Electrical energy storage device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Electrical energy storage device of a motor vehicle, comprising several electrically coupled storage cells (11), wherein each storage cell (11) has electrical terminals (13, 14) which are electrically coupled to electrical terminals (13, 14) of adjacent storage cells (11), wherein at least those electrical terminals (13, 14) of the storage cells (11) which are electrically coupled to electrical terminals (13, 14) of adjacent storage cells (11) are designed in a clamp-like manner, and wherein, for electrical coupling of adjacent storage cells (11), electrically conductive coupling means (15) designed in a rail-like or web-like manner are inserted into the clamp-like terminals (13, 14) of adjacent storage cells (11), characterized in that at least those electrical terminals (13, 14) of the storage cells (11) which are electrically coupled to electrical terminals (13, 14) of adjacent storage cells (11),each is designed as a lamella pack consisting of several spring-elastic, metallic clamps (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical energy storage device of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to a storage cell of such an electrical energy storage device according to the preamble of patent claim 10. Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrical energy storage device of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 11 and to a coupling means of such an electrical energy storage device according to the preamble of patent claim 16.

[0002] US Pat. No. 7,604,896 B2 discloses an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Thus, the electrical energy storage device disclosed therein comprises a plurality of electrically coupled storage cells, each storage cell having electrical terminals, namely a positive terminal and a negative terminal. To form a series circuit of several storage cells, the electrical terminals of adjacent storage cells are electrically coupled.

[0003] JP 2010 - 61 961 A1 discloses an electrical energy storage device according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0004] JP H11 - 86 831 A A1 discloses an electrical energy storage device according to the preamble of patent claim 11.

[0005] DE 10 2008 044 492 A1, DE 10 2006 015 566 A1, KR 10 2011 008 700 A and JP 2011 - 29 103 A disclose further prior art.

[0006] The prior art electrical energy storage systems for motor vehicles all have the disadvantage that the electrical coupling of the storage cells is complex and inconvenient. Therefore, there is a need for an electrical energy storage system for motor vehicles that features a simpler electrical coupling of the storage cells.

[0007] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of creating a novel electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by an electrical energy storage device according to claim 1 and by a storage cell according to claim 10.

[0009] According to claim 1, at least those terminals of the storage cells that are electrically coupled to the electrical terminals of adjacent storage cells of the electrical energy storage device are designed as clamps. Electrically conductive coupling means, designed in a rail-like or web-like manner, are inserted into these clamp-like terminals for electrically coupling adjacent storage cells.

[0010] By simply inserting the coupling elements into the terminal-like terminals, the storage cells can be electrically coupled. The storage cells can be electrically decoupled by simply removing the coupling elements from the terminal-like terminals. Therefore, no screw connections or similar devices are required for electrical coupling. All storage cells can be connected and disconnected with minimal effort.

[0011] Furthermore, according to claim 1, at least those electrical connection poles of the storage cells which are electrically coupled to electrical connection poles of adjacent storage cells are each designed as lamination packs comprising a plurality of spring-elastic, metallic terminals.

[0012] Because the clamp-like electrical connection terminals are designed as laminar packs, each with several spring-elastic, metallic clamps, a secure electrical connection between the storage cells is always guaranteed, even when the storage cells or connection terminals are subject to mechanical expansion or contraction as a result of temperature cycles. The laminar packs thus always ensure secure electrical contact with the coupling element and thus electrical coupling between the storage cells. Tolerance compensation between the individual storage cells is not required. The coupling elements inserted into the laminar packs do not have fixed connection points to the laminar packs, allowing relative movement while maintaining electrical contact.

[0013] Preferably, the rail-like or web-like electrically conductive coupling means are designed as lamination packs each comprising a plurality of conductor rails or conductor webs.

[0014] Then, if the electrical coupling means which are inserted into the connection poles designed as lamination packs are also designed as lamination packs, the electrical coupling between the coupling means and the connection poles of the storage cells can be further improved.

[0015] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the rail-like or web-like electrically conductive coupling means comprise a cooling channel through which coolant flows. When the electrically conductive coupling means comprise a cooling channel through which coolant flows, overheating of the electrical energy storage device can be prevented in a particularly effective manner.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by an electrical energy storage device according to claim 11 and a coupling means according to claim 16.

[0017] According to claim 11, at least those electrical connection poles of the storage cells which are electrically coupled to electrical connection poles of adjacent storage cells are coupled via rail-like or web-like, electrically conductive coupling means, wherein the coupling means have terminal-like coupling segments via which the coupling means are plugged onto the connection poles.

[0018] Furthermore, according to claim 11, at least the coupling segments of the coupling means are designed as lamination packs each comprising a plurality of resilient, metallic terminals, wherein the terminals of the lamination packs are U-shaped with a plurality of legs, namely with opposing, resilient contacting legs for electrically contacting one of the terminal poles of a storage cell and with a connecting leg connecting the contacting legs, via which the terminals of the lamination packs are connected to the coupling means, wherein within each lamination pack the contacting legs are resiliently deformable independently of one another.

[0019] According to the second aspect of the invention, the contacting principle between storage cells and coupling means is therefore reversed compared to the first aspect of the invention; in this case, the coupling means have terminal-like coupling segments for plugging them onto the connection poles of the storage cells.

[0020] Preferred developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail, without being limited thereto, with reference to the drawings. Herein: Fig. 1 a schematic plan view of a first electrical energy storage device according to the invention for a motor vehicle with a storage cell pack comprising a plurality of storage cells electrically connected in series; Fig. 2 a schematic plan view of a second electrical energy storage device according to the invention of a motor vehicle with two storage cell packages connected electrically in parallel, each comprising a plurality of storage cells connected electrically in series; Fig. 3 a detail of the energy storage of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in the region of two terminal poles of two storage cells electrically coupled via a coupling agent; and Fig. 4 a detail of a connection pole.

[0021] The present invention relates to an electrical energy storage device of a motor vehicle, such as a starter battery or a traction battery in a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of an electrical energy storage device 10, which comprises several storage cells 11. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the energy storage device 10 comprises a total of N = twelve cuboid storage cells 11. In the embodiment of the Fig. 1, all twelve storage cells 11 are arranged geometrically side by side or one behind the other and are electrically coupled in series to form a single storage cell stack 12. As an alternative to cuboid-shaped storage cells, round storage cells or foil storage cells can also be used. Each storage cell 11 has electrical connection terminals 13, 14 on one side or surface, namely a positive connection terminal 13 and a negative connection terminal 14.

[0023] For the training of Fig. 1, in the series circuit of N = twelve memory cells 11 shown, with a number N-2 = ten memory cells 11, namely in the middle ten memory cells 11 positioned next to one another or one behind the other, a positive connection pole 13 of a memory cell 11 is electrically coupled to a negative connection pole 14 of a first, adjacent memory cell 11 and a negative connection pole 14 of the respective memory cell 11 is electrically coupled to a positive connection pole 13 of a second, adjacent memory cell 11.

[0024] For the remaining two storage cells 11, namely the two outer storage cells 11, one connection pole in each case, namely the positive connection pole 13 in the left storage cell 11 and the negative connection pole 14 in the right storage cell 11, is coupled to an opposite connection pole of the respective adjacent storage cell 11, whereas the other connection pole of the respective outer storage cell 11 of the storage cell stack 12, namely the negative connection pole 14 of the left storage cell 11 and the positive connection pole 13 of the right storage cell 11, each forms a main connection pole 20, 21 of the storage cell stack 12 and thus of the energy storage device 10. The main connection pole 20 of the storage cell stack 12 is a positive main connection pole, and the main connection pole 21 of the storage cell stack 12 is a negative main connection pole.

[0025] At least those electrical connection poles 13, 14 of the storage cells 11 which are electrically coupled to electrical connection poles 14, 13 of adjacent storage cells 11 are designed in a terminal-like manner, wherein, for the electrical coupling of the respective connection poles of adjacent storage cells 11, electrically conductive coupling means 15 which are designed in a rail-like or web-like manner engage in the terminal-like connection poles 13, 14.

[0026] How best Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the electrical connection poles 13 and 14, which are designed as terminals, are formed as lamination packs each consisting of several spring-elastic, metallic terminals 16. According to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, in the illustrated embodiment, each lamination pack comprises four spring-elastic, metallic terminals 16, which are positioned next to each other or one behind the other to form the respective terminal pole 13 or 14, which is designed as a lamination pack. The number of terminals per lamination pack can vary.

[0027] The terminals 16 of the laminar packs are approximately U-shaped with a plurality of legs, namely with opposing, spring-elastic contacting legs 17 for electrically contacting a rail-like or web-like coupling means 15 inserted into the respective laminar pack and with a connecting leg 18 connecting the spring-elastic contacting legs 17, via which the terminals 16 of the respective laminar pack are firmly connected to the respective storage cell 11.

[0028] According to Fig. 4, all contacting legs 17 of all terminals 16 are coupled via a common connecting leg 18 and firmly connected to the respective storage cell 11. In contrast, individual connecting legs 18 can also be provided for the contacting legs 17.

[0029] Within a laminar pack, the spring-elastic contact legs 17 of the terminals 16 are independently resiliently deformable. The laminar packs and thus the connecting terminals 13 and 14 can compensate for mechanical and / or thermal expansion of the storage cells 11 and always ensure secure contact with a coupling element 15 inserted into the laminar packs or connecting terminals 13, 14. The coupling elements 15 inserted into the laminar packs or connecting terminals 13, 14 do not have fixed connection points to the laminar packs or connecting terminals 13, 14.

[0030] The electrical contacting of a coupling means 15 inserted into a lamination pack or a connection pole 13, 14 is effected via ramp-like projections 19 formed on the contacting legs 17.

[0031] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the rail-like or web-like electrically conductive coupling means 15 of lamination packs can also be formed from a plurality of conductor rails or conductor webs.

[0032] In this case, an expansion of the storage cells 11 within the electrical energy storage device 10 can also be compensated via the coupling means 15.

[0033] As already explained, the individual storage cells 11 of the electrical energy storage device 10 are electrically contacted by simply inserting the coupling means 15 into the connection poles 13, 14. There are no fixed connection points between the connection poles 13, 14 and the rail-like coupling means 15, so no tolerance compensation is required between the storage cells 11 of the electrical energy storage device 10.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of an electrical energy storage device 10 with a number 2 * N = eight storage cells 11, wherein a number N = four storage cells 11 are electrically connected in series to form a storage cell pack 12a and 12b and wherein the two storage cell packs 12a and 12b of the electrical energy storage device 10 are electrically connected in parallel.

[0035] Within each storage cell pack 12a and 12b, the connection poles 13, 14 of adjacent storage cells 11 are electrically coupled by inserting the coupling means 15 into the connection poles 13 and 14 designed as laminar packs, wherein for each storage cell pack 12a and 12b for a number N-2 storage cells, namely for the middle storage cells 11 of the respective storage cell pack 12a and 12b, a positive connection pole 13 of a storage cell 11 is coupled to a negative connection pole 14 of a first, adjacent storage cell 11 and a negative connection pole 14 of the respective storage cell 11 is coupled to an adjacent positive connection pole 13 of a second, adjacent storage cell 11 of the respective storage cell pack 12a, 12b, namely in each case via a coupling means 15. At least these connection poles 13, 14 are terminal-like, as laminar packs made of each with several spring-elastic, metallic clamps 16.

[0036] The two outer memory cells 11 of each memory cell pack 12a and 12b are electrically coupled in a different way, namely in such a way that in the first of these memory cells 11 of the memory cell packs 12a and 12b, namely in Fig. 2 in each case at the upper storage cells 11, the negative connection poles 14 of the respective storage cells 11 are coupled to a positive connection pole 13 of an adjacent storage cell 11 of the respective storage cell pack 12a or 12b via an inserted coupling means 15, whereas the positive connection poles 13 of these storage cells 11 of the two storage cell packs 12a and 12b are coupled to one another, namely forming the positive main connection pole 20 of the electrical energy storage device 10.

[0037] At the other two outer memory cells 11 of each memory cell package 12a and 12b, namely in Fig. 2 on the two lower storage cells 11 of the two storage cell packages 12a and 12b, the positive connection poles 13 are each electrically coupled to a negative connection pole 14 of an adjacent storage cell 11 within the respective storage cell package 12a or 12b, whereas the negative connection poles 14 of these outer storage cells 11 of the two storage cell packages 12a and 12b are electrically coupled to one another, namely forming the negative main connection pole 21 of the electrical energy storage device 10.

[0038] In Fig. 2, all connection poles 13, 14 of all storage cells 11 of the storage cell packages 12a, 12b are designed in the form of terminals, namely as lamination packages each consisting of several spring-elastic, metallic terminals 16.

[0039] In this respect, the embodiment of the Fig. 2 the contacting of all storage cells 11 in the sense of a series connection within the storage cell packages 12a and 12b and in the sense of a parallel connection between the storage cell packages 12a and 12b via rail-like coupling means 15 which are plugged into the connection poles 13, 14.

[0040] In contrast, in the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1 the connection poles of the outer storage cells 11, which are the plus main connection pole and the minus main connection pole of the electrical energy storage device 10 of the Fig. 1, are not designed as terminal-like connection poles in the form of laminar packs, but rather a screw connection is made in the area of ​​these connection poles for electrical contacting of the electrical energy storage device 10. In contrast to this, however, it is also possible to design these connection poles in the form of terminals via laminar packs.

[0041] According to an advantageous development, the rail-like or web-like, electrically conductive coupling means 15 can have cooling channels through which coolant flows, in order to dissipate heat generated in the region of the storage cells 11 via the coupling means 15. As a result, the coupling means 15 not only assume the function of electrically coupling storage cells 11 but also provide a cooling function for them.

[0042] By reversing the contacting principle between the storage cells and the coupling means, it is also possible in a variant of the invention not shown that the coupling means have terminal-like coupling segments for plugging them onto then preferably conventionally designed connection poles of the storage cells.

[0043] In this variant, at least those electrical connection poles of the storage cells which are electrically coupled to electrical connection poles of adjacent storage cells are then coupled via rail-like or web-like, electrically conductive coupling means, wherein the coupling means have terminal-like coupling segments via which the coupling means are plugged onto the connection poles.

[0044] In this case, at least the coupling segments of the coupling means are designed as lamination packs each comprising a plurality of spring-elastic, metallic terminals, wherein the terminals of the lamination packs are U-shaped with a plurality of legs, namely with opposing, spring-elastic contacting legs for electrically contacting one of the connection poles of a storage cell and with a connecting leg connecting the contacting legs, via which the terminals of the lamination packs are connected to the coupling means, wherein within each lamination pack the contacting legs are spring-elastically deformable independently of one another.

[0045] In this case, the coupling means are preferably designed entirely as lamination packs each comprising a plurality of conductor rails or conductor webs.

[0046] With regard to all other details of this variant of the invention (not shown), reference is made to the explanations in order to avoid repetition. Fig. 1 to 4. List of reference symbols 10 electrical energy storage 11 memory cells 12 memory cell pack 12a memory cell package 12b memory cell package 13 Connection pole / positive connection pole 14 Connection pole / negative connection pole 15 coupling agents 16 terminal 17 Contacting legs 18 connecting legs 19 lead 20 Main connection pole / plus main connection pole 21 Main connection pole / negative main connection pole

Claims

[1] Electrical energy storage device of a motor vehicle, with a plurality of electrically coupled storage cells (11), wherein each storage cell (11) has electrical connection poles (13, 14) which are electrically coupled to electrical connection poles (13, 14) of adjacent storage cells (11), wherein at least those electrical connection poles (13, 14) of the storage cells (11) which are electrically coupled to electrical connection poles (13, 14) of adjacent storage cells (11) are designed in the manner of a terminal, and wherein, for the electrical coupling of adjacent storage cells (11), rail-like or web-like, electrically conductive coupling means (15) are inserted into the terminal-like connection poles (13, 14), characterized bythat at least those electrical connection poles (13, 14) of the storage cells (11) which are electrically coupled to electrical connection poles (13, 14) of adjacent storage cells (11) are each designed as lamination packs each comprising a plurality of spring-elastic, metallic terminals (16). [2] Energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized by that the terminals (16) of the lamination packs are U-shaped with a plurality of legs (17, 18), namely with opposing, spring-elastic contacting legs (17) for electrically contacting a rail-like or web-like coupling means (15) inserted into the respective lamination pack and with a connecting leg (18) connecting the spring-elastic contacting legs (17), via which connecting leg the terminals (16) of the lamination packs are connected to the respective storage cell (11). [3] Energy storage device according to claim 2, characterized bythat within each lamella pack the spring-elastic contacting legs (17) of the terminals (16) are spring-elastically deformable independently of one another. [4] Energy storage device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the coupling means (15) are designed as lamination packs each comprising a plurality of conductor rails or conductor webs. [5] Energy storage device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the rail-like or web-like, electrically conductive coupling means (15) have at least one cooling channel through which coolant flows. [6] Energy storage device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the memory cells (11) form at least one memory cell package (12; 12a, 12b) with a plurality of memory cells (11) electrically connected in series. [7] Energy storage device according to claim 6, characterized bythat the memory cells (11) form a plurality of memory cell packages (12a, 12b) each having a plurality of memory cells (11) electrically connected in series, wherein the memory cell packages (12a, 12b) are electrically connected in parallel. [8] Energy storage device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized bythat the respective memory cell package (12;12a, 12b) each comprises a number of N storage cells positioned next to one another, wherein, for a number of N-2 storage cells (11), a positive connection pole (13) is electrically coupled via a first electrically conductive coupling means (15) to a negative connection pole (14) of a first adjacent storage cell (11) and a negative connection pole (14) is electrically coupled via a second electrically conductive coupling means (15) to a positive connection pole (13) of a second adjacent storage cell (11), and wherein, for a number of 2 storage cells (11), a connection pole (13, 14), namely the positive connection pole (13) in one storage cell and the negative connection pole (14) in the other storage cell, is coupled via an electrically conductive coupling means (15) to an opposite-polar connection pole (14, 13) of an adjacent storage cell (11), whereas the respective other connection pole (13, 14) of the respective saliva cell (11) a main connection pole (20, 21) of the storage cell package (12;12a, 12b) and / or the energy storage device.; [9] Energy storage device according to claim 8, characterized by that identically polarized connection poles (13, 14) of a plurality of storage cell packages (12a, 12b) are each electrically coupled via electrically conductive coupling means (15). [10] Storage cell for an electrical energy storage device of a motor vehicle, in particular for an energy storage device according to one of claims 1 to 9, with electrical connection poles, wherein at least those electrical connection poles (13, 14) of the storage cell (11) which can be electrically coupled to electrical connection poles of adjacent storage cells are designed in the manner of a terminal, wherein, for the electrical coupling of adjacent storage cells, electrically conductive coupling means (15) designed in the manner of a rail or web can be inserted into the terminal-like connection poles, characterized bythat at least those electrical connection poles (13, 14) of the storage cells (11) which are electrically coupled to electrical connection poles (13, 14) of adjacent storage cells (11) are each designed as lamination packs each comprising a plurality of spring-elastic, metallic terminals (16). [11] Electrical energy storage device of a motor vehicle, with a plurality of electrically coupled storage cells, wherein each storage cell has electrical connection poles which are electrically coupled to electrical connection poles of adjacent storage cells, wherein at least those electrical connection poles of the storage cells which are electrically coupled to electrical connection poles of adjacent storage cells are coupled via rail-like or web-like, electrically conductive coupling means, wherein the coupling means have terminal-like coupling segments via which the coupling means are plugged onto the connection poles, characterized by that at least the coupling segments of the coupling means are designed as lamination packs each comprising a plurality of spring-elastic, metallic terminals, wherein the terminals of the lamination packs are U-shaped with a plurality of legs, namely with opposing, spring-elastic contacting legs for electrically contacting one of the connection poles of a storage cell and with a connecting leg connecting the contacting legs, via which connecting leg the terminals of the lamination packs are connected to the coupling means, wherein within each lamination pack the contacting legs are spring-elastically deformable independently of one another. [12] Electrical energy storage device according to claim 11, characterized by that the coupling means are completely designed as lamination packs each consisting of several conductor rails or conductor webs. [13] Energy storage device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized bythat the rail-like or web-like, electrically conductive coupling means (15) have at least one cooling channel through which coolant flows. [14] Energy storage device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by that the memory cells (11) form at least one memory cell package (12; 12a, 12b) with a plurality of memory cells (11) electrically connected in series. [15] Energy storage device according to claim 14, characterized by that the memory cells (11) form a plurality of memory cell packages (12a, 12b) each having a plurality of memory cells (11) electrically connected in series, wherein the memory cell packages (12a, 12b) are electrically connected in parallel. [16] Coupling means for coupling storage cells of an electrical energy storage device of a motor vehicle according to one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the same has terminal-like coupling segments, via which the coupling means can be plugged onto the connection poles of storage cells, characterized by that at least the coupling segments of the coupling means are designed as lamination packs each comprising a plurality of spring-elastic, metallic terminals, wherein the terminals of the lamination packs are U-shaped with a plurality of legs, namely with opposing, spring-elastic contacting legs for electrically contacting one of the connection poles of a storage cell and with a connecting leg connecting the contacting legs, via which connecting leg the terminals of the lamination packs are connected to the coupling means, wherein within each lamination pack the contacting legs are spring-elastically deformable independently of one another.

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