Clamp assembly having cell holder and plurality of electrochemical energy storage elements

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a clamp assembly having a cell holder and a plurality of electrochemical energy storage elements. A clamp assembly (100) is presented having a cell holder (10) and a plurality of electrical energy storage elements (20) in the form of a cylindrical circular cell. The cylindrical circular cells each have a shell surface and two end faces. The cell holder (10) of the clamp assembly is a one-piece cell holder and is made of plastic. Furthermore, the cell holder (10) has a plurality of recesses (11) having a triangular or polygonal shape and having a corresponding number of walls. The individual energy storage elements (20) are each clamped in a recess (11) of the cell holder (10), the cell holder (10) engaging in the region of the shell surfaces of the energy storage elements (20) such that the end faces of the individual energy storage elements (20) lie outside the cell holder (10). Preferably, the wall of each recess is partially provided with a clamping rib (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a clamp assembly comprising a cell holder and a plurality of electrical energy storage elements in the form of cylindrical round cells, and a battery comprising such a clamp assembly. Background Art

[0002] Batteries are rechargeable electrical energy storage devices that are used, for example, in automotive applications, but also in many other areas. In a battery, several electrochemical energy storage cells are connected in order to provide the current and voltage required for the various applications.

[0003] In the present case, energy storage element is understood to mean both a single electrochemical cell which is able to store electrical energy and a battery having several electrically connected electrochemical cells which are able to store electrical energy.

[0004] Each electrochemical energy storage element comprises one or more electrochemical cells. The electrochemical cell within the meaning of the present application comprises at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode, the two electrodes being separated from each other, for example, by a separator. In the electrochemical cell, an electrochemical reaction occurs, which consists of two electrically coupled but spatially separated partial reactions. One partial reaction occurs at a relatively low redox potential at the negative electrode, and one partial reaction occurs at a relatively high redox potential at the positive electrode. During discharge, electrons are released at the negative electrode due to the oxidation process, resulting in electrons flowing to the positive electrode via an external consumer, and a corresponding number of electrons are absorbed from the positive electrode. Therefore, a reduction process is performed at the positive electrode. At the same time, an ionic current corresponding to the electrode reaction occurs in the electrochemical cell to achieve the purpose of charge balancing. This ionic current, which is made possible by an ion-conducting electrolyte, passes through the separator.

[0005] In secondary (rechargeable) electrochemical cells, this discharge reaction is reversible, ie it is possible to reverse the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy during discharge.

[0006] For applications in everyday environments or in the home, for example for phones, household appliances, tools, electric bicycles, electric scooters or the like, so-called accumulators, i.e. rechargeable electrochemical energy storage elements, are usually used. In accumulators, either individual electrochemical energy storage cells or battery packs / battery modules comprising several electrochemical energy storage cells are used.

[0007] Larger batteries or battery systems are usually made up of battery modules, which usually include a large number of connected electrochemical energy storage cells. The number of energy storage cells contained in a battery module depends on the required current and voltage. Applications in the field of electric vehicles or for large stationary energy storage systems usually require very high currents and high voltages and a correspondingly large number of energy storage cells.

[0008] One type of electrochemical cell commonly used in batteries is a lithium-ion cell, which includes electrodes that can reversibly absorb and release lithium ions, and an electrolyte containing lithium ions.

[0009] For electrochemical cells and in particular for lithium-ion cells, various designs are known. In addition to the prismatic shape, button cells and cylindrical round cells are also widely used. Both button cells and round cells have a substantially circular base. The cylindrical round cell differs from the button cell in that the button cell has a height that is less than its diameter. On the other hand, the cylindrical round cell has a height that is greater than its diameter.

[0010] Batteries or battery modules are often equipped with prismatic shells. The energy storage element is arranged inside the shell, whereby a holding matrix (also referred to as a cell holder) is often used to position and fix the energy storage element inside the shell. In the case of cylindrical round cells, a two-part cell holder made of plastic is generally used, which fixes and frames the round cells in the region of the end faces of the round cells, which are aligned parallel to their longitudinal axes. For example, a two-part cell holder is shown in EP 3926704 A1. This describes a battery module comprising two or more battery blocks. Each battery block includes a plurality of cylindrical round cells, which are arranged in corresponding receptacles of the cell holder. The round cells are arranged in several rows in a regular pattern. The cell holder is subdivided into a lower cell holder element and an upper cell holder element, whereby the end faces of the cylindrical round cells are each respectively enclosed and fixed by an upper cell holder element and a lower cell holder element.

[0011] DE 102021125265 A1 discloses a holding structure for energy storage cells of an energy storage device. A structure made of plastic forms a holding space for individual battery cells, wherein the holding space forms a honeycomb structure. The holding space for each energy storage cell is cup-shaped.

[0012] DE 202018005411 U1 describes a battery module with round cells, wherein the round cells are held by a holding matrix made of plastic, which has precisely fitting receptacles in the form of cylindrical cavities and upper and lower holding frames. The battery module described does not have a housing itself. Instead, the housing function is performed by a self-supporting plastic holding matrix.

[0013] CN 217903281 U describes a holding structure for energy storage cells, which has a honeycomb structure. On the underside of each opening of the honeycomb structure intended to hold the energy storage cells, there are six protrusions that prevent the energy storage cells from falling out. Summary of the invention

[0014] Against this background, the present invention has set itself the task of providing an improved way to hold and fix an energy storage element in a battery. In practice, this aims to simplify the production of the battery and use fewer components.

[0015] This object is achieved by a clamping assembly according to claim 1, which has a cell holder and a plurality of electrical energy storage elements. This object is further achieved by a battery according to the further independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the clamping assembly and the battery are indicated in the respective dependent claims.

[0016] The clamp assembly according to the invention comprises a cell holder and a plurality of energy storage cells. These energy storage elements are designed as cylindrical round cells and in particular have a cylindrical housing having a shell surface and two end faces. The clamp assembly is characterized by the following features:

[0017] a. The cell holder is a one-piece cell holder;

[0018] b. The battery holder is made of plastic;

[0019] c. The cell holder has a plurality of recesses having a triangular or polygonal shape and having a corresponding number of walls;

[0020] d. The individual energy storage elements are each clamped in a recess in a cell holder, wherein the cell holder engages in the region of the shell surface of the energy storage element;

[0021] e. The end faces of each energy storage element are located outside the cell holder.

[0022] The cell holder, which may also be referred to as holding matrix, is, for example, an injection-molded part made of plastic. A particular advantage of plastic as a material for the cell holder is its relatively low weight and its electrically insulating properties.

[0023] The cell holder is designed such that it has several recesses. These recesses can also be referred to as receptacles, into which the individual energy storage elements of the clamp assembly are inserted. No further elements are required for positioning and fixing the energy storage cells. In particular, the use of additional frames or the like is not required.

[0024] An important feature of the clamp assembly according to the invention is that the cell holder engages in the region of the shell surface, in particular in the middle region of the energy storage element. This has the particular advantage that the ends of the energy storage element, i.e. in particular the end faces (pole sides) of the cylindrical round cells, are exposed and not covered by the cell holder. This allows free access to the cell ends, which can be used for electrically contacting the energy storage element, for example for welding with a cell connector or other arrester.

[0025] Another particular advantage is that, for example, the exposed cell ends of the energy storage element allow heat to be transferred directly to the battery housing. Thus, the heat generated when discharging or charging the energy storage element can be dissipated directly via the planar heat dissipation system, so that temperature management of a battery equipped with such a clamp assembly can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner compared to conventional batteries. In particular, overheating of the battery is prevented by good heat dissipation.

[0026] A further particular advantage of the clamp assembly according to the invention is that the energy storage element is clamped in the cell holder and therefore no additional assembly steps are required during assembly to secure the energy storage element in the cell holder. For example, assembling the energy storage element in the form of a clamp assembly with the cell holder also makes assembly easier, because the energy storage elements are already secured in the assembly when they are inserted into the housing. The clamping also prevents the energy storage element from having radial play relative to the holder and from moving during operation of the battery. Thus, the clamping prevents the occurrence of undesirable shear forces, in particular in relation to the welded connections between the energy storage elements and their respective electrical arrester elements, which shear forces may occur, for example, due to vibrations or other impacts to which the battery is subjected during operation.

[0027] The one-piece design of the cell holder facilitates assembly of the battery with such a clamp assembly, since, for example, the clamp assembly according to the invention does not require screwing or other connections of several parts of the cell holder as is conventionally required. The one-piece design of the cell holder reduces the number of components, which is also advantageous for cost reasons and also simplifies assembly.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the cell holder does not surround the entire surface of the individual energy storage elements, but only partially. This has advantages with regard to possible heat generation in a battery equipped with such a clamp assembly, since the generated heat can be dissipated particularly well from the energy storage elements.

[0029] The arrangement of the cylindrical round cell in the cell holder can be designed, for example, so that the cell holder engages in the middle section of the cylindrical round cell, which middle section refers to the longitudinal extent of the shell surface. The end sections and therefore the end faces are located outside the cell holder. It is also possible that the cell holder clamps more than the middle section of the shell surface. Preferably, with respect to the longitudinal extent of the shell surface, at least one tenth is located outside the cell holder and is therefore available for heat dissipation.

[0030] The clamp assembly according to the present invention may also be referred to as a battery pack or a battery block.

[0031] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the clamp assembly according to the invention, the following additional features are provided:

[0032] a. The recess of the cell holder has a hexagonal shape.

[0033] The hexagonal shape of the recesses or receptacles of the cell holder for the individual energy storage elements is particularly suitable because it makes it easy to accommodate cylindrical round cells without radial play, thereby holding the round cells securely in place. The hexagonal shape of the receptacle creates a honeycomb structure, in which the individual recesses each form a honeycomb cell.

[0034] The honeycomb structure has the further advantage that a substantially constant wall thickness can be achieved over the entire cell holder, which is particularly advantageous for the stability of the injection-molded part. The honeycomb structure also allows a reduction in material and weight compared to conventional cell holders having a different structure.

[0035] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the clamp assembly is characterized by the following additional features:

[0036] a. Each recess is each provided with at least one clamping rib pointing into the interior of the recess.

[0037] The individual round cells can be held particularly securely and without play in the clamp arrangement by one or preferably several clamping ribs which project into the interior of the individual recesses, ie into the interior of the individual receiving spaces of the cell holder.

[0038] In a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the clamp assembly according to the invention, at least one of the following additional features is provided:

[0039] a. Each recess is provided with two or more clamping ribs directed toward the interior of the recess;

[0040] b. The recess of the cell holder has a hexagonal shape, and each recess of the cell holder is provided with three clamping ribs pointing to the interior of the recess;

[0041] c. The clamping ribs of each recess of the cell holder are positioned on non-adjacent walls of each recess.

[0042] Preferably, the abovementioned features a. and b. and particularly preferably the abovementioned features a., b. and c. are realized in combination with one another.

[0043] Due to these preferred designs of the cell holder, the cylindrical round cells can be held particularly reliably and without play in the cell holder even in the event of manufacturing tolerances. Additional dynamic loads during operation of the battery are avoided, which could have a negative effect on the welded connection between the individual round cells and their respective arresters.

[0044] Preferably, the clamping ribs are arranged on the inner walls of the recess in such a way that a clamping rib is only located on every other inner wall.For a hexagonal-shaped recess and thus six inner walls and three clamping ribs, only one of the opposing walls is provided with a clamping rib.

[0045] The arrangement of the clamping ribs only on non-adjacent inner walls of the respective recess or receptacle for the respective cell allows the cell to be held securely in place even if the diameter of the round cell differs slightly due to production tolerances.

[0046] The clamp assembly according to the invention is preferably characterized by the following additional features:

[0047] a. The cell holder has a structure in which adjacent recesses are defined by an intermediate wall.

[0048] An intermediate wall is a common wall which delimits two adjacent recesses or receptacles of the cell holder in one direction.

[0049] In a particularly preferred manner, with respect to this aspect of the invention, the following additional features are provided:

[0050] a. The intermediate walls each have only one clamping rib.

[0051] This feature ensures that when a round cell is inserted, the intermediate wall provided with clamping ribs on one side can be pushed in the direction of adjacent recesses delimited by the same wall, making it possible to compensate for tolerance differences in the diameter of the round cell. This would not be possible if the intermediate wall would have clamping ribs on both of its sides.

[0052] Preferably, the cell holder has a honeycomb structure, wherein each recess (cell receptacle) has six walls each. Preferably, the clamping ribs are positioned on three of the six walls. The walls of adjacent recesses (cell receptacles) are formed by an intermediate wall, wherein there is always only one clamping rib on the intermediate wall. This means that, preferably, there are in no case two clamping ribs on opposite sides of the same wall. Due to the elasticity of the thin plastic walls of the cell holder, this creates a spring effect of the walls into the adjacent cell receptacles. This means that each energy storage element can be clamped and held in an "oversized fit" manner, thereby ensuring that the energy storage element is clamped without play in all cell receptacles of the cell holder (for example, in 154 cell receptacles).

[0053] In general, these measures can compensate for tolerances (manufacturing tolerances) that occur in the cell diameter. In addition, any differences in the cell diameter on the positive and negative sides of the cell can also be compensated. For example, such differences between the two sides of the cell can be, for example, in the nominal range of 0.1-0.2 mm.

[0054] Generally speaking, tolerances are unavoidable in the production of plastic injection-moulded parts. These tolerances are based, for example, on deformations due to different cooling of the structure at different points of the injection-moulded part. Tool tolerances, tool spacings etc. also play a role. Therefore, with conventional cell holders, the repeatability of the dimensional accuracy cannot be reliably guaranteed, in particular in the case of cell holders with several cell receptacles. The present invention solves this problem primarily by means of flexible partition walls and clamping ribs in the individual cell receptacles of the cell holder.

[0055] In order to achieve a good clamping effect, it is particularly advantageous if the tolerances of the cell and also the cell holder are only small, especially with regard to the individual cell receptacles with clamping ribs. Generally accepted tolerances are, for example, ±0.5 mm, more preferably ±0.2 mm, particularly preferably ±0.1 mm.

[0056] Conventional rigid cell holders, which have, for example, a circular cell receptacle in which all walls of the cell receptacle are clamped without the walls being able to move, have the disadvantage that the cell receptacle cannot be oversized. By oversizing the cell receptacle, the problem that some of the cells cannot be inserted into the receptacle is solved, but smaller cells will have play in the receptacle. Therefore, it is usually necessary to use a two-part cell holder and / or to glue the cells in the cell holder.

[0057] Despite its one-piece design, the cell holder according to the invention ensures a secure clamping of the cell due to the spring effect of the flexible intermediate wall, so that production-related tolerances of the cell and the cell holder are compensated.

[0058] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the clamp assembly according to the invention, the following additional features are provided:

[0059] a. The energy storage element is a lithium-ion battery cell or a sodium-ion battery cell.

[0060] Lithium-ion cells are widely used in various battery applications, since they are characterized above all by a particularly high energy density at a relatively low weight. However, sodium-ion cells are also becoming increasingly interesting. These generally have a relatively low energy density. However, the availability of sodium exceeds that of lithium by many times.

[0061] Generally speaking, lithium-ion batteries are based on the use of lithium, which can move back and forth between electrodes in the form of ions in the energy storage element.

[0062] Sodium-ion is based on the use of sodium, which can move back and forth between the electrodes of the energy storage element in the form of ions.

[0063] Negative and positive electrodes of sodium-ion energy storage elements and lithium-ion energy storage elements are often formed from so-called composite electrodes, which comprise electrochemically inactive components as well as electrochemically active components.

[0064] In principle, all materials that can absorb and release lithium ions can be used as electrochemically active components (active materials) of secondary lithium ion energy storage elements. For example, carbon-based particles (such as graphite carbon) are used for negative electrodes. The active material for the positive electrode can be, for example, lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4), lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) or its derivatives. The electrochemically active material is usually contained in the electrode in the form of particles.

[0065] The active material is usually applied as a layer on a strip current collector. The current collector is an electrochemically inactive component of the energy storage element. Metal foils used as carriers of the corresponding active materials are particularly suitable as current collectors. For example, the current collector of the negative electrode (anode current collector) can be made of copper or nickel, and for example, the current collector of the positive electrode (cathode current collector) can be made of aluminum. In addition, the electrode can include an electrode binder (e.g., polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or another polymer, such as carboxymethyl cellulose), an additive to increase conductivity, and other additives that are electrochemically inactive components. The electrode binder ensures the mechanical stability of the electrode and often also ensures that the active material adheres to the current collector.

[0066] Solutions of lithium salts, such as lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), in organic solvents, such as ethers and esters of carbonic acid, are particularly suitable as electrolytes for lithium-ion energy storage elements.

[0067] In a cylindrical round cell, the electrodes of the cell are preferably arranged in the form of a coil, wherein at least one strip-shaped separator is arranged between the strip-shaped electrodes. In other embodiments, the electrodes may be in a stacked form.

[0068] The present invention further includes a battery having multiple energy storage elements. The battery is characterized by the following features:

[0069] a. The battery includes a housing;

[0070] b. at least one clamp assembly as described above is arranged in the housing;

[0071] c. The energy storage element of the clamp assembly is bonded and / or electrically contacted to the housing and / or structural elements of the battery via its end face located outside the cell holder.

[0072] The term battery here also includes battery modules, whereby several battery modules can be combined to form a larger battery system.Depending on the design of the battery or battery module, one or more clamp assemblies with a suitable number of energy storage elements for the respective application can be provided in the housing.

[0073] The housing of the battery can be a metal housing. However, other housing designs are also possible, such as a housing made of plastic and / or carbon fiber.

[0074] For example, for practical reasons, prismatic housing shapes are particularly suitable, since they are easy to stack. The housing can also be designed in such a way that it can be installed in a space-saving manner, for example in the automotive sector or as a bicycle battery or similar application.

[0075] For example, the housing and / or a structural element of the battery to which the end faces of the energy storage element are bonded may be the interior of the housing or another supporting structure within the housing.

[0076] The housing and / or the structural element of the battery with which the end faces of the energy storage elements are in electrical contact can be, for example, a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board can also be a carrier for the battery management electronics, via which the individual energy storage elements of the terminal assembly are electrically connected to one another.

[0077] In a particularly preferred embodiment, one end face of each energy storage element is bonded to a structural element of the housing. The energy storage element is preferably electrically contacted via the other end face of the energy storage element. For this purpose, suitable conductor elements, cell connectors, etc. can be provided, which are welded to the corresponding end face areas of the energy storage element.

[0078] Preferably, in particularly preferred embodiments of the battery, at least one of the following additional features is provided:

[0079] a. using a thermally conductive potting compound, in particular a thermally conductive potting resin, to implement the combination;

[0080] b. The combination causes heat dissipation from the energy storage element;

[0081] c. This bond provides electrical insulation of the energy storage element from the housing.

[0082] Preferably, the abovementioned features a. and b., or a. and c., or in a particularly preferred manner the abovementioned features a., b. and c. are realized in combination with one another.

[0083] For example, epoxy-based, polyurethane-based, silicone-based and particularly preferably polybutadiene-based potting compounds can be used. These materials have the following advantages: On the one hand, they fix the individual energy storage elements of the clamp assembly and therefore the clamp assembly as a whole in the housing. On the other hand, electrical insulation of the energy storage element from the housing is achieved, especially when the housing is metal. In addition, these materials allow heat to be dissipated from the energy storage element, so that the heat generated during operation of the battery and in particular during the discharge or charging process can be dissipated well and the battery does not overheat.

[0084] In addition, the battery can be equipped with active temperature control means, for example with a cooling plate or other cooling device. With the aid of a thermally conductive potting compound, in particular a thermally conductive potting resin, the energy storage elements can be connected to the corresponding temperature control means, for example by bonding them to a cooling plate or another cooling element. In this case, the cooling element serves as a structural element to which the energy storage elements of the clamp assembly are bonded.

[0085] For example, the bonding with a potting compound can be implemented in particular in such a way that the potting compound encloses the free end of the energy storage element to a height of a few millimeters. In this way, the energy storage element is fixed and secured to the corresponding structural element. In addition, the energy storage element is thereby advantageously electrically insulated from the battery housing, while at the same time achieving direct heat transfer to the battery housing and surface heat dissipation.

[0086] Materials with low viscosity and / or self-leveling are particularly suitable for casting compounds. Good adhesion to plastics and metals and sufficient thermal conductivity are also useful. In addition, it is particularly advantageous if the material used for the casting compound has self-extinguishing properties in the event of a fire.

[0087] For example, the material used for the casting compound is advantageously characterized by a wide temperature application range of -60°C to +150°C, and a good balance between high thermal conductivity and viscosity with high adhesion values ​​on plastics and metals.

[0088] The viscosity of preferred materials for the potting compound may, for example, be in the range of 4,000-5,500 mPa*s (Brookfield viscosity at 25°C, test standard ISO 2555), in particular in the range of 4,500-5,000 mPa*s (Brookfield viscosity at 25°C), and preferably 4,700 mPa*s (Brookfield viscosity at 25°C).

[0089] The thermal conductivity of preferred materials for the casting compound may be, for example, in the range of 0.80-1.10 W / m*K (test standard ASTM D 7984), in particular in the range of 0.90-1.00 W / m*K and preferably 0.95 W / m*K.

[0090] Preferably, a polybutadiene potting resin, in particular a two-component polybutadiene potting resin, may be used.

[0091] The invention also comprises a cell holder for cylindrical round cells. The cell holder according to the invention is a one-piece cell holder and is made of plastic. The cell holder comprises a plurality of recesses or receptacles in a triangular or polygonal shape, which have a corresponding number of inner walls. The cell holder is intended for clamping a plurality of cylindrical round cells. Each of the individual round cells will be clamped into a recess in the cell holder, wherein the cell holder engages in the region of the shell surface of the round cell so that the end face of each round cell is positioned outside the cell holder.

[0092] The cell holder preferably forms a honeycomb structure in that each recess of the cell holder has a hexagonal shape.

[0093] Furthermore, each recess is preferably provided with at least one clamping rib pointing into the interior of the recess. In particular, in the case of hexagonal recesses, three clamping ribs per recess are preferably provided. These clamping ribs are preferably offset relative to adjacent recesses, so that in the case of an intermediate wall between two adjacent recesses, the intermediate wall is provided with a clamping rib only on one side.

[0094] With regard to further features of the cell holder according to the invention, reference is made to the above description.

[0095] Further features and advantages of the present invention are shown in the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The illustrated features can be implemented alone or in combination with other illustrated features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0096] The accompanying drawings show:

[0097] Figure 1 is a view of a cell holder according to the present invention;

[0098] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A detailed view of the cell holder shown in;

[0099] Figure 3 is a view of a section of a clamp assembly according to the present invention, the clamp assembly having Figure 1 The cell holder and the inserted cylindrical round cell shown in ;

[0100] Figure 4 is an oblique view of the upper side of a clamp assembly according to the present invention; and

[0101] Figure 5 is an oblique view of the underside of a clamp assembly according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0102] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a cell holder 10 according to the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the cell holder 10 forms a honeycomb structure with individual recesses 11, which have a hexagonal shape. The recesses 11 are intended to receive individual cylindrical round cells, which are to be clamped into the recesses 11. The cell holder is intended to engage in the region of the shell surface of the individual round cells, so that the end faces of the round cells are outside the cell holder 10.

[0103] The recesses 11 of the cell holder 10 are arranged in a regular pattern, in this example providing a total of fourteen rows, each row having eleven recesses. This means that 154 cylindrical round cells can be inserted into the cell holder.

[0104] Circular openings 15 are provided at the sides of the cell holder 10, which are used to fasten the cell holder 10 in the battery housing. The openings 15 are preferably designed as molded sleeves for passing fastening screws, so that the cell holder 10 with inserted round cells can be fastened in the battery housing.

[0105] The cell holder 10 is a one-piece cell holder. No further cell holder elements are required. Of course, the several cell holders shown here can be installed in a battery or, for example, a battery module. Each of these cell holders would then be equipped with 154 cylindrical round cells according to this embodiment example.

[0106] Figure 2 A more detailed view of the cell holder 10 is shown. The individual recesses 11 or receptacles for the cylindrical round cells to be inserted are each delimited by six walls 12. Each of the walls 12 is an intermediate wall, which means that they delimit two adjacent recesses.

[0107] In the preferred embodiment of the cell holder 10 shown here, clamping ribs 13 are provided on three of the six walls of the recess 11. The clamping ribs 13 are designed in such a way that they provide a stable clamping closure for the cylindrical round cell to be inserted.

[0108] The clamping ribs 13 are located on non-adjacent walls of the recess 11 , ie, the clamping ribs are located on every other wall. Each intermediate wall 12 has only one clamping rib 13 .

[0109] This arrangement of the clamping ribs 13 makes the cell holder particularly flexible. If a cylindrical round cell is inserted, the corresponding wall can (if necessary) be slightly offset. This design of the cell holder 10 allows particularly advantageous compensation of tolerance differences in the dimensions of cylindrical round cells.

[0110] Figure 3 A top view of a section of a cell holder 10 with an inserted energy storage element (cylindrical round cell) 20 is shown. Every other wall of a recess in the cell holder 10 is provided with a clamping rib 13. The inserted round cell 20 is held on three clamping ribs 13. Due to the elasticity of the honeycomb structure of the cell holder 10, the intermediate wall can (if necessary) be pushed in the direction of an adjacent recess.

[0111] In the cell holder 10 according to the invention, the energy storage element 20 is firmly held in the intended position without radial play. Despite the production tolerances of the individual energy storage elements and the resulting slight variations in diameter, it is possible to firmly hold the individual energy storage elements in place due to the design of the clamping ribs 13 in the honeycomb structure and their elasticity.

[0112] Figure 4 A view of the upper side of a clamp assembly 100 is shown, which is formed by a cell holder 10 fully equipped with a cylindrical round cell 20. The end face of the round cell 20 exposed on this side can be used to electrically contact the energy storage element. For example, a conventional cell connector can be welded to this side to make electrical contact with the energy storage element.

[0113] Figure 5 A view of the underside of the clamp assembly 100 is shown. When the cell holder 10 is engaged in the shell surface of the round cell 20, the end face of the corresponding round cell 20 protruding from the cell holder 10 is exposed. For example, the upwardly protruding free end of the energy storage element 20 can be fixed to the structural element of the battery housing using a thermally conductive potting resin. In addition to fixing, the potting resin can also provide electrical insulation of the energy storage element from the housing. At the same time, this combination can achieve optimal heat dissipation from the energy storage element by transferring the heat to the housing and dissipating the heat in this way.

Claims

1. A clamp assembly (100) comprising a cell holder (10) and a plurality of electrical energy storage elements (20) in the form of cylindrical round cells, each cylindrical round cell having a shell surface and two end surfaces, the clamp assembly having the following features: a. The battery holder (10) is a one-piece battery holder; b. The battery holder (10) is made of plastic; c. The cell holder (10) has a plurality of recesses (11), the plurality of recesses having a triangular or polygonal shape and having a corresponding number of walls; d. The individual energy storage elements (20) are each clamped in a recess (11) in the cell holder (10), wherein the cell holder (10) engages in the region of the shell surface of the energy storage element (20); e. The end surface of each energy storage element (20) is located outside the battery cell holder (10).

2. The clamp assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clamp assembly has the following additional features: a. The recess (11) of the cell holder (10) has a hexagonal shape.

3. The clamp assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the clamp assembly has the following additional features: a. Each of the recesses (11) is provided with at least one clamping rib (13) pointing into the interior of the recess.

4. The clamp assembly of claim 3, wherein the clamp assembly has at least one of the following additional features: a. Each of the recesses (11) is provided with two or more clamping ribs (13) pointing to the interior of the recess; b. The recess (11) of the cell holder has a hexagonal shape, and each recess (11) of the cell holder is provided with three clamping ribs (13) pointing to the interior of the recess; c. The clamping ribs (13) of the respective recesses of the cell holder are positioned on non-adjacent walls of the respective recesses (11).

5. A clamp assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, having the following additional features: a. The cell holder (10) has a structure, wherein: The recess (11) is delimited by an intermediate side wall.

6. The clamp assembly of claim 5, wherein the clamp assembly has the following additional features: a. The intermediate side walls (12) each have only one clamping rib (13).

7. A clamp assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, having the following additional features: a. The energy storage element (20) is a lithium ion battery cell or a sodium ion battery cell.

8. A battery having a plurality of energy storage elements (20), the battery having the following characteristics: a. The battery comprises a housing; b. at least one clamp assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is arranged in the housing; c. The energy storage element (20) of the clamp assembly is coupled and / or electrically contacted to the housing and / or structural elements of the battery via its end surface located outside the cell holder.

9. The battery according to claim 8, wherein the battery has at least one of the following additional features: a. Using a thermally conductive potting compound, in particular a thermally conductive potting resin to implement the combination; b. said combination causing heat dissipation from said energy storage element (20); c. The bonding provides electrical insulation of the energy storage element (20) from the housing.

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