DE102021207705A1 - Battery connection device and motor vehicle with such a battery connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery connection device (2) with a battery housing (4), with a through hole (6) in the battery housing (4) which connects the interior (8) of the battery housing (4) with the environment, with a arranged and comprising at least one cooling channel cooling plate (10), with a connection body (12) which can be fixed to the cooling plate (10), which the through hole (6) of the battery housing (4) with at least one connection section (14) which is on a the end of the connection body (12) facing away from the battery housing (4) and which protrudes through the through hole (6) with at least one externally threaded section (16) which is arranged between the through hole (6) and the connection section (14) and comprises at least one cooling medium channel (18). , which opens into the cooling channel of the cooling plate (10), and with at least one sealing unit (20) which comprises at least one sealing means (22) which rests directly on the battery housing (4) un d through which a gap between the battery housing (4) and another component can be sealed, and which comprises at least one pressing body (24) which can be arranged with an internally threaded section (26) on the externally threaded section (16) of the connection body (12) and through which the system consisting of the battery housing (4), another component and at least one sealant (22) can be subjected to a contact pressure.

Description

The invention relates to a battery connection device and a motor vehicle with such a battery connection device.

It is known to use electrical storage units, for example lithium-ion high-voltage batteries, in motor vehicles. With these, it can never be completely ruled out that a so-called “thermal runaway” of a cell can occur, i.e. an uncontrolled exothermic reaction of the electrolyte used in the battery. This can lead to a temperature of over 1000°C in a cell and hot gas escaping from the cell into the interior of the battery housing. This can increase the internal pressure of the battery case and cause the battery case to deform. The latter can lead to leaks, unwanted leaks and an uncontrolled escape of gas.

In the known batteries, the battery connection devices represent a potential weak point. In these battery connection devices, a connection body that is partially arranged in the battery housing is designed with a plastic adapter that is screwed to the battery housing and an elastomer membrane/seal. This leads to good tolerance compensation, but both the temperature resistance and the ability to absorb the forces of a housing deformation are limited.

In addition, the known plastic adapters are directly exposed to the escaping hot gas, which can result in temperature-related damage to the plastic adapter or the elastomer membrane/seal, and can thus lead to undesired gas leakage.

The object of an exemplary embodiment of the invention is to propose a battery connection device and a motor vehicle with such a battery connection device, in which the possibility of absorbing the forces of the housing deformation is improved.

This object is achieved by a battery connection device with a battery housing, with a through hole in the battery housing which connects the interior of the battery housing with the environment, with a cooling plate which is arranged in the battery housing and has at least one cooling channel, with a connection body which can be fixed to the cooling plate, which protrudes through the through hole of the battery housing with at least one connection section, which is arranged on an end of the connection body facing away from the battery housing, and which protrudes through the through hole with at least one externally threaded section arranged between the through hole and the connection section, which comprises at least one cooling medium channel, which opens into the cooling channel of the cooling plate To allow entry and / or exit of a cooling medium into or from the interior of the battery case to the outside of the battery case, and with at least one sealing unit, the at least one seal mi ttel that rests directly on the battery housing and through which a gap between the battery housing and another component can be sealed, and which comprises at least one pressing body that can be arranged with an internally threaded section on the externally threaded section of the connection body and through which the system of battery housing, additional component and at least one sealant can be subjected to a contact pressure.

Because the pressing body can be arranged with an internal thread section on the external thread section of the connecting body, the pressing body is exposed to less thermal stress with its coupling point on the connecting body than if the pressing body were fixed directly to the battery housing.

In addition, in such a case the battery housing initially acts as a temporary thermal protection, since the battery housing must first be heated thermally by means of heat conduction before heat can be transferred in the direction of the pressing body.

As a result, the service life of the battery connection device is extended and the risk of individual components becoming deformed, leading to leakage, is reduced.

The cooling plate can be a section of a cooling carrier that is designed like a plate in the area of the connection body. The cooling plate is at a distance from the battery housing and thus forms a free space.

In order to at least reduce the risk of the battery housing being deformed as a result of the pressing body applying a contact pressure to the battery housing, one embodiment of the battery connection device comprises at least one spacer which is arranged in the battery housing and which has one end on the cooling plate and the other end indirectly or is supported directly on the battery housing with the pressing body - overlapped and through which the battery housing and cooling plate can be spaced apart without contact - viewed transversely to the surface of the battery housing.

Because the spacer is supported on the cooling plate on the one hand and on the battery housing on the other hand, the contact pressure force transmitted to the battery housing by the pressing body can be easily absorbed by the spacer.

The spacer can be adapted to the contour of the component on which it is supported, in particular to the contour of the cooling plate and/or the battery housing in the area of the support.

Due to the fact that the spacer overlaps with the pressing body viewed transversely to the surface of the battery housing, the risk of a lever effect occurring is reduced. This also further reduces the risk of the components of the battery connection device and the battery housing becoming deformed.

The connection body and the spacer can have any contour, in particular any cross section.

In order to be able to ensure that forces are absorbed evenly and to produce the connection body simply and inexpensively, it has proven to be advantageous if the connection body is designed to be rotationally symmetrical about an axis of rotation and/or if the spacer is designed in the manner of a socket and the connection body relative to the axis of rotation of the connection body in the circumferential direction partially or completely surrounds.

In order to arrange the spacer captively on the cooling plate, a development of the battery connection device provides that the spacer is permanently fixed to the cooling plate, in particular that the spacer is glued, soldered or welded to the cooling plate, or that the spacer and the cooling plate have a common form a one-piece component, in particular that the spacer is formed by a portion of the cooling plate.

If the spacer is glued, soldered or welded to the cooling plate, the spacer can be a separate component that is permanently fixed to the cooling plate during pre-assembly. If the spacer and the cooling plate form a common one-piece component, the spacer is already positioned and fixed during the manufacture of the cooling plate, as a result of which processing steps for manufacturing the battery connection device can be reduced.

As an alternative to the latter embodiment, an embodiment of the battery connection device can be provided in which the connection body and the spacer form a common one-piece component, in particular in which the spacer is formed by a section of the connection body.

In such a case, the battery connection device can be designed with fewer components and the spacer can be positioned and aligned exactly with respect to the connection body.

In order to be able to position the spacer, the connection body and/or the common component made up of the connection body and spacer in a simplified manner on the cooling plate, it has proven to be advantageous if the cooling plate comprises at least one receiving section for the connection body and/or spacer, which in particular is characterized by a of the battery housing, the recessed surface section is formed, the cross section of which with respect to the axis of rotation of the connection body is designed to correspond, in particular complementary, to the cross section of the connection body and/or spacer.

In order to reduce the risk of damage to the sealant, in particular when the sealant is arranged between the battery housing and the pressing body, it has proven to be advantageous if the sealing unit comprises at least one seal carrier which is arranged on the side of the pressing body which faces the battery housing and which has a parallel to the axis of rotation of the connection body, which at least partially protrudes through the through-hole of the battery housing into the interior of the battery housing, and which includes a contact section which extends transversely or at an angle to the axis of rotation, in particular parallel to the battery housing, with which the seal carrier is directly or indirectly attached to the battery case is attached.

As a result, only a movement in the axial direction is transmitted to the sealant by the seal carrier and no movement component transversely thereto. As a result, little or no shearing forces act on the sealant, as would be the case, for example, if the sealant were in direct contact with the pressing body.

Press-on bodies and/or seal carriers can be adapted to the contour of the battery housing on which they are supported.

In a further development of the last-mentioned embodiment, the seal carrier can be aligned in a simplified manner with respect to the connection body if the seal carrier is rotationally symmetrical is formed and arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation of the connector body.

In such a case, the seal carrier can be slipped with its socket section over the connection section of the connection body and arranged on the battery housing.

In order to close any gap that may exist between the pressing body and the connecting body, it is advantageous if the sealing unit comprises a sealing element that is arranged between the bushing section of the seal carrier, which extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the connecting body, and the connecting body.

The battery connection device can be designed with fewer components if the pressure body and the seal carrier form a common one-piece component, in particular if the seal carrier is formed by a section of the pressure body.

As a result, the individual components of the battery connection device can be joined with fewer components.

The further component on which the battery housing rests with the sealing means being interposed can comprise any component which, due to its distance from the battery housing, enables a flow path in the direction outside of the battery housing. In embodiments of the battery connection device, the further component, on which the sealing means lying directly on the battery housing rests sealingly the gap between the battery housing and the further component, comprises the seal carrier, in particular the common one-piece component made up of pressing body and seal carrier and/or the spacer, in particular the common one one-piece component made of connector body and spacer.

If the further component includes the seal carrier, the sealant is arranged on a surface of the battery housing facing the external environment, ie outside the interior of the battery housing.

If the additional component includes the spacer, in particular the common one-piece component made up of connection body and spacer, the sealant is arranged in the interior of the battery housing, ie on the surface of the battery housing facing the interior.

The risk of plastic deformation of individual components can be reduced if the spacer, the connection body, the pressing body and/or the seal carrier is made entirely or partially of metal, in particular steel, or ceramic.

If, for example, the spacer is made of metal, in particular steel or ceramic, thermal temperature peaks that occur for a short time can be slowed down by this before they spread further in the interior of the battery housing. If, for example, the spacer is made entirely or partially of ceramic, the thermal insulation effect can be at least reduced with respect to the propagation of the temperature in the interior of the battery housing in the direction of the pressing body. This at least reduces the risk of plastic deformation or the occurrence of a leak due to deformation, in particular plastic deformation, of a component of the battery connection device.

Sealing means and sealing element can in principle be of any desired design, provided they fulfill the function of closing a gap prevailing between the two components in each case. In the case of embodiments of the battery connection device, it has proven to be advantageous if the sealing means comprises a sealing disk and/or if the sealing element comprises an O-ring, an elastomer sealing lip or a thread sealing means.

In order to be able to tighten the pressing body in the direction of the battery housing, it proves to be advantageous if the pressing body having the internally threaded section comprises an externally accessible polygonal, in particular hexagonal, actuation section with respect to the axis of rotation of the connection body.

In such a case, the pressing body can be tightened by a tool via the actuating section in the direction of the battery housing and a pressing force can be increased.

Finally, the object is achieved by a motor vehicle with a battery connection device with at least one of the features mentioned above.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from the appended patent claims, from the drawing and the following description of three preferred embodiments of the battery connection device.

• 1 Eine geschnittene Vorderansicht auf ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der Batterieanschlusseinrichtung;
• 2 Eine geschnittene Vorderansicht auf ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der Batterieanschlusseinrichtung;
• 3 Eine geschnittene Vorderansicht auf ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel der Batterieanschlusseinrichtung.

In the drawing shows:

• 1 A sectional front view of a first exemplary embodiment of the battery connection device;
• 2 A sectional front view of a second exemplary embodiment of the battery connection device;
• 3 A sectional front view of a third exemplary embodiment of the battery connection device.

• Die Batterieanschlusseinrichtungen 2 umfassen jeweils ein Batteriegehäuse 4, das jeweils ein Durchgangsloch 6 im Batteriegehäuse 4 umfasst. Durch das Durchgangsloch 6 ist ein Innenraum 8 des Batteriegehäuses 4 mit der Umgebung verbindbar.

the 1 until 3 each show different exemplary embodiments of a battery connection device each provided with the reference number 2 . Before the differences between the different exemplary embodiments are discussed, the components common to the three exemplary embodiments shown are described below:

• The battery connection devices 2 each include a battery housing 4 which includes a through hole 6 in the battery housing 4 . An interior space 8 of the battery housing 4 can be connected to the environment through the through-hole 6 .

A cooling plate 10 comprising at least one cooling channel is arranged in the interior space 8 of the battery housing 4 . A connection body 12 is fixed to the cooling plate 10 and projects through the through-hole 6 of the battery housing 4 with a connection section 14 . The connection section 14 is arranged on an end of the connection body 12 which is remote from the battery housing 4 . The terminal body 12 also includes an externally threaded portion 16 which is located between the through hole 6 of the battery case 4 and the terminal portion 14 . In order to guide a cooling medium in the direction of cooling plate 10 and the at least one cooling channel arranged in cooling plate 10, connection body 12 comprises a cooling medium channel 18, which opens into the cooling channel of cooling plate 10 in order to allow a cooling medium to enter and/or exit in or from the interior 8 of the battery case 4 to the outside of the battery case 4.

The battery connection devices 2 shown also each include a sealing unit 20, which includes at least one sealant 22, which in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures rests directly on the battery housing 4 and through which a gap between the battery housing 4 and another component can be sealed. In addition, the sealing units 20 shown each include a pressing body 24, which can be arranged with an internally threaded section 26 on the externally threaded section 16 of the connection body 12 and through which the system consisting of the battery housing 4, another component and at least one sealant 22 can be subjected to a pressing force.

In addition, all three exemplary embodiments of the battery connection device 2 shown have in common that they comprise a spacer 28 which is arranged in the battery housing 4 and is supported at one end on the cooling plate 10 and at the other end directly or indirectly on the battery housing 4 . The spacer 28 overlaps with the pressing body 24, viewed transversely to the surface of the battery housing 4, and spaces the battery housing 4 and cooling plate 10 without contact with one another.

In addition, the embodiments in the 1 until 3 in common that the spacers 28 shown there are rotationally symmetrical about an axis of rotation 30 of the connector body 12 and surround the connector body 12 in its entirety.

In addition, the shown exemplary embodiments of the battery connection device 2 have in common that the cooling plate 10 comprises a receiving section 32 on the side facing the battery housing 4, in which the connection body 12 and the spacer 28 can be arranged and positioned. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the receiving section 32 is formed by a section set back with respect to the battery housing 4 .

1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the battery connection device 2, in which the sealing unit 20 comprises a seal carrier 34, which is arranged on the side of the pressing body 24 that faces the battery housing 4, resting directly against the latter, and which comprises a socket section 36 extending parallel to the axis of rotation 30, which protrudes at least in sections through the through-hole 6 in the battery housing 4 into the interior 8 of the battery housing 4 and which comprises a contact section 38 which extends transversely or at an angle to the axis of rotation 30 and with which the seal carrier 34 bears indirectly on the battery housing 4.

At the in 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sealing means 22 of the sealing unit 20 is arranged on a surface of the battery housing 4 facing the environment and is clamped on the one hand by the battery housing 4 and on the other hand by the contact section 38 of the seal carrier 34 . The other component includes in the in 1 shown embodiment the seal carrier 34.

In addition, the exemplary embodiment of the battery connection device 2 according to FIG 1 a sealing element 40, which is arranged between the bushing section 36 of the seal carrier 34, which extends parallel to the axis of rotation 30 of the connecting body 12, and the connecting body 12. As a result, a gap between sealing unit 20 and connection body 12 can be sealed.

At the in 1 shown embodiment, the spacer 28 comprises a separate component.

2 shows a second embodiment of the battery connection device 2, according to the embodiment 1 resembles. In contrast to the embodiment according to 1 are in accordance with the embodiment 2 the pressing body 24 and the seal carrier 34 are designed as a common one-piece component. As a result, the pressing body 24, the seal carrier 34 and, in particular, the bushing section 36 and the contact section 38 are formed as a common one-piece component.

3 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the battery connection device 2.

At the in 3 shown embodiment are connecting body 12 and spacer 28 formed as a common one-piece component.

The sealing means 22 of the sealing unit 20 is in the 3 shown embodiment is arranged in the interior 8 of the battery housing 4 and is supported on the one hand on the interior 8 facing surface of the battery housing 4 and on the battery housing 4 end facing the spacer 28 from. The spacer 28 comprises a section of the connection body 12.

Due to the arrangement of the sealant 22 within the interior 8, in 3 shown embodiment can be dispensed with a seal carrier 34. As a result, the sealing unit 20 in the in 3 shown embodiment only the pressing body 24, with which the battery housing 4 in the direction of the spacer 28 can be clamped.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawing can be essential both individually and in any combination in the implementation of the invention in its various embodiments.

Reference List

2

battery connection device

4

battery case

6

through hole

8th

inner space

10

cooling plate

12

connector body

14

connector section

16

male thread section

18

cooling medium channel

20

sealing unit

22

sealant

24

pressing body

26

female thread section

28

spacers

30

axis of rotation

32

recording section

34

seal carrier

36

socket section

38

investment section

40

sealing element

Claims (15)

Battery connection device (2) with a battery housing (4), with a through hole (6) in the battery housing (4) which connects the interior (8) of the battery housing (4) with the environment, with one arranged in the battery housing (4) and at least one Cooling plate (10) comprising a cooling channel, with a connection body (12) which can be fixed to the cooling plate (10) and which has the through-hole (6) of the battery housing (4) with at least one connection section (14) which is connected to one of the battery housing (4 ) facing away from the end of the connection body (12), and which protrudes through the through hole (6) with at least one externally threaded section (16) arranged between the through hole (6) and the connection section (14), which comprises at least one cooling medium channel (18) which The cooling channel of the cooling plate (10) opens out in order to allow a cooling medium to enter and/or exit into or from the interior (8) of the battery housing (4) to the outside of the battery housing (4). en, and with at least one sealing unit (20) which comprises at least one sealing means (22) which rests directly on the battery housing (4) and through which a gap between the battery housing (4) and another component can be sealed, and the at least one Compressing body (24) which can be arranged with an internally threaded section (26) on the externally threaded section (16) of the connecting body (12) and through which the system of battery housing (4), further component and at least at least one sealant (22) can be subjected to a contact pressure. Battery connection device (2) after claim 1 , characterized by at least one spacer (28) which is arranged in the battery housing (4), which is supported with one end on the cooling plate (10) and with another end directly or indirectly on the battery housing (4), which is connected to the pressing body ( 24) - viewed transversely to the surface of the battery housing (4) - overlaps and through which the battery housing (4) and cooling plate (10) can be spaced apart without contact. Battery connection device (2) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the connection body (12) is designed to be rotationally symmetrical about an axis of rotation (30) and/or that the spacer (28) is designed in the manner of a bush and the connection body (12) in relation to the axis of rotation (30) of the connection body (12) in the circumferential direction partially or completely surrounded. Battery connection device (2) according to one of claims 2 or 3 , characterized in that the spacer (28) is permanently fixed to the cooling plate (10), in particular that the spacer (28) is glued, soldered or welded to the cooling plate (10), or that the spacer (28) and the cooling plate (10) form a common one-piece component, in particular that the spacer (28) is formed by a section of the cooling plate (10). Battery connection device (2) according to one of claims 2 or 3 , characterized in that the connector body (12) and the spacer (28) form a common one-piece component, in particular that the spacer (28) is formed by a portion of the connector body (12). Battery connection device (2) according to one of claims 2 until 5 , characterized in that the cooling plate (10) comprises at least one receiving section (32) for the connection body (12) and/or spacer (28), which is formed in particular by a surface section that is recessed with respect to the battery housing (4), the cross section of which with respect to the Axis of rotation (30) of the connecting body (12) corresponding, in particular complementary, to the cross section of the connecting body (12) and / or spacer (28) is formed. Battery connection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing unit (20) comprises at least one seal carrier (34) which is arranged on the side of the pressing body (24) which faces the battery housing (4) and which is parallel to the axis of rotation (30) of the connector body (12), which extends at least in sections through the through-hole (6) of the battery housing (4) into the interior (8) of the battery housing (4), and one transversely or at an angle to the axis of rotation (30), in particular parallel to the battery housing (4), extended contact section (38), with which the seal carrier (34) bears directly or indirectly on the battery housing (4). Battery connection device (2) after claim 7 , characterized in that the seal carrier (34) is rotationally symmetrical and arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation (30) of the connecting body (12). Battery connection device (2) after claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that the sealing unit (20) comprises a sealing element (40) which is arranged between the socket section (36) of the seal carrier (34) extending parallel to the axis of rotation (30) of the connection body (12) and the connection body (12). Battery connection device (2) according to one of Claims 7 until 9 , characterized in that the pressing body (24) and the seal carrier (34) form a common one-piece component, in particular that the seal carrier (34) is formed by a section of the pressing body (24). Battery connection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further component on which the sealing means (22) lying directly on the battery housing (4) rests sealingly the gap between the battery housing (4) and the further component, the seal carrier ( 34), in particular the common one-piece component made up of pressing body (24) and seal carrier (34) and/or the spacer (28), in particular the common one-piece component made up of connection body (12) and spacer (28). Battery connection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (28), the connection body (12), the pressing body (24) and/or the seal carrier (34) are made entirely or partially of metal, in particular steel, or Ceramic is formed. Battery connection device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing means (22) has a sealing disc and/or that the sealing element (40) comprises an O-ring, an elastomeric sealing lip or a thread sealant. Battery connection device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing body (24) having the internally threaded section (26) comprises an externally accessible polygonal, in particular hexagonal, actuating section with respect to the axis of rotation (30) of the connection body (12). Motor vehicle with a battery connection device (2) according to one of Claims 1 until 14 .

Images