Cooling compression plate

Abstract

Cooling compression plate (1) for maintaining an intercellular space (2) in a directly cooled accumulator (3) during cell swelling, comprising at least: - a first exterior wall section (4); - a second exterior wall section (5); and - an intermediate section (6) which extends from a first transition edge (7) with the first outer wall section (4) and a second transition edge (8) with the second outer wall section (5) in a spring space (9) formed between the outer wall sections (4,5); wherein the cooling compression plate (1) is a single piece, and wherein at least one of the outer wall sections (4,5) forms at least one cooling channel (11) with an adjacent cell (12) in an assembled state, and wherein a spring effect can be provided between the first outer wall section (4) and the second outer wall section (5) by means of the intermediate section (6), characterized in that the cooling channel is formed in an outer side of the respective outer wall section, which is a side facing away from the spring chamber.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooling compression plate, an accumulator with such a cooling compression plate, and a method using such an accumulator for manufacturing a cooling compression plate.

[0002] Modern batteries, used in vehicles, particularly battery electric vehicles (BEVs), consist of several interconnected cells housed in a casing. The cells are spaced apart, leaving a gap between each pair. This gap is necessary for cooling the cells. Over their lifespan, the cells expand, a phenomenon known as swelling. To counteract this swelling, foam pads are currently used in the spaces between the cells. These foam pads, also called compression pads, contain cooling channels for a cooling fluid. Swelling compresses the compression pads, creating a counterforce. However, this also narrows the cooling channels within the pads.

[0003] EP 2 355 204 A1, for example, discloses a heat exchanger structure for use in a battery unit comprising a first battery stack with a plurality of battery cells and a second battery stack with a plurality of battery cells. The heat exchanger structure is arranged between opposing surfaces of the first battery stack and the second battery stack and defines one or more fluid flow passages, wherein the heat exchanger structure is dimensionally flexible such that it compresses when the first and second battery stacks expand and expands when the first and second battery stacks subsequently contract.

[0004] US 2001 / 0007728A1 discloses a battery pack in which prismatic battery modules are arranged parallel to each other, and cooling channels are formed by inserting spacers made of metallic material between mutually facing long side surfaces of the battery modules.

[0005] DE 10 2014 219 609 A1 discloses a compensating device for heat transport and for compensating for the expansion of stacked accumulator cells, with at least one spring element and at least two pressure plates, wherein the at least one spring element is received between the at least two pressure plates.

[0006] Based on this, the present invention aims to overcome, at least partially, the disadvantages known from the prior art. The features of the invention are defined in the independent claims, for which advantageous embodiments are shown in the dependent claims. The features of the claims can be combined in any technically meaningful way, whereby the explanations in the following description and features from the figures, which comprise supplementary embodiments of the invention, can also be used.

[0007] The invention relates to a cooling compression plate for maintaining cell space in a directly cooled accumulator during cell swelling, comprising at least: - a first section of the exterior wall; - a second exterior wall section; and - an intermediate section which extends from a first transition edge with the first outer wall section and a second transition edge with the second outer wall section in a spring space formed between the outer wall sections; the cooling compression plate is a single piece, and wherein at least one of the outer wall sections forms at least one cooling channel with an adjacent cell in a mounted state, and wherein a spring effect between the first outer wall section and the second outer wall section can be provided by means of the intermediate section.

[0008] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, ordinal numbers used in the preceding and following descriptions serve solely for unambiguous differentiation and do not indicate any order or ranking of the components referred to. An ordinal number greater than one does not necessarily imply the presence of another such component.

[0009] A cooling compression plate is proposed here, which can be used, for example, instead of a compression pad described above. Such a cooling compression plate comprises a first outer wall section, a second outer wall section, and an intermediate section. These three sections are formed in one piece. In a mounted state, that is, when the cooling compression plate is positioned between two cells or between a housing wall and a cell (in both cases, the space is referred to below as the cell space), the outer wall sections rest against the respective cells or the housing wall.

[0010] A spring cavity is formed between the outer wall sections. The intermediate section is arranged within this spring cavity. The intermediate section extends between two transition edges to the two outer wall sections. Thus, the cooling compression plate transitions from the first outer wall section to the intermediate section at a first transition edge, and from the intermediate section to the second outer wall section at a second transition edge. The two outer wall sections are preferably parallel to each other and, more preferably, completely overlapping. The distance between the two outer wall sections, which defines the thickness of the cooling compression plate in a compression direction, is significantly less than the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the outer wall sections or the cooling compression plate perpendicular to the compression direction, which define the surface area of ​​the outer wall sections or the cooling compression plate.The intermediate section is therefore preferably arranged at a slight incline, diagonally between the two outer wall sections in the spring space.

[0011] At least one of the two outer wall sections has at least one cooling channel. The cooling channel is designed to conduct a cooling fluid for temperature control of the accumulator or the cells. The cooling channel is formed on the outer side, i.e., on the side facing away from the spring chamber, of the respective outer wall section and is preferably open to the outside, so that the cooling channel is formed together with the adjacent cell in the assembled state, and the cell can thus be cooled directly.

[0012] The intermediate section provides a spring effect between the first and second outer wall sections. For example, the spring force of such a spring effect is zero or very low when the battery is new and increases over the battery's service life due to swelling, as the expanding cells push the outer wall sections towards each other. The spring characteristic of the spring effect can be determined, for example, by selecting the material, thickness, and design of the intermediate section, depending on the deflection from a normal state without force acting on the cooling compression plate.

[0013] Preferably, the cooling compression plate is designed such that when the outer wall sections are compressed, the intermediate section is elastically deformed, thus providing the spring effect between the outer wall sections.

[0014] The cooling compression plate offers the advantage of being inexpensive to manufacture and, at the same time, the cooling channels or cooling channel diameters are less affected by strong swelling.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the cooling compression plates, it is further proposed that these be manufactured from a semi-finished product, preferably a sheet or a preferably fiber-reinforced plastic plate, by folding twice at the transition edges in opposite folding directions.

[0016] According to this embodiment, the cooling compression plate is now produced by folding a semi-finished product twice, thus forming the two outer wall sections and the intermediate section. For example, the semi-finished product is a sheet, preferably a metal sheet, particularly preferably a steel sheet, or a preferably fiber-reinforced plastic sheet. The semi-finished product is a flat semi-finished product with a thickness significantly less than its longitudinal and transverse dimensions. Preferably, the shorter of the longitudinal or transverse dimension is greater than the thickness by a factor of 10, particularly preferably by a factor of 50. Preferably, the semi-finished product is rectangular.

[0017] The cooling compression plate is thus, for example, a corresponding semi-finished product folded at the transition edges. The two outer wall sections are folded in opposite directions by approximately 180° [one hundred and eighty degrees] relative to the intermediate section. For example, one of the outer wall sections is folded upwards onto the intermediate section, and the other outer wall section is folded downwards.

[0018] Preferably, the transition edges extend orthogonally to a side edge of the semi-finished product, which runs along its longitudinal dimension. Particularly preferably, the transition edges divide the semi-finished product into three approximately equal sections, which, when folded, form the outer wall sections and the intermediate section.

[0019] According to this embodiment, a cooling compression plate that can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively is provided.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the cooling compression plates, it is further proposed that the at least one cooling channel extends from a first transition edge to a first free end of the first outer wall section opposite the first transition edge, and / or that the at least one cooling channel extends from a second transition edge to a second free end of the second outer wall section opposite the second transition edge.

[0021] According to this embodiment, it is now proposed that the two outer wall sections extend from a respective transition edge to a respective free end. At the free ends, the cooling compression plate is accordingly not connected to the intermediate section. Preferably, as can be seen from the foregoing description, the free ends of the two outer wall sections are arranged at opposite ends of the cooling compression plate.

[0022] Preferably, the at least one cooling channel extends in at least one of the outer wall sections from the respective transition edge of the outer wall section to the free end of the outer wall section. Preferably, the cooling channel is formed into the corresponding outer wall section before the semi-finished product is folded, and particularly preferably embossed. This embodiment offers several advantages. For example, the outer wall section is stiffened in the direction of the cooling channel from the transition edge to the free end, thus improving the spring action. Furthermore, leakage is avoided because the transition edges are preferably designed to be fluid-tight, for example, because they are formed by folding or bending, and the inlet and / or outlet opening is located at the transition edge. Therefore, no further sealing is necessary, since a corresponding cooling fluid can only flow through the cooling channel and not through the spring chamber.In other words, the spring chamber is closed off at the inlet or outlet side by the transition edge, thus forming a dead end for the cooling fluid or preventing the cooling fluid from flowing in from the outset.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the cooling compression plates, it is further proposed that cooling channels are formed in both the first outer wall section and the second outer wall section, wherein the cooling channels in the first outer wall section and the second outer wall section extend substantially parallel to each other, and wherein the cooling channels are offset to each other in an offset direction orthogonal to the direction of the cooling channel progression, preferably the cooling channels are arranged equidistant to each other in the offset direction.

[0024] According to this embodiment, it is proposed that cooling channels be formed in both outer wall sections. The cooling channels preferably extend substantially parallel to each other in both outer wall sections, i.e., between the transition edge and the free end. Preferably, a plurality of cooling channels are formed in each outer wall section. Preferably, the cooling channels are offset in the offset direction, which is orthogonal to the direction of the cooling channel path. That is, the cooling channels of the first outer wall section and the second outer wall section are not directly opposite each other. This prevents a collision between two cooling channels with an intermediate section wedged between them. The cooling channels are preferably equidistant from each other in the offset direction.This means that a cooling channel of the second outer wall section, arranged along the offset direction between two cooling channels of the first outer wall section, is arranged centrally between them, and a cooling channel of the first outer wall section, arranged along the offset direction between two cooling channels of the second outer wall section, is arranged centrally between them.

[0025] This embodiment allows the use of particularly space-saving cooling compression plates with a small thickness in the compression direction. Furthermore, in a particularly simple and cost-effective version of the cooling compression plate, the intermediate section is not deformed in its installed state, but rather a flat surface. This surface is only deformed during operation by compression, i.e., by swelling of the cells. During this process, the cooling channels, which are molded inwards into the spring chamber, press against the intermediate section from both sides, offset from each other, and deform it into a wave-like shape.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the cooling compression plates, it is further proposed that the intermediate section is deformed to influence the spring action between the first outer wall section and the second outer wall section, preferably with spring elements being formed by means of the intermediate section by punching, embossing and / or cutting.

[0027] According to this embodiment, the intermediate section is now deformed. That is, the intermediate section is already deformed before the cooling compression plate is compressed in the compression direction during operation, for example, by cell swelling or by installing the cooling compression plate in a cell space. Preferably, the intermediate section is deformed before the semi-finished product is folded. For example, the intermediate section is deformed by embossing, punching, and / or cutting.

[0028] Such deformation can, for example, increase the stiffness of the intermediate section and thus adjust the spring action or spring characteristic for compressing the cooling compression plate. Alternatively or additionally, spring elements can be incorporated into the intermediate section. These spring elements preferably contact one of the outer wall sections and thus generate an opposing spring force or spring action when the cooling compression plate is compressed.

[0029] For example, U-shaped cuts are made into the intermediate section using laser cutting, so that strip-shaped sections of the intermediate section can be bent or folded over to act as spring elements. Alternatively or additionally, spring elements can be punched into the intermediate section.

[0030] For example, according to this embodiment, the spring force or spring effect can be adjusted differently, for instance, by varying the number, arrangement, and / or design of the forming elements or spring elements. For example, the spring characteristic curve can be adjusted. For instance, some spring elements are arranged to be in contact with the outer wall sections and generate a spring force even before the swelling begins, while other spring elements only come into contact with the outer wall sections and contribute to the spring force once the swelling has progressed, i.e., after a certain deflection of the outer wall sections in the compression direction. Alternatively or additionally, the spring elements each have a predetermined spring characteristic curve due to their design.Alternatively or additionally, the spring force or spring action varies along the offset direction and / or the cooling channel direction, i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the compression direction. For example, the spring action or spring force is greatest in the center of the cooling compression plate and decreases towards the edges.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment of the cooling compression plates, it is further proposed that the spring elements are designed and arranged in such a way that, in the assembled state, they do not have contact with cooling channels of the outer wall sections when the cells are at maximum swelling; preferably, the spring elements are arranged along the offset direction between the cooling channels.

[0032] According to this embodiment, the spring elements are now arranged so that they do not come into contact with the cooling channels. This reduces the installation space in the compression direction and prevents the spring force from acting on the cooling channel and potentially deforming it. Preferably, the spring elements are arranged in the offset direction between the cooling channels.

[0033] According to another aspect, an accumulator is proposed, comprising at least the following components: - a plurality of cells for storing and providing electrical energy; - a case; and - at least one cooling compression plate according to an embodiment as described above, wherein the at least one cooling compression plate is arranged between two cells and / or between a cell and a housing wall of the housing, wherein the at least one cooling channel of the at least one cooling compression plate is designed for cooling the cells, and is preferably formed with an adjacent cell.

[0034] A battery with at least one cooling compression plate, as described above, is proposed here. The battery comprises a housing, for example, a module housing, in which a plurality of cells are arranged. The cells are designed and interconnected for storing and providing electrical energy. The cells are spaced from the housing and from each other, so that there is a space between the cells and between the cells and the housing.

[0035] Preferably, such a cooling compression plate is arranged in several, and particularly preferably in all, intercellular spaces. A cooling compression plate arranged between two cells preferably has cooling channels in both outer wall sections. The cooling channels are preferably open towards the cells, so that the closed cooling channel is only formed together with the cell and the cooling fluid is in direct contact with the cell.

[0036] A cooling compression plate arranged between a housing wall and a cell may, for example, have a cooling channel only in the outer wall section facing the cell. Alternatively, such a cooling compression plate may also have cooling channels in both outer wall sections, for example, to utilize the stiffening effect of the cooling channels on the outer wall section, the deformation of the intermediate section caused by the cooling channel, or to standardize production. In such an embodiment, the cooling channels adjacent to the housing wall are, for example, closed.

[0037] Preferably, the accumulator is an accumulator of a motor vehicle, particularly preferably of a battery electric vehicle (BEV). The accumulator is electrically connected to an electric drive motor of the motor vehicle.

[0038] According to another aspect, a method for manufacturing a cooling compression plate is proposed, comprising at least the following steps in the order mentioned: a. Providing a flat semi-finished product; b. Forms of at least one cooling channel in a first semi-finished product section of the flat semi-finished product, which forms a first outer wall section after carrying out step c., and / or in a third semi-finished product section of the flat semi-finished product, which forms a second outer wall section after carrying out step c.; c. Folding the planar semi-finished product at a first transition edge in a first folding direction and at a second transition edge in a second folding direction to produce the first outer wall section, which extends between the first transition edge and a first free end, a second outer wall section, which extends between the second transition edge and a second free end, and an intermediate section arranged in a compression direction between the first outer wall section and the second outer wall section, which extends from one of the first transition edges to the second transition edge.

[0039] A method for manufacturing a cooling compression plate according to the above description is proposed here. In one step, a. a flat semi-finished product is provided.

[0040] The semi-finished product is then formed in steps b and c to obtain the cooling compression plate. In step b, the cooling channels are first integrated into the semi-finished product, and then in step c, the semi-finished product is folded to form the two outer wall sections and the intermediate section. The cooling channels are formed in step b in the sections of the semi-finished product that, after step c, become the outer wall sections. The semi-finished product is divided along its length into three preferably approximately equal sections by the transition edges, which are not yet formed and where it is folded. The middle, second semi-finished product section later forms the intermediate section, and the two outer, first and third, sections become the outer wall sections.The cooling channels extend along the longitudinal extent, preferably from the transition edge to the respective end of the semi-finished product, which later forms the free end of the respective outer wall section.

[0041] If cooling channels are provided in both outer wall sections, the cooling channels are inserted into the semi-finished product from opposite sides, for example by embossing, so that they point outwards after folding.

[0042] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is proposed that in step d. between step a. and step c. the intermediate section for adjusting the spring effect is deformed, preferably by embossing, punching, cutting or pressing.

[0043] According to this embodiment, prior to folding in step c, the intermediate section is further deformed in step d. For example, spring elements are inserted into the intermediate section, or the intermediate section is stiffened or given a wave shape. This is done, for example, by embossing. In one embodiment, the spring elements are formed via a cut, for example a U-shaped one, preferably by laser cutting. This creates strip-shaped spring elements which are bent along the compression direction so that, in the assembled state, they protrude towards the cells or outer wall sections.

[0044] The invention described above is explained in detail below against the relevant technical background with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments. The invention is in no way limited by the purely schematic drawings, although it should be noted that the drawings are not dimensionally accurate and are not suitable for defining size relationships. It is illustrated in Fig. 1: A cooling compression plate in a schematic side view; Fig. 2: the cooling compression plate according to Fig. 1 in a sectional view AA; Fig. 3: the cooling compression plate according to Fig. 1 in a sectional view BB; Fig. 4: a cooling compression plate in an alternative embodiment in a schematic side view; Fig. 5: the cooling compression plate according to Fig. 4 in a section view CC; Fig. 6: the cooling compression plate according to Fig. 4 in a sectional view DD; Fig. 7: an accumulator in a schematic side view; Fig. 8: a semi-finished product for producing a cooling compression plate in a top view; and Fig. 9: A flowchart of a process for manufacturing a cooling compression plate.

[0045] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a cooling compression plate 1 in a schematic side view. The cooling compression plate 1 is arranged between two cells 12 of an accumulator 3, in a cell space 2. As shown, a cooling channel direction 17 points into the plane of the sheet, an offset direction 16 is horizontal, and a compression direction 20 is vertical.

[0046] The cooling compression plate 1 has a first outer wall section 4, which, as shown, abuts one of the cells 12 at the top, a second outer wall section 5, which, as shown, abuts the other cell 12 at the bottom, and an intermediate section 6. The intermediate section 6 is arranged in a spring chamber 9, which is formed between the two outer wall sections.

[0047] In this section of the exemplary embodiment shown, the cooling compression plate 1 comprises four cooling channels 11, which are offset from one another along the offset direction 16 and are formed by a first outer wall section 4 and a second outer wall section 5, respectively. As shown, the cooling channels 11 are equidistant from their adjacent counterparts along the offset direction 16. Along the offset direction 16, a cooling channel 11 is formed alternately in the first outer wall section 4 and in the second outer wall section 5.

[0048] As shown, two cooling channels 11 are provided for each outer wall section 4, 5. The cooling channels 11 are designed such that, in the event of swelling of the cells 12, the cooling channels 11 are moved inwards towards the spring chamber 9, thus causing a deformation of an intermediate section 6 of the cooling compression plate 1. The cooling channels 11 extend in a substantially U-shaped cross-section from a plane formed by the respective outer wall section 4, 5 into the spring chamber 9, i.e., away from the cell 12. For example, the cooling channels 11 are formed in the outer wall sections 4, 5 by embossing.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate section 6 deforms elastically from a flat plate (solid line) into a wave shape (shown as a dashed line). The restoring force of the intermediate section 6 creates a spring effect that counteracts the swelling of the cells 12. In an alternative embodiment, the intermediate section 6 is pre-shaped, for example, in a wave-like form, to increase or adjust the spring effect. Thus, the intermediate section 6 acts as a spring element 18 during swelling, which counteracts the swelling in the compression direction 20.

[0050] The cooling channels 11 are designed to seal against the respective cell 12, thus enabling direct cooling of the cells 12 by means of a cooling fluid, for example a dielectric. Due to the offset of the cooling channels 11 along the offset direction 16, in addition to a predefined deformation of the intermediate section 6 as a spring element 18, a reduction of the installation space within the accumulator 3 is possible.

[0051] Furthermore, two sections AA and BB are shown for this embodiment. These sections are explained in more detail in the following descriptions.

[0052] In Fig. 2 is the cooling compression plate 1 according to Fig. Section AA is shown in section 1. Section AA lies outside a cooling channel 11, so that the contact between the outer wall sections 4, 5 and the cells 12 is preferably sealing and no coolant flows here. The outer wall sections 4, 5 delimit the spring chamber 9 in the compression direction 20, in which the intermediate section 6 is arranged.

[0053] According to this sectional view, it can be seen that the compression plate is made in one piece. The transition between the first outer wall section 4 and the intermediate section 6 (shown on the right) forms a first transition edge 7, and the transition between the intermediate section 6 and the second outer wall section 5 forms a second transition edge 8, at which the outer wall sections 4 and 5 are folded over in relation to the intermediate section 6.

[0054] The ends of the outer wall sections 4,5 opposite the transition edges 7,8 form free ends 14,15.

[0055] In Fig. 3 is the cooling compression plate 1 according to Fig. Figure 1 shows a section BB. Section BB runs through a cooling channel 11. The cooling channel 11 shown is formed in the second outer wall section 5, or rather, between the second outer wall section 5 and the lower cell 12 shown in the illustration. A cooling fluid can flow through the cooling channel 11 along the cooling channel direction 17.

[0056] The upper cell 12 rests against the first outer wall section 4, which in this section of the offset direction 16 is opposite the cooling channel 11 in the second outer wall section 5. The upper contact area is preferably sealed against the cooling fluid, so that the cooling fluid flows only within the cooling channel 11, which is arranged below as shown. Due to the folding of the cooling compression plate 1, it is also impossible for the cooling fluid to flow through the spring space 9 of the cooling compression plate 1, i.e., between the first outer wall section 4 and the second outer wall section 5.

[0057] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a cooling compression plate 1 in an alternative embodiment in a schematic side view. As shown, the compression direction 20 runs from bottom to top, the offset direction 16 runs orthogonally to it from left to right, and the cooling channel direction 17 extends into the plane of the plate. For the sake of clarity, and without prejudice to the generality of the principles, the cooling compression plate 1 shown here is largely analogous to the one described in Figure 4. Fig. The embodiment shown in 1 is identical, so only the differences will be discussed here.

[0058] The cooling compression plate 1 is arranged between two cells 12 of a battery 3 in a cell space 2. The cooling compression plate 1 encloses a spring chamber 9 in which the intermediate section 6 is arranged. In this embodiment, the intermediate section 6 is already deformed at the beginning of the operating period, preferably before the cooling compression plate 1 is mounted between the cells 12. That is, the intermediate section 6 is already deformed before the cooling compression plate 1 is compressed in the compression direction 20 during operation or during assembly, for example, by swelling of the cells 12 or by installing the cooling compression plate 1 in the cell space 2.

[0059] The deformation of the intermediate section 6 is carried out, for example, by punching and / or laser cutting, so that the stiffness of the intermediate section 6 can be increased and thus the spring action or the spring characteristic for compressing the cooling compression plate 1 can be adjusted. The spring elements 18 are formed here by U-shaped cuts in the intermediate section 6 (compare Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) and bending so that the spring elements 18 are in contact with each of the outer wall sections 4,5 and thus generate a spring force or spring effect in the direction of compression by swelling when the cooling compression plate 1 is compressed.

[0060] None of the spring elements 18 are in contact with any of the cooling channels 11, so that unintended deformation of the cooling channels 11 due to the spring action is excluded. As shown, the spring elements 18 are arranged between the cooling channels 11 in the offset direction 16. In an alternative embodiment, the spring elements 18 are designed such that they are deformed in the compression direction 20 away from a cooling channel 11, i.e., oriented towards the opposite outer wall sections 4, 5, and are arranged in the offset direction 16 at the level of a cooling channel 11.

[0061] Due to the possible different configurations of the spring elements 18, the spring force or spring effect can be adjusted in various ways. Thus, the spring characteristic curve can also be adjusted, so that, for example, the spring force increases with a large deflection of the outer wall sections 4, 5 from a starting position in the compression direction 20. Alternatively or additionally, a variation of the spring force or spring effect along the offset direction 16 and / or the cooling channel direction 17, i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the compression direction 20, is possible. For example, the spring effect or spring force is greatest in the center of the cooling compression plate 1 and decreases towards the edges.

[0062] The embodiment shown here demonstrates a reduction in installation space in the compression direction 20, while simultaneously increasing the spring effect. Sections CC and DD are described in more detail below.

[0063] In Fig. 5 is the cooling compression plate 1 according to Fig. Section CC is shown in section 4. Section CC lies outside a cooling channel 11, so the contact of the outer wall sections 4, 5 with the cells 12 is visible, and no cooling fluid flows here. The outer wall sections 4, 5 define the spring chamber 9, in which the formed intermediate section 6 with the spring elements 18 is arranged. Here it can be seen that the intermediate section 6, or rather the U-shaped cut-out tabs, have undergone a deformation in the compression direction 20, so that they have a Z-shape. In this section view, the spring elements 18 press against the first outer wall section 4 in the compression direction 20 and thus increase the spring action of the cooling compression plate 1 against cell swelling.

[0064] For example, in a part of the cooling compression plate 1 that is offset in the offset direction 16, the spring elements 18 extend downwards along the compression direction 20 and support the second outer wall section 5.

[0065] In Fig. 6 is the cooling compression plate 1 according to Fig. Section DD is shown in section 4. Section DD runs through a cooling channel 11, which, as shown, is formed by the lower, second outer wall section 5 and the lower cell 12. The cooling channel 11 extends along the cooling channel direction 17. The cooling channel direction 17 is arranged orthogonally to the compression direction 20.

[0066] The upper cell 12 is positioned against the first outer wall section 4 in such a way that the upper contact area is sealed against the cooling fluid and the cooling fluid flows only within the cooling channel 11 arranged below as shown.

[0067] As seen in the side view in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the intermediate section 6 is not equipped with spring elements 18 in this area along the offset direction 16.

[0068] In Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of an accumulator 3. The accumulator 3 comprises a housing 19 in which a plurality of cells 12 are arranged. The cells 12 are designed and connected for storing and providing electrical energy. The cells 12 have a gap to the housing 19 and to each other, so that a cell gap 2 is created between the cells 12 and between the cell 12 and the housing 19. Cooling compression plates 1 are located in the cell gaps 2 (see Figure 7). Fig. 1 to Fig. 6) arranged such that the cells 12 are supported against each other and against a housing wall. A cooling compression plate 1, which is arranged between a housing wall of the housing 19 and a cell 12, has, for example, a cooling channel 11 only in the outer wall section 4,5, which faces the cell 12.

[0069] In Fig. Figure 8 shows a semi-finished product 10 for producing a cooling compression plate 1 in a top view. The semi-finished product 10 is made, for example, of a metal sheet or an organosheet, i.e., a fiber-reinforced plastic sheet. As shown, the semi-finished product 10 has a first free end 14 on the right and a second free end 15 on the left. A first transition edge 7 and a second transition edge 8 are also shown. The transition edges 7 and 8 extend orthogonally to one of the side edges of the semi-finished product 10, so that they divide the semi-finished product 10 into three approximately equal sections: a first semi-finished product section 21, a second semi-finished product section 22, and a third semi-finished product section 23.

[0070] At the transition edges 7, 8, the outer (first and third) semi-finished product sections 21, 23 are folded, with respect to the second semi-finished product section 22, by approximately 180° [one hundred and eighty degrees] in opposite folding directions 13. In this embodiment, the first semi-finished product section 21 becomes, after folding, the first outer wall section 4, which, as shown, is folded in the direction of view towards the second semi-finished product section 22 (subsequently intermediate section 6), and the third semi-finished product section 23 (subsequently the second outer wall section 5) is folded against the direction of view.

[0071] In Fig. Figure 9 shows a flowchart of a process for manufacturing a cooling compression plate 1. In step a., a flat semi-finished product 10 is produced (see Figure 9). Fig. 8, provided. The semi-finished product 10 is then formed in steps b. and c. to obtain the cooling compression plate 1. In step b., the cooling channels 11 are first introduced into the semi-finished product 10, and then in step c., the semi-finished product 10 is folded to form the two outer wall sections 4, 5 and the intermediate section 6. The cooling channels 11 are accordingly inserted into the sections of the semi-finished product 10 (semi-finished product sections 21, 23, see Figure 8) in step b. Fig. 8) formed, which after step c. constitute the outer wall sections 4, 5. If cooling channels 11 are provided in both outer wall sections 4, 5, the cooling channels 11 are accordingly introduced into the semi-finished product 10 from opposite sides, for example by embossing, so that they point outwards after folding.

[0072] Before folding in step c., the intermediate section 6 (second semi-finished product section 22, compare) is further processed in step d. Fig. 8) deformed. For example, spring elements 18 are inserted into the intermediate section 6 (compare Fig. 4 to Fig. 6) or the intermediate section 6 is stiffened or given a wave shape. This is done, for example, by embossing. In one embodiment, the spring elements 18 are formed via a cut, for example a U-shaped one, preferably by laser cutting. This creates strip-shaped spring elements 18 which are bent along the compression direction 20 in order to protrude in the direction of the cells 12 or outer wall sections 4, 5 when assembled.

[0073] The cooling compression plate proposed here provides a space-reducing component to prevent cell swelling in directly cooled cells in accumulators. Reference symbol list 1 cooling compression plate 2 intercellular space 3 Accumulator 4 first exterior wall section 5 second exterior wall section 6 Intermediate section 7 first transition edge 8 second transition edge 9 spring space 10 semi-finished products 11 Cooling channel 12 cells 13 Folding direction 14 first free end 15 second free ending 16 Offset direction 17 Cooling channel direction 18 spring element 19" enclosure 20 Compression direction 21 first semi-finished product section 22 second semi-finished product section 23 third semi-finished product section

Claims

[1] Cooling compression plate (1) for maintaining an intercellular space (2) in a directly cooled accumulator (3) during cell swelling, comprising at least: - a first exterior wall section (4); - a second exterior wall section (5); and - an intermediate section (6) which extends from a first transition edge (7) with the first outer wall section (4) and a second transition edge (8) with the second outer wall section (5) in a spring space (9) formed between the outer wall sections (4,5); wherein the cooling compression plate (1) is a single piece, and wherein at least one of the outer wall sections (4,5) forms at least one cooling channel (11) with an adjacent cell (12) in an assembled state, and wherein a spring effect can be provided between the first outer wall section (4) and the second outer wall section (5) by means of the intermediate section (6), characterized by, that the cooling channel is formed in an outer side of the respective outer wall section, which is a side facing away from the spring chamber. [2] Cooling compression plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cooling compression plate (1) is made from a semi-finished product (10) by folding twice at the transition edges (7,8) in opposite folding directions (13). [3] Cooling compression plate (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one cooling channel (11) extends from a first transition edge (7) to a first free end (14) of the first outer wall section (4) opposite the first transition edge (7), and / or the at least one cooling channel (11) extends from a second transition edge (8) to a second free end (15) of the second outer wall section (5) opposite the second transition edge (8). [4] Cooling compression plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein Cooling channels (11) are formed in both the first outer wall section (4) and the second outer wall section (5), wherein the cooling channels (11) in the first outer wall section (4) and the second outer wall section (5) extend substantially parallel to each other, and wherein the cooling channels (11) are offset to each other in an offset direction (16) orthogonal to the cooling channel direction (17). [5] Cooling compression plate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where the intermediate section (6) is deformed to influence the spring action between the first outer wall section (4) and the second outer wall section (5). [6] Cooling compression plate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where Spring elements (18) are designed and arranged such that, in the assembled state, they do not have contact with cooling channels (11) of the outer wall sections (4,5) during maximum swelling of the cells (12). [7] Accumulator (3) comprising at least the following components: - a plurality of cells (12) for storing and providing electrical energy; -a housing (19); and - at least one cooling compression plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one cooling compression plate (1) is arranged between two cells (12) and / or between a cell (12) and a housing wall of the housing (19), and wherein at least one cooling channel (11) of at least one cooling compression plate (1) is designed for cooling the cells (12). [8] Method for manufacturing a cooling compression plate (1) comprising at least the following steps in the order mentioned: a. Providing a flat semi-finished product (10); b. Forms of at least one cooling channel (11) in a first semi-finished product section (22) of the planar semi-finished product (10), which after carrying out step c. forms a first outer wall section (4), and / or in a third semi-finished product section (23) of the planar semi-finished product (10), which after carrying out step c. forms a second outer wall section (5); c. Folding the planar semi-finished product (10) at a first transition edge (7) in a first folding direction (13) and at a second transition edge (8) in a second folding direction (13) to produce the first outer wall section (4) which extends between the first transition edge (7) and a first free end (14), a second outer wall section (5) which extends between the second transition edge (8) and a second free end (15), and an intermediate section (6) arranged in a compression direction (20) between the first outer wall section (4) and the second outer wall section (5), which extends from one of the first transition edges (7) to the second transition edge (8). [9] Method according to claim 8, wherein in step d. between step a. and step c. the intermediate section (6) is deformed to adjust the spring action.

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