Carrier device for cylindrical battery cells of a vehicle

Abstract

Carrier device (10) for several cylindrical battery cells (11) of an electric traction energy storage device of a vehicle, comprising several receiving bodies (12) arranged in a plane and parallel to each other, each having receiving units (13) arranged in a row, wherein adjacent receiving bodies (12) adjoin each other, wherein the receiving units (13) each have a cylindrical volume space (14) for receiving a battery cylinder (11) and an outer wall (15) surrounding the volume space (14), which in plan view forms an outwardly polygonal, preferably hexagonal, structure; and at least one cooling channel (16) extending perpendicular to the plane of arrangement and arranged between adjacent receiving bodies (12), wherein a wall of the cooling channel (16) is formed by wall sections of the outer walls (15) of three adjacent receiving units (13).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a carrier device for several cylindrical battery cells of an electric traction energy storage device for a vehicle. The invention further relates to a battery module and a motor vehicle, each comprising such a carrier device.

[0002] Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell, and electric vehicles are equipped with traction energy storage systems that can absorb recuperated energy and provide electrical drive energy. Traction energy storage systems can be based on accumulators, such as lithium-ion batteries. These systems can be modular, with individual battery cells stacked or arranged side-by-side and electrically grouped into individual battery modules, which are then connected in series and / or parallel within a housing.

[0003] The conventional arrangement of battery cells has the disadvantage of requiring a relatively large amount of installation space, resulting in a relatively low energy density relative to the required installation volume. Furthermore, the modularization approaches known from practical experience have the disadvantage that the number of battery cells to be installed is not flexible enough to adapt the traction energy storage system to varying performance requirements.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved technology for a battery module that avoids the disadvantages of conventional technologies. In particular, it is an objective of the invention to provide an improved design for a battery module that better meets the requirements for compact installation space and modularity.

[0005] DE 10 2014 206 646 A1 discloses an energy storage unit comprising a plurality of energy storage subunits with a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode of each energy storage subunit are arranged on opposite sides of the energy storage subunit, and comprising a receiving device with a plurality of receiving units arranged side by side, each spatially limited by a side wall, wherein an energy storage subunit is placed in each receiving unit of the receiving device, and the energy storage subunits are fixed in the receiving units such that the electrodes are arranged in a first contact plane and in a second contact plane.wherein the electrodes arranged in the first contact plane are electrically interconnected via a first circuit board and the electrodes arranged in the second contact plane are electrically interconnected via a second circuit board.

[0006] US 2009 / 0111015 A1 discloses a battery system comprising a plurality of sleeves which are modularly connected to one another by elements provided on an outer surface of the sleeves.

[0007] US patent 2021 / 0197689A1 discloses systems and methods for providing modular battery assemblies for micromobility fleet vehicles.

[0008] The problems are solved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims and the description.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a carrier device for several cylindrical battery cells of an electric traction energy storage system for a vehicle. The carrier device comprises several receiving bodies arranged in a single plane and parallel to one another. Each receiving body has receiving units arranged in a row, with adjacent receiving bodies being abutting each other. Each receiving unit has a cylindrical volume chamber for receiving one cylindrical battery cell (hereinafter also referred to as a cylindrical cell) and an outer wall surrounding the volume chamber, which, in plan view, forms an outwardly polygonal, preferably hexagonal, structure.

[0010] The carrier device thus advantageously forms a honeycomb-shaped receiving structure for cylindrical cells in the arrangement plane, which on the one hand enables a high spatial packing density for cylindrical cells and on the other hand can be flexibly expanded modularly by adjusting the number of receiving units per receiving body and the number of receiving bodies. Furthermore, the structure of the carrier device offers additional advantages: In addition to its function of holding or supporting the cylindrical cells, the support structure can also act as a thermal sink, dissipating excess thermal energy. The outer wall of the support units spatially separates each cylindrical volume from the other cylindrical volumes. This prevents the overheating of a single battery cell, for example during a thermal emergency (also known as thermal runaway), from spreading to surrounding battery cells to the same extent as it would without such an outer wall. Furthermore, the polygonal structure advantageously increases the rigidity of the support structure, thus providing improved protection even in the event of mechanical impacts.

[0011] The cylindrical volume can have a substantially circular perimeter in plan view. The same applies to the outer wall in plan view, looking inwards. The preferred hexagonal structure of the outer wall in plan view can be substantially hexagonal and / or honeycomb-shaped. This can be understood to mean that, for example, the outer corners of a hexagonal structure may be rounded.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment, adjacent receiving bodies can be bonded together. This offers the advantage that no complex joining devices are necessary to connect the receiving bodies into a single unit. The connection of the receiving bodies can thus be achieved by material bonding.

[0013] The receiving bodies preferably have an elongated and / or bar-like structure (due to the row-like arrangement of the receiving units), which is advantageous from a manufacturing perspective, as the receiving bodies can be manufactured, for example, as form elements, e.g., from steel or aluminum, e.g., as aluminum extrusion molded parts.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the multiple receiving bodies can each be manufactured in one piece. For example, the receiving bodies can be produced in one piece by an extrusion process or an injection molding process.

[0015] The one-piece design of the mounting bodies offers the advantage of optimized heat conduction within each body, as no boundary layers or similar structures, which would normally present thermal resistance, need to be overcome. This further enhances the safety of the support device by enabling even more efficient dissipation of excess heat in the event of a thermal emergency. Furthermore, fewer individual components, in the form of mounting bodies, need to be handled during assembly of the support device.

[0016] According to the invention, the support device has at least one cooling channel extending perpendicular to the plane of assembly. This cooling channel is arranged between adjacent receiving bodies. An embodiment of the invention provides that one wall of the cooling channel is formed by wall sections of the outer walls of three adjacent receiving units. The receiving units may partially belong to different receiving bodies. In other words, the cooling channel, also called a conduit, can be created during the assembly or installation of the receiving bodies.

[0017] The cooling channel can advantageously cool the support device by, for example, passing a fluid through the channel, preferably an electrically non-conductive fluid. The fluid can be air or a coolant. The cooling channel thus offers the advantage of better control over the temperature of the support device. The cooling channel can also be used to heat the support device, for example, if minimum temperature limits must be maintained during cold seasons. Furthermore, the cooling channel can extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical volume chambers and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical cells when these are held in the receiving units.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, a rod for clamping and / or holding the support device can be inserted through the cooling channel. This is particularly advantageous when several support devices are stacked on top of each other, which can then be clamped using such a rod. Accordingly, the cooling channel can be used additionally or alternatively for holding or clamping the support device, preferably in a battery module.

[0019] In one embodiment, the wall of the cooling channel can be formed by a convex cross-sectional wall section and a concave cross-sectional wall section. The convex and concave cross-sectional wall sections can each be parts of the outer walls of different receiving units that surround the respective volume space.

[0020] This offers the advantage that the cooling channel can be formed by the polygonal structure itself, created by the adjacent mounting bodies, without the need for additional cooling channels within the individual mounting bodies. This reduces the manufacturing costs of the support device because complex machining processes can be eliminated.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, the receiving bodies can have a projecting positioning unit on their upper and lower surfaces for receiving and / or positioning a cell connector, e.g., a busbar. This offers the advantage that cell connectors can be reliably positioned on the receiving bodies. The positioning unit can be designed to position a cell connector in such a way that it is held in a position where it can be firmly connected to the battery cells to be joined. The cell connectors are also referred to as busbars.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment, the receiving bodies can have a projecting spacer on their upper and lower surfaces to maintain a distance in a receiving body height direction. This is particularly advantageous when several support devices are stacked on top of each other, which are then held at a predefined distance from one another by the spacer. This advantageously reduces the manufacturing costs of the support device, as fewer components need to be kept in stock.

[0023] The spacer can alternatively or additionally include a connecting element that allows connection to surrounding components in the height direction of the receiving body. For example, the connecting element can include a snap-fit ​​connection that can be engaged with a correspondingly designed counterpart. In particular, the connecting element can be designed to establish a connection to another receiving body and / or another support device. This offers the advantage that stable connections can be created with multiple receiving bodies and / or support devices stacked on top of each other, and that these are securely held together.

[0024] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the projecting positioning unit and the projecting spacer can be formed by the same component or assembly. This offers the advantage that the functions of both spacer and positioning a cell connector can be performed by a single assembly or component. Furthermore, the positioning unit and the spacer within an assembly can interact in such a way that positioning the cell connector requires at least part of the spacer. For example, the spacer can prevent rotation of a cell connector.

[0025] In one embodiment, adjacent receiving units of a receiving body can share a common wall section, preferably along the entire height of the receiving body. In other words, the common wall section forms part of the outer wall of a first receiving unit and part of the outer wall of a second, directly adjacent receiving unit of the receiving body. The positioning unit and / or the spacer can each be arranged at an upper and a lower end of the common wall section. This offers the advantage of allowing a cell connector to be positioned between adjacent receiving units of a receiving body.

[0026] For example, the spacer can comprise two opposing support elements, and the positioning unit can include a centering pin positioned between them. This offers the advantage that the support elements can both fulfill the function of maintaining distance and, in conjunction with the centering pin, define the orientation of a cell connector. A cell connector could, for instance, be placed between the two support elements, allowing the cell connector to be brought into lateral contact with the support elements. This centers the cell connector and prevents unwanted rotation.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the polygonal structure, viewed from above, can have a corner adjacent to a neighboring receiving body, wherein the corner is rounded. The rounded corner thus forms a rounded edge, preferably a radius, along a vertical direction of the receiving body. The rounded corner advantageously prevents adjacent receiving bodies from forming a double fit, which should be avoided from a design perspective. This clearly defines the contact surfaces of adjacent receiving bodies.

[0028] In a particularly preferred embodiment, each receiving element can be made of a metallic material, preferably aluminum. Aluminum offers the advantage of excellent heat conductivity, which allows the support device to advantageously form a thermal sink. Furthermore, aluminum is relatively lightweight, thus reducing weight. Metallic materials are also relatively hard and can therefore transmit forces effectively before deformation occurs, further enhancing safety. Other metallic materials from which the receiving elements can be manufactured include, for example, copper, steel, or other metals.

[0029] The mounting bodies of the support device can all be identical in design. This offers the advantage that the support device can be produced particularly cost-effectively, since a modular design of the support device from the mounting bodies can be implemented very easily. Furthermore, the production costs of the mounting bodies are reduced by using identical parts. A support device can also comprise several layers of mounting bodies arranged one above the other, each arranged in different, parallel planes as described above.

[0030] According to a further aspect of the invention, a battery module is provided. The battery module comprises a carrier device as described in this document. Furthermore, the battery module comprises cylindrical battery cells, each of which is held in the cylindrical volume chambers. The cylindrical battery cells have poles at opposite ends for conductively connecting the cells. Each cylindrical battery cell has a groove on its outer wall for receiving an adhesive. Alternatively or additionally, the outer wall surrounding the cylindrical volume chamber has a groove on its inner side for receiving an adhesive. The cylindrical battery cells are preferably held in the cylindrical volume chambers by means of adhesive bonding. The cylindrical battery cells may have a plastic casing. In other words, the so-called cell casing can be made of plastic.A plastic cell can offers the advantage that, after being glued into the housing, it is further secured by the swelling forces within the housing. This would also provide beneficial insulation. Alternatively, the cylindrical battery cells can have a metallic cell can, or simply can, for example made of aluminum, which is provided with an additional outer insulating layer.

[0031] The battery module can further comprise a module housing of a known design. The battery module can also include an inner battery module form, which is positioned between the module housing and the support device and which has a surface shape on its side facing the support device that corresponds to the outer contour (surface shape) of the support device in order to receive and / or hold it section by section. This allows the support device to be placed in the battery module in a simple manner.

[0032] In one embodiment, several support devices and / or, preferably, receiving bodies can be arranged one above the other, wherein the support devices have receiving bodies that have projecting spacers on their upper and lower surfaces to maintain a distance in a receiving body height direction. The respective projecting spacers can position the superimposed support devices at a distance from one another. This offers the advantage that, for example, the poles of the battery cells of the superimposed support devices are sufficiently spaced from one another, thus preventing unwanted electrical contact.

[0033] Additionally, the spacers can structurally connect the stacked support devices to one another, preferably by means of snap-fit ​​connections. This offers the advantage that a structurally more stable unit can be formed from the support devices.

[0034] In one embodiment, a support device can already comprise several receiving bodies arranged one above the other, which are held spaced apart by the spacers projecting from their upper and lower surfaces.

[0035] In one embodiment, the battery module can comprise multiple cell connectors. The carrier device can have receiving bodies that have a projecting positioning unit on their upper and lower surfaces for receiving and / or positioning a cell connector. Each cell connector can electrically connect the poles of two adjacent cylindrical battery cells on the upper or lower surface of each receiving body.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, adjacent receiving units of a receiving body can have a common wall section, wherein the spacer comprises two opposing support elements and the positioning unit a centering pin arranged between them, and each cell connector of the multiple cell connectors includes a through-opening into which the respective centering pin of the respective positioning unit projects. The centering pin can also project through the through-openings.

[0037] Each cell connector can have an external electrical insulation in a central area for touch protection, so that only the opposite end pieces are exposed to connect to one of the poles.

[0038] According to a further aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle, is provided. The motor vehicle comprises a carrier device as described in this document. Alternatively or additionally, the motor vehicle comprises a battery module as described in this document.

[0039] The preferred embodiments and features of the invention described above can be combined in any way desired. Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a single recording body from Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a side view of a positioning unit and a spacer in a common assembly according to an embodiment; Fig. 4 a perspective view of a battery cell according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 5 a perspective view of four support devices arranged side by side and one above the other according to Fig. 1; Fig. 6 a top view of a battery module according to an embodiment; Fig. 7 a sectional view of the battery module Fig. 6 according to the intersection line BB; Fig. 8 a sectional view of the battery module Fig. 6 according to the section line AA; and Fig. 9 A top view of a cooling channel according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0040] The embodiments shown in the figures are at least partially identical, so that similar or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals and, to avoid repetition, reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments or figures for their explanation.

[0041] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a battery module 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for several cylindrical battery cells 11 of an electric traction energy storage device of a vehicle, comprising a carrier device 10. In this embodiment, the carrier device 10 comprises four receiving bodies 12 arranged in a plane and parallel to one another, each receiving body having receiving units 13 arranged in a row, with adjacent receiving bodies 12 being abutting one another and bonded together. The receiving units each have a cylindrical volume space 14 (not shown, see Figure 1). Fig. 2) for receiving a cylindrical battery cell 11 and an outer wall 15 surrounding the volume space 14, which in plan view forms a polygonal structure towards the outside, in this example essentially hexagonal.

[0042] The carrier device 10 serves as a carrier device for cylindrical battery cells 11. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, battery cells 11 are already held in the carrier device 10, with one battery cell 11 being held in each of the receiving bodies 12. The battery cells 11 are electrically connected in series by means of electrically conductive contact between two adjacent battery cells 11 using cell connectors 22. An arrangement of cell connectors 22 for connecting the poles on the underside is also located on the underside (not visible).

[0043] The carrier device thus advantageously forms a honeycomb-shaped receiving structure for cylindrical cells in the arrangement plane, which on the one hand enables a spatially high packing density for cylindrical cells.

[0044] The illustrated embodiment offers the advantage that the overheating of a single battery cell 11, for example in a thermal emergency, cannot spread to surrounding battery cells 11 to the same extent as would be the case without a corresponding outer wall 15. The support device 10 also serves as a thermal sink. The support device 10 thus advantageously increases safety compared to conventional battery cell arrangements. Furthermore, the essentially hexagonal structure advantageously increases the rigidity of the support device 10, so that improved protection is also provided in the event of mechanical impacts. The support device 10 could also comprise any other number of receiving bodies 12, for example 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7.

[0045] Furthermore, the depicted receiving bodies 12 have on their upper surface 19 and lower surface 20 a projecting positioning unit 21 for receiving and / or positioning a cell connector 22 and a projecting spacer 23 for maintaining a distance 36 (not shown, see below). Fig. 7 and Fig. 8) in a receiving body height direction H. Further explanations regarding the positioning unit 21 and the spacer 23 are provided in relation to the Fig. 3 described. In this embodiment, the positioning unit 21 and the spacer 23 form an assembly.

[0046] Furthermore, the illustrated support device 10 has several cooling channels 16 that extend perpendicular to the plane of arrangement, or in the vertical direction H of the receiving body, and are arranged between adjacent receiving bodies 12. The wall of each cooling channel 16 is formed by wall sections of the outer walls 15 of three adjacent receiving units 13. A cooling channel can be used to cool as well as to heat the support device 10, for example by passing a fluid through the cooling channel 16. This offers the advantage that temperatures can be regulated during operation so that they remain within a permissible operating range and no damage occurs due to excessively high or low temperatures.

[0047] Alternatively, and not shown, a rod can be inserted through each cooling channel 16 to clamp or hold the support device 10. A combination of cooling channels for clamping with a rod and cooling channels for temperature control of the support device 10 is therefore conceivable.

[0048] The walls of the cooling channels 16 are formed by a convex wall section 17 and a concave wall section 18 (not shown). This is in Fig. 9 are shown as examples.

[0049] Furthermore, the four receiving bodies 12 are each formed in one piece. These can be manufactured, for example, by injection molding or extrusion. The four receiving bodies 12 shown are also identical in design and made of aluminum. This is a great advantage because aluminum conducts waste heat very well, thus facilitating temperature control, preferably cooling, of the support device. In other words, the aluminum serves as a thermal sink. Other metallic materials with the same function are also conceivable, such as copper.

[0050] The illustrated support device has a common wall section 24 on adjacent receiving units 13 of a receiving body 12 (see [reference]). Fig. 7) along the entire height of the receiving body 25. The positioning unit 21 and the spacer 23 are each arranged at an upper and a lower end of the common wall section 24.

[0051] Furthermore, the structure, which is essentially hexagonal in plan view, has a corner 28 adjacent to a neighboring receiving body 12, with corner 28 being rounded. This is structurally advantageous because it avoids a double fit and clearly defines the relative position of the receiving bodies 12 to each other. Fig. Figure 1 refers only to the outer rounded corners 28. However, it is known to those skilled in the art that the receiving bodies 12 located in the center of the support device have the same corresponding rounded corners 28. The rounded corners accordingly form an edge or curve along the outer wall 15 in the vertical direction H of the receiving body.

[0052] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a single recording body 12 from Fig. 1 with, in this case, six receiving units 13. Of course, a different number of receiving units 13 would also be possible. The rounded corners 28 on both sides of the receiving body 12 are clearly visible. Furthermore, the cylindrical volume spaces 14 of the receiving units 14 are clearly visible. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the outer wall 15 surrounding the cylindrical volume space 14 can have a groove on its inner side for receiving an adhesive. The positioning unit 21 and the spacer 23, which form a common assembly and are discussed in more detail below, are also shown schematically.

[0053] Fig. Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a positioning unit 21 and a spacer 23 in a common assembly according to an exemplary embodiment as described in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are shown schematically, with a cell connector 22 already inserted for better clarity, unlike in Fig. 2, shown. The spacer 23 comprises two opposing support elements 26 and the positioning unit 21 a centering pin 31 arranged between them.

[0054] Furthermore, a cell connector 22 is shown in cross-section, as it is held in a predetermined position by both the positioning unit 21 and the spacer 23. For this purpose, the cell connector 22 includes a through-opening 31 through which the centering pin 27 protrudes. The support elements 26 also provide lateral and rotational fixation of the cell connector 22, enabling it to be positioned in a defined orientation on the support device. The centering pin prevents slippage in the longitudinal direction of the respective receiving body 12.

[0055] The cell connector 22 itself comprises an outer insulation 34 as contact protection, as well as an inner conductive core that enables the cell connector to conductively connect adjacent cylindrical battery cells 11. The end regions of each cell connector 22 are accordingly no longer surrounded by the insulation 34. Furthermore, the support elements 26 allow a distance to be maintained in a receiving body height direction H from walls or other support devices 10 or receiving bodies. The support elements 26 can, for example, have a triangular shape in plan view. Furthermore, the support elements 26 can be designed such that they allow them to be held against other support elements 26, thus making the stacking of several receiving bodies 12 or support devices 10 on top of each other more stable.Additionally, and not shown, the receiving bodies could include a connecting element, for example a snap connection, which would enable secure holding on, for example, adjacent support devices 10 or receiving bodies 12.

[0056] Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a battery cell 11 according to an exemplary embodiment. Such a battery cell 11 can, as shown in Fig. The battery cells 11 are positioned in the carrier device 10, as shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the battery cell comprises grooves 30. The grooves 30 are suitable for receiving adhesives. For example, the battery cells 11 can be glued into the carrier device 10. Furthermore, the illustrated battery cell 11 comprises a terminal 29 for electrically contacting the battery cell 11. Fig. 4 not shown, the battery cell 11 includes a further pole 29, which is attached to a bottom side of the battery cell 11 opposite the pole 29 shown.

[0057] Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of four support devices 10 arranged side by side and one above the other according to Fig. 1. This is intended to demonstrate that the support devices 10 are designed in such a way that they can be easily stacked on top of each other without causing unwanted contact between the battery cells 11. Furthermore, this illustrates once again how advantageously expandable the modular design is.

[0058] Fig. Figure 6 shows a top view of a battery module 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The battery module 50 comprises a support device 10 and further battery cells 11, each of which is held in the cylindrical volume spaces 14, wherein the battery cells 11 have poles 29 at opposite end regions for conductively connecting the battery cells 11, as already described in connection with Fig. 4 explained. Each cylindrical battery cell 11 has a groove 30 on its outer wall (see Fig. 4) for receiving an adhesive. Additionally, and not shown, the outer wall 15 surrounding the cylindrical volume space 14 could have an inner groove 30 for receiving an adhesive. The battery cells 11 are held in the cylindrical volume spaces 14 by means of adhesive bonding.

[0059] Furthermore, cooling channels 16 are provided between the receiving bodies 12 of the carrier device 10. The battery module 50 has a rectangular footprint. On its inner side, the battery module 50 comprises a battery module inner form 33, which is located between the carrier device 10 and the inner wall of the battery module 50 and has a contour (surface shape) facing the carrier device that is adapted to the carrier device 10, so that the carrier device 10 is securely held in the battery module 50. The battery module inner form 33 extends circumferentially around the carrier device 10.

[0060] The support device 10 in this example comprises two levels of stacked receiving bodies 12, or several support devices 10. This is shown in the sectional views AA and BB in the Fig. 7 and Fig. Figure 8 is clearly visible. Furthermore, other embodiments are possible with any number of layers stacked on top of each other. It is clear to those skilled in the art that the illustrated battery module 50 is purely exemplary and can be extended as desired according to the disclosure of the invention. The cell connectors 22 conductively connect the battery cells 11 to each other on a top surface 19 or a bottom surface 20. The cell connectors 22 are welded to the terminals 19 of the battery cells 11 at their respective end regions.

[0061] Fig. Figure 7 shows a cutaway view of battery module 50. Fig. 6 according to section line BB. Four battery cells 11 are shown in section in two planes, each with its own battery cell centerline 37, as well as the common wall sections 24 that run between the cylindrical volume spaces 14, which are not visible in section plane BB. The battery module inner form 33 is also shown, with one inner form 33 each for the lower and upper levels of the support device 10 in this embodiment. The battery module inner form 33 can be an insert that is not rigidly connected to the battery module outer wall 32. The battery module inner form 33 can be bonded to the support device 10. Furthermore, the battery module inner form 33 can be made of metal.

[0062] In Fig. Figure 7 also shows the cooling channel 16 and the support elements 26, which ensure that the two planes of the support device 10 are spaced apart by a distance 36. The centering pin 27 is shown between the support elements 26.

[0063] Fig. Figure 8 shows a cutaway view of battery module 50. Fig. 6 according to section line AA. The separation of the battery cells 11 by the outer walls 15, the mounting of the support device 10 in the battery module's inner shape 33, and the conductive connection of the battery cells 11 by means of the cell connectors 22 are clearly visible. The two levels of the support device 10 again have a distance 36 from each other, as explained previously.

[0064] Fig.Figure 9 shows a top view of a cooling channel 16 according to an exemplary embodiment. By way of example, the cooling channel cross-section 38 is shown to be formed by a convex wall section 17 and a concave wall section 18. The convex wall section 17 is preferably part of a wall section of a previously described rounded corner 28.

[0065] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and the features of the dependent claims independently of the referenced claims. In particular, the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another. In addition, the features of the dependent claims are also disclosed independently of all features of independent claim 1. Reference symbol list 10 Carrier device 11 Battery cylindrical cell 12 recording bodies 13 Recording unit 14 Cylindrical volume space 15 Exterior wall 16 Cooling channel 17 Convex wall section 18 Concave wall section 19 Top 20 Subpage 21 Positioning unit 22 cell connectors 23 spacers 24 Common wall section 25 Recording body height 26 support element 27 Centering pin 28 Rounded corner 29 poles 30 Nut 31 Passage opening 32 Battery module outer wall 33 Battery module internal shape 34 Insulation 35 Conductive material 36 distance 37 Battery cell center line 38 Cooling channel cross-section 50 battery module H Mounting body height direction

Claims

[1] Carrier device (10) for several cylindrical battery cells (11) of an electric traction energy storage device of a vehicle, comprising several receiving bodies (12) arranged in a plane and parallel to each other, each having receiving units (13) arranged in a row, wherein adjacent receiving bodies (12) adjoin each other, wherein the receiving units (13) each have a cylindrical volume space (14) for receiving a battery cylinder (11) and an outer wall (15) surrounding the volume space (14), which in plan view forms an outwardly polygonal, preferably hexagonal, structure; and at least one cooling channel (16) extending perpendicular to the plane of arrangement and arranged between adjacent receiving bodies (12), wherein a wall of the cooling channel (16) is formed by wall sections of the outer walls (15) of three adjacent receiving units (13). [2] Carrier device (10) according to claim 1, wherein adjacent receiving bodies (12) are bonded together. [3] Carrier device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the multiple receiving bodies (12) are each made in one piece. [4] Carrier device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall of the cooling channel (16) is formed by a wall section (17) with a convex cross-section and by a wall section (18) with a concave cross-section. [5] Carrier device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving bodies (12) have a projecting positioning unit (21) on their upper (19) and lower (20) sides for receiving and / or positioning a cell connector (22). [6] Carrier device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving bodies (12) have a projecting spacer (23) on their upper (19) and lower (20) sides for maintaining a distance (36) in a receiving body height direction (H). [7] Carrier device (10) according to claims 5 and 6, wherein the projecting positioning unit (21) and the projecting spacer (23) are formed by the same component or assembly. [8] Carrier device (10) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein adjacent receiving units (13) of a receiving body (12) have a common wall section (24), preferably along an entire receiving body height (25), wherein a) the positioning unit (21) and / or the spacer (23) are each arranged at an upper and a lower end of the common wall section (24); and / or b) the spacer (23) comprises two opposing support elements (26) and the positioning unit (21) comprises a centering pin (27) arranged between them. [9] Carrier device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polygonal structure in plan view has a corner (28) adjoining an adjacent receiving body (12), wherein the corner (28) is rounded. [10] Carrier device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each receiving body (12) is made of a metallic material, preferably aluminium. [11] Battery module (50) comprising a carrier device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and further comprising cylindrical battery cells (11) which are each held in the cylindrical volume spaces (14), wherein the cylindrical battery cells (11) have poles (29) at opposite end regions for conductively connecting the cylindrical battery cells (11), wherein each cylindrical battery cell (11) has a groove (30) on its outer wall for receiving an adhesive and / or wherein the outer wall (15) surrounding the cylindrical volume space (14) has a groove (30) on its inner side for receiving an adhesive; wherein preferably the cylindrical battery cells (11) are held in the cylindrical volume spaces (14) by means of bonding. [12] Battery module (50) according to claim 11, wherein several carrier devices (10) according to claim 7 are arranged one above the other, wherein the respective projecting spacers (23) position the carrier devices (10) arranged one above the other at a distance from each other. [13] Battery module (50) according to one of claims 11 to 12, further comprising several cell connectors (22), wherein a cell connector (22) electrically connects the poles (29) of two adjacent cylindrical battery cells (11) on the top (19) or bottom (20) of each receiving body (12) by means of a cell connector (22); and / or wherein the carrier device (10) is designed according to claim 9b and each cell connector (22) of the several cell connectors (22) comprises a through-opening (31) into which the respective centering pin (27) of the respective positioning unit (21) projects. [14] Motor vehicle, preferably commercial vehicle, comprising a carrier device (10) according to claims 1 to 10 and / or a battery module (50) according to claims 11 to 13.

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