Cooling module for an electric energy storage unit group and electric energy storage unit group

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of electrical energy storage devices and in particular enables simplified production and / or optimized operation thereof by optimizing a cooling module, a group of electrical energy storage cells, an entire electrical energy storage device and / or a method for cooling electrical energy storage cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates in particular to the field of electrical energy storage devices, which in particular have electrical energy storage cells stacked in a stacking direction. Due to the required capacity and power of the electrical energy storage device, it is necessary to cool the electrical energy storage cells. For this purpose, cooling modules are used in particular. Summary of the invention

[0002] The object of the present invention is to further improve existing electrical energy storage devices and their components with regard to simplified production and optimized operation.

[0003] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1 .

[0004] For example, it can be provided that a cooling module for an energy storage cell bank, in particular an energy storage cell bank for an electrical energy storage device, comprises a cooling element for accommodating and conducting a cooling medium.

[0005] The cooling element is used in particular to cool one or more energy storage cells of the energy storage cell group, but can also be used to heat one or more energy storage cells of the energy storage cell group in order, for example, to smoothly reach the optimal operating temperature of the energy storage cell group during the startup phase or to prevent the energy storage cells from freezing at extremely cold ambient temperatures.

[0006] Preferably, the cooling element comprises two plate-shaped, flexible sheet metal layers which form the outer casing of the cooling element.

[0007] The plate-shaped, flexible metal layers of the cooling element are, for example, oriented substantially parallel to one another and, in particular, each extend substantially along a plane transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the stacking direction.

[0008] The metal sheets are preferably connected to one another in a fluid-tight manner in a circumferential edge region and surround the interior of the cooling element.

[0009] Preferably, the circumferential edge region lies in a plane extending perpendicularly to the stacking direction and / or is of substantially rectangular design.

[0010] In particular, it may be provided that the cooling element is of substantially rectangular and / or cuboid design.

[0011] Preferably, the cooling element is a flexible cooling bag.

[0012] In particular in a central region of the cooling element, ie a center region spaced apart from a surrounding edge region, the cooling element is preferably of variable thickness, ie the distance between the two metal layers can be varied.

[0013] For example, it can be provided that two sheet metal layers of the cooling element forming the outer shell of the cooling element are sealingly welded to one another in a circumferential edge region and / or are connected and / or sealed to one another by encapsulation with plastic.

[0014] The sheet metal layers are preferably directly connected to each other in the edge region. In particular, the sheet metal layers preferably lie directly against each other.

[0015] It may be advantageous if the sheet metal layers are connected to one another in a materially bonded manner.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a plate-shaped, flexible sheet metal layer of the cooling element or both plate-shaped, flexible sheet metal layers of the cooling element comprise a metal sheet or are formed from such a metal sheet.

[0017] For example, it can be provided that the material thickness of the sheet metal layer is at most approximately 0.5 mm, for example at most approximately 0.3 mm, in particular approximately 0.25 mm.

[0018] The material thickness results in particular from the sum of the carrier material, for example sheet metal, and any optional coating.

[0019] The inner side and / or the outer side of each sheet metal layer can be provided with a coating, for example. Such a coating is, for example, an insulating layer for electrical insulation and / or a layer that improves adhesion on the electrical energy storage unit.

[0020] It can also be provided that a plate-shaped, flexible plate layer of the cooling element or both plate-shaped, flexible plate layers of the cooling element are formed from a plastic material, in particular an organic plate, or comprise such a material.

[0021] It may be advantageous if the cooling element comprises one or more spacers in the heat transfer region of the cooling element for preventing the two metal sheets from resting flat against one another.

[0022] The heat transfer region is, in particular, a central region of the cooling element which is spaced apart from an edge region.

[0023] In particular, when the cooling element is in a state in which the sheet metal layers of the cooling element forming the outer shell are flat in the heat transfer region and extend substantially parallel to one another, the one or more spacers preferably have a maximum length in the thickness direction and / or in the stacking direction, which corresponds to a maximum of approximately 60%, in particular a maximum of approximately 40%, for example a maximum of approximately 25%, of the thickness of the cooling element in the heat transfer region.

[0024] In this state of the cooling element, the plate layer preferably deforms neither into a concave nor into a convex shape, in particular in the heat transfer region.

[0025] It may be advantageous if the one or more spacers are formed as one or more projections in one or both sheet metal layers of the cooling element.

[0026] In particular, it is thereby possible to bring one metal layer into contact with the other metal layer in a point-like manner in order to influence the flow cross section between the two metal layers as little as possible.

[0027] As an alternative or in addition thereto, it can be provided that one or more spacers are formed by shaping, in particular embossing, in one of the two sheet metal layers.

[0028] Preferably, the two metal sheets forming the outer shell of the cooling element are designed at least approximately mirror-symmetrically to one another with respect to a central plane of the cooling element, along which the two metal sheets abut one another in the edge region.

[0029] Furthermore, it can be provided that the two metal layers are designed identically to one another and are arranged only in a rotationally different orientation, so that they can ultimately be connected to one another.

[0030] It may be advantageous if the sheet metal layers each comprise a bushing for supplying a cooling medium and / or a bushing for discharging a cooling medium.

[0031] In particular, a sleeve can be provided which is part of an inlet channel for feeding a coolant into the interior of the cooling element. Alternatively or in addition thereto, a sleeve can be provided which is part of an outlet channel for discharging a coolant from the cooling element.

[0032] One or more, in particular all, of the sleeves are preferably designed as through-holes introduced into the respective sheet metal layer.

[0033] Preferably, each of these through holes is surrounded by a flange-shaped projection formed outwardly from the sheet metal layer.

[0034] Each sheet metal layer including the sleeve arranged in or on the sheet metal layer is thus formed in particular in one piece with the sleeve, for example in a single production step.

[0035] In particular, a punching process, an embossing process and / or a deep-drawing process may be provided for shaping the sheet metal layer together with the sleeve.

[0036] The flange-shaped projection of the sleeve is also referred to hereinafter as “flange” for short.

[0037] The flange of each sleeve preferably protrudes away from the interior cavity of the cooling element.

[0038] The flange comprises in particular a cylindrical section, preferably a circular cylindrical section.

[0039] The flange is preferably designed rotationally symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis, which is preferably arranged perpendicularly to the two main extension directions of the metal layer, perpendicularly to the center plane of the cooling element and / or parallel to the stacking direction.

[0040] The inlet opening and the outlet opening are preferably arranged at mutually opposite locations in a circumferential edge region of the cooling element.

[0041] In particular, the inlet opening and the outlet opening are arranged diagonally opposite one another.

[0042] Preferably, the sheet metal layers have recesses, depressions and / or perforations in the edge region in which the sheet metal layers are connected to one another for positively locking fixation of the carrier element.

[0043] Preferably, the sheet metal layers are connected to one another in a fluid-tight manner in the region of the recesses, depressions and / or perforations. Preferably, the interior of the cooling element is in particular not accessible through the recesses, depressions and / or perforations.

[0044] In one embodiment, the interior may include a branch channel extending away from the inlet opening and / or a collecting channel extending toward the outlet opening, wherein a heat transfer region of the cooling module is formed between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, in particular between the branch channel and the collecting channel.

[0045] Preferably, the branch channel and the collecting channel are arranged parallel to each other.

[0046] In particular, the branch channel and the collecting channel are arranged and / or formed on mutually opposite sides of the heat transfer region of the cooling module.

[0047] In particular, the diverter channel and / or the collecting channel can constitute a lateral stop for the energy storage cell if the energy storage cell is displaced (in an undesired manner) relative to the cooling element.

[0048] It can be advantageous if one or both energy storage cell contacts of at least one energy storage cell are guided through the shunt channel. In this case, the one or both energy storage cell contacts can be cooled in particular by means of the shunt channel.

[0049] It can be provided that the branch channel is configured to taper gradually along the flow direction of the coolant. Alternatively or in addition thereto, it can be provided that the collecting channel is configured to widen gradually along the flow direction of the coolant.

[0050] The heat transfer region of the cooling element preferably has a spatially and / or temporally averaged thickness in the thickness direction (length along the thickness direction and / or stacking direction) of at most approximately 20 mm, for example at most approximately 15 mm, in particular at most approximately 10 mm.

[0051] The cooling module is suitable in particular for use in an energy storage cell group and is preferably used there to control the temperature of an energy storage cell, in particular an energy storage cell of an energy storage device.

[0052] The electrical energy storage cell group is therefore in particular an electrical energy storage cell group of an electrical energy storage device.

[0053] Therefore, the present invention also relates to an electric energy storage unit group, which in particular comprises:

[0054] A plurality of electrical energy storage units, in particular electrical energy storage units of an electrical energy storage device;

[0055] A plurality of cooling modules for cooling electrical energy storage cells, in particular cooling modules according to the invention.

[0056] Preferably, the electrical energy storage cells and the cooling modules are stacked on one another along the stacking direction, in particular in an alternating manner.

[0057] "Alternate stacking" can be understood in particular to mean that one, two or more energy storage units are arranged in sequence along the stacking direction, then one, two or more cooling modules are arranged, then one, two or more energy storage units are arranged, then one, two or more other cooling modules are arranged, etc. For example, the following arrangement can be provided:

[0058] ABABABABA, etc., or

[0059] ABBABBABBABBA, etc., or

[0060] BAABAABAABAABAAB, etc.,

[0061] "A" represents the cooling module, and "B" represents the energy storage unit.

[0062] In particular, direct contact is provided between at least one electrical energy storage cell, then at least one cooling module, then at least one electrical energy storage cell again, then at least one further cooling module.

[0063] The energy storage cells of the energy storage cell array are, in particular, so-called pouch energy storage cells and / or prismatic energy storage cells.

[0064] Within the scope of the present description and the appended claims, a pouch-type energy storage cell is to be understood in particular as an energy storage cell which comprises a housing made of, in particular, a metallic material, for example a metal film.

[0065] The material of the casing, in particular the metal film, is preferably welded in the edge region.

[0066] The soft-pack electrical energy storage unit is preferably designed in a bag-shaped manner.

[0067] It can be advantageous if the pouch electrical energy storage cell is designed to be essentially rectangular in plan view, in particular parallel to the stacking direction.

[0068] Preferably, the thickness of the pouch electrical energy storage unit parallel to the stacking direction corresponds to at most approximately 30%, preferably at most approximately 20%, of the width of the pouch electrical energy storage unit perpendicular to the stacking direction.

[0069] The prismatic electrical energy storage cell preferably has electrode groups which each comprise a plurality of plate-shaped electrodes.

[0070] The plate-shaped electrodes of the prismatic electrical energy storage cells preferably each extend along a plane.

[0071] The pouch-shaped energy storage cell and / or the prismatic energy storage cell are, in particular, energy storage cells according to the DIN 91252 standard.

[0072] It may be advantageous if the cooling elements are fluidically connected to one another by means of connecting elements.

[0073] The connecting element is preferably a plug element.

[0074] As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision can be made for the connecting elements to each have two joining sections which are arranged and / or formed at mutually opposite ends of the respective connecting element.

[0075] Preferably, each joining section is respectively fastened to a cooling element.

[0076] Preferably, each engagement section is configured to be substantially complementary to a sleeve arranged and / or configured at the respective cooling element.

[0077] Preferably, each joining section is fixed or can be fixed to the corresponding cooling element by being inserted into a sleeve.

[0078] It can be advantageous if the connecting element forms a positioning element, by means of which the cooling element can be positioned along the stacking direction and / or in one or two directions running perpendicularly to the stacking direction.

[0079] Preferably, the connecting element also forms a supporting element for supporting the cooling elements relative to one another in the stacking direction.

[0080] For this purpose, the connecting element has, in particular, one or more supporting rings which are designed, for example, as radially outwardly protruding locking projections.

[0081] Preferably, the connecting element comprises a base body, in particular a plastic injection-molded component.

[0082] In particular, the main body is designed to be essentially rotationally symmetrical and comprises one, two or more than two annular grooves for accommodating one or more sealing elements, in particular sealing rings, such as O-rings.

[0083] The two cooling elements connected to each other by means of the connecting element are particularly in contact with the contact surfaces of the supporting ring of the connecting element facing away from each other and are thus positioned relative to each other along the stacking direction. In particular, a predetermined spacing between the two cooling elements can be ensured at least in the sleeve region.

[0084] Furthermore, the sleeve of one cooling element is preferably positioned relative to the sleeve of the other cooling element by means of the connecting element such that the two sleeves and the connecting element have a common axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation extends in particular parallel to the stacking direction.

[0085] It can be provided that the cooling element together with the connecting element forms at least one supply channel for supplying a cooling medium into the cooling element and / or at least one discharge channel for discharging a cooling medium from the cooling element.

[0086] Preferably, the at least one inlet channel and the at least one outlet channel are designed essentially linearly and / or are oriented at least approximately parallel to the stacking direction.

[0087] Preferably, the at least one inlet channel and / or the at least one outlet channel is led through an electrical energy storage unit arranged between cooling elements.

[0088] In particular, the electrical energy storage cell is preferably dimensioned such that it can be covered essentially completely by the heat transfer region of the cooling element.

[0089] The invention also relates to a cooling module, which comprises a cooling element for accommodating and conducting a cooling medium. Preferably, the cooling module comprises a support element, to which the cooling element is fixed, wherein the support element is in particular or comprises a plastic injection-molded element, which is fixed to the cooling element by injection molding.

[0090] The cooling element is therefore in particular an insert which is injection-molded around with plastic during the production of the carrier element.

[0091] The support element is preferably a frame element which surrounds the cooling element in an annular manner at an edge region of the cooling element.

[0092] In this case, “annularly” refers in particular to a closed shape. It is preferably provided that the frame element and / or the cooling element has a rectangular cross section which is taken essentially perpendicularly to the stacking direction.

[0093] It may be advantageous if the carrier element comprises one or more, for example four, corner elements which are, in particular, injection-molded directly onto the cooling element.

[0094] The corner elements themselves are preferably inflexible and preferably have a reinforcing structure.

[0095] In particular, the corner element is fixed to the cooling element in a non-movable manner relative to the cooling element.

[0096] Preferably, one or more corner elements comprise a reinforcement structure such that the one or more corner elements can withstand pressure forces acting in the stacking direction.

[0097] It may be provided that one or more corner elements are provided with an insert and / or an inlay.

[0098] In particular, a sleeve designed as an insert or inlay can be provided, which serves to accommodate a clamping element, in particular a clamping rod, of the clamping device.

[0099] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the carrier element comprises one or more stacking regions, by means of which a plurality of structurally identical carrier elements can be stacked on top of one another in a stacking direction.

[0100] The stacking region or regions are in particular integrated into the corner element or elements.

[0101] It may be advantageous if a stack of support elements can be produced using a plurality of support elements of a plurality of cooling modules.

[0102] In particular, a stack of carrier elements and / or groups of energy storage cells can be produced by using a plurality of cooling modules of identical construction, a plurality of carrier elements of identical construction, a plurality of energy storage cells of identical construction, or the like.

[0103] Preferably, the stacking region or regions each comprise at least one reinforcement region and / or at least one clamping section for clamping a plurality of carrier elements by means of a clamping device.

[0104] In particular, the stacking region or regions comprise a through-opening for the penetration of the clamping rod.

[0105] Furthermore, it can be provided that the support elements, in particular one or more corner elements, comprise positioners for correct positioning of the support elements when the support elements are stacked.

[0106] The positioner can be, for example, a projection, a pin and / or a groove, wherein the upper side or the front side of the support element with respect to the stacking direction is configured to be at least partially complementary to the lower side or the rear side of the support element with respect to the stacking direction. Thus, a plurality of structurally identical support elements can be simply stacked on top of one another and simply positioned relative to one another.

[0107] Preferably, the support element comprises one or more, for example four, side parts, which each comprise one or more anchoring sections for anchoring the support element on the cooling element.

[0108] It can be advantageous if the side parts lying opposite one another are each oriented at least approximately parallel to one another.

[0109] Preferably, in each case two side parts are connected to one another by means of corner elements, in particular at an angle of approximately 90°.

[0110] Preferably, the two side parts connected to each other by means of the corner element are arranged substantially perpendicularly with respect to each other.

[0111] It can be advantageous if the four corner elements and the four side parts form an annular, closed frame element which is essentially rectangular in a cross section taken perpendicularly to the stacking direction.

[0112] Preferably, the one or more anchoring sections respectively include:

[0113] one or more injection molded elements that are injection molded directly onto the cooling element; and

[0114] One or more rod elements for connecting the injection-molded element to the wall sections of the side parts of the carrier element.

[0115] Preferably, the rod element projects away from the respective injection-molded element substantially perpendicularly to the stacking direction and / or substantially perpendicularly to the cooling element in an edge region in which the respective injection-molded element is fastened.

[0116] Preferably, the wall section of the side part is arranged at a distance from the edge region of the cooling element and is connected to the cooling element only by means of the rod element.

[0117] It can be provided that the support element comprises one or more side parts, which each comprise one or more compensation regions, which are designed to be elastically flexible along a circumferential direction of the support element, along which the support element surrounds the cooling element.

[0118] The compensation region or regions serves in particular to compensate for different degrees of thermal expansion of the cooling element on one side and of the carrier element on the other side, in particular in order to avoid as much as possible tension between the carrier element and the cooling element.

[0119] The compensation region acts elastically, in particular in a plane extending perpendicularly to the stacking direction. As a result, different degrees of thermal expansion in the main extension direction of the cooling element can be compensated.

[0120] The compensation region is formed in particular by a wave-shaped structure in a wall section of the side part, since a simple length changeability of the wall section is possible by the wave-shaped structure.

[0121] The material of the carrier element is preferably selected in this case such that the corrugated wall section can be elastically deformed and can be lengthened or shortened in this case.

[0122] It can be provided that the carrier element comprises one or more side parts, which each comprise a plurality of anchoring sections and a plurality of compensation regions.

[0123] Preferably, the anchoring sections and the compensation regions are arranged alternately along a circumferential direction of the carrier element, along which the carrier element surrounds the cooling element.

[0124] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the support element comprises four corner elements and four side parts which connect two corner elements to one another, wherein the corner elements and the side parts together form a frame element which surrounds the cooling element.

[0125] Preferably, the carrier element forms a wall section of a housing of the electrical energy storage cell group and / or of the electrical energy storage device.

[0126] In particular, it can be provided that the wall section at least partially has a corrugated structure, wherein a plurality of compensation regions for compensating for different degrees of thermal expansion caused by the material are formed by the corrugated structure.

[0127] Preferably, the wall section extends continuously from one corner element to the other corner element and preferably over the entire height of the support element.

[0128] The cooling module is particularly suitable for use in an energy storage unit group, especially an energy storage device group, wherein the energy storage unit group includes a plurality of energy storage cells and a plurality of cooling modules for cooling the energy storage cells, especially the cooling module according to the present invention.

[0129] It can be advantageous if the stacking height of the carrier elements corresponds at least approximately to the sum of the thickness of the at least one cooling element located on one side in the heat transfer region and the thickness of the at least one electrical energy storage unit located on the other side.

[0130] The stacking height of the carrier elements is in particular the distance between the center plane of a first carrier element on one side and the center plane of a further carrier element stacked thereon on the other side and oriented perpendicularly to the stacking direction.

[0131] The thickness of the cooling element and / or the electrical energy storage cell is in particular an average thickness of the cooling element and / or the electrical energy storage cell in the normal state if the mutually adjoining surfaces of the cooling element and the electrical energy storage cell are substantially planar and oriented parallel to one another.

[0132] Preferably, the electrical energy storage cell is substantially rectangular in a cross section taken perpendicularly to the stacking direction.

[0133] Preferably, the support elements of the cooling module in the stacked state form at least substantially continuous side walls of a housing which surrounds the electrical energy storage cells and the cooling elements both in the stacking direction and in the circumferential direction.

[0134] It can be advantageous if each carrier element comprises one or more through-holes, through which the energy storage cell contacts of the energy storage cells are or can be guided outwards from the housing.

[0135] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the group of electrical energy storage cells comprises a stack formed by carrier elements, which is provided with an end plate at each of the two ends, wherein the two end plates form or comprise clamping plates between which the carrier elements are clamped.

[0136] In particular, one or more clamping rods, in particular two or four clamping rods, can be provided for clamping the stack of carrier elements between the two end plates.

[0137] The clamping rod is in particular a threaded rod which, by means of one or more associated nuts, surrounds the stack formed by the carrier elements in the stacking direction and thereby clamps it.

[0138] In one design of the present invention, it can be provided that the energy storage cell group comprises a plurality of energy storage cells and a plurality of cooling modules for cooling the energy storage cells, in particular the cooling modules according to the present invention, wherein at least each energy storage cell is fixed in a clamping manner between at least every two cooling elements of two cooling modules.

[0139] Preferably, the cooling element therefore forms a clamping device for fixing at least one respective electrical energy storage cell.

[0140] It may be advantageous if the electrical energy storage cells are fixed in the stacking direction only in a clamping manner by means of the cooling element.

[0141] Preferably, the cooling elements and the electrical energy storage cells are arranged alternately along the stacking direction of the electrical energy storage cell group and in particular lie directly against one another.

[0142] It may be advantageous if the cooling element is designed to be flexible. Preferably, the shape of the cooling element is adapted to the shape of at least one adjacent electrical energy storage cell.

[0143] In particular, the cooling element is designed and / or arranged to be at least partially substantially complementary to the shape of the respectively adjacent electrical energy storage cells.

[0144] It may be advantageous if the electrical energy storage cell group comprises, as a supporting structure, a plurality of support elements stacked in a stacking direction.

[0145] Preferably, the cooling element is fastened directly to the carrier element.

[0146] In particular, the carrier element is a frame element which surrounds the cooling element in a circumferential direction of the cooling element, in particular with respect to a plane extending perpendicularly to the stacking direction.

[0147] The support element, in particular the frame element, is preferably substantially rectangular, in particular in a cross section taken perpendicularly to the stacking direction.

[0148] The carrier element is preferably connected to the cooling element in a form-fitting manner and is produced, in particular, by being injection-molded onto the cooling element using a plastic injection molding process.

[0149] It can be advantageous if the carrier elements jointly form a housing for the electrical energy storage cell group, which surrounds the electrical energy storage cells and the cooling elements at least on four sides.

[0150] In particular, the housing surrounds the group of electrical energy storage cells in a radial direction with respect to the stacking direction. Preferably, the housing forms a closed housing in an axial direction by means of two end plates.

[0151] Preferably, the energy storage cell group comprises energy storage cell contacts for making electrical contact with the energy storage cells, wherein the energy storage cell contacts are guided outwards between in each case two carrier elements.

[0152] The term “outwards” may be understood in particular to mean a guidance in which the energy storage cell contacts are guided out of the interior of the energy storage cell group formed by the carrier elements.

[0153] It can be advantageous if the electrical energy storage cell group comprises a clamping device, by means of which the carrier element is clamped only in the stacking direction.

[0154] The energy storage unit is preferably also held in position perpendicularly to the stacking direction by providing one or more stop elements which prevent an undesired movement of the energy storage unit in a direction extending perpendicularly to the stacking direction.

[0155] In particular, one or more stop elements are formed by the carrier element.

[0156] Preferably, the support element together with the cooling element forms a receptacle for the electrical energy storage unit, into which receptacle the electrical energy storage unit is merely inserted, apart from the clamping effect between the cooling elements.

[0157] It may be advantageous if the energy storage cell group comprises a fluid pressure device, by means of which pressure is or can be applied to a cooling medium guided through the cooling elements, so that the energy storage cells abut at least partially on one or both sides along the stacking direction of the energy storage cell group against respectively adjacent cooling elements.

[0158] It can be advantageous if the fluid pressure device is simultaneously a pump device for driving the cooling medium which is conducted through the cooling element.

[0159] In particular, an additional pressure reducer can be provided here, by means of which, in combination with the fluid pressure device, the pressure and also the amount of the coolant conducted through the cooling element can be controlled and / or regulated.

[0160] As an alternative thereto, it can be provided that the fluid pressure device is a device different from the pump device for driving the coolant conducted through the cooling element.

[0161] It may be advantageous if the fluid pressure device comprises a plurality of pressure sensors, by means of which in particular an inlet pressure of the coolant supplied to the cooling element and / or an outlet pressure of the coolant discharged from the cooling element can be ascertained.

[0162] The cooling module according to the invention and / or the electrical energy storage cell group according to the invention are particularly suitable for use in an electrical energy storage device.

[0163] Therefore, the present invention also relates to an electrical energy storage device, which comprises one or more electrical energy storage cell groups, in particular one or more electrical energy storage cell groups according to the present invention. The electrical energy storage cells of the electrical energy storage device are in particular electrical energy storage cells of an electrical energy storage device.

[0164] It can be advantageous if the electrical energy storage cell arrangement comprises a fluid pressure device, by means of which the pressure on the coolant conducted through the cooling element can be adapted to the operating state and / or charge state and / or aging state of the electrical energy storage cell.

[0165] In particular, it may be provided that the coolant pressure is controlled and / or regulated.

[0166] Thus, preferably, the electric energy storage unit can be securely accommodated between the cooling elements in a clamped manner. At the same time, preferably, an optimal shape matching of the cooling element and the electric energy storage unit can be achieved, so as to ultimately achieve an optimized heat transfer.

[0167] In particular, it can be provided that the cooling element is loose and / or flexible without being filled with a cooling medium and / or without applying pressure to the cooling medium by means of a fluid pressure device, so that a clamping accommodation of the electrical energy storage unit is not possible. Instead, a clamping effect is only achieved by filling the cooling element with a cooling medium and / or applying pressure by means of a fluid pressure device.

[0168] The electrical energy storage device optionally including one or more features of the aforementioned electrical energy storage device further includes:

[0169] In particular, an energy storage cell group according to the present invention comprises a plurality of energy storage cells configured as energy storage devices; and a plurality of cooling modules for cooling the energy storage cells, in particular cooling modules according to the present invention, wherein the cooling modules each have at least one flexible cooling element attached to the energy storage cell.

[0170] Preferably, the electrical energy storage device further comprises a measuring device for ascertaining the total amount of cooling medium present in at least one cooling element of the cooling module.

[0171] In particular, provision can then be made that the interior volume in the at least one cooling element can be determined by means of the measuring device. Alternatively or in addition thereto, provision can be made that the total mass of the coolant located in the at least one cooling element can be determined by means of the measuring device.

[0172] For example, the interior volume can be ascertained, in particular by using a compensating vessel, if the total amount of coolant present in total is known.

[0173] In particular, the measuring device preferably comprises a compensating container for receiving the cooling medium. Preferably, the total amount of cooling medium located in the at least one cooling element can be inferred from the filling level of the compensating container by means of the measuring device.

[0174] In particular, a scale or other weight measuring device can be provided in order to determine the total mass of the coolant located in the at least one cooling element. For example, by separating the group of electrical energy storage cells from a balancing container for accommodating the coolant, the total mass of the coolant located in the at least one cooling element can be inferred by means of a weight sensor.

[0175] Preferably, one or more correction factors can be taken into account by means of the measuring device, in particular a correction based on temperature expansion and / or on changing pressure can be carried out.

[0176] It may be advantageous if the electrical energy storage device comprises a fluid pressure device, by means of which the pressure in the at least one cooling element can be adjusted, in particular controlled or regulated to a predefined pressure.

[0177] The measuring device is preferably designed and arranged to be able to infer a state of compression or expansion of at least one electrical energy storage cell resting against the at least one cooling element from the ascertained total amount of coolant located in the at least one cooling element.

[0178] The measuring device is preferably designed and arranged such that a conclusion can be drawn about the state of the at least one electrical energy storage cell cooled by means of the at least one cooling element from the ascertained total amount of cooling medium present in the at least one cooling element.

[0179] It may be advantageous if the charge state and / or the operating state and / or the aging state of the at least one electrical energy storage unit can be inferred by means of the measuring device.

[0180] Preferably, the energy storage cells and the cooling element together have an extension of substantially constant length in the stacking direction of the group of energy storage cells.

[0181] Preferably therefore, when the electrical energy storage unit expands, the cooling element is compressed, and vice versa.

[0182] The invention also relates to a method for cooling an electrical energy storage unit, for example an electrical energy storage unit configured as an electrical energy storage device. Preferably, the method comprises:

[0183] introducing a cooling medium into at least one cooling element of the cooling module;

[0184] transferring heat from at least one electrical energy storage unit to a cooling element or transferring heat from a cooling element to at least one electrical energy storage unit;

[0185] The total amount of cooling medium located in at least one cooling element is determined.

[0186] The method according to the invention preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the cooling module, the group of electrical energy storage cells and / or the electrical energy storage device.

[0187] Furthermore, the described cooling module, the electrical energy storage cell group and the electrical energy storage device are preferably suitable for carrying out the described method.

[0188] It may be provided that the total volume of the coolant located in the at least one cooling element is ascertained. Alternatively or in addition thereto, it may be provided that the total mass of the coolant located in the at least one cooling element is ascertained.

[0189] Preferably, the ascertained total quantity is used to ascertain the operating state and / or the charging state and / or the aging state of the at least one energy storage unit. Preferably, the further operation, in particular the further use, of the at least one energy storage unit is controlled and / or regulated as a function of the ascertained operating state and / or the charging state and / or the aging state of the at least one energy storage unit.

[0190] Furthermore, provision can be made for cooling elements of cooling modules to determine individually the amount of coolant respectively located therein, in particular in order to thereby determine individually the operating state and / or charge state and / or aging state for each electrical energy storage cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0191] Further preferred features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject matter of the following description of exemplary embodiments and of the drawings:

[0192] In the attached picture:

[0193] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an energy storage cell group of an energy storage device is shown, wherein the energy storage cell group comprises a plurality of support elements stacked on each other for accommodating cooling elements of a cooling module and a plurality of energy storage cells arranged between the cooling elements;

[0194] Figure 2 A schematic perspective view showing a plurality of support elements separated from one another together with cooling elements arranged thereon;

[0195] Figure 3 A schematic perspective view showing a support element, a sheet metal layer of a cooling element to be arranged at the support element, an electrical energy storage unit and a sheet metal layer of another cooling element;

[0196] Figure 4 A schematic top view of a cooling module of an electric energy storage cell group is shown in a viewing direction along the stacking direction of the electric energy storage cell group;

[0197] Figure 5 The energy storage unit group is shown along Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of line 5-5 in FIG.

[0198] Figure 6 The energy storage unit group is shown along Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of line 6-6 in FIG.

[0199] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 Enlarged view of middle region VII;

[0200] Figure 8 The energy storage unit group is shown along Figure 4A schematic cross-sectional view of line 8-8 in FIG. 8 ; and

[0201] Fig. 9 The energy storage unit group is shown along Figure 4 Schematic cross-sectional view along line 9-9 in FIG.

[0202] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0203] The energy storage device with the overall mark of 100 is Figures 1 to 9 The embodiment shown in is used in particular for storing electrical energy and, for example, as an energy store in an electric vehicle.

[0204] The electrical energy storage device 100 includes an electrical energy storage cell group 102 including a plurality of electrical energy storage cells 106 stacked along a stacking direction 104 .

[0205] The energy storage cell 106 is, in particular, a so-called pouch energy storage cell 108 and / or a prismatic energy storage cell.

[0206] A cooling element 110 of a cooling module 112 of an electrical energy storage cell group 102 is arranged between every two electrical energy storage cells 106 .

[0207] Thus, in particular a plurality of cooling modules 112 with cooling elements 110 on one side and a plurality of electrical energy storage cells 106 on the other side are stacked alternately on one another along stacking direction 104 .

[0208] In this case, cooling element 110 and electrical energy storage unit 106 preferably bear against one another over a large area in order to enable an optimized heat transfer.

[0209] “Abutting against one another over a large area” is to be understood within the scope of the present description and the appended claims to mean, in particular, that the cooling element 110 and the energy storage cell 106 bear against one another over a relevant portion of the surface of the cooling element 110 and the energy storage cell 106 which is at least approximately 2 cm×2 cm, in particular at least approximately 2 cm×3 cm, preferably at least approximately 2 cm×4 cm. The cooling element 110 and the energy storage cell 106 bear against one another, for example, over a relevant portion of the surface of the cooling element 110 and the energy storage cell 106 which is at least approximately 4 cm 2 , in particular at least about 6 cm 2 , preferably at least about 10 cm 2 .

[0210] Especially from Figure 3 and Figure 7It can be seen that each cooling element 110 includes two sheet metal layers 114 which together form an outer shell 116 of the cooling element 110 .

[0211] The sheet metal layer 114 is made of a metallic material or includes a metallic material in particular. The sheet metal layer 114 is designed in particular as a metallic sheet metal layer.

[0212] The sheet metal layer 114 can be shaped in particular to have a peripheral, preferably substantially rectangular edge region 118 in which the two sheet metal layers 114 are attached to each other. In addition, the selected shape of the sheet metal layers 114 can form an inner cavity 120 of the cooling element 110 that is constructed between the two sheet metal layers 114 and surrounded by the edge region 118.

[0213] The sheet metal layers 114 are preferably connected to one another in a fluid-tight manner in the edge region 118 , in particular are welded together.

[0214] Furthermore, a plurality of perforations 122 are preferably arranged and / or formed in the edge region 118 , by means of which the cooling element 110 can be fixed to a carrier element to be described in greater detail.

[0215] The metal layer 114 each has one or more, for example two, through-holes 124 , via which the interior 120 of the cooling element 110 can be accessed.

[0216] The through-opening 124 is surrounded in particular by a collar 126 which is formed by the respective sheet metal layer 114 and forms a sleeve 128 for receiving a connecting element 130 .

[0217] The connecting element 130 serves in particular to connect two cooling elements 110 which are arranged one behind the other in the stacking direction 104 .

[0218] For this purpose, the connecting element 130 comprises in particular two joining sections 132 , wherein each joining section can be inserted into a respective sleeve 128 of a corresponding cooling element 110 .

[0219] The connecting element 130 is therefore, in particular, a plug element 134 for insertion into the sleeve 128 of the cooling element 110 .

[0220] The radial positioning projection or projections 136 of the connecting element 130 are, for example, designed and / or arranged substantially centrally with respect to the stacking direction 104 .

[0221] The radial positioning projection 136 forms, in particular, a stop for positioning the two cooling elements 110 relative to one another in the stacking direction 104 .

[0222] The connecting elements 130 are therefore simultaneously positioning elements 138 for positioning the cooling elements 110 relative to one another with respect to the stacking direction 104 and / or relative to two directions running perpendicularly to the stacking direction 104 .

[0223] Especially from Figure 7 It can be seen that the metal layer 114 of each cooling element 110 is designed at least in regions, preferably substantially completely, in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to the central plane 140 .

[0224] Therefore, the sleeves 128 for arranging the connecting elements 130 are arranged linearly one after another along the stacking direction 104 , thereby finally forming a fluid channel 142 , such as an inlet channel 144 and / or an outlet channel 145 , in combination with the connecting elements 130 .

[0225] The cooling medium can be supplied into the interior 120 of the cooling element 110 or discharged therefrom via the fluid channel 142 .

[0226] Preferably, one or more sealing elements 146 serve to seal in the contact region between the connecting element 130 and the sleeve 128. In particular, a sealing element 146 designed as an O-ring is provided.

[0227] Preferably, the base body 148 of each connecting element 130 has an annular groove for accommodating the sealing element 146 .

[0228] Especially from Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 7 and Fig. 9 It can be seen that the energy storage unit group 102 includes a plurality of support elements 150 for accommodating and fixing the cooling elements 110 .

[0229] In particular, each cooling module 112 comprises a respective carrier element 150 and a cooling element 110 arranged thereon.

[0230] The carrier element 150 forms, in particular, a frame element 152 which surrounds the respective cooling element 110 in a frame-like manner along a circumferential direction 154 and is fixed to the respective cooling element 110 by injection molding in a plastic injection molding process.

[0231] Carrier element 150 is therefore in particular a plastic injection-molded component.

[0232] Especially from Figure 4 It can be seen that each support element 150 comprises a plurality of, for example four, corner elements 156 , wherein two corner elements 156 are respectively connected to one another by means of side parts 158 .

[0233] The side parts 158 lying opposite one another are preferably arranged substantially parallel to one another.

[0234] The side parts 158 connected to one another by means of the corner elements 156 are preferably arranged at an angle of approximately 90° relative to one another.

[0235] The corner element 156 is in particular injection-molded directly onto the edge region 118 of the cooling element 110 and is fixed thereto in a manner that is immovable relative to the cooling element 110 .

[0236] The side part 158 ​​preferably comprises a wall section 160 of a wall 162 of a housing 164 to be described.

[0237] The wall section 160 connects two corner elements 156 which delimit the respective side part 158 ​​in the circumferential direction 154 to one another.

[0238] The wall section 160 of each side part 158 ​​is preferably designed to be corrugated. Thus, in particular, a compensation region 166 is formed for compensating for temperature-induced dimensional changes.

[0239] The compensation region 166 thus makes it possible in particular to deform the wall section 160 of each side part 158, thereby changing the spacing of the corner elements 156 from one another. Thus, preferably different expansion coefficients of the support element 150 formed of plastic on one side and the cooling element 110 formed of metal, for example, on the other side can be compensated.

[0240] The side parts 158 preferably include anchoring sections 168 , by means of which the side parts 158 can be fixed to the edge region 118 of the respective cooling element 110 .

[0241] In this case, the anchoring sections 168 each comprise an injection-molded element 170 which engages directly at the edge region 118 of the cooling element 110 and extends, for example, through a perforation 122 in the edge region 118 .

[0242] The injection-molded element 170 is therefore fixed to the cooling element 110 in particular in a form-fitting manner.

[0243] Preferably, the rod elements 172 each connect the injection-molded element 170 to a wall 162 , in particular a wall section 160 , of the corresponding side part 158 ​​.

[0244] The wall 162 is therefore preferably arranged in the region of the side part 158 ​​at a distance from the edge region 118 of the cooling element 110 .

[0245] Preferably, the corner element 156 comprises a stacking region 174 , at which a plurality of identically designed carrier elements 150 can be stacked on one another and, in particular, can lie directly against one another.

[0246] Each stacking region 174 comprises, for example, a reinforcement region 176 , by means of which the respective corner element 156 is stabilized in the stacking direction 104 .

[0247] The corner element 156 further comprises a clamping section 178 which is arranged in particular in the region of the stacking region 174 .

[0248] In particular, the clamping sections 178 serve to guide clamping elements 180 through the respective corner elements 156 in order to ultimately provide a clamping device 182 , by means of which the carrier element 150 can be clamped in the stacking direction 104 .

[0249] For this purpose, the clamping device 182 preferably also includes one or more clamping plates 184 , which are formed in particular by two end plates 186 at the two ends of the energy storage cell group 102 and which can introduce forces uniformly into the carrier element 150 .

[0250] The clamping element 180 of the clamping device 182 is, for example, a clamping rod 188 or a threaded rod 190 which is closed in particular by means of one or more nuts 192 and can thus clamp the carrier element 150 in the stacking direction 104 .

[0251] Especially from Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 8 It can be seen that the electrical energy storage cells 106 are preferably inserted, for example clamped, only between two cooling elements 110 in each case.

[0252] Preferably, no additional lateral fixing of the energy storage unit 106 in one or more directions extending perpendicularly to the stacking direction 104 is required.

[0253] The cooling element 110 comprises in particular a centrally located heat transfer region 194 which is surrounded by an edge region 118 and in which the cooling element 110 bears against the electrical energy storage cell 106 .

[0254] In particular, the electrical energy storage cell 106 is clamped between the heat transfer regions 194 of two cooling elements 110 and is thus positioned along the stacking direction 104 .

[0255] Preferably, the thickness D of the energy storage unit 106 is z and the thickness D of the cooling element 110 k The stacking height H of the support element 150 is selected so that the two thicknesses D z and D k Added together, this corresponds essentially to the stack height H.

[0256] The carrier elements 150 can thus be placed directly on one another and thus stacked on one another, while at the same time the electrical energy storage cells 106 are also positioned in close contact, in particular clamped between the cooling elements 110 .

[0257] The energy storage cell contacts 196 of the energy storage cells 106 are led out of the energy storage cell group 102 , in particular through recesses or through-holes provided for this purpose in the carrier element 150 .

[0258] In addition, for example, Figure 4 and Figure 8 It can be seen that the cooling element 110 includes a distribution channel 198 for evenly distributing the input cooling medium to the heat transfer region 194 .

[0259] In addition, it is optional to set Figure 4 1 and 2 , a collecting channel 200 is shown for combining the cooling medium to be discharged from the heat transfer region 194 .

[0260] During operation of the electrical energy storage device 100 , fluctuations in the dimensions of the electrical energy storage cells 106 may occur, which are dependent in particular on the respective operating state, charge state and / or aging state of the electrical energy storage cells 106 .

[0261] The dimensional fluctuations are caused in particular by the varying thickness D of the energy storage cell 106. z cause.

[0262] To compensate for dimensional fluctuations, cooling element 110 is preferably designed to be flexible so that it can be compressed when energy storage cell 106 expands. Thus, even when energy storage cell 106 changes in size, a secure contact and thus a secure heat transfer can be ensured.

[0263] Furthermore, a secure clamping action for positioning the electrical energy storage cell 106 between the cooling elements 110 can preferably be produced thereby.

[0264] However, an optimal cooling effect can only be ensured if cooling medium can always flow through cooling element 110 .

[0265] For this purpose, the cooling element 110 is preferably provided with spacers 202 .

[0266] The spacers 202 are designed, for example, as projections or other protrusions or depressions in the sheet metal layers 114 of the cooling element 110 and, when the corresponding cooling element 110 is strongly compressed, rest against the respectively opposite sheet metal layers 114. Thus, a planar contact of the two sheet metal layers 114 can be avoided. Thus, interruptions of the coolant flow can also be effectively avoided.

[0267] Especially from Figure 6 As can be seen from the schematic diagram in FIG. 1 , the electrical energy storage cell group 102 preferably also includes a pump device 204 , by means of which a coolant flow can be driven through the cooling element 110 .

[0268] Preferably, a fluid pressure device 206 is also provided, by means of which the pressure in the cooling element 110 can be controlled and / or regulated.

[0269] In particular, it can be ensured that the cooling element 110 rests securely on the energy storage cell 106 without exerting excessive pressure on the energy storage cell 106 .

[0270] Furthermore, the state of electrical energy storage unit 106 can preferably be ascertained using measuring device 208 .

[0271] For example, the current amount of cooling medium in cooling element 110 can be determined via balancing container 210 of measuring device 208. From this amount of cooling medium, the current volume of interior 120 of cooling element 110 and thus the dimensions of cooling element 110 and electrical energy storage unit 106 can be inferred.

[0272] In particular, the size of the electrical energy storage cell 106 can in turn be combined with other parameters, such as the temperature and / or the internal pressure of the electrical energy storage cell, in order to ascertain the current state of the electrical energy storage cell 106 .

[0273] Preferably, the above-described features of the energy storage device 100 , the energy storage cell group 102 and / or the cooling module 112 can achieve optimized cooling of the energy storage cell 106 and / or a simplified construction of the entire device and / or efficient and reliable operation.

[0274] The following are preferred embodiments of the present invention:

[0275] 1. A cooling module (112) for an energy storage cell group (102), in particular an energy storage cell group of an energy storage device, wherein the cooling module (112) comprises a cooling element (110) for accommodating and conducting a cooling medium, wherein the cooling element (110) comprises two plate-shaped, flexible sheet metal layers (114) forming an outer cover (116) of the cooling element (110), the sheet metal layers being connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner at a surrounding edge region (118) and surrounding an inner cavity (120) of the cooling element (110).

[0276] 2. The cooling module (112) according to embodiment 1 is characterized in that a plate-shaped, flexible plate layer (114) of the cooling element (110) or two plate-shaped, flexible plate layers (114) of the cooling element (110) include a metal plate or are formed by the metal plate.

[0277] 3. A cooling module (112) according to embodiment 1 or 2, characterized in that the cooling element (110) includes one or more distance retaining members (202) in a heat transfer region (194) of the cooling element (110) for preventing the two plate layers (114) from abutting each other in a planar manner.

[0278] 4. The cooling module (112) according to embodiment 3 is characterized in that, when the cooling element (110) is in a state in which the plate layers (114) forming the outer cover (116) of the cooling element (110) are flat and extend substantially parallel to each other in the heat transfer area (194), the one or more spacers (202) have a maximum length along the thickness direction and / or the stacking direction (104), which corresponds to the thickness (D ) of the cooling element (110) in the heat transfer area (194). k ), at most about 60%, in particular at most about 40%, for example at most about 25%.

[0279] 5. The cooling module (112) according to embodiment 3 or 4, characterized in that the one or more spacers (202) are configured as one or more protrusions in one or two plate layers (114) of the cooling element (110).

[0280] 6. A cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, characterized in that the two plate layers (114) are constructed to be at least approximately mirror-symmetrical to each other with respect to a center plane (140) of the cooling element (110), and the two plate layers (114) are in contact with each other in an edge area (118) along the center plane.

[0281] 7. A cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, characterized in that the plate layers (114) respectively include sleeves (128) for inputting a cooling medium and / or sleeves (128) for outputting a cooling medium.

[0282] 8. A cooling module (112) according to embodiment 7, characterized in that each sleeve (128) is constructed as a through hole (124) introduced into the corresponding plate layer (114), wherein the through hole (124) is surrounded by a flange-shaped protrusion formed outwardly by the plate layer (114).

[0283] 9. A cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, characterized in that the plate layers (114) have recesses, depressions and / or perforations (122) in an edge area (118) for fixing the support element (150) in a shape-fitting manner, and in this edge area (118) the plate layers (114) are connected to each other.

[0284] 10. A cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, characterized in that the inner cavity (120) includes a bypass channel (198) extending away from the input hole and / or a collecting channel (200) extending toward the output hole, wherein a heat transfer area (194) of the cooling module (112) is formed between the input hole and the output hole, in particular between the bypass channel (198) and the collecting channel (200).

[0285] 11. An electrical energy storage unit group (102), in particular an electrical energy storage unit group of an electrical energy storage device, wherein the electrical energy storage unit group (102) comprises:

[0286] - a plurality of electrical energy storage units (106), in particular electrical energy storage units of an electrical energy storage device;

[0287] - a plurality of cooling modules (112) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10 for cooling an electrical energy storage unit (106),

[0288] The electrical energy storage units (106) and the cooling modules (112) are preferably stacked alternately on top of each other along a stacking direction (104).

[0289] 12. The energy storage unit group (102) according to embodiment 11 is characterized in that the cooling elements (110) are connected to each other in a fluid-action manner by means of connecting elements (130), wherein the connecting elements (130) are in particular plug-in elements (134), and / or wherein the connecting elements (130) respectively have two joining sections (132) arranged and / or constructed at opposite ends of the corresponding connecting elements (130), wherein each joining section (132) is respectively fixed to one cooling element (110).

[0290] 13. An energy storage unit group (102) according to embodiment 12, characterized in that each joining section (132) is configured to be substantially complementary to a sleeve (128) arranged at the corresponding cooling element (110) and is fixed or can be fixed at the corresponding cooling element (110) by being inserted into the sleeve (128).

[0291] 14. An energy storage unit group (102) according to embodiment 12 or 13, characterized in that the connecting element (130) forms a positioning element (138), by means of which the cooling element (110) can be positioned along the stacking direction (104) and / or in one or two directions extending perpendicular to the stacking direction (104).

[0292] 15. An energy storage unit group (102) according to any one of embodiments 12 to 14, characterized in that the cooling element (110) together with the connecting element (130) forms at least one, in particular linear, input channel (144) for inputting a cooling medium into the cooling element (110) and / or at least one, in particular linear, output channel (145) for outputting a cooling medium from the cooling element (110).

[0293] 16. A cooling module (112) for an energy storage unit group (102), in particular a cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10 or an energy storage unit group (102) according to any one of embodiments 11 to 15, wherein the cooling module (112) comprises a cooling element (110) for accommodating and conducting a cooling medium, wherein the cooling module (112) preferably comprises a support element (150) to which the cooling element (110) is fixed, wherein the support element (150) is in particular or comprises a plastic injection-molded element, which is fixed to the cooling element (110) by injection molding.

[0294] 17. The cooling module (112) according to embodiment 16, characterized in that the support element (150) comprises one or more corner elements (156), which are in particular injection-molded directly onto the cooling element (110).

[0295] 18. The cooling module (112) according to embodiment 16 or 17 is characterized in that the support element (150) includes one or more stacking areas (174), by means of which a plurality of support elements (150) with the same structure can be stacked on each other along a stacking direction (104).

[0296] 19. A cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 16 to 18, characterized in that the one or more stacking areas (174) respectively include at least one clamping section (178) and / or at least one reinforcement area (176) for clamping a plurality of support elements (150) by means of a clamping device (182).

[0297] 20. A cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 16 to 19, characterized in that the support element (150) includes one or more side parts (158), which respectively include one or more anchoring sections (168) for anchoring the support element (150) to the cooling element (110).

[0298] 21. The cooling module (112) according to embodiment 20, characterized in that the one or more anchoring sections (168) respectively include:

[0299] - one or more injection-molded elements (170) which are injection-molded directly onto the cooling element (110); and

[0300] One or more rod elements (172) for connecting the injection-molded element (170) to the wall section (160) of the side part (158) of the carrier element (150).

[0301] 22. A cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 16 to 21, characterized in that the support element (150) includes one or more side parts (158), each of which includes one or more compensation areas (166), which are constructed to be elastic and flexible along the circumference (154) of the support element (150), and the support element (150) surrounds the cooling element (110) along the circumference.

[0302] 23. A cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 16 to 22, characterized in that the support element (150) includes one or more side parts (158), and the one or more side parts respectively include multiple anchoring sections (168) and multiple compensation areas (166), wherein the anchoring sections (168) and the compensation areas (166) are alternately arranged along the circumference (154) of the support element (150), and the support element (150) surrounds the cooling element (110) along the circumference.

[0303] 24. A cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 16 to 23, characterized in that the support element (150) includes four corner elements (156) and four side parts (158) that connect every two corner elements (156) to each other, wherein the corner elements (156) and the side parts (158) together form a frame element (152) that surrounds the cooling element (110).

[0304] 25. A cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 16 to 24, characterized in that the support element (150) forms a wall section (160) of a housing (164) of the energy storage unit group (102) and / or the energy storage device (100).

[0305] 26. The cooling module (112) according to embodiment 25 is characterized in that the wall segment (160) at least partially has a corrugated structure, wherein a plurality of compensation areas (166) are formed by the corrugated structure for balancing different degrees of thermal expansion caused by the material.

[0306] 27. An electrical energy storage unit group (102), in particular an electrical energy storage unit group of an electrical energy storage device, wherein the electrical energy storage unit group (102) comprises:

[0307] - a plurality of electrical energy storage units (106), in particular electrical energy storage units of an electrical energy storage device;

[0308] - a plurality of cooling modules (112) for cooling an electrical energy storage unit (106) according to any one of embodiments 16 to 26.

[0309] 28. The electrical energy storage unit group (102) according to embodiment 27 is characterized in that the stacking height (H) of the support elements (150) corresponds at least approximately to the thickness (D ) of at least one cooling element (110) located on one side in the heat transfer region (194). k ) and a thickness (D z )

[0310] 29. An energy storage unit group (102) according to embodiment 27 or 28 is characterized in that the support element (150) of the cooling module (112) forms a shell (164) that encloses the energy storage unit (106) and the cooling element (110) in a stacked state, and the side wall is at least approximately continuous in both the stacking direction (104) and the circumferential direction (154).

[0311] 30. An energy storage unit group (102) according to any one of embodiments 27 to 29, characterized in that the energy storage unit group (102) includes a stack formed by support elements (150), and the stack is respectively provided with end plates (186) at both ends, wherein the two end plates (186) form or include clamping plates (184), and the support element (150) is clamped between the two clamping plates.

[0312] 31. An electrical energy storage unit group (102), in particular an electrical energy storage unit group (102) according to any one of embodiments 11 to 15 or 27 to 30, wherein the electrical energy storage unit group (102) comprises:

[0313] - a plurality of electrical energy storage units (106);

[0314] a plurality of cooling modules (112) for cooling the electrical energy storage unit (106), in particular a cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10 or 16 to 26,

[0315] At least one electric energy storage unit (106) is fixed in a clamping manner between corresponding at least two cooling elements (110) of two cooling modules (112).

[0316] 32. The electrical energy storage unit group (102) according to embodiment 31, characterized in that the electrical energy storage units (106) are fixed in the stacking direction (104) only in a clamping manner by means of cooling elements (110).

[0317] 33. An energy storage cell group (102) according to embodiment 31 or 32, characterized in that the cooling elements (110) and the energy storage cells (106) are arranged alternately along the stacking direction (104) of the energy storage cell group (102) and are directly adjacent to each other.

[0318] 34. An energy storage unit group (102) according to any one of embodiments 31 to 33, characterized in that the cooling element (110) is constructed to be flexible and the shape of the cooling element matches the shape of one or two corresponding adjacent energy storage units (106).

[0319] 35. An electric energy storage unit group (102) according to any one of embodiments 31 to 34, characterized in that the electric energy storage unit group (102) includes a plurality of support elements (150) stacked along a stacking direction (104) as a supporting structure.

[0320] 36. The electrical energy storage unit group (102) according to embodiment 35, characterized in that the cooling element (110) is directly fixed to the support element (150).

[0321] 37. The energy storage unit group (102) according to embodiment 36 is characterized in that the support element (150) is connected to the cooling element (110) in a form-fitting manner, in particular the support element is injection-molded onto the cooling element (110) using a plastic injection molding process.

[0322] 38. An energy storage cell group (102) according to any one of embodiments 35 to 37, characterized in that the support elements (150) together form a shell (164) of the energy storage cell group (102), which surrounds the energy storage cells (106) and the cooling elements (110) on at least four sides.

[0323] 39. An energy storage cell group (102) according to any one of embodiments 35 to 38, characterized in that the energy storage cell group (102) includes energy storage cell contacts (196) for electrically contacting the energy storage cells (106), wherein the energy storage cell contacts (196) are guided outward between every two support elements (150).

[0324] 40. An energy storage unit group (102) according to any one of embodiments 35 to 39, characterized in that the energy storage unit group (102) includes a clamping device (182), by means of which the support element (150) is clamped only along the stacking direction (104).

[0325] 41. An energy storage unit group (102) according to any one of embodiments 31 to 40, characterized in that the energy storage unit group (102) includes a fluid pressure device (206), by means of which pressure can be applied to a cooling medium guided through a cooling element (110), so that the energy storage unit (106) is at least partially abutted against respectively adjacent cooling elements (110) on one side or both sides along the stacking direction (104) of the energy storage unit group (102).

[0326] 42. The electrical energy storage unit group (102) according to embodiment 41 is characterized in that the fluid pressure device (206) is also a pump device (204) for driving the cooling medium guided through the cooling element (110).

[0327] 43. The energy storage unit group (102) according to embodiment 41 or 42 is characterized in that the fluid pressure device (206) includes a plurality of pressure sensors, by means of which the inlet pressure of the cooling medium input into the cooling element (110) and / or the outlet pressure of the cooling medium output from the cooling element (110) can be determined in particular.

[0328] 44. An energy storage device (100) comprising one or more energy storage unit groups (102) according to any one of embodiments 31 to 43, wherein the energy storage unit (106) is an energy storage unit of an energy storage device.

[0329] 45. The energy storage device (100) according to embodiment 44 is characterized in that the one or more energy storage unit groups (102) include a fluid pressure device (206), by means of which the pressure on the cooling medium guided through the cooling element (110) can be matched with the operating state and / or charging state and / or aging state of the energy storage unit (106).

[0330] 46. ​​An electrical energy storage device (100), in particular an electrical energy storage device (100) according to embodiment 44 or 45, comprising an electrical energy storage cell group (102), in particular an electrical energy storage cell group (102) according to any one of embodiments 11 to 15 or 27 to 43, wherein the electrical energy storage cell group (102) comprises:

[0331] - a plurality of electrical energy storage cells (106) configured as electrical energy storage cells of an electrical energy storage device;

[0332] - a plurality of cooling modules (112) for cooling the electrical energy storage cells (106), in particular a cooling module (112) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10 or 16 to 26, wherein the cooling modules (112) each have at least one flexible cooling element (110) which bears against at least one of the electrical energy storage cells (106),

[0333] The electrical energy storage device (100) comprises a measuring device (208) for determining the total amount of cooling medium in at least one cooling element (110) of a cooling module (112).

[0334] 47. The electrical energy storage device (100) according to embodiment 46 is characterized in that the internal cavity volume in at least one cooling element (110) can be determined with the help of a measuring device (208).

[0335] 48. The electrical energy storage device (100) according to embodiment 46 or 47 is characterized in that the total mass of the cooling medium located in at least one cooling element (110) can be determined with the help of a measuring device (208).

[0336] 49. An electrical energy storage device (100) according to any one of embodiments 46 to 48, characterized in that the measuring device (208) includes a balancing container (210) for accommodating a cooling medium, wherein the total amount of cooling medium located in at least one cooling element (110) can be inferred from the filling height of the balancing container (210) with the aid of the measuring device (208).

[0337] 50. An electrical energy storage device (100) according to any one of embodiments 46 to 49, characterized in that the electrical energy storage device (100) includes a fluid pressure device (206), by means of which the pressure in at least one cooling element (110) can be adjusted, and in particular the pressure can be controlled or adjusted to a predetermined pressure.

[0338] 51. An energy storage device (100) according to any one of embodiments 46 to 50, characterized in that the measuring device (208) is constructed and configured to be able to infer the compression state or expansion state of at least one energy storage unit (106) adjacent to at least one cooling element (110) from the determined total amount of cooling medium located in at least one cooling element (110).

[0339] 52. An electrical energy storage device (100) according to any one of embodiments 46 to 51, characterized in that the measuring device (208) is constructed and configured to be able to infer the state of at least one electrical energy storage unit (106) cooled by means of at least one cooling element (110) from the determined total amount of cooling medium located in at least one cooling element (110).

[0340] 53. The energy storage device (100) according to embodiment 52 is characterized in that the charging state and / or operating state and / or aging state of at least one energy storage unit (106) can be inferred with the help of a measuring device (208).

[0341] 54. An energy storage device (100) according to any one of embodiments 46 to 53, characterized in that the energy storage unit (106) and the cooling element (110) jointly have an extension portion with a substantially constant length along the stacking direction (104) of the energy storage unit group (102).

[0342] 55. A method for cooling an electrical energy storage unit (106), such as an electrical energy storage unit configured as an electrical energy storage device, the method comprising:

[0343] - feeding a cooling medium into at least one cooling element (110) of a cooling module (112);

[0344] - transferring heat from at least one electrical energy storage unit (106) to a cooling element (110) or transferring heat from a cooling element (110) to at least one electrical energy storage unit (106);

[0345] - determining the total amount of cooling medium present in at least one cooling element (110).

[0346] 56. The method according to embodiment 55, characterized in that the total volume of the cooling medium located in at least one cooling element (110) is determined.

[0347] 57. The method according to embodiment 55 or 56, characterized in that the total mass of the cooling medium located in at least one cooling element (110) is determined.

[0348] 58. A method according to any one of embodiments 55 to 57, characterized in that the determined total amount is used to determine the operating state and / or charging state and / or aging state of at least one energy storage unit (106).

[0349] 59. The method according to embodiment 58 is characterized in that the further operation, in particular the further use, of at least one energy storage unit (106) is controlled and / or regulated based on the determined operating state and / or charging state and / or aging state of at least one energy storage unit (106).

[0350] 60. The method according to embodiment 58 or 59 is characterized in that, for multiple cooling elements (110) of multiple cooling modules (112), the amount of cooling medium located in each cooling element is individually determined, in particular so as to individually determine the operating status and / or charging status and / or aging status for each energy storage unit (106).

Claims

1. A cooling module (112) for an energy storage unit group (102), wherein the cooling module (112) comprises a cooling element (110) for accommodating and conducting a cooling medium, wherein the cooling module (112) comprises a support element (150), the cooling element (110) being fixed to the support element, wherein the support element (150) is a plastic injection-molded element or comprises a plastic injection-molded element, the plastic injection-molded element being fixed to the cooling element (110) by injection molding onto the cooling element (110), the support element (150) comprising one or more side parts (158), each of the side parts comprising one or more compensation areas (166), the compensation areas being constructed to be elastically flexible along a circumferential direction (154) of the support element (150), the support element (150) surrounding the cooling element (110) along the circumferential direction.

2. The cooling module (112) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support element (150) includes one or more corner elements (156).

3. The cooling module (112) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The corner elements are injection-molded directly onto the cooling element (110).

4. The cooling module (112) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The support element (150) comprises one or more stacking regions (174), by means of which a plurality of support elements (150) of identical construction can be stacked on top of one another along a stacking direction (104).

5. The cooling module (112) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The one or more stacking regions (174) each include at least one clamping section (178) and / or at least one reinforcement region (176) for clamping the plurality of support elements (150) by means of a clamping device (182).

6. The cooling module (112) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The one or more side parts each include one or more anchoring sections (168) for anchoring the support element (150) at the cooling element (110).

7. The cooling module (112) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The one or more anchoring segments (168) respectively include: - one or more injection-molded elements (170) which are injection-molded directly onto the cooling element (110); and One or more rod elements (172) for connecting the injection-molded element (170) to a wall section (160) of a side part (158) of the carrier element (150).

8. The cooling module (112) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The side parts each include a plurality of anchoring sections (168) and a plurality of compensation regions (166), wherein the anchoring sections (168) and the compensation regions (166) are arranged alternately along a circumferential direction (154) of the support element (150).

9. The cooling module (112) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The support element (150) comprises four corner elements (156) and four side parts (158) connecting every two of the corner elements (156) to each other, wherein the corner elements (156) and the side parts (158) together form a frame element (152) surrounding the cooling element (110).

10. The cooling module (112) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The support element (150) forms a wall section (160) of a housing (164) of an electrical energy storage cell group (102) and / or an electrical energy storage device (100).

11. The cooling module (112) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The wall section (160) has at least partially an undulating structure, wherein a plurality of compensation regions (166) are formed by the undulating structure for compensating for different degrees of thermal expansion caused by the material.

12. An electric energy storage unit group (102), comprising: - a plurality of electrical energy storage units (106); - a plurality of cooling modules (112) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for cooling the electrical energy storage unit (106).

13. The electric energy storage unit group (102) according to claim 12, characterized in that: The electric energy storage unit group (102) is an electric energy storage unit group of an electric energy storage device.

14. The electric energy storage unit group (102) according to claim 12, characterized in that: The plurality of electrical energy storage units (106) are electrical energy storage units of an electrical energy storage device.

15. The electric energy storage unit group (102) according to claim 12, characterized in that: The stacking height (H) of the support elements (150) corresponds at least approximately to the thickness (D) of at least one cooling element (110) located on one side in the heat transfer region (194). k ) and a thickness (D z ) 16. The electrical energy storage unit group (102) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that: The support element (150) of the cooling module (112) forms, in a stacked state, a side wall of a housing (164) that encloses the energy storage unit (106) and the cooling element (110) that is at least approximately continuous in both the stacking direction (104) and the circumferential direction (154).

17. The electrical energy storage unit group (102) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that: The energy storage unit group (102) comprises a stack formed by support elements (150), wherein the stack is provided with an end plate (186) at each end, wherein the two end plates (186) form or comprise clamping plates (184) between which the support element (150) is clamped.

18. The electrical energy storage unit group (102) according to claim 16, characterized in that The energy storage unit group (102) comprises a stack formed by support elements (150), wherein the stack is provided with an end plate (186) at each end, wherein the two end plates (186) form or comprise clamping plates (184) between which the support element (150) is clamped.

Images