DE102011082991B4 - Battery housing, in particular for lithium-ion cells, with a temperature control medium distribution system, battery and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Battery housing for accommodating a plurality of battery cells, in particular lithium-ion cells, with a temperature control medium distribution system, the temperature control medium distribution system being integrated in the battery housing (6) and comprising: a temperature control medium inlet (4) and a temperature control medium return (3) which are separate therefrom and which are each connected to one end of which is designed to be closed in the battery housing (6) and is led out of the battery housing (6) at the other end and each has a plurality of connections (1) for temperature control elements (7), between pairs of connections (1) consisting of a connection (1) of the temperature control medium inlet (4) and a connection (1) of the temperature control medium return (3), temperature control elements (7) - connected in parallel - can be connected, characterized in that the temperature control medium inlet (4) and the temperature control medium return (3) in the housing base ( 14) and this has at least one mounting surface (13) in which the connections ( 1) are formed on the temperature control medium inlet (4) and the temperature control medium return (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a battery housing, in particular for lithium-ion cells, with a temperature control medium distribution system and a battery equipped with such a temperature control medium distribution system, as well as a motor vehicle which has a battery housing or a battery of the type according to the invention which is equipped with a drive system of a motor vehicle connected is.

State of the art

It is becoming apparent that in the future, new battery systems will increasingly be used both in stationary applications such as wind turbines, in motor vehicles designed as hybrid or electric vehicles, and in the consumer sector, in laptops or cell phones high demands are placed on reliability, safety, performance and service life.

In order to ensure the safety and functionality of lithium-ion battery packs, it is necessary to operate the lithium-ion cells within a specified temperature range. During the operation of the lithium-ion cells, heat is generated, namely Joule heat, which can be described by the electrical current and the internal resistance of a lithium-ion cell as well as by heat production due to reversible processes in the lithium-ion cell. This heat must be dissipated in order to prevent the lithium-ion cell from heating up above a critical operating temperature. For the design of a thermal management system or a temperature control system, load cycles are usually used, with which the temperature rise within the lithium-ion battery can be predicted with known thermal boundary conditions.

In order to operate the lithium-ion battery in favorable temperature ranges, the lithium-ion cells are connected to a thermal management system or a temperature control system. This heats the lithium-ion cells, for example when starting on cold days, or cools them, for example when a hybrid or electric vehicle is in operation. In many technical applications, the lithium-ion cells or modules are tempered on their underside. For this purpose z. B. a module assembly of the lithium-ion cells on fluid-flowed plates, which are acted upon with a water / glycol mixture or with an evaporating refrigerant depending on the degree of the required cooling capacity. Due to the installation space, it is often necessary to distribute the cell modules over several coolant plates within a battery housing. For optimal battery operation, these cooling plates must be adjusted hydraulically according to their thermal loads. The coolant mass flow is divided up by means of distributor blocks and fed to the individual cooling plates via flexible hose lines. The return flow is correspondingly fed from each cooling plate to a central collector by means of flexible hoses and guided out of the battery housing.

To DE 10 2008 041 548 A1 a battery module has been proposed for the construction of a battery system, consisting in particular of lithium-ion cells, which shows lithium-ion cells spaced apart from one another between cooling fins, which are accommodated in a housing developed with inlet and outlet openings for a flowing fluid. In the solution presented, the flowing fluid is the ambient air of the battery system. This or more modules of this type are encompassed by a larger housing. For intensive cooling or heating of the lithium-ion cells in a module in the area of a desired temperature window, the cooling fins are in thermally conductive contact with the batteries or lithium-ion cells via contact noses.

State of the art are, for example. WO 2010/056 750 A2 , US 2009/0 087 727 A1 and DE 102 38 235 A1 .

Based on the prior art shown, it can be seen that the structure of a cooling system within a module, consisting of lithium-ion cells, with uniform equipping with lithium-ion cells and with cooling plates or cooling plates arranged under the module (s) accordingly can be easily removed by means of ribs attached to the lithium-ion cells for cooling.

However, asymmetrical equipping of the modules with lithium-ion cells requires temperature control as directly as possible with a heat sink or a heat source, with the consumers having to be kept at the same temperature level as possible. It would therefore be advantageous, omitting the otherwise usual piping and tubing between cooling plates and temperature control elements, to provide the heat sink or sources within the housing of a module in order to bring connected consumers to a desired temperature level in a targeted manner.

Disclosure of the invention

For this purpose, a battery housing is used to accommodate a plurality of battery cells, especially from. Lithium-ion cells with a Temperiermittelverteilsystem proposed, in which the Temperiermittelverteilsystem is integrated in the battery housing and it comprises a Temperiermittelzulauf and a separate Temperiermittelrücklauf, which are each formed closed at their free end in the battery housing and led out of the battery housing at their other end and each have a plurality of connections for temperature control elements, temperature control elements - connected in parallel - being connectable between pairs of connections consisting of a connection of the temperature control medium inlet and a connection of the temperature control medium return.

This has the advantage that the installation space of a battery housing remains free of tubing and tubing to be laid between the lithium-ion cells or modules or of the construction of an internal heat conduction structure between the lithium-ion cells, since the defined course of a temperature control medium inlet and of a temperature control medium return is integrated into the housing design and thereby enables temperature control elements to be placed where they are needed. The arrangement of the temperature control elements is provided between the lithium-ion cells combined to form a module or placed inside the housing in such a way that all modules contained in a battery with their lithium-ion cells or areas inside the housing ensure a uniform and technically optimal operation of a battery maintain the necessary ambient temperature with lithium-ion cells. To advantageously support such a variable option of attaching temperature control elements, the temperature control medium inlet and the temperature control medium return have a number of connections to which the temperature control elements can be connected as required.

In one embodiment for the arrangement of a temperature control medium inlet and a temperature control medium return flow, these are located in the wall of the battery housing, the connections on them being accessible for temperature control elements from the interior of the battery housing.

This means that one or more modules to be temperature-controlled, which are composed of lithium-ion cells, can be built into a battery, whereby modules can be positioned in an extremely space-saving manner by integrating the temperature control medium distribution system into a wall design of the battery housing.

In addition, it is provided that the temperature control medium inlet is routed in the center of a first side of the battery housing and the temperature control medium return line is routed along the walls of the battery housing surrounding this first side.

This enables optimal arrangements of temperature control elements, which may also be necessary without direct contact with lithium-ion cells in the battery housing, and the temperature control elements are always evenly controlled due to their parallel interconnection.

The courses of temperature control medium inlet and temperature control medium return, which are spaced parallel to one another in the battery housing, are made in such a way that the expansion of a temperature control element along a first axis is corresponded to. This means that the design of a temperature control element advantageously always achieves a connection to the temperature control medium inlet and the temperature control medium return, be it that a temperature control element is integrated into the coolant circuit alone or together with lithium-ion cells in a module.

Alternative courses of both the temperature control medium supply and the temperature control medium return flow are U- or I-shaped. This makes it possible, in an advantageous manner, to align the arrangement of modules, consisting of lithium-ion cells, either in the vicinity of a wall of a battery housing (I-shape) or by integrating the temperature control medium inlet and the temperature control medium return in a housing base (U- Form) to create parallel rows of modules and temperature control elements that are operatively connected to them.

Another embodiment of the invention is the integration of valves in the connections for the temperature control elements.

In this way, a module that is monitored by thermal management can be heated or cooled if necessary by opening or closing so that the same temperature conditions prevail uniformly in any further modules and in the vicinity of the module (s).

In order to realize such connectability, the valves are designed as separately controllable throttle valves.

The battery housing is designed in an inventive manner in such a way that the temperature control medium distribution system has exactly one temperature control medium inlet and exactly one temperature control medium return.

According to the invention, the battery housing is designed in its housing base so that the temperature control medium supply and The temperature control medium return is located in the bottom of the housing and these are integrated into a mounting surface in which the connections to the temperature control medium inlet and the temperature control medium return are available. It is then possible that mounting surfaces can be prepared for a further module installation in the housing base, the existing connections for a temperature control medium inlet and a temperature control medium return being blindly closed or thermally insulated dummies attached to them.

A battery, consisting in particular of lithium-ion cells, comprises: a battery housing with a plurality of temperature control elements connected in parallel, a first connection of a temperature control element being connected to a connection of the temperature control medium inlet and a second connection of a temperature control element being connected to a connection of the temperature control medium return flow; and at least one lithium-ion cell is in direct contact with a temperature control element.

The battery housing of a battery designed according to the invention advantageously accommodates temperature control elements connected in parallel in a defined course of the temperature control medium inlet and the temperature control medium return flow in such a way that their temperature control function takes place in direct contact with at least one lithium-ion cell or the available installation space is solely due to the installation of a temperature control element is cooled or heated at the connections of the temperature control medium inlet and temperature control medium return. In this way, an undesired temperature gradient within the installation space of a battery housing of the battery is excluded.

The invention is supplemented by a motor vehicle, in particular one that can be driven by an electric motor, which comprises a battery housing according to the invention for one or more modules of a battery consisting of lithium-ion cells, such a battery being connected to a drive system of the motor vehicle.

A motor vehicle equipped with a battery designed according to the invention has a higher utility value and costs are saved in the maintenance and / or replacement of such a battery.

Figure list

• 1 eine Innenansicht als Aufsicht für ein erfindungsgemäßes Batteriegehäuse in Form eines U-Verlaufes von Temperiermittelzulauf und Temperiermittelrücklauf,
• 2 eine Innenansicht als Aufsicht für ein erfindungsgemäßes Batteriegehäuse in Form eines I-Verlaufes von Temperiermittelzulauf und Temperiermittelrücklauf, und
• 3 eine Seitenansicht im Schnitt eines Batteriegehäuses mit der Anordnung von Lithium-Ionen-Zellen im U-Verlauf von Temperiermittelzulauf und Temperiermittelrücklauf.

The invention is explained below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures. Show it:

• 1 an interior view as a plan view for a battery housing according to the invention in the form of a U-profile of temperature control medium inlet and temperature control medium return,
• 2 an interior view as a plan view of a battery housing according to the invention in the form of an I-course of temperature control medium inlet and temperature control medium return, and
• 3 a side view in section of a battery housing with the arrangement of lithium-ion cells in the U-course of temperature control medium inlet and temperature control medium return.

Embodiments of the invention

To 1 is a battery case 6th shown as a plan view from above in section. Inside the battery case 6th there is a temperature control medium distribution system, which has a temperature control medium supply 4th and a temperature control medium return 3 includes. Tempering medium supply and return 4, 3 are each designed so that they are connected to their first connection 9 respectively 10 the battery case 6th penetrate, i.e. from the battery housing 6th are led out, and at their respective other, the second closed end 15th , 16 inside the battery case 6th are formed closed. Tempering medium supply and return 4, 3 are formed separately and at a distance from one another. They are preferably spaced apart in such a way that a temperature control element between them 2 can be arranged. Both the temperature control medium supply and return 4, 3 have a plurality of connections 1 for temperature control elements 2 on. So can a tempering element 2 on the one hand via a connection 1 of the temperature control medium supply 4th with the temperature control medium supply 4th and on the other hand via a connection 1 of the temperature control medium return 3 with the temperature control medium return 3 get connected. A temperature control medium can thus be connected via a first connection 9 of the temperature control medium supply 4th into the battery case 6th introduced from the outside via a first connection 1 of the temperature control medium supply 4th in a temperature control element 2 are introduced, this via corresponding channels in the temperature control element 2 flow through and cool or heat, via an outlet of the temperature control element 2 and a first port 1 of the temperature control medium return 3 again from the temperature control element 2 are led out, and finally after flowing through the temperature control medium return 3 at its connector 10 from the battery case 6th be led out.

The distances between the respective connections 1 at the temperature control medium supply and return 4, 3 are preferably smaller than the width of a temperature control element 2 designed to the tempering elements 2 to be able to position flexibly.

In 1 can have two rows of temperature control elements 2 to be ordered. In the top view of the 1 can, for example, have two rows of temperature control elements 2 on the case back 14th of the battery case 6th arranged side by side become. There is also a temperature control medium supply 4th and the temperature control medium return 3 each in a U-shape parallel to and integrated in the floor 14th of the battery case 6th educated. The temperature control medium return 3 extends in 1 from its first, open end - the connector 10 - outside the battery housing 6th along the lower, right and upper side walls in the bottom of the case 14th of the battery case 6th until its second closed end 16 inside the battery case 6th . The temperature control medium return 3 is therefore preferred along the periphery of the battery housing 6th in the case back 14th guided. The temperature control medium supply 4th then extends in 1 in the center of the case back 14th of the battery case 6th . The temperature control medium supply 4th also extends in a U shape from its first, open end of the connector 9 outside of the battery case 6th along a first axis of the battery housing 6th , goes through a U-shaped bend and is parallel again in the case back 14th returned to inside the battery case 6th in its second, closed end 15th to end. The respective sections of the temperature control medium inlet and the temperature control medium return flow are here 4th , 3 run parallel to each other.

Out 1 it can be seen that the inlet 9 and rewind 10 within a wall of the battery housing 6th a temperature control medium circuit with temperature control elements connected in parallel 2 , 7th , 8th is provided, with a so-called U-flow of a flowing cooling / heating medium almost simultaneously over all of the temperature control medium inlet 4th and the temperature control medium return 3 via the inlet connections 9 and rewind 10 connected temperature control elements 2 , 7th , 8th becomes possible. The inlet and return connections 9 , 10 are in the temperature control medium supply at defined intervals 4th and temperature control medium return 3 available, but they do not have to be opposite to the temperature control elements 2 , 7th , 8th to be able to connect. It also makes sense that the temperature control elements, like the temperature control elements 7th , 8th , exist in different geometries, which is due to the fact that they are either inside a pack of lithium-ion cells 5 the size of the lithium-ion cells 5 adapted or integrated separately and in a larger design in the cooling / heating circuit, so that the rest of the installation space of the battery housing 6th can be optimally tempered. The distances between the courses of the temperature control medium supply 4th and temperature control medium return 3 are of different widths when designing the shape of the U-river. In 1 are z. B. the input and the output of the upper temperature control element 7th point-symmetrical to the center of the cross-section of the temperature control element 7th arranged so that the respective connections to be used 1 of the temperature control medium return 3 and the temperature control medium supply 4th are formed horizontally offset from one another.

On the temperature control elements 7th can use lithium-ion cells 5 to be ordered. In this case, they are preferably in direct contact with the respective temperature control elements 7th . A temperature control element is preferred 7th for a battery module consisting of several lithium-ion cells 5 intended. The connection direction of the lithium-ion cells 5 is preferably perpendicular to the main direction of propagation of the temperature control medium supply 4th and temperature control medium return 3 . This makes it possible to use as many lithium-ion cells as possible 5 in the battery case 6th to arrange.

In direct contact with the lithium-ion cells 5 or at a specific location on the wall of a battery case 6th the temperature control elements act 7th , 8th as a heat sink or as a heat source for possibly several in the temperature control circuit in the battery housing 6th integrated modules or for other electronic components to be temperature-controlled.

The stationary in the wall of the battery housing 6th introduced curves of the temperature control medium return 3 and the temperature control medium supply 4th are inside the battery case 6th blindly closed at their end there.

2 shows an I-flow of temperature control medium inlet and temperature control medium return 4th , 3 . Here is just a number of temperature control elements 7th inside the battery case 6th can be arranged. The temperature control medium supply 4th extends along a first side wall of the battery housing 6th of his connection 9 to its closed end 15th . The temperature control medium return extends parallel to this 3 from its first, open end, the connection 10 , to its second, closed end 16 along the opposite side of the battery case 6th . Thus, the temperature control medium return and the temperature control medium supply have 3 , 4th each have an I-shape.

In 3 is a side view in section showing the position of the lithium-ion cells assembled in a pack to form a module 11 to see that with their bottom surfaces directly on a temperature control element 12th are put on. The case back 14th shows further possible arrangements of lithium-ion cells 11 in a module with free mounting surfaces 13th are reserved, in which the courses of a temperature control medium supply 4th and a temperature control medium return 3 are in the formation of a U-river. As a result, the installation space of a battery housing can be used if necessary 6th can be equipped with further modules or with temperature control elements. The latter design would involve the installation of parallel rows of lithium-ion cells 11 and / or of temperature control elements 7th allow.

According to the invention is a battery housing 6th or a battery with the battery case 6th provided, which has a central temperature control medium inlet or temperature control medium return 4th , 3 has to which any number of consumers can be connected. Throttle elements, preferably separately controllable, can be installed in the connections for hydraulic balancing 1 of temperature control medium supply or temperature control medium return 4th , 3 integrate. There are unused connections 1 trained closed. You can also use thermally insulating dummies with the unused connections 1 get connected.

At the temperature control medium inlet or temperature control medium return 4th , 3 heat sinks or heat sources can be placed variably as required. In this way, complex temperature control medium geometries can be installed compactly in the housing. There is no need for complex piping within the battery. Temperature control elements 7th can, as I said, be heat sources or heat sinks, but also other components to be temperature-controlled, such as B. an electronics cooling can in the battery housing according to the invention 6th be arranged. After the battery has been assembled, the temperature control elements carry 7th and / or the dummies for the stability of the battery housing 6th at.

Claims (10)

Battery housing for accommodating a plurality of battery cells, in particular lithium-ion cells, with a temperature control medium distribution system, the temperature control medium distribution system being integrated in the battery housing (6) and comprising: a temperature control medium inlet (4) and a temperature control medium return (3) which are separate therefrom and which are each connected to their one end in the battery housing (6) are designed to be closed and at their other end are led out of the battery housing (6) and each have a plurality of connections (1) for temperature control elements (7), between pairs of connections (1) consisting of one connection (1) of the temperature control medium inlet (4) and one connection (1) of the temperature control medium return (3), temperature control elements (7) - connected in parallel - can be connected, characterized in that the temperature control medium inlet (4) and the temperature control medium return (3) in the housing base (14) are formed and this has at least one mounting surface (13) in which the connection e (1) are formed on the temperature control medium inlet (4) and the temperature control medium return (3). Battery case after Claim 1 , wherein the temperature control medium inlet (4) and the temperature control medium return (3) are integrated in the wall of the battery housing (6) and the connections (1) are accessible from inside the battery housing (6). Battery case after Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the temperature control medium inlet (4) is guided in the center of a first side of the battery housing (6) and the temperature control medium return (3) is guided along the walls of the battery housing (6) surrounding this first side. Battery housing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the temperature control medium return (3) and the temperature control medium inlet (4) corresponds to the extension of a temperature control element (7) along a first axis. Battery housing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature control medium inlet (4) and / or the temperature control medium return (3) have a U-shape or an I-shape. Battery housing according to one of the preceding claims, valves being integrated into the connections (1) for temperature control elements (7). Battery case after Claim 6 , the valves being separately controllable throttle valves. Battery housing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature control medium distribution system has exactly one temperature control medium inlet (4) and exactly one temperature control medium return (3). Battery, in particular a lithium-ion battery, comprising: a battery case (6) according to any one of the preceding claims; a plurality of temperature control elements (7) connected in parallel, a first connection (1) of a temperature control element (7) being connected to a connection (1) of the temperature control medium inlet (4) and a second connection (1) of a temperature control element (7) being connected to a connection (1) the temperature control medium return (3) is connected; and at least one lithium-ion cell (5) is in direct contact with a temperature control element (7). Motor vehicle, in particular motor vehicle driven by an electric motor, which has at least one battery housing (6) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th or a battery after Claim 9 , which is connected to a drive system of the motor vehicle, comprises.

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