DE102018202190A1 - Battery with battery modules - Google Patents

Abstract

There is already known a battery which consists of several battery modules, between which deformation elements are arranged. In the event of a crash, the battery modules can shift relative to one another and thus absorb crash energy. The object of the invention is to provide a battery which can absorb energy by deformation when acting from outside.
According to the invention, a battery (2) comprises at least one module carrier (14) with a plurality of battery modules (8) which are cylindrical. In this case, two or more superimposed layers (10, 12) are advantageously accommodated in the module carrier (14) from side by side, mutually parallel battery modules (8) which are arranged slightly offset from one another in the lateral direction. In the event of a crash, a bottom (16) and / or a lid (18) of the module carrier (14) bulge, so that additional space for the cylindrical battery modules (8) is formed so that they pushed together in this laterally in the additional space can be.

Description

The invention relates to a battery with battery modules according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Battery modules are generally known, which have a plurality of individual memory cells which are contacted with each other, so that the respective battery module has the desired voltage level or storage capacity. In this case, the memory cells can be arranged in a single layer next to each other or else in several layers one above the other.

Furthermore, it is known that the storage cells contain substances that are hazardous to health or combustible if they escape in the event of damage to the storage cell. Therefore, it is important that the memory cells are not damaged. This issue is particularly important in electrically powered vehicles of great importance, since it must be ensured that even in a crash, the memory cells are not damaged as possible, or at least no dangerous substances can escape.

For this purpose, today's batteries of an electrically driven motor vehicle usually have a very robust, dense battery housing with a high strength, in which a plurality of battery modules are arranged. However, such a battery can not absorb crash energy.

From the DE 10 2010 033 806 A1 already a battery is known, which consists of several battery modules, between which deformation elements are arranged. In the event of a crash, the battery modules can move relative to each other due to the deformation elements and thus absorb crash energy. For this purpose, the battery modules have a correspondingly robust housing, so that even with a shift of the battery modules to each other, the memory cells in the battery modules remain well protected.

The object of the invention is to provide a battery which can absorb energy by deformation when acting from outside.

This object is achieved with a battery having a plurality of battery modules having the features of patent claim 1.

According to the invention, the battery comprises a module carrier with a plurality of battery modules, wherein the battery modules are cylindrical. In the module carrier two or more superposed layers of each side next to each other, mutually parallel battery modules are housed. In this case, the battery modules of two adjoining layers are arranged parallel to each other and each laterally offset by half a width of a battery module to each other, so that the height of the two layers in total is less than the height of two superimposed and not mutually offset battery modules.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the module carrier has a bottom and a lid, between which the layers of the battery modules are arranged. With a high force acting on the battery, whose main direction is in the plane of the lid and / or the bottom, and which is directed laterally on the battery modules, may advantageously bulge the bottom and / or the lid. As a result, the battery modules can be pushed laterally in the direction of the applied force and thereby fill the space created by the bulging of the bottom and / or lid. In this way, a deformation of the battery and thereby an absorption of energy is possible without the cylindrical battery modules are damaged. These roll and glide rather from one another and shift into the space that has arisen in addition by the bulging of the bottom and / or lid.

Ideally, the module carrier additionally has on both sides in each case a holding device to which the battery modules are fastened by their end faces. The fasteners of the battery modules are dimensioned on the holding devices so that they detach or break under loads that exceed a defined limit. In this way, it is ensured that the battery modules are always fixed in their desired position in the module carrier. Only at high, acting on the battery forces, these fixations solve and do not impede the desired relocation of the battery modules.

Ideally, such a battery is used in a passenger vehicle.

A typical motor vehicle has a front end, seen in the vehicle longitudinal direction behind it adjacent passenger compartment and in turn to the passenger compartment rear adjacent rear. Preferably, the battery is arranged in the region of the bottom of the passenger compartment.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the passenger vehicle in the region of the bottom of the passenger compartment at least two extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, mutually parallel longitudinal member in the bottom region, extending between the two side members in the vehicle transverse direction at least two cross members. The battery is ideally between the two side rails and between two arranged adjacent cross beams. The battery can be directly adjacent to the longitudinal and / or cross member. The longitudinal and transverse beams protect the battery. In addition, the battery can be attached to the longitudinal and / or cross members. Advantageously, the bottom of the module carrier of the battery also forms the underbody of the passenger vehicle in this area. Ideally, the two side skirts of the passenger vehicle form the two side members. Thus, the battery has no additional, rigid housing, which surrounds all other components of the battery protective.

A laterally penetrating in a side impact barrier represents the greatest possible load on the battery. Such a barrier may be, for example, a post, a bollard or even another motor vehicle. Especially with such a load, it is of great advantage if the battery can absorb energy through a targeted deformation. These advantageously extend the axes of the cylindrical battery modules of the battery in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In the event of a side crash, the bottom of the module carrier, which forms the lower boundary of the battery modules in the vehicle height direction, bulges downward, so that its extension decreases in the vehicle transverse direction. As a result, the battery modules can be slightly pushed together in the vehicle transverse direction by being displaced into the additional space created by the bulging of the floor. Alternatively or additionally, the cover of the module carrier, which forms the upper limit of the battery modules in the vehicle height direction, bulge upwards.

It is important that seen advantageously in the vehicle height direction to the cover of the module carrier of the battery upwards and / or to the bottom of the module carrier of the battery down no other components directly adjacent, in the case of a side crash buckling of the lid and / or Soil could hinder.

Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anordnung mehrerer Batterien mit jeweils einem Modulträger mit mehreren Batteriemodulen im Unterboden eines Kraftfahrzeugs,
• 2 eine vergrößerte Seitenansicht einer in 1 gezeigten Batterie mit einem Modulträger mit mehreren Batteriemodulen,
• 3 einen Querschnitt durch die in 1 und 2 gezeigte Batterie zu Beginn einer einwirkenden hohen mechanischen Beanspruchung,
• 4 den in 3 gezeigten Querschnitt nach dem Einwirken der hohen mechanischen Beanspruchung und
• 5 eine Detailansicht der Karosseriestruktur von 1 ohne die Batterien mit einer zusätzlichen Abgleitstruktur.

In the drawing, an embodiment of the invention is shown, by which the invention will be described in more detail below. The individual figures show in a schematic representation:

• 1 a perspective view of an arrangement of several batteries, each with a module carrier with multiple battery modules in the underbody of a motor vehicle,
• 2 an enlarged side view of an in 1 shown battery with a module carrier with multiple battery modules,
• 3 a cross section through the in 1 and 2 shown battery at the beginning of an acting high mechanical stress,
• 4 the in 3 shown cross-section after the action of high mechanical stress and
• 5 a detailed view of the body structure of 1 without the batteries with an additional sliding structure.

In 1 is a perspective view of a floor of a passenger compartment of a passenger vehicle shown. The passenger compartment of the passenger vehicle is located between a front end, not shown, in the vehicle longitudinal direction x Front adjacent to the passenger compartment, and a rear carriage, also not shown, in the vehicle longitudinal direction x adjacent to the passenger compartment at the rear. The passenger compartment is bounded on both sides in each case by a side skirts in the floor area. The side skirts are made in sheet metal shell construction each of an inner panel and an outer panel, each of which encloses a cavity-βen, in which further reinforcing elements can be introduced. In the 1 the inner panels of the side sill are shown, each as a side member 4 in the outer lateral region of the underbody in the vehicle longitudinal direction x extend. Between these two side rails 4 several cross members extend 6 in vehicle transverse direction y between the two side rails 4 , The distances between two adjacent cross beams 6 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x is the same size.

Between the two side rails 4 and two adjacent cross members 6 there is one battery each 2 , Every battery 2 consists of a module carrier 14 , which is an upper and lower layer 10 and 12 on cylindrical battery modules 8th receives. The upper layer 10 as well as the lower layer 12 consists of several juxtaposed battery modules 8th , which are arranged parallel to each other, and their axes in the vehicle longitudinal direction x run. Here are the battery modules 8th the upper layer 10 in the lateral direction, ie in the vehicle transverse direction y seen to half a width of a battery module 8th offset to the battery modules 8th the lower layer 12 arranged as it is in particular 3 is clearly recognizable. In this way, the vertical extent of the two layers 10 and 12 seen in vehicle height direction z lower than the vertical extent of two superimposed battery modules 8th that are not offset from each other.

All battery modules 8th a battery 2 are in the module carrier 14 held. This module carrier 14 includes a lid 16 and a parallel to it ground 18 between which the two layers 10 and 12 the battery modules 8th are arranged. In addition, the module carrier includes 14 side walls 20 in side view 2 are clearly recognizable. On the side walls 20 are holding devices 22 attached, over which the battery modules 8th are held with their front sides.

Each passenger vehicle must ensure the best possible protection for the passengers in the passenger compartment in the event of a side crash. Nevertheless, it can not be prevented that in a side crash, the batteries 2 in the vehicle transverse direction y extend almost over the entire vehicle width, be exposed to considerable forces. Here it is of great importance that the memory cells in the battery modules 8th not be damaged. For this purpose, the battery modules 8th a correspondingly robust housing, which has the already described cylindrical shape.

Ideally, the batteries are also 2 able to deform in a side crash without the battery modules 8th to be damaged. In such a deformation, the battery also absorbs crash energy at the same time. According to the invention can in a side impact, in the vehicle transverse direction y a barrier 24 from the side great forces on a battery 2 brings in the soil 16 bulging down as it is in 4 is shown. This widens the distance between the lid 16 and the floor 18 on. This allows the battery modules 8th in the vehicle transverse direction y push together and thereby additionally by the bulging of the soil 18 fill in the space created. Due to the cylindrical design of the battery modules 8th they can roll well together or slide off each other, without the battery modules 8th while you can hook together. In addition, the cylindrical design provides a very good protection for the memory cells arranged therein. This allows the cylindrical design of the memory modules 8th as well as providing a floor 18 or lids 16 , which can bulge in the event of a side crash, a defined deformation of the battery 2 in vehicle transverse direction y without the actual memory modules 8th to be damaged.

As previously described, the battery modules are 8th over their faces with holding devices 22 on the side walls 20 of the module carrier 14 attached. So these fixtures of the battery modules 8th over the holding devices 22 on the side walls 20 in the event of a side crash, the desired deformation of the battery 2 do not hinder, are the holding devices 22 dimensioned so that the fixations of the battery modules 8th at the holding devices 22 solve at a defined force or the holding devices 22 tear off. The defined force is determined so that the holding devices 22 in normal operation of the motor vehicle, the battery modules 8th safe in the module carrier 14 hold, while at the very high forces, as they act in a side crash, the holding devices 22 Immediately loosen or tear off so that they have the desired displacement of the battery modules 8th do not hinder.

In general, it should also be noted that there are different types of page crashes. In a side crash with a wide barrier 24 This can be over a relatively long longitudinal extent x hit the side skirts. In this case, the crash energy is evenly distributed over several batteries 2 as well as on the crossbeams 6 which can also derive the acting forces. In a side crash with a narrow barrier 24 In contrast, this penetrates very locally only in a very small area of the side sill. Ideally, the barrier will hit 24 on a crossbeam 6 so that it absorbs most of the forces and the adjacent batteries 2 only need to absorb a small part of the forces. But it can also be that narrow barrier 24 between two cross members 6 exactly on a battery 2 incident. Then the battery needs 2 the majority forces of the penetrating barrier 24 Can withstand without damaging the battery modules 8th comes.

In the 5 are therefore on the in vehicle transverse direction y seen outside of the two side members 4 each sliding structures 26 intended. This is the side of each battery 2 on the side member 4 a sliding structure 26 arranged, ideally one in the vehicle transverse direction x at the height of a battery 2 laterally penetrating barrier 26 forward or backward to one of the cross members 6 derives. For this purpose, each sliding structure 2 a slight wedge shape with two inclined surfaces which are arranged at a shallow angle to each other. The joint of these flat surfaces is located in the vehicle longitudinal direction x Seen exactly between two crossbars 6 , In the region of this joint is the distance between the flat surfaces of the longitudinal beam 4 in vehicle transverse direction y the biggest. In this way, the surfaces guide the sliding structure 26 the invading barrier 24 ideally in the vehicle longitudinal direction x in the direction of an adjacent cross member 6 off, leaving as much of it as possible through the barrier 24 initiated forces is derived by this, and the lowest possible part of the forces through the battery 2 must be recorded.

The cavities 28 between the sliding structures 26 and the side members 4 are ideally additionally filled with a foam, which is the sliding structure 26 additionally stiffened and can additionally serve as an energy absorption element.

Overall, such a structure allows for a side impact as few forces on the batteries 2 Act. Still on the batteries 2 Acting forces can then by a deliberate deformation of the battery 2 well received and the battery modules 8th by a displacement in the module carrier 14 well protected against damage. These are the battery modules 8th designed cylindrical, so that they are good to each other in the vehicle transverse direction y can shift without hindering each other. The space required for the displacement is created by bulging the lid 16 and / or the soil 18 of the module carrier 14 the battery 2 ,

This arrangement provides a very good protection of the battery modules 8th from damage, without the batteries 2 must have very stiff and robust additional housing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

battery

4

longitudinal beams

6

crossbeam

8th

battery module

10

upper layer

12

lower position

14

module carrier

16

cover

18

ground

20

Side wall

22

holder

24

barrier

26

Abgleitstruktur

28

cavity

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

• DE 102010033806 A1 [0005]

Claims (14)

Battery (2) with at least one module carrier (14) with a plurality of battery modules (8), characterized in that the battery modules (8) are cylindrical. Battery after Claim 1 , characterized in that in the module carrier (14) two or more superimposed layers (10, 12) from each side next to each other, mutually parallel battery modules (8) are housed, wherein the battery modules (8) of two adjacent layers (10, 12 ) parallel to one another and each in the lateral direction by half a width of a battery module (8) are arranged offset from one another, so that the height of the two layers (10, 12) is less than the height of two superimposed and not mutually offset battery modules (8) , Battery after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the module carrier (14) has a bottom (16) and a lid (18), between which the layers (10, 12,) of the battery modules (8) are arranged. Battery after Claim 3 , characterized in that the module carrier (14) has on both sides in each case at least one holding device (22) to which the battery modules (8) are fastened with their end faces. Battery after Claim 4 , characterized in that the fastenings of the battery modules (8) to the holding means (22) are dimensioned so that they solve or tear at loads exceeding a defined limit. Battery after Claim 5 , characterized in that at a high force acting on the battery (2) whose main direction in the plane of the bottom (16) and / or the lid (18), and which acts laterally on the battery modules (8) , the bottom (16) and / or the lid (18) bulge and the battery modules (8) are pushed together laterally and thereby fill the additional space created by the bulging of the bottom (16) and / or the lid (18). Passenger vehicle with at least one battery (2) according to one of the preceding claims. Passenger vehicle after Claim 7 with a passenger compartment, wherein the battery (2) is arranged in the floor area of the passenger compartment. Passenger vehicle after Claim 8 , characterized in that the passenger vehicle in the ground area at least two in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) extending, mutually parallel longitudinal beams (4), wherein between the two longitudinal beams (4) in the vehicle transverse direction (y) at least two transverse beams (6) extend, wherein between the longitudinal members (4) and between two adjacent cross members (6), the battery (2) is arranged. Passenger vehicle after Claim 9 , characterized in that the axes of the cylindrical battery modules (8) of the battery (2) extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x). Passenger vehicle according to one of Claims 8 to 10 , characterized in that the two side members (4) are formed by the side skirts of the passenger vehicle. Passenger vehicle according to one of Claims 9 to 11 , characterized in that seen in the vehicle height direction (z), on the cover (18) of the module carrier (14) of the battery (2) upwards and / or to the bottom (16) of the module carrier (14) of the battery (2) below no other components directly adjacent, which could hinder bulging of the lid (18) upwards and / or the bottom (16) down in the event of a side impact. Passenger vehicle after Claim 11 or 12 , characterized in that on the longitudinal members (4) seen in the vehicle transverse direction (y) outside in the region of the battery (2) a sliding structure (26) is mounted, which in the vehicle transverse direction (y) penetrating barrier (24) in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) Seen to the nearest cross member (6) derives. Passenger vehicle after Claim 13 , characterized in that the sliding structure (26) has plane or arcuate sliding surfaces, at which the penetrating barrier (24) slides towards the cross members (4).

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