Support element for holding and cooling at least one energy storage cell, energy storage device and method for producing an energy storage device

Abstract

Support element (1, 1a, 1b, 10, 25, 28, 36) for holding and cooling at least one energy storage cell of an energy storage device for storing electrical energy for an electromobile motor vehicle, the support element comprising: - a flat section (2) with a heat exchanger surface (3), which defines an xy-plane spanned by an x-axis and a y-axis and to which the at least one energy storage cell (15) can be attached; - an edge section (4, 11, 26, 29, 37), which is connected to the flat section along an edge of the flat section; - wherein the edge section has at least one element (5, 6, 12, 13, 38) for forming a connection with at least one further element (5, 6, 12, 13, 40), in order to thereby form a connection of the support element with a further support element along a z-axis, which is perpendicular to the x-axis and is oriented perpendicular to the y-axis, - wherein the support element is designed in such a way,that the at least one element can be connected to the at least one further element after the at least one energy storage cell (15) has been attached to the flat section, wherein the at least one element comprises a tongue (5, 13, 38) and / or a groove (6, 12) and the at least one further element comprises a tongue (5, 13) and / or a groove (6, 12, 40), and- the carrier element is formed in one piece, characterized in that the edge section (11) of the carrier element (10) has a cooling channel (21) for receiving a fluid, which runs parallel to the edge, and the cooling channel (21) runs within the edge section (11).

Description

The present invention relates to a carrier element for holding and cooling at least one energy storage cell of an energy storage device for storing electrical energy for an electric motor vehicle. The invention furthermore relates to an energy store for storing electrical energy, in particular for an electric-mobile motor vehicle, which has a plurality of such carrier elements, and to a method for producing such an energy store.An electric motor vehicle can be understood to mean a motor vehicle which is driven wholly or partly by means of electrical energy. Electric motor vehicles can be, for example, motor vehicles with a hybrid drive or pure electric vehicles.Motor vehicles with hybrid drive, also called hybrid vehicles, have, for example, an internal combustion engine, an electric machine and one or more electrical energy stores. The electric machine of a hybrid vehicle is generally designed as a starter / generator and / or an electric drive. As a starter / generator, it replaces the normally present starter and the alternator. In an embodiment as an electric drive, an additional torque, i.e. an acceleration torque, can be used for propelling the vehicle from the electric machine. As a generator, it enables recuperation of braking energy.In the case of a pure electric vehicle, the drive power is provided solely by an electric machine.Both vehicle types, hybrid and electric vehicles, are distinguished in that large amounts of electrical energy have to be provided and transferred. Electrical energy stores for electric motor vehicles must therefore generally have high power densities and / or high energy densities. These high power densities and / or high energy densities should be achieved within the smallest possible installation space. These requirements are often implemented using electrochemical energy storage cells, such as lithium ion cells, for example, as possible electrical energy sources. The use of electrostatic energy stores (double layer capacitors (DLC) or lithium capacitors (LIC)) is also possible.During the operation of electrochemical and / or electrostatic energy storage cells, heat is generated by high charging and discharging currents in the cells, by the internal resistance of the cells and by a current flow through the cells. For optimum functioning and / or a long service life and operational reliability of the electrical energy store, the heat generated at the individual cells must be dissipated as optimally as possible. Due to the typically very high amounts of heat, the heat produced should be dissipated as specifically as possible. This can be achieved by creating a heat sink that is as strong as possible, which is thermally coupled to the heat source, that is to say to the energy storage cell, via a thermal resistance that is as low as possible.DE 10 2008 027 293 A1 discloses a heat sink which is designed as an extruded profile and in which thermally conductive walls project perpendicularly from the heat sink. Energy storage cells are arranged between the thermally conductive walls, the thermal energy of which energy can be dissipated into the heat sink via the thermally conductive walls. The cooling body is traversed by cooling channels in which a fluid flows which conducts the thermal energy further. Since the thermally conductive walls and the heat sink are rigidly connected to one another, it is quite complicated to arrange the energy storage cells between the thermally conductive walls. As a result, the manufacturing process of an energy store is time- and cost-intensive.DE 10 2010 029 085 A1 discloses cooling bodies through which cooling channels pass and which can be connected to further cooling bodies via a tongue and groove connection. The tongue and groove connection creates a positive fit in one direction. The cooling bodies can be permanently connected to one another by adhesive bonding or soldering. However, this requires the use of another material such as an adhesive or solder. In addition, the cooling bodies are planar, so that only a small area is available for mounting energy storage cells.DE 10 2008 051 897 A1 describes L-shaped cooling fins which have a flat section for attaching energy storage cells and a bent-over edge region. The cooling fins are inserted through slots into a retaining plate, wherein the edge region prevents the cooling fin from slipping through the retaining plate. The cooling fin is thus pushed through the slot until the L-shaped fold of the cooling fin abuts the retaining plate. Subsequently, a base plate is mounted under the retaining plate, so that the cooling fins cannot slip out again. Only after the cooling fins have been connected to the holder plate can the energy storage cells be arranged on the cooling fins, since the energy storage cells do not fit through the slots. As a result, the installation of the energy storage cells is again quite time-consuming and cost-intensive. Furthermore, this approach for realizing cooling has the disadvantage that the foot region of the L fin often has only one line contact to the cooling plate in practice. This disadvantage must be overcome by a heat contact element, such as a gap filler (gap filler), which in turn entails other problems, such as cutting and thus destruction of the material.DE 10 2010 046 933 A1 discloses a temperature-controllable battery cell arrangement according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Carrier elements are furthermore known from the publications DE 10 2010 022 908 A1, WO 2012 / 013 789 A1, DE 10 2008 034 862 A1 and DE 10 2010 046 933 A1.It is an object of the present invention to provide a carrier element for holding and cooling at least one energy storage cell, which can have effective cooling and a reduced installation space. Further objects of the present invention are to specify an energy store based on the carrier element and an efficient and cost-effective method for producing such an energy store, which can additionally have a reduced installation space.These objects are achieved by the subject matters of the independent claims. The dependent claims indicate advantageous embodiments of the invention.The invention comprises a carrier element for holding and cooling at least one energy storage cell of an energy storage device for storing electrical energy for an electric motor vehicle. The carrier element has a planar section with a (in particular at least approximately planar) heat exchanger surface which defines an x-y plane spanned by an x-axis and a y-axis and on which the at least one energy storage cell can be attached. The carrier element has an edge section which is connected to the flat section along an edge of the flat section. The planar portion may have a first thickness along a z-axis oriented perpendicular to the x-axis and perpendicular to the y-axis, and the edge portion may have a second thickness along the z-axis that is greater than the first thickness. According to the invention, the edge section has at least one element for forming a connection to at least one further element, in order thus to enable a connection of the carrier element to a further carrier element along the z-axis. In this case, according to one embodiment, the carrier element is configured in such a way that the at least one element can be connected to the at least one further element after the at least one energy storage cell has been attached to the planar section. The connection of the carrier element to the further carrier element can be effected, for example, by a direct connection between the two carrier elements or else via a cooling plate.By the flat portion being thinner than the edge portion, the support member has a large area on which energy storage cells can be mounted. The energy storage cells can be mounted on the flat section before the carrier element is connected to at least one further element via the at least one element of the edge section. This makes it possible to pre-mount carrier elements with energy storage cells, as a result of which the production process of energy stores which are based on the carrier element becomes simple and cost-effective.According to the invention, the carrier element is formed in one piece. It consists, for example, of aluminum. In one embodiment, the edge section is arranged relative to the flat section in such a way that the edge section protrudes beyond the flat section along the z-axis in both directions. The edge of the planar section can extend in particular along the y-axis or the x-axis.According to the invention, a cooling channel for receiving a fluid is provided within the edge section, which runs parallel to the edge, and the cooling channel runs within the edge section. In addition, cooling fins may be provided on the edge portion on one side extending in the x-y plane or parallel thereto. By these measures, the cooling can be further improved.According to one embodiment, the at least one element and the at least one further element are configured such that they can be connected by means of a cold-pressure welded connection and / or a positive-fit connection.A cold-pressure welded connection can be understood in particular to mean a connection of parts under pressure, without heat supply and without welding additives.By means of the cold pressure welded connection and / or positive fit connection, the carrier element can be firmly connected to the at least one further element via the at least one element of the edge section.According to one embodiment, the at least one further element is a component of at least one further carrier element, which is designed in particular identically to the carrier element. In other words, in this embodiment, the at least one element of the edge section of the carrier element represents a further element of the at least one further element for an edge section of at least one further carrier element according to the invention.The at least one element comprises a tongue and / or a groove and the at least one further element comprises a tongue and / or a groove. For example, it is possible for the carrier element to comprise only one tongue which is inserted into a groove of a cooling plate. The cooling plate can have a plurality of further elements. Of course, the cooling plate can also comprise springs which engage in grooves of the carrier elements. It is also conceivable for the carrier element to have a tongue on one side on the edge section and a groove on another side, wherein the tongue and the groove extend substantially along the z-axis in one embodiment. The tongue is intended to form a connection with a groove of a first further carrier element, and the groove of the edge region of the carrier element is provided to be connected with a tongue of a second further carrier element. It may be expedient, especially in the case of final carrier elements of the energy store, for the carrier element to have only one tongue or only one groove.In one embodiment, the tongue and the groove extend in an arc-shaped manner in at least one partial region, wherein the dimensions of the tongue and the groove are matched to one another. Due to the arc shape, the groove and the tongue can be connected to each other by screwing in. However, compared to a purely translatory movement in an opening direction of the groove, the curved shape leads to a positive fit.In one embodiment, the tongue has at least one ribbed surface, the groove having a cross-sectional area that tapers in a direction of increasing depth of the groove, such that ribs of the ribbed surface of the tongue are compressed upon insertion of the tongue into the groove with increasing depth of insertion of the tongue into the groove. A high pressure occurring at the tips of the ribs significantly simplifies the formation of a cold pressure welded connection.The arched shape and the ribbed surface can optionally also be combined with one another.In one embodiment, the carrier element has a further edge section which is connected to the planar section along a further edge of the planar section, wherein the further edge of the planar section and the edge of the planar section are mutually opposite edges of the planar section, between which edges the planar section extends, wherein the further edge section has a further second thickness which is greater than the first thickness. In this case, the further edge section can be configured in particular like the edge section.The further edge section can possibly achieve greater stability of the flat section. In addition, the connection of a plurality of carrier elements can take place in each case at two edge sections, so that an increased stability of the energy store can result.According to a further aspect, the invention comprises an energy store for storing electrical energy, in particular for an electric-mobile motor vehicle. The energy store has a plurality of carrier elements according to the invention, which are arranged along the z-axis in the form of a stack, wherein in each case two edge sections, which are assigned to different carrier elements directly adjacent to one another, bear against one another and are connected to one another. The energy store furthermore comprises a plurality of energy store cells, wherein in each case at least one energy store cell is arranged in a planar manner on a heat exchanger surface of the planar section of one of the carrier elements.The carrier elements can be directly connected to one another, for example, in that a respective tongue of a carrier element engages directly in a groove of a further carrier element. However, carrier elements can also be connected to one another in that their at least one element of the edge section is connected to at least one further element of a cooling plate.The edge sections of the carrier elements each have a cooling channel for receiving a fluid, which runs parallel to the edge. The energy store then preferably has a flow distributor for supplying the cooling channels with the fluid and a return distributor for receiving the fluid when the fluid exits the cooling channels.Between the carrier elements provided with energy storage cells, volume compensation elements can be provided, which can comprise in particular a thermally conductive, mixture-cell foam and / or a profiled thermal contact element.In addition, the present invention comprises a method for producing an energy store according to the invention. According to this method, a carrier element according to the invention is first provided and at least one energy storage cell is arranged on the flat section of the carrier element.In the same way, a further carrier element according to the invention is provided, on whose flat section in turn at least one further energy storage cell is arranged. According to the invention, the carrier element and the further carrier element are subsequently connected to one another.In this way, it is possible to premount modules consisting of at least one carrier element and an energy storage cell and to subsequently connect the modules, whereby the production of an energy storage is possible in a simple, efficient and cost-effective manner.The connection of the carrier element to the further carrier element can be effected, for example, by connecting a tongue of an edge section of the carrier element to a groove of the further carrier element. Alternatively, a connection of the carrier element to the further carrier element can also be effected via a cooling plate.In one embodiment, the connection of the carrier element to the further carrier element takes place by means of a connection of an element of the edge section of the carrier element to a further element which is a component of the edge section of the further carrier element. The element can in this case comprise in particular a tongue and the further element a groove. Alternatively, the element may comprise a groove and the further element a tongue.In one embodiment, the tongue and the groove extend in an arc-shaped manner in at least one partial region and the connection of the carrier element to the further carrier element takes place by means of screwing the tongue into the groove or screwing the groove around the tongue. In this way, a positive connection can be effected with respect to translatory movements.In one embodiment, the tongue has at least one ribbed surface and the groove has a cross-sectional area that tapers in a direction of increasing depth of the groove.The connection of the carrier element to the further carrier element can then be effected by means of pressing the tongue into the groove, so that ribs of the ribbed surface of the tongue are compressed in the groove. In this way, a cold pressure welded connection can be produced in a simple manner.In one embodiment, the method according to the invention further comprises the step of arranging a volume compensation element, in particular a thermally conductive, mixed-cell foam and / or a profiled thermal contact element, between the carrier element and the further carrier element. The volume compensation element preferably has a constant restoring force.The invention has been illustrated with reference to different objects, namely a carrier element, an energy store and a method for producing an energy store. Unless otherwise stated, features of one article are analogously applicable to the two other articles. This means, for example, that the energy store can of course be formed with all embodiments of the carrier element, so that the energy store has, inter alia, the features of these embodiments of the carrier element. Further advantages and features of embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures. Figure shows FIG. 1 a shows a first embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention in a perspective side view; FIG. 1 bshows the first embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention in a side view; FIG. 2 ashows a method step of an embodiment of a method for producing an energy store according to the invention based on the first embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention; FIG. 2 bshows a first embodiment of an energy store according to the invention after the execution of the step from FIG. 2 a; FIG. 3 ashows a second embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention in a perspective side view; FIG. 3 bshows a second embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention in a side view; FIG. 4 ashows a second embodiment of an energy store according to the invention based on the second embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention in an exploded illustration in a perspective lateral view; FIG. 4 bshows the second embodiment of the energy store according to the invention in an exploded illustration in a lateral view; FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of an energy store according to the invention; FIG. 6 ashows the second embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention with a cooling channel in a lateral perspective view; FIG. 6 bshows the second embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention with a cooling channel in a lateral view; FIG. 6 cshows an embodiment of an energy store according to the invention with corresponding cooling channels; FIG. 7 ashows the second embodiment of the carrier element according to the invention with cooling ribs in a lateral perspective view; FIG. 7 bshows the second embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention with cooling ribs in a lateral view; FIG. 7 cshows an embodiment of an energy store according to the invention with cooling ribs; FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention and its assembly with further such carrier elements; FIG. 9 ashows a fourth embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention in a lateral view; FIG. 9 bshows an embodiment of an energy store according to the invention based on the fourth embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention; FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of an energy store according to the invention with a cooling plate; FIG. 11 ashows a fifth embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention in a perspective lateral view; FIG. 11 bshows the fifth embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention in a lateral view; FIG. 11 cshows a cooling plate with grooves; FIG. 11 d shows an embodiment of an energy store according to the invention based on the fifth embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention, and FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a method according to the invention for producing an energy store.In the following description, elements that are the same and function the same are denoted by the same reference numerals unless otherwise indicated.FIG. 1 ashows a first embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention for holding and cooling at least one energy storage cell in a perspective side view. The carrier element 1 shown has a flat section 2 with an at least approximately planar heat exchanger surface 3. The heat exchanger surface 3 defines an x-y plane which is spanned by the drawn x-axis and y-axis. At least one energy storage cell can be attached to the flat section. For example, one energy storage cell can be located on the front side and another on the rear side of the planar section 2. An edge section 4 is connected to the flat section 2 along an edge of the flat section 2. Along a z-axis, which is oriented perpendicular to the x-axis and perpendicular to the y-axis, the planar section 2 has a first thickness d 1. The edge section 4, on the other hand, has a second thickness d 2 along the z-axis, which is greater than the first thickness d 1.As can be seen in FIG. 1 b, the edge section 4 has a first element on its left side and a second element on its right side for forming a connection with at least one further element. The first element is designed as an arcuate spring 5 and the second element as an arcuate groove 6. The first element can be connected to a further element in the form of an arcuate groove, while the second element can be connected to a second further element in the form of an arcuate spring. Since the thickness d 2 of the edge portion is greater than the thickness d 1 of the planar portion 2, space remains on both sides of the planar portion 2 for one energy storage cell each, even if a plurality of carrier elements are connected to one another. The carrier element 1 is therefore configured in such a way that the first element can be connected to a first further element and the second element can be connected to a second further element even after at least one energy storage cell has been attached to the planar section 2.FIG. 2 ashows a method step of an embodiment of a method according to the invention, according to which several carrier elements according to the first embodiment can be connected to one another, in order to thus produce an energy store. FIG. 2 ashows a plane 7, on which several connected carrier elements are already located. As a rule, at least one energy storage cell will already be attached to these carrier elements. For reasons of simple illustration, however, these are not illustrated in FIG. 2 a. The plane 7 is connected to a folding device 9 via a joint 8. A pre-assembled unit consisting of a carrier element and at least one energy storage cell can be inserted into this folding device 9. Subsequently, it is rotated about the joint 8, so that the arcuate spring 5 of the carrier element 1a is inserted into an arcuate groove 6 of a further carrier element 1b. FIG. 2 b once again illustrates the situation resulting therefrom.FIG. 3 a illustrates a second embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention in a perspective side view. FIG. 3 bshows this second embodiment once again in a side view. The second embodiment of a carrier element 10 shown again has a flat section 2 with a heat exchanger surface 3. The edge section 11 is configured differently in comparison to the first embodiment of a carrier element 1 according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 3 b, the edge section 11 has a groove 12 on its left side and a tongue 13 on its right side. The groove 12 has a cross-sectional area that narrows in a direction of increasing depth of the groove. When the ribbed surface of the tongue 13 is inserted into this groove 12, the ribs of the ribbed surface are compressed, so that a cold pressure weld connection occurs.Cold press welding can be understood to mean a joining method in which the joining of the joining parts is effected under pressure, without heat supply and without welding additives. The metallic connection of the joining parts can be effected in that imperfect grids at the crystal boundaries release atomic forces when they meet grids of the same type disturbed in structure, which lead to new perfect grids and thus bring about the metallic bond. The high pressure required for cold press welding is achieved by plastic deformation at the tips of the ribs and at the same time the oxide layer at the welding points is destroyed by the relative movement (friction at high contact pressure).In cold press welding, the configuration of the surfaces to be welded and their arrangement in the individual elements to be welded can be important. A prerequisite for cold welding of aluminum is a specific surface pressure and a specific forming burr on the surface parts coming to the weld. If one of the surfaces to be connected together is provided with a plurality of specially arranged ribs, only relatively small surface portions are present for shaping purposes and the required pressing force is to be kept in a magnitude which can be economically realized with conventional devices. It is also a merit of a metallic composite that the majority of the oxide skins are displaced in the regions of surface contact between surfaces to be welded. If under these conditions a large number of surface particles are brought into absolute contact with one another under relatively high pressure and under movement, a cold-press welded connection is produced. In one embodiment of the method described here, the system of the tongue and groove composite is extended by ribbed tongue surfaces and special groove shape in such a way that a connection is possible with relatively simple means using the shaping possibilities on extruded aluminum profiles. The tongue preferably has an excess with respect to the groove, while the groove narrows too slightly after the groove base according to one embodiment. The dimensional accuracy of the joining surfaces and their surface condition influence the strength of the connection. The groove depth can be less than 5 mm, for example. A low production cost enables economic production of the cold press welded connection.FIGS. 4 aand 4 b show a second embodiment of an energy storage device 14 according to the invention, which is based on the second embodiment of the carrier element according to the invention. The energy store 14 is illustrated in FIG. 4 ain an exploded illustration in a lateral perspective view. FIG. 4 bshows the same energy store 14 in a lateral view. The energy storage device 14 comprises a plurality of carrier elements 10. The attachment takes place via corresponding thermally conductive adhesive layers 16. Volume compensation elements 18 are arranged between the pre-assembled energy storage modules 17, which essentially consist of a carrier element 10 and two energy storage cells 15. The background to this is that the energy storage cells change their thickness in the event of temperature fluctuations or changes in charge. However, as a result, the pressure in the energy storage cells should not be influenced as much as possible. The volume compensation elements 18 are intended to compensate for expansions of the cells, which can be caused by thermal influences or by internal pressure changes, without the voltages in the energy store exceeding critical values or the required contact pressure of the cells with respect to the respective carrier element being lost. The volume compensation elements 18 can consist, for example, of a thermally conductive, mixed-cell foam which provides a constant restoring force. The volume compensation elements ensure good thermal contact with the carrier elements.FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of an energy store 19 according to the invention. this in turn comprises a plurality of carrier elements 10 and a plurality of energy storage cells 15. The third embodiment of an energy store 19 according to the invention differs from the second embodiment of an energy store 14 according to the invention in particular in that the volume compensation element is designed as a profiled thermal contact element 20. With an increased internal pressure, additional volume of the energy storage cells can escape into the cavities between the ribs of the profiled thermal contact element 20.FIGS. 6 aand 6 b show the second embodiment of a carrier element 10 according to the invention with a cooling channel 21 for receiving a fluid. The cooling channel 21 extends within the edge section 11 parallel to the edge of the planar section 2. FIG. 6 cillustrates an embodiment of an energy store which is based on the carrier elements shown in FIGS. 6 aand 6 b. As the arrows in FIG. 6 c show, this energy store 22 requires a flow distributor for supplying the cooling channels with the fluid and a return distributor for receiving the fluid when the fluid exits the cooling channels 21.FIGS. 7 aand 7 b show the second embodiment of a carrier element 10 according to the invention with cooling ribs 23 which are arranged on an underside of the edge section 11. FIG. 7 cillustrates an embodiment of an energy store which is based on the carrier element illustrated in FIGS. 7 aand 7 b. As the arrows in FIG. 7 c show, the cooling ribs of the energy store 24 can be cooled by means of an air flow.FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of a carrier element 25 according to the invention. This carrier element 25 has an edge section 26 and a further edge section 27. The edge section 26 is connected to the flat section 2 along an edge of the flat section 2. The connection between the flat section 2 and the further edge section 27 takes place along a further edge of the flat section 2, wherein the further edge of the flat section 2 and the edge of the flat section 2 are mutually opposite edges of the flat section 2, between which the flat section 2 extends. As FIG. 8 further illustrates, the connection of a plurality of carrier elements 25 takes place in each case at the edge section 26 and at the further edge section 27.FIG. 9 a illustrates a fourth embodiment of a carrier element 28 according to the invention. the carrier element 28 in turn has an edge section 29 and a further edge section 30. Cooling ribs 31 are arranged on the edge section 29 and on the further edge section 30, respectively. FIG. 9 bshows how an energy store can be produced based on the fourth embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention.FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of an energy store 32 according to the invention, which is arranged on a cooling plate 33. The energy store 32 is fixed on the cooling plate 33 by means of two rails 34 and 35.FIGS. 11 aand 11 b show a fifth embodiment of a carrier element according to the invention. The carrier element 36 in turn has a flat section 2 and an edge section 37. A spring 38 is located on the underside of the edge section 37; in FIG. 11 c, an associated cooling plate 39 is shown, which has a plurality of grooves 40. The springs 38 of the carrier elements 36 can be inserted into these grooves 40, so that the embodiment of an energy store 41 according to the invention shown in FIG. 11 dis produced.FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a method according to the invention for producing an energy store. In step S 1, a carrier element according to the invention is provided and in step S 2, at least one energy storage cell is arranged on the flat section of the carrier element. In step S 3, a further carrier element according to the invention is then provided and subsequently at least one further energy storage cell is arranged on the flat section of the further carrier element (step S 4). A volume compensation element is arranged in step S 5 between the carrier element and the further carrier element. Subsequently, the carrier element is connected to the further carrier element (step S 6).Embodiments of the present invention may have the following advantages: 1. pre-assembly units comprising a carrier element and at least one energy storage cell may be formed with the aid of the carrier elements. The pre-assembly units can then be connected to one another. In this way, energy stores can be produced easily, efficiently and cost-effectively. 2. defective pre-assembly units can be removed from the energy store more easily and replaced. 3. the energy stores can be more easily disassembled into individual parts in order to ensure recycling of the same type. 4. the mounting of the pre-mounting units can be automated. The series assembly, i.e. the assembly of series parts, is a very burdensome work for humans because of the monotony of the operation and the continuously similar work load. To implement fully automated or partially automated assembly, assembly components such as magazines, ordering and separating devices, presses, conveying devices, etc., can be assembled to form a line. 5. an increase in productivity and economics, a reduction in physical and mental loads on the assembly persons and an increase in product quality can therefore occur.Thus, a carrier element for holding and cooling at least one energy storage cell of an energy storage device for storing electrical energy for an electric motor vehicle is disclosed, wherein the carrier element has the following: a planar section having a heat exchanger surface which defines an x-y plane spanned by an x-axis and a y-axis and on which the at least one energy storage cell can be attached, an edge section which is connected to the planar section along an edge of the planar section, wherein the edge section has at least one element for forming a connection to at least one further element, in order thus to enable a connection of the carrier element to a further carrier element which is arranged alongside the carrier element along a z-axis which is oriented perpendicularly to the x-axis and perpendicularly to the y-axis.The explanations made with reference to the figures are to be understood as merely illustrative and not restrictive. Many changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope as defined in the appended claims. In particular, features of the embodiments can be freely combined with each other. For example, it is of course possible to provide an arcuate spring with a ribbed surface. All embodiments of carrier elements can be provided with cooling channels and cooling ribs. An embodiment of a carrier element is also conceivable which has two tongues and one groove on its edge section. A tongue and a groove are each used to combine multiple support elements with each other, while multiple combined support elements are then connected to the cooling plate via grooves in a cooling plate.

Claims

Support element (1, 1a, 1b, 10, 25, 28, 36) for holding and cooling at least one energy storage cell of an energy storage device for storing electrical energy for an electric motor vehicle, the support element having - a planar section (2) with a heat exchanger surface (3) which defines an x-y plane spanned by an x-axis and a y-axis and on which the at least one energy storage cell (15) can be attached, - an edge section (4, 11, 26, 29, 37) which is connected to the planar section along an edge of the planar section, - wherein the edge section has at least one element (5, 6, 12, 13, 38) for forming a connection to at least one further element (5, 6, 12, 13, 40), in order thus to connect the support element to a further support element along a z-axis, A cooling channel (21) for receiving a fluid which runs parallel to the edge, and the cooling channel (21) runs within the edge section (11).Carrier element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one element (5, 6, 12, 13, 38) and the at least one further element (5, 6, 12, 13, 40) are configured such that they can be connected by means of a cold presmelt connection and / or a positive connection.Support element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one element for at least one further support element (1, 1a, 1b, 10, 25, 28) according to claim 1 or 2 represents a further element of the at least one further element (5, 6, 12, 13, 40).Carrier element according to claim 3, wherein the tongue (5) and the groove (6) extend in an arc-shaped manner in at least one partial region, wherein dimensions of the tongue and of the groove are matched to one another in such a way that a positive fit occurs with respect to a purely translatory movement in an opening direction of the groove.The support member of claim 3 or 4, wherein the tongue (13) has at least one ribbed surface and the groove (12) has a cross-sectional area that tapers in a direction of increasing depth of the groove such that ribs of the ribbed surface of the tongue are upset upon insertion of the tongue into the groove with increasing depth of insertion of the tongue into the groove.Carrier element according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a further edge section (27, 30) which is connected to the flat section (2) along a further edge of the flat section, wherein the further edge of the flat section and the edge of the flat section are mutually opposite edges of the flat section (2), between which the flat section extends, wherein the further edge section has a further second thickness which is greater than the first thickness (d1) of the flat section (2).Energy store (14, 19, 22, 24, 32, 41) for storing electrical energy, in particular for an electric motor vehicle, the energy store having a plurality of carrier elements (1, 1a, 1b, 10, 25, 28, 36) according to one of the preceding claims, which are arranged along the z-axis in the form of a stack, wherein in each case two edge sections which are assigned to different carrier elements directly adjacent to one another bear against one another and are connected to one another, and a plurality of energy storage cells (15), wherein in each case at least one energy storage cell is arranged in a planar manner on a heat exchanger surface of the planar section of one of the carrier elements.Method for producing an energy store, having the steps of - providing a carrier element (S1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, - arranging at least one energy storage cell (S2) on the planar section of the carrier element, - providing a further carrier element (S3) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, - arranging at least one further energy storage cell (S4) on the planar section of the further carrier element, and - connecting the carrier element (S6) to the further carrier element, wherein the connection of the carrier element to the further carrier element is effected by means of connecting an element of the edge section of the carrier element to a further element which is part of the edge section of the further carrier element, wherein the element comprises a tongue and the further element comprises a groove, or wherein the element comprises a groove and the further element comprises a tongue.Method according to claim 8, wherein the tongue (5) and the groove (6) extend in an arc-shaped manner in at least one partial region and the connection of the carrier element to the further carrier element takes place by means of screwing the tongue into the groove or screwing the groove around the tongue.Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the tongue (13) has at least one ribbed surface and the groove (12) has a cross-sectional area which tapers in a direction of increasing depth of the groove, and the connection of the carrier element to the further carrier element takes place by means of a pressing-in of the tongue into the groove, such that ribs of the ribbed surface of the tongue are compressed in the groove.Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, with the further step of arranging a volume compensation element (S5), in particular a thermally conductive, mixed-cell foam and / or a profiled thermal contact element, between the carrier element and the further carrier element.

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