , a second end 92 as well as a third end 93 and a fourth end 94 on.
The cross-shaped cell connectors 9 are from a first straight section 95 as well as two straight second sections 96 formed, with the two straight second sections 96 with the first straight section 95 are connected and arranged at right angles to this and continue on opposite sides of the first straight section 96 are arranged.
The first end 91 is formed to an electrically conductive connection with a voltage tap of a battery cell 2 . 20 and the second end 92 is formed to an electrically conductive connection with a voltage tap of another battery cell 2 . 20 , causing the two battery cells 2 . 20 can be electrically connected to each other.
The third end 93 and the fourth end 94 are each formed to an electrically conductive connection with a third end 83 a T-shaped cell connector 8th , whereby a parallel connection can be formed.

The L-shaped cell connectors 11 each have a first straight section 111 and a second straight section 112 on.

The first paragraph 111 and the second section 112 are connected to each other and arranged at right angles to each other.
The first straight section 111 includes a first end 113 which is designed to form an electrically conductive connection with a further battery module 1 ,
The second section 112 includes a second end 114 , which is formed to an electrically conductive connection with a T-shaped cell connector 12 of the second branch 42 ,

The T-shaped cell connectors 12 each have a first straight section 121 and a second straight section 122 on.
The first straight section 121 includes on opposite sides a first end 123 and a second end 124 which are formed with the second end 114 an L-shaped cell connector 11 to be electrically connected, whereby a parallel connection is possible. The second straight section 122 includes a third end 125 , which is formed with a further battery module 1 to be electrically connected.

At this point, it should be noted that it is also possible, the individual sub-strand housing 6 form with a different height, so as to attach, for example, on a bottom or on top of a cooling system. Such a battery module 1 For example, it can be received in another housing to achieve a seal.

The 2 schematically shows a connection possibility of two sub-strands 4 ,
This can be a sub-strand housing 6 for example, a groove 600 or a spring 700 include. The left illustrations each show the formation of a groove 600 and the right-hand illustrations each show the formation of a spring 700 The lower illustrations further show a sectional view. In this case, the sub-strand housing 6 continue a recording 800 for receiving the respective ends of the cell connectors 8th . 9 . 11 . 12 respectively.

Claims (9)

Battery module with a plurality of battery cells (2) each forming a first electrical voltage tap (31) on a first side surface (21) and forming a second electrical voltage tap (32) on a second side surface (22) opposite the first side surface (21) , in which the battery cells (2) in several sub-strands (4) of the battery module (1) are arranged, and the battery cells (2) of a partial strand (4) in a longitudinal direction (7) of the respective sub-strand (4) are arranged alternately, wherein the battery module (1) has two first sub-strands (41, 43) with T-shaped cell connectors (8), which electrically connect the battery cells (2) of the respective first sub-string (41, 43) to each other in series, and the battery module (1) comprises at least one second sub-string (42) with cross-shaped cell connectors (9), which electrically connect the battery cells (2) of the at least one second sub-string (42) serially to each other, wherein the T-shaped cell connectors (8) of the first sub-strands (41, 43) to a parallel interconnection of the sub-strands (4) each further electrically connected to one of the cross-shaped cell connector (9) of the at least one second sub-strand (42) are connected , Battery module after the previous one Claim 1 , characterized in that the battery cells (2) are each formed as round cells (20). Battery module after one of the previous ones Claims 1 to 2 , characterized in that the battery cells (2) of a partial strand (4) in each case in a sub-strand housing (6) are accommodated. Battery module after the previous one Claim 3 , characterized in that the T-shaped cell connector (8) or the cross-shaped cell connectors (9) in the respective sub-strand housing (6) of the first sub-strand (41) and the second sub-strand (42) are added. Battery module after one of the previous ones Claims 3 to 4 , characterized in that adjacent to each other arranged sub-strand housing (6) are positively connected to each other. Battery module after one of the previous ones Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the T-shaped cell connectors (8) of a first first sub-string (41) and a second first sub-string (43) are arranged mirror-symmetrically to each other. Battery module after one of the previous ones Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the first partial strands (41, 43) further comprise at least one terminally arranged L-shaped cell connector (11), wherein in particular in the longitudinal direction (71, 73) of the respective first partial strand (41, 43) opposite sides in each case an L-shaped cell connector (11) is arranged. Battery module after one of the previous ones Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the at least one second sub-strand (42) further comprises at least one terminally arranged T-shaped cell connector (12), wherein in particular in the longitudinal direction (20) of the at least one second sub-strand (42) opposite sides in each case a T. -shaped cell connector (12) is arranged. Battery module after one of the previous ones Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the battery module (1) has a plurality of second sub-strands (42).

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