Storage cell for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle and energy storage device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Storage cell (1) for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle, comprising a cell housing (2) in which storage means (6) for storing electrical energy are accommodated, with at least one connection (7) arranged outside the cell housing (2) via which the electrical energy stored by means of the storage means (6) can be provided by the storage means (6), and with at least one electrical heating element (9) arranged inside the cell housing (2) for heating the storage cell (1), characterized in that: - the cell housing (2) has a connection region (V) in which the heating element (9) within the cell housing (2) is electrically connected to the cell housing (2); and - at least one connecting device (12) is provided, which comprises: ◯ at least one connecting element (14) which has a first connecting part (15) formed from a first material and electrically connected to the cell housing (2) outside the cell housing (2), and a second connecting part (16) electrically connected to the first connecting part (15) and formed from a second material different from the first material; and ◯ at least one switching element (17) electrically connected to the second connecting part (16), by means of which the second connecting part (16) can be electrically connected to the terminal (7) and separated from the terminal (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a storage cell for storing electrical energy for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to an energy storage device for a motor vehicle designed to store electrical energy.

[0002] DE 10 2013 221 747 A1 discloses a battery cell, particularly designed as a lithium-ion battery cell, comprising a negative electrode, a separator, and a positive electrode, which are wound and surrounded by a cell wrapping film. The cell wrapping film is provided with an integrated heater.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 10 2013 021 258 A1 discloses a battery cell comprising a housing and a heating device. The heating device comprises at least one flat support element with at least one electric heating element arranged therein and / or thereon. Furthermore, the at least one flat support element is arranged on at least one wall of the housing. Furthermore, WO 2017 / 194 373 A1 discloses a heatable battery.

[0004] WO 2017 / 194373 A1 discloses a heatable battery. JP 2002-50884 A discloses a circuit board that can be used in a portable electronic device. DE 10 2016 208 062 A1 discloses a heatable battery. US 2019 / 0214606 A1 discloses a switchable battery module. CA 2827341 A1 discloses a motor vehicle battery.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to further develop a storage cell and an energy storage device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the installation space requirement of the storage cell and the energy storage device can be kept to a particularly low level.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a storage cell having the features of patent claim 1 and by an energy storage device having the features of patent claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to a storage cell for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle preferably designed as a passenger car. The storage cell is designed, for example, as a battery cell, so that the energy storage device can be designed, for example, as a battery. In particular, the storage cell, which is also referred to as a cell or individual cell, can be designed as a lithium-ion cell, so that the energy storage device can be designed, for example, as a lithium-ion battery. In particular, the energy storage device is designed as a high-voltage component or as a high-voltage storage device, wherein the energy storage device can be designed as a high-voltage battery (HV battery).If the energy storage device is designed as a high-voltage storage device, an electrical voltage, in particular an electrical operating voltage, which the energy storage device provides or has, is greater than 50 volts. The electrical voltage, in particular the electrical operating voltage, is preferably several hundred volts, in order to be able to realize, for example, particularly high electrical outputs for electrically driving the motor vehicle. In particular, the energy storage device, in its fully manufactured state, can have a plurality of electrically interconnected storage cells, wherein the previous and following statements regarding the respective storage cell can also be applied to the other storage cells, and vice versa.

[0008] The storage cell has a cell housing and storage means for storing electrical energy or electrical current. The storage means are accommodated in the cell housing. Electrical energy can thus be stored by means of or in the storage cell, so that electrical energy can be stored by means of the energy storage means or in the energy storage means. The storage means comprise, for example, at least two electrodes of different polarity and, for example, an electrolyte, for example a liquid, in which the electrodes are at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, immersed or accommodated. A first of the electrodes is, for example, a positive electrode, wherein the second electrode is, for example, a negative electrode. The storage means can further comprise a separator, which is, for example, arranged between the electrodes.The separator electrically insulates the electrodes from each other. The electrodes can, for example, form an electrode stack or be wound into an electrode coil, also known as a jelly roll. The separator can be arranged between the electrodes, so that the separator is wound together with the electrodes, for example, to form the electrode coil.

[0009] The storage cell has at least one connection arranged outside the cell housing, also referred to as a terminal, which is, for example, electrically insulated from the cell housing. The storage means can provide the electrical energy stored by the storage means via the connection. In other words, the electrical energy stored by the storage means can be tapped via the connection and thus discharged from the storage cell. For example, the connection is electrically connected to one of the electrodes, with the connection inside the cell housing preferably being electrically connected to one electrode.

[0010] Furthermore, the storage cell has at least one electrical heating element arranged within the cell housing for heating or warming the storage cell. In other words, the heating element is electrically operable, so that the storage cell can be heated by means of the heating element using electrical energy. Furthermore, it is conceivable that electrical energy can be supplied to the storage means via the connection, so that the electrical energy supplied to the storage means via the connection can be stored in the storage means.By means of the electrical heating element and in particular by heating or warming the storage cell by means of the electrical heating element, it is possible for the storage cell to have a sufficiently high temperature even at very low ambient or outside temperatures, so that the storage cell can provide the energy stored in it particularly well or so that electrical energy can be stored in the storage cell or stored in the storage cell particularly well.

[0011] In order to keep the installation space requirement of the storage cell and thus of the energy storage device as a whole particularly small and at the same time to be able to realize advantageous heating of the storage cell in a space-saving manner, it is provided according to the invention that the cell housing has at least or precisely one connection region in which the heating element within the cell housing is electrically connected to the cell housing. In other words, the heating element is electrically connected to the connection region within the cell housing, so that the heating element is electrically connected to the cell housing within the cell housing. The heating element has, for example, at least one connection element via which the heating element can be supplied with electrical energy for heating the storage cell.For example, within the cell housing, the connection element is electrically connected to the connection area and thus electrically connected to the cell housing, so that, for example, the heating element can be supplied with electrical energy to heat the storage cell via the cell housing and can thus be operated. Since the connection element of the heating element is electrically connected to the connection area and thus to the cell housing within the cell housing, it can be avoided that the connection element or the heating element has to be led out of the cell housing into its surroundings, so that the installation space required for the storage cell can be kept to a particularly small extent. It has proven particularly advantageous if the electrolyte is electrically insulated from the cell housing.For this purpose, an electrical insulator is arranged within the cell housing, for example, by means of which the electrolyte is electrically insulated from the cell housing. The electrical insulator is applied, for example, to the cell housing, in particular to an inner circumferential surface facing the electrolyte or the storage means, such that, for example, the inner circumferential surface of the cell housing is provided with the electrical insulator.

[0012] In order to be able to supply the heating element with electrical energy in a particularly space-efficient manner, the storage cell according to the invention also has at least one connecting device. The connecting device comprises at least one connecting element, which is preferably arranged completely outside the cell housing. The connecting element has a first connecting part made of a first material and electrically connected to the cell housing outside the cell housing. The connecting element is preferably accommodated completely outside the cell housing, such that the first connecting part, which is preferably arranged completely outside the cell housing, is electrically connected to the cell housing. The first connecting part is thus electrically connected to the cell housing outside the cell housing.In particular, it can be provided that the first connecting part is electrically connected to the cell housing in the connection area outside the cell housing, so that, for example, the first connecting part is electrically connected to the connection area and thus electrically connected to the cell housing. In this way, the heating element arranged in the cell housing is electrically connected to the first connecting part via the cell housing.

[0013] Furthermore, the connecting element has a second connecting part which is at least electrically connected to the first connecting part and which is formed from a second material that is different from the first material. The first material is, for example, a metallic material. Alternatively or additionally, the second material is a metallic material. The cell housing is, for example, formed from a material, wherein it can be provided that the material corresponds to the first material or vice versa. The first material and / or the material can be a metallic material such as, for example, a light metal, in particular aluminum. The second material can be, for example, copper.Because the connecting parts are electrically connected to each other, electrical energy or electrical current can flow from one of the connecting parts to the other, or vice versa. In particular, the connecting parts are then mechanically connected and thus held together, so that the connecting element, for example, is an assembled or coherent unit or component.

[0014] In order to be able to activate and deactivate the heating element in a particularly space-efficient manner and as needed, the connecting device further comprises at least one switching element, which is electrically connected to the second connecting part, in particular outside the cell housing, and which is preferably arranged entirely outside the cell housing. By means of the switching element, the second connecting part can be electrically connected to the terminal of the storage cell and can be separated from the terminal. The switching element can be switched, for example, between at least one connected state and at least one disconnected state.In the connected state, the second connecting part is electrically connected to the terminal via the switching element, so that electrical energy provided by the storage means and in particular flowing to or onto the terminal can be or is transferred from the terminal via the switching element to the second connecting part. The electrical energy can then be transferred from the second connecting part to the first connecting part and from the first connecting part via the cell housing to the heating element or to the terminal element and then to the heating element, so that the heating element can be or is supplied with electrical energy stored by means of the storage means and provided by the storage means. This activates the heating element, whereby the storage cell is heated by means of the heating element.Overall, it can be seen that in the connected state of the switching element, an electrical connection between the second connecting part and the terminal is closed via the switching element, so that an electrical connection between the heating element and the terminal is closed via the switching element.

[0015] In the disconnected state, however, the previously described electrical connection between the second connecting part and the terminal, or between the heating element and the terminal, is interrupted or opened by the switching element because the switching element is open. Thus, the heating element is no longer supplied with electrical energy stored by the storage means, so that, for example, in the disconnected state, the heating element is deactivated. Thus, heating of the storage cell by the heating element is prevented. Consequently, the heating element can be deactivated and activated by the switching element in a particularly needs-based and space-efficient manner, allowing the storage cell to be heated as needed.A further advantage is that, because the connecting element has connecting parts made of different materials, it can be particularly advantageously connected to both the cell housing and the switching element, at least electrically and preferably also mechanically. In particular, the first material and the material are selected such that the first material and the material match each other with regard to easy welding of the cell housing to the first connecting part. Furthermore, the second material, for example, can be selected such that it matches the switching element with regard to easy connection, in particular welding, of the second connecting part to the switching element.

[0016] The storage cell according to the invention enables a particularly high degree of integration, the realization of short current conduction paths, and the realization of a very good thermal connection of the switching element, so that, for example, excessive temperatures of the switching element can be avoided. Furthermore, cell-individual control of the heating element is possible, for example. This means that, for example, the respective heating element can be activated or deactivated independently of the other heating elements of the other storage cells. Such respective control of the respective heating element is controlled, for example, via a control chip, which can, for example, also determine, in particular record, a cell core temperature of the respective storage cell. Thus, an exact heating time, during which the storage cell is heated by means of the heating element, can be precisely set, in particular controlled or regulated.In this way, a so-called balancing of the storage cells can be achieved. Balancing means that temperature differences and / or charge differences between the storage cells can be compensated for, so that an at least essentially homogeneous temperature distribution can be ensured in the energy storage device as a whole. Furthermore, the switching element enables particularly good control of the heating element, which is designed as an internal cell heater, thereby avoiding the need to integrate switching elements on or in the storage cell or on or in the connection, also known as the cell terminal.

[0017] In order to keep the installation space requirement particularly low, it can be provided that the connecting device and the connection are arranged on the same side of the storage cell or the cell housing.

[0018] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the switching element is arranged on a side of the first connecting part facing away from the cell housing in a first direction. Thus, for example, the first connecting part is arranged at least partially between the switching element and the cell housing in a direction opposite to the first direction. At least a partial region of the first connecting part projects beyond the switching element in a second direction running obliquely or perpendicular to the first direction. In particular, it can be provided that at least the partial region of the first connecting part is wider than the switching element along an extension direction coinciding with the second direction. In this case, the first connecting part is mechanically and electrically connected to the cell housing, in particular to the connecting region of the cell housing, in the partial region.In this way, the first connecting part and thus the connecting element as a whole can be connected mechanically and electrically to the cell housing in a particularly simple, space-saving and cost-effective manner.

[0019] It has proven particularly advantageous if the first connecting part is welded to the cell housing in the partial area and is thus electrically and mechanically connected to the cell housing. In particular, the first connecting part can be welded to the connecting area of ​​the cell housing in the partial area and thus electrically and mechanically connected to the connecting area of ​​the cell housing. This ensures a particularly space-saving and cost-effective mechanical and electrical connection of the connecting element to the cell housing.

[0020] In order to keep the installation space requirements and the costs of the storage cell and thus of the energy storage device particularly low, a further embodiment of the invention provides for the first connecting part to be welded from the side to the cell housing, in particular to the connecting area. For example, when the storage cell is installed vertically, the side faces upwards, with the storage cell assuming its installed position when the motor vehicle is fully manufactured. This makes it possible to weld the first connecting part and thus the connecting element to the cell housing from above, vertically, in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

[0021] A further embodiment is characterized in that the connecting device has a second connecting element which has a third connecting part made of a third material and, in particular outside the cell housing, electrically connected to the switching element, and a fourth connecting part electrically connected to the third connecting part and made of a fourth material different from the third material. Preferably, the second connecting element is arranged completely outside the cell housing. The fourth connecting part is electrically connected to the terminal outside the cell housing. Preferably, the third connecting part and the fourth connecting part are also mechanically connected to one another and thereby held together, so that the second connecting element is preferably also an assembled or coherent and thus easily handled structural unit.Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the fourth connecting part is also mechanically connected to the terminal and / or the fourth connecting part is mechanically connected to the switching element. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the second connecting part is mechanically connected to the switching element. The use of the second connecting element can ensure a particularly space-efficient and particularly simple, at least electrical, connection of the switching element to the terminal outside the cell housing. In particular, this makes it possible to select the third material such that it is suitable for a simple electrical and / or mechanical and / or material-to-material connection, in particular soldering and / or welding, to the switching element.Furthermore, the fourth material can be selected such that it is suitable for easy welding to the terminal, so that the connecting element can be connected at least electrically and preferably also mechanically to both the switching element and the terminal in a particularly simple and space-saving manner.

[0022] The third material can be copper. Alternatively or additionally, the fourth material can be a light metal such as aluminum. In particular, it is possible for the third material to be a metallic material. Alternatively or additionally, the fourth material is a metallic material. The respective first, second, third, and fourth materials are preferably electrically conductive or electrically conductive materials.

[0023] In order to keep the installation space requirements and costs within a particularly low range, it is provided in a further embodiment of the invention that the first material corresponds to the fourth material.

[0024] Another embodiment is characterized by the fact that the second material corresponds to the third material. This allows costs and installation space requirements to be kept to a particularly low level.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the switching element has a circuit board, in particular a rigid one, which is preferably dimensionally stable or inherently rigid. At least one switch of the switching element is arranged on the circuit board, wherein the switch is preferably electrically connected to the circuit board. In particular, the switch is held on the circuit board. The switch can, for example, be switched, in particular moved, between the connected state and the disconnected state. Preferably, the switch is designed as a MOSFET, so that the switch can be opened and closed particularly advantageously and as needed. The circuit board is electrically connected to the second connecting part, in particular outside the cell housing.This allows electrical current to be transmitted particularly advantageously between the circuit board and the second connecting part, so that electrical current can be transmitted particularly advantageously from the connection via the circuit board to the heating element. The second connecting part is electrically and preferably also mechanically connected to the circuit board, with the second connecting part preferably being integrally connected to the circuit board, in particular soldered.

[0026] A further embodiment is characterized in that the circuit board, particularly outside the cell housing, is electrically connected to the third connecting part. This ensures particularly advantageous power transmission. In particular, the third connecting part is electrically and preferably mechanically connected to the circuit board, whereby the third connecting part can be soldered to the circuit board.

[0027] In order to be able to realize a particularly space-saving and cost-effective design of the energy storage device as a whole, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the storage cell has at least one elastically deformable electrical conductor which is at least electrically and preferably also mechanically connected to the circuit board and via which the circuit board can be electrically connected to at least one further component, wherein the circuit board is stiffer or more rigid than the conductor. This means that the electrical conductor is elastically deformable by means of a force acting on the electrical conductor, wherein this force would not yet lead to any deformation, in particular elastic deformation, of the circuit board. The circuit board and the electrical conductor form a so-called rigid-flex circuit board, since the circuit board is significantly stiffer or more rigid than the electrical conductor and cannot be elastically deformed compared to the electrical conductor.Compared to the circuit board, the conductor can be elastically deformed much more easily and with significantly less force, enabling a particularly advantageous electrical connection between the circuit board and the component. For example, if thermally induced relative movements occur between the circuit board and the component during operation of the energy storage device, the electrical conductor can be elastically and thus non-destructively deformed by these relative movements, so that the electrical conductor carries out or enables the relative movements. As a result, the component and the circuit board remain electrically connected to each other via the electrical conductor, even during the relative movements.

[0028] The further component is, for example, a circuit board of a switching element of a further storage cell of the energy storage device, so that, for example, the heating element of the further storage cell can be supplied with electrical energy via the electrical conductor in a particularly advantageous manner and / or that the circuit board or the switching element of the further component can be controlled via the electrical conductor in order to then, in the controlled, closed state, supply the heating element with electrical energy from the energy storage device connected to the component.

[0029] For example, the component is arranged at a distance from the circuit board, so that a distance running along at least one spatial direction is provided between the component and the circuit board. The electrical conductor preferably has a length which is greater than the distance, so that the electrical conductor can, for example, non-destructively accommodate thermally induced changes in the distance by elastically deforming the electrical conductor. For this purpose, the conductor has, for example, a zigzag-shaped and / or preferably wave-shaped course at least in one length region, which is stretched or directed when the distance increases and compressed when the distance decreases. As a result, the component and the circuit board can remain electrically connected to one another while they move relative to one another, for example due to thermal reasons.

[0030] A second aspect of the invention relates to an energy storage device for a motor vehicle. The energy storage device according to the invention has at least one storage cell according to the invention or several storage cells according to the invention, which are preferably electrically connected to one another. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0031] Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with the accompanying drawings.

[0032] It shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a storage cell according to the invention for storing electrical energy for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle; Fig. 2 a partial schematic side view of the memory cell; Fig. 3 a schematic plan view of the memory cell; Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of a connection device of the memory cell; and Fig. 5 a schematic plan view of connecting devices of respective memory cells.

[0033] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a schematic exploded view of a storage cell 1 for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle designed, for example, as a passenger car. In its fully manufactured state, the motor vehicle has at least one electric machine by means of which the motor vehicle can be electrically driven. To electrically drive the motor vehicle, the electric machine is supplied with electrical energy or electrical current stored in the energy storage device. The energy storage device has, for example, a plurality of storage cells designed like the storage cell 1, or the storage cell 1 is one of the storage cells of the energy storage device.The storage cells of the energy storage device are electrically connected to one another, allowing the energy storage device to provide a particularly high electrical voltage, in particular the electrical operating voltage, in order to realize particularly high electrical power for the electrical propulsion of the motor vehicle. The electrical voltage of the energy storage device is preferably several hundred volts.

[0035] The storage cell 1 has a cell housing 2, which is also simply referred to as a housing. The cell housing 2 has a first housing part 3, also referred to as a can, and a second housing part 4, also referred to as a cap. The housing parts 3 and 4 are, for example, separately formed and interconnected components. The housing part 4 is also referred to as a lid. In its fully manufactured state, the cell housing 2 defines a receiving space 5, in which Fig. 1, storage means 6 for storing electrical energy are accommodated. The storage means 6 comprise, for example, at least or exactly two electrodes of different polarity and a particularly liquid electrolyte in which the electrodes are at least partially accommodated. Furthermore, the storage means 6 can comprise a separator arranged between the electrodes. As a result, the electrodes are electrically insulated from one another by means of the separator. A first of the electrodes is, for example, a positive electrode, with the second electrode being a negative electrode.

[0036] The storage cell 1 further comprises connections 7 and 8, which are also referred to as terminals and are arranged at least partially outside the cell housing 2. The connections 7 and 8 are held on the housing part 4 and, for example, electrically insulated from the cell housing 2. The positive electrode is, for example, electrically connected within the cell housing 2 to connection 7, while the negative electrode is electrically connected within the cell housing 2 to connection 8. Thus, for example, connection 7 forms an electrical positive pole of the storage cell 1, while connection 8 forms an electrical negative pole of the storage cell 1. The storage means 6 can provide the electrical energy stored by means of the storage means 6 via the connections 7 and 8, whereby, for example, the electrical machine can be supplied with the electrical energy stored by means of the storage means 6.

[0037] The storage cell 1 further comprises at least one electrical heating element 9 arranged in the receiving space 5 and thus within the cell housing 2, by means of which the storage cell 1 can be heated and thus warmed using electrical energy. Fig. 1 shows that several electrical heating elements 9 can be arranged within the cell housing 2. Furthermore, a bursting membrane 10 is provided on the housing part 4, by means of which the receiving space 5 can be vented in a targeted manner, for example, in the event of a thermal event. This reliably prevents an uncontrolled explosion of the storage cell 1. Using the example of the storage cell 1, it can be seen that the storage cells of the energy storage device can each have at least one electrical heating element, such as the electrical heating element 9.

[0038] In order to be able to keep the installation space requirement of the storage cell 1 and thus of the energy storage device as a whole particularly small, the cell housing 2, in particular the housing part 4, has a connection region V in which the heating element 9 within the cell housing 2 is electrically connected to the cell housing 2. For this purpose, the heating element 9, for example, has a connection element 11. The connection element 11 is at least electrically and preferably also mechanically connected to the connection region V and thus to the cell housing 2. As a result, for example, the connection element 11 can be supplied with electrical energy via the cell housing 2, which can thus be fed to the heating element 9 via the cell housing 2 and via the connection element 11.The electrical energy supplied to the heating element 9 can be used to operate the heating element 9, so that the storage cell 1 can be heated by the electrical energy supplied to the heating element 9. If the electrical heating element 9 is supplied with electrical energy, the electrical heating element 9 is activated. Subsequently, the storage cell 1 is heated by the electrical heating element 9. If the heating element 9 is not supplied with electrical energy, the heating element 9 is deactivated, so that the heating of the storage cell 1 by the heating element 9 is no longer effected.

[0039] For example, the connection element 11 is welded to the connection region V and thus to the cell housing 2, whereby the connection element 11 and thus the heating element 9 are electrically and preferably also mechanically connected to the cell housing 2, in particular to the housing part 4.

[0040] In addition, the storage cell 1 has at least or preferably exactly one connecting device 12. The connecting device 12 is preferably arranged completely outside the cell housing 2 and thus in its surroundings 13. The connecting device 12 has a first connecting element 14, which has a first connecting part 15 formed from a first material and electrically connected to the cell housing 2 outside the cell housing 2, and a second connecting part 16 electrically and mechanically connected to the first connecting part and formed from a second material different from the first material. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first material is aluminum, while the second material is copper.Furthermore, the connecting device 12 comprises at least or exactly one switching element 17, which is electrically and preferably also mechanically connected to the second connecting part 16. By means of the switching element 17, the second connecting part 16 and thus the heating element 9 can be electrically connected to the connection 7 and separated from the connection 7. Since the connecting part 15 is electrically connected to the connection region V or to the cell housing 2, the connecting part 15 and thus the connecting element 14 as a whole are electrically connected to the connection element 11 and thus to the heating element 9 via the cell housing 2. In addition, the switching element 17 is electrically connected to the connecting element 14.

[0041] The connecting device 12 further comprises a second connecting element 18, which comprises a third connecting part 19 formed from a third material and electrically and preferably also mechanically connected to the switching element 17, and a fourth connecting part 20, which is electrically and preferably also mechanically connected to the third connecting part 19 and formed from a fourth material different from the third material, which is electrically connected to the terminal 7 outside the cell housing 2. The third material is preferably copper, and the fourth material is preferably aluminum.

[0042] In addition, the connecting part 15 is mechanically connected to the cell housing 2, in particular to the housing part 4, and preferably the connecting part 20 is mechanically connected to the terminal 7. Overall, it can be seen that the connecting element 11 and thus the heating element 9 are supplied via the cell housing 2, the connecting element 14, the switching element 17 and the connecting element 18 with electrical energy stored by the storage means 6 and provided by the storage means 6 via the terminal 7 and can be operated as a result. The connecting element 14 has a curved or arc-shaped transition region UB, so that the connecting parts 15 and 16 extend along a Fig. 2 at least partially overlap each other in the direction illustrated by a double arrow 21. Thus, the connecting part 15 is arranged between the cell housing 2 and the connecting part 16 along the direction illustrated by the double arrow 21.

[0043] Furthermore, it is provided that the switching element 17 and the connecting part 16 are arranged on a side S of the first connecting part 15 facing away from the cell housing 2 in a first direction indicated by an arrow 22. As can be seen from Fig. 3, at least a partial area T of the first connecting part 15 is arranged along a Fig. 3 by a double arrow 23 and in the present case perpendicular to the first direction illustrated by the arrow 22, wider than the switching element 17 and than the connecting part 16. As a result, at least the partial area T projects beyond the switching element 17 and the connecting part 16 in a second direction running perpendicular to the first direction and in Fig. 3 by an arrow 24 illustrated third direction and in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and in Fig. 3 by an arrow 25, which is opposite to the third direction. In this case, the first connecting part 15 is mechanically and electrically connected in the partial area T to the cell housing 2, in particular to the connecting area V. In other words, the partial area T is arranged in the first direction illustrated by the arrow 22 without overlapping with the switching element 17 and the connecting part 16, so that the partial area T can be welded to the cell housing 2 from the side S in a particularly simple manner and can thereby be electrically and mechanically connected to the cell housing 2. In this regard, Fig. 3 illustrates respective weld seams 26 and 27 along which the connecting part 15 is welded to the cell housing 2.

[0044] Looks particularly good Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shows that the switching element 17 has a circuit board 28, on which two switches 29 and 30 of the switching element 17 are arranged, which are electrically connected to the circuit board 28 and designed, for example, as MOSFETs. The switches 29 and 30 are held on the circuit board 28. At least one or exactly one optocoupler 31 is assigned to the respective switches 29 and 30, by means of which switching of the respectively assigned switch 29 or 30 can be effected. The optocouplers 31 are also held on the circuit board 28. The circuit board 28 is at least electrically and preferably also mechanically connected to the connecting parts 16 and 19.

[0045] In addition, the storage cell 1 has at least one elastically deformable electrical conductor 32 which is electrically connected to the circuit board 28 and which is less rigid than the circuit board 28. In other words, the circuit board 28 is more rigid than the electrical conductor 32. Via the electrical conductor 32, the circuit board 28 is electrically connectable or connected to at least one further component of the energy storage device. This further component is - as can be seen from Fig. 4 and Fig.5 - at least one circuit board of a switching element of another of the storage cells of the energy storage device, so that, for example, the circuit boards of the switching elements of the storage cells of the energy storage device can be particularly advantageously electrically connected to one another via the electrical conductor 32. If, for example, thermally induced relative movements occur between the storage cells, this results in changes in the distance between the storage cells. The elastically deformable electrical conductor 32 can electrically carry out these relative movements in that the electrical conductor 32 is elastically and thus non-destructively deformed by the relative movements. As a result, the circuit boards of the storage cells can at least remain electrically connected to one another via the electrical conductor 32 despite their relative movements.

[0046] For example, in the installed position of the storage cell 1, the side S points upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle, so that because the connecting part 15 is wider than the switching element 17, the connecting part 15 can be welded to the cell housing 2 from above in a particularly simple manner.

[0047] When the energy storage device is fully manufactured, the storage cells are electrically connected to one another, in particular via their terminals. For this purpose, a cell contacting system (ZKS), also referred to as a cell contacting system, is provided, via which the storage cells are electrically connected to one another. In particular, the respective terminals of the respective storage cells are electrically connected to one another via the cell contacting system. The respective connecting device 12 is arranged below the cell contacting system in the direction illustrated by the double arrow 21 and thus between the cell contacting system and the respective cell housing 2. In other words, the respective connecting device 12 can be submerged below the cell contacting system, such that the connecting device 12 does not impair the cell contacting system or its assembly.Thus, the energy storage device can optionally be equipped with the connecting devices 12, or the connecting devices 12 can simply be omitted, whereby in both cases the cell contacting system can be mounted in the same way.

Claims

[1] Storage cell (1) for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle, comprising a cell housing (2) in which storage means (6) for storing electrical energy are accommodated, with at least one connection (7) arranged outside the cell housing (2) via which the electrical energy stored by means of the storage means (6) can be provided by the storage means (6), and with at least one electrical heating element (9) arranged inside the cell housing (2) for heating the storage cell (1), characterized by , that: - the cell housing (2) has a connection region (V) in which the heating element (9) within the cell housing (2) is electrically connected to the cell housing (2); and - at least one connecting device (12) is provided, which comprises: ◯ at least one connecting element (14) which has a first connecting part (15) formed from a first material and electrically connected to the cell housing (2) outside the cell housing (2), and a second connecting part (16) electrically connected to the first connecting part (15) and formed from a second material different from the first material; and ◯ at least one switching element (17) electrically connected to the second connecting part (16), by means of which the second connecting part (16) can be electrically connected to the terminal (7) and separated from the terminal (7). [2] Memory cell (1) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the switching element (17) is arranged on a side (S) of the first connecting part (15) facing away from the cell housing (2) in a first direction (22), wherein at least a partial area (T) of the first connecting part (15) projects beyond the switching element (17) in a second direction (24, 25) running obliquely or perpendicularly to the first direction (22), and wherein the first connecting part (15) is mechanically and electrically connected to the cell housing (2) in the partial area (T). [3] Memory cell (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the first connecting part (15) is welded to the cell housing (2) (2) in the partial area (T) and is thereby electrically and mechanically connected to the cell housing. [4] Memory cell (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the first connecting part (15) is welded to the cell housing (2) from the side (S). [5] Memory cell (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the connecting device (12) has a second connecting element (18) which has a third connecting part (19) formed from a third material and electrically connected to the switching element (17) and a fourth connecting part (20) which is electrically connected to the third connecting part (19) and formed from a fourth material different from the third material and which is electrically connected to the terminal (7) outside the cell housing (2). [6] Memory cell (1) according to claim 5, characterized by that the first material corresponds to the fourth material. [7] Memory cell (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the second material corresponds to the third material. [8] Memory cell (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the switching element (17) has a circuit board (28) on which at least one switch (29) of the switching element (17) is arranged, in particular electrically connected to the circuit board (28), wherein the circuit board (28) is electrically connected to the second connecting part (16). [9] Memory cell (1) according to claim 8 in its dependence on one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that the circuit board (28) is electrically connected to the third connecting part (19). [10] Memory cell (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that at least one elastically deformable electrical conductor (32) is provided which is electrically connected to the circuit board (28), via which electrical conductor the circuit board (28) can be electrically connected to at least one further component, the circuit board (28) being stiffer than the conductor (32). [11] Energy storage device for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one storage cell (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images