Pouch cell with stacked or folded active layers enclosed by a flexible material, and manufacturing method therefor

Abstract

Pouch cell with stacked or folded active layers (12) enclosed by a flexible material (14), wherein at least one cathode connector (16) and at least one anode connector (18) are arranged protruding from the flexible material (14), wherein the flexible material (14) is at least partially clamped in the outer edge region on at least one side by two clamping elements (24, 26) that are movable relative to one another, wherein the two relatively movable clamping elements (24, 26) are designed to be pivotable along a pivot axis (S) by means of a hinge (32), characterized in that the relatively movable clamping elements (24, 26) are each U-shaped in order to at least partially enclose three sides of the flexible material (14) of the pouch cell (10), and in that the clamping elements (24, 26) are made of a thermally conductive plastic.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to pouch cells with stacked or folded active layers enclosed by a flexible material, according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as a manufacturing method for such pouch cells. A flexible material within the meaning of the invention refers, in particular, to pouch films known from the prior art.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to pouch cells used for propulsion energy storage in vehicles. In this respect, reference is also made to vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, with such pouch cells.

[0003] DE 10 2020 133 411 A1 discloses a receiving device for a pouch battery cell, a battery module, and a vehicle. The pouch battery cell has a sealed seam on its circumference and current collector lugs protruding from the sealed seam, and the receiving device is frame-shaped. The receiving device comprises an outer frame and an inner frame, each extending over the entire circumference of the pouch battery cell and thus completely enclosing it. Furthermore, a sealed seam receiving cavity is formed between the outer frame and the inner frame. The outer frame and inner frame are designed such that the pouch cell is enclosed on the outside by them, resulting in a battery cell with a prismatic shape.

[0004] DE 20 2014 103 521 U1 discloses a battery module and a battery comprising multiple battery modules. The battery module comprises a battery cell with electrodes arranged in an enveloping film and a frame for holding the battery cell. The enveloping film is either integrally connected to the frame. Alternatively, the frame is formed from a first frame part and a second frame part, each of which is configured as a closed frame surrounding the enveloping film. The enveloping film is arranged between the frame parts and connected to the frame parts via a weld seam extending from the first frame part through the enveloping film to the second frame part.

[0005] US 2017 / 0018746 A1 discloses frame-like mounting devices for pouch cells, which are intended to enclose the pouch cells over their entire circumference. These mounting devices are primarily designed to enable efficient heat dissipation. Furthermore, the assembly of a large number of pouch cells is intended to be facilitated.

[0006] US 2019 / 0131598 A1 discloses frame-like receiving elements for pouch cells, referred to as "receiving elements," which are intended to serve the assembly of already manufactured pouch cells. These receiving elements are intended to serve the so-called "stacking" of pouch cells. For this purpose, different embodiments of receiving elements are proposed, which extend over two, three, or four sides of the respective pouch cells. The receiving elements serve to make the inherently unstable pouch cells stackable or arrangeable in a row by partially enclosing them along two or more sides. The respective receiving elements are formed as a single piece, with recesses optionally being formed on the inside for inserting a weld seam of the pouch cell to be received.

[0007] The holding devices and holding elements known from the prior art are disadvantageous in terms of handling. In particular, the assembly of the holding devices and holding elements appears complicated. Furthermore, in connection with the holding devices and holding elements disclosed in the prior art, the problem that pouch cells in practice frequently fail in the region of the seams (weld seam and / or adhesive seam) is not addressed in detail, and that this failure leads to thermal runaway more frequently in pouch cells than in prismatic cells. Such a thermal runaway can occur in pouch cells, in particular, due to heat being supplied from a busbar and / or a cathode connector and / or an anode connector, whereby the pouch cell is brought to a temperature of 150°C or higher in the region of a seam.If the joint then fails due to temperature, electrolyte leaks out and a thermal runaway occurs.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing a pouch cell with stacked or folded active layers enclosed in a flexible material, as well as a manufacturing method therefor, which enables high operational reliability, in particular by additionally securing the joints of pouch cells. Furthermore, the assembly of the pouch cells should be as simple as possible.

[0009] The object is achieved according to the invention with the features of the independent claims. Further practical embodiments and advantages of the invention are described in conjunction with the dependent claims.

[0010] A pouch cell according to the invention has stacked or folded active layers which are enclosed by a flexible material, wherein at least one cathode connector and at least one anode connector are arranged so as to protrude from the flexible material. Furthermore, the flexible material is at least partially clamped in the outer edge region on at least one side by two clamping elements which are movable relative to one another. The at least partially clamping border is provided in particular in the region of a side with a seam of the pouch cell, i.e. in the region of an adhesive seam and / or a weld seam, as is usually provided on at least one side in pouch cells. Preferably, all or almost all sides of the pouch cell on which a seam is provided are completely or partially clamped with the clamping elements which are movable relative to one another in order to reduce the risk of failure orto reduce the risk of premature temperature-related failure of the seam. In particular, this prevents the pouch cell from opening in the region of the seam at a temperature that would lead to softening of the seam, since the seam is additionally held together by clamping with the help of the clamping elements, even at higher temperatures. More preferably, a side on which a seam is provided is not held together or is only partially held together by clamping. In this case, this one side - for example the upper side of a pouch cell - can be designed as a forced degassing side to ensure that the pouch cell fails on this side if a certain internal pressure and / or a certain temperature is reached or exceeded.

[0011] In another preferred variant, clamping elements of a pouch cell according to the invention are designed such that cooling can be achieved with the at least one clamping element via a cooling plate, in particular via a cooling plate adjoining the underside. For this purpose, the at least one clamping element and the plurality of clamping elements have contact surfaces directed towards the underside - preferably with a large area - with which a pouch cell arranged with its underside on a cooling plate can establish direct contact between the clamping element and the cooling plate. In this respect, reference is also made to arrangements of pouch cells on a cooling plate in which direct, surface-wide contact is established between the respective clamping element and the cooling plate with the at least one clamping element or the plurality of clamping elements.This allows heat to be efficiently kept away from the seams by dissipating it through the clamping elements and guiding it away from the seams. In this case, the clamping elements also serve as a temperature protection function for the seams.

[0012] The two relatively movable clamping elements are designed to pivot along a pivot axis by means of a hinge. This provides the advantage that the relatively movable clamping elements are already aligned with each other when the pouch cell is brought into a desired position, in order to complete assembly by closing the clamping elements. This embodiment enables particularly simple assembly of a pouch cell according to the invention.

[0013] Furthermore, the relatively movable clamping elements are each U-shaped to at least partially enclose three sides of the flexible material of the pouch cell. In this case, a total of two clamping elements are sufficient to produce a pouch cell according to the invention, even if two or three sides of the flexible material are provided with a seam or are to be held together by means of the clamping elements for other reasons.

[0014] It has been shown that it is not absolutely necessary to clamp the sides of a pouch cell according to the invention, which are provided with a seam, over the entire length of the respective side using clamping elements. Significant advantages are already achieved if the clamping elements extend at least 50 percent of the length of a side. This applies in particular to pouch cells that have two seams on opposite sides. In this case, the clamping elements preferably extend at least over these two sides and more preferably at least 50 percent of the length of the respective side.More preferably, the clamping elements extend in particular over the immediate area around the connection point between the flexible material (in particular the pouch film) and the anode connector and / or over the immediate area around the connection point between the flexible material (in particular the pouch film) and the cathode connector. As already mentioned, the clamping elements can have a reduced length, or they can extend over an entire side length of the pouch cell (so-called full clamps). So-called full clamps, i.e., clamping elements extending over the entire side length of a pouch cell, are preferred.

[0015] In a further practical embodiment of a pouch cell according to the invention, the cathode connector and the anode connector are arranged so as to be completely enclosed by the clamping elements, and / or the cathode connector and the anode connector are arranged on opposite sides, projecting from the clamping elements in such a way that the cathode connector and the anode connector are electrically insulated from the contact elements. An electrically insulated exit from the clamping elements refers, in particular, to a contact-free arrangement. This is intended to prevent the currents flowing through the cathode connector and the anode connector from being transferred to potentially electrically conductive clamping elements.This is achieved in particular by providing corresponding recesses in the area of ​​the cathode connector and the anode connector in the final assembled state of the clamping elements, by means of which a minimum distance remains between the respective clamping elements and the cathode connector or the anode connector. This distance is selected such that, in all operating states of the pouch cell, even taking into account temperature expansion of the individual elements, it is ensured that no current flows between the cathode connector or the anode connector and the clamping elements. Alternatively or in addition to a contactless arrangement, an electrically insulating layer can also be arranged between the respective connector (cathode connector or anode connector) and the clamping element, or the clamping element itself can be made of an electrically insulating material - at least in the relevant area.The provision of an electrically insulating intermediate layer, in particular by using a gap filler, at least in the region of the clamping element facing the respective connector, is preferred in practice, in particular in order to be able to exert a pressure supporting the seam with the respective clamping element on the pouch cell in the region of seams.

[0016] In a further practical embodiment of a pouch cell according to the invention, an electrically insulating coating or a separate contact element is provided on the contact elements, at least on the inside of the opposing surfaces facing the flexible material. Such a coating or a separate contact element serves to further counteract electrical conductivity between the contact elements and the respective connectors and thus further improves the reliability of the electrical insulation. This also prevents unwanted cutting or other damage to the flexible material (in particular the pouch film). Furthermore, unevenness in the flexible material can be compensated for with a coating or a separate contact element, thus improving heat conduction from the respective connector via a gap filler to the clamping element.

[0017] In this respect, electrically insulating but thermally highly conductive materials are particularly preferred for the gap filler, the coating or the separate contact element.

[0018] If at least one opening and / or at least one clip element is formed on the clamping elements of a pouch cell according to the invention, the clamping elements can be connected in a simple manner. In the case of an opening, the connection is particularly suitable using a screw and nut or a rivet. In the case of clip elements, the clamping elements can be simply plugged together and locked together.

[0019] If the clamping elements are made of a thermally conductive plastic, they can also be used for suitable heat transfer, in particular for heat dissipation from the pouch cell to any cooling device that may be present. A thermoplastic material and / or a carbon fiber reinforced plastic are particularly suitable as thermally conductive plastic. Heat dissipation can be achieved particularly advantageously if the frame is a U-shaped frame, the middle side of which is in full contact with a cooling plate. In this case, the legs can be used to conduct heat to the middle side of the clamping elements. From the middle side, the heat can then be dissipated directly via the cooling plate.

[0020] In a further practical embodiment of a pouch cell according to the invention, the clamping elements extend over each outer edge of the flexible material, completely covering the edge on three sides, so that one side is not enclosed or largely not enclosed. In this case, the clamping elements can be used to ensure that the unenclosed side is the side that fails in the event of a significant temperature increase and is thus the side of the pouch cell that serves as the so-called vent opening. This prevents the pouch cell from failing on a side that is unsuitable for the escape of gases and / or electrolyte.

[0021] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a pouch cell with stacked or folded active layers enclosed by a flexible material, wherein a cathode connector and at least one anode connector are arranged protruding from the flexible material, wherein the two relatively movable clamping elements are designed to be pivotable along a pivot axis by means of a hinge, wherein the relatively movable clamping elements are each U-shaped in order to at least partially enclose three sides of the flexible material of the pouch cell, and wherein the clamping elements are designed from a thermally conductive plastic, in particular as described above.The flexible material in the outer edge area is at least partially clamped on three sides by two clamping elements that are movable relative to each other. The sides are positioned between the clamping elements and the clamping elements are connected to each other in a final assembly position. Reference is hereby made once again to the advantages already described above in connection with the pouch cell according to the invention.

[0022] In a practical embodiment of the method according to the invention, the clamping elements are connected to one another by plugging, screwing, and / or other means of material, force, and / or form-fitting connection. This results in particularly simple assembly.

[0023] Further practical embodiments of the invention are described below in conjunction with the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a pouch cell according to the invention with two U-shaped clamping elements in a side view, Fig. 2 the pouch cell Fig. 1 in a view according to arrow II in Fig. 1 in a pre-assembly position, Fig. 3 the pouch cell from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in the same view as in Fig. 2 in a final assembly position, Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a pouch cell with U-shaped clamping elements which are designed to be pivotable about a pivot axis S, Fig. 5 the in Fig. 4 area marked V in an enlarged view and in an exploded view, Fig. 6 the in Fig. 4 area marked VI in an enlarged view, Fig. 7 the in Fig. 4 area marked VII in an enlarged view, Fig. 8 the pouch cell from the Fig. 4-7 in a pre-assembly position of the clamping elements, Fig. 9 the arrangement from Fig. 8 in a view from above, Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment of a pouch cell according to the invention in a final assembly state, Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment of a pouch cell according to the invention in a final assembly position, Fig. 12 shows a further embodiment of a pouch cell not according to the invention in an exploded view, Fig. 13 an enlarged view of the Fig. 12 area marked XIII, Fig. 14 an enlarged view of the Fig. 12 of the area marked XIV in a view according to arrow A in Fig. 12, Fig. 15 shows a further embodiment of a pouch cell not according to the invention, which has a stacking function, Fig. 16 the pouch cell Fig. 15 in an exploded view, Fig. 17 shows a further embodiment of a pouch cell not according to the invention which is stackable, Fig. 18 an enlarged view of the Fig. 17 area marked XVIII and Fig. 19 another illustration of the pouch cells from the Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, from which the assembly using the clip elements is more clearly visible.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows a pouch cell 10 with stacked or folded active layers 12 located inside and in Fig. 1 are only shown schematically as a rectangle. The active layers 12 are completely enclosed by a flexible material 14 in a known manner, in particular wrapped and closed laterally (right and left) as well as on the upper side by means of seams, wherein at least one cathode connector 16 and at least one anode connector 18 are arranged so as to protrude laterally from the flexible material 14. In the embodiment shown, the cathode connector 16 and the anode connector 18 protrude laterally from the flexible material 14. The lower side 20 is arranged on a schematically shown cooling plate 22.

[0025] As in Fig. 1, the flexible material 14 is clamped in the outer edge area laterally as well as in the area of ​​the lower side 20 completely by a first clamping element 24 and a second clamping element 26, which are movable relative to each other. This is evident from a view together with the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 clearly visible.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a pre-assembly position of the clamping elements 24, 26, in which the clamping elements 24, 26 are arranged in a V-shape relative to one another. Fig. Figure 3 shows the pouch cell 10 in a final assembly position. In the final assembly position, the clamping elements 24, 26 are arranged approximately parallel to each other.

[0027] To clamp the clamping elements 24, 26 in the Fig. 2 shown pre-assembly position in the area of ​​the lower end, a hinge element (not shown) can be provided in the dashed area marked U. Alternatively, in an embodiment not according to the invention, a recess can be formed in the area of ​​the cooling plate 22, into which the lower ends of the clamping elements 24, 26 dip. This is shown in Fig. 2 represented by the dashed line L.

[0028] In order to fix the clamping elements 24, 26 relative to each other in the pre-assembly position and in the final assembly position, screws 28 can be provided on the top side, which cooperate with openings 30 formed in the clamping elements 24, 26. The corresponding threads on the screw 28 and in the opening 30 are in the Fig. 1-3 not shown.

[0029] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that other fastening means, in particular a rivet, can be used instead of the screw 28.

[0030] In the Fig. 4-9 shows a further embodiment of a pouch cell 10 which is similar in terms of basic geometric shape to that shown in the Fig. 1-3. For identical or at least functionally equivalent elements, the same reference numerals are used below as in the first embodiment.

[0031] In the Fig. 4-9, a first clamping element 24 and a second clamping element 26 are provided. The clamping elements 24, 26 are connected to one another via a hinge 32 provided in the region of the lower side 20. The hinge 32 enables the first clamping element 24 and the second clamping element 26 to be rotated about a pivot axis S extending along the lower side 20. As a result, the clamping elements 24, 26 can be rotated into the positions shown in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, in which the clamping elements 24, 26 are arranged approximately in a V-shape relative to one another.

[0032] From the Fig. 5, it can be seen that the hinge 32 is formed by a hinge opening 34 formed on the first clamping element 24 and a corresponding hinge pin 36 formed on the second clamping element 26. In the assembled state of the clamping elements 24, 26, the hinge pin 36 projects into the hinge opening 34, as shown in the Fig. 4, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shown.

[0033] In Fig. 5 further shows that a seam 38 is formed on the flexible material 14 in the region of the side with the cathode connector 16. This seam 38 is compressed by the clamping elements 24, 26, thereby preventing the flexible material 14 from opening, particularly when a certain temperature is exceeded, such as 150 °C or another temperature at which the seam 38 is known to fail. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 clearly shows that a protruding clip element 40 with two locking contours 42 is formed on the first clamping element 24. The clip element 40 cooperates with a clip opening 44 formed in the second clamping element 26, which Fig. 6, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 is clearly visible. If the clamping elements 24, 26 are moved towards each other in order to release them from the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shown pre-assembly position into the position shown in the Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the clip element 40 engages with its locking contours 42 into the clip opening 44 formed in the second clamping element 26 and locks into place, so that the clamping elements 24, 26 are firmly connected to one another. This clamps the seam 38 and protects it from unwanted opening, particularly due to temperature changes.

[0034] From the Fig. 5, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 further shows that a separate contact element 46, 48 is arranged on the inside of each of the first clamping element 24 and the second clamping element 26. Alternatively, instead of such a separate contact element 46, 48, an insulating coating (not shown) can also be provided on the inside of the respective clamping elements 24, 26 and arranged such that the flexible material (in particular a pouch film) is clamped in place and a seam provided in the flexible material is relieved or supported by the clamping element.

[0035] Fig. Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of a pouch cell 10, which essentially corresponds to the one described in connection with the Fig. 4-9, wherein the clamping elements 24, 26 each extend only over a part of the height of the side surface. The clamping elements 24, 26 each extend so far over the side surfaces that the cathode connector 16 and the anode connector 18 are completely enclosed by the clamping elements 24, 26. Analogous to the embodiment shown in connection with the Fig. In the embodiment described in Figures 4-9, a hinge 32 is provided in the region of the lower side 20. In the region of the upper end, a clip element 40 and a corresponding clip opening (not shown in detail) are provided on the upper side to hold the first clamping element 24 and the second clamping element 26 together in the final assembly position shown.

[0036] Alternatively to using the Fig. 10, this embodiment can also be used rotated by 180° such that the hinge 32 is provided on the upper side. In this case, it is preferred if an opening is formed in the area between the hinges, which opening can be used as a vent opening and for guiding vent gas. The opening can have any shape adapted to the respective design conditions, in particular a rectangular shape that extends over a large part of the width and a large part of the length. Preferably, a clip element (not shown) is then provided on each side above and a clip element (not shown) below the respective connector (cathode connector / anode connector), so that the respective connector is enclosed on both sides by the clip elements.

[0037] Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment, each comprising two first clamping elements 24, 24' and two second clamping elements 26, 26'. Furthermore, the respective hinges 32, 32' are arranged on the top side, but the clamping elements 24, 26; 24', 26' are again designed such that the cathode connector 16 and the anode connector 18 are each completely enclosed by the clamping element pairs 24, 26; 24', 26'.

[0038] In the Fig. 12-14, a further embodiment of a pouch cell 10 is shown. In this embodiment, the first clamping element 24 and the second clamping element 26 are completely movable relative to each other. Contact elements 46, 48 are arranged on the inside of the clamping elements 24, 26, analogous to the arrangement described in connection with the Fig. 4-9 described embodiment.

[0039] In order to connect the first clamping element 24 and the second clamping element 26 to each other, two clip elements 40 and two clip openings 44 are provided at both the upper end and the lower end, which, as above, in connection with the Fig. 4-9. In addition, in the region of the lower side 20 of the first clamping element 24, guide webs 50 projecting in the connection direction and corresponding guide web openings 52 are provided in the second clamping element 26 in order to stabilize the relative position of the first clamping element 24 and the second clamping element 26 in the final assembly position.

[0040] In the Fig. 15, Fig. 16 and Fig. 19 shows a further embodiment of pouch cells 10 not according to the invention, which, due to their design, can be easily stacked. For this purpose, additional clip elements 40 or clip openings 44 are provided on the first clamping elements 24 and the second clamping elements 26, which are arranged in a middle position between further corresponding clamping elements 24, 26. This allows, as shown in the Fig. 15 and Fig. 19 shows how to arrange a plurality of first clamping elements 24 and second clamping elements 26 in a stack in order to arrange a plurality of pouch cells 10 connected in a series. In particular, individual pouch cells 10 can first be brought into the respective final assembly position with the aid of a first clamping element 24 and a second clamping element 26. Pouch cells 10 that have already been brought into the assembly position can then be stacked by pushing them on top of one another. The first clamping elements 24 and the second clamping elements 26 can also be designed in such a way that they are identical. In the embodiment shown, a clamping element that has clip elements 40 only on the right-hand side has been used as the left-hand outer clamping element 56. A clamping element that has clip openings 44 only on the left-hand side has been used as the right-hand outer clamping element 58.

[0041] Fig. Figure 19 shows another illustration of the pouch cells from the Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, from which the assembly using the clip elements 40 is more clearly visible. An assembled pouch cell 10 is shown on the left. On the right, several unassembled pouch cells 10 are shown, each in an exploded view. Fig. 19 it is particularly clearly visible that the clip elements 40 are each formed from two hook-shaped elements, the outer contours of which - viewed together - have an arrow shape.

[0042] In the Fig. 17 and Fig. 18 shows a further embodiment of pouch cells 10 not according to the invention. This allows, analogously to the Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, the embodiment shown allows the stacking of several pouch cells in a row, wherein the connection of the first clamping elements 24 and the second clamping elements 26 is effected by means of a screw 28 and a corresponding nut 54.

[0043] The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, the drawings, and the claims may be essential, both individually and in any combination, for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments. The invention may be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of the person skilled in the art. List of reference symbols 10 pouch cells 12 active layer 14 flexible material 16 cathode connectors 18 anode connectors 20 bottom page 22 Cooling plate 24, 24' first clamping element 26, 26' second clamping element 28 screw 30 Opening 32 Hinge 34 Hinge opening 36 hinge bolts 38 interface 40 clip element 42 locking contour 44 clip opening 46 Contact element 48 contact element 50 guide bridge 52 guide bar opening 54 Mother 56 External clamping element 58 External clamping element L dashed area U dashed area S swivel axis

Claims

[1] Pouch cell with stacked or folded active layers (12) enclosed by a flexible material (14), wherein at least one cathode connector (16) and at least one anode connector (18) are arranged protruding from the flexible material (14), wherein the flexible material (14) is at least partially clamped in the outer edge region on at least one side by two clamping elements (24, 26) that are movable relative to one another, wherein the two relatively movable clamping elements (24, 26) are designed to be pivotable along a pivot axis (S) by means of a hinge (32), characterized by that the relatively movable clamping elements (24, 26) are each U-shaped in order to at least partially enclose three sides of the flexible material (14) of the pouch cell (10), and that the clamping elements (24, 26) are formed from a thermally conductive plastic. [2] Pouch cell according to the preceding claim, characterized bythat the clamping elements (24, 26) extend at least over two sides, at least 50 percent over the length of one side and / or at least over the area immediately around the cathode connector (16) and the anode connector (18). [3] Pouch cell according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cathode connector (16) and the anode connector (18) are arranged so as to be completely surrounded by the clamping elements (24, 26) and / or the cathode connector (16) and the anode connector (18) are arranged on opposite sides projecting from the clamping elements (24, 26) in such a way that the cathode connector (16) and the anode connector (18) are led out of the clamping elements (24, 26) in an electrically insulated manner. [4] Pouch cell according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat an electrically insulating coating or a separate contact element (46, 48) is provided on contact elements (46, 48) at least on the inside on the opposite surfaces facing the flexible material (14). [5] Pouch cell according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one opening (30) and / or at least one clip element (40) is formed on the clamping elements (24, 26). [6] Pouch cell according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping elements (24, 26) extend over a respective outer edge of the flexible material (14), completely covering the edge of three sides in such a way that one side is not or largely not enclosed. [7] A method for assembling a pouch cell (10) with stacked or folded active layers (12) enclosed by a flexible material (14), wherein at least one cathode connector (16) and at least one anode connector (18) are arranged protruding from the flexible material (14), wherein the two relatively movable clamping elements (24, 26) are designed to be pivotable along a pivot axis (S) by means of a hinge (32), wherein the relatively movable clamping elements (24, 26) are each U-shaped in order to at least partially enclose three sides of the flexible material (14) of the pouch cell (10), and wherein the clamping elements (24, 26) are made of a thermally conductive plastic, characterized byin that the flexible material (14) is at least partially clamped in the outer edge region on three sides by the relatively movable clamping elements (24, 26) in that the sides are positioned between the clamping elements (24, 26) and the clamping elements (24, 26) are connected to one another in a final assembly position. [8] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the clamping elements (24, 26) are connected to one another by plugging, screwing and / or otherwise in a materially bonded, force-locking and / or form-locking manner.

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