US 11,784,373 B2
Method and support device for supporting a battery housing when inserting a battery module
Michael Frauenhofer, Aichach (DE); Marc Gormanns, Erlenbach (DE); Ruben Heid, Bammental (DE); and Oliver Schieler, Gaimersheim (DE)
Assigned to AUDI AG, Ingolstadt (DE)
Filed by AUDI AG, Ingolstadt (DE)
Filed on Sep. 7, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/468,147.
Claims priority of application No. 102020124738.9 (DE), filed on Sep. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0094007 A1, Mar. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. H01M 50/244 (2021.01); H01M 50/264 (2021.01); B60L 50/64 (2019.01)
CPC H01M 50/244 (2021.01) [H01M 50/264 (2021.01); B60L 50/64 (2019.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
supporting a battery housing when inserting a battery module, wherein the battery module is arranged within the battery housing;
coupling a support surface of the battery module and a corresponding support surface of a base top side of a housing base of the battery housing to one another in a thermally conductive manner by applying a pressing force by a heat-conducting material positioned between the support surface of the battery module and the corresponding support surface;
supporting, with a support device, the battery housing on a base bottom side of the housing base opposite the base top side, wherein the support device comprises multiple pin elements which can move relative to one another and a locking unit configured to lock the multiple pin elements;
setting a negative shape corresponding to a shape of the base bottom side of the housing base of the battery housing by the multiple pin elements based on a displacement of the support device along a predetermined translational movement direction in that each pin element of the multiple pin elements is displaced from a respective starting position to a respective end position due to ongoing displacement of the support device when the support device reaches the base bottom side;
locking the support device, after the displacement of the support device has been completed, at the respective end position by the locking unit; and
after setting the negative shape and before positioning the heat-conducting material and/or the battery module, displacing the support device by a offset distance opposite to a direction of movement.