DE102019007809B4 - Storage device for storing electrical energy for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Storage device (10) for storing electrical energy for a motor vehicle, with at least one housing (12) having a receiving space (14), with at least one storage cell (16) received in the receiving space (14) and designed for storing the electrical energy, which a contacting device (18) via which the storage cell (16) can be electrically connected to at least one further component (16) of the storage device (10) and has a cell housing (24) which is equipped with a ventilation element (28) for venting gas (30 ) is provided from the cell housing (24), and with a sealing device (36) by means of which the receiving space (14) opens into a ventilation area (38) into which the gas (30) from the cell housing (24) can flow via the ventilation element (28 ) can be introduced, and a contacting area (40) sealed against the venting area (38) by means of the sealing device (36) is divided, in which the contacting device device (18), wherein the receiving space (14) is also subdivided by means of the sealing device (36) into a cooling area (44) that is sealed off from the contacting area (40) and from the ventilation area (38) by means of the sealing device (36), in which at least a partial area of the storage cell (16) is arranged, with a cooling device (42) being provided, by means of which a coolant (46) can be introduced into the cooling area (44), by means of which the storage cell around which the coolant (46) can flow directly on the outer circumference (16) is to be cooled, and wherein the sealing device (36) at least partially contacts an end face (56) of the cell housing (24) facing the ventilation area (38), characterized in that the sealing device (36) covers the entire end face (56) to contacts an area (B) in which the ventilation element (28) is arranged.

Description

The invention relates to a storage device for storing electrical energy for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of patent claim 1. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.

the DE 10 2008 059 956 A1 discloses a battery with a plurality of individual cells connected to one another in series and/or in parallel and a cooling plate arranged on the pole side of the individual cells. The individual cells, each provided with a bursting disc, are arranged in a battery housing in such a way that a free space is formed at least between an underside of the individual cells and a battery housing bottom of the battery housing. It is provided that the free space in the direction of the individual cells is sealed off in a pressure-tight and/or gas-tight manner.

Besides, the DE 10 2008 059 957 A1 to remove a battery as known, with at least one battery cell having a cell housing with a rupture disk. The battery also includes a rupture disk environment for receiving the rupture disk when the cell housing opens in the region of the rupture disk, with at least one member of electrically conductive material extending into the rupture disk environment. It is provided that the at least one component made of electrically conductive material is electrically insulated in the area surrounding the bursting disk.

Furthermore, the U.S. 2014/0 295 220 A1 , the JP 2018 - 18 754 A , the U.S. 2011/0 027 632 A1 and the DE 10 2015 202 387 A1 all - essentially quite similar - the features from the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the present invention is to create a storage device for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with such a storage device, so that particularly safe operation can be implemented with a minimization of the heat input into adjacent cells in the event of venting gas being blown off and a particularly advantageous cooling of the storage device .

This object is achieved by a storage device having the features of patent claim 1 and by a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 8 . Advantageous configurations with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a storage device for storing electrical energy or electrical current for a motor vehicle, which can preferably be designed as a motor vehicle and very preferably as a passenger car. This means that the motor vehicle has the memory device in its fully manufactured state. In addition, the motor vehicle has, for example, at least one electric machine, by means of which the motor vehicle can be driven, in particular purely electrically. The motor vehicle is designed, for example, as a hybrid or as an electric vehicle, in particular as a battery-electric vehicle. In order to drive the motor vehicle electrically, in particular purely electrically, by means of the electric machine, the electric machine is operated in a motor mode and thus as an electric motor. For this purpose, the electrical machine is supplied with electrical energy, in particular electrical current, which is stored in the storage device. Since the motor vehicle can be driven electrically, in particular purely electrically, by means of the electric machine, the electric machine is also referred to as a traction machine. Since the electrical machine is supplied with electrical energy stored in the storage device in order to drive the motor vehicle electrically, the storage device is also referred to as a traction storage device, for example. The storage device is, for example, an accumulator or a battery, so that the storage device is also referred to as a traction battery, for example. In particular, the storage device can be a high-voltage component whose electrical voltage, in particular electrical operating or nominal voltage, is greater than 50V (volts), in particular greater than 60V, and is preferably several hundred volts. As a result, particularly high electrical power can be realized for, in particular, purely electrical driving of the motor vehicle. The storage device can thus be designed as a high-voltage battery (HV battery), for example. In particular, it is conceivable for the storage device to be in the form of a lithium-ion battery, with the previous and following statements obviously also applying to other cell chemistries. In particular, the storage device can be embodied as an accumulator system.

The storage device includes a housing, also referred to as a battery housing or storage housing, which has or delimits at least one receiving space. In addition, the storage device includes at least one storage cell, also referred to as an individual cell, by means of or in which the electrical energy can be stored. Thus, the storage cell is for storing the electrical energy educated. In this case, the storage cell is accommodated, ie arranged, in particular completely, in the accommodation space and thus in the housing. The memory cell has a contacting device, via which the memory cell can be electrically connected to at least one further component of the memory device. For this purpose, the contacting device comprises, for example, at least or exactly two contact elements, which are also referred to as current taps or terminals. The aforementioned component is a further memory cell, for example. Because the memory cells are electrically connected to one another, for example, the memory cells are connected to one another in series or in parallel, for example. In this case, the previous and following statements relating to the first memory cell can also be readily applied to the further memory cell and vice versa. It is thus particularly conceivable that a plurality of storage cells are arranged in the receiving space. In particular, it is conceivable that the storage device is a module of an electrical energy store designed to store electrical energy, it being possible for the energy store to comprise a plurality of such modules. The modules are electrically connected to one another and are thereby connected to one another, for example, in series or in parallel. For example, the modules are accommodated in an overall housing of the energy store. The previous and following statements on the storage device can be transferred to the energy storage device and vice versa, so that the storage device can be designed as the aforementioned energy storage device, for example.

The storage cell also has a cell housing which is provided with, in particular at least or precisely, a ventilation element for the targeted venting of gas from the cell housing. At least one electrode of the storage cell is arranged in the cell housing, for example, the electrode of which is electrically connected, for example, to at least one of the contact elements. The electrical energy stored in the storage cell can be discharged from the storage cell via the contact elements and, for example, supplied to the electrical machine. In particular, it is conceivable that the electrical machine can be operated in generator mode and thus as a generator. In the generator mode, the electric machine is driven, for example, by the moving motor vehicle and thus by means of the kinetic energy of the motor vehicle, with the generator converting the kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is provided by the generator. The energy provided by the generator can, for example, be stored in the storage cell via the contact elements and thus stored in the storage cell and thus in the storage device. In this case, the electrode can have an active material, by means of which the electrical energy can be stored in the storage cell and withdrawn from the storage cell, that is to say can be made available by the storage cell.

In addition, for example, an electrolyte, in particular a liquid electrolyte, is accommodated in the cell housing, in which the electrode is at least partially immersed in some areas, in particular at least predominantly completely.

For example, in the event of damage to the storage cell, particularly as a result of an accident, a gas can arise from the electrolyte, which gas can initially collect, for example, in the cell housing. As the amount of gas contained in the cell housing increases, the pressure prevailing in the cell housing increases. If the pressure exceeds a pressure threshold, the venting element releases the cell housing in a targeted manner or the venting element opens the cell housing in a targeted manner so that the gas can escape from the cell housing. As a result, an explosion of the storage cell can be avoided. The feature that the cell housing is vented in a targeted manner by means of the venting element or that the gas can be vented from the cell housing in a targeted manner by means of the venting element means in particular that when the pressure prevailing in the cell housing exceeds the pressure threshold, the cell housing is released first and /or exclusively through the venting element or at a point at which the venting element is arranged, and not uncontrolled at another point, so that the gas specifically opens at the point at which the venting element is arranged and not uncontrolled at another Body can flow out of the cell housing. For this purpose, the venting element comprises, for example, at least or exactly one opening, also referred to as a venting opening or outlet opening, and a bursting element designed, for example, as a bursting disk, through which the opening is closed when the pressure prevailing in the cell housing is lower than the pressure threshold. If the pressure exceeds the pressure threshold, the bursting element bursts, as a result of which the bursting element releases the opening. As a result, the gas can flow out of the cell housing via the released opening, so that the cell housing can be vented in a targeted manner. The bursting element is designed in such a way that there is a very high probability that it will burst or open the cell housing before an uncontrolled opening in the cell housing occurs at another point, through which the gas could escape from the cell housing. For this purpose, it is provided in particular that the bursting element at For example, it has a smaller wall thickness or a lower stability or strength than the rest of the cell housing.

The gas and, for example, at least part of the electrolyte can be discharged from the cell housing via the ventilation element. For example, the gas and the electrolyte form an electrolyte-gas mixture, also referred to as a mixture, which can be discharged from the cell housing via the ventilation element. When the gas is mentioned above and below, it can also mean the mixture.

The storage device also includes a sealing device, by means of which the receiving space is divided into a venting area and a contacting area. The gas is also referred to as venting gas, with the ventilation area also being referred to as venting area. The venting gas from the cell housing can be introduced into the venting area in a targeted manner via the venting element. This is to be understood in particular as meaning that the venting element is aligned, for example, in such a way that the venting gas flowing through the releasing opening flows directly into the venting area. The venting area is sealed against the contacting area by means of the sealing device, in particular in a targeted manner. This can in particular be understood to mean that the venting area and/or the contacting area is sealed with respect to the gas, so that the gas cannot flow out of the venting area and/or cannot flow into the contacting area. In this case, the contacting device is arranged in the contacting area, so that, for example, the aforementioned contact elements are arranged in the contacting area. Because the venting area is sealed off from the contacting area or vice versa, the gas from the venting area cannot flow to the contact elements or to the contacting device and thus cannot flow directly onto and around the contacting device. The contacting device or the contact elements is or are also referred to as a cell connector, so that the contacting area is also referred to as a cell connector area.

In order to be able to implement a particularly safe operation and a particularly advantageous cooling of the storage device, it is provided according to the invention that the receiving space is also divided by means of the sealing device into a cooling area, which is sealed by the sealing device both against the contacting area and against the venting area . This means in particular that the venting gas cannot flow from the venting area into the cooling area. At least a partial area of the storage cell or of the cell housing is arranged in the cooling area.

Furthermore, it is provided according to the invention that the storage device has a cooling device which is designed in particular to carry out direct cooling of the storage cell. This is to be understood in particular as meaning that a coolant, preferably in the form of a fluid, can be introduced into the cooling region by means of the cooling device, by means of which the storage cell around which the coolant can flow directly around the outer circumference can be cooled. The storage device or the cooling device can include the coolant. In other words, the coolant can be part of the storage device according to the invention. The feature that the coolant can flow or flows around the storage cell on the outer circumference means that the coolant, which is introduced into the cooling area by means of the cooling device and subsequently flows through the cooling area, the storage cell, in particular the cell housing, on the outer circumference flows directly against and around and thus directly contacted or touched. In particular, the coolant introduced into the cooling area and flowing through the cooling area can directly touch the partial area of the storage cell arranged in the cooling area, in particular the cell housing, so that heat can be transferred directly from the storage cell, in particular from the cell housing, to the coolant which is in direct contact with the storage cell . This enables efficient and effective cooling to be implemented, which is also referred to as the aforementioned direct cooling.

For example, the cooling device comprises a pumping device, by means of which the coolant, in particular from a reservoir, can be conveyed and conveyed into the cooling area and thus introduced into the cooling area and preferably conveyed through the cooling area. In particular, the pump device is designed to convey the coolant through a cooling circuit of the cooling device, wherein the cooling area is arranged in the cooling circuit and consequently the coolant can flow through it. In particular, the feature that the cooling area is sealed off from the contacting area and the venting area can be understood to mean that the cooling area and thus the venting area and the contacting area are sealed with respect to the coolant. Thus preferably no coolant can flow from the cooling area into the venting area and into the contacting area.

The venting area (venting area), the contacting area and the cooling area are collectively also referred to as areas. Because the areas are sealed off from one another by means of the sealing device, so that neither the venting gas nor the coolant can flow directly between the areas, a spatial and fluidic separation of the areas from one another can be implemented. This makes it possible, for example, to prevent a thermal event occurring in one of the memory cells from spreading to another of the memory cells. Such a thermal event, which occurs, for example, in one of the storage cells, results, for example, from an application of force, in particular caused by an accident, or from damage, for example caused by an accident, to one storage cell and leads, for example, to the above-described formation of gas in the cell housing of one storage cell. Basically or for technical reasons, the thermal event, which is also referred to as a thermal event or thermal event and occurs in one memory cell, can also cause a thermal event in another of the memory cells, although it does not lead to one in the other memory cell alone Damage or would not come to a thermal event. The thermal event can therefore spread or the thermal event can spread from one memory cell to the other memory cell or to other memory cells, this spread or this spread also being referred to as thermal propagation. In the storage device according to the invention, the spatial and fluidic separation of the areas means that the probability of a thermal event spreading between the storage cells can be kept particularly low, so that particularly reliable operation of the storage device can be implemented.

The invention is based in particular on the following findings: Storage devices or accumulator systems usually have a number of interconnected modules which themselves comprise or house a number of interconnected storage cells. Indirect cooling is usually provided, with no sealing required at module level. In the case of direct cooling, however, sealing at the module level or at the system level is advantageous in order to be able to prevent the coolant from escaping or leaking out. Furthermore, it is desirable to avoid the previously described propagation of the thermal event, also referred to as thermal runaway, so that the other memory cells are not, so to speak, infected by the thermal event of one memory cell and are themselves excited to a thermal event. For this purpose, the gas produced in the event of a thermal event in one storage cell is specifically vented from the cell housing by means of the venting element and conducted away from the storage cell and thereby introduced into the venting area. In addition, the electrolyte can be specifically drained from the cell housing and fed into the venting area by means of the venting element. Furthermore, heat generated during the thermal event can be dissipated from the storage cell in a targeted manner, in particular via the venting element, and introduced into the venting area.

The venting of the gas from the cell housing into the ventilation area and the electrical connection of the storage cell to the component via the contacting device are respective functions, with the clear, spatial and fluidic separation of the areas representing a clear, spatial separation of these functions. The contact elements, also referred to as conductors, are connected to the active material with good thermal conductivity, for example, with thermal runaway of the memory device according to the invention being avoided or at least being able to be delayed for a long time. In addition, with the storage device according to the invention it is possible to cool the venting gas flowing through the venting area, in particular via the sealing device, by means of the coolant received in the cooling area, so that the probability or the risk of thermal runaway of other storage cells can be kept particularly low.

In particular, in the storage device according to the invention, contact between the gas in the form of hot gas and the cell connectors can be avoided, and the hot gas can be cooled by means of the coolant, in particular via the sealing device. Furthermore, the gas can be prevented from penetrating into the cooling area, also referred to as the main cooling area, so that an area of the storage cell that can be directly touched by the gas, also referred to as the contact area, can be kept particularly small. A further advantage of the storage device according to the invention is that the coolant can flow directly onto and around the storage cell on the outer circumference. As a result, heat can be dissipated directly from the storage cell. This can be implemented not only in actual cooling operation, but also in the case of a thermal event in at least one of the storage cells, since the coolant is accommodated in the cooling area, for example. As a result, for example, a excessive or excessively rapid heating of the memory cell in the event of a thermal event can be avoided.

According to the invention, it is provided that the sealing device, in particular the at least one sealing element of the sealing device, at least partially, in particular at least predominantly and thus at least more than half, contacts, i.e. touches, an end face of the cell housing facing the ventilation area. As a result, for example, an area of the storage cell, in particular of the cell housing, that can be directly flowed against and around by the venting gas and can therefore flow directly against and around and can therefore be directly touched can be kept particularly small. As a result, for example, a thermal runaway can be avoided or at least delayed, or the probability that such a thermal runaway will occur can be kept particularly low.

It is characteristic of the invention that the sealing device contacts the entire end face except for an area in which the venting element is arranged. Thus, for example, the aforementioned area can be minimized so that, for example, excessive or excessively rapid heating of the storage cell by the venting gas can be avoided.

It has been shown to be particularly advantageous if the contacting area is arranged on a first side of the cooling area and the venting area is arranged on a second side of the cooling area facing away from the first side, with the cooling area being arranged between the contacting area and the venting area, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the storage cell is. It is preferably provided that the second side faces away from the first side or vice versa along the direction of longitudinal extension of the storage cell.

As a result, a particularly advantageous spatial separation of the areas and thus of the functions can be implemented, so that particularly safe operation and particularly advantageous cooling can be achieved.

A further embodiment is characterized in that the cooling device is designed to also introduce the coolant into the contacting area and/or into the venting area. For example, the cooling device has at least one first introduction opening, via which the coolant can be introduced into the cooling area. The cooling device preferably has at least one second inlet opening, via which the coolant can be introduced into the contacting area. Alternatively or additionally, the cooling device can have at least one third inlet opening, via which the coolant can be introduced into the venting area. As a result, for example, excessive temperatures or excessively rapid heating of the storage device, in particular in the case of a thermal event, can be avoided, so that particularly safe operation can be achieved.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cooling device includes the coolant. In other words, the coolant is part of the storage device according to the invention. In this case, the coolant is preferably designed as a liquid and/or as a dielectric coolant, that is to say, for example, as an electrically non-conductive coolant. As a result, particularly safe operation can be achieved. The coolant preferably comprises at least partially or exclusively an oil, in particular an electrically non-conductive oil.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the venting element has the aforementioned opening that can be released for venting the cell housing, which opens directly into the venting area in its released state, ie for example when the bursting element has burst. As a result, the gas can flow from the cell housing directly into the venting area via the opening, so that the venting gas can be guided in a targeted manner. As a result, for example, the venting gas can be removed from the storage cell in a targeted manner or kept away from other areas of the storage cell, so that the probability of a thermal runaway can be kept particularly low.

In order to achieve particularly advantageous cooling and particularly safe operation, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the venting area has a first volume, the contacting area has a second volume and the cooling area has a third volume, in particular in each case in the housing. The third volume is larger than the first volume. In addition, the third volume is larger than the second volume. In particular, it is preferably provided that the third volume is at least twice as large as the first volume and/or the second volume. In particular, it can be provided that the third volume is greater than the sum of the first volume and the second volume. For example, the third volume is at least twice the sum of the first volume and the second volume.

In order to seal the areas from one another in a particularly advantageous manner and thus to be able to achieve a particularly high level of security, it is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the sealing device makes direct contact with an outer peripheral lateral surface of the cell housing.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle, preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car, which has at least one storage device according to the invention according to the first aspect of the invention. Advantages and advantageous configurations of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous configurations of the second aspect of the invention and vice versa.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and from the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description and the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without going beyond the scope of the leave invention.

• 1 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Speichereinrichtung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform; und
• 2 ausschnittsweise eine schematische Schnittansicht der Speichereinrichtung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform.

The drawing shows in:

• 1 a schematic sectional view of a memory device according to the invention according to a first embodiment; and
• 2 a fragmentary schematic sectional view of the memory device according to a second embodiment.

Elements that are the same or have the same function are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

1 shows a first embodiment of a storage device 10 for a motor vehicle, which is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car, in a schematic sectional view. This means that the motor vehicle has the storage device 10 in its completely manufactured state, by means of which electrical energy or electrical current can be stored. The motor vehicle is designed, for example, as a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle and has at least one electric machine, by means of which the motor vehicle can be driven, in particular purely electrically. For this purpose, the electric machine is operated in a motor mode and thus as an electric motor. In order to operate the electrical machine in motor mode, the electrical machine is supplied with electrical energy or electrical current that is stored in storage device 10 . The storage device 10 is, for example, a module of an energy store comprising a plurality of such modules, the modules of which are electrically connected to one another and are therefore electrically connected to one another. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the storage device 10 is an energy store or the energy store.

The storage device 10 comprises a housing 12 which has or delimits a receiving space 14 . A plurality of storage cells 16, also referred to simply as cells or individual cells, are accommodated in the accommodation space 14, in particular at least partially, at least predominantly or completely. The respective storage cell 16 can be a battery cell, in particular a lithium-ion cell, so that the storage device 10 can be embodied as a lithium-ion battery, for example. Part of the total electrical energy to be stored by means of the storage device 10 can be stored in or by means of the respective storage cell 16 .

The respective storage cell 16 has, in particular precisely, a contacting device 18 which, in particular precisely, comprises two contact elements 20 and 22 . The contact elements 20 and 22 are also referred to as cell connectors, terminals or current taps. How out 1 As can be seen, the storage cells 16 are electrically connected to one another via their respective contacting devices 18 . Thus, the memory device 10 has an electrical negative pole denoted by a minus sign and an electrical positive pole denoted by a plus sign. The storage cells 16 and the storage device 10 as a whole can provide the stored electrical energy via the contacting devices 18 , as a result of which the electrical machine can be supplied with the electrical energy stored in the storage device 10 . In addition, for example, the electrical machine, in particular in generator operation, can provide electrical energy that can be stored in the storage cells 16 via the contacting devices 18 and thereby stored in the storage device 10 . The storage device 10 as a whole can, for example, provide the electrical energy stored in it via the negative pole and the positive pole. Overall, it can be seen that the memory cells 16 are components of the memory device 10 that are formed separately from one another, the components being electrically connected to one another via the contact-making device 18 .

The respective storage cell 16 has a respective cell housing 24 with a lateral surface 26 on the outer peripheral side. For example, an electrolyte, in particular a liquid electrolyte, is accommodated in the cell housing 24 . As in synopsis with 2 As can be seen, the respective cell housing 24 is provided with, in particular precisely, a ventilation element 28 for the targeted venting of gas 30, which is shown particularly schematically in the figures, out of the cell housing 24. For this purpose, the venting element 28 comprises, for example, an opening 32 and a bursting element 34 designed, for example, as a bursting disk, by means of which the opening 32 is completely closed when the pressure prevailing in the cell housing 24 is lower than a pressure threshold. If, for example, a thermal event occurs in one of the storage cells 16, with the thermal event resulting, for example, from an accident-related application of force or damage to one storage cell 16, the gas 30 is produced from the electrolyte in the cell housing 24 of one storage cell 16. With an increasing amount of Gas 30 in the cell housing 24 increases the pressure prevailing in the cell housing 24 . If the pressure prevailing in the cell housing 24 exceeds the pressure threshold, the bursting element 34 bursts, as a result of which the cell housing 24 is opened in a targeted manner, in particular exactly at one point S, in which the ventilation element 28 is arranged, in particular without the cell housing 24 at another , opens at a different point from point S. Due to the bursting of the bursting element 34 , the bursting element 34 releases the openings 32 so that the gas 30 can flow out of the cell housing 24 via the released opening 32 from the cell housing 24 . As a result, the gas 30 is discharged from the cell housing 24 in a targeted manner without the storage cell 16 exploding in an uncontrolled manner.

The storage device 10 also includes a sealing device 36 which is arranged, for example, in the receiving space 14 . The receiving space 14 is divided into a venting area 38 and a contacting area 40 by means of the sealing device 36 . In addition, the ventilation area 38 is sealed off from the contacting area 40 by means of the sealing device 36 or vice versa, so that, for example, the gas 30 from the ventilation area 38 cannot flow into the contacting area 40 . Thus, for example, the venting area 38 and/or the contacting area 40 for the gas 30 is tight. The gas 30 can be introduced from the cell housing 24, in particular directly, into the ventilation area 38. This means in particular that - like out 2 can be seen - that the gas 30 flowing through the released opening 32 can flow out of the cell housing 24 and, in particular directly, into the ventilation area 38 .

In order to now be able to implement a particularly safe operation and a particularly advantageous cooling of the storage device 1 , the storage device 10 has a cooling device 42 . In addition, the receiving space 14 is also divided by the sealing device 36 into a cooling area 44, also referred to as the main cooling area, which is sealed off by the sealing device 36 both from the venting area 38, also referred to as the venting area, and from the contacting area 40. It can be seen here that the contacting devices 18 of the storage cells 16 are arranged in the contacting region 40 . As a result, the gas 30 from the respective cell housing 24 and thus from the ventilation area 38 cannot flow directly onto and around the contacting device 18 . The feature that the cooling area 44 is sealed off from the venting area 38 and the contacting area 40 can be understood in particular to mean that the gas 30 cannot flow, for example, from the venting area 38 into the cooling area 44 or from the cooling area 44 into the contacting area 40 .

The cooling device 42 is designed to cool the storage cells 16 by means of direct cooling. For this purpose, a coolant 46 can be or is introduced into the cooling region 44 by means of the cooling device 42, by means of which the storage cells 16 around which the coolant 46 can flow or flows directly on the outer circumference are or are to be cooled. The cooling device 42 has, for example, a cooling circuit through which the coolant 46 flows. The cooling area 44 is arranged in the cooling circuit so that the coolant 46 , which is preferably in the form of a liquid, in particular a dielectric liquid, can flow through the cooling area 44 . Illustrated in 1 an arrow 47 a flow of the coolant 46 through the cooling region 44. On its way through the cooling region 44, i.e. when the coolant 46 flows through the cooling region 44, the coolant 46 flows directly onto the storage cells 16 on the outer circumference side and flows around the storage cells on the outer circumference side 16 around, so that the coolant 46 flowing through the cooling region 44 directly touches the storage cells 16, in particular the cell housing 24, on the outer circumference. In this case, the storage cells 16, in particular the cell housing 24, are arranged at least partially, in particular predominantly and thus more than half, in the cooling region 44. In other words, at least a partial area of the respective storage cell 16, in particular of the respective cell housing 24, is arranged in the cooling area 44. Thus, the coolant 46 flowing through the cooling area 44 can contact the partial area directly and touch it directly, so that a direct Heat transfer from the storage cells 16 to the coolant 46 can take place or takes place. The partial region is preferably a predominant part of the storage cell 16 or of the cell housing 24 or of the lateral surface 26 on the outer circumference, so that, for example, more than half of the lateral surface 26 on the outer circumference is arranged in the cooling region 44 .

The cooling device 42 has a feed 48 via which the coolant 46 and the cooling area 42 can be introduced. In addition, the cooling device 44 includes an after-run 50 into which the coolant 46 from the cooling region 44 can be introduced. Thus, the pre-run 48 is arranged upstream of the cooling area 44 in the flow direction of the coolant 46 flowing through the cooling circuit and thus the cooling area 44 , and the after-run 50 is arranged downstream of the cooling area 44 . The cooling device 42, in particular the feed 48, has, for example, at least one first introduction opening, via which the coolant 46 can be introduced from the feed 48 into the cooling region 44 or is introduced.

the end 1 It can be seen particularly well that the contacting area 40 is arranged on a first side S1 of the cooling area 44, with the venting area 38 being arranged on a second side S2 of the cooling area 44 facing away from the first side S1. In this case, the cooling area 44 is arranged between the ventilation area 38 and the contacting area 40 , in particular in the direction of longitudinal extension of the respective storage cell 16 . In this case, side S2 faces away from side S1 or vice versa along the direction of longitudinal extension of the respective storage cell 16 .

In principle, it is conceivable that the cooling device 42 is designed to also introduce the coolant into the contacting area 40 . For this purpose, the cooling device 42, in particular the flow 48, has, for example, at least one second introduction opening, via which the coolant 46 can be or is introduced from the flow 48 into the contacting region 40. The same can be applied to the ventilation area 38, so that the cooling device 42 is also designed, for example, to introduce the coolant 46, in particular from the feed 48, into the ventilation area 38. Provision is preferably also made for the coolant 46 not to be introduced into the venting region 38 .

Preferably, the coolant 46 is a liquid, particularly an oil, with the coolant 46 preferably being a dielectric coolant, particularly a dielectric liquid. As a result, a particularly advantageous direct cooling of the storage cells 16 and in particular of the contacting device 18 in the contacting region 40 can be implemented.

the end 2 It is particularly easy to see that the opening 32 opens directly into the ventilation area 38 in its released state. As a result, the gas 30 flowing through the released opening 32 can flow out of the cell housing 24 directly into the ventilation area 38 . How out 1 it can be seen that the sealing device 36 has at least two sealing elements 52 and 54, for example. The sealing elements 52 and 54 are formed separately from one another and/or separately from the housing 12, for example. The sealing element 52 contacts the housing 12 in a sealing manner, for example, or rests against the housing 12 in a sealing manner. For example, the cooling area 44 is separated from the ventilation area 38 by means of the sealing element 52 . In other words, for example, the cooling area 44 is sealed off from the ventilation area 38 by means of the sealing element 52 . Furthermore, it is conceivable for the sealing element 54 to bear against the housing 12 in a sealing manner. The cooling area 44 is sealed off from the contacting area 40 by means of the sealing element 54 .

Particularly good looking 2 it can be seen that the sealing device 36, in particular the sealing element 52, in particular in a sealing manner, at least partially, in particular at least predominantly, contacts an end face 56 of the cell housing 24 facing the ventilation region 38 and thus bears against the end face 56. It is desirable to keep a contact surface of the respective storage cell 16, in particular of the respective cell housing 24 and in particular of the end face 56, as small as possible, with the contact surface being able to be acted upon directly by the gas 30 or to come into direct contact with the gas 30 in the form of hot gas can. For this purpose, it is preferably provided that the sealing device 36, in particular the sealing element 54, contacts the entire end face 56 except for an area B or up to the point S in which or at which the ventilation element 28 is arranged. As a result, for example, the probability that a thermal event occurring in one of the memory cells 16 will also cause a thermal event in another of the memory cells 16, which is also referred to as thermal penetration, can be kept particularly low.

In addition, it is preferably provided that the sealing device 36, in particular the sealing element 52 and/or 54, in each case makes direct contact with at least a part of the lateral surface 26 on the outer peripheral side. As a result, a particularly advantageous seal can be implemented. The distance Ren, the venting area 38 has a first volume, the contacting area 40 has a second volume and the cooling area 44 has a third volume. In this case, for example, the aforementioned volumes are respective partial volumes of a total volume of the receiving space 14 as a whole. In this case, the third volume is significantly larger than the first volume and significantly larger than the second volume. The third volume is preferably at least twice as large as the sum of the first volume and the second volume. This enables advantageous cooling to be implemented. In particular, for example, the gas 30 in the ventilation area 38 can be cooled.

the end 1 it can be seen that the housing 12 in turn is provided with at least or precisely one ventilation element 58 . By means of the venting element 58, the venting region 38 can be vented in a targeted manner, for example. In other words, the gas 30 can be vented from the venting area 38 in a targeted manner, for example by means of the venting element 58 . If, for example, a pressure prevailing in the ventilation area 38 and caused by the pressure 30 absorbed in the ventilation area 38 exceeds a pressure level, the ventilation element 58 opens the housing 12 in a targeted manner such that, for example, a through-opening is released, one end of which leads directly into the ventilation area 38 and the other Ends directly in an environment 60 of the storage device 10 or the housing 12 opens.

The gas 30 can then flow out of the ventilation area 38 via this passage opening and flow into the environment 60 . As a result, the housing 12 can be vented in a targeted manner, and an uncontrolled explosion of the housing 12 can be avoided.

In order to realize an advantageous spatial and fluidic separation, one-sided contacting of the respective storage cell, also referred to simply as a cell, is provided. For this purpose, the respective contacting device 18 is arranged on precisely one respective side S3 of the storage cell 16 or of the cell housing 24 . This means in particular that the or all contact elements 20 and 22 of the respective storage cell 16 are arranged on the one side S3 that is common to the contact elements 20 and 22 or on the same side.

For example, in order to avoid contact of the gas 30 flowing into the venting area 38 and thus being absorbed in the venting area 38 with the coolant 46 , it is preferably provided that the coolant 46 is not introduced into the venting area 38 in a targeted manner. It is therefore preferably provided that the ventilation area 38 is, in particular always, free of the coolant 46 . For example, the venting area 38 is filled with air. As a result, particularly safe operation can be guaranteed.

Reference List

10

storage device

12

housing

14

recording room

16

storage cell

18

contacting device

20

contact element

22

contact element

24

cell case

26

outer peripheral lateral surface

28

ventilation element

30

gas

32

opening

34

bursting element

36

sealing device

38

vent area

40

contacting area

42

cooling device

44

cooling area

46

coolant

47

arrow

48

leader

50

trailing

52

sealing element

54

sealing element

56

face

58

ventilation element

60

Surroundings

B

Area

S

Job

Claims (8)

Storage device (10) for storing electrical energy for a motor vehicle, having at least one housing (12) having a receiving space (14), having at least one housing (12) received in the receiving space (14) and for storing the electrical energy storage cell (16), which has a contacting device (18) via which the storage cell (16) can be electrically connected to at least one further component (16) of the storage device (10) and a cell housing (24) which is provided with a venting element (28) for venting gas (30) from the cell housing (24), and with a sealing device (36) by means of which the receiving space (14) can be converted into a venting area (38) in which the gas (30 ) can be introduced from the cell housing (24) via the venting element (28), and a contacting region (40) which is sealed off from the venting region (38) by means of the sealing device (36) and in which the contacting device (18) is arranged, the The receiving space (14) is also sealed off by means of the sealing device (36) from the contacting area (40) and from the venting area (38) by means of the sealing device (36). the end cooling area (44), in which at least a partial area of the storage cell (16) is arranged, a cooling device (42) being provided, by means of which a coolant (46) can be introduced into the cooling area (44), by means of which the outer peripheral side the storage cell (16) around which the coolant (46) can flow is to be cooled, and wherein the sealing device (36) at least partially contacts an end face (56) of the cell housing (24) facing the ventilation area (38), characterized in that the sealing device ( 36) contacts the entire end face (56) except for an area (B) in which the ventilation element (28) is arranged. Storage device (10) after claim 1 , characterized in that the contacting area (40) on a first side (S1) of the cooling area (44) arranged between the contacting area (40) and the venting area (38) and the venting area (38) on one of the first side (S1) facing away second side (S2) of the cooling area (44) is arranged. Storage device (10) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the cooling device (42) is designed to also introduce the coolant (46) into the contact area (40) and/or into the ventilation area (38). Storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling device (42) comprises the coolant (46), which is designed as a liquid and/or as a dielectric coolant. Storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the venting element (28) has an opening (32) which can be released for venting the cell housing (24) and which opens directly into the venting area (38) in its released state. Storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ventilation area (38) has a first volume, the contacting area (40) has a second volume and the cooling area (44) has a third volume which is larger than the first volume and the second volume, in particular at least twice as large as the first volume and the second volume. Storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing device (36) makes direct contact with a lateral surface (26) of the cell housing (24) on the outer circumference. Motor vehicle with at least one storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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