Semi-finished product for forming the housing element of a battery cell

Abstract

A semi-finished product for forming a housing element (100) of a battery cell (200), the semi-finished product having: a base element (12) and a first side element (14), a second side element (16) and a third side element (18), wherein the first side element (14) and the second side element (16) are disposed on opposite sides of the base element (12), and the third side element (18) is disposed on the second side element (16) on the side opposite to the base element (12), wherein the base element (12), the first side element (14), the second side element (16) and the third side element (18) are disposed in a plane (23), and wherein the base element (12), the first side element (14), the second side element (16) and the third side element (18) are configured to form a circumferentially closed and fluid-tight main housing in which the battery element (302) of the battery cell can be disposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a semi-finished product of a housing element for forming a battery cell of an energy storage device, a method for forming a housing element, a method for forming a semi-finished product, a housing element, and a vehicle and / or stationary storage device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, there are many different solutions for forming battery casing components in the field of battery technology. With the increasing number of battery cells in vehicles and stationary energy storage, and with rising performance and quality requirements, the demand for innovative and robust battery systems continues to grow.

[0003] In vehicle technology, the ever-increasing efficiency to reduce energy consumption and the intensifying competition have created cost pressures, which in turn have increased the demand for more economical and efficient vehicle components. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide a semi-finished product of a housing element for forming a battery cell of an energy storage device, and a method for manufacturing the housing element of a battery cell. The present invention enables simple and cost-effective manufacturing while simplifying transportation.

[0005] The present invention provides an advantageously improved semi-finished product for forming a housing element of a battery cell. The invention is defined in the independent claims. Advantageous improvements of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0006] The advantages of the semi-finished housing element for forming a battery cell, having the features of claim 1, are that the transportation of the housing element is greatly simplified, and new supply chains can be enabled. Specifically, the semi-finished product can be specifically designed for a particular battery cell, wherein the semi-finished product is flat on a plane. Unlike pre-assembled housing elements, this flat structure allows for easy global transportation. Preferably, the semi-finished product can be assembled to form the housing element in a device in which battery elements (e.g., membranes, bipolar plates, separators, etc.) are integrated into the housing element. More preferably, by adjusting the size of the semi-finished product, it is easier to adapt it to new battery sizes and new battery solutions. This, in particular, can significantly reduce or avoid the cost of developing tools for providing the housing element.

[0007] According to the present invention, this is achieved by a semi-finished product for forming a housing element of a battery cell having a base element, a first side element, a second side element, and a third side element. The first side element and the second side element are disposed on opposite sides of the base element. The third side element is disposed on the side of the second side element opposite to the base element. The first, second, and third side elements, along with the base element, are disposed in a single plane. Here, the base element, the first side element, the second side element, and the third side element are configured to form a circumferentially closed and fluid-tight main housing of the housing element. The battery element of the battery cell can be disposed within said main housing.

[0008] In this way, four planar components—the base component and three side components—constitute a semi-finished product. Subsequently, for example, the customer can use this semi-finished product to manufacture a hollow housing component with two opposing openings. The customer then installs a bottom component and a cover component into these two openings respectively, thereby forming a closed housing. The battery component is preferably inserted before the housing is sealed with the cover component. After sealing with the cover component, the battery cell is filled with electrolyte through a filling opening that may be located on any wall but is preferably located on the cover component.

[0009] It should be noted that, preferably, the battery element can be laid on and aligned onto the base element before the joining operation of the semi-finished product, and then a hollow body can be created around the battery element through a molding operation. The bottom element and the cover element are then assembled onto the hollow body. Alternatively, the hollow body can be formed first, the bottom element fixed, the battery element placed into the hollow body with an opening on one side, and the cover assembled onto the remaining opening in the final step.

[0010] It should be noted that the hollow body can be manufactured after molding, for example by welding the contact seam between the first and third side components, and the bottom component and / or cover component can also be fixed to the hollow body by welding.

[0011] In other words, a semi-finished product comprising a base element, a first side element, a second side element, and a third side element can be cut from a metal slab (Blechrohling) or similar material, such that these elements are integrally and / or monolithically located in a single plane. Preferably, the first side element, the second side element, and the third side element can be arranged relative to the base element in a certain manner to form a fluid-sealed space, preferably in which the battery elements of the battery cell (e.g., electrode stacks or the like) can be arranged.

[0012] The dependent claims disclose preferred improvements of the invention.

[0013] More preferably, the semi-finished product further includes a bottom element disposed on a base element. The base element, first side element, second side element, third side element, and bottom element are configured to form a fluid-sealed space in which the battery element of the battery cell is disposed. The bottom element is disposed directly on the base element. Thus, the bottom element, the first and second side elements are disposed directly on the base element, and the third side element is disposed on the second side element. This allows for the manufacture of a hollow body with a bottom element by molding and fixing planar elements at the joint, followed by placing the battery element into the hollow body; or, by placing the battery element on the base element before molding, and then molding other planar elements around the disposed battery element, thereby creating a single-sided open and fluid-sealed hollow body. In the final step, a separate cover element is assembled and filled with electrolyte.

[0014] More preferably, the semi-finished product further includes a cover element disposed on the base element opposite to the bottom element. Thus, four planar elements are provided on the base element: the cover element, the bottom element, and the first and second side elements. Therefore, the semi-finished product comprises a total of six planar elements, which are subsequently formed into a fluid-sealed rectangular hollow body. The six planar elements serve as the housing of the battery cell, allowing the contact sides to be interconnected.

[0015] Preferably, biegelinies are provided between adjacent planar elements. These biegelinies are particularly provided between the base element and the first side element, and / or between the base element and the second side element, and / or between the second side element and the third side element, and / or between the base element and the bottom element, and / or between the base element and the cover element. The biegelinies are preferably embossed lines and are formed in the flat semi-finished product during the manufacturing process, before molding.

[0016] The advantage of this embodiment is that the joining of the components of the semi-finished product is greatly simplified, and in particular, the positional tolerances can be improved.

[0017] Preferably, in one of the planar elements, particularly in the first side element, the second side element, the third side element, and / or in the base element and / or cover element, a contact element is provided, the contact element being configured to conduct electrical energy from the inside of the generally fluid-sealed space to the outside of the housing element.

[0018] The advantage of this embodiment is that the contact element can be inserted when the semi-finished product is in a planar state, which is much simpler than inserting it after the housing element is installed.

[0019] More preferably, the base element, the first side element, the second side element, the third side element, the bottom element, and / or the cover element have a rupture element configured to allow fluid to drain from the generally fluid-sealed space when a predetermined temperature and / or predetermined pressure is exceeded in the housing element.

[0020] The advantage of this embodiment is that the probability of damage to the explosive element is significantly reduced when it is installed in a plane, because it is much simpler to insert the element when the semi-finished product is in a plane state than to insert it when the housing element is already installed.

[0021] The planar elements, namely the first side element and / or the second side element and / or the third side element and / or the base element and / or the bottom element and / or the cover element, are preferably rectangular so that the manufactured housing element is cuboid in shape.

[0022] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for forming a housing element using a semi-finished product as described in the context, comprising the following steps: - Provides a semi-finished product comprising a base component, a first side component, a second side component, and a third side component. Align the first side element, the second side element, the third side element, and the base element. - The first side element is joined to the third side element to form a hollow cuboid with two openings facing each other.

[0023] The advantage of this embodiment is that, through the structure of the semi-finished product and through these process steps, the housing components can be specifically adjusted according to different battery cells and / or battery elements. Preferably, the alignment can be a bending operation or a similar operation. Furthermore, the joining can be, in particular, a welding operation or an operation similar to that described above.

[0024] More preferably, the bottom element and / or cover element, which are in the form of independent components, are then joined to the hollow cuboid with openings on both sides.

[0025] More preferably, the semi-finished product also has a bottom element disposed on the base element. Thus, by molding and joining the semi-finished product, a hollow cuboid with only one opening can be formed. The opening side can then be closed using a separate cover element.

[0026] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the semi-finished product further includes a cover element. The cover element is also disposed on the base element. Thus, on the base element, the first side element, the second side element, the bottom element, and the cover element are respectively disposed on one side. This allows the housing element to be manufactured without any additional independent planar elements (i.e., independent bottom elements and / or independent cover elements).

[0027] The battery element, which serves as an internal component of the battery cell, can be placed into the housing element in different ways. Preferably, the battery element is placed into an unformed and joined hollow cuboid before the bottom element and / or cover element are secured.

[0028] Preferably, when the semi-finished product is a hollow body with openings on both sides, the battery element is first placed into the hollow body, and then the bottom element and the cover element are fixed to the hollow body. Alternatively, the bottom element can be fixed to the hollow body first, and then the battery element can be placed into a hollow body with an opening on only one side. The cover element is then joined in the final step. Alternatively, the battery element can be laid on a flat blank and aligned, and then the hollow body is joined around the battery element. The bottom element and the cover element are then joined in the final step.

[0029] More preferably, the method includes the following steps: - The fluid-sealed space is filled with electrolyte through an opening located on the cuboid housing element. - The generally fluid-sealed, filled space is closed by means of pins and / or material joints.

[0030] The advantage of this embodiment is that the housing element can still be filled even when the cover element is closed, which improves the manufacturing process.

[0031] More preferably, the method further includes the following steps: - Before aligning the first side component, second side component, third side component, and / or bottom component relative to the base component, clean and / or deburr the semi-finished product, and / or - After assembling these planar components into housing components, the semi-finished product is cleaned and / or deburred.

[0032] The advantage of this embodiment is that the housing element is largely free of impurities and similar substances, thereby avoiding possible short circuits caused by electrolytes or similar factors.

[0033] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for forming a semi-finished product as described in the context, comprising the following steps: -Provide blanks, - In particular, by means of stamping, waterjet cutting or laser cutting, blanks are processed into semi-finished products, wherein the semi-finished products have base elements, first side elements, second side elements, third side elements, and particularly bottom elements and / or particularly cover elements, which are arranged in a plane and configured to at least partially form shell elements.

[0034] The advantage of this implementation is that the geometry of the semi-finished product can be adjusted very simply based on the blank, thereby better adapting it to new battery solutions or similar solutions.

[0035] Another aspect of the invention relates to a housing element for a battery cell, the housing element having a semi-finished product as described in the context, and / or the housing element being formed by means of the method described in the context, and / or having components formed by means of the method for forming the semi-finished product.

[0036] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle and / or a stationary storage device having a semi-finished product as described in the context, a housing element as described in the context, and / or a housing element manufactured by means of a method for forming a housing element as described in the context, and / or an assembly manufactured by means of a method for forming a semi-finished product as described in the context.

[0037] All disclosures described in the context of one aspect of the invention apply equally to all other aspects of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein: Figure 1 A semi-finished product according to the first preferred embodiment is shown. Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 The housing element of the embodiment shown, Figure 3 A semi-finished product according to the second preferred embodiment is shown. Figure 4 A semi-finished product according to the third preferred embodiment is shown. Figure 5 A housing element according to a third embodiment is shown. Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a method for forming a semi-finished product according to one embodiment. Figure 7 A semi-finished product according to the third embodiment is shown. Figure 8 and Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a method for forming a housing element according to one embodiment. Figure 10 A vehicle is shown. Figure 11 A fixed memory is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not drawn to scale. In the drawings, identical, equivalent, or similar elements may be represented by the same reference numerals.

[0040] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A semi-finished product 10 of a housing element 100 for forming a battery cell 200 is shown according to a first preferred embodiment.

[0041] The semi-finished product 10 has four rectangular planar components: a base component 12, a first side component 14, a second side component 16, and a third side component 18. The first side component 14 and the second side component 16 are disposed on opposite sides of the base component 12, particularly on the longitudinal side. The third side component 18 is disposed on the side of the second side component 16 opposite to the base component 12.

[0042] The explosive element 28 is schematically shown in the second side element 16.

[0043] The semi-finished product 10 is placed flat on the plane 23, for example, it is made of sheet metal (Blechmaterial). Figure 2 As shown, the semi-finished product 10 can be molded into a housing element 100 having two open sides. Accordingly, the housing 100 is a cuboid with two opposing sides.

[0044] The two opening sides can be closed by the bottom element 20 and the cover element 22, which are in the form of independent components.

[0045] Therefore, the housing element 100 of the first embodiment has a total of six planar elements, wherein the bottom element 20 and the cover element 22 are independent elements. The other four elements, namely the first, second and third side elements and the base element, together constitute the semi-finished product 10, and are subsequently formed by molding and joining to form a hollow cuboid with two openings opposite each other.

[0046] When installed, the housing element 100 forms a fluid-sealed space in which a battery element 302, such as a fuel cell stack, can be placed.

[0047] To simplify the molding process, curved lines 24 are embossed in the semi-finished product 10 between adjacent planar components. The curved lines 24 can also be manufactured by other methods, such as material removal. This, in particular, helps prevent material bulging during the molding process.

[0048] The method for manufacturing the housing element 100 and battery cell 200 according to the first embodiment is as follows: a semi-finished product 10 is made from a blank into a planar shape and placed flat in a plane. A bending line 24 may be introduced simultaneously or subsequently, and other desired openings for filling and / or accommodating electrical terminals and / or accommodating explosive elements may be introduced as appropriate. In the next step, a shaped annular element 100 is manufactured along the bending line 24. Subsequently, in the joining step, the two free edges on the longitudinal sides of the first side element 14 and the third side element 18 are joined together. This results in... Figure 2 As shown, a cuboid housing element 100 is formed with two opening sides facing each other. These two opening sides can then be closed by separate planar elements, namely the bottom element 20 and the cover element 22.

[0049] Before this, the battery element 302 (e.g., a battery stack) needs to be placed into the receiving space of the housing element 100. This can be done in two ways. After the housing element is manufactured in a cuboid shape with openings on both sides, the battery element 302 can be simply inserted into the housing element, and then the bottom element 20 and the cover element 22 can be fixed.

[0050] Alternatively, the bottom element 20 can be secured before the battery element is inserted, and then the battery element can be inserted through the remaining opening area on the housing element 100. The housing element 100 is then closed by the cover element 22.

[0051] Alternatively, the battery element 302 can be disposed on the flat semi-finished product 10, for example, on the base surface 12, and then the semi-finished product 10 can be formed and joined to form a cuboid housing element 100 with openings on both sides. It should be noted that during the joining operation, such as welding, the battery element disposed inside must not be damaged. The bottom element 20 and the cover element 22 are then secured.

[0052] For all alternatives, in the final step, electrolyte is filled into the fluid-sealed housing element 100 through a filling opening (not shown).

[0053] This allows for the production of housing elements that can be folded from flat, semi-finished products. These housing elements are particularly suitable for transport to desired locations because they require significantly less transport space compared to pre-manufactured housing elements.

[0054] Figure 3 A semi-finished product 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The second embodiment generally corresponds to the first embodiment, wherein a bottom element 20 is further provided on the unoccupied side of the base element 12. Wherein, as... Figure 3All planar components of the semi-finished product 10 shown are also disposed in the plane 23. A contact element 26, such as a terminal or at least one opening for receiving a terminal, is also provided on the bottom component 20. In this way, the bottom component 20 is also integrated into the semi-finished product. This makes it particularly possible to manufacture a housing component 100 with a closed bottom. In this case, the housing component only has one opening, and then the cover component 22 is fixed to the opening. According to the above method, either the battery component 302 can be placed into the pre-formed and joined housing component 100, or the battery component can be pre-placed on the base component 12, followed by forming and joining operations around the battery component 302.

[0055] Figure 4 A semi-finished product 10 for forming a housing element 100 of a battery cell 200 according to a third embodiment is shown. The semi-finished product 10 has a base element 12, a first side element 14, a second side element 16, a third side element 18, a bottom element 20, and a cover element 22. Furthermore, the first side element 14, the second side element 16, the cover element 22, and the bottom element 20 are disposed on the base element 12 and configured to form a fluid-tight space with the base element 12 in which the battery element 302 can be disposed, wherein the base element 12, the first side element 14, the second side element 16, the third side element 18, the bottom element 20, and the cover element 22 are disposed in a plane 23.

[0056] Preferably, contact elements 26 and / or bursting elements 28 may be provided in the base element 12, the first side element 14, the second side element 16, the third side element 18, the bottom element 20, and / or the cover element 22, respectively. The bursting element 28 is preferably configured to allow fluid to drain from the substantially fluid-sealed space when a predetermined temperature and / or predetermined pressure is exceeded within the housing element 100. Preferably, bends 24 may be provided at all transitions of the semi-finished product 10. For example, bends 24 may be provided between the base element 12 and the first side element 14, between the base element 12 and the second side element 16, between the base element 12 and the bottom element 20, between the base element 12 and the cover element 22, and / or between the second side element 16 and the third side element 18, respectively.

[0057] Figure 5A battery cell 200 according to a third embodiment is shown. The battery cell 200 preferably has a housing element 100. The housing element 100 can be formed, in particular, by means of a semi-finished product 10 as described in the context, wherein a battery element 302 is disposed within the housing element 100. Preferably, contact elements 26 may be provided in the cover element 22 and on the bottom element 20, the contact elements 26 being configured to conduct, for example, electrical energy from the battery element 302 to the outside of the housing element 100 on the inside of a generally fluid-tight space of the housing element 100.

[0058] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating the steps of a method 400 for forming a semi-finished product 10 as described in the context. Method 400 includes the following steps: - Provide (S20) blank, - Specifically, by means of laser cutting or stamping, the blank is formed (S21) to obtain a semi-finished product 10, wherein the semi-finished product 10 has a base element 12, a first side element 14, a second side element 16, a third side element 18, a bottom element 20 and a cover element 22, which are arranged in a plane 23 and configured to at least partially form a shell element 100.

[0059] Figure 7 A semi-finished product 10 according to one embodiment is shown. The semi-finished product 10 preferably has a substrate 12 with the largest area. A battery element 302 may be disposed on the substrate 12. A first side element 14, a second side element 16, a cover element 22, and a bottom element 20 are provided around the substrate 12. These elements can be attached to the battery element 302 unformed. A third side element 18 is preferably disposed as a cover on the second side element 16, which can close the housing element when the battery element 302 is disposed in the housing element 100.

[0060] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a method 300 for forming a housing element 100 using a semi-finished product 10 according to one embodiment, as described in the context. Method 300 includes the following steps: - Provides (S1) a semi-finished product 10 comprising a base element 12, a first side element 14, a second side element 16, a third side element 18, a bottom element 20, and a cover element 22. - Align the first side element 14, the second side element 16, the third side element 18 and the bottom element 20 relative to the base element 12 (S2). - Join the first side element 14 with the second side element 16 and the third side element 18 (S3), and join the bottom element 20 with the first side element 14, the second side element 16 and the third side element 18.

[0061] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a method 300 for forming a housing element 100 using a semi-finished product 10 as described in the context, according to one embodiment. Preferably, method 300 has... Figure 8 The steps S1 to S3 are identical to those already explained. More preferably, method 300 further includes the steps of: setting (S4) the battery element 302, aligning the cover element 22 (S5), and engaging the cover element 22 (S6). More preferably, method 300 further includes the steps of: filling the fluid-sealed space (S7), and closing the fluid-sealed space (S8). More preferably, method 300 further includes the steps of: cleaning and / or deburring the semi-finished product 10 before alignment S2 (S9), and / or cleaning and / or deburring the semi-finished product 10 after engagement (S3) (S10).

[0062] Figure 10 A vehicle 500 according to one embodiment is shown. The vehicle 500 preferably has a semi-finished product 10 as described in the context, a housing element 100 as described in the context, and / or a housing element 100 formed by means of a method 300 for forming the housing element 100 as described in the context, and / or a component 502 manufactured by means of a method 400 for forming the semi-finished product 10 as described in the context.

[0063] Figure 11 A fixed memory 600 is shown, the fixed memory 600 having a semi-finished product 10 as described in the context, a housing element 100 as described in the context, and / or a housing element manufactured by means of a method 300 for forming the housing element 100 as described in the context, and / or a component 502 manufactured by means of a method 400 for forming the semi-finished product 10 as described in the context.

Claims

1. A semi-finished product for forming a housing element (100) of a battery cell (200), said semi-finished product having: -Basic components (12), and - First side element (14), second side element (16) and third side element (18). -in, The first side element (14) and the second side element (16) are disposed on opposite sides of the base element (12), and the third side element (18) is disposed on the side of the second side element (16) opposite to the base element (12). -The base element (12), the first side element (14), the second side element (16), and the third side element (18) are disposed in a plane (23), and -The base element (12), the first side element (14), the second side element (16) and the third side element (18) are configured to form a circumferentially closed and fluid-tight main housing in which the battery element (302) of the battery cell can be disposed.

2. The semi-finished product according to claim 1, further comprising a bottom element (20) disposed on the base element (12), wherein, The base element (12), the first side element (14), the second side element (16), the third side element (18), and the bottom element (20) are configured to form a circumferentially closed and fluid-tight main housing in which the battery element (302) of the battery cell can be disposed.

3. The semi-finished product according to claim 2, further comprising a cover element (22) disposed on the base element (12) opposite to the bottom element (20), wherein, The base element (12), the first side element (14), the second side element (16), the third side element (18), the bottom element (20), and the cover element (22) are configured to form a circumferentially closed and fluid-tight main housing in which the battery element (302) of the battery cell can be disposed.

4. The semi-finished product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, A curved line (24) is provided between the base element (12) and the first side element (14), between the base element (12) and the second side element (16), between the second side element (16) and the third side element (18), and / or between the base element (12) and the bottom element (20), and / or between the base element (12) and the cover element (22).

5. The semi-finished product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the first side element (14), in the second side element (16), in the third side element (18), and / or in the base element (12), and / or in the bottom element (20), and / or in the cover element (22), a contact element (26) is provided, the contact element (26) being configured to conduct electrical energy from the inside of the generally fluid-sealed space to the outside of the housing element (100).

6. The semi-finished product (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The base element (12), the first side element (14), the second side element (16), the third side element (18), the bottom element (20), and / or the cover element (22) have a filling opening for filling electrolyte and / or a bursting element (28) configured to allow fluid to drain from the generally fluid-sealed space when a predetermined temperature and / or predetermined pressure is exceeded within the housing element (100).

7. A method (300) for forming a housing element (100) using a semi-finished product (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the following steps: - Provide (S1) a semi-finished product (10) comprising a base element (12), a first side element (14), a second side element (16) and a third side element (18). - Align the first side element (14), the second side element (16), and the third side element (18) relative to the base element (12) (S2), and - Join the first side element (14) with the third side element (18) (S3) to form a hollow body with an opening at the bottom and a cover.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The semi-finished product (10) also has a bottom element (20) which is aligned relative to the base element (12) and engaged with the hollow body to create a hollow body with a closed bottom.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The semi-finished product (10) also has a cover element (22), which is aligned with the base element (12) and engaged with the hollow body to create a hollow body with a closed cover.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, Before the alignment step, the battery element (302) is placed on the base element (12).

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, After the joining step, the battery element (302) is disposed in the hollow body.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The cover element (22) is then attached to the hollow body.

Images