DE102009043443A1 - Method for cooling of battery module for vehicle, involves supplying cooling fluid for cooling of battery module from side of battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves supplying a cooling fluid for the cooling of a battery module from a side of the battery module. The cooling fluid is guided from the side, and the provided side faces another electrical connection side (11). An independent claim is also included for a battery module for a vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for cooling a battery module of a vehicle, as well as a correspondingly designed battery module and vehicle.

The WO 2008/142223 A1 relates to an electric battery comprising a plurality of elements that generate electrical energy and a system for mechanical and thermal assembly of the elements.

The EP 0 599 137 B1 describes an accumulator system having at least one battery module, each battery module comprising a plurality of batteries.

The US 4,853,100 relates to electrochemical energy converters and improved methods of electrochemical energy conversion.

The WO 2008/147598 A2 describes batteries with improved cooling systems and methods of cooling batteries.

Modern batteries, which are used for example for driving a vehicle, require cooling. According to the prior art, a coolant is introduced from one side of a battery module and discharged on a side of the battery module opposite this side. With an axial guidance of the coolant (along an axis of a cylindrical battery module), a coolant connection thus lies on the same side as the electrical connections of the battery, which can lead to problems with a coolant outlet. Moreover, according to the prior art, there are problems with so-called heat esters, d. H. with points on the battery module, which are warmer than other places.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to avoid these problems according to the prior art.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a method for cooling a battery module for a vehicle according to claim 1 and claim 2, a battery module for a vehicle according to claim 4 and 5 and a vehicle according to claim 14. The dependent claims define preferred and advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, a method for cooling a battery module, which comprises a plurality of battery cells, is provided for a vehicle. In this case, the battery cells are arranged such that electrical connections of each battery cell lie on the same side of the battery module, which is referred to as the first side of the battery module. For cooling the battery module, a cooling fluid is supplied from a second side of the battery module and also discharged from the same second side. This second side of the battery module is located opposite the first side of the battery module. In this case, a cooling fluid is understood as meaning a cooling fluid, a cooling gas or a mixed form.

By supplying and discharging the cooling fluid from the same side, this side not corresponding to the side on which the electrical connections of the battery cells are located, the problems known in the prior art arise that the cooling fluid exits with the electrical connections the battery cells in connection device, advantageously not on.

In particular, when referring to the second side as the bottom side of the battery module, the cooling fluid flows substantially from below (and not from the side) of this bottom side and thus to the battery module.

It should be noted that according to the invention it is also possible that the battery cells are cooled by cooling elements, which are not flowed through by a cooling fluid. In this case, the cooling elements or cooling fingers sit on a cooling body, which can be cooled by means of a cooling fluid and via which the cooling elements themselves are cooled.

In the context of the present invention, a further method for cooling a battery module for a vehicle is provided. In this case, the battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells. A cooling arrangement with a plurality of cooling elements is connected to the battery cells for cooling the battery module. According to the invention, a contact surface on which contacts one of the plurality of battery cells with one or more of the cooling elements, the same size for all battery cells. In other words, each battery cell to the same extent on a contact surface or contact surface, which is defined by the fact that the respective battery cell is touched or contacted at this contact surface of one or more cooling elements and thus cooled.

Since the contact area for each battery cell is the same size, the cooling capacity for each battery cell is the same size. Therefore, all battery cells are uniformly cooled by the inventive method for cooling the battery module.

The battery cells are advantageously uniform (ie the same design) and parallel arranged to each other, whereby a structure of the battery module and thus the cooling of the battery module is simplified.

In the context of the present invention, a battery module for a vehicle is also provided. In this case, the battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells and a cooling arrangement. The battery cells are arranged such that an electrical connection of each battery cell lies on the same side of the battery module, which is referred to as the first side. The cooling arrangement is connected to the battery cells for cooling the battery module, the cooling arrangement having an inlet and an outlet for a cooling fluid. The inlet and the outlet are arranged on the same side of the battery module, which is referred to as the second side. According to the invention, the first side is opposite to the second side.

In the context of the present invention, a further battery module for a vehicle is also provided, wherein the battery module in turn comprises a plurality of battery cells and a cooling arrangement. The cooling arrangement has a plurality of cooling elements and is connected to the battery cells for cooling the battery module. According to the invention, the cooling arrangement is arranged in such a way that a contact surface, at which one of the battery cells contacts one or more of the cooling elements, is the same size for all battery cells, ie. H. the respective contact surface has the same area for all battery cells.

The advantages of the battery modules according to the invention essentially correspond to the advantages of the corresponding method according to the invention, which are carried out in advance in detail, so that a repetition is dispensed with here.

The battery cells of the battery module are advantageously arranged cylindrical and parallel to each other in the battery module.

Each cooling element is in particular over the same length along the cylinder axis of the associated battery cell (s) with one or more of the battery cells in contact. In this case, a wrapping angle (or a sum of wrapping angles) over which the respective battery cell is in contact with one or more of the cooling elements is the same size for each battery cell. The wrap angle is measured in relation to the circular area of the cylinder body of the respective battery cell.

Since the wrap angle for each battery cell is the same size and each cooling element has the same length, thus the condition is met that the contact surface over which the respective battery cell is cooled by one or more cooling elements, is the same size for all battery cells.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the battery module comprises exactly six battery cells each having the same first dimension and three cooling elements each having the same second dimension. The cylindrical and parallel to each other arranged battery cells have the same cylinder axis direction. The battery cells are arranged such that, with respect to a cross section of the battery module perpendicular to the cylinder axis direction, three battery cells each form one side of an equilateral triangle. In this case, each of the three sides of the triangle is formed in each case by a path which connects the intersections of the cylinder center axes of the battery cells belonging to the respective side with the respective cross-sectional plane (drawing plane in which the cross-section is located). In other words, each side of the equilateral triangle is formed by three battery cells lying on a straight line. One side of the equilateral triangle is defined by intersections, which form the respective cylinder center axis of the corresponding battery cell with the cross-sectional plane. More specifically, one side of the triangle is formed by connecting the two intersections of the two battery cells located on the outer edge of the respective side, wherein the intersection of the battery cell located in the center of the page is also on the side defining path. Since the three battery cells located at the three corners of the equilateral triangle belong to two sides of the equilateral triangle, the battery module is formed by six battery cells. Each of the three cooling elements contacts, for one of the three battery cells arranged at one corner of the equilateral triangle, and additionally the two battery cells, which are directly adjacent to the respective corner battery cell.

In particular, a first contact surface of each cooling element, which has the corresponding cooling element with the respective corner battery cell, has the same area as together two second contact surfaces of the corresponding cooling element, which has the corresponding cooling element with the other two battery cells contacted by the corresponding cooling element. In other words, each cooling element has three contact surfaces with three battery cells. A first contact surface contacts the corner battery cell and one of each of two second contact surfaces makes contact with one of the two battery cells which are directly connected to the corresponding corner battery cell. The area of the first contact surface is just as large as the sum of the areas of the two second contact surfaces.

Since the three corner battery cells each only with a cooling element (with a unit area) are in communication and the three each lying in the middle of one side of the equilateral triangle battery cells of each two cooling elements (each with a half surface unit) are contacted, the total contact surface and thus the total cooling capacity for each battery cell the same size.

Advantageously, the cooling elements are connected to one another in the form of a series connection such that the cooling fluid flows through all the cooling elements one after the other.

In particular, a cross section of a flow channel, in which the cooling fluid flows through the cooling arrangement, is at all points, i. H. in each cooling element and also in the connecting elements between the cooling elements, the same size.

By the cross section of the flow channel is the same everywhere, there is a uniform flow velocity in the flow channel, which also leads to a uniform cooling capacity for the battery cells and thus leads to an avoidance of hot spots.

It should be expressly understood that the embodiment of the battery module in which the inlet and the outlet are disposed on the same side of the battery module and the embodiment of the battery module in which the contact surfaces are the same size for all battery cells, can also be combined. In other words, in the context of the present invention, a battery module is also protected, in which the inlet and the outlet are arranged on the same side of the battery module and in which the contact areas for all battery module cells are equal.

The battery module according to the invention advantageously has a small space requirement and allows a targeted, forced flow through the cooling fluid through the cooling arrangement.

In an embodiment according to the invention of the battery module, the cooling arrangement comprises a heat sink, via which the cooling elements are cooled. In particular, no cooling fluid flows through the cooling elements, so that the risk that a cooling fluid comes into contact with the electrical terminals of the battery cells is even lower in this embodiment than in the previously outlined embodiments. The cooling elements are advantageously formed of a highly heat-conductive material (eg, copper) to carry away the heat from the battery cells via the heat sink. The heat sink itself can be traversed by a cooling fluid for cooling.

Finally, in the context of the present invention, a vehicle is provided, which comprises a previously described battery module according to the invention.

The present invention is particularly suitable for motor vehicles which are at least temporarily driven by electrical energy. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this preferred application, since the present invention could also be used generally outside and detached from vehicles, for example, as a battery module for powering a home. In addition, an application of the present invention in ships, aircraft and track-bound vehicles is conceivable.

In the following, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures.

1 represents in perspective a battery module according to the invention in the direction of the electrical connections of the battery cells.

2 represents the perspective in 1 illustrated battery module in the direction of the electrical connections opposite side of the battery module.

In 3 the battery module according to the invention is the 1 and 2 shown without module housing.

4 represents in perspective the cooling arrangement of in 1 to 3 represented battery module.

In 5 is the cooling arrangement of 4 shown enlarged.

In 6 the battery module according to the invention is shown in a cross section perpendicular to the cylinder axes of the battery cells.

7 schematically represents a cooling arrangement according to the invention with a heat sink for cooling the cooling elements.

8th schematically represents a vehicle according to the invention with several arrangements of battery modules according to the invention.

In 1 is a battery module according to the invention 1 shown in perspective, the viewing direction of a viewer on the electrical connection side 11 of the battery module 1 falls, on which the cylindrical battery cells 2 of battery module 1 their electrical connections 16 exhibit.

In 2 is that in 1 represented battery module in perspective so represented, so that the viewing direction of a viewer on the battery module side 15 falls, which of the connection side 11 opposite and which as bottom side 15 the battery module is called. On this bottom side 15 There are both a cooling fluid inlet 12 as well as a cooling fluid outlet 13 a cooling arrangement 5 for cooling the battery module 1 , so that the cooling fluid supply (ie onward transport and removal) only from the bottom side 15 done here. The battery module 1 is from a module housing 3 surround.

In 3 is the battery module the 1 and 2 without module housing 3 shown. One recognizes the cylindrical shape of the battery cells 2 , and you realize that the battery cells 2 are arranged parallel to each other, so that the cylinder center axes 17 with all six battery cells 2 lie parallel to each other.

In 4 is the cooling arrangement 5 alone without the battery cells 2 shown. The cooling arrangement 5 includes three cooling elements 4 , wherein in each case two of these cooling elements 4 through one of two cooling connection elements 6 are connected.

In 5 is the cooling arrangement 5 of the 4 shown enlarged. The cooling arrangement 5 points to a first cooling element 4 the cooling fluid inlet 12 and on a third cooling element 4 the cooling fluid outlet 13 on. In 5 is also the flow direction 14 represented by the cooling fluid, which through the three cooling elements 4 and the two cooling connection elements 6 flows. The cooling fluid occurs at the cooling fluid inlet 12 in the cooling arrangement 5 and flows in the first cooling element 4 in the longitudinal direction of this cooling element 4 and along a deflecting or deflecting plate 7 inside the cooling element 4 in a first flow channel of this cooling element 4 up. From above, the cooling fluid flows in the reverse direction 14 again along the deflecting body 7 along a second flow channel of this cooling element 4 down into a first cooling connection element 6 which is the first cooling element 4 with a second cooling element 4 combines. In the second cooling element 4 the cooling fluid flows again along the deflecting body 7 this cooling element 4 in a first flow channel of this cooling element 4 upwards and then again along the deflecting body 7 in a second flow channel of this cooling element 4 down into a second cooling connection element 6 which is the second cooling element 4 with the third cooling element 4 combines. Also in this third cooling element 4 the cooling fluid flows along the deflecting body 7 in a first flow channel of this cooling element 4 upwards and on the other side of the deflecting body 7 in a second flow channel of this cooling element 4 down to the cooling fluid outlet 13 at which the cooling fluid the cooling arrangement 5 leaves.

The three cooling elements 4 are constructed essentially identical. Each cooling element 4 is due to its deflecting body 7 divided into two equal parts, so that the cooling fluid can flow back on one side (through the first flow channel) and on the other side (through the second flow channel) back. In this case, the two flow channels of the three cooling elements 4 have the same flow cross-section and are designed such that, with the exception of the deflecting body 7 the outer walls of the two flow channels the outer walls of the respective cooling element 4 correspond. In other words, by means of the cooling fluid, the outer walls of each cooling element 4 cooled.

In 6 is a battery module 1 without module housing 3 in cross section perpendicular to the cylinder center axes 10 the cylindrical cooling elements 2 shown. It can be seen that the six battery cells 2a - 2f form an equilateral triangle. Here are the three battery cells 2a . 2c . 2f at the corners of the equilateral triangle. The remaining three battery cells 2 B . 2d . 2e each lie in the middle of one of the three sides of the equilateral triangle. In the 6 are the centers for each circular area of each battery cell 18 shown. These centers 18 correspond to the respective intersection of the cylinder center axis 17 every battery cell 2 with the presentation level. If you connect two of these centers 18 of two battery cells located at the corners of the equilateral triangle 2 , you get the equilateral triangle.

In addition, in 6 the three cooling elements 4 together with the cooling fluid inlet 12 and the cooling fluid outlet 13 shown. Each of the three cooling elements 4 touches a arranged at the corner of the equilateral triangle battery cell 2a . 2c . 2f and additionally the two with this arranged on the corner cooling element 4 adjacent battery cells 2 , Each cooling element 4 is now constructed and arranged such that a contact surface between the cooling element 4 and the battery cell arranged at the corner of the equilateral triangle 2 twice as large as a cooling surface or contact surface between this cooling element 4 and one of the other two battery cells connected to this cooling element 2 , Since this structure of the cooling arrangement 5 or the structure of the three cooling elements 4 conditionally that the three battery cells arranged at the corners of the equilateral triangle 2a . 2c . 2f only with a cooling element 4 and the other three battery cells 2 B . 2d . 2e each with two cooling elements 4 are the sum of the cooling surfaces for each of the six battery cells 2 the same size, so each of the six battery cells 2 is cooled equally strong.

Because the battery cells 2 are cylindrical, have the cooling elements 4 Outer surfaces, which are circular arc in cross section. This surrounds each cooling element 4 partly three battery cells 2 and forms in cross section of 6 seen with each of these three battery cells 2 a kind of looping angle, which defines the size of a circular arc over which the corresponding cooling element 4 and touch the corresponding battery cell in cross section. Here is the wrap, over which a heat sink 4 a corner battery cell 2a . 2c . 2f touched, twice as large as a wrap angle, over which a heat sink 4 a battery cell located in the middle of one side of the equilateral triangle 2 B . 2d . 2e touches what's in 6 is indicated by "1" and "1/2".

In 7 a cooling arrangement according to the invention is shown schematically, which is a heat sink 19 includes. The heat sink 19 cools the three cooling elements 4 which, in turn, the battery cells 2 cool. The peculiarity of this embodiment is that the cooling elements 4 even no cooling fluid flows through it, but instead a very good heat-conducting material are formed, so as to heat the battery cells 2 dissipate to the heat sink.

In 8th is a vehicle according to the invention 10 represented, which several arrangements 9 each with a plurality of battery modules according to the invention 1 includes. This is a module arrangement 9 in the area of the tunnel of the vehicle 10 , a module arrangement 9 under the back seat of the vehicle 10 and a module assembly 9 in the trunk of the vehicle 10 arranged.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

battery module

2

battery cell

2a-f

battery cell

3

module housing

4

cooling element

5

cooling arrangement

6

Cooling connecting element

7

baffle

8th

equilateral triangle

9

module assembly

10

vehicle

11

electrical connection side

12

Cooling fluid inlet

13

cooling fluid outlet

14

flow direction

15

Battery module side or bottom side

16

electrical connections

17

Cylinder center axis

18

Circle center

19

heatsink

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2008/142223 A1 [0002]
• EP 0599137 B1 [0003]
• US 4853100 [0004]
• WO 2008/147598 A2 [0005]

Claims (14)

Method for cooling a battery module ( 1 ) for a vehicle ( 10 ), wherein the battery module ( 1 ) several battery cells ( 2 ), wherein the battery cells ( 2 ) are arranged such that an electrical connection ( 16 ) of each battery cell ( 2 ) on a same first page ( 11 ) of the battery module ( 1 ), characterized in that a cooling fluid for cooling the battery module ( 1 ) from a second page ( 15 ) of the battery module ( 1 ) is supplied, that the cooling fluid from the second side ( 15 ), and that the second side ( 15 ) of the first page ( 11 ) is opposite. Method for cooling a battery module ( 1 ) for a vehicle ( 10 ), wherein the battery module ( 1 ) several battery cells ( 2 ), and wherein a cooling arrangement ( 5 ), which several cooling elements ( 4 ), for cooling with the battery cells ( 2 ), characterized in that a contact surface on which a respective one of the battery cells ( 2 ) with at least one of the cooling elements ( 4 ), for all battery cells ( 2 ) is the same size. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the battery cells ( 2 ) are uniform, and that the battery cells ( 2 ) are arranged parallel to each other. Battery module for a vehicle, wherein the battery module ( 1 ) several battery cells ( 2 ) and a cooling arrangement ( 5 ), wherein the battery cells ( 2 ) are arranged such that an electrical connection ( 16 ) of each battery cell ( 2 ) on a same first page ( 11 ) of the battery module ( 1 ), wherein the cooling arrangement ( 5 ) for cooling with the battery cells ( 2 ), and wherein the cooling arrangement ( 5 ) an inlet ( 12 ) and an outlet ( 13 ) for a cooling fluid, characterized in that the cooling arrangement ( 5 ) is arranged such that the inlet ( 12 ) and the outlet ( 13 ) on a same second page ( 15 ) of the battery module ( 1 ) and that the first page ( 11 ) the second page ( 15 ) is opposite. Battery module for a vehicle, wherein the battery module ( 1 ) several battery cells ( 2 ) and a cooling arrangement ( 5 ), wherein the cooling arrangement ( 5 ) a plurality of cooling elements ( 4 ) and for cooling with the battery cells ( 2 ), characterized in that the cooling arrangement ( 5 ) is arranged such that a contact surface on which a respective one of the battery cells ( 2 ) with at least one of the cooling elements ( 4 ), for all battery cells ( 2 ) is the same size. Battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that the battery cells ( 2 ) are cylindrical, and that the battery cells ( 2 ) are arranged parallel to each other. Battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the cooling elements ( 4 ) has a same length over which the respective cooling element ( 4 ) with at least one of the battery cells ( 2 ), that a wrap angle over which one of the battery cells ( 2 ) with at least one of the cooling elements ( 4 ) is in contact and which with respect to the circular area of the respective cylindrical battery cell ( 2 ), for each battery cell ( 2 ) is the same size. Battery module according to one of claims 5-7, characterized in that the battery module ( 1 ) exactly six battery cells ( 2a F) each have the same dimension and three cooling elements ( 4 ) each having the same dimension that the battery cells ( 2 ) the same cylinder axis direction ( 17 ) that the battery cells ( 2a F) are arranged such that in a cross section of the battery module ( 1 ) perpendicular to the cylinder axis direction ( 17 ) each three battery cells ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ; 2c . 2e . 2f ; 2f . 2d . 2a ) one side of an equilateral triangle ( 8th ) such that each of the three sides of the triangle ( 8th ) is formed in each case by a distance which the cylinder axes of the battery cells belonging to the respective side ( 2 ) and that each of the three cooling elements ( 4 ) one each in the cross section at a corner of the triangle ( 8th ) arranged battery cell ( 2a ; 2c ; 2f ) and the two nearby battery cells ( 2 B . 2d ; 2 B . 2e ; 2d . 2e ) contacted for cooling. Battery module according to claim 8, characterized in that a first contact surface, which each of the cooling elements ( 4 ) with the respective one in the cross section at a corner of the triangle ( 8th ) arranged battery cell ( 2a ; 2c ; 2f ), is twice as large as a second contact surface which the respective cooling element ( 4 ) with the other two of the respective cooling element ( 4 ) contacted battery cells ( 2 B . 2d ; 2 B . 2e ; 2d . 2e ) having. Battery module according to one of claims 5-9, characterized in that the cooling arrangement ( 5 ) a heat sink ( 19 ) over which the cooling elements ( 4 ) are coolable. Battery module according to one of claims 5-10, characterized in that the cooling elements ( 4 ) are connected to one another in the form of a series connection in such a way that a cooling fluid sequentially discharges all the cooling elements ( 4 ) flows through. Battery module according to claim 10, characterized in that a cross section of a flow channel, in which the cooling fluid through the cooling arrangement ( 5 ) flows the same everywhere. Battery module according to one of claims 5-12, characterized in that the battery module ( 1 ) a battery module ( 1 ) according to claim 4. Vehicle with at least one battery module ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 4-13.

Images