Cell block for a battery and battery

Abstract

Cell block (1) for a battery (2), comprising a plurality of electrochemical individual cells (3) electrically connected in series and / or parallel, which are designed as flat cells, are aligned parallel to each other and arranged one behind the other in the cell block (1) and are clamped together by means of at least one clamping element (11), wherein an intermediate cell holder (9) made of an electrically insulating material is arranged between each pair of adjacent individual cells (3), which has a partition (22) that runs between the respective two adjacent individual cells (3), and wherein a temperature control plate (16) is arranged on at least one longitudinal side of the cell block (1), with which the individual cells (3) are thermally coupled.wherein a cross-section of the partitions (22) of the intermediate cell holders (9) in an edge region (28) facing the temperature control plate (16) is enlarged compared to a cross-section in a central region (29) of the respective partition (22), with at least one end cell holder (10) made of an electrically insulating material at an end face of the cell block (1), wherein the end cell holder (10) has a partition (22) which covers an adjacent single cell (3), wherein a cross-section of the partition (22) in an edge region (28) facing the temperature control plate (16) is enlarged compared to a cross-section in a central region (29) of the respective partition (22), wherein this cross-sectional enlargement extends in the direction of the adjacent single cell (3), characterized in thatthat the intermediate cell holders (9) have side edges (23) on the edges running perpendicular to the edge region (28) facing the temperature plate (16), which each project beyond half of the adjacent individual cells (3), so that the respective side edges (23) of adjacent intermediate cell holders (9) touch, and wherein the end cell holder (10) has side edges (23) on the edges running perpendicular to the edge region (28) facing the temperature plate (16), which project beyond half of the adjacent individual cells (3), so that the side edges (23) of the end cell holder (10) and of the adjacent intermediate cell holder (9) touch.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cell block for a battery according to the preamble of claim 1 and a battery according to claim 10.

[0002] Batteries, particularly high-voltage batteries, are well-known for vehicle applications, especially traction batteries for storing electrical energy to power the vehicle. These batteries comprise a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and / or parallel, arranged in a common housing along with the associated electronics and temperature control. The individual cells are grouped into so-called cell blocks, also known as cell assemblies, each containing a certain number of individual cells including their mechanical fixings, electrical contacts, and temperature control devices.

[0003] Individual cells designed as prismatic hard-case cells, i.e., rectangular flat cells, are held in cell holders, the so-called spacers, which are designed in plate, shell, or double-shell form and position and fix the individual cell within the cell block in a force-fit and form-fit manner. Cell holders and individual cells are pressed together using clamping elements and pressure plates to mechanically form the cell block.

[0004] At least one temperature control plate is arranged on the cell block, by means of which the individual cells are temperature-controlled. The individual cells are thermally coupled to the temperature control plate either directly or via an electrically insulating and tolerance-compensating thermally conductive film or a potting compound. To ensure thermal contact with the temperature control plate, the side wall of each cell holder facing the temperature control plate is provided with openings from which the individual cells protrude.

[0005] For example, reference can be made to DE 10 2011 109 213 A1. This shows a structure in which the individual cells are held in the stack by lateral form-fitting retaining elements and positioned on an actively cooled plate.

[0006] The metallic cell casing of the prismatic individual cells is either under voltage (low resistance, e.g., in a polar single cell with a metallic casing) or has an electrical potential (high resistance, e.g., a typical metallic hardcase cell with electrolyte access to the cell interior), which means that the individual cells must be electrically insulated not only from the electrical ground but also from each other, since contact or proximity and a resulting reduction in the required air and creepage distance between adjacent individual cells in the cell block would lead to current flow and thus to a short circuit or the flow of leakage currents.The electrical insulation function is performed by the cell holders, whose partition wall is made of plastic and must have a certain minimum thickness to adjust the necessary air and creepage distance of usually at least one millimeter, in order to set the required distance between the individual cells.

[0007] US 2009 / 0061299A1 describes the state of the art for this type of technology. Intermediate plates are arranged between the individual cells; these plates are electrically insulating and connected to a passively cooled plate via heat sinks.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing a cell block for a battery that is improved compared to the prior art and a battery that is improved compared to the prior art.

[0009] The problem is solved according to the invention by a cell block for a battery having the features of claim 1 and a battery having the features of claim 10.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0011] A cell block for a battery comprises a plurality of electrochemical individual cells electrically connected in series and / or parallel. These cells are designed as flat cells, are essentially parallel to each other within the cell block, and are arranged one behind the other. They are clamped together by means of at least one clamping element. An intermediate cell holder made of an electrically insulating material is arranged between each pair of adjacent individual cells. This holder has a partition wall running between the two adjacent individual cells. A temperature control plate is arranged on at least one longitudinal side of the cell block to maintain the temperature of the individual cells. The individual cells are thermally coupled to this plate. This can be an upper, a lower, or a side longitudinal side of the cell block. It is also possible for a temperature control plate to be arranged on several longitudinal sides of the cell block.

[0012] In this design, the cross-section of the partition walls of the cell holders is enlarged in an edge region facing the temperature control plate compared to a cross-section in a central region of the respective partition wall. The solution according to the invention makes it possible to electrically isolate individual cells, whose metallic cell casings are either under voltage (low resistance, e.g., in the case of a polar single cell with a metallic casing) or possess an electrical potential (high resistance, e.g., a conventional metallic hard-case cell with electrolyte access to the cell interior), from one another by means of the cell holders and their partition walls. This prevents contact or proximity, and thus avoids the resulting insufficient clearance and creepage distance between adjacent individual cells in the cell block, and the resulting current flow that could lead to a short circuit or the flow of leakage currents.

[0013] By designing the intermediate cell holders, a predetermined minimum thickness of the respective partition wall of, for example, at least one millimeter is achieved in the edge area facing the temperature plate, in order to set a required distance between adjacent individual cells of the cell block, whereby this design of the intermediate cell holders according to the invention avoids an increase in the cell block length and a resulting higher installation space requirement of the cell block, since the edge area facing the temperature plate with the enlarged cross-section either abuts an area of ​​the individual cells in which the individual cells have a smaller cross-section, or projects beyond the individual cells in the direction of the temperature plate.Advantageously, the maximum width of two adjacent individual cells and of an intermediate cell holder arranged between them corresponds to the sum of the widths of the individual cells and the intermediate cell holder in its central region. The partition in the central region is very thin, as a very thin partition is sufficient for the electrical insulation of the adjacent individual cells in this area.

[0014] An outer edge of the cell housing of the individual cells, facing the temperature control plate, is not covered by the intermediate cell holder, as this outer edge serves for the thermal coupling of the individual cells to the temperature control plate. The enlarged cross-section of the partition wall of the respective intermediate cell holder ensures that the adjacent individual cells, i.e., their metallic cell housings, are sufficiently spaced apart to maintain the required air and creepage distance between these outer edges of the cell housings and thus electrically isolate the adjacent individual cells from one another. In other words, this air and creepage distance between the adjacent individual cells is set by the solution according to the invention, independently of the partition wall thickness in the central region, by thickening the edge region of the respective partition wall facing the temperature control plate.

[0015] This thickening of the partition wall in the edge region facing the temperature control plate, i.e., the cross-sectional enlargement formed there according to the invention, also increases the mechanical strength and stability of the respective cell holder and its partition wall. Furthermore, the inventive design of the cell holders, which are expediently made of plastic and preferably manufactured by injection molding, facilitates such an injection molding process, since this allows for a larger flow cross-section for the injection molding material in an injection mold. Moreover, the widened and, for example, rounded edge region of the partition wall of the respective cell holder facing the temperature control plate prevents the partition wall from digging into or pressing into a heat-conducting film arranged between the temperature control plate and the individual cells, thereby damaging or completely severing it.

[0016] Furthermore, the edge areas of the partition walls of the cell holders, with their enlarged cross-sections, prevent individual cells already arranged in the cell block from falling out before the temperature control plate is positioned during assembly of the cell block. The inventive design of the cell holders thus facilitates the positioning of individual cells within the cell block both during and after assembly.

[0017] The cell block comprises at least one end cell holder at a frontal end of the cell block, the end cell holder being essentially analogous to the intermediate cell holder. That is, the end cell holder also has such a partition, which, however, here only covers an adjacent single cell, namely a frontal single cell of the cell block, i.e., a first or last single cell in the longitudinal direction of the cell block.

[0018] Here too, the cross-section of the partition wall in an edge region facing the temperature control plate is enlarged compared to a cross-section in a central region of the respective partition wall. However, in the case of the end cell holder, this increased cross-sectional area extends advantageously only towards the one adjacent individual cell. This end cell holder is also made of an electrically insulating material, preferably also plastic, for example, also by injection molding.

[0019] Advantageously, the cell block has two such end cell holders, with one of the end cell holders being arranged at each end face of the cell block, adjacent to the respective end-face single cell, i.e., one of the end cell holders is arranged at one end face of the cell block, adjacent to the first single cell of the cell block in the longitudinal direction, and the other end cell holder is arranged at the other end face of the cell block, adjacent to the last single cell of the cell block in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] The edge region of each end cell holder is expediently designed analogously to the edge region of the intermediate cell holders, whereby the cross-sectional enlargement does not extend symmetrically in both directions, but expediently only in the direction of the end-facing individual cell of the cell block. Here, an L-shaped shape is useful instead of a T-shaped shape, for example.

[0021] According to the invention, the intercell holders have side edges and, in an advantageous embodiment, also an upper edge. These are widened to such an extent that they project beyond half of the adjacent individual cells, causing the respective side edges and the upper edges of neighboring intercell holders to touch and absorb and support the clamping force of the clamping elements. The intercell holders thus have a kind of double-shell shape, i.e., each flat surface facing the individual cells has a kind of receiving shell for arranging an individual cell.

[0022] According to the invention, the end cell holders are designed similarly to the intermediate cell holders, except that they do not have a double shell shape, but only a simple shell shape, i.e., on each of them, only on one of the flat sides facing the respective end-facing individual cell of the cell block, such a shell shape described above with side edges and, according to an advantageous embodiment, an upper edge for receiving this respective end-facing individual cell of the cell block is formed.

[0023] Advantageously, a maximum cross-section of the edge region of the partition of the respective end cell holder facing the temperature control plate is also formed at one of the outermost edges of this partition facing the temperature control plate, with the advantages described above for the corresponding design of the partition of the intermediate cell holders. Here too, a smooth transition is advantageously formed in the edge region facing the temperature control plate between the smaller cross-section of the middle region of the respective partition and the maximum cross-section at the outermost edge of the partition facing the temperature control plate, with the advantages described above for the corresponding design of the partition of the intermediate cell holders.The transition in the partition wall of the end cell holder can also be designed as a curve with a predetermined radius of curvature, for example, with a radius of curvature of one millimeter, greater than one millimeter, or less than one millimeter, offering the advantages described above for the corresponding design of the partition wall of the intermediate cell holders. Here, too, the radius of curvature or the curvature refers to the contact surface of the partition wall of the end cell holder facing the individual cell. Similarly, the contact surface of the respective partition wall in the edge region facing the temperature control plate can be designed to correspond to a cell housing area of ​​the respective end-faced individual cell that rests against the contact surface, offering the advantages described above for the corresponding design of the partition wall of the intermediate cell holders.Furthermore, the edge of the partition wall of the end cell holder facing the temperature control plate can also be elastically designed, with the advantages described above for the corresponding partition wall design. This also facilitates the arrangement of individual cells, particularly those at the end faces, within the cell block when the cell holders are already pre-tensioned or pre-tensioned. This is achieved through the elastic deformation of the edge during positioning of the individual cells and the subsequent return to its original shape and / or movement, ensuring that each individual cell is securely held.

[0024] Preferably, the enlarged cross-section of the edge region of each partition wall is symmetrically designed in the direction of both adjacent individual cells. In this way, the effect of the respective inter-cell holder described above is achieved uniformly on both individual cells. Alternatively, it is also possible for the enlarged cross-section to be designed only in the direction of one of the adjacent individual cells. In this case, the enlarged cross-sections of the edge regions of the partition walls of the inter-cell holders in the cell block are expediently oriented in the same direction, so that the effect of the enlarged cross-section described above acts on the individual cell nearest in the direction of the enlarged cross-section.

[0025] The cross-sectional profile of the partition's edge facing the temperature control plate is, for example, tulip-shaped, T-shaped, or teardrop-shaped. A tulip-shaped transition has a larger radius of curvature than a T-shaped transition. The curvature and radius of curvature always refer to the surface of the partition facing the individual cell. The transition is advantageously adapted to the shape of the individual cell housings. In a tulip-shaped transition, the edge of the partition with the enlarged cross-section rests against the individual cells laterally, while in a T-shaped transition, it extends beyond the outer edge of the cell housings of the adjacent individual cells towards the temperature control plate.

[0026] Preferably, a maximum cross-section of the edge region of the respective partition facing the temperature control plate is formed at one of the outermost edges of the partition facing the temperature control plate. In this way, a sufficiently large distance between the respective adjacent individual cells is ensured at the uncovered outer edge of the cell housings facing the temperature control plate in order to prevent short circuits and leakage currents between the individual cells via these uncovered outer edges.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, a smooth, i.e., continuous, transition is formed in the edge region facing the temperature control plate between the smaller cross-section of the central region of the respective partition and the maximum cross-section at the outermost edge of the partition facing the temperature control plate. This allows for a design adapted to the shape of the cell housing of the adjacent individual cells, so that the individual cells abut the partition and are supported and held by it.

[0028] Advantageously, the transition is designed as a curve with a predetermined radius of curvature. This radius of curvature advantageously corresponds to a radius of curvature of the area of ​​the cell housing of the respective individual cell that abuts the partition wall, thus ensuring the support and retention of the respective individual cell within the cell block. The radius of curvature of the respective contact surface of the partition wall facing the individual cell is, for example, one millimeter greater than one millimeter or less than one millimeter.

[0029] Preferably, the surface of each partition wall facing the temperature control plate is designed to correspond to a cell housing area of ​​the individual cell that rests against the surface of the partition wall, for example, as described above. This ensures the secure and stable mounting of the individual cells in the cell block by means of the inter-cell holders.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the edge region of the respective partition facing the temperature control plate is elastically designed, for example, from an elastic plastic, such as an elastomer. This allows the intermediate cell holders to be first assembled and clamped or pre-tensioned, and then the individual cells simply need to be inserted between each pair of intermediate cell holders. During the insertion of each individual cell, the elastic edge region, which is, for example, lip-like, shifts and / or deforms, thus enabling the insertion of the individual cell. After insertion, the elastic edge region returns at least substantially to its original shape and / or position, thereby holding the individual cell in the cell block and preventing it from slipping out.Furthermore, this allows the edge area to be fully attached to each individual cell, thus holding it securely and immobile by the edge of the intercell holder. Once all individual cells have been arranged in this way within the cell block, it is advisable to clamp the cell block together.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment of the cell block, the intermediate cell holders and end cell holders designed as described above are not formed as individual elements, but are connected to each other to form a frame by means of force-fit, form-fit, and / or material-fit connections. This frame can, for example, also be formed in one piece and / or as a single component, such as a single plastic part produced by injection molding. In this way, for example, clamping the cell block using clamping elements and pressure plates is no longer necessary.

[0032] In this embodiment, the elastic design of the edge region of the respective partition facing the temperature control plate, described above, is particularly advantageous. This design, for example, is made of an elastic plastic, such as an elastomer. It allows the individual cells to be inserted into the cell holder frame. The elastic edge region, which is, for example, lip-like, shifts and / or deforms, thereby enabling the insertion of each individual cell. After insertion, it returns at least substantially to its original shape and / or position, ensuring that the individual cells are securely held in their predetermined position within the cell block and preventing them from slipping out. Subsequently, the temperature control plate simply needs to be attached to this frame, and the individual cells need to be electrically connected to each other in series and / or parallel, after which the cell block is complete.The complex assembly of the cell block from individual cell holders and individual cells, i.e., the complex alternating arrangement of the individual cells and the intermediate cell holders, as well as the front-side arrangement of the end cell holders and, in particular, their clamping using the pressure glasses and the clamping elements, is eliminated in this way, thereby reducing the manufacturing effort and the manufacturing time for producing the cell block.

[0033] A battery according to the invention comprises at least one such cell block. The space-saving design made possible by the cell block according to the invention also enables a space-saving design of the battery itself. This is particularly important for a battery designed as a vehicle battery, since only limited installation space is available for the battery in the vehicle. This installation space can be optimally utilized by the battery according to the invention with the at least one cell block according to the invention; for example, several batteries, batteries with several cell blocks, and / or a larger number of individual cells can be arranged in this installation space. The battery according to the invention is, in particular, a traction battery for an electric vehicle, for a vehicle with a hybrid drive, or for a fuel cell vehicle.Advantageously, the battery has a plurality of electrically series-connected and / or parallel cell blocks according to the invention.

[0034] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0035] This shows: Fig. 1. Schematic partial exploded view of a cell block, Fig. 2. Schematic perspective view of a cell block, Fig. 3 schematically a first perspective view of a first embodiment of an intermediate cell holder, Fig. 4 schematically a second perspective view of a first embodiment of an intermediate cell holder, Fig. 5 schematically a longitudinal section view of a cell block, Fig. 6 schematically a sectional view of an area facing a temperature control plate of a first embodiment of an intermediate cell holder and two individual cells not yet arranged in it, Fig. 7 schematically a sectional view of an area facing a temperature control plate of a first embodiment of an intermediate cell holder and two individual cells arranged in it, Fig. 8 schematically a sectional view of an area facing a temperature control plate of a second embodiment of an intermediate cell holder and two individual cells not yet arranged in it, Fig. 9 schematically a sectional view of an area facing a temperature control plate of a second embodiment of an intermediate cell holder and two individual cells arranged in it, and Fig. 10 schematically a battery.

[0036] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0037] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a partial exploded view of a cell block 1 for a cell in Fig. 10. Battery 2 shown in more detail. Fig. Figure 2 shows this cell block 1 schematically in a perspective view.

[0038] Cell block 1 comprises a plurality of electrochemical individual cells 3 connected electrically in series and / or parallel. These individual cells 3 are designed as flat cells, also known as prismatic hard-case cells. Each individual cell 3 has a metallic cell casing 4, which is either charged (low resistance, e.g., in a polar single cell with a metallic casing) or has an electrical potential (high resistance, e.g., a typical metallic hard-case cell with electrolyte access to the cell interior), i.e., which is either voltage-carrying or potential-carrying. The cell poles 5 of the individual cells 3 are arranged on the upper side of each individual cell 3.

[0039] The series and / or parallel electrical connection of the individual cells 3 is implemented via a cell connector board 6, which is arranged on the top side of the cell block 1 at the cell terminals 5 of the individual cells 3. Cell connectors 7 of the cell connector board 6 are connected to the cell terminals 5 of the individual cells 3, for example, by means of overlap laser welding. The cell connector board 6 also has electrical contacts 8, via which the cell connector board 6, and via this the cell block 1, can be electrically connected, for example, to a cell connector board 6 of another cell block 1 and / or to the electrical system of a vehicle not shown here.

[0040] The individual cells 3 are essentially aligned parallel to each other and arranged one behind the other in cell block 1. To hold the individual cells 3 in cell block 1 and to electrically insulate them from adjacent individual cells 3, an intermediate cell holder 9 made of an electrically insulating material is arranged between each pair of adjacent individual cells 3. An end cell holder 10 is arranged on the outer sides of each end cell 3 of cell block 1. The intermediate cell holders 9 and / or the end cell holders 10 are, for example, made of plastic, such as by a plastic injection molding process.

[0041] The individual cells 3 and cell holders 9, 10 are clamped together by means of clamping elements 11, which are designed here as tie rods. In the example shown, the clamping elements 11 are guided through corresponding feedthrough openings 12 in the cell holders 9, 10. These feedthrough openings 12 are formed in all four corner regions of the cell holders 9, 10 in this example and are reinforced, for example, by sleeve-shaped metal inserts 13. In other examples, the clamping elements 11 can also be designed, for example, as tension bands.

[0042] On the end faces of the cell block 1, a pressure plate 14 is arranged on the outer side of the respective end cell holder 10, facing away from the individual cells 3. This pressure plate 14 also has through-holes 12 for the clamping elements 11. Screw elements 15 are mounted on the clamping elements 11, and by progressively tightening the screw elements 15 onto the clamping elements 11, progressive clamping of the individual cells 3 is achieved.

[0043] For temperature control of the individual cells 3, i.e., for their cooling and / or heating, a temperature control plate 16 is arranged on the underside of the cell block 1 in the example shown here, with which the individual cells 3 are thermally coupled. The temperature control plate 16 expediently has at least one temperature control fluid channel through which a temperature control fluid can flow, and which can be coupled via connections 17, for example, to a temperature control fluid circuit of a vehicle or a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0044] The temperature control plate 16 is to be attached to the cell block 1 by means of fastening elements 18, which are, for example, designed as screws. For this purpose, the intermediate cell holders 9, as shown in Fig. Figure 4 shows screw holes 19 on one underside for screwing in the fastening elements 18, and the temperature control plate 16 has bores 20 along its edge for passing through the fastening elements 18. In other embodiments not shown here, this temperature control plate 16 can, for example, also be arranged on another longitudinal side of the cell block 1, such as a right, left, or top longitudinal side of the cell block 1. The cell block 1 can, for example, also have a plurality of temperature control plates 16, which are arranged on different longitudinal sides of the cell block 1.

[0045] Between the temperature control plate 16 and the individual cells 3, a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material 21 is arranged for electrical insulation and to compensate for tolerances, which is designed, for example, as a heat-conducting film or as an electrically insulating and thermally conductive potting compound.

[0046] The Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the intermediate cell holder 9 in two perspective views, in Fig. 3 from diagonally above and in Fig. 4 from the bottom diagonal. In Fig. 5 are intermediate cell holders 9 of this first embodiment arranged in cell block 1. Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows a detailed view of one of the lower regions of this first embodiment of the intermediate cell holder 9 facing the temperature control plate 16, wherein in Fig. 6 two single cells 3 adjacent to the intercellular holder 9 are not yet arranged in the intercellular holder 9 and in Fig. 7 these individual cells 3 are arranged in the intercell holder 9.

[0047] The Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 9 shows a detailed view of one of the lower regions facing the temperature control plate 16 of a second embodiment of the intermediate cell holder 9, wherein in Fig. 8 two single cells 3 adjacent to the intercellular holder 9 are not yet arranged in the intercellular holder 9 and in Fig. 9 these individual cells 3 are arranged in the intercell holder 9.

[0048] In both embodiments, the cell holders 9 each have a partition 22 to electrically isolate the individual cells 3 from one another. The side edges 23 and an upper edge 24 of the cell holders 9 are significantly widened so that they project beyond half of the adjacent individual cells 3. This causes the respective side edges 23 and the upper edges 24 of adjacent cell holders 9 to touch, thereby absorbing and supporting a clamping force from the clamping elements 11. The cell holders 9 thus have a kind of double-shell shape; that is, each flat side facing the individual cells 3 has a receiving shell for arranging an individual cell 3. The upper edge 24 of each cell holder 9 has pole recesses 25 for the cell poles 5 of the respective individual cell 3, as well as a central recess 26 to ensure, for example, that a venting opening of the respective individual cell 3 is not obstructed.The underside of the side edges 23 of the intermediate cell holders 9, facing the temperature control plate 16, projects beyond the partition 22, so that the intermediate cell holders 9 bear against the temperature control plate 16 with these undersides of the side edges 23, thus enabling stable attachment of the temperature control plate 16 to the intermediate cell holders 9 and thus to the cell block 1. The thermally conductive and electrically insulating material 21, designed as a heat-conducting film or potting compound, extends between these side edges 23 resting on the temperature control plate 16.

[0049] The end cell holders 10 are similar in design to the intermediate cell holders 9, except that they do not have a double-shell shape, but rather a simple shell shape. This means that only one of the flat surfaces facing the respective end cell 3 of cell block 1 has such a shell shape as described above, designed to accommodate that end cell 3. These end cell holders 10 also have the partition 22 to cover the respective end cell 3 of cell block 1, as well as the significantly widened side edges 23 and the significantly widened upper edge 24. However, this widening of the end cell holders 10 extends only towards the single adjacent end cell 3, namely the respective end cell 3 of cell block 1.The upper edge 24 and the side edges 23 extend beyond one half of each individual cell 3, so that they abut the respective upper edge 24 and the respective side edges 23 of the respective adjacent intermediate cell holder 9, so that the absorption and support of the clamping force of the clamping elements 11 by all cell holders 9, 10 is ensured jointly.

[0050] A lower edge of the intermediate cell holders 9 and the end cell holders 10 facing the temperature control plate 16 is essentially open to allow thermal contact between the individual cells 3 and the temperature control plate 16 via a lower outer edge 27 of the respective cell housing 4. To ensure electrical insulation of the adjacent individual cells 3 in this area as well, the cross-section of the partitions 22 of the intermediate cell holders 9 and the end cell holders 10 in an edge region 28 facing the temperature control plate 16 is enlarged compared to a cross-section in a central region 29 of the respective partition 22, as shown in the Fig. Numbers 3 to 9 are shown.

[0051] This makes it possible to electrically insulate the individual cells 3 from each other by means of the intermediate cell holders 9 and their partitions 22, and to electrically insulate them from the external environment of the cell block 1 by means of the end cell holders 10 and their partitions 22, thus preventing contact or proximity and a resulting insufficient clearance and creepage distance between adjacent individual cells 3 in the cell block 1 and a resulting current flow that could lead to a short circuit or the flow of leakage currents.This design, particularly of the intermediate cell holder 9 and preferably also of the end cell holder 10, achieves a predetermined minimum thickness of the respective partition 22 of, for example, at least one millimeter in the edge region 28 facing the temperature control plate 16. This ensures the necessary spacing between adjacent individual cells 3 of the cell block 1, while simultaneously avoiding an increase in the cell block length and the resulting higher installation space requirement of the cell block 1. This is because the edge region 28 facing the temperature control plate 16, with its enlarged cross-section, abuts either a region of the individual cells 3 or, in the case of the end cell holder 10, a region of the respective end-face individual cell 3, in which the individual cells 3 or the end-face individual cell 3 have a smaller cross-section than shown in the diagram. Fig. 5 to 7 shown, or this edge area 28 facing the temperature control plate 16 projects beyond the individual cells 3 or, in the case of the end cell holder 10, the respective end-face individual cell 3 in the direction of the temperature control plate 16, as shown in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shown.

[0052] The maximum width of two adjacent individual cells 3 and of an intermediate cell holder 9 arranged between them advantageously corresponds to the sum of the widths of the individual cells 3 and the intermediate cell holder 9 in their central region. The partition 22 is very thin in its central region 29, since a very small partition thickness is sufficient for the electrical insulation of the adjacent individual cells 3 in this central region 29. Thus, the total width of two adjacent individual cells 3 and the intermediate cell holder 9 arranged between them corresponds to the sum of the widths of the individual cells 3 and the very thin central region 29 of the partition 22 of the intermediate cell holder 9.

[0053] The same applies to the end cell holders 10, since in these only the width of the very thin central area 29 of its partition wall 22 is added to the width of the respective end-facing individual cell 3, because here too the edge area 28 facing the temperature control plate, which has a larger cross-section, either abuts an area of ​​the end-facing individual cell 3 with a smaller cross-section, as in Fig. 5 shown, or the respective end-face individual cell 3 projects towards the temperature control plate 16, as shown in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shown using the intermediate cell holder 9, wherein in the case of the end cell holder 10 the enlarged cross-section of the edge area 28 of the partition 22 facing the temperature control plate 16 extends only in the direction of the single cell 3 adjacent to the end cell holder 10, namely in the direction of the respective end-face single cell 3 of the cell block 1.

[0054] The described design of the partitions 22 of the cell holders 9, 10 is therefore space-neutral for the cell block 1, i.e., it is not associated with a greater length of the cell block 1 compared to a cell holder design known from the prior art. Preferably, the cell block 1 has a shorter length than cell blocks with cell holders known from the prior art, since the thickness of the partitions 22 in their respective central region 29 can be reduced to a minimum required for electrical insulation. This is because, in the described design of the cell holders 9, 10, the thickness of the respective partition 22 in its central region 29 is not responsible for setting the predetermined creepage distance at the lower outer edge 27 of the individual cells 3 facing the temperature control plate 16. Instead, as described above, this is the function of the thickened edge region 28 of the respective partition 22 facing the temperature control plate 16.the enlarged cross-section. However, the length of cell block 1 is not influenced by this thickened edge region 28 facing the temperature control plate 16, but rather by the central region 29 of the partition wall 22, as described above. This results in a reduction of the length of cell block 1 due to a reduction in the thickness of the partition walls 22 in their central region 29, made possible by the described design of the cell holders 9, 10.

[0055] Furthermore, this enlarged cross-section of the partition 22 in the edge region 28 facing the temperature plate ensures that the open lower edge of the intermediate cell holders 9 and preferably also of the end cell holders 10 remain open towards the temperature plate 16, since these edge regions 28 of adjacent cell holders 9, 10 in the cell block 1 do not touch. As a result, the lower outer edge 27 of the cell housing 4 of the individual cells 3 is not, or at least not significantly, covered by the respective adjacent cell holders 9, 10. In this way, the thermal coupling of the individual cells 3 with the temperature plate 16 via their lower outer edge 27 is ensured.

[0056] Furthermore, the enlarged cross-section of the partition 22 of the respective intermediate cell holder 9, and preferably also of the end cell holder 10, ensures that the adjacent individual cells 3, i.e., their metallic cell housings 4, are sufficiently spaced apart to maintain the required air and creepage distances and thus electrically isolate the adjacent individual cells 3 from one another. This means that, by means of the described solution, this air and creepage distance between the adjacent individual cells 3 is set independently of the partition thickness in the central region 29 by thickening the edge region 28 of the respective partition 22 facing the temperature control plate 16.

[0057] This thickening of the partition wall 22 in the edge region 28 facing the temperature control plate, i.e., the cross-sectional enlargement formed there, also increases the mechanical strength and stability of the respective intermediate cell holder 9 and the respective end cell holder 10. Furthermore, this design of the intermediate cell holders 9 and preferably also the end cell holder 10, which are expediently made of plastic and preferably manufactured by injection molding, facilitates such an injection molding process, since this allows for a larger flow cross-section for the injection molding material in an injection mold. Moreover, the widened and, for example, rounded edge region 28 of the partition wall 22 facing the temperature control plate 16 prevents the respective partition wall 22 from digging into or pressing into the heat-conducting film arranged between the temperature control plate 16 and the individual cells 3, thereby damaging or completely severing it.Furthermore, the edge areas 28 of the partition walls 22, with their enlarged cross-sections, prevent individual cells 3 already arranged in cell block 1 from falling out of the cell block 1 before the temperature control plate 16 is positioned. This design of the intermediate cell holders 9 and the end cell holders 10 thus facilitates the positioning of the individual cells 3 in cell block 1 both during and after assembly.

[0058] In the inter-cell holders 9, the enlarged cross-section of the edge region 28 of the partition 22 is preferably designed symmetrically in the direction of both adjacent individual cells 3, as shown in the Fig. Figures 5 to 9 are shown. In this way, the effect of the respective intercellular holder 9 described above is achieved uniformly on both individual cells 3. Alternatively, it is also possible that the enlarged cross-section is only formed in the direction of one of the adjacent individual cells 3. In this case, in cell block 1, the enlarged cross-sections of the edge regions 28 of the intercellular holders 9 are expediently oriented in the same direction, so that the effect of the enlarged cross-section of the edge region 28 of the respective partition 22 described above acts on the individual cell 3 nearest in the direction of the enlarged cross-section. In the case of the end cell holders 10, the enlarged cross-section of the edge region 28 of the partition 22 is, as already mentioned above, expediently oriented in the direction of the respective adjacent individual cell 3, i.e., in the direction of the respective adjacent end-face individual cell 3 of cell block 1.

[0059] A cross-sectional profile in the edge region 28 of the respective partition 22 facing the temperature control plate 16 is, for example, tulip-shaped in the case of the intermediate cell holders 9, as shown in the Fig. 5 to 7 shown, i.e. with a relatively large radius of curvature, or T-shaped, as in the Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 9 shows a smaller radius of curvature than the tulip-shaped transition. Other shapes are also possible, such as teardrop-shaped. For example, the tulip-shaped transition has a radius of curvature greater than one millimeter, while the T-shaped transition has a radius of curvature less than one millimeter.

[0060] The cross-sectional profile in the edge region 28 of the respective partition 22 facing the temperature control plate 16 is advantageously adapted to the housing shape of the cell housings 4 of the individual cells 3. With a tulip-shaped profile, i.e., with a radius of curvature of the partition 22 in its edge region 28 of greater than one millimeter, the edge region 28 of the partition 22 with the enlarged cross-section, for example, abuts the individual cells 3 laterally, as shown in the Fig. 5 to 7, while in a T-shaped course, i.e., with a radius of curvature of the partition 22 in its edge region 28 of less than one millimeter, it projects beyond the lower outer edge 27 of the cell casings 4 of the respective adjacent individual cells 3 in the direction of the temperature control plate 16, as shown in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shown.

[0061] With such a protruding edge area 28 of the partition wall 22, it is advantageous to use a readily deformable thermally conductive and electrically insulating material 21, such as a heat-conducting film or a potting compound, to ensure sufficient thermal coupling of the lower outer edge 27 of the individual cells 3 to the temperature control plate 16. This is because the heat-conducting film or potting compound must bridge the larger gap between the temperature control plate 16 and the lower outer edge 27 of the individual cells 3 and enclose the edge area 28 of the respective partition wall 22. In other words, this edge area 28 of the respective partition wall 22 must penetrate the thermally conductive and electrically insulating material 21, and the thermally conductive and electrically insulating material 21 must completely fill the gap between the temperature control plate 16 and the lower outer edge 27 of the respective individual cell 3 in the longitudinal direction of the cell block 1.When using a thermally conductive film, it must deform and expand accordingly to contact both the temperature control plate 16 and the lower outer edges 27 of the individual cells 3. The tulip-shaped cross-sectional profile of the edge region 28 of the partition 22, i.e., the cross-sectional profile with a radius of curvature greater than one millimeter, is suitable, for example, for individual cells 3 whose cell housings 4 were manufactured by a deep-drawing or cold-extrusion process. As a result, the cell housings 4 also have a radius of curvature greater than one millimeter at their edges. The radius of curvature described above always refers to the radius of curvature of a surface of the partition 22 facing the respective individual cell 3.The partition wall 22 of the intermediate cell holder 9 therefore has two such contact surfaces, one such contact surface on each flat side of the intermediate cell holder 9, while the partition wall 22 of the end cell holder 10 has only one such contact surface, on the flat side of the respective end cell holder 10, which faces the respective end-facing single cell 3 of the cell block 1.

[0062] The end cell holders 10 expediently each have only one half of such a cross-sectional shape of the edge region 28 of the partition wall 22, i.e. they are not T-shaped, but L-shaped, with the lower leg of the L-shape facing the respective adjacent end-facing single cell 3.

[0063] Preferably, a maximum cross-section of the edge region 28 of the respective partition 22 facing the temperature control plate 16 is formed at one of the outermost edges of the partition 22 facing the temperature control plate 16, as shown in the Fig. 5 to 9, especially in the Fig. 5 to 7, shown. In this way, a sufficiently large distance between the respective adjacent individual cells 3 is ensured on the uncovered lower outer edge 27 of the cell housing 4 facing the temperature control plate 16 in order to avoid short circuits and leakage currents between the individual cells 3 via these uncovered lower outer edges 27.

[0064] Preferably, in the edge region 28 of the respective partition 22 facing the temperature control plate 16, a smooth, i.e., a continuous, transition is formed between the smaller cross-section of the middle region 29 of the respective partition 22 and the maximum cross-section at the outermost edge of the edge region 28 of the partition 22 facing the temperature control plate 16, as shown in the Fig. Figures 5 to 9 show this. This allows a design adapted to the shape of the cell casing 4 of the adjacent individual cells 3, so that the individual cells 3 lie against the partition 22 and are supported and held by it.

[0065] Advantageously, this transition, i.e., the cross-sectional profile in the edge region 28 of the partition 22, is designed, as already described, as a curvature with a predetermined radius of curvature. This radius of curvature advantageously corresponds to a radius of curvature of the area of ​​the cell housing 4 of the respective individual cell 3 that abuts the partition 22, so that the support and retention of the respective individual cell 3 in the cell block is ensured. The radius of curvature is, as already mentioned, in the Fig. The embodiment shown in sections 5 to 7, for example, is larger than one millimeter and in the embodiment shown in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. The embodiment shown is smaller than one millimeter.

[0066] In an advantageous embodiment, the edge region 28 of the respective partition 22 facing the temperature control plate 16 is elastically designed, for example, from an elastic plastic, such as an elastomer. This allows the cell holders 9, 10 to be first assembled and clamped or pre-tensioned, and then the individual cells 3 simply need to be inserted between each pair of intermediate cell holders 9, and the end-face individual cells 3 between an intermediate cell holder 9 and an end cell holder 10. During the insertion of the respective individual cell 3, the elastic edge region 28, which is, for example, lip-like, shifts and / or deforms, thus enabling the insertion of the respective individual cell 3.After insertion, the elastic edge region 28 returns to at least its original shape and position, thus holding the individual cell 3 in the cell block 1 and preventing it from slipping out. This also allows the edge region 28 to fully conform to the respective individual cell 3, ensuring that the individual cells 3 are held securely and immobile by the edge region 28 of the respective cell holders 9, 10. Once all individual cells 3 have been arranged in this way in the cell block 1, it is advantageous to finally clamp the cell block 1 in place.

[0067] In an embodiment of the cell block 1 not shown here, the intermediate cell holders 9 and end cell holders 10, designed as described above, are not formed as individual elements, but are connected to each other by frictional, form-fitting and / or material-bonded connections to form a frame. This frame can, for example, also be formed in one piece, such as a single plastic part produced by injection molding.

[0068] In this way, for example, clamping the cell block 1 by means of the clamping elements 11 and the pressure plates 14 is no longer necessary. In this embodiment, the elastic design of the edge region 28 of the respective partition 22 facing the temperature control plate 16, for example made of an elastic plastic, for example of an elastomer, is particularly advantageous in order to be able to slide the individual cells 3 into the frame of the cell holders 9, 10, whereby the respective elastic edge region 28, which is, for example, lip-like, shifts and / or deforms and thereby enables the insertion of the respective individual cell 3, and after insertion assumes at least substantially its original shape and position, so that the individual cells 3 are securely held in their predetermined position in the cell block 1 and slippage is prevented.Subsequently, the temperature control plate 16 simply needs to be attached to this frame, and the individual cells 3 need to be electrically connected to each other in series and / or parallel, after which the cell block 1 is fully assembled. The complex assembly of the cell block 1 from individual cell holders 9, 10 and individual cells 3—i.e., the time-consuming alternating arrangement of the individual cells 3 and the intermediate cell holders 9, as well as the end-face arrangement of the end cell holders 10 and, in particular, their clamping using the pressure plates 14 and the clamping elements 11—is thus eliminated, thereby reducing the manufacturing effort and time required to produce the cell block 1.

[0069] Fig.Figure 10 shows a battery 2, which has a plurality, in this example two, of these cell blocks 1 with the partitions 22 formed as described. The cell blocks 1 are electrically connected in series and / or parallel and arranged in a common battery housing 30. The battery 2 is, for example, a vehicle battery, in particular a traction battery for an electric vehicle, for a hybrid vehicle, or for a fuel cell vehicle. Such a traction battery serves as an energy storage device for electrical energy to power the vehicle.

[0070] The described design of the partitions 22 ensures the electrical insulation of the individual cells 3 from one another, while the length of the cell blocks 1 remains unchanged or is advantageously shortened compared to the prior art. This ensures the proper functioning of the battery 2, and the reduced length of the cell blocks 1 also allows the battery 2 to be smaller. This is of great importance for a vehicle battery, especially a traction battery, because such vehicles have only a very limited installation space available for the traction battery. The described solution ensures that the battery 2 can be easily installed in this limited space. Reference symbol list 1 cell block 2 batteries 3 single cells 4 cell casings 5 cell pole 6 cell connector board 7 cell connectors 8 Contact 9 Intermediate cell holders 10 terminal cell holders 11 clamping element 12 Implementation opening 13 Metal insert 14 pressure glasses 15 screw element 16 Tempering plate 17 connection 18 Fastening element 19 screw holes 20 bore 21 Material 22 Partition wall 23 side margin 24 top edge 25 pole recess 26 central recess 27 lower outer edge 28 Edge area 29 middle range 30 battery cases

Claims

[1] Cell block (1) for a battery (2), comprising a plurality of electrochemical individual cells (3) connected in series and / or parallel, which are designed as flat cells, are aligned parallel to each other and arranged one behind the other in the cell block (1) and are clamped together by means of at least one clamping element (11), wherein an intermediate cell holder (9) made of an electrically insulating material is arranged between each pair of adjacent individual cells (3), which has a partition (22) that runs between the respective pair of adjacent individual cells (3), and wherein a temperature control plate (16) is arranged on at least one longitudinal side of the cell block (1), with which the individual cells (3) are thermally coupled,wherein a cross-section of the partitions (22) of the intermediate cell holders (9) in an edge region (28) facing the temperature control plate (16) is enlarged compared to a cross-section in a central region (29) of the respective partition (22), with at least one end cell holder (10) made of an electrically insulating material at an end face of the cell block (1), wherein the end cell holder (10) has a partition (22) which covers an adjacent single cell (3), wherein a cross-section of the partition (22) in an edge region (28) facing the temperature control plate (16) is enlarged compared to a cross-section in a central region (29) of the respective partition (22), wherein this cross-sectional enlargement extends in the direction of the adjacent single cell (3), , characterized by, that the intermediate cell holders (9) have side edges (23) on the edges running perpendicular to the edge region (28) facing the temperature plate (16), which each project over half of the adjacent individual cells (3), whereby the respective side edges (23) of adjacent intermediate cell holders (9) touch, and wherein the end cell holder (10) has side edges (23) on the edges running perpendicular to the edge region (28) facing the temperature plate (16), which project over half of the adjacent individual cells (3), whereby the side edges (23) of the end cell holder (10) and of the adjacent intermediate cell holder (9) touch. [2] Cell block (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the enlarged cross-section of the edge area (28) facing the temperature control plate (16) is symmetrical in the direction of both adjacent single cells (3). [3] Cell block (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that a cross-sectional profile in the edge area (28) of the respective partition (22) facing the tempering plate (16) is tulip-shaped, T-shaped or teardrop-shaped. [4] Cell block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that a maximum cross-section of the edge region (28) of the respective partition (22) facing the temperature control plate (16) is formed at one of the outermost edges of the partition (22) facing the temperature control plate (16). [5] Cell block (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that in the edge region (28) facing the tempering plate (16) a smooth transition is formed between the smaller cross-section of the middle region (29) of the respective partition (22) and the maximum cross-section at the outermost edge of the partition (22) facing the tempering plate (16). [6] Cell block (1) according to claim 5, characterized by that the transition is formed as a curvature with a predetermined radius of curvature. [7] Cell block (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a course of a respective system surface of the respective partition wall (22) in the edge area (28) facing the temperature control plate (16) is formed corresponding to a cell housing area of ​​the respective individual cell (3) adjacent to the respective system surface. [8] Cell block (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the edge area (28) of the respective partition (22) facing the tempering plate (16) is elastically designed. [9] Cell block (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the intermediate cell holders (9) have an upper edge (24) on the edge opposite the edge region (28) facing the temperature plate (16), which projects over half of the adjacent individual cells (3), causing the upper edges (24) of adjacent intermediate cell holders (9) to touch, and wherein the end cell holders (10) have an upper edge (24) on the edge region (28) opposite the temperature plate (16), which projects over half of the adjacent individual cells (3), causing the upper edges (24) of the end cell holder (10) and the adjacent intermediate cell holder (9) to touch. [10] Battery (2) comprising at least one cell block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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