Vehicle with an electrical energy storage device, device for repairing an electrical energy storage device and method for repairing

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle (2) having an electrical energy storage device (1) arranged in the vehicle floor area, said device comprising a plurality of individual cells (4.1 to 4.n) electrically connected in series and / or parallel. According to the invention, a housing cover (7) for opening a housing (6) of the electrical energy storage device (1) is arranged in the direction of a vehicle floor, facing away from the vehicle (2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a device (3) for repairing an electrical energy storage device (1) and a method for repairing an electrical energy storage device (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle with an electrical energy storage device arranged in the vehicle floor area and comprising a plurality of individual cells electrically connected in series and / or parallel. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for repairing an electrical energy storage device and a method for repairing the electrical energy storage device.

[0002] AT 214604 discloses a lifting device for motor vehicles for maintenance, washing, and lubrication of the lower parts, allowing the vehicle to be positioned in two positions: an inclined position relative to the horizontal and a raised horizontal position. The vehicle is secured to a frame that can be raised hydraulically. The hydraulic lifting device has two concentrically nestable pistons, with the head of each piston connected to a respective bar. The outer piston is connected to the bar to tilt the vehicle into an inclined position relative to the horizontal, and the other inner piston is connected to the other bar to raise the vehicle into a raised horizontal position.

[0003] DE 10 2021 210 966 A1 discloses a method for contacting copper power contacts by laser welding, as well as a laser-welded arrangement of power contacts. A laser device is moved along a spatial path from a starting point to an end point. A laser beam emitted by the laser device is moved along a laser curve in a working area surrounding the spatial path while the laser device is moving along the spatial path in such a way that a molten pool is formed in a partial area enclosed by the spatial path for producing a laser-welded connection between the power contacts.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of specifying a vehicle with an electrical energy storage device, a device for repairing the electrical energy storage device and a method for repairing the electrical energy storage device.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle having the features specified in claim 1, by a device having the features specified in claim 3, and by a method having the features specified in claim 7.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] A vehicle has an electrical energy storage device arranged in the vehicle floor area, comprising a plurality of individual cells electrically connected in series and / or parallel. According to the invention, a housing cover for opening a housing of the electrical energy storage device is arranged toward the vehicle floor, facing away from the vehicle.

[0008] Such a design of the electrical energy storage system is possible using existing components from series production, without the need for process-related new developments.

[0009] Because the housing cover is arranged in this way, the electrically connected individual cells of the energy storage device are relatively easy and inexpensive to access, as it only requires removing the housing cover from the housing. This makes it possible to replace a defective individual cell or electrically bridge it, allowing the electrical energy storage device to continue to be used in the vehicle. The electrical energy storage device can therefore be repaired, making it possible to reduce the number of electrical energy storage device disposals.

[0010] Such a repair process can be carried out in a comparatively short time, essentially immediately and relatively inexpensively.

[0011] Since the electrical energy storage system can be repaired, the life cycle of vehicles with such an electrical energy storage system can be increased.

[0012] In one embodiment, the electrically interconnected individual cells are arranged in the housing such that the electrical poles of each individual cell are aligned towards the housing cover. This means that it is not necessary to remove the individual cells from the housing in order to electrically bridge a defective individual cell by electrically interconnecting two other individual cells. The defective individual cell is then no longer an active component of the electrical energy storage device. For example, the defective individual cell can also be removed from the housing in order to reduce any potential danger posed by the defective individual cell. In particular, all electrical contacts of the electrical energy storage device can be repaired flexibly and independently of production by electrical bridging.

[0013] Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for repairing an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle, wherein the housing cover for opening the housing of the electrical energy storage device is arranged in the direction of the vehicle underbody, facing away from the vehicle. In addition, the individual electrical cells are arranged such that the electrical poles of the respective individual cells are arranged in the direction of the housing cover. According to the invention, the device is formed by a pit arranged between two erection elements for erecting the vehicle, with a laser welding robot movable along a longitudinal axis of the pit for fastening a cell connector by means of a laser weld seam for bridging a defective individual cell arranged between two individual cells to electrical poles of the individual cells, and a laser protection housing enclosing the erection elements and the vehicle on the floor.

[0014] Such a device, especially in the form of a welding station, can be implemented anywhere according to identical standards. Such a device incorporates safety measures, particularly with regard to laser radiation, and essentially requires no process-related new developments.

[0015] Laser safety is largely ensured by the pit and the vehicle itself, so that shadowing in gaps is minimal and optimized by the laser protection enclosure.

[0016] In a further development of the device, the mounting elements for inclining the vehicle around its longitudinal axis are adjustable in height.

[0017] Using the height-adjustable mounting elements, it is possible to adjust the vehicle's inclination angle to provide the laser welding robot with improved access to the electrical energy storage unit, making it possible to electrically bypass a defective individual cell in an optimized manner.

[0018] In one embodiment, the mounting elements allow the vehicle to be tilted to an angle of up to 60°, for example 10°, 20°, 40°, or 60°, relative to its transverse axis, whereby the laser welding robot essentially has unhindered access to the electrical energy storage unit and its individual electrical cells.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the laser safety enclosure is designed to be retractable and extendable, eliminating the need to manually position the laser safety enclosure. For example, the height of the laser safety enclosure is also adjustable, so that the laser safety enclosure extends at least over a floor area of ​​the vehicle, in particular the area in which the laser welding robot is active, especially when the vehicle is tilted about its longitudinal axis.

[0020] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for repairing an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle by means of the device, wherein the invention provides that - the vehicle is positioned with the wheels of one side of the vehicle on one support element in relation to the pit, - a fastening of the housing cover to the housing of the electrical energy storage device is loosened and the housing cover is removed from the housing, - the positioned vehicle is tilted around its longitudinal axis by a predetermined angle of inclination by controlling at least one positioning element, - the laser protection enclosure is arranged around the vehicle on the ground and - by means of the movable laser welding robot, a cell connector is fastened to electrical poles of the individual cells by means of a laser weld seam to bridge a defective individual cell arranged between two individual cells in order to electrically interconnect these individual cells, between which the defective individual cell is arranged.

[0021] The process, especially the repair of the electrical energy storage device, can be carried out relatively quickly, requiring only the housing cover to be removed. Installation effort is therefore comparatively low, and the electrical bridging of the defective individual cell can be carried out immediately and in a relatively short time.

[0022] The electrical bridging of the defective individual cell is achieved by means of a welded electrical connection between two functioning individual cells, with laser welds being introduced into the individual cells to be electrically connected, particularly their electrical poles. These laser welds can ideally replicate a series production process, with repair seams in the form of laser welds exhibiting comparable electrical resistances and ensuring a largely homogeneous electrical current flow during continued operation of the individual cells.

[0023] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0024] Showing: Fig. 1 schematically shows a first method step of a method sequence for repairing an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle, Fig. 2 schematically shows a second process step of the process sequence, Fig. 3 schematically shows a third step of the process sequence, Fig. 4 schematically shows a side view of a vehicle during the third method step for repairing the electrical energy storage device and an enlarged section of the electrical energy storage device.

[0025] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a first method step S1 of a method sequence for repairing an electrical energy storage device 1 of a vehicle 2 by means of a device 3. In Fig. 2 is a second process step S2 and in Fig. 3 shows a third method step S3 of the method sequence for repairing the electrical energy storage device 1.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows a side view of the vehicle 2 during the third method step S3 as well as an enlarged section of the electrical energy storage device 1, wherein three individual cells 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 are shown in sections.

[0028] The electrical energy storage device 1 is in particular a traction battery of an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or a fuel cell-powered vehicle 2.

[0029] The electrical energy storage device 1 has a plurality of individual cells 4.1 to 4.n that are electrically connected in series and / or parallel, each of which is electrically connected in particular by means of a cell connector 5 and arranged in a housing 6. The housing 6 is closed by a housing cover 7. The housing cover 7 is detachably connected to the housing 6 in a non-destructive manner, for example by means of screw connections. With respect to the vehicle 2, the electrical energy storage device 1 is arranged in a vehicle floor area.

[0030] Typically, if a single electrical cell 4.1 of an electrical energy storage device 1 of a vehicle 2 becomes defective during its use, either no repair is planned or a comparatively complex repair is required. A vehicle 2 with an electrical energy storage device 1 that has a defective single cell 4.1 can continue to be used with reduced range and reduced electrical power, or the vehicle 2 can even be scrapped.

[0031] In order to at least reduce the number of scrappings of vehicles 2 with an electrical energy storage device 1 that has, for example, a defective individual cell 4.1, it is provided that the individual cells 4.1 to 4.n arranged in the housing 6 of the electrical energy storage device 1 are arranged with their electrical poles P facing towards the vehicle's underbody, i.e., away from the vehicle 2. Furthermore, the housing cover 7 is arranged towards the vehicle's underbody, away from the vehicle 2.

[0032] If the housing cover 7 is removed from the housing 6 of the electrical energy storage device 1, the poles P of the individual cells 4.1 to 4.n and thus the electrical contacts of the electrical energy storage device 1 are essentially freely accessible.

[0033] In a first method step S1 for repairing the electrical energy storage device 1, the housing cover 7 is first removed from the housing 6 without causing any damage. In particular, the housing cover 7 is removed downward from the housing 6 in the direction of a vehicle vertical axis z.

[0034] The removal of the housing cover 7 takes place either outside the device 3 or inside the device 3. If the housing cover 7 is removed from the housing 6 outside the device 3, the vehicle 2 is brought to the device 3 in a second method step S2.

[0035] The device 3 has two mounting elements 8 for mounting the vehicle 2 above a pit G, in which a laser welding robot 9 is arranged that can be moved along a longitudinal axis of the pit G. In addition, the device 3 comprises a laser protection housing 10, which is Fig. 4 is shown.

[0036] The housing cover 7 is thus removed from the housing 6 of the electrical energy storage device 1, and the vehicle 2 is positioned on the support elements 8 of the device 3 in a second process step S2. The vehicle 2 is thus positioned with the electrical energy storage device 1 open above the pit G with the laser welding robot 9.

[0037] In particular, the device 3 is a laser welding station which comprises the laser welding robot 9 with a laser welding optics 9.1.

[0038] The two support elements 8, on which the vehicle 2 stands with its wheels 2.1, with the wheels 2.1 of one side of the vehicle being arranged on one support element 8, are height-adjustable. This makes it possible to tilt the vehicle 2 about its longitudinal axis in order to optimize the position of the vehicle 2, in particular of the electrical energy storage device 1 arranged on the floor, in relation to the laser welding robot 9. For example, the height of the support elements 8 can be adjusted such that an angle of inclination β to its transverse axis is greater than or equal to 0° and equal to or less than 60°.

[0039] An angle of incidence α of a laser beam L of the laser welding optics 9.1 can be between 0° and 90°, for example 10°, 20°, 30°, 45°, 60°, or 80°.

[0040] If the mounting elements 8 are adjusted such that a position of the electrical energy storage device 1 is optimized with respect to the laser welding optics 9.1, the defective individual cell 4.1 arranged between two individual cells 4.2, 4.3 is electrically bridged in a third method step S3. For this purpose, an electrical contact of the electrical pole P of the defective individual cell 4.1 can be removed, and the two individual cells 4.2, 4.3 are electrically contacted by means of a cell connector 5 having a corresponding dimension, whereby the two individual cells 4.2, 4.3 are electrically interconnected. In particular, the cell connector 5 is attached to the electrical poles P of the individual cells 4.2, 4.3 to be electrically interconnected by means of introduced laser weld seams N.

[0041] Fig. 4 shows the third method step S3, wherein the erection elements 8 are positioned such that the vehicle 2 has an inclination angle β of 0°.

[0042] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the vehicle 2, particularly in the vehicle floor area, is enclosed by the laser protection housing 10, so that laser beams L, which serve to attach the cell connector 5 to the electrical poles P of the individual cells 4.2, 3.3, can be largely prevented from accidentally causing damage, for example if they strike an eye of a personnel operating and / or monitoring the device 3. The laser protection housing 10 is comparatively tightly sealed both with the vehicle floor area and with an edge area surrounding the pit G.

[0043] In one possible embodiment, the laser protection housing 10 can be extended and retracted automatically, wherein the laser protection housing 10 has an actuating element for this purpose, which is actuated by a personnel when the vehicle 2 is positioned with respect to the pit G and the laser welding robot 9.

[0044] The features and advantages described herein with respect to a vehicle may also relate to an apparatus and method described herein and vice versa. List of reference symbols 1 electrical energy storage unit 2 vehicles 2.1 Vehicle wheel 3 Device 4.1 to 4.3 Single cell 5 cell connectors 6 housings 7 Housing cover 8 Installation element 9 laser welding robots 9.1 Laser welding optics 10 Laser safety enclosure G Pit L laser beam N Laser weld seam P electrical pole S1 to S3 process step z Vehicle vertical axis α angle of incidence β angle of inclination 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] AT 214604

[0002] DE 10 2021 210 966 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Vehicle (2) with an electrical energy storage device (1) arranged in the vehicle floor area with a plurality of individual cells (4.1 to 4.n) connected electrically in series and / or in parallel, characterized by that a housing cover (7) for opening a housing (6) of the electrical energy storage device (1) is arranged in the direction of a vehicle underbody, facing away from the vehicle (2). [2] Vehicle (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that the electrically connected individual cells (4.1 to 4.2) are arranged in the housing (6) in such a way that electrical poles (P) of the respective individual cell (4.1 to 4.2) are arranged in the direction of the housing cover (7). [3] Device (3) for repairing an electrical energy storage device (1) of a vehicle (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by - a pit (G) arranged between two erection elements (8) for erecting the vehicle (2) with a laser welding robot (9) movable along a longitudinal axis of the pit (G) for fastening a cell connector (5) by means of a laser weld seam (N) for bridging a defective individual cell (4.1) arranged between two individual cells (4.2, 4.3) to electrical poles (P) of the individual cells (4.2, 4.3) and - a laser protection enclosure (10) enclosing the mounting elements (8) and the vehicle (2) on the floor. [4] Device (3) according to claim 3, characterized by that the support elements (8) are adjustable in height for inclining the vehicle (2) about its longitudinal axis. [5] Device (3) according to claim 4, characterized by that by means of the setting-up elements (8) an angle of inclination (β) of the vehicle (2) of up to 60° to its transverse axis can be adjusted. [6] Device (3) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized bythat the laser protection housing (10) is designed to be retractable and extendable. [7] Method for repairing an electrical energy storage device (1) of a vehicle (2) according to claim 1 or 2 by means of a device (3) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by , that - the vehicle (2) is positioned with vehicle wheels (2.1) of one side of the vehicle on a respective support element (8) in relation to the pit (G), - a fastening of the housing cover (7) to the housing (6) of the electrical energy storage device (1) is released and the housing cover (7) is removed from the housing (6), - the positioned vehicle (2) is tilted about its longitudinal axis by a predetermined angle of inclination (β) by controlling at least one positioning element (8), - the laser protection housing (10) is arranged on the ground around the vehicle (2) and - by means of the movable laser welding robot (9), a cell connector (5) is fastened to electrical poles (P) of the individual cells (4.2, 4.3) by means of a laser weld seam (N) for bridging a defective individual cell (4.1) arranged between two individual cells (4.2, 4.3) in order to electrically interconnect these individual cells (4.2, 4.3), between which the defective individual cell (4.1) is arranged.

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