CN116937060A

CN116937060A - Battery module, battery pack and vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN116937060A
Application number: CN202310423938.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·哈德勒
Original assignee: Samsung SDI Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung SDI Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-04-22
Filing date: 2023-04-19
Publication date: 2023-10-24

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a battery module having a housing with a coolant jacket that allows for efficient cooling of battery stacks disposed within the housing from different sides. The present disclosure also relates to a battery pack including the aforementioned battery modules and a vehicle including one or more of the aforementioned battery modules and/or one or more of the aforementioned battery packs.

Description

Battery module, battery pack and vehicle

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a battery module having a housing with a coolant jacket that allows for efficient cooling of battery stacks disposed within the housing from different sides. The present disclosure also relates to a battery pack including the aforementioned battery module, and a vehicle including one or more of the aforementioned battery modules and/or one or more of the aforementioned battery packs.

Background

In recent years, vehicles for transporting goods and personnel using electric power as a power source have been developed. Such electric vehicles are automobiles driven by electric motors using energy stored in rechargeable batteries. The electric vehicle may be powered by the battery alone or may be in the form of a hybrid vehicle that is otherwise powered by, for example, a gasoline generator or a hydrogen fuel cell. Further, the vehicle may include a combination of an electric motor and a conventional internal combustion engine. Generally, an Electric Vehicle Battery (EVB) or traction battery is a battery for powering the driving of a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). Electric vehicle batteries differ from starter batteries, lighting batteries, and ignition batteries in that electric vehicle batteries are designed to supply power during a sustained period of time. Rechargeable batteries or secondary batteries differ from primary batteries in that rechargeable batteries can be repeatedly charged and discharged, while primary batteries only provide an irreversible conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy. Low-capacity rechargeable batteries are used as power sources for small electronic devices such as mobile phones, notebook computers, and video cameras, while high-capacity rechargeable batteries are used as power sources for electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and the like.

In general, a rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween, a case receiving the electrode assembly, and an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly. An electrolyte solution is injected into the case so as to enable the battery to be charged and discharged through electrochemical reactions of the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the electrolyte solution. The shape of the shell (e.g., cylindrical or prismatic) depends on the intended use of the battery. Lithium ion (and similar lithium polymer) batteries, which are widely known by their use in notebook computers and consumer electronics, dominate the recent batches of electric vehicles under development.

Rechargeable batteries may be used as battery modules formed of a plurality of unit cells coupled in series and/or parallel, thereby providing high energy content, particularly for motor driving of hybrid vehicles or all-electric vehicles. That is, the battery module is formed by interconnecting electrode terminals of a plurality of unit cells depending on the amount of electricity required and in order to realize a high-power rechargeable battery.

The battery module may be constructed in a block design or a modular design. In a block design, each cell is coupled to a common current collector structure and a common battery management system, and its units are arranged in a housing. In a modular design, a plurality of battery cells are connected to form a sub-module, and several sub-modules are connected to form a battery module. In automotive applications, battery systems are often constructed of a plurality of battery modules connected in series for providing a desired voltage. Wherein the battery module may include a sub-assembly having a plurality of stacked battery cells, each stack including parallel connection cells (XpYs) connected in series or series connection cells (XsYp) connected in parallel.

The battery pack is a collection of any number (preferably identical) battery modules. They may be configured in series, parallel, or a mixture of both to provide a desired voltage, capacity, or power density. The components of the battery pack include individual battery modules and interconnections that provide electrical conductivity between the individual battery modules.

The battery system also includes a Battery Management System (BMS), which is any electronic system that manages rechargeable batteries, battery modules, and battery packs, such as by protecting the batteries from operation outside of their safe operating areas, monitoring their status, calculating secondary data, reporting the data, controlling its environment, authenticating it, and/or balancing it. For example, the BMS may monitor battery states represented by voltages (such as a total voltage of the battery pack or the battery module, voltages of the respective cells), temperatures (such as an average temperature of the battery pack or the battery module, a coolant suction temperature, a coolant output temperature, or temperatures of the respective cells), coolant flows (such as a flow rate, a cooling liquid pressure), and currents. Further, the BMS may calculate values such as minimum and maximum cell voltages, state of charge (SOC) or depth of discharge (DOD) for indicating a charge level of the battery, state of health (SOH; various defined measurements of remaining capacity of the battery as a percentage of original capacity), power state (SOP; amount of electricity available for a defined time interval given current power usage, temperature and other conditions), safety state (SOS), maximum charge current as a Charge Current Limit (CCL), maximum discharge current as a Discharge Current Limit (DCL), and internal impedance of the cell (for determining an open circuit voltage) based on the above items.

The BMS may be centralized such that a single controller is connected to the battery cells through a large number of wires. The BMS may also be distributed, wherein a BMS board is installed at each cell, with only a single communication cable between the battery and the controller. Or the BMS may have a modular construction including several controllers, each of which handles a certain number of cells, and between which the controllers communicate. Centralized BMS is most economical, least scalable, and suffers from a large number of wires. Distributed BMS is most expensive, is simplest to install, and provides the most neat assembly. Modular BMS provides a compromise of the features and problems of the other two topologies.

The BMS can protect the battery packs from operating outside their safe operating areas. In the event of over-current, over-voltage (during charging), over-temperature, under-temperature, over-voltage, and ground fault or leakage current detection, operation outside of the safe operating region may be indicated. The BMS may prevent operation outside of the safe operating area of the battery by including an internal switch (such as a relay or a solid state device), which is turned on if the battery is operated outside of its safe operating area, reducing or even terminating the use of the battery by a device to which the battery is requested to be connected, and actively controlling the environment (such as by a heater, a fan, an air conditioner, or liquid cooling).

The mechanical integration of such a battery pack requires a proper mechanical connection between, for example, the individual components of the battery module and between the individual components and the vehicle support structure. These connections must remain functional and safe during the average life of the battery system. Furthermore, installation space and interchangeability requirements must be met, especially in mobile applications.

The mechanical integration of the battery module may be accomplished by providing a carrier frame and by positioning the battery module on the carrier frame. Fixing the battery cells or the battery module may be accomplished by fitting recesses in the frame or by mechanical interconnectors such as bolts or screws. Alternatively, the battery module is restrained by fastening the side plates to the lateral sides of the carrier frame. In addition, the cap plate may be fixed at the top and under the battery module.

The carrier frame of the battery is mounted to the load-bearing structure of the vehicle. In case the battery pack should be fixed to the vehicle bottom, the mechanical connection may be established from the bottom side by means of e.g. bolts through the carrier frame of the battery pack. The frame is typically made of aluminum or aluminum alloy to reduce the overall weight of the construction.

Regardless of any modular construction, battery systems according to the prior art generally include a battery housing that serves as an enclosure to seal the battery system from the environment and to provide structural protection to the components of the battery system. Battery systems with housings are often installed as a whole in their application environment (e.g., electric vehicles). Thus, replacement of a defective system part (e.g., a defective battery sub-module) requires first disassembling the entire battery system and removing its housing. Even small and/or inexpensive system part imperfections may then lead to disassembly and replacement of the entire battery system and its individual repair. Since high capacity battery systems are expensive, large and heavy, the procedure proves to be burdensome and it becomes difficult to store large battery systems, for example, in a mechanic's shop.

In order to provide thermal control of the battery pack, an active or passive thermal management system is required to safely use at least one battery module by efficiently dissipating, releasing and/or dissipating heat generated from its rechargeable battery. If the heat dissipation/release/dissipation is not sufficiently performed, a temperature deviation occurs between the respective battery cells such that the at least one battery module cannot generate a desired amount of electricity. Further, an increase in the internal temperature may cause an abnormal reaction to occur therein, so that the charge and discharge performance of the rechargeable battery is deteriorated and the life of the rechargeable battery is shortened. Therefore, monomer cooling for effectively dissipating/releasing/dissipating heat from the monomer is required.

Exothermic decomposition of the individual components may lead to so-called thermal runaway. In general, thermal runaway describes a process accelerated by an elevated temperature, which in turn releases a further elevated temperatureEnergy of degrees. Thermal runaway occurs when the temperature increases changing conditions in a way that causes a further increase in temperature, often resulting in damaging results. In rechargeable battery systems, thermal runaway is associated with a strong exothermic reaction that is accelerated by a temperature rise. These exothermic reactions involve the combustion of the combustible gas components within the battery housing. For example, when the monomer is heated above a critical temperature (typically, above 150 ℃), it may transition to thermal runaway. Initial heating may be caused by local faults such as internal cell shorts, heating from defective electrical contacts, shorts to adjacent cells. During thermal runaway, a failed cell, i.e., a cell with a partial failure, may reach temperatures exceeding 700 ℃. In addition, a large amount of hot gas is injected into the battery pack from the inside of the failed battery cell through the exhaust port of the battery case. The main component of the exhausted gas is H ₂ 、CO ₂ CO, electrolyte vapors, and other hydrocarbons. Thus, the vented gases are flammable and potentially toxic. The exhausted gas also causes an increase in the internal gas pressure of the battery pack.

Most advanced cooling systems are flat and are typically placed on the bottom of the unit. Different techniques are used to create a flat cooler. However, such conventional cooling systems may not be completely adequate also in view of increasing demands on the performance of the battery module, such as during rapid charging, acceleration, high-speed operation, etc.

Therefore, there is a need to improve the efficiency of cooling systems within battery modules, especially in view of high performance events (e.g., fast charge, acceleration, high speed operation) or heat spreading.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, defined by the independent claims, to at least overcome or reduce the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a battery pack with improved characteristics in this respect.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is defined by the appended claims. The following description is subject to this limitation. Any disclosure outside the scope of the claims is intended only for illustrative purposes and for comparison purposes.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is disclosed a battery module including: a base portion, a base cover, and a plurality of battery cell stacks. The base portion extends along a first virtual plane perpendicular to the first direction. The base portion includes a plurality of grooves protruding against the first direction. Each recess forms a compartment configured to receive a battery cell stack. Each battery cell stack is housed in one of the compartments. A space is formed between any two adjacent grooves. The substrate cover extends along a second virtual plane that is parallel to the first virtual plane and is arranged in front of the first virtual plane when viewed in the first direction. The base cap is spaced apart from each groove.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a battery pack is disclosed, comprising one or more battery modules according to the first aspect.

A third aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle including at least one battery module according to the first aspect and/or at least one battery pack according to the second aspect.

Further aspects of the present disclosure may be gleaned from the following description.

Drawings

Features will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic top view illustrating a first embodiment of a battery module according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 provides yet another cross-sectional view of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

fig. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of another example of a base portion;

fig. 6 schematically shows a portion of yet another embodiment of a battery module according to the present disclosure;

fig. 7A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a battery module according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B shows the situation of FIG. 7A in a perspective view;

Fig. 7C is a perspective bottom view of a portion of an embodiment of a battery module similar to the slightly modified version of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 4; and

fig. 8 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative example of a base portion.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Effects and features of exemplary embodiments and a method of implementing the same will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like elements, and redundant description is omitted. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the aspects and features of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Thus, processes, elements and techniques that are deemed unnecessary to a person of ordinary skill in the art for a complete understanding of aspects and features of the present disclosure may not be described. In the drawings, the relative sizes of elements, layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Furthermore, when describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of "may" refers to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure, singular terms may include plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. When following an element list, expressions such as "at least one of" modify the entire element list, without modifying individual elements of the list.

As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and the like are used as approximation terms, not as degree terms, and are intended to illustrate inherent deviations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, if the term "substantially" is used in combination with a feature that can be expressed in numerical terms, the term "substantially" means a range of ±5% of the value centered on the value.

It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes … …" or "including … …" specify the presence of stated features, regions, fixed amounts, steps, processes, elements, components, or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence of other features, regions, fixed amounts, steps, processes, elements, components, or groups thereof.

It will also be understood that when a film, region, or element is referred to as being "on" or "over" another film, region, or element, it can be directly on the other film, region, or element, or intervening films, regions, spaces, voids, gaps, or elements may also be present.

For ease of description, a coordinate system having an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis may also be provided in at least some of the figures. Here, unless explicitly defined in the context of the figures, the terms "upper" and "lower" are defined according to the x-axis. For example, the upper cover is located at an upper portion of the x-axis, and the lower cover is located at a lower portion of the x-axis. In the drawings, the size of elements may be exaggerated for clarity. For example, in the drawings, the size or thickness of each element may be arbitrarily shown for illustrative purposes, and thus the embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited thereto.

In the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure, singular terms may include plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

An electronic or electrical device and/or any other related device or component according to embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be implemented using any suitable hardware, firmware (e.g., application specific integrated circuits), software, or a combination of software, firmware, and hardware. In addition, various components of these devices may be implemented on a flexible printed circuit film, tape Carrier Package (TCP), printed Circuit Board (PCB), or formed on one substrate. The electrical connections or interconnections described herein may be implemented by wires or conductive elements, for example, on a PCB or another circuit carrier. The conductive elements may include metallization, such as surface metallization and/or pins, and/or may include conductive polymers or ceramics. Additional electrical energy may be transmitted via a wireless connection (e.g., using electromagnetic radiation and/or light).

Further, the various components of these devices may be processes or threads running on one or more processors in one or more computing devices, executing computer program instructions, and interacting with other system components to perform the various functions described herein. The computer program instructions are stored in a memory that may be implemented in a computing device using standard memory devices, such as, for example, random Access Memory (RAM). The computer program instructions may also be stored in other non-transitory computer readable media such as, for example, a CD-ROM, flash memory drive, etc.

Moreover, those skilled in the art will recognize that the functionality of the various computing devices may be combined or integrated into a single computing device, or that the functionality of a particular computing device may be distributed over one or more other computing devices, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present specification and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

General conception

A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a battery module, including: a base portion, a base cover, a plurality of battery cell groups, wherein the base portion extends along a first virtual plane perpendicular to a first direction; wherein the base portion includes a plurality of grooves protruding against the first direction; wherein each recess forms a compartment configured to receive a battery cell stack; wherein each battery cell stack is contained in one of the compartments; wherein a space is formed between any two adjacent grooves; wherein the base cover extends along a second virtual plane parallel to and arranged in front of the first virtual plane when viewed in the first direction; and wherein the base cap is spaced apart from each groove.

The term "virtual plane" shall mean herein: the expression "plane" is used only as a means of describing the geometry of an object, whereas a "virtual plane" is not itself implemented as an object. The term "groove" means a kind of a depression or recess formed in the base portion in a certain limited area of the base portion. The compartments may then each be considered as a kind of cavity (which is open in the area of the first virtual plane) or recess (when viewed against the first direction). The expression "coolant" means "cooling fluid".

As can be seen from the foregoing, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, additional side cooling of the battery cells is established to improve the cooling system of the battery cells during high performance events (e.g., fast charge, acceleration, high speed operation) or heat spreading.

When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, spaces (voids) between adjacent grooves may be formed between the grooves. Further, a space between the base portion and the base cover may be formed with respect to the first direction. Thus, a space is formed between the base cover and the base portion, and the coolant can be filled into the space. The space between the base cover and the base portion communicates to the space between the grooves. In other words, the space generally includes (i) a gap between the base cover and the bottom side of the groove (i.e., the area of the groove closest to the base cover) and (ii) a void between the respective grooves. Thus, when a sufficient amount of coolant is supplied, the coolant reaches the gap between the respective grooves from the gap between the base cover and the bottom side of the grooves, and thus the compartments formed by the grooves can be cooled from the respective sides.

In an embodiment, the battery module according to the first aspect may further include a top cover extending parallel to the first virtual plane and disposed opposite the base cover with respect to the base portion. In other words, in those embodiments, the base portion is disposed between the base cover and the top cover.

In one embodiment of the battery module, the base part is formed as one piece by injection molding or die casting.

In this case, the base portion is formed as a cast housing structure adapted to accommodate a plurality of battery cell stacks. This facilitates the manufacture of the base portion, thus significantly reducing the cost required for manufacturing the battery module. Furthermore, this provides a safe separation between the space provided for receiving the coolant and the space within the compartment provided for accommodating the battery cell(s).

In one embodiment, the base portion is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. One of the advantages of aluminum is high thermal conductivity. In addition, an aluminum die-cast housing (base portion) with the aforementioned cooling system structure will allow side cooling without increasing the major part cost.

In one embodiment of the battery module, the edge of the base part is continuously connected with the base cover in a sealed manner.

In this context, the expression "in a sealed manner" is equivalent to "in a fluid-proof manner", wherein the term "fluid" particularly refers to a coolant.

For example, a perimeter gasket may be arranged between the edge of the base portion and the base cover, the gasket having a shape corresponding to or identical to the shape of the edge of the base portion and being connected to the edge of the base portion in a first direction and further being connected to the base cover against the first direction. In this case, the continuous connection of the base portion to the base cap is achieved by the gasket.

Alternatively, the edge of the base portion may be welded to the base cover. In this case, the continuous connection of the base portion and the base cover is achieved by welding.

In an embodiment, the base cover is congruent with the base portion when viewed in the first direction and is positioned such that the base cover completely covers the base portion. Thus, the edge of the base portion may be sealed to the edge of the base cover. The sealing of the edge of the base part with the edge of the base cover may be achieved by a gasket having a shape corresponding to or identical to the shape of the edge of the base part.

In an embodiment, the edge of the base portion comprises a perimeter first wall that rises in a first direction (i.e. to the base cover). The first wall may then be sealed to the base cover. Additionally or alternatively, a second wall protruding to the base part may be arranged on the base cover, wherein the second wall has a shape corresponding to or identical to the shape of the edge of the base part. The second wall may then be sealed to the base portion.

The inlet may be arranged through the base cap or through a connection of the base cap to the base portion. The inlet is then configured for connection to a coolant supply. Then, a (fresh) coolant may be supplied via the inlet into the space formed between the base part and the base cover. Further, the outlet may be arranged through the base cover or through a connection of the base cover to the base portion. The outlet is then configured for connection to a coolant container configured for receiving coolant. Then, the (used) coolant may be discharged from the space formed between the base portion and the base cover into the coolant container via the outlet.

Here, "fresh coolant" means coolant that does not receive heat from the battery cells, and "used coolant" means coolant that has received heat from the battery cells or has flowed around the grooves.

Of course, in each of the described aspects and embodiments, the roles of "outlet" and "inlet" may be exchanged, i.e., if any "outlet" is considered "inlet" in the above description, then at the same time any "inlet" may be considered "outlet". The topology of the "space system" described above (i.e., the system of the space formed between the base cover and the base portion that communicates to the void between the individual grooves, independent of the particular geometric design of an embodiment) is not affected by such exchange.

In one embodiment of the battery module, the base cover and the base part are formed together as one piece by injection molding or die casting.

This facilitates the manufacture of the complete battery module, thus significantly reducing the cost required for manufacturing the battery module. Furthermore, this increases the seal between the base cover and the base portion, as no additional member (such as a gasket) is required for the seal. The member including the base cover and the base portion may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. An aluminum die cast housing (base portion together with base cover) with a cooling system having the structure as described above will allow side cooling without increasing the major part cost.

In one embodiment of the battery module, each of the grooves includes a base region, wherein the base region is a region of the groove having a maximum distance from the first virtual plane.

Alternatively, the base region may be equivalently defined as a region of the groove having a minimum distance to the second virtual plane.

In one embodiment of the battery module, the base region extends parallel to the first virtual plane for each recess or at least for one of the recesses.

In other words, all or some of the grooves comprise an area having a maximum distance to the first virtual plane and extending parallel to the first virtual plane. Thus, each compartment has a base side parallel to the first virtual plane.

In one embodiment of the battery module, the base region of each groove has the same distance to the first virtual plane.

In other words, with respect to the predefined distance, all grooves comprise areas having a maximum distance to the first virtual plane (or equivalently, a minimum distance to the second virtual plane) and being spaced apart from the first virtual plane by the predefined distance. Thus, all compartments have the same depth, measured from the first virtual plane in the first direction.

In one embodiment of the battery module, each or some of the base regions have an elliptical or circular shape or a rectangular shape.

For example, in the case of a circular base region arranged parallel to the first virtual plane, the compartment formed by the recess then has a cylindrical shape, wherein the cylinder is closed from one side (base region) and open on the other side. This may be appropriate for battery cell groups each having a cylindrical shape and stacked together (with their planar sides) in a first direction. The stacked cylindrical battery cell stack may then be received by the cylindrical compartment after insertion into the cylindrical compartment against the first direction (assuming that the radius of the cylindrical shape of the battery cell is smaller than the radius of the circular base). In an alternative example, in the case of a rectangular base region arranged parallel to the first virtual plane, the recess is then shaped as a cuboid, wherein the cuboid has one open side (the open side lying in the first virtual plane). This may be suitable for stacked battery cell groups each having a prismatic (rectangular parallelepiped) shape.

In one embodiment of the battery module, each or some of the grooves has a side wall extending parallel to the first direction.

In embodiments, each or some of the grooves may have sloped sidewalls. In particular, the sidewalls may be inclined at an angle greater than 90 ° relative to the base region (e.g., an angle of 95 °, 100 °, 105 °, or 110 °). For example, in the case of a rectangular base region arranged parallel to the first virtual plane, the recess comprises four side walls, each side wall extending between one of the edges of the rectangular base region and the first virtual plane. The compartment formed by the groove then has the shape of a frustum protruding from the first virtual plane against the first direction, and the base of the frustum is open and located in the first virtual plane. In the example, the sidewalls may be disposed at different angles relative to the base region. For example, two opposing sidewalls may be disposed at an angle of 90 ° relative to the base region, and the other two opposing sidewalls may be disposed at an angle of greater than 90 ° relative to the base region. In an alternative example of a circular base region arranged parallel to the first virtual plane, the groove (and thus the compartment formed by the groove) has the shape of a conical frustum protruding from the first virtual plane against the first direction, and the base of the conical frustum is open and located in the first virtual plane.

In one embodiment of the above battery module, the grooves are identically shaped.

The battery cell groups are then preferably identically shaped. Each battery cell stack may then be accommodated in any one of the compartments (assuming that the dimensions of the cell stack are selected such that the cell stack fits into one of the compartments).

In one embodiment of the battery module, the grooves are arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern with respect to the first virtual plane.

For example, the grooves may be arranged periodically with respect to the second direction (y) while being arranged periodically with respect to the third direction (z). The second direction (y) and the third direction (z) may each be perpendicular to the first direction (x). The third direction (z) may be perpendicular to the second direction (y). This is particularly advantageous in the case where the base areas of all grooves have a rectangular shape. Alternatively, the third direction may be at an angle of 60 ° to the second direction. The latter may be particularly advantageous in cases where the base areas of all grooves have a circular shape.

In one embodiment of the battery module, a side portion of the base cover facing the base portion includes a rising structure forming one or more fluidized beds (or semi-tubular structures) configured to guide a coolant along a predetermined path across the side portion.

In one embodiment of the battery module, the side of at least some of the base regions facing the base cover includes a raised structure forming one or more fluid beds or semi-tubular structures configured to direct coolant along a predetermined path across the side.

Such a raised structure may help to guide the coolant in a non-linear manner in the space between the base cover and the recess in order to distribute fresh coolant in the space, thus increasing the uniform cooling effect on the compartment.

In one embodiment of the battery module, the battery cells are stacked in the first direction (x) in all or at least some of the battery cell groups.

In one embodiment of the battery module, in all or at least some of the battery cell groups, the battery cells are stacked in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (x).

For example, when the compartments have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (see above), the battery cell groups accommodated in one of the compartments may be stacked in a direction perpendicular to one of the sides of the compartment. In an alternative example, when the compartments have a substantially cylindrical shape, the battery cell group accommodated in one of the compartments may include battery cells each having a cylindrical shape (a central axis is parallel to the first direction) and stacked together in the first direction (see above).

A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a battery pack including one or more battery modules according to the first aspect.

The battery pack may further include: a Battery Management System (BMS) for monitoring and controlling the battery cells included in the battery pack as described above; and/or a plurality of detection mechanisms, for example, for monitoring the temperature or current of each cell or group of cells.

Example embodiment

Fig. 1 is a schematic top view showing a first embodiment of a battery module 1 according to the present disclosure. Further, fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 taken along arrow Z. For convenience of the following description, a cartesian coordinate system having an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis is also depicted in the figures. The battery module 1 includes a base portion 10 and a base cover 20. In the top view of fig. 1, only the base portion 10 is visible, as the base cover 20 is completely hidden by the base portion 10 (except for the inlet I and outlet O, which will be described below). The base portion 10 is a plate 11 extending substantially parallel to the y-z plane of the coordinate system. Referring to fig. 2, the plate 11 extends along a first virtual plane perpendicular to the drawing plane of fig. 2 and intersecting the drawing plane of fig. 2 along a line A-A. However, the plate 11 includes a plurality of grooves 40 protruding against the x-direction.

In the example of the first embodiment of the battery module 1, each groove has a rectangular parallelepiped shape forming a compartment having one open side (i.e., an open side located in the first virtual plane). Thus, as can be seen in fig. 1, each of the compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 has a rectangular top view. Furthermore, as can be seen in fig. 2, the cross section of each of the compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 also has a rectangular shape, wherein however the upper side of the compartments (with respect to the orientation shown in fig. 2) is open. The base regions 410, 420, 430 (i.e., relative to the bottom region of fig. 2), i.e., the regions having the greatest distance to the first virtual plane, are formed parallel to the first virtual plane by a distance Δ for each of the grooves (or compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49). Furthermore, compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 are each bounded by side walls oriented perpendicular to the first virtual plane. For example, the first compartment 41 is limited in the z-direction by two side walls 41a and 41b arranged opposite each other with respect to the base region 410 of the first compartment 41, the side walls 41a and 41b being oriented parallel to the x-y plane of the coordinate system. A pair of further side walls 41c and 41d (see fig. 4) limiting the first compartment 41 with respect to the y-direction are not visible in fig. 2, because the further side walls 41c and 41d are arranged parallel to the x-z plane of the coordinate system. Thus, if each cell group has the overall shape of a cuboid (e.g., a cell group comprising a plurality of prismatic cells stacked together in a flush-fitting manner, as explicitly shown in fig. 3 for the first cell group 81 housed in the first compartment 41; see below), each of the compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 is particularly suitable for housing a cell group (see fig. 3).

In this example, grooves (forming compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 4849) are identically shaped to each other. Furthermore, grooves are arranged on the plate 11 in a two-dimensional periodic pattern. Here, with reference to the top view provided in fig. 1, the grooves/compartments are arranged in a matrix. In particular, in the y-direction, the compartments are spaced apart from each other by a distance d ₂ . For example, the compartment 41 shown in the lower left hand corner of the matrix of compartments shown in FIG. 1 is spaced apart from the adjacent compartment 44 by a distance d with respect to the y-direction ₂ And compartment 44 is again spaced apart from the compartment 47 arranged next to it in the y-direction by the same distance d ₂ . Thus, the aforementioned compartments 41, 44 and 47 are periodically aligned with respect to the Y-direction (along the line indicated by arrow Y). This applies in a similar manner to the compartments 42, 45 and 48 arranged in the central region of the plate 11 with respect to the z-direction and to the compartments 43, 46 and 49 (with respect to fig. 1) arranged adjacent to the right edge of the base portion 10. Correspondingly, the compartment 41 shown in the lower left hand corner of the matrix of compartments shown in fig. 1 is spaced apart from the adjacent compartment 42 by a distance d with respect to the z-direction ₃ And the compartment 42 is again spaced apart from the compartment 43 arranged next to it in the z-direction by the same distance d ₃ . Thus, the aforementioned compartments 41, 42 and 43 are periodically aligned with respect to the Z-direction (along the line indicated by arrow Z). This applies in a similar manner to compartments 44, 45 and 46 arranged in a central region of the plate 11 with respect to the y-direction and to compartments 47, 48 and 49 (shown in fig. 1) arranged adjacent to the upper edge of the base portion 10.

In this exemplary embodiment, the peripheral edge of the base cover 20 is congruent with the peripheral edge of the base portion 10. Furthermore, the base cover 20 is oriented such that it is completely hidden by the base portion 10 in the top view provided by fig. 1. Then, due to the rectangular top view of both the base part 10 and the base cover 20, each of the latter of the base part 10 and the base cover 20 comprises four (linear) side edges. Specifically, the base portion 10 (or equivalently, the plate 11) comprises four (linear) side edges 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d. Then, when viewed against the x-direction, behind each of these side edges 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d of the base portion 10, the corresponding side edge of the base cover 20 is arranged.

The base portion 10 is connected to the base cover 20 in a fluid-tight manner by four side covers. Specifically, each of the side edges 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d of the base portion 10 is connected to a respective side edge of the base cover 20 arranged behind the considered edge 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d of the base portion 10 when viewed against the x-direction. For example, referring to fig. 2 and 4, the left side edge 10a of the base part 10 is connected to the left side edge 20a of the base cover 20 through a first side cover 22a, and correspondingly, the right side edge 10b of the base part 10 is connected to the right side edge 20b of the base cover 20 through a second side cover 22b arranged parallel to the first side cover 22 a. In a similar manner, the remaining side edges 10c, 10d of the base portion 10 are connected to the corresponding side edges (not shown) of the base cover 20 by third and fourth side covers (not shown), respectively, which are arranged parallel to each other, perpendicular to the first and second side covers 22a, 22b, and opposite to each other with respect to the base portion 10 and the base cover 20.

Each side cover may be part of the base cover 20. Alternatively, each side cover may be part of the base portion 10. Further, some of the side covers (e.g., the first side cover 22a and the second side cover 22 b) may be part of the base portion 10, and the remaining side covers (e.g., the third side cover and the fourth side cover) may be part of the base cover 20. In each of these cases, the base portion 10 must be fixed to the base cover 20. Thus, the fixation must be carried out in a fluid-tight manner. For example, a gasket may be interposed between the base portion 10 and the base cover 20 along those lines, wherein the base portion 10 is connected to the base cover 20. The base portion 10 may be formed as a single piece by injection molding or die casting. This facilitates the manufacture of the base portion 10, thus significantly reducing the cost required for manufacturing the battery module 1. Furthermore, this provides a safe separation between the space provided for receiving the coolant and the space within the compartment provided for accommodating the battery cell(s).

Alternatively, the base cover 20 and the base portion 10 may be formed together as a single piece by injection molding or die casting. This facilitates the manufacture of the complete battery module 1, thus significantly reducing the cost required for manufacturing the battery module 1. Furthermore, this increases the seal between the base cover 20 and the base portion 10, since no additional member (such as a gasket) for sealing is required.

Through the first side cover 22a, an inlet I is arranged, which is configured for connection to a (external) coolant supply source (not shown), so that coolant can flow into the space formed between the base cover 20 and the base part 10 via the inlet I (as indicated by the arrow pointing into the inlet I). Correspondingly, through the second side cover 22b, an outlet O is arranged, which is configured for connection with an (external) coolant container (not shown), so that coolant can be discharged into the coolant container from the space formed between the base cover 20 and the base part 10 via the outlet O (as indicated by the arrow indicating the outlet O). The space formed between the base cover 20 and the base portion 10 may have a relatively complex structure as will be described below. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the inlet I and/or the outlet O may be disposed at other locations, for example, the inlet I may be positioned proximate the left side edge 10a of the base portion 10 and the outlet I may be positioned proximate the right side edge 10b of the base portion 10.

Referring to fig. 2, the base cover 20 is disposed under the base portion 10 such that the base cover 20 is spaced apart from the base region 410, 420, 430 of each of the compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49. Specifically, in this example, the base cover 20 is spaced apart from the base regions 410, 420, 430 by a distance d ₁ . Thus, there is a space 30 between the base cover 20 and the base areas 410, 420, 430. Furthermore, due to the above-described matrix-like arrangement of the compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 on the base portion 10, further space is provided between the side walls of the compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, as shown in fig. 2, 3 and 4. For example, the first void 32a is formed between the right side wall 41b of the first compartment 41 and the left side wall 42a of the second compartment 42 (relative to the orientation shown in fig. 1 and 3). In the z-direction, the width of the first gap 32a is d ₃ . Further, a second void 32b is formed between the right side wall 42b of the second compartment 42 and the left side wall 43a of the third compartment 42 (relative to the orientation shown in fig. 1 and 3). The width of the second gap 32b in the z-direction is also d ₃ 。

Further, referring to fig. 2 and 4, another space is formed by the first side void 36a between the first side cover 22a and the left side wall 41a of the first compartment 41, and a further space is formed by the second side void 36b between the second side cover 22b and the right side wall 43b of the third compartment 43. This applies in a similar way to each of the compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49 arranged adjacent to at least one of the side covers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d (and thus adjacent to at least one of the four side covers as described above), i.e. for any of these compartments a gap is formed between the side wall adjacent to the respective side cover and said respective side cover, when seen in the top view of fig. 1. Note that, for any one of the compartments 41, 43, 47, 49 located in the corners of the matrix-like arrangement of the compartments shown in fig. 1 and 3, a void is formed at both side walls of the compartment. For example, adjacent to the first compartment 41 as shown in fig. 4, one void (i.e., the first void 36a as described above with reference to fig. 1) is formed between the first side cover 22a and the left side wall 41a of the first compartment 41, and the other void 36c is formed between the third side cover 22c and the side wall 41c of the first compartment 41 adjacent to the third side cover 22 c.

As will become more apparent from the foregoing description, the space formed between the base cover 20 and the base portion 10 includes the space 30 between the base cover 20 and the base region 410, 420, 430, the space 30 being connected to each of the gaps 32a, 32b formed between the respective compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and to each of the gaps 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d formed between the side covers 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d and the respective adjacent compartments. Further, the space 30 between the base cover 20 and the base regions 410, 420, 430 is connected to each of the above-mentioned voids. Therefore, the coolant filled in the space formed between the base cover 20 and the base portion 10 can freely move within the space 30 and each void. Thus, such coolant is in contact with the base region 410, 420, 430 of each of the compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and with each side wall of the compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49.

This is shown in more detail by figures 3 and 4. Fig. 3 depicts in the same manner as fig. 2a first embodiment of the battery module 1 according to the present disclosure, i.e., as a first embodiment shown in fig. 1 taken along arrow Z Schematic cross-sectional view. However, in addition, fig. 3 schematically shows that the battery cell stacks 81, 82, 83 are accommodated in the compartments 41, 42, 43, respectively. In the embodiment shown, each battery cell group 81, 82, 83 has the overall shape of a cuboid, i.e. it comprises a plurality of prismatic (cuboid) battery cells stacked together in a flush-fitting manner. For example, the first battery cell group 81 includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells 80 ₁₁ 、80 ₁₂ 、80 ₁₃ 、80 ₁₄ 、80 ₁₅ 、80 ₁₆ 、80 ₁₇ . This applies in a corresponding manner also to the second and third battery cell groups 82, 83 shown in fig. 3, as well as to each of the further battery cell groups (not shown) placed in the remaining compartments 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49. In this example, the cells of each group are stacked together in the z-direction. Alternatively, the groups of cells may also be stacked together in the x-direction. In the latter case, it may be advantageous if the compartment exhibits a larger depth, i.e. the compartment may have a larger extension with respect to the x-direction. The battery cell stacks may be electrically interconnected with each other, e.g., the battery cell stacks may be electrically connected in series or parallel. For simplicity and clarity, electrical connections (which may be implemented, for example, by bus bars or wires) are not shown in the figures. Furthermore, it is clear that for each group of battery cells, the battery cells comprised in the group are electrically interconnected with each other, preferably in series with each other. This is also not shown for simplicity.

Further, it is indicated by hatching in fig. 3 that the space between the base portion 10 and the base cover 20 is completely filled with the coolant F. The coolant F may be supplied to the space between the base portion 10 and the base cover 20 via the inlet I and discharged from the space via the outlet O, as has been discussed above with reference to fig. 2. It can be seen that the base portion 10 provides a safe fluid-tight separation of the space within the compartments 41, 42, 43 in which the battery cell stacks 81, 82, 83 are housed and the space between the base portion 10 and the base cover 20. However, each of the battery cell groups 81, 82, 83 is cooled from several sides. As can be further seen with reference to the orientation of the battery module 1 as shown in fig. 3, the bottom side of each of the battery cell groups 81, 82, 83 positively and completely abuts against the base region 410, 420, 430 of the respective compartment 41, 42, 43. Furthermore, for any one of the battery cell stacks 81, 82, 83, each lateral side positively abuts one of the side walls of the respective compartment. For example, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the left lateral side of the first battery cell group 81 positively abuts against the left side wall 41a of the first compartment 41, and correspondingly, the right lateral side of the first battery cell group 81 positively abuts against the right side wall 41b of the first compartment 41. In a similar manner, the remaining two lateral sides of the first battery cell group 81 each positively abut against the respective adjacent side walls 41c, 41d of the first compartment 41. Thus, heat exchange between the battery cell stack and the coolant F can be achieved by the base region of the corresponding compartment accommodating the battery cell stack and each side wall. This can also be seen from fig. 4, fig. 4 providing a sectional view of the first embodiment of the battery module 1 taken along a virtual plane intersecting the line C-C in fig. 2 and parallel to the y-z plane of the coordinate system. Fig. 4 particularly shows that coolant F (indicated by hatching) is present in any of the gaps 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b between adjacent compartments and the gaps 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d between the side covers 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d and the respective adjacent compartments such that the coolant F flows around any one side wall of each of the compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49.

This is an improvement over conventional cooling systems in which the stacked battery cell stack is typically cooled from only one side (e.g., the bottom side). However, in the illustrated first embodiment of the battery module 1 according to the present disclosure, each of the battery cell groups 81, 82, 83 becomes cooled not only from the bottom side (i.e., the side facing the base regions 410, 420, 430 of the respective compartments 41, 42, 43), but also from each lateral side (i.e., the four sides facing the side walls of the respective compartments, for example, with reference to the first compartment 41), in addition to the conventional cooling system. In other words, five of the six sides of each battery cell group may be cooled with the first embodiment of the battery module 1 as shown in fig. 1 to 4. Therefore, an optimal cooling effect can be achieved by the battery module 1 according to the present disclosure.

Further, for example, in the case of a thermal event such as thermal runaway, since a coolant exists between any two adjacent battery cell groups (see fig. 4), it is possible to effectively prevent heat propagation from the battery cell group affected by the thermal event to the adjacent battery cell group and possibly across the entire battery module 1. This effect is increased by the movement of the coolant in the space between the base part 10 and the base cover 20 due to the fresh coolant being supplied via the inlet I and the used coolant being discharged via the outlet O.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of another example of a base portion 10 that may be used in another embodiment of a battery module 1 according to the present disclosure. In this example, the base portion 10 comprises a substantially rectangular plate 11 with rounded corners and with four side edges 10a, 10b, 10c, 10 d. The plate 11 extends along a virtual first plane which extends parallel to the y-z plane of the cartesian coordinate system. In the plate 11, 12 number of grooves are arranged according to a (3×4) matrix pattern. In particular, four rows of grooves are arranged in parallel along the z-direction, wherein each row of grooves comprises 3 number of grooves arranged along the y-direction. Each groove has a similar shape. The grooves protrude from the plate 11 against the x-direction. The grooves have flat base portions (not visible in fig. 5) arranged parallel to the y-z plane. Each sidewall of the groove is inclined at an angle greater than 90 ° relative to the planar base portion. Thus, the grooves each have a gradually narrowing appearance when viewed against the x-direction.

Thus, each of the 12 grooves forms a compartment 41, 42, 43, 44 adapted to accommodate a battery cell stack. The base portion 10 shown in fig. 5 may be manufactured as one piece by injection molding or die casting. In order to construct the battery module 1 according to the present disclosure, a base cover (not shown) must be disposed under the base part 10. The base cover may be coupled with the base part 10 in a similar manner as described above with reference to fig. 2 and 3 so as to form a sealed space between the base part 10 and the base cover.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a portion of another embodiment of a battery module 1 according to the present disclosure. Specifically, a cell compartment having seven cells is shown from the inside of the battery module. The battery cells are surrounded by a diecast structure configured to receive a coolant, such as water, such that when the diecast structure is filled with coolant, the battery cells can be said to be surrounded by a "coolant jacket".

The base portion 10 comprises a plurality of grooves, each groove forming a compartment 400, 401, 402, 403, 404 (the compartment 400 being arranged between the compartments 401 and 403). Additional grooves/compartments may be arranged along and/or against the y-direction and against the z-direction. In the compartment 400, a battery cell stack 800 is accommodated, which battery cell stack 800 is composed of prismatic battery cells 80 stacked together in the z-direction ₁ 、80 ₂ 、80 ₃ 、80 ₄ 、80 ₅ 、80 ₆ 、80 ₇ And (5) forming. The battery cell stack 800 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with each lateral face thereof positively abutting against the side wall of the compartment 400, and furthermore, with the bottom face (not shown) thereof positively abutting against the base region (not shown) of the compartment 400. For simplicity, electrical harnesses, such as individual battery cells 80, are not shown ₁ 、80 ₂ 、80 ₃ 、80 ₄ 、80 ₅ 、80 ₆ 、80 ₇ And electrical connection between the terminals and the battery cells.

The compartment 400 is separated from each of the adjacent compartments 401, 403, 404 (with respect to the y-direction and the z-direction) by a double wall formed by the side walls of the compartment 400 and the adjacent side walls of the respective adjacent compartment. Between each of these double walls, a void is formed that can be filled with coolant (see the description above with respect to fig. 2-4). For example, referring to the orientation of the battery module 1 as shown in fig. 6, a gap is formed between the front side wall 401a of the compartment 400 accommodating the battery cell group 800 and the rear side wall 404b of the compartment 404 as shown in the foreground of the drawing. In addition, a gap (not shown) is formed between the rear side wall (not shown) of the compartment 400 and a side cover (not shown) that extends parallel to the x-y plane of the coordinate system below the rear side edge 10 b. Thus, the compartment 400 is surrounded at each of the four sidewalls by a void that may be filled with coolant. Further, similar to that described above with reference to fig. 2-3, a space is formed below a base region (not shown) of the compartment 400. Thus, when each void surrounding the compartment 400 and the space formed under the base region of the compartment 400 is filled with coolant, the battery cell stack 800 is in thermal contact with the coolant at each of its lateral faces and at its bottom face. Accordingly, the void surrounding the compartment 400 and the space formed under the base region of the compartment 400 may be considered as a coolant jacket (or cooling jacket) surrounding the battery cells 800 at each side of the battery cell stack 800 except the top side. The cooling system is entirely external and no fluid connectors are required inside the battery.

In the above designs, the "coolant jacket" (see above) is formed directly into the casting without the use of expensive cores.

Fig. 7A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the battery module 1 according to the present disclosure again. Two compartments 401 and 402 (which are part of the base portion) arranged above the base cover 20 are visible. The base region 401e of the compartment 401 and the base region 402e of the compartment 402 are each spaced apart from the base cover 20 with respect to the x-direction. A void 32 is formed between compartments 401 and 402. The void 32 is connected (communicated) to the space 30. Thus, when coolant is directed into space 30, the coolant reaches void 32 and rises in void 32. Thus, in this case, both compartments 401 and 402 are cooled at their respective base regions 401e, 402e by coolant provided in the space 30, and furthermore, the right side wall 401b of the compartment 401 and the left side wall 402a of the compartment 402 are each cooled by coolant present in the void 32 (the terms "left" and "right" refer herein to the view depicted in fig. 7A).

Fig. 7B shows the case of fig. 7A in a perspective view (the base cover 20 is omitted). Fig. 7B can be considered to be obtained from the situation shown in fig. 7A when viewed from bottom to top, i.e. in the x-direction. The void 32 protrudes wedge-like into the gap between the compartments 401 and 402. On each of the base areas 401e, 402e of the compartments 401, 402, a fluidized bed or a semi-tubular structure is provided. These fluidized beds or semi-tubular structures are realized by raised structures 61, 62 arranged on the side of the base areas 401e, 402e of the compartments 401, 402 facing away from the x-direction (i.e. to the base cover 20).

Fig. 7C may be regarded as a battery module similar to the slightly modified version of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 41, (part of) the embodiment. The base areas 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460 of the compartments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, respectively, are visible in the figure. On each base region, a fluidized bed or semi-tubular structure is formed from the raised structure in a manner similar to that described above with reference to fig. 7B. Between any two adjacent substrate areas (with respect to the y-direction and the z-direction), the entrance of the void formed between the respective compartments is visible. Accordingly, the inlets of the voids 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b as shown in fig. 7C have a net shape as a whole, and thus the voids 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b have a rib-like structure as a whole. Referring to fig. 7C, a base cover (not shown) is spaced a distance d ₁ (see fig. 2) are arranged above the substrate areas 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460. Thus, a space 30 will be formed between the base regions 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460 and the base cover. Thus, as shown in fig. 7C, the space 30 is communicated (connected) to each of the voids 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b via the inlet of the void. Thus, when the space 30 is filled with coolant, the coolant penetrates the inlet to the voids 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b.

As shown in fig. 7A-7C, a cooling system designed as a "coolant jacket" (see above) may be created around the cell compartments (e.g., the compartments having seven battery cells as shown in fig. 6) with reference to the sections of the battery housing (base portion and/or base cover). The rib structure may be about as high (relative to the x-direction) as the monomer.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative example of a base portion 100 that may be implemented in another embodiment of a battery module 1 according to the present disclosure. The base portion 100 is formed similar to the base portion 10 depicted in fig. 1-4, except for the number and shape of the grooves/compartments and the spatial arrangement of the latter. In particular, the base portion 100 comprises a substantially planar plate extending along a first virtual plane parallel to the y-z plane of the coordinate system and having a plurality of grooves protruding against the x-direction. However, in comparison with the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 4, the grooves each have a circular shape when viewed in the x-direction. In other words, the grooves each form a cylindrical compartment 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, i.e. the compartments each have a side wall of cylindrical shape. Each base region of the recess may be planar and extend along a second virtual plane parallel to the y-z plane of the coordinate system (see corresponding description with respect to fig. 1 to 4). The cross-sectional view shown in fig. 8 is parallel to the first virtual plane such that it intersects each cylindrically shaped compartment.

Moreover, compartments 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516 are arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern with respect to the y-z plane. In particular, compartments of the same shape are arranged periodically with respect to the y-direction and with respect to the z-direction. Thus, any two compartments adjacent with respect to the y-direction have the same distance d from each other ₂ (e.g., compartments 501, 505, 510, 514 are arranged along the line indicated by arrow Y). Correspondingly, any two compartments adjacent with respect to the z-direction have a constant distance d from each other ₃ (e.g., compartments 501, 502, 503, 504 are arranged along the line indicated by arrow Z).

However, in contrast to the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 4, the y-direction and the z-direction are not perpendicular to each other, but are arranged at an angle of 60 °, as indicated by the coordinate system in fig. 8. Thus, in the view of fig. 8, the compartments 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516 are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern, wherein each internal compartment is surrounded by six immediately adjacent compartments in a six-fold symmetrical manner. For example, compartment 507 is surrounded (counted in a counter-clockwise manner) by six immediately adjacent compartments 503, 504, 508, 512, 511 and 506. Although the shapes and arrangements of the compartments are different, a gap between any two adjacent compartments is formed, and furthermore, a gap between compartments near the side covers 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d is formed (the side covers 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are similar to the arrangement described with reference to fig. 1 to 4). In addition, each of the aforementioned voids is fluidly connected (communicates) to a space formed between the base regions of the compartments 501 to 516 and a base cover disposed in parallel to the y-z plane behind the sectional view shown in fig. 8. Thus, also in the embodiment using the base part 100 depicted in fig. 8, each of the compartments 501 to 516 is in thermal contact with the coolant F at the base region and the cylindrical side wall when the space between the base part 100 and the base cover is filled with coolant. Thus, with this configuration as well, optimal cooling of each of the battery cell groups (not shown) accommodated in the plurality of compartments can be achieved. In this case, it may be advantageous if each group is formed of cylindrical battery cells stacked together along the central axis of its cylindrical shape.

Reference numerals

1. Battery module

10. Base portion

10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, side edges of the base portion

11. Board board

20. Base cover

20a, 20b side edges of the base cover

22a, 22b, 22c, 22d side covers

30. Space of

32. 32a, 32b gap

34a, 34b gap

36a, 36b gap

40. Multiple compartments

41. 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 compartments

41a, 41b, 41c, 41d side walls of the first compartment

42a, 42b side wall of the second compartment

43a, 43b side wall of the third compartment

61. 62 rise structure

80 ₁ 、80 ₂ 、80 ₃ 、80 ₄ 、80 ₅ 、80 ₆ 、80 ₇ Battery cellMonomer(s)

80 ₁₁ 、80 ₁₂ 、80 ₁₃ 、80 ₁₄ 、80 ₁₅ 、80 ₁₆ 、80 ₁₇ Battery cell

81. 82, 83 cell unit

100. Base portion (alternative embodiment)

400. 401, 403, 404 compartments

401a, 402b side walls

401e, 402e substrate area

410. 420, 430, 440, 450, 460 base area

501-516 cylindrical compartment

800. Battery cell group

A-A, B-B, C-C indicate intersecting lines

Δ、d ₁ 、d ₂ 、d ₃ Distance of

F coolant

I inlet

O outlet

Axes of x, y, z coordinate system

Y, Z arrow

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising:

the base portion of the substrate is provided with a recess,

a base cover, a base plate,

a plurality of the battery cell groups,

wherein the base portion extends along a first virtual plane perpendicular to a first direction (x);

wherein the base portion comprises a plurality of grooves protruding against the first direction (x);

wherein each of the grooves forms a compartment configured to receive a battery cell stack;

wherein each of said battery cell stacks is received in one of said compartments;

wherein a space is formed between any two adjacent grooves;

wherein the base cover extends along a second virtual plane parallel to the first virtual plane and is arranged in front of the first virtual plane when seen in the first direction (x); and is also provided with

Wherein the base cap is spaced apart from each of the grooves.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the base portion is formed as a single piece by injection molding or die casting.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an edge of the base portion is continuously connected with the base cover in a sealed manner.

4. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base cover and the base part are formed together as a single piece by injection molding or die casting.

5. The battery module of claim 1, wherein each of the grooves comprises a base region, wherein the base region is a region of the groove having a maximum distance to the first virtual plane.

6. The battery module of claim 5, wherein for each of the grooves or at least for one of the grooves, the base region extends parallel to the first virtual plane.

7. The battery module according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the base region of each groove has the same distance to the first virtual plane.

8. The battery module according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each or some of the base regions have an elliptical shape, a circular shape, or a rectangular shape.

9. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each or some of the grooves have side walls extending parallel to the first direction (x).

10. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the grooves are identically shaped.

11. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the grooves are arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern relative to the first virtual plane.

12. The battery module according to claim 1,

wherein a side of the base cover facing the base portion comprises a raised structure forming one or more fluidized beds or semi-tubular structures configured to direct coolant along a predetermined path across the side.

13. The battery module of claim 5, wherein sides of at least some of the base regions facing the base cover comprise raised structures forming one or more fluidized beds or semi-tubular structures configured to direct coolant along a predetermined path across the sides.

14. The battery module according to claim 1,

wherein in all or at least some of the battery cells, the battery cells are stacked along the first direction (x); and/or

Wherein in all or at least some of the battery cells, the battery cells are stacked in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (x).

15. A battery pack comprising one or more battery modules according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A vehicle comprising at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and/or at least one battery pack according to claim 15.