Assembly arrangement for manufacturing a traction battery, motor vehicle and method for assembling a traction battery

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly arrangement (10) for manufacturing a traction battery, comprising several cooling coils (14) through which a cooling fluid flows and a battery cell carrier (12), wherein the cooling coils (14) are held on the battery cell carrier (12) at a predetermined distance from each other, whereby a defined insertion volume (26) is kept free between each adjacent cooling coils (14) arranged on the battery cell carrier (12), into which respective battery cells (28) can be inserted to manufacture the traction battery, whereby the battery cells (28) are held by the battery cell carrier (12) and can be placed laterally against the cooling coils (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly arrangement for producing a traction battery, a motor vehicle with a traction battery and a method for assembling a traction battery for a motor vehicle.

[0002] DE 10 2020 127 734 A1 discloses a cell assembly comprising a plurality of energy storage cells, wherein the cell housings of the energy storage cells have markings, and wherein the energy storage cells are aligned or positioned according to the markings. The cell assembly includes a heat transfer element designed to regulate the temperature of the cell assembly. The markings are oriented toward the heat transfer element.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 10 2019 133 400 A1 discloses an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle, comprising a storage housing in whose interior at least two storage cells are arranged. Furthermore, the electrical energy storage device comprises at least one cooling device arranged between the storage cells and having at least one cooling element for cooling the storage cells. During the manufacture of the electrical energy storage device, a component in the form of a structural unit or the cooling device is arranged between the battery cells. The structural unit can be preassembled independently of the rest of the energy storage device and arranged in the preassembled state between the storage cells.

[0004] Assembling battery modules or battery cell complexes consisting of a large number of battery cells can be very time-consuming and therefore expensive in mass production. Especially for cylindrical battery cells, the fact that most configurations require side cooling to achieve optimal thermal properties complicates production. Each battery cell must be positioned correctly relative to a cooling device, with a minimal adhesive layer between the battery cells and the cooling device, within tolerance limits, while ensuring that the overall dimensions of the battery cell complex remain within target specifications. An alternative approach is to use a battery cell carrier into which the battery cells can be slid.However, most of the solutions designed for this purpose are designed for bottom cooling, in which a cooling plate is coated with adhesive and attached to the battery cell carrier after the battery cells have been arranged on the carrier.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution which enables a particularly simple production of a traction battery, wherein respective battery cells of the traction battery are cooled by means of side cooling and tolerance limits of a battery cell pack formed from the battery cells and a cooling device of the traction battery can be particularly well maintained.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims, the description, and the figures. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments presented in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded at least analogously as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the subclaims.

[0007] The invention relates to an assembly arrangement for producing a traction battery. The traction battery can also be referred to as a high-voltage storage device and is designed to provide electrical energy for an electric drive train of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can be driven via the electric drive train using electrical energy from the traction battery. The assembly arrangement is intended to enable particularly simple and rapid production of the traction battery. The assembly arrangement comprises a plurality of cooling coils through which a cooling fluid can flow. In particular, the cooling coils are elongated and corrugated. The assembly arrangement further comprises a battery cell carrier.In the assembly arrangement, the cooling coils are held on the battery cell carrier at a predetermined distance from one another, whereby a defined insertion volume is maintained between cooling coils arranged adjacent to one another on the battery cell carrier. In order to produce the traction battery, the respective battery cells can be inserted into this defined insertion volume, whereby the battery cells are held by the battery cell carrier and can be placed laterally against the cooling coils. The battery cells are in particular round cells. The battery cells are placed on the battery cell carrier with their base, which is arranged at the end. In particular, in the finished traction battery, the respective battery cells inserted into the insertion volumes rest at least partially with their outer surfaces against the respective cooling coils that delimit the associated insertion volume.Due to the wave-shaped design of the cooling coils, the round cells, when inserted into the respective insertion volume, can rest against the respective cooling coils delimiting this insertion volume over a particularly large area of ​​their outer surface, in that the respective round cell is arranged in such a way that it is encompassed by a wave of the wave-shaped cooling coils. This means that the round cells rest against the respective cooling coils in a recess of the wave shape. This means that cooling coils arranged adjacent to one another on the battery cell carrier are aligned with their wave shape in such a way that the wave shape of the cooling coils does not run parallel on the battery cell carrier, but the adjacent cooling coils are arranged offset from one another by half a wavelength along their direction of extension.As a result, the respective cooling coils on the battery cell carrier that are directly adjacent to one another have a shortest distance in their wave shape in an area in which the cooling coils are not in contact with the same round cell and the greatest distance in an area in which both battery cells are in contact with the round cell.

[0008] Because the cooling coils are already arranged on the battery cell carrier at the specified distance from one another, and to manufacture the traction battery, only the battery cells need to be inserted into the reserved insertion volumes, the pre-assembly of the cooling coils allows for a particularly precise dimensioning of the battery cell complex produced from the battery cells and the cooling coils. This prevents the dimensions of the battery cell complex formed from the cooling coils and the battery cells from falling outside the required tolerance limits with respect to a target specification for the dimensions of the battery cell complex due to cumulative tolerances of the adjacently arranged battery cells with the cooling coils.The assembly arrangement thus enables, on the one hand, a particularly simple manufacture of a traction battery and, on the other hand, a particularly reliable compliance with the respective tolerance limits for target specifications regarding dimensions of the traction battery or the battery cell complex during the manufacture of the traction battery.

[0009] In a possible further development of the invention, it is provided that respective positioning lugs protrude from the battery cell carrier and specify a position of the respective cooling coils, to which the cooling coils are attached. By attaching the cooling coils to the respective positioning lugs, a position of the respective cooling coils is precisely specified. For example, the positioning lugs can be part of a holding element into which a respective cooling coil can be clipped. This holding element can, for example, comprise a plastic, in particular be formed from the plastic. The holding element can be part of the battery cell carrier. Thus, the cooling coils, together with the battery cell carrier having a holding element for each cooling coil, form the assembly arrangement, which can be pre-assembled. The positioning lugs can be used to ensure that the cooling coils are arranged in a precise position on the battery cell carrier.Furthermore, the positioning lugs enable particularly easy and precise positioning of the cooling coils on the battery cell carrier.

[0010] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, at least one heat-conducting element is arranged laterally on the cooling coils and facing the insertion volume, which heat-conducting element is designed to rest directly against a battery cell inserted into the insertion volume when the mounting arrangement is used as intended. In particular, the heat-conducting element is part of the respective cooling coil. The heat-conducting element has a particularly high thermal conductivity and serves to conduct heat away from the respective battery cell towards a cooling channel running in the respective cooling coil, through which a cooling fluid flows during operation of the traction battery. The heat absorbed by the battery cell is dissipated by means of the cooling fluid. The heat-conducting element is designed in particular to compensate for tolerances between the respective battery cells and the cooling coils.For this purpose, the thickness of the heat-conducting element can be adjusted to compensate for tolerances. The heat-conducting element also serves to ensure reliable surface contact between the respective cooling coil and the battery cell, enabling reliable cooling of the battery cell by the cooling coil.

[0011] In this context, it can be provided, in particular, that the heat-conducting element is designed to be compressed when the battery cell is inserted into the associated insertion volume. As a result, the heat-conducting element is compressed, in particular, by the battery cell, in that the battery cell, inserted into the insertion volume in an insertion direction, presses the heat-conducting element together laterally and thus in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. The design of the heat-conducting element such that it is compressed when the battery cell is inserted into the insertion volume ensures that, when the battery cell is inserted into the insertion volume, there is surface contact between the cooling coil and the battery element via the heat-conducting element.Furthermore, the compressibility of the heat-conducting element allows for the respective tolerances of the battery cell or cooling coil to be compensated for by varying the degree of compression of the heat-conducting element. This ensures that the dimensions of a battery cell complex formed by the assembly arrangement and the battery cells inserted into the respective insertion volumes remain within specified tolerance limits with respect to a target specification.

[0012] In this context, it can further be provided that a low-friction film is arranged laterally on the respective heat-conducting elements facing the insertion volume. Due to the low-friction film, when the battery cell is inserted into this insertion volume, there is particularly little friction between the battery cell and the cooling coil comprising this heat-conducting element and this low-friction film. When the battery cell is inserted into the insertion volume, the battery cell slides along an outer surface of the low-friction film, whereby the heat-conducting element is compressed. The low-friction film enables particularly simple and low-force insertion of the battery cell into the insertion volume. Once the battery cell has been inserted into the insertion volume, the low-friction film between the heat-conducting element and the battery cell can be pulled out in the opposite direction to the insertion direction.This creates direct contact between the heat-conducting element and the battery cell. As a result, particularly good heat transfer from the battery cell via the heat-conducting element to the cooling channel is achieved. Furthermore, removing the low-friction film ensures particularly good adhesion between the heat-conducting element and the battery cell, thus effectively preventing the battery cell from accidentally or undesirably detaching from the insertion volume in the opposite direction to the insertion direction.

[0013] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that each cooling coil comprises at least one spacer which is designed to maintain a predetermined distance between a cooling channel of the cooling coil, which is designed to guide the cooling fluid, and the insertion volume, whereby this distance can be filled with a thermally conductive material after the battery cell has been inserted into the insertion volume. This thermally conductive material can be, for example, a low-viscosity thermal adhesive. The spacer can, for example, be an injection-molded part. This means that the spacer can be injection-molded onto a basic structure of the cooling coil having the cooling channel. The spacer can thus ensure that a predetermined distance is maintained between the battery cell and the cooling channel.To ensure particularly good heat transfer from the battery cell to the cooling channel, the gap maintained by the spacer is filled with thermally conductive material after the battery cell has been inserted into the insertion volume. This thermally conductive material adheres to the battery cell and the cooling coil, ensuring particularly good heat transfer from the battery cell to the cooling channel. Furthermore, this thermally conductive material can be used to compensate for tolerances between the cooling coil and the battery cell inserted into the insertion volume. The spacer ensures that the gap remains between the basic structure of the cooling coil, which provides the cooling channel, and the battery cell, and can be filled with thermally conductive material.This ensures that the thermally conductive material completely fills the gap between the battery cell inserted into the insertion volume and the cooling channel, thus bridging the gap in a heat-conducting manner. If no spacer were provided, the gap between the base frame of the cooling coil, which has the cooling channel, and the battery cell could be insufficient to fill this gap with the thermally conductive material, which is particularly highly viscous, which could result in a heat-insulating air gap remaining between the battery cell and the base frame. The described design of the cooling coil with the spacer ensures that such an air gap is avoided.

[0014] In this context, it can be provided, in particular, that the spacer is formed from an electrically insulating, in particular elastic, material. Because the spacer is formed from the electrically insulating material, it is possible to avoid an electrically conductive connection between the battery cell resting against the spacer and the spacer, or between the battery cell and the basic structure of the cooling coil via the spacer. Due to the design of the spacer from the insulating material, a flow of current via the spacer can be particularly effectively prevented. The design of the spacer from the elastic material enables elastic deformation of the spacer.For example, the spacer can be elastically deformed when the battery cell is inserted into the insertion volume, whereby the risk of damage or breakage of the spacer due to tolerance deviations of the cooling coil and / or the battery cell can be particularly effectively avoided. Furthermore, the elastic design of the spacer allows a particularly secure fit of the spacer against the battery cell inserted into the insertion volume. Due to its elastic properties, the spacer is thus designed to bridge a variable distance between the basic structure of the cooling coil, which has the cooling channel, and the battery cell inserted into the insertion volume. The spacer can also be designed to delimit, at least in some regions, a volume into which the thermally conductive material is to be poured during production of the traction battery.Because the elastic material of the spacer ensures that the spacer rests against the battery cell inserted into the insertion volume, the volume to be defined by the thermally conductive material is reliably limited by the spacer. The secure fit of the spacer against the battery cell during filling can thus be particularly effectively prevented. This enables particularly simple production of the traction battery.

[0015] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the spacer is injection-molded. The spacer can thus be an injection-molded part. In particular, the spacer is injection-molded from a plastic. In this case, the spacer can be molded onto the base frame of the cooling coil, which provides the cooling channel. Injection molding enables particularly simple and precise, accurate production of the spacer.

[0016] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with a traction battery comprising a mounting assembly as already described in connection with the mounting assembly according to the invention. Battery cells are inserted into the respective insertion volumes of the mounting assembly, which battery cells rest laterally against the cooling coils of the mounting assembly. The motor vehicle is, in particular, an electrically driven motor vehicle.

[0017] The invention further relates to a method for assembling a traction battery for a motor vehicle. In the method, a plurality of cooling coils are positioned on a battery cell carrier to produce an assembly arrangement as already described in connection with the assembly arrangement according to the invention. As a result, a defined insertion volume is kept free between cooling coils arranged adjacent to one another on the battery cell carrier. The method further provides that battery cells are subsequently inserted into the respective freed insertion volumes in an insertion direction, whereby the battery cells are held in predetermined positions on the battery cell carrier and rest laterally against the cooling coils. This results in a pre-assembly of the cooling coils on the battery cell carrier.The battery cells are then inserted into the insertion volumes, bringing them into direct contact with the cooling coils. Pre-assembling the respective cooling coils onto the battery cell carrier predetermines the positions where the battery cells can be arranged on the battery cell carrier. Furthermore, the fact that the cooling coils are already positioned on the battery cell carrier before the battery cells are mounted prevents the accumulation of tolerances when mounting the battery cells onto the battery cell carrier across several adjacent battery cells, as the pre-assembled cooling coils precisely limit where the battery cells can be arranged.

[0018] The described process thus enables the traction battery to be manufactured particularly quickly and the respective specifications for the dimensions of the traction battery to be met particularly easily and reliably.

[0019] Further features of the invention may emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0020] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a mounting arrangement of a traction battery of a motor vehicle; Fig. 2 a schematic side view of a cooling coil held in a holding element of a battery carrier; Fig. 3 a schematic plan view of the holding element; Fig. 4 a schematic plan view of a battery cell complex comprising several battery cells and the assembly arrangement; Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of the mounting arrangement in a first embodiment during arrangement of the battery cells on the battery cell carrier of the mounting arrangement; Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a manufacturing step of the traction battery, wherein the battery cells are arranged on the battery carrier of the mounting arrangement, wherein the mounting arrangement is shown in a second embodiment; and Fig. 7 a schematic plan view of the battery cell complex comprising the plurality of battery cells and the mounting arrangement of the second embodiment.

[0021] In the figures, identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0022] In Fig. 1 shows an assembly assembly 10 for producing a traction battery. The assembly assembly 10 comprises a battery cell carrier 12 and a plurality of cooling coils 14 arranged on the battery cell carrier 12. In the present case, all cooling coils 14 are arranged on a support surface 16 of the battery cell carrier 12. The cooling coils 14 are wave-shaped, as shown in Fig. 1 can be seen particularly well. Here, the cooling coils 14 have the wave shape, in particular in a plane running parallel to the support surface 16. Thus, all cooling coils 14 have the wave shape in their longitudinal section running parallel to the support surface 16. The wave shape of the cooling coils 14 is defined by an extension direction 18 and an amplitude direction 20. In the mounting arrangement 10, both the extension direction 18 and the amplitude direction 20 run parallel to the support surface 16 of the battery cell carrier 12. The extension direction 18 coincides with the longitudinal extension direction of the respective cooling coils 14. The cooling coils 14 are arranged on the support surface 16 with their extension directions 18 aligned parallel to one another. Here, the cooling coils 14 overlap one another in the amplitude direction 20 and are thus arranged adjacent to one another with a distance from one another in the amplitude direction 20.Here, respective cooling coils 14, which are arranged directly adjacent to one another in the amplitude direction 20, are offset from one another in their extension direction 18 by half a wavelength with respect to their waveform. As shown in . Fig. 1, the cooling coils 14 arranged directly adjacent to one another on the support surface 16 in the amplitude direction 20 thus alternately have a minimum and a maximum distance from one another in the extension direction 18. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the cooling coils 14 adjacent to one another in the amplitude direction 20 are fluidically connected alternately to a flow line 22 or to a return line 24.

[0023] As continues from Fig. 1, cooling coils 14 arranged on the support surface 16 at a distance from one another in the amplitude direction 20 jointly delimit respective insertion volumes 26, at least on opposite sides in the amplitude direction 20, and thus at least in certain regions. To manufacture the traction battery, respective battery cells 28 are to be inserted into these insertion volumes 26 in an insertion direction 30. This insertion direction 30 runs perpendicular to the extension direction 18 and perpendicular to the amplitude direction 20. The insertion direction 30 is thus perpendicular to the support surface 16. The insertion direction 30 runs parallel to a central axis of the battery cells 28, which are designed as round cells in the present case. The insertion direction 30 thus runs in the axial direction of the respective battery cells 28.

[0024] The battery cells 28 can be arranged on the battery cell carrier 12 in respective rows, wherein all battery cells 28 in a row are arranged such that their center axes lie on a common line. This line coincides with a direction of travel of the row. Respective battery cells 28 arranged adjacent to one another in the row are arranged directly adjacent to one another. The rows of battery cells 28 can in particular be aligned parallel or perpendicular to the direction of extension 18 of the cooling coils 14. With a perpendicular alignment of the rows of battery cells 28 to the direction of extension 18 of the cooling coils 14, a particularly large contact area can be implemented between the battery cells 28 and the respective cooling coils 14, whereby particularly efficient cooling of the battery cells 28 by means of the cooling coils 14 can be achieved.

[0025] As from Fig. 1, each insertion volume 26 is assigned a vent opening 32 in the battery cell carrier 12. This means that when respective battery cells 28 are inserted into the insertion volumes 26 in the insertion direction 30, the respective vent openings 32 are arranged in the battery cell carrier 12 below the respective battery cells 28. In the present case, each battery cell 28 is assigned exactly one vent opening 32. Gases generated in the event of thermal runaway of the respective battery cell 28 can be diverted via this vent opening 32, whereby a chain reaction of overheating of several battery cells 28 can be particularly effectively prevented. For reasons of clarity, only some of the vent openings 32 are provided with the corresponding reference numerals.In the fully assembled traction battery, each vent opening 32 is completely covered by the associated battery cell 28 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction 30 and thus upwards.

[0026] In order to be able to position the respective cooling coils 14 on the battery cell carrier 12 particularly easily at respective predetermined positions and to hold them at these predetermined positions, the battery cell carrier 12 comprises a holding element 34 for each cooling coil 14. Each holding element 34 is part of the battery cell carrier 12. A holding element 34 is in Fig. 2 in a schematic side view and in Fig. 3 is shown in a schematic plan view. In Fig. 2, a cooling coil 14 is additionally shown, which is held in position by this holding element 34. The holding element 34 has several positioning lugs 36, which protrude upwards from the support surface 16, opposite to the insertion direction 30. In Fig. 1, only some of the positioning lugs 36 are provided with the corresponding reference symbol for reasons of clarity.

[0027] As in Fig. 1, the positioning lugs 36 in this case each rest on the outside of the regions of the waveform of the respective cooling coils 14 that are deflected the most along the amplitude direction 20. The respective positioning lugs 36 and the respective connection to the supply line 22 or the return line 24 precisely predetermine the position of each of the cooling coils 14 on the support surface 16.

[0028] In Fig. 4 shows a battery cell complex in a schematic plan view. This battery cell complex comprises a plurality of battery cells 28, which are inserted in the insertion direction 30 into the respective insertion volumes 26 of the mounting arrangement 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the battery cells 28 rest with their respective lateral surfaces in some areas against respective cooling coils 14 which delimit the insertion volume 26 assigned to the battery cell 28. In particular, the wavy shape of the respective cooling coils 14 corresponds to the respective radii of curvature of the lateral surfaces of the battery cells 28, whereby, when the battery cells 28 are inserted into the respective insertion volumes 26, there is a particularly large contact area between the battery cells 28 and the cooling coils 14. In particular, a respective outer radius of the lateral surface of the battery cells 28 corresponds at least substantially to an outer radius of the wave shape of the cooling coils 14 in the areas against which the respective battery cell 28 of a traction battery is brought into contact with the respective cooling coil 14.As a result, a particularly good heat transfer from the respective battery cells 28 to the cooling coils 14 can be achieved, whereby the battery cells 28 can be cooled particularly well.

[0029] In order to compensate for tolerances between the cooling coils 14 and the battery cells 28 and to enable particularly good heat transfer from the battery cells 28 to the cooling coil 14, a thermally conductive material 38 can be arranged laterally on the cooling coils 14, facing the respective insertion volumes 26, via which thermally conductive material the respective cooling coil 14 is in contact with the associated battery cells 28 of the traction battery. In the present case, the respective cooling coils 14 each have a base frame 42 defining at least one cooling channel 40. The thermally conductive material 38 serves to bridge a gap between the base frame 42 of the respective cooling coil 14 defining the at least one cooling channel 40 and the battery cells 28 adjacent to this cooling coil 14.By means of the heat-conducting material 38, the persistence of an air gap between the battery cells 28 and the respective base frame 42 of the cooling coil 14 against which the battery cells 28 are in contact can be avoided and, in addition, a particularly good heat transfer from the battery cells 28 to the cooling fluid flowing in the cooling channels 40 can be achieved.

[0030] In Fig. 3, the respective cooling coils 14 are shown in a first embodiment and in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the cooling coils 14 are shown in a second embodiment which differs from the first embodiment. Fig. The illustration shown in Figure 5 shows how the battery cells 28 are inserted in the insertion direction 30 into the respective associated insertion volumes 26 of the assembly arrangement 10 to produce the battery cell complex. The assembly arrangement 10 is shown in an enlarged detail, whereby it can be seen how the cooling coils 14 behave when inserting the battery cell 28 into the insertion volume 26 delimited by these cooling coils 14. Fig. In the first embodiment of the mounting arrangement 10 shown in Figure 5, the respective cooling coils 14 have at least one, in this case two, heat-conducting elements 44 on the outside of their side facing the respective insertion volume 26, which are arranged one above the other in the insertion direction 30. The heat-conducting elements 44 are designed as heat-conducting pads and comprise the heat-conducting material 38.

[0031] As in Fig. 5, the respective heat-conducting elements 44 of the cooling coils 14 delimiting the insertion volume 26 are partially compressed, in this case by one third, when the battery cell 28 is inserted in the insertion direction 30 into the insertion volume 26. In this case, a low-friction film 46 is arranged laterally on the respective heat-conducting elements 44, which face the insertion volume 26, facing the insertion volume 26. The respective heat-conducting element 44 is thus concealed by the low-friction film 46 towards the insertion volume 26 before the battery cell 28 is inserted, and in particular additionally during the insertion of the battery cell 28 into the insertion volume 26. This low-friction film 46 is particularly thin. The low-friction film 46 enables the battery cell 28 to be guided particularly easily into the insertion volume 26 of the pre-assembled mounting arrangement 10.When the battery cell 28 is inserted in the insertion direction 30 into the insertion volume 26, the heat-conducting elements 44 which are assigned to this insertion volume 26 are compressed, whereby particularly good contact can be achieved between the respective cooling coils 14 and the battery cell 28. The film 46 makes it possible to avoid detachment of the heat-conducting element 44 from the basic structure 42 when the battery cell 28 is inserted into the insertion volume 26. This can be achieved due to the particularly low coefficient of friction of the low-friction film 46. The cooling coil 14 with the heat-conducting elements 44 serves, together with the film 46, as a cell positioning device on the battery cell carrier 12 and is pre-assembled on the battery cell carrier 12. After the battery cell 28 has been inserted into the respective insertion volume 26, as shown in . Fig. 5 by means of the arrows 48, the film 46 between the respective heat-conducting element 44 and the battery cell 28 is pulled out counter to the insertion direction 30, whereby a particularly good direct thermal contact between the heat-conducting element 44 and the battery cell 28 as well as a particularly good adhesion of the heat-conducting element 44 to the battery cell 28 is achieved. As a result, the battery cell 28 is held particularly securely in the insertion volume 26 by this particularly good adhesion.

[0032] In the Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows the mounting arrangement 10 in the second embodiment, in which the respective cooling coils 14 comprise the base frame 42 defining the at least one, in particular a plurality of, cooling channels 40, as well as at least one spacer 50. In the present case, each cooling coil 14 comprises a spacer 50 surrounding the base frame 42. This spacer 50 can be injection-molded from a plastic, in particular, molded onto the base frame 42 of the respective cooling coil 14. The respective spacers 50 are formed from an electrically insulating material. It is possible for the respective spacers 50 to be made of an elastic material. Alternatively, the spacer 50 can be inelastic.The spacer 50 is configured to maintain a predetermined distance between the base frame 42 or the cooling channels 40 provided by the base frame 42 and the respective battery cell 28 inserted into the insertion volume 26 associated with this cooling coil 14. This distance 52 is filled with the thermally conductive material 38 after the respective battery cell 28 has been inserted into the associated insertion volume 26. This filling process is described in . Fig. 6. Here, the thermally conductive material 38, which is in particular a low-viscosity thermal adhesive, is filled into the provided gap 52 by means of a nozzle 54 in the insertion direction 30 through an opening 56 of the spacer 50. The respective openings 56 are arranged on a side of the respective cooling coils 14 facing away from the support surface 16 of the battery cell carrier 12.

[0033] As shown in the top view of the battery cell complex in Fig. 7, in which the viewing direction is in the insertion direction 30, the filling openings 56 are arranged above the respective cooling coils 14. As in Fig. 7, a distribution channel 58 can be provided on the top side of the respective cooling coils 14, which extends in the direction of extension 18 over the entire length of the respective cooling coil 14 and via which the heat-conducting material 38 can be guided to the respective openings 56. The heat-conducting material 38 can thus be filled into the distribution channel 58 by means of the nozzle 54, via which the heat-conducting material 38 is distributed onto the openings 56, whereby the heat-conducting material 38 flows via the openings 56 into the respective free spaces 52.

[0034] The respective spacer 50 is designed to be open, in particular in respective side regions toward the insertion volume 26. These side regions of the respective spacer 50 are closed by the respective battery cell 28 inserted into the associated insertion volume 26. Through these free side surfaces of the spacer 50, the thermally conductive material 38 filled into the gap 52 can thus come into direct contact with the respective battery cell 28 inserted into the associated insertion volume 26. The spacer 50 thus keeps the respective gap 52 between the battery cell 28 and the base frame 42 free, wherein this gap 52 can be filled by the thermally conductive material 38 and thus bridged in a heat-conducting manner.In respective side regions in which no battery cell 28 rests laterally against the spacer 50 in the fully assembled battery cell complex, the spacer 50 is designed to be closed in order to prevent the heat-conducting material 38 from escaping in these side regions.

[0035] In the elastic design of the spacer 50, the spacer 50 can be formed in particular from rubber.

[0036] In the Fig. 6 and Fig.In the second embodiment shown in Figure 7, the base frame 42 of the respective cooling coils 14, which defines the cooling channels 40, is surrounded by the insulating spacer 50, which guides the battery cells 28 when inserted into the respective insertion volumes 26. The spacer 50 has the distribution channel 58, over which the thermally conductive material 38 can be guided. Between the battery cells 28 and the base frames 42 of the respectively assigned cooling coils 14, there is a distance 52, which is a narrow gap, which can in particular be 0.1 millimeters to 1.0 millimeters wide, and which allows the thermally conductive material 38 to flow into this gap and enable particularly good heat conduction from the battery cells 28 to the cooling channels 40.In addition, the thermally conductive material 38 designed as a thermal adhesive enables a particularly good mechanical connection of the battery cells 28 with the cooling coils 14, whereby the battery cell complex has a particularly high rigidity.

[0037] The design of the spacer 50 from the elastic material makes it possible to minimize the risk of thermally conductive material 38 escaping from the respective cooling coil 14 and enables particularly good positioning of the battery cells 28 with regard to production tolerances. In connection with the figures, several possibilities have been shown for how a preassembled mounting arrangement 10 for the side cooling of battery cells 28 can be produced, wherein thin adhesive gaps are maintained between the battery cells 28 and the respective base frames 42 of the respective cooling coils 14, which delimit the cooling channels 40.

[0038] The described invention is based on the finding that most side-cooled battery modules or battery cell complexes are manufactured according to an ammunition belt principle, in which the battery cells 28 are first glued to a side cooler, similar to cartridges in an ammunition belt. Several of these side coolers, to which the battery cells 28 are glued, are then assembled and secured to one another to form a battery cell complex. During such a step-by-step assembly, all tolerances add up, which can result in the resulting battery cell complex having dimensions that lie outside the target specifications.

[0039] The aim of the invention is to create a battery cell carrier 12 preassembled with the respective cooling coils 14, on which the battery cells 28 can be quickly arranged next to the respective cooling coils 14, thereby enabling side cooling. This preassembled assembly arrangement 10 is intended to be particularly simple and cost-effective to manufacture. Due to the side cooling, particularly good thermal contact between the cooling coils 14 and the respective battery cells 28 is enabled, resulting in particularly good performance of the traction battery.

[0040] Overall, the invention shows how a side-cooling battery carrier, in this case the battery cell carrier 12, with a pre-assembled cooling frame, in this case the cooling coils 14 pre-assembled on the battery cell carrier 12, can be created for a simple assembly of a traction battery. List of reference symbols 10 Mounting arrangement 12 battery cell carriers 14 Cooling coil 16 support surface 18 Direction of extension 20 Amplitude direction 22 Flow line 24 Return line 26 insertion volume 28 battery cells 30 Insertion direction 32 vent opening 34 Holding element 36 Positioning nose 38 Thermal conductive material 40 cooling channel 42 Basic framework 44 Heat conducting element 46 low-friction film 48 Arrow 50 spacers 52 distance 54 nozzle 56 Filling opening 58 distribution channel QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2020 127 734 A1

[0002] DE 10 2019 133 400 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Assembly arrangement (10) for producing a traction battery, comprising a plurality of cooling coils (14) through which a cooling fluid can flow and a battery cell carrier (12), wherein the cooling coils (14) are held on the battery cell carrier (12) at a predetermined distance from one another, whereby a defined insertion volume (26) is kept free between cooling coils (14) arranged adjacent to one another on the battery cell carrier (12), into which insertion volume respective battery cells (28) can be inserted to produce the traction battery, whereby the battery cells (28) are held by the battery cell carrier (12) and can be placed laterally against the cooling coils (14). [2] Mounting arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that on the battery cell carrier (12) respective positioning lugs (36) predetermining a position of the respective cooling coils (14) protrude, to which the cooling coils (14) are applied. [3] Mounting arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that at least one heat-conducting element (44) is arranged laterally on the cooling coils (14) facing the insertion volume (26), which heat-conducting element is designed to bear directly against a battery cell (28) inserted into the insertion volume (26) when the mounting arrangement (10) is used as intended. [4] Mounting arrangement (10) according to claim 3, characterized by that the heat-conducting element (44) is designed to be compressed when the battery cell (28) is inserted into the associated insertion volume (26). [5] Mounting arrangement (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that a low-friction film (46) is arranged laterally on the respective heat-conducting elements (44) facing the insertion volume (26). [6] Mounting arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized byin that each cooling coil (14) comprises at least one spacer (50) which is designed to keep a predetermined distance (52) free between a cooling channel (40) of the cooling coil (14) designed to guide the cooling fluid and the insertion volume (26), whereby this distance (52) can be filled with a heat-conducting material (38) after the battery cells (28) have been inserted into the insertion volume (26). [7] Mounting arrangement (10) according to claim 6, characterized by that the spacer (50) is formed from an electrically insulating, in particular elastic, material. [8] Mounting arrangement (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that the spacer (50) is injection-molded. [9] Motor vehicle, with a traction battery, which comprises a mounting arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein battery cells (28) are inserted into the respective plug-in volumes (26) of the mounting arrangement (10), which battery cells laterally rest against the cooling coils (14) of the mounting arrangement (10). [10] Method for assembling a traction battery for a motor vehicle, in which, in order to produce an assembly arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, a plurality of cooling coils (14) are positioned on a battery cell carrier (12), whereby a defined insertion volume (26) is kept free between cooling coils (14) arranged adjacent to one another on the battery cell carrier (12), and in which battery cells (28) are inserted into the respective free insertion volumes (26), whereby the battery cells (28) are held on the battery cell carrier (12) at predetermined positions and lie laterally against the cooling coils (14).

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