Assembly device and method for manufacturing a battery cell complex for a traction battery

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly device (10) for manufacturing a battery cell complex (16) for a traction battery, comprising a support (12) providing a support surface (14) for all battery cells (18) of the battery cell complex (16) to be manufactured, which, starting from an initial state (30), can be bent about a bending axis (28) extending parallel to the support surface (14) in a fanning direction (32) into a bent-out state (34), whereby, when the assembly device (10) is used as intended, battery cells (18) held on the support surface (14) are aligned with their central axes (42) parallel to each other in the initial state (30) and are fanned out in the bent-out state (34), whereby the first ends of battery cells (18) directly adjacent to each other in the fanning direction (32) and bearing against the support surface (14) have a smaller distance between them.as the second ends of these battery cells (18) opposite the first ends in the axial direction of the battery cells (18), whereby cooling devices (46) can be arranged between the battery cells (18) adjacent in the fanning direction (32) in the bending state (34).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly device for producing a battery cell complex for a traction battery and a method for producing a battery cell complex for a traction battery.

[0002] DE 10 2021 116 605 A1 discloses an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle, comprising first storage cells configured to store electrical energy, which are arranged consecutively along a first direction and thereby form a first cell row. Furthermore, the electrical energy storage device comprises second storage cells configured to store electrical energy, which are arranged consecutively along a second direction running parallel to the first direction and thereby form a second cell row arranged adjacent to the first cell row. The electrical energy storage device further comprises a temperature control line arranged between the cell rows and through which a temperature control medium for controlling the temperature of the storage cells can flow, via which the temperature control line is used to control the temperature of the first storage cells and the second storage cells by means of the temperature control medium.The electrical energy storage device further comprises at least one first holding element formed separately from the storage cells and the temperature control line, by means of which the first storage cells are held at a respective distance from one another. Furthermore, the electrical energy storage device comprises a second holding element arranged next to the first holding element, by means of which the second storage cells are held at a respective distance from one another.

[0003] Assembling a battery module or battery cell complex with cylindrical battery cells can be challenging due to the large number of battery cells that must be handled. Furthermore, the curved surfaces of cylindrical battery cells can make assembly with tight tolerances difficult.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution which enables a particularly simple production of a battery cell complex whose boundaries lie particularly reliably within predetermined tolerance limits.

[0005] 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.

[0006] The invention relates to an assembly device for producing a battery cell complex for a traction battery, in particular a traction battery of a motor vehicle. The traction battery is designed to provide electrical energy for an electric drive train of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can thus be driven by electrical energy from the traction battery. The traction battery can comprise the battery cell complex, wherein the battery cell complex can be enclosed in a housing. The assembly device comprises a support which provides a support surface for all battery cells to be connected to form the battery cell complex. This means that for the production of the battery cell complex, the battery cells can be placed on the support surface. The battery cells are in particular round cells.Thus, to produce the battery cell complex, all battery cells must be placed with one end face against the support surface. Starting from an initial state, the support can be bent in a fan-out direction about a bending axis running parallel to the support surface, thereby setting a bending state of the support. In the initial state, the support surface for the battery cells is at least substantially flat. In the bending state, the support surface is not flat due to the bending of the support about the bending axis. In the bending state of the support, the support surface can be bent or can include edges. In particular, it can be provided that bending of the support about the bending axis in a further direction opposite to the fan-out direction is prevented starting from the initial state.This means that the support can only be bent in the fan-out direction around the bending axis, starting from its initial position. The assembly device can be designed either as a reusable assembly tool from which the battery cells, including the cooling devices, are removed after assembly, or as a base part of a battery cell module installed in the traction battery.

[0007] When the mounting device is used as intended, battery cells arranged on the support surface and held on the mounting device are aligned with their central axes parallel to one another in the initial state of the support and are arranged in a fanned-out manner in the bent-out state. In the bent-out state of the support, due to the fanned-out state of the battery cells, first ends of battery cells directly adjacent to one another in the fanning-out direction that lie against the support surface are spaced closer to one another than second ends of these battery cells that are opposite the first ends in the axial direction of the battery cells. The battery cells thus fan out in the fanning-out direction starting from the bending axis and spread out in a fan-like manner.Because the respective free ends of the battery cells are further apart in the fan-out direction than the ends of the battery cells arranged on the support surface, respective cooling devices can be arranged particularly easily between the battery cells adjacent in the fan-out direction in the bent-out state. The cooling devices are inserted between the battery cells adjacent in the fan-out direction. Because the battery cells are fanned out and thus particularly far apart from one another with regard to their second ends, the cooling devices can be arranged particularly easily between the battery cells. In particular, fanning out the battery cells allows the cooling devices to be pre-coated with a thermally conductive composite material, for example with a thermal pad or thermal adhesives such as epoxies.If the cooling devices, including the thermally conductive composite materials, were installed without fanning them out, the cooling device could be at least partially lost due to a small gap between the battery cells. This is because the composite material is applied thicker than the gap is wide to ensure a secure connection between the battery cell and the cooling device.

[0008] For example, wave-shaped cooling coils can be arranged between the battery cells as cooling devices. Due to their wave shape, these cooling coils can be applied over a particularly large area to the respective rows of battery cells running in the longitudinal direction of the bending axis. The wave shape of the cooling coils enables the cooling coils to be applied over a particularly large area to the respective outer surfaces of the battery cells designed as round cells, whereby a particularly large heat transfer area can be achieved between the battery cells and the cooling coils. As a result, a particularly large amount of heat can be absorbed by the battery cells particularly quickly using the cooling coils, whereby the battery cells can be cooled particularly well by the cooling devices. As a result, the traction battery can be operated particularly efficiently due to the particularly good cooling of the battery cells.The risk of battery cell overheating can be kept particularly low. The assembly device described allows the battery cell complex to be manufactured particularly quickly and easily, as the cooling devices can be easily placed between the individual battery cells.

[0009] In a possible development of the invention, positioning elements protruding from the support surface are provided, which are designed to predetermine defined positions for the battery cells on the support surface. In particular, the positioning elements can be elongated and run with their longitudinal extension direction perpendicular to the bending axis and, in the initial state, perpendicular to the support surface. This means that the positioning elements are perpendicular to the support surface with their longitudinal extension direction in the initial state. The positioning elements are designed to maintain defined distances between the battery cells, which are arranged, in particular, in a row on the support surface running parallel to the bending axis. This means that the distances between battery cells within a common row are predetermine by means of the positioning elements.To assemble the battery cell complex, a battery cell to be arranged on the support surface can be inserted between two positioning elements arranged directly adjacent to one another in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension of the bending axis. In other words, the positioning elements determine the layout of the row of battery cells, and to create the row of battery cells, these battery cells are inserted between positioning elements arranged in the row. A positioning element is arranged directly in front of and behind each battery cell along the row. The positioning elements thus allow the battery cells to be positioned particularly securely on the support surface, and any risk of the battery cell shifting on the support surface can be particularly effectively avoided.The positioning elements can be part of the battery cell complex. Alternatively, it is possible that the positioning elements are not part of the finished battery cell complex.

[0010] In this context, it is particularly possible for at least one spacer element to be provided on each positioning element, which is designed to set a predefined distance between adjacent battery cells in the fan-out direction in the initial state of the assembly device. During production of the battery cell complex, it is provided that the battery cells are arranged on the support surface, then the support is bent from the initial state into the bent-out state, the at least one cooling device is arranged between the respective battery cells, and then the support is bent from the bent-out state back into the initial state. By bending the support back into the initial state, the battery cells are aligned with their central axes parallel to one another again.When the support is bent back to its original state, the respective spacer elements can be applied to at least one battery cell in the direction opposite to the fan-out direction. This ensures that the battery cells are arranged with their central axes parallel to one another in the initial state of the support. This minimizes the risk of the entire battery cell complex exhibiting a curvature. Consequently, compliance with specified tolerance limits during the manufacture of the battery cell complex using the assembly device can be particularly well ensured.

[0011] In this context, a further possible embodiment of the invention can provide for the spacer elements to be configured to be applied to respective battery cells in order to adjust the distance in the region of the second ends of the battery cells. This results in the respective ends of the battery cells not resting on the support surface being at least a distance predetermined by the spacer element in the fan-out direction from directly adjacent battery cells in the fan-out direction. For this purpose, the spacer elements can be arranged at respective free ends of the positioning elements, which are opposite the ends of the positioning elements resting on the support surface.The spacer elements are thus configured to predetermine the spacing of the respective second ends of the battery cells in the fan-out direction from directly adjacent battery cells, whereas the spacing of the first ends of the battery cells, which bear against the support surface, is predetermine by the position of the respective first ends of the battery cells on the support surface. The spacing between the adjacent battery cells in the fan-out direction is precisely predetermine in the initial state of the support by the respective position of the end faces of the battery cells on the support surface and the spacer elements, in particular such that the battery cells in the battery cell complex are aligned with their respective central axes parallel to one another.

[0012] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the support comprises a plurality of support elements which are connected to one another via chain links or hinges. As a result, a distance between the support elements is fixed in the initial state. Furthermore, the support elements can be pivoted relative to one another about respective pivot axes predetermined by the chain links and running parallel to the bending axis, whereby the support can be bent about the bending axis. The chain links can in particular be rigid, whereby the distance between adjacent support elements in the fan-out direction with respect to the pivot axes is the same in the initial state and in the bent-open state of the support. The support elements can in particular be elongated, whereby an entire row of battery cells can be arranged on each support element.The pivot axis, around which this support element can be pivoted relative to a neighboring support element in the fanning direction for bending the support, runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support element. The chain links, which can be pivoted relative to each other about the respective pivot axes, enable the support to be bent from the initial state to the bent state around the bending axis. Bending of the support around the bending axis in the further direction opposite to the fanning direction can be prevented, for example, by the positioning elements or by a locking device provided on the chain links.The chain links can be used to specify the distance between the first ends of the battery cells in the battery cell complex in the fan-out direction, thereby ensuring that the respective dimensions of the battery cell complex produced using the assembly device lie within specified tolerance limits. In particular, the chain link can be part of the support and be made of plastic, for example.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the support providing the support surface can be made of a flexible, elastic material, such as rubber, which can preferably stretch in the fan-out direction and is rigid in the opposite direction. For example, the material can be reinforced with fibers, particularly glass fibers, in the direction opposite the fan-out direction. In this case, the functionality of the mounting device is the same as that of the aforementioned mounting device with chain links.

[0014] The invention further relates to a method for producing a battery cell complex for a traction battery by means of an assembly device, as has already been described in connection with the assembly device according to the invention. Within the scope of the method, the battery cells to be connected to form the battery cell complex are arranged on the support surface. In particular, round cells as battery cells are placed with their respective end faces on the support surface of the assembly device. Subsequently, in the method, the support is bent into the bending-open state, whereby the battery cells arranged on the support surface are fanned out. Subsequently, respective cooling devices, in particular wave-shaped cooling coils, are inserted between respective battery cells that are directly adjacent to one another in the fanning-out direction.

[0015] This allows the cooling devices to be placed laterally into the battery cells for side cooling. In particular, the cooling coils are placed laterally against the respective outer surfaces of the round cells. The method further provides that, for the production of the battery cell complex, following the positioning of the cooling devices, the support is bent back to its original state. This aligns the battery cells arranged on the support surface with their central axes parallel to one another, and the cooling devices are clamped between the battery cells adjacent to one another in the fan-out direction. They are connected to the battery cells via the thermal composite compound, for example the thermal pad or the thermal adhesive, thus ensuring close contact between the battery cell, adhesive, and cooling device.This ensures particularly large-area contact between the battery cells and the cooling devices, thereby achieving particularly good heat transfer from the battery cells to the cooling devices. The process enables particularly simple production of the battery cell complex with a large number of battery cells and multiple cooling devices.

[0016] In a possible development of the invention, it is provided that the battery cells are arranged in respective rows on the support surface, wherein the respective rows run in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the bending axis. Furthermore, it is provided that a cooling coil is arranged as a cooling device between rows of battery cells that are adjacent to one another in the fan-out direction. Rows of battery cells that are directly adjacent to one another in the fan-out direction can be arranged offset from one another. In this case, the offset is in particular half the distance between the center axes of two battery cells that are directly adjacent to one another in the row, offset in the direction of the rows.If the cooling devices are wave-shaped cooling coils, this offset of the adjacent rows in the fan-out direction allows the cooling coil to be applied laterally to the battery cells over a particularly large area of ​​the outer surface of the respective battery cells. This allows for particularly good heat transfer from the battery cells to the cooling coil. As a result, the battery cells can be cooled particularly efficiently by the respective cooling coil, enabling particularly efficient operation of the traction battery.

[0017] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that all battery cells are held in a row by means of a mounting bar and placed together on the support surface. This means that all battery cells to be arranged in a row are held together on the mounting bar and guided together to the support by means of the mounting bar. By lowering the mounting bar towards the support surface, the battery cells can be placed on the support surface at least essentially simultaneously. The mounting bar thus makes it possible for respective rows of battery cells to be placed on the support surface in a single work step. Because the battery cells can be positioned row by row on the support by means of the mounting bar, the battery cell complex can be manufactured particularly quickly, since the battery cells can be arranged on the support surface particularly quickly.The mounting strip can either be removed from the battery cells immediately after the battery cells have been placed on the support or can remain on the battery cells as part of the battery cell module.

[0018] In this context, it can be provided in particular that by bending the support back to its original state, respective mounting strips directly adjacent in the fanning out direction are placed laterally against one another. In this way, the respective distances between the battery cells adjacent in the fanning out direction can be specified by means of the mounting strips held on the battery cells. If the distance between the free ends of the battery cells is specified by means of the mounting strips placed laterally against one another in the fanning out direction, then the spacer elements of the mounting device can be omitted. The distance between the free ends of the battery cells can be precisely specified via a respective width of the mounting strips in a direction running perpendicular to the bending axis and parallel to the support surface. In particular, the respective mounting strips are held on the free ends of the battery cells.The mounting strips can thus enable the battery cells to be arranged in rows on the support and, on the other hand, the battery cells to be aligned with their respective center axes parallel to one another.

[0019] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the battery cells are glued to the cooling devices using an adhesive. For this purpose, the adhesive can be applied to the cooling devices and / or to the battery cells. After the cooling devices have been inserted between the battery cells adjacent to one another in the fan-out direction, the support is bent back to its original state, whereby the battery cells are brought into large-area lateral contact with the cooling devices, with the adhesive being arranged between the outer surfaces of the battery cells and the respective cooling devices. After the adhesive has cured, the battery cell complex comprising the cooling devices is removed from the assembly device. The assembly device can thus be used to produce a large number of battery cell complexes.Alternatively, the mounting device can be part of the traction battery and thus housed together with the battery cell complex in a housing of the traction battery. If the mounting device is part of the traction battery, the mounting device can be used to particularly effectively stabilize and hold the battery cell complex together within the traction battery.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of an assembly device for producing a battery cell complex of a traction battery, on which respective battery cells are arranged; Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of the mounting device, the support of which, shown in a first embodiment, is bent about a bending axis from an initial state into a bent-up state, wherein respective mounting strips are held at a respective free end of the battery cells; Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the mounting device, wherein the support is shown in the bent-up state, wherein the mounting device has a plurality of spacer elements which are configured to adjust the distance between adjacent battery cells; Fig. 4 a schematic perspective view of the mounting device, wherein the support is shown in the bent-up state and respective cooling devices are inserted between battery cells directly adjacent to one another in the fan-out direction; Fig. 5 a schematic perspective view of the mounting device with the support in the bent-up state, wherein respective cooling devices are inserted between battery cells immediately adjacent in the fan-out direction, wherein the support is bent back from the bent-up state into the initial state; Fig. 6 a schematic perspective view of the mounting device with the battery cells and the cooling devices arranged between respective battery cells, wherein the support is arranged in the initial state and a predetermined distance is predetermined by means of the mounting strips between respective free ends of battery cells directly adjacent to one another in the fan-out direction; Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the mounting device, wherein the support is shown in the initial state and a battery cell complex made from the battery cells and the cooling devices is arranged on the mounting device; Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the mounting device in the initial state of the support and a schematic perspective view of the battery cell complex which is removed from the mounting device; Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of the mounting device with the battery cells arranged on the mounting device, wherein the support is shown in the bent-open state and a cooling device is inserted between adjacent battery cells in the fan-out direction; Fig. 10 a schematic side view of the mounting device on which the battery cells are arranged, wherein respective cooling devices are arranged between the battery cells directly adjacent to one another in the fan-out direction and the support of the mounting device has the initial state; Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the mounting device, with the support in the first embodiment; and Fig. 12 a schematic perspective view of a portion of the mounting device, with the support in a second embodiment.

[0022] In the figures, identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0023] In the Fig. 1, 2 and 4 to 8 show, in consecutive steps, the production of a battery cell complex 16 for a traction battery by means of an assembly device 10 in a first embodiment in respective schematic perspective views. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, individual steps of this manufacturing method for the battery cell complex 16 using the assembly device 10 are shown in respective side views. Fig. 1, 2 and 4 to 10, the mounting device 10 is shown in a first embodiment. In Fig. 3, the assembly device 10 is shown in a second embodiment different from the first embodiment in a step of the manufacturing method of the battery cell complex 16, which corresponds to the Fig. 2 corresponds to the step of the manufacturing process shown.

[0024] The following first describes the features that the mounting device 10 has in both embodiments. The mounting device 10 comprises a support 12, which provides a support surface 14 for the respective battery cells 18 to be connected to the battery cell complex 16. The battery cells 18, which in this case are round cells, can be placed on this support surface 14 with their end faces 20. For reasons of clarity, only individual battery cells 18 and the associated end faces 20 are provided with the corresponding reference numerals.

[0025] The support 12 comprises a plurality of support elements 22, each of which is in the form of a beam, in particular a cuboid. These beam-shaped support elements 22 are aligned parallel to one another with their respective longitudinal extension directions. In the present case, each of the support elements 22 is connected to an immediately adjacent support element 22 via at least one chain link 24. The support elements 22 can be pivoted relative to one another about respective pivot axes via the chain links 24, each of which is designed to connect two support elements 22 to one another. The respective pivot axes run through respective connection points 26, in which the respective chain link 24 is rotatably held on the respective support element 22. Furthermore, the respective pivot axes run parallel to the respective longitudinal extension directions of the support elements 22. All pivot axes run parallel to one another.Because the support elements 22 can be pivoted relative to each other about their respective pivot axes, the entire support 12 is bendable about a bending axis 28. This bending axis 28 runs parallel to the respective pivot axes. Starting from the position shown in . Fig. 1, the support 12 can be bent in a fan-out direction 32 around the bending axis 28 into a bending state 34. The support 12 is designed such that, starting from the initial state 30, it can only be bent in the fan-out direction 32 around the bending axis 28, and bending of the support 12 in a direction opposite to the fan-out direction 32 is prevented. The support 12 can thus only be curved in one direction.

[0026] The mounting device 10 further comprises a plurality of positioning elements 36 which protrude from the support surface 14. For reasons of clarity, only individual positioning elements 36 are provided with the corresponding reference numerals. In this case, the positioning elements 36 are designed as positioning pins, in particular made of plastic. In this case, the cross-section of the positioning elements 36 is adapted to a cross-section of the battery cells 18. This means that the positioning elements 36 are configured such that they can be placed flat against the battery cells 18 over a circumferential region of the lateral surface of the battery cells 18. This means that a contact surface of the respective positioning elements 36, which is to be brought into contact with the respective battery cells 18, has at least substantially the same curvature as the lateral surfaces of the battery cells 18.

[0027] As in Fig. 1, the battery cells 18 for producing the battery cell complex 16 are placed in respective rows 38 on the support 12. Each row 38 is assigned one of the support elements 22. This means that all battery cells 18 in a row 38 are placed on the same support element 22. The positioning elements 36 protruding from this support element 22 are designed to set a predetermined distance between the respective battery cells 18 of this row 38. This means that a positioning element 36 is arranged between each two battery cells 18 arranged directly adjacent to one another in the row 38. In other words, each battery cell 18 is inserted between two positioning elements 36 assigned to this row 38 and directly adjacent to one another.The positioning elements 36 specify a precise position of the battery cells 18 within the row 38 relative to the other battery cells 18 of this row 38. In addition, the positioning elements 36 can fix the battery cells 18 in a direction perpendicular to a direction of extension of the row 38, in particular in the fan-out direction 32. Thus, the positioning elements 36 can prevent the respective battery cell 18 from moving across the support surface 14. Thus, a precise position for each of the battery cells 18 is specified via the positioning elements 36.

[0028] To the battery cells 18, as in Fig. 1, on the support surface 14 of the mounting device 10, the battery cells 18 can be picked up by means of at least one mounting strip 40 and transported to the mounting device 10. In particular, the respective mounting strips 40 can be configured to jointly and thus simultaneously pick up and hold respective battery cells 18 to be arranged in a row 38. The mounting strips 40 can be configured to hold the battery cells 18 using magnetic force. Movement of the battery cells 18 can be restricted by means of the mounting strips 40. By means of the respective mounting strip 40, the battery cells 18 can be placed in a row 38 one after the other or simultaneously on the support surface 14. After the battery cells 18 have been placed on the support surface 14, the mounting strip 40 can remain on the free ends of the battery cells 18.During the arrangement of the battery cells 18 on the support surface 14, the support 12 is arranged in the initial state 30. .

[0029] The battery cells 18 are thus arranged with their respective central axes 42 running in the axial direction parallel to one another on the support surface 14.

[0030] After all battery cells 18 have been arranged on the support 12, the support 12 is changed from the initial state 30 to the bending state 34, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is shown, bent up. Here, the mounting devices 10 of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shown different designs in that in the Fig. 3, the mounting device 10 has a plurality of spacer elements 44. These spacer elements 44 are designed to specify distances between the battery cells 18 of directly adjacent rows 38. For this purpose, the respective spacer elements 44 are arranged laterally at respective free ends of the positioning elements 36, whereby in the initial state 30 of the support 12, each spacer element 44 rests against a casing of a battery cell 18. In this case, the spacer elements 44 are arranged in particular at the respective free ends of the positioning elements 36 such that in the initial state 30 of the support 12, the spacer elements 44 rest in the region of the respective free ends of the battery cells 18.In the first embodiment of the mounting device 10, the mounting strips 40 are used to maintain the spacing in the fan-out direction 32 between the battery cells 18 of adjacent rows 38, whereas in the second embodiment, the spacer elements 44 are used to maintain this spacing. Thus, no spacer elements 44 are provided in the first embodiment of the mounting device 10.

[0031] After the battery cells 18 have been placed on the support surface 14 and the support 12 has been bent from the initial state 30 into the bent-up state 34, the battery cells 18 are, as shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 can be recognized, arranged in a fanned-out configuration. In this fanned-out configuration of the battery cells 18, cooling devices 46 can be inserted between the respective rows 38 of the battery cells 18, as shown in Fig. 4. In the present case, the cooling devices 46 are designed as wave-shaped cooling coils. Additionally, the respective cooling devices 46 and the battery cells 18, against which these cooling devices 46 are to be applied laterally, can be bonded together using an adhesive. This means that the adhesive is arranged between the respective lateral surfaces of the battery cells 18 and the cooling devices 46. For example, the cooling devices 46 can already be coated with the adhesive and, in the adhesive-coated state, can be arranged between the respective rows 38 of the battery cells 18.

[0032] After inserting the cooling devices 46, the support 12 is, as shown in Fig. 5, is bent back from the bending state 34 to the initial state 30 around the bending axis 28. In Fig. 6 shows the mounting device 10 with the battery cells 18 and the cooling devices 46 arranged between respective rows 38 of battery cells 18, wherein the support 12 has the initial state 30.

[0033] At the Fig. 6 shows that in the initial state 30 of the support 12, the mounting strips 40 abut one another laterally in a direction running perpendicular to the central axis 42 of the battery cells 18. Because the mounting strips 40 abut one another laterally, the distance between the free ends of the respective battery cells 18, which belong to directly adjacent rows 38, is precisely predetermined. The distance between the respective ends of the battery cells 18 abutting the support surface 14, which are opposite the free ends of the battery cells 18, is predetermined by the length of the respective chain links 24 or a distance between respective connection points 26 of a chain link 24 in directly adjacent support elements 22.The mounting strips 40 and the chain links 24 can thus ensure that in the initial state 30 of the support 12, the battery cells 18, between which the respective cooling devices 46 are arranged, are aligned with their central axes 42 parallel to one another.

[0034] After the adhesive has hardened, the mounting strips 40 can be removed from the battery cells 18, as shown in Fig. 7 is shown. In Fig. Figure 8 shows how the finished battery cell complex 16 comprising the battery cells 18 and the cooling devices 46 is removed from the assembly device 10. The assembly device 10 can thus be used to produce another battery cell complex 16. In Fig. 9, the assembly device 10 is shown in the bent-up state 34, wherein the battery cells 18 are arranged on the support 12 and a respective cooling device 46 is inserted between the respective rows 38 of the battery cells 18. In Fig. 10, the mounting device 10 is shown in a state in which the support 12 is in the initial state 30, the battery cells 18 are aligned on the support surface 14 with their central axes 42 parallel to one another, and respective cooling devices 46 are arranged between respective rows 38 of battery cells 18. These cooling devices 46 rest on the lateral surfaces of the respective associated battery cells 18. As shown in Fig. 10 can be seen particularly well, the mounting strips 40 lie laterally against one another, whereby the distance between the rows 38 of the battery cells 18 is defined over the entire height of the battery cells 18 or the battery cell complex 16 via the mounting strips 40 and the chain links 24.

[0035] The support 12 of the mounting device 10 is in the Fig. 1 to 11 in a first embodiment, in which the support elements 22 are held pivotably relative to each other via respective chain links 24. In Fig. 12, the support 12 is shown in a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the support 12 comprises a plurality of support elements 22, which provide the support surface 14. These support elements 22 are held together by respective hinges 48 so as to be pivotable relative to one another about respective pivot axes. To form the hinges 48, each support element 22 has a molded-on pin 50, which provides a hinge axis. This hinge axis coincides with the pivot axis about which the two support elements 22, which are held together by the corresponding hinge 48, can be pivoted relative to one another. To provide the hinge 48, the respective pin 50 engages in an associated groove 52. Within this groove 52, the pin 50 can be pivoted about the hinge axis relative to the groove 52.Of the two support elements 22 connected to one another via a hinge 48, one of these support elements 22 has the pin 50 for this hinge 48, and the other of the support elements 22 has the groove 52 for this hinge 48. If the groove 52 and the pin 50 are each an integral part of the support elements 22 connected to one another via this hinge 48, then no further element is necessary to connect the support elements 22 to one another and to enable the bendability of the support 12 in the fanning direction 32 about the bending axis 28.

[0036] The described assembly device 10 enables a simplification of the production of the battery cell complex 16, whereby respective tolerance limits for the battery cell complex 16 can be maintained.

[0037] Most battery cell complexes comprising individual round cells that operate with side cooling are built using the ammunition belt method. In this process, the 18 battery cells are first bonded to the respective side coolers. These resulting cooling belts are then assembled into a battery pack. This can lead to cumulative tolerances, which can result in battery modules or battery cell packs with deviations outside the specified tolerance limits.

[0038] The described assembly device 10 enables the respective rows 38 of battery cells 18 to be fanned out like the spines of a hedgehog, whereby the cooling devices 46 can be inserted particularly easily between the rows 38 of battery cells 18. The assembly device 10 can either be configured to be used for producing multiple battery cell complexes 16 or be part of a cell carrier of the traction battery. This means that the battery cells 18 can stand on a carrier that can be bent in one direction, or the battery cells 18 can hang upside down on a busbar carrier that can only be bent in one direction.

[0039] At the Fig. In the embodiment of the mounting device 10 with the spacer elements 44 shown in Figure 3, it is provided that the cooling devices 46 arranged between the respective rows 38 have a height which allows the cooling devices 46 arranged between the rows 38 to end below the spacer elements 44. This means that in the initial state 30 of the support 12, in a state in which the battery cell complex 16 is arranged on the mounting device 10, the respective spacer elements 44 are arranged above the respective cooling devices 46 in a height direction running parallel to the longitudinal direction of the central axes 42 of the battery cells 18.This means that the respective cooling devices 46 are concealed by the spacer elements 44 in a first direction along the height direction and are covered by the support surface 14 in a second direction opposite the first direction along the height direction. The lateral surfaces of the battery cells 18 thus rest in regions against the respective associated cooling devices 46 and in regions against the spacer elements 44.

[0040] It is at the Fig.In the first embodiment of the mounting device 10 shown in Figure 2, it is possible for the battery cells 18 to first be arranged on the support surface 14 and then for the mounting strips 40 to be placed on the free end of the respective rows 38 of battery cells 18. Alternatively, the mounting strips 40 can be placed on the mounting device 10 between the respective positioning elements 36 together with the battery cells 18 during insertion of the battery cells 18. In this case, the mounting strips 40 can be part of the mounting device 10 or part of the battery cell complex 16. For example, the mounting strips 40 can be part of a cell base of the battery cell complex 16. The purpose of the mounting strips 40 is to ensure a uniform spacing between the rows 38 of battery cells 18 during a compression step.In this compression step, the rows 38 of battery cells 18 are pressed together by adjusting the support 12 from the bent-up state 34 to the initial state 30 with the cooling devices 46.

[0041] An adhesive can be applied to the cooling devices 46 before inserting the respective cooling device 46 between the rows 38 of battery cells 18. Alternatively, the respective cooling devices 46 can comprise respective thermally conductive pads, which are pressed against the outer surfaces of the battery cells 18 during the pressing of the battery cell complex 16.

[0042] The described support 12 allows the battery cells 18 to be fanned out in one direction, but fixes the relative distance between the end faces 20 of the battery cells 18 resting against the support surface 14, in this case via the chain links 24.

[0043] Overall, the invention shows how a device for assembling cylindrical battery cells 18 into a battery module or into a battery cell pack with side cooling can be designed. List of reference symbols 10 Mounting device 12th edition 14 Support surface 16 Battery cell complex 18 battery cells 20 front side 22 Support element 24 chain links 26 connection point 28 Bending axis 30 Initial state 32 Fanning direction 34 Bending state 36 Positioning element 38 row 40 mounting strip 42 Central axis 44 Spacer element 46 Cooling device 48 Hinge 50 cones 52 grooves 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 2021 116 605 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Assembly device (10) for producing a battery cell complex (16) for a traction battery, comprising a support (12) providing a support surface (14) for all battery cells (18) of the battery cell complex (16) to be produced, which support can be bent from an initial state (30) about a bending axis (28) running parallel to the support surface (14) in a fan-out direction (32) into a bent-out state (34), whereby, when the assembly device (10) is used as intended, battery cells (18) held on the support surface (14) are aligned with their central axes (42) parallel to one another in the initial state (30) and are fanned out in the bent-out state (34), whereby first ends of battery cells (18) lying directly adjacent to one another in the fan-out direction (32) that lie against the support surface (14) have a smaller distance,as second ends of these battery cells (18) opposite the first ends in the axial direction of the battery cells (18), whereby in the bent-open state (34) cooling devices (46) can be arranged between the battery cells (18) adjacent in the fan-out direction (32). [2] Mounting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that positioning elements (36) projecting from the support surface (14) are provided, which are designed to specify defined positions for the battery cells (18) on the support surface (14). [3] Mounting device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by that at least one spacer element (44) is provided on each positioning element (36), which is designed to set a predefined distance between battery cells (18) adjacent in the fan-out direction (32) in the initial state (30) of the mounting device (10). [4] Mounting device (10) according to claim 3, characterized bythat the spacer elements (44) are designed to be applied to respective battery cells (18) for adjusting the distance in the region of the second ends of the battery cells (18). [5] Mounting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the support (12) comprises a plurality of support elements (22) which are connected to one another via chain links (24), as a result of which a distance between the support elements (22) is fixedly predetermined in the initial state (30) and as a result of which the support elements (22) can be pivoted relative to one another about respective pivot axes predetermined by the chain links (24) and running parallel to the bending axis (28), as a result of which the support (12) can be bent about the bending axis (28). [6] Method for producing a battery cell complex (16) for a traction battery by means of an assembly device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which - the battery cells (18) to be connected to the battery cell complex (16) are arranged on the support surface (14), - the support (12) is bent into the bending state (34), - between respective battery cells (18) which are immediately adjacent to one another in the fanning direction (32), respective cooling devices (46) are inserted, and - for the production of the battery cell complex (16) the support (12) is bent back into the initial state (30). [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by that the battery cells (18) are arranged in respective rows (38) on the support surface (14), wherein the respective rows (38) run in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bending axis (28), and a cooling coil is arranged as a cooling device (46) between adjacent rows (38) of battery cells (18) in the fan-out direction (32). [8] Method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that all battery cells (18) of a row (38) are held by means of a mounting bar (40) and are placed together on the support surface. [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized by that by bending the support (12) back into the initial state (30), respective mounting strips (40) immediately adjacent in the fan-out direction (32) are placed laterally against one another, whereby respective distances between the battery cells (18) adjacent in the fan-out direction (32) are predetermined by means of the mounting strips (40) held on the battery cells (18). [10] Method according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized by that the battery cells (18) are glued to the cooling devices (46) by means of an adhesive and after the adhesive has hardened, the battery cell complex (16) comprising the battery cells (18) and the cooling devices (46) is removed from the mounting device (10).

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