KR102462739B1 - Traction battery and electrically powered motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a traction battery (4) for an electrically driven vehicle (2). The traction battery comprises at least two first battery elements 10 arranged in series, each first battery element 10 having a connecting surface 14 on which two terminals 16 are arranged, each A control unit 20 is assigned to one battery element 10 , said control unit being arranged in the region of the connection surface 14 of the assigned first battery element 10 . Furthermore, the traction battery 4 comprises a respective connecting device 22 formed for two adjacent first battery elements 10 , each connecting device having a terminal of the adjacent first battery elements 10 . A bus bar 24 electrically connecting one of the 16 to each other and a data conductor 26 connecting the control units 20 assigned to the adjacent first battery elements 10 to each other in data technology. include The invention also relates to an electrically powered vehicle (2) with such a traction battery (4).

Description

TRACTION BATTERY AND ELECTRICALLY POWERED MOTOR VEHICLE

The present invention relates to a traction battery comprising at least two battery elements and provided for an electric driven vehicle, each battery element having a connection surface on which two terminals are arranged. The invention also relates to an electrically driven vehicle with such a traction battery.

BACKGROUND ART An electric powered vehicle generally has a traction battery, which supplies electrical energy to an electric motor for driving the vehicle. In this case, the electric driving vehicle is, in particular, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that stores energy required for driving only in a traction battery, a range extended electric vehicle (REEV) equipped with a range extender, and a hybrid vehicle (HEV) electric vehicle), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and/or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) that temporarily stores electrical energy generated by a fuel cell in a traction battery.

Suitably such a traction battery is constructed in a modular manner. A traction battery thus comprises a plurality of battery modules, said battery modules also comprising a plurality of battery cells. The battery cells and battery modules of the associated battery module are connected in series and/or parallel with each other so that the traction battery can provide a voltage and current suitable for the operation of the vehicle. The battery modules are electrically connected to each other by bus bars, also called high voltage connectors, at the (module) terminals of the modules.

Also, for example, a control unit, also called a cell management controller, is provided for each battery module. It is used in particular to control the battery cells of the relevant battery module and to collect the measurement data of the sensors inside the module.

An object of the present invention is to provide a particularly suitable traction battery. In particular, the assembly complexity should be reduced. In addition, an electrically powered vehicle with such a traction battery should be provided.

With regard to a traction battery, the above problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 . In the context of an electrically driven vehicle, the above problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 10 . Preferred embodiments and improvements are the subject of the dependent claims. The discussion regarding traction batteries applies similarly to electric powered vehicles and vice versa.

A traction battery is provided and set up for an electric powered vehicle. The traction battery comprises at least two first battery elements arranged one after the other in a column direction. In other words, the at least two first battery elements are arranged in a column direction forming a first (module-) column. The first battery element is preferably housed within the battery housing.

The column direction can in this case be oriented, for example, longitudinally, ie vertically or along the height of the battery element. In other words, the battery elements are substantially stacked on each other. Preferably the column direction is oriented for example transversely, ie horizontally or along the length of the battery element. The description that follows relates in particular to that the column direction is oriented along the battery longitudinal direction.

Each first battery element has a connection surface on which two terminals are arranged. Preferably the contact surface is oriented perpendicular to the bottom of the battery housing of the battery housing. Terminals are used to provide voltage or current. In a suitable manner the normal of the connection face of the first battery element extends along the battery transverse direction, which also extends perpendicular to the battery longitudinal direction. Preferably the contact surfaces are aligned with respect to each other, ie they span a common plane. The terminals are then aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction of the battery.

In addition, a control unit (CMC, cell management controller), in particular for a battery cell or for a sensor inside a module of the first battery element, is assigned to each first battery element, in which case the control unit controls the It is arranged in the area of the connection surface. Preferably, the control unit is arranged between the terminals of the associated first battery element in relation to the longitudinal direction of the battery.

The traction battery also comprises integrally formed respective connecting devices for two first battery elements which are adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the battery. Each connection device includes a bus bar and a data conductor. One of the terminals of the adjacent first battery elements is electrically connected to each other by a bus bar. In other words, the bus bar connects the terminal of one of the first battery elements to one of the terminals of the neighboring battery element. Preferably, terminals adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the battery are electrically connected to each other by a bus bar. The associated data conductor connects the control units assigned to the neighboring first battery elements to each other in a data transfer technique. In this case, data transmission also includes the transmission of signals. In particular, by means of a connecting device, neighboring battery modules are electrically connected and their assigned control units are connected in series with data transmission technology.

A connecting device for two adjacent battery elements in a suitable manner is arranged between the assigned control units.

For example, the connecting device is manufactured by an injection molding process. The bus bar and data conductors are extrusion coated with plastic under the formation of an integral connection device, ie have a (plastic) sheath.

The integral formation of the connection device with the bus bar and the data conductor enables a relatively simple and time-saving assembly and manufacture of the electrical and data transmission technical connections. That is, unlike the assembly of the bus bar and the data conductor as separate parts, only the integral connection device is assembled. In particular, a relatively reliable electrical insulation is additionally realized between the bus bar and the data conductor due to the common sheathing preferably formed of plastic and at the same time due to the defined relative position between the bus bar and the data conductor.

By battery element is meant here and hereinafter in particular a battery module and continues to be referred to as such. The present invention, however, is not limited in its generality and may be dedicated to battery types other than, for example, the connection or assembly of individual battery cells (Single Cell).

In a preferred refinement each connecting device has an elastic region between its bus bar and the data conductor. In a suitable manner, the elastic region is formed by plastics, in particular elastomers or thermoplastics.

For example, different plastics are used for the covering area surrounding the bus bar (plastic), the area surrounding or supporting the data conductor and the elastic area. A multi-component injection molding process is preferably used to manufacture such a connecting device. As an alternative to this, the entire plastic covering is formed by an elastomer.

A mechanical decoupling between the bus bar and the data conductor is realized due to the elastic region. Accordingly, preferably the force acting on the bus bar or the force resulting from the bus bar, for example as a result of its thermal expansion, is not transmitted to the data conductor or is transmitted only in a reduced amount. The resilient region also reduces the influence of mechanical stresses in the battery, assembly space, etc. in the case of torsion of the vehicle, for example due to driving.

In a preferred embodiment, the bus bar - and at least the connecting device in the region of the bus bar - has an arcuate section between its connections for the terminals. This section is particularly pear-shaped and is preferably curved in the battery vertical direction (upward) perpendicular to the battery transverse direction and the battery longitudinal direction. Preferably the connections for the terminals extend parallel to each other.

For this reason, the bus bar is elastically at least slightly compressible or stretchable in a predetermined direction from one of the connections to the other, so that the corresponding forces can be absorbed and/or the tolerances, in particular the length of the bus bar or the connection device, are reduced. can be compensated.

According to a preferred embodiment of the traction battery, the traction battery also comprises at least two second battery modules arranged in two rows in the longitudinal direction of the battery. The first and second rows are thus parallel to each other and the battery modules are preferably aligned with respect to each other in the battery transverse direction. Each second battery module has a connection surface on which two terminals are disposed, and the connection surface of the second battery module faces the connection surface of the first battery module. In summary, the first battery module and the second battery module are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane oriented perpendicular to the battery transverse direction.

Further, each second battery module is assigned a control unit disposed in the area of its connection surface. In particular, between the first battery module and the opposite second battery module are arranged two control units assigned to them in the battery transverse direction.

Two second battery modules adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the battery are electrically connected to each other by a connecting device that electrically connects the first battery modules facing each other to these two second battery modules. In addition, the control units assigned to these two second battery modules are connected to each other in data transmission technology by this connecting device. For this purpose, the connection device has correspondingly additional bus bars or additional data conductors.

In summary, the associated connection device has two bus bars and two data conductors. The terminals of two adjacent first battery modules are electrically connected to each other by one of these two bus bars, and the terminals of two second battery modules facing these first battery modules are connected to the two bus bars of the connecting device. electrically connected to each other by the other. Further, by means of one of the two data conductors, the two control units assigned to the neighboring first battery module are data-technically connected to each other, and by the other of the two data conductors of the associated connecting device to the second battery module. The two assigned control units are connected to each other technically for data transmission. In particular, the two second battery modules are electrically connected in series, and the two control units assigned to them are connected in series in data transmission technology.

Assembly complexity is further reduced due to this integral connection device with two bus bars and two data conductors.

For example, struts or skeletal reinforcement structures are provided within the battery housing, which induce forces acting on the traction battery in the event of a vehicle crash. In a preferred embodiment, each connection device has a recess such as a hole between the data conductors. A recess is provided in particular for each reinforcing dome, to which a battery housing cover, for example of a battery housing, is fixed.

Accordingly, the recess is disposed between the data conductor connecting the control units assigned to the first battery module and the data conductor connecting the control units assigned to the second battery module.

According to a preferred refinement, each connection device has a gripping contour (gripper receptacle) for an automatic gripping robot. By means of the automatic assembly of the connecting device using such a gripping robot, the assembly time is advantageously reduced compared to manual assembly. As an alternative or preferably in addition to the gripping contour, each connecting device has a positioning contour for aligning the connecting device.

The gripping contour and/or the positioning contour are preferably arranged in the region of the bus bar. In a suitable manner, these contours are formed during the injection molding process in the manufacture of the plastic covering of the bus bar.

For example, the control units are technically connected to each other for data transmission by (data-) cables. However, according to a suitable embodiment, each control unit is configured for optical data transmission. For this purpose, each data conductor is formed as an optical waveguide.

According to a preferred refinement, each control unit comprises a respective interface for optical data transmission on an end face oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the battery. In this case, an extension is arranged in the housing of the control unit, preferably at an associated end face, said extension projecting beyond the interface in relation to the longitudinal direction of the battery and protruding upward towards the end face.

For example, the extension has wall sections which project upward perpendicular to the end face and are inclined with respect to the housing floor normal of the housing floor, ie with respect to the battery vertical direction. In particular, the two wall sections form a V-shape. The extension thus serves as a guide during assembly or as a positioning aid. As an alternative, other shapes for positioning aids, such as, for example, clip- or latch connections, are also conceivable.

The extension preferably covers the free end of the data conductor formed as a light pipe in the battery transverse direction. In particular in the assembled state of the traction battery, the free end side of the data conductor protrudes between the wall sections. The free end of the data conductor is arranged, for example, with respect to the LED of the interface or with respect to the (photo-)sensor spaced apart. In the event of a thermal expansion of the bus bar due to a force acting on the connecting device or due to a battery current and, in the case of an optionally accompanying adjustment of the bus bar with respect to the interface, the free end of the data conductor is held in the interface area by means of an extension and/or extended Due to the part and at least some flexibility of the extension keeps it aligned with the interface.

Furthermore, the deposition of contaminants, in particular dust particles, on the interface is prevented or at least reduced by the extension. In summary, the extension performs several functions.

According to a preferred refinement, each control unit has a plug rigidly arranged in the housing of said control unit for a corresponding plug receptacle of an associated battery module. The plug receptacle is arranged on the connecting face of the assigned first or second battery module, suitably between the two terminals. The plug and plug receptacle form a plug connection in the assembled state, in which case no additional cables are required between the battery module and the control unit. Due to this, the assembly complexity is advantageously further reduced. Preferably, the control unit contacts the connection surface in a space-saving manner and is fixed to the battery module by means of a screw-, latch or clip connection, for example. This advantageously increases the positioning reliability of the control device for the assigned battery module.

According to a preferred embodiment, the electric powered vehicle has a traction battery of one of the variants presented above. In particular, not only the neighboring battery modules are electrically connected to each other by the integrally formed connection device, but also the control units assigned to these battery modules are connected to each other in a data transmission technique.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 shows that a control unit is assigned to each battery module, each neighboring battery modules are electrically connected to each other using a connection device and their assigned control units are connected to each other in a data transmission technology, a plurality of first and Schematic illustration of an electric powered vehicle with a traction battery comprising a second battery module.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a row of first battery modules, each first battery module having a connecting surface comprising two terminals and a plug receptacle arranged between the terminals, for a plug of an assigned control unit;
3 is a perspective view of the control units assigned to the first and second battery modules and connected in series with each other in a data transmission technology by means of a connecting device;
Fig. 4a is a perspective plan view showing a connecting device integrally formed with two bus bars and two data conductors;
Fig. 4b is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a connecting device, each having an elastic region between the bus bar and the data conductor;
Fig. 5a is a perspective view in part of one of the control units by way of a first variant of the interface with the control unit of a neighboring control unit for optical data transmission;
Fig. 5b is a perspective view in part of one of the control units by way of a second variant of the interface, in which the housing of the control unit projects beyond the interface and has an extension projecting upward towards the end face;

Parts and sizes corresponding to each other always have the same reference numerals in all drawings.

1 shows an electrically driven vehicle 2 with a traction battery 4 . The traction battery 4 provides at the battery connection 6 a voltage or current for the consumer 7 , for example an electric motor for driving the motor vehicle 2 .

The traction battery 4 comprises a battery housing 8 , in which the first row of battery elements or battery modules 10 extending in the row- or battery longitudinal direction L and oriented parallel thereto A second row of second battery elements or battery modules 12 is accommodated. The second row is arranged offset from the first row in the battery transverse direction (Q). According to the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the traction battery 4 comprises six first battery modules 10 and six second battery modules 12, respectively, in a further unillustrated variant of the traction battery, The traction battery also includes more or less than six first battery modules (10) or second battery modules (12), at least two first battery modules (10) and at least two second battery modules (12) includes

The first battery module 10 and the second battery module 12 are also electrically connected to the battery connection 6 in a manner not shown.

The first battery module 10 and the second battery module 12 each have a connection surface 14 . On each connection surface 14 , two terminals 16 and one plug receptacle 18 are arranged between the two terminals 16 in relation to the longitudinal direction L of the battery. In this case, the connection surfaces 14 of the first battery module 10 each face the connection surfaces 14 of the second battery module 12 facing each other in the battery transverse direction Q, and vice versa. In other words, the connection surfaces 14 of the first battery module 10 face the connection surfaces of the second battery module 12 with respect to the battery transverse direction Q. The contact surfaces 14 are thus oriented perpendicular to the battery transverse direction Q and towards the center of the battery. The connecting surfaces 14 of the first battery module 10 span a common plane, and the connecting surfaces 14 of the second battery module 12 span a plane parallel to this plane.

A control unit 20 is assigned to each of the first battery module 10 and the second battery module 12 , and the control unit is disposed in the area of the connection surface 14 of each assigned battery module 10 or 12 . do. Thereby, these assigned two control units 20 are arranged between one of the first battery modules 10 and the second battery module 12 facing it in the battery transverse direction Q.

A common connecting device ( 22) is provided. The associated connection device 22 has two bus bars 24 and two data conductors 26 , said connection device 22 being integrally formed. To this end, the bus bar 24 and the data conductor 26 are provided with a plastic sheath produced by an injection molding process.

The terminals 16 of the corresponding neighboring first battery modules 10 are electrically connected to each other by one of the two bus bars 24 of the associated connecting device 22 . The terminals 16 of two second battery modules 12 opposite this first battery module 10 by the other of the two bus bars 24 of this connection device 22 are electrically connected to each other. do. The two first battery modules 10 are connected in series with each other. Also, the two second battery modules 12 are electrically connected in series.

The bus bars 24 are respectively fixed to the corresponding terminals 16 by means of screw members 28 .

In addition, by means of one of the two data conductors 26 of this connection device 22 , the two control units 20 assigned to the corresponding first battery module 10 are connected to each other in a data transfer technology, such By way of the other of the two data conductors 26 of the connection device 22 , the two control units 20 assigned to the two second battery modules 12 are connected to each other in a data transfer technique.

In order to improve visibility, the control units 20 (not shown) forward in the battery longitudinal direction L in FIG. 1 are shown in perspective, and the connection device 22 forward in this direction. is not shown.

In FIG. 2 , an enlarged part of this connection of the battery module 10 , 12 and its control units 20 is shown in a perspective view. The second battery module 12 is not shown to improve clarity.

Also, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 2 , the control units 20 have a plug 32 , rigidly arranged in the housing 30 , for the plug receptacle 18 of the associated battery module 10 or 12 . have Plug 32 and plug receptacle 18 form a plug connection in the assembled state. The control units 20 are in contact with the associated connection surface 14 of the corresponding battery module 10 or 12 and are fixed by means of a screw connection.

The arrangement of the control unit 20 between the connecting devices 22 is shown in FIG. 3 . The rearmost control units 20 in the battery longitudinal direction L are connected to each other in data transmission technology by means of a connecting device 22', the data conductor 26 having a U-shape, and the connecting device 22' being It contains only a single bus bar.

According to a further unillustrated variant of the traction battery 4 , only two adjacent first battery modules 10 are electrically connected to each other by means of a connecting device 22 , and their assigned control units 20 ) is technically connected to each other for data transmission, or as an alternative to this, only two adjacent second battery modules 12 are electrically connected to each other, and their assigned control units 20 are technically connected to each other for data transmission do.

One of the connecting devices 22 is shown in relatively detail in FIG. 4A . The connecting device 22 has an arcuate section in the region between the connections 33 of the bus bar 24 for the terminals 16 . The section is curved in the battery vertical direction Z (up) perpendicular to the battery transverse direction Q and the battery longitudinal direction L. In this way the connecting device 22 can be compressed or stretched at least slightly in the battery longitudinal direction L.

The connecting device 22 also has a recess 34 such as a hole between their data conductors 26 through which a reinforcing dome 36 is guided. By means of a reinforcing dome the battery housing bottom 38 is further connectable to a battery housing cover, not shown (see FIG. 1 ). In summary, the data conductor 26 connecting the control units 20 assigned to the first battery module 10 and the data conductor 26 connecting the control units 20 assigned to the second battery module 12 ( 26) a recess 34 is arranged.

The connecting devices 22 have, in the area of their bus bar 24 , a circular gripping contour 40 , for an automatic gripping robot, protruding upward towards the plastic sheath of the bus bar 24 . In addition to the gripping contours 40 , each bus bar 24 has a lug-shaped positioning contour 42 for aligning the connecting devices 22 using a gripping robot (not shown) in the region of the bus bar 24 . .

4b shows an alternative embodiment of the connecting device 22 . In this case, the region 44 between the bus bar 24 and the data conductor 26 is shown in hatching, said region being elastic. The area 44 is formed by an elastomer, and the area of the plastic sheath for the bus bar 24 and the data conductor 26 is formed of a thermosetting- or thermoplastic resin. In this way, the areas of the plastic sheath for the bus bar 24 and the data conductor 26 are mechanically separated.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B , the data transmission between the control units 20 is optical. For this purpose, the data conductor 26 is formed as an optical waveguide. The control units 20 have a light source 50 embodied as an LED (light emitting diode), a light sensor 52 and a substrate 54 on their end faces 46 oriented perpendicular to the battery longitudinal direction L. It has an interface 48 that includes

A first variant of the interface 48 is shown in an enlarged part in FIG. 5A . In this case, the interface 48 , ie the light source 50 , the optical sensor 52 and the substrate 54 , is surrounded and protected from damage by an extension 56 , which protrudes upwardly towards the housing 30 .

According to the alternative embodiment of FIG. 5B , the extension 56 projects beyond the interface 48 with respect to the battery longitudinal direction L and projects upward towards the end face 46 . The extension 56 is formed in two parts and has two wall sections inclined with respect to the battery vertical direction Z. The two wall sections form a V-shape. Further, the wall sections of the extension 56 surround both sides of the free end of the data conductor 26 formed as a light pipe in the battery transverse direction Q. In other words, the data conductor 26 protrudes between the wall sections of the extension 56 on the free end side. In this case, the free end of the data conductor 26 is spaced apart from the interface 48 .

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Rather, other modifications of the invention may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, all individual features described in connection with the embodiments can also be combined with each other in other ways without departing from the subject matter of the present invention.

2: car 4: traction battery
6: battery connection part 7: consumer
8: battery housing 10: first battery element / battery module
12: second battery element/battery module 14: connection surface
16: terminal 18: plug receptacle
20: control unit 22, 22': connection device
24: bus bar 26: data conductor
28: screw member 30: housing
32: plug 33: connection part
34: recess 36: reinforcement dome
38: battery housing bottom 40: gripping contour
42: positioning contour 44: elastic area
46: end face 48: interface
50: light source 52: light sensor
54: substrate 56: extension
L: Heat-/Long-Battery Q: Horizontal-Battery
Z: battery vertical direction

Claims (10)

A traction battery (4) for an electrically driven vehicle (2), comprising:
- at least two first battery elements (10) arranged one after another in the column direction (L), each said first battery element (10) having a connection surface (14) on which two terminals (16) are arranged, at least two, wherein each said first battery element (10) is assigned a control unit (20), said control unit being arranged in the region of said connection surface (14) of the assigned first battery element (10) a first battery element 10; and,
- each connecting device (22) integrally formed for two adjacent first battery elements (10), each connecting device (22) comprising a bus bar (24) and a data conductor (26) wherein the bus bar electrically connects one of the terminals 16 of the adjacent first battery elements 10 to each other, and the data conductor is assigned to the adjacent first battery elements 10 . a connection device 22 , which connects the control units 20 to each other in a data transfer technology
A traction battery comprising a. 2. Traction battery according to claim 1, characterized in that each connecting device (22) has an elastic region (44) between its bus bar (24) and its data conductor (26). 3. Traction battery according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bus bar (24) has an arcuate section between its connections (33) for the terminals (16). 3. The traction battery according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least two secondary battery elements (12) arranged one after the other in the column direction (L),
- each second battery element 12 has a connecting surface 14 on which two terminals 16 are arranged,
- the connection surface 14 of the second battery element 12 faces the connection surface of the first battery element 10;
- each second battery element 12 is assigned a control unit 20 arranged in the region of its connecting surface 14;
- an additional bus bar 24 of the connecting device 22 assigned to the first battery elements 10 opposite to the two neighboring second battery elements 12 . ), the control units 20 , which are electrically connected to each other by means of an additional data conductor 26 of the connecting device 22 , and assigned to the neighboring second battery elements 12 , transfer data to each other technically Traction battery, characterized in that connected. 5. Traction battery according to claim 4, characterized in that each connection device (22) has a hole-shaped recess (34) between its data conductors (26). Traction battery according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each connecting device (22) has a gripping profile (40), or a positioning profile (42), or a gripping profile and a positioning profile. 5. Traction battery according to claim 4, characterized in that each control unit (20) is configured for optical data transmission, and each data conductor (26) is formed as an optical waveguide. 8. The control unit according to claim 7, wherein each control unit (20) comprises a respective interface (48) for optical data transmission on an end face (46) oriented perpendicular to the column direction (L), said control unit ( Traction battery, characterized in that in the housing (30) of 20) an extension (56) is arranged which projects beyond the associated interface (48) and which projects upward towards the end face (46). 9. The housing (30) according to claim 8, wherein each control unit (20) is for plug connection with a plug receptacle (18) of an associated battery module (10, 12), arranged on the connection surface (14). A traction battery, characterized in that it has a plug (32) rigidly disposed on the An electric powered vehicle (2) with a traction battery (4) according to claim 1 or 2).

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