The sealing components used also have to be chemically stable toward organic electrolytes. In addition, during the battery’s entire service life, the sealing mater-ial must not leach out contaminating substances into the battery electrolyte as this could have a long-term negative influence on the cells’ electrochemistry.
The following pages will discuss the main sealing components for cells and the entire battery system. Cell sealing components must electrically isolate the two pole connectors from each other. The sealing components used also have to be chemically stable toward organic electrolytes.
Kritzer P, Clemens M, Heldmann R (2011) Innovative seals: a robust and reliable seal design can provide eficient battery cooling cycles for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Engine Technology International, June 2011, p. 64
Opening the housing usually destroys the gasket because it sticks to the lid or the housing. This causes battery maintenance problems because in order to seal the housing again, a new lid with sprayed-on gasket is required. This is the reason why large-scale gaskets are used when tough technical require-ments need to be met.
Plug & Seal components are already being used as standard in vehicle cooling systems and cooling modules of hybrid and electric vehicle batteries. Additional requirements for battery cooling systems can be met with sealed plastic pipe con-nectors and branched, flow-optimized components (Fig. 10.3).
Temperature management elements can also be integrated into the cell frame seal; this is an additional advantage. Temperature management channels can also be included in the frame. They are thermally connected with the cells via the sealing seam and enable cell cooling and heating.