DE102020108018A1 - Battery module for a vehicle battery, battery and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery module for a vehicle battery, a corresponding battery and a motor vehicle equipped therewith. As part of the battery module, a protective arrangement for reducing mechanical loading of battery cells in one loading direction in the event of an impact is provided. The protective arrangement can comprise at least one stiffening strut running in the loading direction, which connects frame parts arranged on opposite sides of the battery cells to one another. The protective arrangement can also comprise a recess in a module frame of the battery module. A cell connector, which connects the electrical poles of at least two of the battery cells to one another, is embedded in this recess. The module frame protrudes over the cell connector against the direction of load.

Description

The present invention relates to a battery module for a vehicle battery, in particular for a traction battery of a motor vehicle or a high-voltage storage device. The invention further relates to a corresponding battery for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with such a battery or a corresponding battery module.

In the vehicle sector in particular, efforts are being made to increasingly switch from conventional internal combustion engine drives to electric or battery-based drives. The vehicle batteries used for this, however, harbor a non-negligible risk potential in the event of accidents. In particular, damage to individual battery cells of the respective battery can be problematic. For example, short circuits can be triggered and / or reactive electrolytes can escape when the battery cells are subjected to a corresponding mechanical load.

Against this background, measures are desirable by means of which the battery cells can be protected from excessive mechanical stress in an accident scenario, that is to say in the event of an impact or a crash. This is done, for example, in the EP 3 053 207 B1 A battery module is proposed in which, in addition to a number of battery cells, an avoidance area is provided, into which at least one of the battery cells can be displaced. A battery module housing surrounding the battery cells is formed from an elastic polycarbonate material. This is intended to achieve improved safety in the event of a crash, without having to use a heavy and therefore uneconomical, correspondingly stable battery housing in the manner of an armored cabinet.

Another approach is in the DE 10 2015 120 294 A1 a battery device is described in which a receiving device is provided for receiving a battery module. The battery module is connected to the receiving device by means of a fastening device. The fastening device comprises a fastening element with at least one predetermined breaking device. The predetermined breaking device is designed to specifically interrupt the fastening of the battery module to the receiving device when an overload occurs. As a result, the introduction of force into the battery module caused by a crash can be interrupted in order to counteract damage to the battery module in the event of an overload.

The object of the present invention is to achieve an improved impact tolerance of an electrical energy store for a motor vehicle. According to the invention, this object is achieved by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantageous configurations and developments of the present invention are specified in the dependent claims, in the description and in the figures.

The battery module according to the invention for a vehicle battery comprises several battery cells, a cell or module frame on which the battery cells are attached or held, and a protective arrangement for reducing mechanical loading of the battery cells at least in one loading direction in the event of an impact, i.e. in particular in the event of a crash or a crash Accident in a motor vehicle equipped with the battery module or the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery can have several such battery modules. Likewise, however, the battery module can at least essentially form the vehicle battery or can be used as an independent electrical energy store. In all of these cases, the battery module according to the invention can contribute to improved impact tolerance, that is to say to improved safety in the event of a crash.

For this purpose, in a first variant of the battery module according to the invention, the protective arrangement comprises at least one stiffening strut running in the loading direction, which connects a first frame part of the module frame to a second frame part of the module frame. The two frame parts of the module frame are arranged on opposite sides of the battery cells. The at least one stiffening strut can in particular run at least substantially parallel to the battery cells, that is to say at least substantially parallel to one side or outside of the battery cells. A main or longitudinal direction of extent of the stiffening strut can therefore preferably be arranged parallel to a longitudinal direction of extent or an axis of symmetry of the battery cells.

In an - additional or alternative - second variant of the battery module according to the invention, the protective arrangement comprises at least one depression or recess in the module frame, into which a cell connector is inserted, which electrically connects at least two of the battery cells to one another on one pole side. The module frame protrudes next to the recess in or against the loading direction, at least in some areas or in sections beyond the cell connector. In other words, the cell connector does not form a component located farthest from a center point of the battery module, in particular in the loading direction. As a result, an impactor hitting the battery module in the loading direction can first come into contact with the module frame, so that a direct Acting on the cell connector can be avoided or weakened. Since the cell connector is necessarily in direct contact with the battery cells, the mechanical load on the battery cells in the event of a collision or accident can thereby advantageously be avoided or reduced or at least distributed over a larger area. By avoiding punctual loading of the battery cells, the risk of damage to the battery cells can advantageously be reduced. In the present case, this can be achieved in that a contact surface of the module frame on the battery cells can be larger than a contact surface of the cell connector on the battery cells. In addition, the recessed arrangement of the cell connector in the module frame proposed here can reduce the risk of damage to the cell connector. This can increase the likelihood that the battery module will also remain functional during or after the respective impact. The battery module can thus advantageously also provide energy during the impact or after the impact with a higher probability, for example for further safety or auxiliary measures.

The stiffening strut provided according to the first variant of the battery module according to the invention can also advantageously absorb and dissipate force or energy acting upon the impact on the battery module. This force or energy therefore does not act on the battery cells, so that the risk of damage to the battery cells can be reduced. The stiffening strut can advantageously achieve this without a completely closed, correspondingly stable and therefore heavy housing of the battery module having to be provided. As a result, an improved impact tolerance and thus an improved safety of the battery module or the corresponding vehicle battery can advantageously be achieved with, at the same time, reduced weight compared to conventional full housings and thus improved economic efficiency of the battery module. A plurality of stiffening struts can preferably be provided, which can surround the battery cells in a cage-like manner on one or more sides. As a result, the stiffening struts can not only relieve the battery cells in the loading direction, but also protect them from mechanical effects in a direction perpendicular to the loading direction.

The two described variants of the battery module according to the invention or of its protective arrangement can particularly preferably be combined with one another. The loading direction, which corresponds to the longitudinal extension or support direction of the at least one stiffening strut, can preferably be perpendicular to the pole side, i.e. to a side or surface of the battery cells on which the poles of the battery cells that are electrically connected by means of the cell connector are arranged.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the module frame forms an outer boundary of the battery module and is formed only by the two frame parts. The module frame can therefore in particular form at least one outer wall of the battery module. In particular, the two frame parts cannot be connected to one another directly, that is to say, for example, only by the battery cells or possibly additionally by the at least one stiffening strut. The two frame parts are then not in direct or immediate, but only in indirect or indirect mechanical contact with one another, that is to say through at least one further component. The module frame can form the only housing surrounding the battery cells, so that the battery module does not have any additional or further housing that surrounds the battery cells and / or the module frame. The first frame part can, for example, rest against an underside of the battery cells, while the second frame part can rest against an opposite upper side of the battery cells. The battery cells can, for example, be glued to the frame parts or connected to the frame parts in some other way. Sides of the battery cells that differ from the top and bottom of the battery cells can then not be covered by the module frame or the frame parts, or only in areas at the respective end areas adjoining the top or bottom. In this way, the module frame and thus the battery module as a whole can advantageously be constructed particularly compactly and easily, the safety and load tolerance of the battery module being ensured at the same time by the protective arrangement.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the battery module has a plurality of stiffening struts, at least one stiffening strut attaching to an edge region of the frame parts and extending on the outside of the battery cells. This stiffening strut running on the outside is therefore arranged on a side of the battery cells facing away from a center point of the battery module. At least one other additional stiffening strut is attached to a central area of the frame parts and runs between the battery cells. This stiffening strut running between the battery cells is therefore - unlike the outer or edge-side stiffening strut - surrounded on both sides by battery cells in both directions perpendicular to the loading direction or the longitudinal direction of extension of the stiffening strut. This arrangement of the stiffening struts can be advantageous Improved support, i.e. improved relief of the battery cells in the event of a crash, and thus improved safety of the battery module can be achieved, since the battery cells are not mechanically loaded or acted upon even if one of the frame parts in the load direction in its central area bends due to the impact load or without the central or middle stiffening strut would deflect. As a result, the battery module can advantageously be made particularly large without restricted safety, that is to say have a particularly large cross-sectional area, in particular without the frame parts having to have a correspondingly increased flexural rigidity. Particularly when cylindrical round cells are used, there are empty spaces or spaces between the battery cells, in which the at least one middle or central stiffening strut can then be arranged. The middle or central stiffening strut then does not increase the size of the battery module overall, so that a particularly compact design of the battery module can advantageously be implemented relative to its safety or impact tolerance.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the module frame is made of a plastic material. Furthermore, the at least one stiffening strut, insofar as or insofar as it is provided as part of the protective arrangement, is at least partially manufactured from a unidirectional fiber-reinforced plastic material and / or formed by a plastic-coated metal core. By using appropriate plastic materials, on the one hand, weight can advantageously be saved. On the other hand, the plastic material can advantageously have an electrically insulating effect, that is to say for the electrical safety of the battery module. As a result, even if the impact leads to displacements or relative movements of components of the battery module, short circuits or electrical flashovers between components of the battery module or between the battery module and surrounding components can advantageously be avoided.

For unidirectional reinforcement of the plastic material of the stiffening strut in the loading direction, the loading direction can serve as the preferred direction for aligning the embedded fibers. Instead of a homogeneous or random alignment of the fibers, they can therefore preferably or at least essentially extend in the direction of loading. In addition, relatively long fibers can be used compared to conventional homogeneous or isotropic fiber braids. As a result, the load-bearing capacity or stability of the stiffening strut in the loading direction can be increased without additional weight expenditure. The metal core can also advantageously increase the load-bearing capacity or stability of the stiffening strut in the loading direction, so that the battery cells can be protected particularly reliably against mechanical loading.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the battery cells are cylindrical round cells, a longitudinal direction of extent of the stiffening strut, in which it connects the two frame parts of the module frame, is aligned parallel to a cylinder center longitudinal axis of the round cylinder. The at least one stiffening strut has an at least substantially triangular cross section. In this way, an installation space that remains free between the round cells can be filled particularly efficiently by the stiffening strut. As a result, a particularly large cross-sectional area of the stiffening strut can advantageously be achieved overall without additional installation space requirement of the battery module, which in turn advantageously leads or can contribute to improved stability or rigidity of the stiffening strut and thus improved impact tolerance and safety of the battery module. For a further improved utilization of the installation space, in each case one of the side surfaces of the stiffening strut facing the round cells can be curved inwards according to a curvature or arching of the round cells, so that the stiffening strut encompasses the respective round cell in areas, i.e. can follow the outer arching of the round cell at least in some areas.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the protective arrangement comprises a plate-shaped cover element which covers the battery cells towards the outside in an area between the frame parts. The stiffening strut runs along this cover element, that is to say is arranged on it, in particular on an inside facing the battery cells. The cover element and the at least one stiffening strut can be designed in one piece or in one piece. As a result, it can advantageously be avoided in a particularly reliable manner that the stiffening strut becomes detached from the cover element, for example as a result of a deformation or load caused by the impact. Likewise, the cover element and the at least one stiffening strut can also be separate components, whereby manufacturing or manufacturing costs can advantageously be reduced if necessary. The stiffening strut can then, for example, be glued or screwed to the cover element. On the one hand, the cover element can advantageously increase the stability or rigidity of the battery module in the loading direction, which here can run in a main plane of extent of the cover element, be enlarged. On the other hand, the battery cells are advantageously protected particularly reliably against mechanical impacts perpendicular to the loading direction by the cover element. The cover element can form an outer wall of the battery module, at least in some areas, so that advantageously no additional housing has to be provided. Since experience has shown that impactors that strike the battery module or the vehicle battery are flat, that is, they are not needle-like and not only cause punctual loading, the cover element advantageously does not have to cover the entire surface of the battery cells. For example, an expansion of the cover element can be less than an expansion of the battery module and / or the cover element can have one or more recesses whose size or diameter is smaller than a - for example, experimentally determined - impact or contact surface of a typical impactor on the vehicle battery or the Battery module can be. As a result, weight and material can advantageously be saved with at least essentially the same safety or protective effect.

By arranging the at least one stiffening strut on the inside of the cover element facing the battery cells, the battery module can advantageously be designed in a particularly simple manner with a flat or smooth outside, whereby it can advantageously be installed in a particularly space-saving manner, for example in the vehicle battery or the motor vehicle. Here too, the stiffening strut can particularly advantageously utilize or fill the installation space provided between the battery cells.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the cell connector is at least largely covered on the outside by a cover that is part of the module frame or is supported on the module frame. As a result, mechanical loading of the cell connector and thus indirectly of the battery cells can also be avoided particularly reliably if an impactor on the battery module is smaller than the recess or recess provided in the module frame into which the cell connector is embedded. In addition, the cover can advantageously improve the electrical insulation of the battery module or the battery cells and the cell connector. For this purpose, the cover element can in particular be made of an electrically insulating plastic material. During the manufacture of the battery module, the cover can for example be placed in or on the recess after the cell connector has been connected, for example welded, to the poles of the battery cells. Since the recess can then be relatively large, a particularly simple production, in particular a particularly simple fastening of the cell connector, is made possible in this way. Likewise, the cover, in particular if it is designed as part of the module frame, can have one or more recesses or windows. Access to the cell connector or to the poles of the battery cells or a corresponding fastening point can then be created or formed through these recesses or windows, for example for a welding robot or the like. This enables simple manufacture of the battery module even with a one-piece design of the cover and the frame part arranged on the pole side of the battery cells. In order to provide sufficient access for a welding robot, the recesses or windows can, for example, have a size or a diameter in the range of 10 mm. However, this can be varied as required depending on the respective individual requirements.

Another aspect of the present invention is a battery for a motor vehicle which has a battery housing in which at least one battery module according to the invention is arranged. The battery according to the invention can in particular be the vehicle battery mentioned in connection with the battery module according to the invention. Accordingly, the battery according to the invention can have some or all of the properties or features mentioned in connection with the battery module according to the invention.

Another aspect of the present invention is a motor vehicle that has a battery according to the invention and / or at least one battery module according to the invention. The motor vehicle according to the invention can in particular be the motor vehicle mentioned in connection with the battery module according to the invention and / or in connection with the battery according to the invention. Accordingly, the motor vehicle according to the invention can have some or all of the features and / or properties mentioned in connection with the battery module according to the invention and / or the battery according to the invention.

The battery module can preferably be arranged in the motor vehicle according to the invention in the intended installation position in such a way that the loading direction corresponds to a transverse direction of the motor vehicle. This is particularly advantageous and can contribute particularly effectively to improving the safety of the motor vehicle, since in the transverse direction of the vehicle there is typically less distance between the battery module and an outer wall of the motor vehicle, so that correspondingly less installation space or components between the battery module and the outer wall of the motor vehicle for absorbing or dissipating impact energy are available. Accordingly, in the event of an impact in the transverse direction of the vehicle, a higher load or a greater probability of an impactor hitting the battery or the battery module must be expected. With such an arrangement of the battery module in the motor vehicle, the described advantages of the battery module according to the invention can thus be brought to bear particularly effectively.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the battery module is mechanically connected to a further vehicle part of the motor vehicle via holding elements, that is to say fixed to this vehicle part. This vehicle part can preferably be an inner wall of a battery housing surrounding the battery module. The vehicle part can also be, for example, a frame or some other supporting part of the motor vehicle. The holding elements can be metal or plastic parts, for example, which can be glued or screwed to the vehicle part, for example. A corresponding glue point or screw can also be part of the respective holding element. The mechanical connection between the battery module and the vehicle part has a predetermined breaking point at which the mechanical connection breaks off deterministically if a predetermined mechanical load on the respective holding element is exceeded during the impact. The specified mechanical load can be specified or specified, for example in the form of a force or acceleration threshold value, which can be selected depending on the respective requirements or application scenarios in a specific application or area of application of the present invention. In the intended installation position of the battery module in the motor vehicle, the holding elements can preferably be fastened to an underside of the battery module in relation to a vertical direction of the motor vehicle. The embodiment proposed here can achieve that in the event of a correspondingly strong impact, that is to say in the event of a correspondingly strong mechanical load or impact on the battery module and thus the holding elements, the holding elements that are loaded in this way break or tear off. As a result, a block formation with the battery module or the battery cells can advantageously be avoided. In this way, it can be avoided in a particularly reliable manner that the holding elements are pressed into the battery module and lead to damage or an undesired point loading of the battery cells.

The predetermined breaking point can for example lie within the holding elements, at a fastening point of the holding elements on the battery module or at a fastening point of the holding elements on the vehicle part.

The holding elements can form the protective arrangement of the battery module according to the invention or be part of this protective arrangement, in particular independently of the variants of the protective arrangement described above. In one embodiment of the present invention, the protective arrangement of the battery module can thus be formed solely by the holding elements or by a combination of the holding elements and the at least one stiffening strut and / or the recess for receiving the cell connector.

Further features of the invention can emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without the scope of the invention to leave.

• 1 eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Batteriemoduls in einer erste Variante;
• 2 eine schematische Seitenansicht des Batteriemoduls in einer zweiten Variante;
• 3 eine schematische Queransicht des Batteriemoduls;
• 4 eine schematische aufgeteilte Perspektivansicht einiger Komponenten des Batteriemoduls;
• 5 eine schematische Queransicht des Batteriemoduls mit Halteelementen in einer erster Variante;
• 6 eine schematische Queransicht des Batteriemoduls mit Halteelementen in einer zweiten Variante;
• 7 eine schematische Queransicht des Batteriemoduls mit Halteelementen in einer dritten Variante;
• 8 eine schematische Queransicht des Batteriemoduls in einer weiteren Variante; und
• 9 eine schematische Ansicht eines Kraftfahrzeugs mit einer Traktionsbatterie, die mehrere Batteriemodule umfasst.

The drawing shows in:

• 1 a schematic side view of a battery module in a first variant;
• 2 a schematic side view of the battery module in a second variant;
• 3 a schematic transverse view of the battery module;
• 4th a schematic split perspective view of some components of the battery module;
• 5 a schematic transverse view of the battery module with holding elements in a first variant;
• 6th a schematic transverse view of the battery module with holding elements in a second variant;
• 7th a schematic transverse view of the battery module with holding elements in a third variant;
• 8th a schematic transverse view of the battery module in a further variant; and
• 9 a schematic view of a motor vehicle with a traction battery that comprises several battery modules.

Identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

1 shows a schematic side view of a battery module 10 a vehicle battery. As parts or components of the battery module 10 are here schematically a module frame 12th as well as several battery cells 14th shown on the module frame 12th attached or held. The battery cells 14th are designed here as cylindrical round cells, for example, with their cylinder center longitudinal axes being perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The battery module also includes 10 in the present case a protective order 16 to reduce mechanical stress on the battery cells 14th in the event of an impact. In the variant shown here, the protective arrangement comprises 16 several stiffening struts 18th . The stiffening struts 18th are here, for example, above and below the battery cells 14th between these, i.e. at an edge area of the battery module 10 arranged. A longitudinal direction of the stiffening struts 18th is also perpendicular to the plane of the drawing here, that is to say extends at least substantially parallel to the cylinder center longitudinal axes of the battery cells 14th .

The stiffening struts 18th have at least essentially triangular cross-sections here, which means that they have respective intermediate spaces or free spaces between the battery cells 14th due to the round outer shape of the battery cells 14th be able to fill out particularly efficiently.

In contrast to what is shown here, additional stiffening struts can be used depending on the requirements 18th be provided, for example on the other edges or sides of the battery module 10 and / or in a central or middle area between the battery cells 14th .

2 also shows a schematic side view of the battery module 10 , the protection order 16 is executed here in a second variant. In this second variant, the protective arrangement comprises 16 in addition to the stiffening struts 18th respective plate-shaped cover elements 20th . The cover elements 20th cover the battery cells 14th on the respective sides towards the outside. The stiffening struts 18th are on the inside, i.e. on one of the battery cells 14th facing inside of the cover elements 20th arranged. The protection order 16 is composed here of the rod-like elongated stiffening struts 18th as well as the cover elements designed as a plate 20th together. The cover elements 20th extend here in the plane of the drawing over several of the battery cells 14th away and additionally perpendicular to the plane of the drawing along the longitudinal extensions of the stiffening struts 18th or the battery cells 14th .

One cover element each 20th as well as the stiffening struts arranged thereon 18th can be designed in one piece or as separate components.

As for the stiffening struts 18th can also be found on the other sides of the battery module 10 in an analogous manner further cover elements 20th to be ordered.

3 shows a schematic transverse view of the battery module 10 . Here you can see that the module frame 12th from a first frame part 22nd and a second frame part 24 is formed. The two frame parts 22nd , 24 lie on opposite sides of the battery cells 14th to these and are covered by the protection order 16 , i.e. through the stiffening struts 18th and / or by the cover elements 20th connected with each other.

A loading direction is shown here schematically by an arrow 26th indicated, in which an impact occurs, so a crash load on the battery module 10 can act. The crash load acts here on an end face of the first frame part 22nd one, so that the load direction 26th at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension directions of the stiffening struts 18th and the battery cells 14th extends. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that the representations in 1 and 2 the battery module 10 in the direction of the load direction 26th demonstrate.

The one in the load direction 26th on the module frame 12th The load acting here is via the first frame part 22nd distributed and by the protection arrangement 16 , especially the stiffening struts 18th , recorded and derived. This is due to the corresponding flow of force along the stiffening struts 18th indicative arrows indicated. Thus, the battery cells 14th not or only to a reduced extent loaded or loaded.

4th FIG. 11 shows a schematic split perspective view of some components of the battery module 10 , especially the module frame 12th as well as the stiffening struts 18th . Examples are here on a respective inside of the frame parts 22nd , 24 respective recordings 28 for the stiffening struts 18th intended. The recordings 28 can, for example, pockets or depressions or recesses in the respective frame part 22nd , 24 be. In the recordings 28 can use the stiffening struts 18th for example glued or screwed. This can be the case, for example, when the stiffening struts 18th than from the frame parts 22nd , 24 separate parts or components are formed. Likewise, the stiffening struts 18th and the frame parts 22nd , 24 but, for example, be designed or molded in one piece.

The module frame 12th can, for example, be manufactured as an injection molded part or injection molded parts, that is to say from a plastic material. The stiffening struts 18th or the protection order 16 can also be made of a plastic material, for example a thermoplastic. Especially if some or all of the stiffening struts 18th each in one piece with at least one of the frame parts 22nd , 24 are formed, the plastic material can preferably be fiber-reinforced. For this purpose, for example, relatively short glass fibers can be embedded in a polymer matrix.

Especially when the stiffening struts 18th are designed as separate components, these can be unidirectionally fiber-reinforced, for which reason relatively long fibers can be embedded in the respective polymer matrix. Likewise, the stiffening struts 18th have a metal core, preferably plastic-coated, in order to further increase their stability.

5 shows a further schematic transverse view of the battery module 10 , being here at a bottom 30th of the battery module 10 Holding elements 32 are provided. About the holding elements 32 can the battery module 10 be attached or fixed, for example on a surrounding housing of a high-voltage storage device or on a vehicle part, for example a vehicle frame or the like. For this purpose, the holding elements 32 as indicated here, for example, by means of appropriate fastening elements, which are shown here schematically as screws 34 are indicated. The fasteners, here the screws 34 , can be part of the holding elements 32 be.

In the mechanical connection of the battery module 10 with the component on which the battery module 10 about the holding elements 32 is attached, there is a predetermined breaking point in each case 36 intended. The predetermined breaking point is located here as an example 36 at a connection point of the holding elements 32 with the bottom 30th of the battery module 10 . It is therefore provided that the holding elements 32 with a defined mechanical load at the respective predetermined breaking point 36 abort. The predetermined breaking point 36 can therefore be a mechanically weak point in the connection of the battery module 10 with the component on which the battery module 10 about the holding elements 32 is attached.

In the present case, the holding elements have 32 which act as the feet of the battery module 10 can be understood as a paragraph or an angle shape. As a result, in the event of an impact, in the case of the loading direction also indicated schematically here 26th a force on the battery module 10 acts, a bending moment in the holding elements 32 generated or introduced into this. When a corresponding threshold value is reached or exceeded, the holding elements break as a result 32 from the battery module 10 away. This can be the case, for example, with a force of more than 3 kN or an acceleration of at least 60 g. Actual thresholds at which the holding elements 32 break off or come loose, however, depending on the design and application, they can deviate significantly from these exemplary values.

As a result, the holding elements 32 in the event of a corresponding load or impingement from the battery module 10 break off and tilt can advantageously be prevented that the holding elements 32 into the battery module 10 or the module frame 12th or even the battery cells 14th are pressed and it comes to a block formation, through which a crash load then on the battery cells 14th could act.

6th shows a further schematic transverse view of the battery module 10 , wherein schematically a second variant of the holding elements 32 is shown. Here the holding element 32 several segments that are angled or kinked relative to each adjacent segments by less than 90 °.

7th shows a further schematic transverse view of the battery module 10 with a third variant of the holding elements 32 . Here the holding element 32 for example, two bends in opposite directions, so that a zigzag or zigzag shape results. The retaining element is an example 32 here on one end of the module frame 12th attached.

The different variants of the retaining elements 32 show that the function described and the associated advantages can be implemented in different ways. In this way, there is advantageously a design flexibility through which adaptation, for example to respective structural conditions or respective packaging requirements, is possible.

8th shows a further schematic transverse view of the battery module 10 . For clarity, here are two battery cells 14th a respective electrical pole 38 shown. The poles 38 are located here on one of the first frame parts 22nd facing end face of the battery cells 14th . The poles 38 are electrical here through a cell connector 40 connected with each other.

As part of the protection order 16 the module frame 12th , in the present case in particular the first frame part 22nd , a recess or depression 42 in which the cell connector 40 let in or in which the cell connector 40 is recorded. The cell connector 40 is therefore in the direction of the load 26th countersunk or set back so that next to the recess or depression 42 lying areas of the module frame 12th in the load direction 26th or against the direction of loading 26th via the cell connector 40 protrude.

To further improve the protection of the cell connector 40 and thus indirectly also the battery cells 14th from mechanical loading, especially in the loading direction 26th to achieve is the cell connector 40 in the present case additionally by a cover 44 covered to the outside.

9 shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle 46 , the example with a traction battery 48 Is provided. The traction battery 48 here schematically indicated comprises a plurality of battery modules 10 , each with a protection order 16 , for example in the form of the stiffening struts 18th exhibit. For the sake of clarity, the protective arrangements are 16 or the stiffening struts 18th here only for one of the battery modules 10 marked.

The battery modules 10 the traction battery 48 are arranged or aligned here in such a way that the longitudinal extension direction of the stiffening struts 18th and the direction of the load 26th a vehicle transverse direction of the motor vehicle 46 correspond. Through the protection orders 16 are the battery modules 10 or their battery cells 14th in other words, in particular before the stresses of a side impact on the motor vehicle 46 protected.

Overall, the examples described show the measures by means of which electrical energy storage devices, in particular in the vehicle sector, can be designed to be more tolerant of mechanical loading in the event of a crash. By means of these measures, in particular an improved impact tolerance of the respective electrical energy store can be achieved without the need for particularly expensive and complex measures or changes to the respective vehicle.

List of reference symbols

10

Battery module

12th

Module frame

14th

Battery cells

16

Protection order

18th

Stiffening struts

20th

Cover element

22nd

first frame part

24

second frame part

26th

Load direction

28

Recordings

30th

bottom

32

Holding elements

34

Screws

36

Predetermined breaking point

38

Pole

40

Cell connector

42

deepening

44

cover

46

Motor vehicle

48

Traction battery

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• EP 3053207 B1 [0003]
• DE 102015120294 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

A battery module (10) for a vehicle battery (48), comprising a plurality of battery cells (14), a module frame (12) on which the battery cells (14) are held, and a protective arrangement (16) for reducing a mechanical load on the battery cells (14) in a loading direction (26) in the event of an impact, characterized in that the protective arrangement (16) a) comprises at least one stiffening strut (18) which runs in the loading direction (26) and which has a first frame part (22) of the module frame (12) with a connects the second frame part (24) of the module frame (12), the two frame parts (22, 24) being arranged on opposite sides of the battery cells (14), and / or b) at least one recess (42) in the module frame (12) comprises, in which a cell connector (40) is embedded, which electrically connects at least two of the battery cells (14) to one another on one pole side, so that the module frame (12) next to the recess (42) in or against the Belas processing direction (26) protrudes at least partially beyond the cell connector (40). Battery module (10) Claim 1 , characterized in that the module frame (12) forms an outer boundary of the battery module (10) and is only formed by the two frame parts (22, 24). Battery module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery module (10) has several stiffening struts (18), at least one stiffening strut (18) being attached to an edge region of the frame parts (22, 24) and on the outside of the battery cells (14) ) and at least one further stiffening strut (18) attaches to a central area of the frame parts (22, 24) and runs between the battery cells (14). Battery module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module frame (12) is made of a plastic material and, if provided, the at least one stiffening strut (18) is made at least partially from a unidirectional fiber-reinforced plastic material in the loading direction (26) and / or is formed by a plastic-coated metal core Battery module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery cells (14) are cylindrical round cells (14) and a longitudinal direction of extension of the stiffening strut (18), in which it connects the two frame parts (22, 24) to one another, parallel to a cylinder center longitudinal axis of the round cells (14) is aligned, wherein the at least one stiffening strut (18) has an at least substantially triangular cross-section. Battery module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective arrangement (16) comprises a plate-shaped cover element (20) which covers the battery cells (14) to the outside in an area between the two frame parts (22, 24) and along which the at least one stiffening strut (18) runs, in particular on an inside facing the battery cells (14). Battery module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cell connector (40) is at least largely covered to the outside by a cover (44) which is supported on part of the module frame (12) or on the module frame (12). Battery (48) for a motor vehicle (46), having a battery housing in which at least one battery module (10) according to one of the preceding claims is arranged. Motor vehicle (46) having a battery (48) according to Claim 8 and / or at least one battery module (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7th . Motor vehicle (46) after Claim 9 , characterized in that the battery module (10) is mechanically connected via holding elements (32) to a further vehicle part (48), in particular on an inner wall of a battery housing surrounding the battery module (10), this respective mechanical connection being a predetermined breaking point (36) at which the respective connection breaks off when a predetermined mechanical load on the respective holding element (32) is exceeded during the impact, with the holding elements (32) based on a vertical direction of the vehicle in the intended installation position of the battery module (10) in the motor vehicle (46) of the motor vehicle (46) are preferably attached to an underside (30) of the battery module (10).

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