CN108807727B

CN108807727B - Battery case

Info

Publication number: CN108807727B
Application number: CN201810417014.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·奥尔费曼; H·克伦策; C·汉丁
Original assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
Current assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
Priority date: 2017-05-05
Filing date: 2018-05-04
Publication date: 2021-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-04
Also published as: CN108807727A; DE102017109722B4; DE102017109722A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery housing having a base 4, side walls 2 and internal transverse walls 5 which are connected to the base 4, wherein the side walls 2 have flanges 8 which are arranged at a distance from the base 4 and project toward the internal transverse walls 5, the flanges 8 having openings 13 for the screw connection of insertable battery modules, and a screw carrier 10 is arranged between the base 4 and the flanges 8, wherein tabs 11 of the internal transverse walls 5 can be screwed to the screw carrier 10 and to the flanges 8 via tab openings 12.

Description

Battery case

Technical Field

The invention relates to a battery housing having a base, side walls and internal transverse walls which are connected to the base.

Background

In order to increase the resistance against external intrusion, battery cases for motor vehicles may be constructed with internal rib structures for reinforcement and stiffening. These structures are connected to the outer frame of the battery housing, i.e. to the side walls, in a material-locking manner. Additional components may be used when manufacturing tolerances between the side walls and the rib structure should be compensated for. These components incur additional costs due to manufacturing, transporting and joining costs. In order to achieve a fusion welding application of suitable quality, the weld seam must be welded, for example, in a flat welding position, especially if aluminum components are involved. In the case of multiple rib structures, frequent reorientation of the workpiece is necessary in automated manufacturing processes, which require expensive and time-consuming processing techniques.

Disclosure of Invention

From this point of view, the object of the invention is: a battery housing is provided in which a welded connection between the side walls and the internal ribs is dispensed with.

This object is achieved in a battery carrier having the following features according to the invention.

The cell carrier according to the invention has a base, side walls projecting relative to the base, and an inner transverse wall which is connected to the base. The ribbed inner transverse wall serves to reinforce the battery housing against intrusions and to stiffen and strengthen the battery housing. The side wall may constitute an outer frame. In particular, the side wall is a cavity profile, preferably a multi-cavity profile. In particular to extruded profiles made of aluminium alloys.

The side wall has a flange disposed at a distance from the bottom and projecting relative to the inner transverse wall. The flanges each have an opening for a threaded connection of a battery module that can be inserted into the battery holder. Additionally, a threaded carrier is disposed between the base and the flange. On the side of the flange facing away from the screw carrier, a web of an inner transverse wall is provided. The tabs are threadably engaged with the threaded carrier and the flange through the tab openings.

According to the invention, the following steps are provided: between the inner transverse walls a battery module can be embedded. The battery module is screwed with the battery shell. The screw connection provided for connecting the flange to the web of the inner transverse wall should at the same time be used according to the invention for fastening the battery module.

The screw carrier is the lowermost component of the screw connection in the sequence of the components to be connected from bottom to top. The screw carrier is preferably initially a flange which projects into the use space of the battery housing and preferably extends substantially parallel to the base. In a further assembly step, the inner transverse wall is inserted and positioned only loosely by contact with the annular frame or with the side wall. Whereas the inner transverse wall is connected to the bottom. The side walls are not yet secured and ultimately connected with the inner transverse walls before the battery module is inserted and tightened. The battery modules, the tabs, the flanges and the threaded carriers are screwed to one another only by inserting the battery modules and by inserting the bolts. The processing mode can be realized as follows: a costly soldered connection in this region is avoided. At the same time, the screw connections required for fixing the battery module serve as connections between the inner transverse walls and the side walls for tolerance compensation.

It is also possible that: the tabs of the inner transverse wall overlap the flanges of the side walls from below. During assembly, the connection between the inner transverse wall and the base is first made and then the base is connected to the laterally inserted frame or to the side walls. In the description of the invention, it is assumed in the preferred exemplary embodiment that the web rests on the upper side on the flange, wherein a reverse arrangement is likewise possible in the case of a corresponding assembly sequence.

In the context of the present invention, an energy store is referred to as a battery module. When required, the battery module releases electrical energy for driving the electric vehicle and/or for operating peripheral devices on the motor vehicle. Due to the relatively large volume and high weight, such battery modules are preferably arranged in the floor area of the motor vehicle.

The battery according to the invention can be constructed in a sealed manner, not shown in detail, in the sense that liquid and/or condensation water is prevented from entering from the outside. A possible discharge of liquid from the inside to the outside is likewise avoided. The battery housing according to the invention is designed in particular for use in an electric vehicle.

An important element of the threaded connection according to the invention between the inner transverse wall and the outer wall is the threaded carrier. The screw carrier is a separate component which in the mounted position abuts against the flange. Which can be fixed beforehand for this purpose. The threaded carrier has a plug connection element for this purpose. The plug connection elements (plug part and socket part) are understood to mean plug connection elements which allow a force-fitting or form-fitting coupling with the side walls and/or the flanges. Such plug connection elements are in particular designed as snap connections. Preferably, the flange is provided with a receptacle for coupling with the plug connection element. With such a plug connection element, in particular a snap connection, the screw carrier is secured in a captive manner on the side wall or on the flange even when the screw connection has not yet been established or is released at a later point in time.

The screw carrier may be an extruded or injected member. The threaded carrier may be made of plastic. The screw carrier may have a preformed screw thread, which simplifies assembly. The thread may be cut or formed. The term threaded carrier does not mean that preformed or precut threads must be formed in the threaded carrier. It is sufficient to cut a thread in the threaded carrier only by screwing in the threaded element. The threaded carrier, in particular the counter flange, cannot be assembled in a relative rotation. In the tightened state, the threaded carrier has a thread.

The screw carrier is also a nut cage in combination with a nut, which is pre-fixed by the nut cage below the flange and the web, for example by a clamping connection. The screw carrier also has the function of conducting the impact energy into the inner wall.

The flange against which the screw carrier rests in the mounting position can have at least one profile (ausforming). Here, a flanging or embossing is concerned, by means of which the screw carrier can be fixed in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner. For example, a bead is formed in the collar on the opening, said bead being directed toward the screw carrier and engaging in a recess in the screw carrier. Thereby, the threaded carriers are fixed and simultaneously oriented. A screw carrier can be pushed clampingly under the flange, which screw carrier extends from the bottom up to the underside of the flange. In this case, it is no longer mandatory that: the threaded carrier is designed as a plug connection element with an additional snap connection, in the sense that the snap connection is a projection. The snap connection can be produced in such a way that a recess, for example for a bead or for a projection of a flange, is formed on the threaded carrier. Not only the flange but also the screw carrier can be a plug or socket part. If the tabs shall engage the flange from below, the fastening can be performed on the tabs accordingly.

In a development of the invention, the flange has a length which is greater than the thickness of the inner transverse wall. The flange extends beyond the inner transverse wall on both sides. The tabs can be arranged on both sides of the inner transverse wall and connected to the appurtenant flange on both sides of the inner transverse wall. The flanges can be arranged in pairs on the longitudinal wall, so that one flange is assigned to a respective tab.

Within the scope of the invention it is also possible: a single flange can be screwed to both tabs. Correspondingly, a flange can also have a plurality of openings for connection to a respective web. A single screw carrier can accordingly also have a plurality of openings in order to be able to establish a plurality of screw connections. Just as the flange may have a length which is greater than the thickness of the inner transverse wall, it is also possible to use one single, longer screw carrier in order to connect one single, correspondingly long flange with two separate tabs via said one screw carrier.

In order to make the flange occupy as little structural space as possible within the surrounding use space of the battery housing, the flange is preferably arranged only in the region of the inner transverse wall. In the region of the inner transverse wall, this means that it is arranged adjacent to the inner transverse wall for producing the threaded connection, the remainder being missing.

When the side wall is made of an extruded profile, the flange may thus be a bridge made in an extrusion process, which bridge may be removed in addition to the desired flange.

The dimensions of the tab opening and the opening in the flange can be selected to be different in order to compensate for tolerances. For example, a combination of a circular opening and an elongated hole or a combination of two intersecting elongated holes is possible. According to the invention, two circular openings are also possible, which differ in their size. Tolerances not only in the longitudinal direction but also in the transverse direction can be compensated.

The inner transverse wall preferably extends from the side wall up to the inner longitudinal wall. It is possible that: the inner transverse wall overlaps the inner longitudinal wall, or vice versa. For this purpose, an upper or lower recess can be provided, as required. It is also possible that: the inner transverse walls extend continuously (durchgaengig) from side wall to side wall, while the inner longitudinal walls are located only between the inner transverse walls, thus being divided into shorter sections.

The inner longitudinal wall is connected to the bottom. It preferably has stepped receiving sections for the battery modules on the longitudinal sides. The inner end of the inner transverse wall can be adapted with its contour to the stepped receiving section, so that the inner transverse wall bears in the transverse direction on the step. Thereby, the laterally acting forces can be better transmitted from the side walls to the inner transverse wall and from the inner transverse wall to the inner longitudinal wall. The inner longitudinal wall is preferably connected by a material bond to the base via the base flange. The inner longitudinal wall is preferably a multiply flanged, substantially hat-shaped profile which not only has fastening openings for the connection to the battery module, but also reinforces the entire battery housing as a hollow profile.

The inner transverse wall is also preferably a profile with a substantially hat-shaped cross section. The inner transverse wall preferably likewise has a base flange via which the inner transverse wall is connected to the base in a material-locking manner. The bottom flanges are preferably located on both sides of the substantially hat-shaped or U-shaped cross-section.

Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below with the aid of exemplary embodiments which are schematically illustrated in the drawing. Wherein the content of the first and second substances,

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a partial region of a battery housing;

FIG. 2 shows a portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the sidewall in the flange region;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the flange on the side wall;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a screw carrier;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the side wall;

fig. 7 shows a perspective view in the middle region of the battery case from obliquely above;

fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the inner longitudinal wall.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a partial region of a battery housing 1 from obliquely above. Which is designed rectangular overall. The battery housing has

side walls

2, 3 which are opposite one another in pairs. The

side walls

2, 3 are hollow cavity profiles, the cross section of which is shown in fig. 3. They form the support frame of the battery case 1. The side walls 2 extending in the longitudinal direction L are different from the side walls 3 extending in the transverse direction Q. The height direction is denoted by Z, as can be seen by means of the coordinate system in fig. 1. The illustrated battery housing 1 is open on the upper side and closed on the lower side by a bottom 4. The bottom 4 is connected, in particular welded, to the side walls in the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction Q.

Above the base 4, inside the space enclosed by the

side walls

2, 3, there are a plurality of inner

transverse walls

5, 5a arranged at a parallel distance, which extend from the side wall 2 extending in the longitudinal direction L as far as an inner longitudinal wall 6. The inner longitudinal wall 6 is shown in detail in fig. 8. Two inner transverse walls 5, 5e are respectively arranged at the same parallel distance from the side wall 3 extending in the transverse direction. The inner

transverse walls

5, 5a are each connected to the bottom 4 by a bottom flange 7. The connection is material-locking. The bottom flanges 7 are located on both sides of the inner transverse wall 5.

Fig. 1 shows that the inner transverse wall 5 can be configured differently. In the middle region of fig. 1, a thicker inner transverse wall 5a can be seen, wherein the thickness of the

transverse walls

5, 5a is measured in the longitudinal direction L. The length of all

transverse walls

5, 5a measured in the transverse direction Q is substantially the same in all transverse walls and the thickness D minus the inner longitudinal wall 6 extends over half the clear width between the side walls 2 of the battery housing 1 extending parallel to one another.

Fig. 2 shows that the flange 8 extends parallel to the bottom 4 on the side wall 2 at a distance from the bottom 4. These flanges project from the inner side 9 of the side wall 2 towards the inner transverse wall 5. The flanges 8 are located above the cuboid-shaped screw carriers 10, wherein in each case one screw carrier 10 is located below in each case one flange 8. A corresponding screw carrier 10 extends from the bottom 4 towards the underside of the flange 8. Above the flanges 8, each has a web 11 with a circular web opening 12. The tabs 11 do not exceed the dimension of the flange 8 in the transverse and longitudinal directions. The tab rests on the flange. The threaded carrier 10, the flange 8 belonging thereto and the lugs 11 lying thereon have a substantially square cross section, as can be seen in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 and 5 show: the flanges 8 are provided in pairs. On each side of the inner transverse wall 5 there is an associated tab 11. The tab opening 2 (fig. 2) is aligned with the opening 13 in the flange 8. Furthermore, an opening 14 for the threaded engagement of the threaded part is provided in the square-shaped threaded carrier 10. All mentioned

openings

12, 13, 14 are arranged in alignment for screwing in a manner not shown. The battery module, not shown in detail, is placed such that it is screwed to the threaded support 11 while the flange 8 and the web 11 are affected in a clamping manner. The inner transverse wall 5 is connected to the side wall 2 in this way.

Fig. 4 and 5 show: the screw carrier 10 can be inserted between the flanges 8 according to fig. 4 by means of a form-fit connection by means of a plug connection element 15 in the form of a bridge. Thereby, the screw carrier 10 can be preassembled more precisely and held securely between the flanges 8.

Fig. 3 shows a section through the opening 14 of the assembled screw carrier 10 in the transverse direction Q. The screw carrier 10 contacts the base 4 and extends as far as the underside of the flange 8, against which the upper side of the screw carrier 10 rests. Furthermore, it can be seen that: the opening 14 in the screw carrier 10 is smaller than the opening 13 in the flange 8. Furthermore, the opening 13 in the flange 8 is smaller than the tab opening 12. Tolerances between the side walls 2 and the inner transverse wall can thereby be compensated, wherein only the webs 11 are shown in fig. 3. The cross section of the opening 14 in the threaded carrier 10 is shown smaller than the cross section in the

further openings

12, 13, since the thread is also cut into the threaded carrier by the inserted bolt. The threaded carrier can be manufactured by extrusion from plastic or in metal. But may also relate to injection molded bodies.

The plug connection element 15 is only optionally present. The gap 16 between the two flanges 8 (fig. 4) can also be dispensed with if the plug connection element 15 is dispensed with. That is to say that each inner transverse wall presents in this case only one single integral flange 8 with two openings 13.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a side wall 2, which, unlike the side wall of fig. 4, has an integral flange 8 without a gap in the middle. Each flange 8 has two openings 13 for connection to the inner transverse wall, as is shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 shows that the threaded support is designed as a hollow body profile for the purpose of weight reduction. For the same reason, the profile of the side wall 2 is also a hollow cavity profile (fig. 3). The side wall 2 has a substantially L-shaped profile with a narrower vertical arm 17 and with a horizontal arm 18 of larger cross-section. The vertical arm 17 is divided into two chambers arranged one above the other. A horizontal arm 18 pointing to the outside of the battery housing is connected in the region of the lower chamber, said horizontal arm having two hollow chambers arranged one above the other. They are used to absorb energy in the event of a side impact.

The side wall 2 is designed as an extruded profile, so that it is not possible to produce the flange 8 with interruptions. The flange 8 is initially formed as a continuous bridge, wherein the excess region is removed after the pressing. The remaining flange 8 is provided with an opening in the form of a hole or milled opening. There may be longer and shorter flanges. Length L1 is illustratively shown on flange 8. Fig. 6 shows that the central flange 8a is longer than the remaining

flanges

8, 8b, for example. In fig. 6, the rearmost flange 8b has, for example, only one hole. Wherein each

flange

8, 8a, 8b is provided for connection with an inner transverse wall.

The opposite side wall 2 is formed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the

flanges

8, 8a, 8b in the side wall 2 shown in fig. 6. Fig. 7 shows the inner longitudinal wall 6 in the mounted position, for example in a view different from fig. 1. The inner longitudinal wall 6 has a receiving section 19 which is stepped on both sides. As can be seen from the separate illustration in fig. 8, the inner longitudinal wall 6 is essentially a hat-shaped profile which opens downwards. Along the inner longitudinal wall 6 on both sides of the inner longitudinal wall a plurality of bottom tabs 20 are provided. Via said bottom tabs, the inner longitudinal wall 6 is connected with the bottom 4 with a welding technique. The bottom 20 is in the mounted position below the inner

transverse wall

5, 5a, as shown in fig. 7. The stepped receiving section 19, on which the base web 20 is again arranged, has an L-shaped cross section with an upper arm 21 which extends parallel to the base 4 at a distance therefrom. The upper arm 21 extends parallel to the upper side 23 of the inner longitudinal wall 6. Connected to this upper horizontal arm 21 is a vertical arm 22 which is bent downward toward the bottom 4, from which vertical arm bottom webs 20 are again arranged at a distance from one another and pointing outward. This is a mirror-symmetrical arrangement with respect to the longitudinal mid-axis of the inner longitudinal wall 6. In the upper side 23 of the inner longitudinal wall 6 there are a plurality of larger openings 24 for the passage of bolts/sleeves for fixing the bottom 4 or the inner longitudinal wall 6 to the vehicle body.

On the upper horizontal arm 21, there are a plurality of openings 25, which are arranged in pairs, so that one opening 25 is adjacent to each of the inner

transverse walls

5, 5 a. Via these openings 25, the battery modules can be fixed in the battery housing resting on the horizontal arms 21.

The inner transverse walls separate the individual battery modules from one another, reinforce the battery housing and impart high stability and intrusion-proof safety thereto. At the same time, the connection between the inner

transverse wall

5, 5a and the longitudinal side wall 2 according to the invention enables complex welding technology to be saved, while at the same time the battery module can be screwed in an assembly-friendly manner via the screw carrier to the webs of the inner transverse wall and the flanges of the side walls.

List of reference numerals

1 Battery case

2 side wall

3 side wall

4 bottom

5 inner transverse wall

5a inner transverse wall

6 inner longitudinal wall

75 bottom flange

82 of the flange

8a 2 flange

8b 2 flange

92 inner side of the container

10 screw carrier

115. 5a of the contact sheet

12 opening

1311 in a vacuum chamber

1410 opening in the container

15 plug-in connection element

16 gaps

172 vertical wall

182 horizontal arm

19 accommodating section

20 bottom flange

2119 horizontal arm

2219 vertical arm

236 of the upper side

2423 opening in

Opening in 2519

Thickness D

L1 length

Q transverse direction

L longitudinal direction

Direction of Z height

Claims

1. Battery housing having a base (4), side walls (2) and internal transverse walls (5, 5a) which are connected to the base (4), characterized in that the side walls (2) have flanges (8, 8a, 8b) which are arranged at a distance from the base (4) and which project toward the internal transverse walls (5, 5a), the flanges (8, 8a, 8b) having openings (13) for the threaded connection to battery modules which can be inserted between the internal transverse walls (5, 5a), and a screw carrier (10) being arranged between the base (4) and the flanges (8, 8a, 8b), wherein tabs (11) of the internal transverse walls (5, 5a) can be screwed to the screw carrier (10) via the tab openings (12) and with the flanges (8, 8a, 8b), 8b) And (5) screwing.

2. The battery housing as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the threaded carrier (10) has a plug connection element (15) for pre-assembly on the side wall (2) or the flange.

3. A battery housing as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the plug connection element (15) is designed as a snap connection.

4. A battery housing according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the screw carrier (10) is an extruded or injected component.

5. A battery housing according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the screw carrier (10) is threaded.

6. A battery housing according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flange (8, 8a, 8b) has a profile via which the screw carrier (10) is held in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner.

7. A battery housing according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the flange (8, 8a, 8b) has a length (L1) which is greater than the thickness (D) of the inner transverse wall (5, 5a), wherein the tabs (11) are arranged on both sides of the inner transverse wall (5, 5 a).

8. A battery housing according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the flange (8, 8a, 8b) is provided only in the region of the inner transverse wall (5, 5 a).

9. A battery housing according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the size of the tab opening (12) and the size of the opening (13) in the flange (8, 8a, 8b) differ in order to compensate for tolerances.

10. A battery housing according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner transverse wall (5, 5a) extends from the side wall (2) to an inner longitudinal wall (6) which is connected to the base (4) and has stepped receiving sections (19) for the battery modules on the longitudinal sides.

11. A battery housing as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lugs (11) to be screwed are arranged on the side of the collar (8, 8a, 8b) facing away from the screw carrier (10).