AT525486B1 - Battery stack with at least two battery modules and battery - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery stack has at least two battery modules (3) with storage cells (1). the storage cells (1) of each battery module (3) are held between two frames (4, 5), and the poles of the storage cells (1) are arranged in the area of the frames (4, 5) and contact pole plates (6, 7). The battery modules (3) are arranged in the battery stack with frames (4, 5) lying parallel to one another and frames (4, 5) lying parallel to one another are connected to one another by means of quick-release fasteners (8).

Description

Description

The invention relates to a battery stack with at least two modules with memory cells, the memory cells of each battery module being held between two frames, the poles of the memory cells being arranged in the area of the frames and contacting pole plates, and the battery modules having parallel frames lying next to one another Battery stacks are arranged.

[0002] It is known, for example from WO 2020/077618 A1, to produce electrical energy storage devices by combining two or more storage cells to form battery modules. For example, cylindrical lithium-ion accumulators can be used as memory cells, although the invention is not limited to such memory cells, but can also be used for memory cells of other geometries and types. Two or more battery modules can in turn be combined to form a battery stack, whereby the capacity of the energy storage device can be influenced by the number of cells, and the connection voltage of the energy storage device can be influenced by suitable parallel and series connection of the battery modules and/or cells or cell groups within the battery modules. In this way, it is possible to create a storage capacity, connection voltage and external shape of the electrical energy storage that is suitable for the respective application.

It is also known to arrange the memory cells of each battery module between two frames in order to be able to handle the battery modules more easily. If several battery modules are combined to form a battery stack, the individual battery modules can be connected to one another on frames lying parallel to one another, this usually being done by screws or non-destructively removable snap connections or the like. An example of screwing the battery modules together to form a battery stack is from WO 2020/128533 A1. Screwing when assembling and removing the screws when dismantling the energy storage devices is time-consuming, although special attention should be paid to disassembly with a view to the necessary recycling of the energy storage devices. Although locking connections that cannot be detached in a non-destructive manner are practical when assembling, they are extremely impractical when disassembling.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating a simpler solution both for the production of the energy storage devices and for later disassembly of the energy storage devices.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention with a battery stack with the features of claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

The invention uses quick-release fasteners that can be easily closed and opened. This means that both the assembly and disassembly of the energy storage devices can be carried out quickly and easily.

In the invention, brackets are preferably used as quick-release fasteners, which encompass the edges of the frame. Bayonet locks or quarter-turn locks that engage openings in the frame are also preferred. Of course, other types of easily releasable quick-release fasteners can also be used within the scope of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, frames lying next to one another engage in a form-fitting manner. This has the advantage that the individual battery modules cannot slip relative to neighboring battery modules, which means that a stable battery stack can be formed.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the pole plates are arranged on the frame on the side opposite the storage cells. In this embodiment, the pole plates of adjacent battery modules that are to be electrically connected to one another are located directly next to one another and can easily be connected galvanically.

connected to each other, for example welded.

In particular, in this context, an embodiment of the invention is preferred in which flags of pole sheets protrude beyond the frame to the outside, and flags of adjacent pole sheets of battery modules arranged next to one another are electrically conductively connected, in particular welded. In this embodiment, the flags of the pole plates are freely accessible after the battery modules have been assembled and can be connected to one another after the battery modules have been assembled. Of course, the flags can also be arranged between the frames and connected to one another.

In connection with the above-mentioned embodiment, it is further preferred if the flags connected to one another are bent by preferably 90° and lie parallel to a side surface of a frame, so that they do not interfere in this way and can be easily isolated if necessary .

Additionally or alternatively, it is possible to connect the individual battery modules in an electrically conductive manner by means of at least one electrical plug connection, preferably two or more electrical plug connections. For safety reasons, it is preferred, although this is not mandatory, that the socket, i.e. the female part of the electrical plug connection, on the live pole plate for the plus pole, and the plug, i.e. the male part of the electrical plug connection, on the pole plate for the Negative pole is arranged.

In the invention it is further preferred that a layer of thermally highly conductive material is arranged between adjacent pole plates of the same, preferably negative, polarity of battery modules arranged next to one another. This means that effective cooling can be achieved when the battery stack is charged or discharged quickly. Since the cooling or the dissipation of heat from the storage cells is more effective at the negative pole for design reasons, it is particularly preferred according to the invention if the layer made of thermally highly conductive material is arranged between the negative pole plates.

In order to precisely define the distance between the frames of a battery module, spacers can be arranged between the frames of a battery module in the invention.

If necessary, the spacers can also absorb tensile forces between the frames. Any tensile forces can additionally or alternatively also be absorbed by adjacent pole plates on the upper and lower sides of each module, which are welded or connected both to the storage cells and to each other. In this way, the modules are also sufficiently firmly connected to one another for handling when installed in a housing.

The invention further relates to a battery with such a battery stack and with a housing that has a base, side walls and a cover, with memory cells being arranged in the housing.

The housing encloses the memory cells and shields them from the environment or external influences. Furthermore, the housing is responsible for the mechanical and electrical integrity of the battery. Several batteries, which can be connected in parallel and/or series, form a complete battery system.

Batteries are known as prior art in which individual housing parts made of plastic, steel or aluminum are connected to one another either using a large number of connecting elements, such as screws with nuts or rivets, and/or by welding. Screwing when assembling and removing the screws when dismantling the energy storage device or cutting the housing when the housing parts are welded is also time-consuming, although special attention should also be paid to disassembly with a view to the necessary recycling of the energy storage device.

[0020] This problem is solved with a battery with the features of claim 12.

[0021] According to the invention, the side walls, the lid and/or the bottom of the housing are designed to be divided and the respective parts are permanently connected by means of a connecting part.

connected to each other. The term “unreleasable” in the given context means that the connecting part cannot be removed from the parts in a non-destructive manner.

A simplified disassembly of the housing is nevertheless possible according to the invention because the connecting part can be removed, for example detached with pliers or another suitable tool, by destroying the connection between the connecting part and at least one of the parts of the side walls, the cover or the base , and the housing can then be opened easily.

It is particularly preferred if the connecting part is a connecting strip, because a connecting strip is easily deformable and can be removed from the housing part or parts.

In a further, preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the side walls, preferably all side walls, is movably connected to the floor by means of a connecting device, the cover being designed to be split, and parts of the cover being fixedly arranged on the side walls, preferably with glued to the side walls. After removing the connecting part from the parts of the cover, the side walls can be removed from the floor or swiveled to the side, whereupon the interior of the housing is easily accessible and the individual battery modules can be removed.

In this context, it is particularly preferred if the connecting device is a mechanical plug-in connection, because the side walls with the parts of the cover attached to them can then be removed without any problems and further recycling of the housing and the storage cells is possible without any problems.

Alternatively, it is also possible, for example, that at least one of the side walls, preferably all of the side walls, are designed to be split, and that parts of the side walls are each firmly arranged on the base or on the lid, preferably glued to the base or the lid. are.

In order to improve the dissipation of heat from the storage cells, it can further be provided that a layer of thermally highly conductive material is arranged between the base and/or the cover on the one hand and the battery stack on the other hand.

It is particularly preferred in the invention that the battery contains a battery stack according to the invention, because then not only the housing but also the battery stack itself can be dismantled and recycled very easily.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, which do not limit the scope of protection, with reference to the attached drawings. It shows:

1 shows a commercially available memory cell in the form of a round cell,

2 shows a battery module according to the invention without pole plates in a side view,

3 shows the battery module of FIG. 2 from the right,

4 shows the battery module according to the invention from FIG. 2 with pole plates,

5 shows the battery module of FIG. 4 from the right,

6 shows a front view of a first embodiment of a battery stack according to the invention,

7 shows the battery stack of FIG. 6 from the side,

8 shows an alternative embodiment of a module according to the invention in a

a perspective view,

9 and 10 show an alternative option for electrically connecting the pole plates using electrical plug connections,

11 and 12 two possible embodiments of electrical plug connections,

13 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a battery stack according to the invention,

14 shows a section through a battery with a housing and a battery stack according to FIG. 6,

15 shows a section corresponding to FIG. 14 with a half-open housing,

16 shows a section through a battery with the battery stack from FIG. 13 in

another embodiment of a housing,

17 shows a detail with a positive connection of the frames of adjacent modules, and

18 shows a hollow profile as an element of the housing.

Embodiments of devices according to the invention are shown in the drawings, but are only examples and, apart from the features according to the invention as defined in the claims, can also be designed and/or combined differently with regard to many components within the scope of the present invention without this needing to be specifically mentioned below. The components described in the various embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in any way.

1 shows a memory cell 1, which in the embodiment shown is a cylindrical round cell and has a plus pole 2a and a minus pole 2b. The external shape of the cell is of course arbitrary and can, for example, also have a polygonal, for example rectangular, cross-section.

2 to 5 show a first embodiment of a battery module 3, which has a plurality of memory cells 1 and two frames 4, 5. The frames 4, 5 have openings through which the poles 2a, 2b of the memory cells 1 are accessible. In addition, the memory cells 1 are held in their position in a form-fitting manner by the frames 4, 5.

The plus poles 2a of the memory cells 1 extend beyond the frame 4 to ensure simple electrical contact with a flat pole plate 7. The negative poles 2b do not rise above their frame 5. In order to enable electrical contacting of the negative poles 2b by another pole plate 6, the pole plate 6 is designed with elevations, not shown in the drawings, which are in the area of the frame 5 are sufficient. This shape ensures that the correct pole plate is assigned to the respective poles 2a, 2b.

6 and 7 show an example of a battery stack with three battery modules 3. A larger or smaller number of battery modules 3 is of course possible depending on the desired capacity and voltage. For example, if you want to form a battery stack with a voltage limit of less than 60 volts (safety extra-low voltage), fourteen battery modules 3 can be lined up or connected in series if the maximum voltage of the individual storage cells 1 or battery modules 3 is 4.2 V.

6 and 7 it can be seen that the three battery modules 3 are held together by quick-release fasteners, which in this embodiment are designed as clamps 8. The clamps 8 encompass the frames 4, 5 of adjacent battery modules 3 and hold them together. 6, the clamps 8 can only be arranged on two opposite narrow sides of the battery modules 3, but additionally or alternatively also on the long sides of the battery modules 3. Furthermore, the clamps 8 can be relatively short, i.e. only over one relatively short portion of one side of a battery module 3, as shown in Fig. 6. The brackets 8 can of course also be longer and, if necessary, extend over the entire or almost the entire length of one side of a battery module 3.

The clamps 8 preferably snap into the frame 4, 5 in a form-fitting manner or are glued to them in order to avoid unintentional loosening.

Instead of clamps 8, according to the invention, bayonet locks or quarter-turn locks can also be used, which engage in openings in the frame 4, 5.

In order to prevent lateral displacement of the frames 4, 5, at least two positive connections are provided on the frames 4, 5, which preferably lie in the area of the edges of the frames 4, 5. The form-fitting connections can, for example, be projections 25 formed on the frame on one frame 5 and holes or depressions 26 on the adjacent frame 4, as shown by way of example in FIG. 17 and FIG. 8, respectively.

The advantage according to the invention is that the entire battery stack (except the storage cells and the pole sheets) can be made from the same material, e.g. recyclable PET, and no conventional connecting elements such as screws etc. need to be used, which makes recycling faster and is easier to do.

The pole plates 6 for the minus poles, as well as the pole plates 7 for the plus poles, have bent lugs 21a, 21b, with which they are electrically connected to the respective adjacent pole plates 6, 7 of the poles of the subsequent battery module 3. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7, the flags 21a, 21b lie between the edges of the frames 4, 5 and are well protected there.

8, the flags 21a, 21b of the pole sheets 6, 7 protrude beyond the frames 4, 5, are bent by 90°, and lie parallel to or to the side surfaces of the frames 4, 5 When two modules 3 are connected to one another, the tabs 21a, 21b overlap one another and can be electrically connected to one another, preferably welded.

Additionally or alternatively, it is possible to connect the individual battery modules 3 in an electrically conductive manner by means of at least one electrical plug connection 27, preferably two or more electrical plug connections 27. Possible embodiments of such electrical plug connections are shown in FIGS. 9 to 12. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, three electrical plug connections 27 are shown. Depending on the application or current load, more or fewer plug connections 27 can also be used. Each electrical plug connection 27 consists of a socket 28 on a pole plate 7 and a plug 29 on the adjacent pole plate 6.

Two embodiments of plug connections 27 are shown schematically in FIGS. 11 and 12. In the first embodiment of FIG. 11, the plug 29 is designed as a simple pin which engages in a socket 28 which is surrounded by a sleeve 30. The sleeve 30 has a flange 31 via which it is welded to one of the two pole plates 6, 7. The plug 29 also has a flange 32 with which it is welded to the other pole plate 7, 6.

12, which can also be seen in the embodiment of FIG. 10, the plug 29 is received in the form of a pin in the sleeve 30 and the socket 28 is connected via the plug 29 or in the annular space 33 is inserted between plug 29 and sleeve 30.

Of course, other forms of plug connections can also be used in the invention.

13 shows a slightly modified embodiment of a battery stack with two battery modules 3, in which a water- or air-cooled heat exchanger 10 is arranged between the negative poles 2b of the storage cells 1.

For design reasons, the cooling performance or the dissipation of heat from the individual storage cells 1 is generally more effective at the negative pole 2b than at the positive pole 2a. The negative pole 2b is usually connected directly to the housing, which is why the thermal path length of the heat sink is shorter. On the other hand, the structural design for heat dissipation at the positive pole 2a is significantly more complex, as this must be electrically insulated from the housing in order to prevent a short circuit. Of course it is in

Within the scope of the invention, heat dissipation from the plus pole 2a is also possible.

In this embodiment of the invention, too, the battery modules 3 are held together by clamps 11 and the heat exchanger is clamped between them.

14 and 15 show a battery 9 with a housing 15a in which a battery stack with battery modules 3 is accommodated. All battery modules 3 are enclosed by the housing 15a, whereby the required mechanical integrity or stability of the battery 9 is achieved. The housing 15a has a base 19, side walls 16 and a lid which consists of two or more parts 17a and 17b. The cover parts 17a, 17b are each firmly connected to a side part 16, for example glued. The side parts 16 in turn are movably connected to the base 19 via a connecting device 18, in particular in a simple manner. The connecting device 18 can, for example, be a mechanical plug connection in which tabs or hook-shaped lugs, which are arranged on the side part 16, engage in corresponding recesses on the base 19.

In the closed state of the housing 15a, which is shown in FIG. 14, the two parts 17a and 17b are connected to one another at the edges facing one another by means of a connecting part 14. The connecting part 14 is preferably glued to the parts 17a and 17b in the area of the edges. A positive connection, in which, for example, locking projections are arranged on the connecting part 14 and/or the parts 17a and 17b, which engage in recesses in the opposite part, would also be possible, for example. The half-open state of the housing 15a is shown in Fig. 15.

[0067] It is essential that the connecting part 14 firmly connects the two parts 17a and 17b to one another, so that the housing 15a can only be opened by destroying the connection (in the exemplary embodiments mentioned, tearing open the adhesive connection or breaking the locking connections). For this purpose, for example, pliers or another suitable tool can be used with which the connecting part 14 can be removed from the two parts 17a and 17b, such as when opening a can of sardines.

16 shows a slightly different embodiment of a housing 15b according to the invention of a battery 9 with two battery modules 3 accommodated therein, for example according to FIG. 13. The housing 15b has a base 12a and a lid 12b, side walls 13a and 13b and again a connecting part 14. The base 12a and the lid 12b and the side walls 13a and 13b can in turn be made in one piece or composed of two or more parts, as can be seen in particular in the case of the base 12a and the lid 12b in FIG. 16.

16, the side walls are designed in two parts, with a lower part 13a of the side walls being firmly connected to the base 12a, for example glued, and an upper part 13b of the side walls being firmly connected to the cover 12b, for example glued.

The two side parts 13a, 13b are, as already described in connection with the embodiment according to FIGS. 14 and 15, firmly or permanently connected to one another by means of a connecting part 14.

The connecting part 14 can be made of the same material as the base, the side walls and the lid, which also makes recycling the housing 15a, 15b very easy.

18 shows a special hollow profile 23, for example made of aluminum, which brings with it functional advantages or properties. This hollow profile 23 can be used as a base, side wall and/or as a lid or as part of the base, side wall and/or lid. For example, supply lines for the cooling system, signal cables for a battery management system or temperature sensors can be installed in the hollow profile.

The end walls of the housings 15a, 15b, not shown in the drawings, can be designed like the side walls shown and described. However, this is not mandatory. Alternatively, it is also possible to use the end walls differently, especially as plastic ones.

parts, which are tightly connected, in particular glued, to the side walls and/or the lid and/or the base.

[0074] The manufacturing process of a battery module according to the invention and a battery according to the invention can, for example, proceed as follows based on the embodiment of FIG. 16:

1.) Positioning the lower housing part, i.e. the base 12a with the side parts 13a arranged thereon.

2.) Insert a thermally conductive layer 20 as filling material, if desired.

3.) Positioning the lower battery module 3, with the storage cells 1 aligned with the plus pole 2a in the direction of thermally conductive material 20 and the minus pole 2b in the direction of the heat exchanger 10.

4.) Place the heat exchanger 10, if desired.

5.) Positioning the upper battery module 3. The storage cells 1 are again oriented with the negative pole 2b towards the heat exchanger 10.

6.) Attach the clamps 8. 7.) Place another thermally conductive layer 20 as filling material, if desired.

8.) If necessary, install measuring and control electronics and connect the wiring of the pole plates 6, 7 to them.

9.) Positioning the upper housing part, i.e. the cover 12b with the side parts 13b arranged thereon.

10.) Correct alignment of the housing parts to each other. If necessary, this can be done in a suitable assembly device.

11.) Assembly and gluing process of the connecting parts 14. 12.) Hardening of the adhesive, if necessary in the assembly device. 13.) Finalizing the electrical connections.

71717

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST:

1 memory cell 2a plus pole

2b negative pole

3 battery module 4 frame

5 frames

6 Pole plate 7 Pole plate 8 Clip 9 Battery

10 heat exchangers

11 bracket

12a floor

120 lids

13a part of the side wall 13b part of the side wall 14 connecting part 15a housing

15b housing

16 side wall

17a Part of the lid 17b Part of the lid

18 connection device

19 floor

20 heat-conducting layer 21a flag

21b flag

22 cooling fins

23 hollow profile

24 spacers 25 projection

26 recess

27 plug connection 28 socket

29 plugs

Claims (19)

Patent claims 1. Battery stack with at least two battery modules (3) with memory cells (1), the memory cells (1) of each battery module (3) being held between two frames (4, 5), the poles (2a, 2b) of the memory cells (1 ) are arranged in the area of the frames (4, 5) and contact pole plates (6, 7), and wherein the battery modules (3) are arranged with frames (4, 5) lying parallel to one another in the battery stack, characterized in that frames (4, 5) lying parallel to one another are arranged ( 4, 5) are connected to each other using quick-release fasteners. 2, battery stack according to claim 1, characterized in that the quick-release fasteners are clamps (8, 11) which grip around the edges of the frames (4, 5). 3. Battery stack according to claim 1, characterized in that the quick-release fasteners are bayonet fasteners or quarter-turn fasteners which engage in openings in the frame (4, 5). 4. Battery stack according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that adjacent frames (4, 5) interlock with one another in a form-fitting manner, in particular by means of projections (25) which engage in recesses (26) of adjacent frames (4, 5). 5. Battery stack according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pole plates (6, 7) are arranged on the frame (4, 5) on the side opposite the storage cells. 6. Battery stack according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that flags (21a, 21b) of pole sheets (6, 7) protrude outwards beyond the frames (4, 5) and that flags (21a, 21b) of adjacent pole sheets (6 , 7) battery modules (3) arranged next to one another are electrically conductively connected, in particular welded. 7. Battery stack according to claim 6, characterized in that the interconnected flags (21a, 21b) are bent by preferably 90 ° and lie parallel to or to a side surface of a frame (4, 5). 8. Battery stack according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that adjacent pole plates (6, 7) of battery modules (3) arranged next to one another are electrically conductive to one another by means of at least one electrical plug connection (27), preferably two or more electrical plug connections (27). are connected. 9. Battery stack according to claim 8, characterized in that the electrical plug connection (27) has a socket (28) and a plug (29), and that the socket (28) on the live pole plate (7) for the plus pole (2a ) and the plug (29) are arranged on the pole plate (6) for the negative pole (2b). 10. Battery stack according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that between adjacent pole plates (6, 7) of the same, preferably negative, polarity of battery modules (3) arranged next to one another there is a layer (10) made of thermally highly conductive material and / or a heat exchanger (10), in particular a water or air heat exchanger, is arranged. 11. Battery stack according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that spacers (24) are arranged between the frames (4, 5) of a battery module (3). 12. Battery with a housing (15a, 15b), which has a base (12a, 19), side walls (13a, 13b, 16) and a cover (12b, 17a, 17b), with memory cells in the housing (15a, 15b). (1) are arranged, characterized in that side walls (13a, 13b), the lid (17a, 17b) and / or the base are designed to be divided and parts (13a, 13b, 17a, 17b) of the side walls (13a, 13b) , the cover (17a, 17b) and / or the base are inextricably connected to one another by means of a connecting part (14), and that the battery has a battery stack according to one of claims 1 to 11. 13. Battery according to claim 12, characterized in that the connecting part (14) is glued to the parts (13a, 13b, 17a, 17b). 14. Battery according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the connecting part is a connecting strip. 15. Battery according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that at least one of the side walls (16), preferably all side walls (16), is/are movably connected to the base (19) by means of a connecting device (18), that the Lid is designed to be split, and that parts (17a, 17b) of the lid are firmly arranged on the side walls (16), preferably glued to the side walls (16). 16. Battery according to claim 15, characterized in that the connecting device (18) is a positive connection, in particular a mechanical plug connection. 17. Battery according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that at least one of the side walls, preferably all side walls, are designed to be divided, and that parts (13a, 13b) of the side walls are each firmly attached to the base (12a) or to the cover ( 12b) are arranged, preferably glued to the base (12a) or the lid (12b). 18. Battery according to one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the base and / or the lid are designed as a hollow profile (23). 19. Battery according to one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that a layer (20) made of thermally highly conductive material is arranged between the base (12a) and / or the cover (12b) on the one hand and the battery stack on the other hand. There are also 7 sheets of drawings