DE102022118389A1 - Container for holding a thermally conductive compound, battery module, battery and method for filling a thermally conductive compound into a specific area of a battery - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (10) for holding a thermally conductive compound (23) for a battery module (16). The container (10) comprises at least one chamber (12) which can be filled with the heat-conducting compound (23), which has a releasable outlet opening (12a) and a closure element (18) by means of which the outlet opening (12a) is closed or can be closed, the Container (10) has a fluid line (20) which is fluidically connected to the chamber (12) and has a line opening (22) for supplying a fluid, the container (10) being designed for integration into a battery module (16) having a plurality of battery cells (14). is and is set up so that when the heat-conducting compound (23) is accommodated in the at least one chamber (12) and the fluid is supplied to the line opening (22) of the fluid line (20) under a certain pressure, at least part of the heat-conducting compound ( 23) is pressed out of the released outlet opening (12a) by the pressure of the supplied fluid.

Description

The invention relates to a container for holding a thermally conductive compound for a battery module. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a battery module, a battery and a method for filling a thermally conductive compound into a specific area of a battery with a battery module.

In today's battery systems, especially for electric vehicles, a thermal conductive compound is used to dissipate heat from the battery modules, which can also be referred to as a gap filler or thermal interface material. This gap filler is typically inserted between such a battery module and, for example, a cooling plate or a cooling device. For example, before the modules are assembled, the gap filler is applied to the modules or the cell bases or to the battery base, which provides the cooling device. When screwing or fastening the modules, the problem arises that the gap filler is not completely compressed and has a negative effect on the holding force and/or the screwing situation. If the gap filler is not sufficiently compressed or continues to flow during module assembly in the battery system, the strength of the module can be jeopardized if the gap filler continues to flow and the screw preload force is reduced. It can therefore happen that a module that is supposedly securely screwed or fastened comes loose. It is also conceivable to subsequently introduce the gap filler through injection channels. Correspondingly large and complex geometries are necessary in order to get the gap filler to the desired locations. Gapfiller also undesirably remains in the supply channels, which means that more gap filler is required overall and the weight of the battery ultimately manufactured increases.

It would therefore be desirable to bring such a gap filler to a desired location in a battery in a simpler manner without jeopardizing the strength of the battery module.

The US 2020/0067156 A1 describes a battery with a plurality of battery modules and a plurality of heat sinks with a hollow structure through which a cooling liquid can flow, the plurality of heat sinks being selectively arranged on a support frame and facing the battery modules. A heat-conducting medium with a lamella structure is arranged between the heat sink and a battery module.

However, a heat-conducting medium with such a lamella structure requires a lot of space.

The US 2020/0243927 describes a method for forming a thermal interface arrangement in a power module with at least one battery module and a cooling plate, wherein a thermal interface material is arranged on a surface of the cooling plate, an embedded heater is arranged on the thermal interface material and the battery module the embedded heater is arranged, and wherein the embedded heater is used to cure the thermal interface material.

Such an integrated heating device also requires a lot of additional space.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a container, a battery module, a battery and a method which allow the introduction of a thermally conductive compound into a specific area of a battery in the simplest and most efficient manner possible.

This task is solved by a container, a battery module, a battery and a method with the features according to the respective independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

A container according to the invention for holding a thermally conductive compound for a battery module has at least one chamber that can be filled with the thermally conductive compound, the chamber having a releasable outlet opening and a closure element by means of which the outlet opening is closed or can be closed, the container having a fluid line fluidly connected to the chamber with a line opening for supplying a fluid, wherein the container is designed for integration into a battery module having a plurality of battery cells and is set up so that when the heat-conducting mass is accommodated in the at least one chamber and the fluid is under a certain pressure of the line opening of the fluid line is supplied, at least part of the thermally conductive mass is pressed out of the released outlet opening by the pressure of the supplied fluid.

The container according to the invention has the great advantage that it can be easily integrated into a battery module, for example arranged between the battery cells. Several such containers can certainly be provided in a battery module. Such a container functions, so to speak, as a gap filler cartridge, which is prefilled with gap filler and from which the gap filler is supplied via the fluid supplied to the fluid line is different from the gap filler itself, can be pushed out and thus inserted into the desired area. Due to the possibility of integrating the container into a battery module, the flow paths of the gap filler, i.e. the heat-conducting compound, are advantageously shortened, which enables a particularly gentle and uniform introduction of the heat-conducting compound into the desired area. In addition, complicated formation of complex channels in the module itself can be dispensed with. In addition, a fluid, such as air, can be used to force the thermal mass out of the container through the outlet opening. This means that no residue of the thermally conductive compound remains in the container. This can save both thermal mass and weight. The container also advantageously enables an introduction method for introducing the thermally conductive compound, in which the battery module can be screwed to a battery housing or to the cooling plate beforehand, that is, before the thermally conductive compound is pressed out of the container by the pressure of the fluid. This makes it easy to implement hard screw cases, and the stability and strength of the module or the entire battery arrangement can be permanently guaranteed. This enables safe, controllable assembly of battery modules in the battery system as well as targeted introduction of the heat-conducting compound through a pre-assembled cartridge in the battery module, which is provided by the container described. In addition, no large and complex channels are necessary for the introduction of gap fillers through the module. Overall, this makes it possible to introduce the heat-conducting compound in a particularly simple and efficient manner.

The thermally conductive material can be the gap filler described above, which can also be referred to as a thermal interface material. The heat-conducting compound can be filled into the at least one chamber of the container in a viscous state. In addition, the heat-conducting compound is designed to be curable. The heat-conducting compound can, for example, harden after it has been pressed out of the outlet opening. The thermally conductive compound can be designed in such a way that it hardens so slowly that a battery module with an integrated container that is already filled with thermally conductive compound can be temporarily stored at least for a short time without the thermally conductive compound completely hardening. If necessary, a heating device can also be integrated into the container, for example a heating wire or similar, in order to slightly warm or heat the heat-conducting mass contained in the chamber before it exits through the outlet opening in order to reduce the viscosity and to prevent it from emerging from the outlet opening facilitate. The heat-conducting compound can preferably have a viscosity that is higher than, for example, that of water, in particular significantly higher, i.e. by one or more orders of magnitude. In principle, any liquid or any gas or gas mixture can be supplied to the fluid line as the fluid for pushing out the heat-conducting material. The advantage of using a liquid is that it is usually significantly more incompressible than a gas. This makes it easier to provide higher fluid pressures, which makes it easier to push the heat-conducting compound out of the container. If a liquid is used as a fluid, it can also remain permanently in the container, in particular in the fluid line. The use of a gas or gas mixture as a fluid has the advantage that it is significantly lighter than a liquid after the heat-conducting material has been pressed out, if such a gas remains at least partially in the fluid line. In addition, the use of air as a fluid is very simple and inexpensive.

The fluid line can basically have only a single line opening for supplying the fluid or optionally several. Except for the line openings through which the fluid is supplied and the outlet opening or the optionally several outlet openings through which the heat-conducting compound exits the container, the container should not have any other openings fluidly connected to the interior of the fluid line. As a result, the pressure generated by the supplied fluid can be optimally transferred to the heat-conducting compound in order to press it out of the outlet opening.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the container is intended for integration between two battery cells of a battery module. A battery module can, for example, have several battery cells arranged next to one another in a stacking direction, for example prismatic battery cells or pouch cells. The container can therefore be arranged between two such battery cells arranged next to one another in the stacking direction. Accordingly, the container is designed to be as flat as possible in the stacking direction. In other words, the container can have dimensions in a first and second direction perpendicular to this stacking direction that are significantly larger than a thickness of the container in the stacking direction. This enables a particularly space-saving arrangement and integration of the container into such a battery module. The battery cells and the container can be arranged in relation to a cooling plate in such a way that an underside of such a battery module and correspondingly also an underside of the cells included in the battery module and an underside of the Container facing this cooling plate. In this constellation, the outlet opening of the container can preferably be located on the underside of the battery module, so that the heat-conducting compound can be pressed out in the direction of the cooling plate and is thus distributed in the gap between the underside of the battery module and the cooling plate.

In principle, the outlet openings can also be positioned differently in order to enable not only an exit of the heat-conducting compound from the underside, but alternatively or additionally also a side exit, for example in and/or against the first direction. This is advantageous, for example, if heat sinks or cooling plates are arranged laterally with respect to the second direction next to the battery modules and a corresponding gap between the battery module and such a lateral cooling plate is to be filled with heat-conducting compound.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the container has a plurality of chambers for receiving the heat-conducting compound, the plurality of chambers being arranged next to one another in a first direction and each having a releasable outlet opening. The individual chambers can be spatially separated from one another in the first direction, for example by partition walls or separating webs. The subdivision of the receiving space into individual chambers has the advantage that when supplying the fluid to push out the heat-conducting compound, the probability that a fluid bubble will push through the heat-conducting compound to the outlet opening is significantly reduced. The segmentation of the receiving space for receiving the heat-conducting compound in the individual chambers can, for example, be designed to be adapted to the viscosity of the heat-conducting compound. This ensures that the heat-conducting material emerges reliably. The width of the chamber arrangement, i.e. the entirety of all the chambers provided, in the first direction can correspond to a width of a battery cell of the battery module. This makes it possible for the heat-conducting compound to emerge from the respective outlet openings evenly distributed across the width of a battery module. It is further preferred that such an outlet opening assigned to a respective chamber extends in the first direction as far as the assigned respective chamber itself. In other words, the outlet opening should be as wide in the first direction as the assigned chamber. The outlet opening can, for example, be designed in the shape of a slot, that is to say elongated with a longitudinal extension direction in the first direction. In this way, the outlet opening can be made particularly large in the first direction, which facilitates the exit of the heat-conducting compound, and in addition this enables a particularly uniform exit of the heat-conducting compound across the width of the battery module.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the plurality of releasable outlet openings can be closed or closed by the one common closure element, in particular wherein the closure element is designed as a film which is designed to be removable and/or which provides a predetermined breaking point. The multiple outlet openings can therefore be closed by a film strip as a closure element. However, it is also conceivable to close a respective outlet opening using a separate film as a closure element. However, a common closure element for all outlet openings simplifies the production and, above all, the opening of the outlet openings, especially if this is to be done by removing the film before installation in the battery module. Before the heat-conducting compound is to be pressed out or before the container is even installed in the battery module, the film can be removed, for example the film strip can simply be pulled off, which then exposes all outlet openings. The high viscosity of the heat-conducting compound prevents the heat-conducting compound from escaping from the outlet openings solely due to the influence of gravity without supplying the fluid to the fluid line. It is also conceivable to design the film as a predetermined breaking point. In this case the film does not need to be removed. By introducing the fluid into the fluid line and the resulting pressure of the heat-conducting compound on the film, the film gives way and tears or bursts or is pushed away or separated from the respective chamber undersides, whereby the respective outlet openings are automatically released.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fluid line has a first line section and a second line section, which are fluidly connected to one another, the first line section comprising the line opening and the second line section extending in the first direction, with respect to a second direction above the plurality of Chambers is arranged and is fluidly connected to the plurality of chambers. The first direction and the second direction can be perpendicular to one another, for example. This enables a particularly simple supply of the fluid into the first line section, via which the fluid is then introduced into a transverse channel providing the second line section, via which the fluid can be distributed evenly over the several chambers in order to pass over the heat-conducting material located in the chambers the respective exit openings to push out. The first line section is preferably located at one end of the second line section viewed in the first direction. In particular, a third line section can also be provided, which also runs in the second direction, that is to say parallel to the first line section, and which is fluidly connected to the other end of the second line section.

The first line section, the second line section and the third line section thus form a U-shaped structure, so to speak. The third line section can also have a line opening through which a fluid can be supplied. Optionally, the third line section can also simply be designed to be tight or a solid web can be provided instead of a third line section. In this case too, the U-shaped structure has the advantage that it provides a receiving area, so to speak, which can be used to accommodate a cell separating element. This allows the container to be integrated between battery cells in a particularly space-efficient manner.

Therefore, it represents a further very advantageous embodiment of the invention if the container has a receiving area for receiving a cell separating element, in particular a rectangular or flat, cuboid cell separating element, in particular wherein the container has a cell separating element received in the receiving area, and wherein the fluid line and the at least one chamber forms at least part of a frame that delimits the cell separation element in and against the first direction and at least against the second direction. The container with the cell separating element accommodated in the receiving area can therefore have a substantially cuboid geometry. This can also be adapted, at least approximately, to the dimensions of one side of a battery cell. The cell separator element can in turn implement further additional functions within the battery module. For example, the cell separating element can be designed to be thermally insulating. The cell separating element can also have certain deformable and/or elastic properties to compensate for swelling. The cell separating element can also be designed to be electrically insulating. This means that the area between two cells of a battery module can be used particularly efficiently.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a battery module with a container according to the invention or one of its embodiments. The advantages mentioned for the container according to the invention and its configurations therefore apply equally to the battery module according to the invention.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the battery module, the battery module has a plurality of battery cells arranged next to one another in a third direction, the container being arranged between at least two battery cells of the plurality of battery cells arranged adjacent to one another in the third direction, in particular wherein the battery module has a plurality of the containers, wherein One of the containers is arranged between two battery cells arranged adjacent to one another in the third direction. This is particularly advantageous because only an extremely small volume has to be provided per container to accommodate the heat-conducting compound, since many such containers can be integrated into a battery module. The containers are therefore arranged particularly evenly distributed over a battery module, which reduces the flow paths to be covered by the thermally conductive compound to fill a gap between the battery module and a cooling plate.

In a further very advantageous embodiment of the invention, a respective battery cell has a cell underside which delimits the respective battery cell against the second direction, the container having a container underside which delimits the container against the second direction and which in particular has the outlet opening, the Container is arranged such that the bottom of the container is arranged above the bottom of the cell in the second direction. This has the great advantage that in this way the underside edges of the battery cells and part of the space between two battery cells, which adjoins the undersides of the cells, can also be filled with the thermally conductive compound. The thermal connection of the battery cells to a cooling plate is therefore particularly efficient.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a battery for a motor vehicle, which has a battery module according to the invention or one of its embodiments. It is further preferred that the battery has a carrier, which is designed in particular as a cooling plate, with the battery module being arranged in relation to the carrier in such a way that there is between the battery module, in particular between the respective cell undersides of the battery cells, and the carrier there is a gap filled or to be filled with the thermally conductive compound.

When the battery is finished, the gap between the battery module and the carrier is filled with thermally conductive compound. In a state in which the container or containers are installed in the battery module and the battery module is inserted into the battery housing, but the heat-conducting compound is not yet out of the corresponding chambers has been pushed out, the gap between the battery module and the carrier is not yet filled with the thermally conductive compound.

This is particularly advantageous since a gap between a battery module and a carrier functioning as a cooling device can be filled with thermally conductive compound in a particularly simple manner. This makes it possible to provide a particularly good thermal coupling of the battery module to such a carrier. This in turn enables particularly efficient heat dissipation from the battery module. The carrier can, for example, have cooling channels through which a coolant can flow. Furthermore, the carrier can be provided, for example, by a bottom of a battery housing. In addition, not only one battery module, but also, for example, several battery modules, each with several battery cells, can be arranged in such a battery housing. The battery can be used, for example, to form a high-voltage battery for a motor vehicle. The battery cells can be designed as lithium-ion cells, for example. The battery housing can also optionally be divided into several receiving areas, with a respective receiving area being assigned to a battery module which is received in the receiving area. These recording areas can also be spatially separated from one another by optional partitions of the battery housing. The battery module or battery modules can be fixed, for example screwed, with their respective module housings to the overall battery module housing, for example to the carrier or to the said partitions or side walls of the battery housing. This process of attaching or fixing the battery modules to the battery housing preferably takes place before the heat-conducting compound is filled into the gap between a respective battery module and the carrier. This makes it possible to implement tough screwing cases and provide a particularly stable battery system.

The gap between the battery module and the carrier that provides the gap can also be designed to be sealed by means of a seal. Such a circumferential seal can advantageously prevent the heat-conducting compound from flowing laterally out of the gap. This creates a defined cavity that can be filled with the heat-conducting compound. A ventilation opening can also be provided to allow air to escape from the cavity when it is filled through the heat-conducting compound.

Furthermore, a motor vehicle with a battery according to the invention or one of its embodiments should also be viewed as belonging to the invention.

The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for filling a thermally conductive compound into a specific area of a battery with a battery module. A container is provided which has at least one chamber filled with the heat-conducting compound with an outlet opening that is closed and releasable by a closure element and a fluid line with a line opening that is fluidly connected to the at least one chamber. Furthermore, the container is arranged in the battery module and a fluid is supplied into the fluid line through the line opening under a certain pressure, so that at least part of the thermally conductive mass is pressed out of the released outlet opening by the certain pressure of the fluid supplied and filled into the specific area of the battery .

Here too, the advantages described in connection with the container according to the invention and its embodiments, as well as the battery module according to the invention and the battery according to the invention and their embodiments apply equally to the method according to the invention.

Arranging the container in the battery module preferably takes place before the fluid is supplied to the fluid line. In addition, the battery module is preferably first fixed in a battery housing, for example screwed, before the fluid is introduced into the fluid line.

The invention also includes developments of the method according to the invention, which have features as have already been described in connection with the developments of the container according to the invention, the battery module according to the invention and the battery according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding developments of the method according to the invention are not described again here.

The invention also includes the combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes implementations that each have a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

• 1 eine schematische und perspektivische Darstellung eines Behälters gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;
• 2 eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung eines Teils des Behälters aus 1 gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung; und
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines Teils einer Batterie mit einem Batteriemodul und integrierten Behältern gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

Examples of embodiments of the invention are described below. This shows:

• 1 a schematic and perspective view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 a schematic cross-sectional representation of part of the container 1 according to an embodiment of the invention; and
• 3 a schematic representation of part of a battery with a battery module and integrated containers according to an embodiment of the invention.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another and which also further develop the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention that have already been described.

In the figures, the same reference numerals designate functionally identical elements.

1 shows a schematic representation of a container 10 for holding a thermally conductive compound according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this example, the container 10 has several chambers 12 that can be filled with a thermally conductive compound. For reasons of clarity, only some of the chambers 12 are provided with a reference number. The chambers 12 are arranged next to each other in a first direction, which corresponds here to the y-direction shown. In the illustrated state of the container 10, the heat-conducting compound can already be located in the chambers 12. In this example, a respective chamber 12 also has a cuboid structure. The dimensions of the chambers 12 and in particular of the entire container 10 are significantly larger in the y-direction and z-direction shown here than in the x-direction shown. This means that the container 10 can be placed particularly easily between battery cells 14 (cf. 3 ) of a battery module 16 (see also 3 ) integrate. The container 10 therefore provides a cartridge, so to speak, which is constructed or comprises small chambers 12, which in turn are pre-filled with Gapfiller. The size of the chambers 12 depends on the surface tension of the gap filler, that is, it can be selected depending on the surface tension of the gap filler and/or its viscosity. The segmentation of the total receiving volume provided by the container 10 for receiving the gap filler through the individual chambers is intended to prevent the pressure medium, which is also referred to below as fluid, from breaking through the gap filler.

2 shows again a schematic cross-sectional representation of a part of the container 10 1 . 1 and 2 are discussed together below. A respective chamber 12 has an outlet opening 12a on the bottom. The chambers 12, in particular their outlet openings 12a, are closed at the bottom with a film 18. The film 18 is an example of a closure element for closing the outlet openings 12a. The film 18 therefore extends in the y direction over all outlet openings 12a of the respective chambers 12. The film 18 can be removed, for example, before the modules are assembled, via a tab 18a, which is provided by part of the film 18 or is connected to this film 18. Alternatively, the film 18 can also be designed in such a way that it is torn off when the gap filler is pressed in. The gap filler is designated 23 here. In order to be able to press the gap filler 23 located in the chambers 12 out of the respective ultimately released outlet openings 12a, the container 10 also has a fluid line 20. This in turn comprises a first line section 20a and a second line section 20b. This can also have an optional third line section 20c. In this example, the first and the optional third line sections 20a, 20c include a line opening 22 through which a fluid can be supplied to the fluid line 20. Above the chambers 12 filled with Gapfiller 23 there is a connecting web which is provided by the already mentioned second line section 20b and which fluidly connects the first and third line sections 20a, 20c to one another, and which is also fluidly connected to the individual chambers 12 . The gap filler 23, which is located in the chambers 12, is supplied with the pressure medium or fluid via this connecting web 20b. The pressure medium can be supplied from the module surface via supply lines that are provided by the first line section 20a and the optional third line section 20c, in particular via the mentioned line openings 22. A gas or a gas mixture, for example air, can be used as the pressure medium. It is also possible to use a mixture of a non-conductive fluid, in particular a liquid, and a gas.

The connecting web 20b acts as a distribution channel for the print medium. This allows the fluid pressure of the pressure medium to be distributed particularly evenly across the chambers 12 filled with the gap filler 23.

Furthermore, in this example, the chambers 12 and the fluid line 20 are geometrically designed in such a way that they have a U-shaped geometry, so to speak. This provides a receiving area 24, in particular a cuboid-shaped receiving area 24, in which a cell separating element 26 is received in this example. This cell separating element 26 can provide thermal insulation between the cells 14 (cf. 3 ) serve. This element, namely the container 10, can thus be combined with such a cell separating element 26, which is used for thermal insulation between the cells 14.

3 shows a schematic representation of part of a battery 28, for example a high-voltage battery 28, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. This battery 28 has a battery housing 30, which in turn includes a housing base 32, which is also designed here as a cooling plate 34. Furthermore, the housing 30 can provide several receiving areas 36 into which battery modules 16 can be accommodated. These receiving areas 36 can be spatially separated from one another by partitions 38 as part of the battery housing 30. In the present example, a battery module 16 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is arranged in such a receiving area 36. The battery module 16 in turn has a plurality of battery cells 14, in this example prismatic, arranged next to one another in the x direction. The battery cells 14 can in turn be arranged in a module housing 40, which has two end plates 42 that delimit the battery module 16 in and against the x direction. The end plates 42 can form a frame together with two side plates that delimit the battery module 16 in and against the y direction. The module housing 40 can be open on the underside. The undersides 14a of the respective battery cells 14 thus also simultaneously define a part of the underside 16a of the battery module 16. The battery module 16 is further arranged in relation to the housing base 32 in such a way that there is a gap 44 between the underside 16a of the battery module 16 and the housing base 32 results, which is to be filled with the thermally conductive compound 23 or is filled with the thermally conductive compound 23 in the finished state of the battery 28. A respective element 10, namely the container 10 described, is arranged between the individual cells 14 in the cell module 16, which provides the cartridge 10 filled with Gapfiller 23. Optionally, such a container 10 can also optionally be arranged between an end plate 42 and the battery cell 14 arranged adjacent to it. In the following, the container 10 is therefore also partly referred to as a cartridge 10.

This element or the container 10 can be combined with a cell separation element 26 as described. When assembling the battery modules 16, that is to say when producing such an individual battery module 16, the gap filler cartridges 10, that is to say the respective containers 10, are installed with the cell separating elements 26 or as a combined component in the battery module 16. After the completion of a module 16, that is, after completion of such a battery module 16, it can also be stored temporarily, if it is not yet installed in the battery 28 or in the housing 30, without being in the cartridge 10 or the Gapfiller 23 contained in container 10 hardens.

The lower end of the cartridge 10 or the container 10, that is, the respective container underside 10a, is offset upwards in the z-direction relative to the cell bottom, that is, the cell undersides 14a, so that the gap filler 23 can be distributed among the cells 14 can penetrate, as in 3 illustrated. In this example, the geometry of the cartridge 10 is designed such that no gap filler 23 can emerge upwards or in the direction of the sides, that is, in or against the y direction. However, this may still be desirable in other system designs. In other words, the cartridge 10 can also be designed in such a way that a gap filler exit in or against the y direction from one or more such chambers 12 is possible. The orientation of the gap filler cartridge 10 can also be arranged horizontally, for example if cooling elements are introduced between the cells 14. The gap filler can also be pressed out in directions other than downwards, for example upwards or up and down and to the sides.

When installing the battery module 16 in the battery housing 30, the procedure can be as follows: When installing the battery modules 16 in the overall system, that is, in the battery 28, for example, the film 18 at the lower end of the cartridge 10 is first removed. Alternatively, the film 18 can also be left on the cartridge 10 and will then be pushed away when the gap filler 23 is pressed, i.e. when the pressure medium is introduced into the fluid line 20. In this case, the film 18 is designed as a predetermined breaking point. The module 16 is now screwed together “dry” without gap filler 23. In other words, the module 16 is first fastened to the housing 30, in particular screwed, without being in it ultimately screwed state of the battery module 16 gap filler 23 in the gap 44 between the module 16 and the carrier 32. This means that a safe screw connection can be achieved. Only after screwing is pressure applied to the gap filler cartridge 10 via the supply lines 20a, 20c. The gap filler 23 can thus be pressed out of the respective cartridges 10 under the cells 14 and ensure thermal contact between them and the cooled base 32 of the battery system 28. The emerging gap filler 23 completely fills the gap 44 between the battery module 16 and the base 32. To ensure that the gap filler 23 does not penetrate into unwanted areas, sealing elements 46 can also be introduced on the module base 16a, which seal against the battery base 32. In other words, this sealing element 46 completely and closedly surrounds the bottom 16a of the battery module 16 in the edge area. This creates a closed cavity through the gap 44, which is filled with gap filler 23.

Overall, the examples show how the invention can provide a module-integrated gap filler cartridge. To ensure that the battery modules are fastened, they are first dry screwed into the battery system with a defined gap without gap fillers. An element is inserted between the cells in the cell module, which on the one hand optionally accommodates a cell separator element and on the other hand provides a cartridge with gap filler. Using an appropriate channel guide, pressure can be exerted on the gap filler using compressed air or another highly viscous medium, which then presses itself into the corresponding gap between the battery base and the cell assembly.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of 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.

Cited patent literature

• US 20200067156 A1 [0004]
• US 20200243927 [0006]

Claims (10)

Container (10) for holding a thermally conductive compound (23) for a battery module (16), characterized in that - the container (10) has at least one chamber (12) which can be filled with the thermally conductive compound (23), - the chamber (12) has a releasable outlet opening (12a) and a closure element (18) by means of which the outlet opening (12a) is closed or can be closed; - wherein the container (10) has a fluid line (20) which is fluidically connected to the chamber (12) and has a line opening (22) for supplying a fluid, - wherein the container (10) is designed for integration into a battery module having a plurality of battery cells (14). (16) is designed and is set up so that when the heat-conducting mass (23) is accommodated in the at least one chamber (12) and the fluid is supplied to the line opening (22) of the fluid line (20) under a certain pressure, at least one Part of the heat-conducting compound (23) is pressed out of the released outlet opening (12a) by the pressure of the supplied fluid. container (10). Claim 1 , characterized in that the container (10) has a plurality of chambers (12) for receiving the heat-conducting compound (23), the plurality of chambers (12) being arranged next to one another in a first direction (y) and each having a releasable outlet opening (12a). . container (10). Claim 2 , characterized in that the plurality of releasable outlet openings (12a) can be closed or closed by the one common closure element (18), in particular wherein the closure element (18) is designed as a film (18) which is designed to be removable and/or which has a predetermined breaking point provides. Container (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid line (20) has a first line section (20a) and a second line section (20b) which are fluidly connected to one another, the first line section (20a) having the line opening ( 22) and wherein the second line section (20b) runs in the first direction (y), is arranged above the plurality of chambers (12) with respect to a second direction (z) and is fluidly connected to the plurality of chambers (12). Container (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (10) has a receiving area (24) for receiving a cell separating element (26), in particular a rectangular cell separating element (26), in particular wherein the container (10) is a has a cell separating element (26) accommodated in the receiving area (24), the fluid line (20) and the at least one chamber (12) forming at least part of a frame which holds the cell separating element (26) in and against the first direction (y) and at least limited against the second direction (z). Battery module (16) with a container (10) according to one of the preceding claims. Battery module (16). Claim 6 , characterized in that the battery module (16) has a plurality of battery cells (14) arranged next to one another in a third direction (x), the container (10) being between at least two of the battery cells (14) arranged adjacent to one another in the third direction (x). is arranged, in particular wherein the battery module (16) has several of the containers (10), one of the containers (10) being arranged between two of the battery cells (14) arranged adjacent to one another in the third direction (x). Battery module (16) according to one of the Claims 6 or 7 , characterized in that a respective battery cell (14) has a cell underside (14a) which delimits the respective battery cell (14) against the second direction (z), the container (10) having a container underside (10a) which delimits the container (10) limited against the second direction (z) and which in particular has the outlet opening (12a), the container (10) being arranged such that the container bottom (10a) in the second direction (z) above the cell bottom (14a) is arranged. Battery (28) for a motor vehicle with a battery module (16) according to one of Claims 6 until 8th , characterized in that the battery (28) has a carrier (32), which is designed in particular as a cooling plate (34), the battery module (16) being arranged in relation to the carrier (32) in such a way that between the Battery module (16), in particular between the respective cell undersides (14) of the battery cells (14), and the carrier (32), there is a gap (44) filled or to be filled with the thermally conductive compound (23). Method for filling a thermally conductive compound (23) into a specific area (44) of a battery (28) with a battery module (16), characterized by the steps - providing a container (10) which has at least one chamber filled with the thermally conductive compound (23). (12) with an outlet opening (12a) that is closed and releasable by a closure element (18) and one with at least one Chamber (12) fluidly connected fluid line (20) with a line opening (22); - Arranging the container (10) in the battery module (16); and - supplying a fluid into the fluid line (20) through the line opening (22) under a certain pressure, so that at least part of the heat-conducting mass (23) is pressed out of the released outlet opening (12a) by the pressure of the supplied fluid and into the specific one Area (44) of the battery (28) is filled.

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