Cell module, electrical energy storage and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a cell module (1) for an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle, comprising a plurality of electrically interconnected individual cells (2). According to the invention, each individual cell (2) is surrounded in sections by a separate foam sleeve (4). Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrical energy storage device and a vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cell module for an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle, comprising a plurality of electrically interconnected individual cells. Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrical energy storage device and a vehicle.

[0002] DE 10 2022 001 136 A1 discloses a battery module for a traction battery of an electrically operated vehicle and a method for securing battery cells in a battery module. The battery module comprises a cell holder having integrated cell connectors, in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged, wherein a base of the cell holder is formed by a cooling device. The battery cells have electrical connection elements on a first end face, which are electrically contacted with the cell connectors, wherein the cell connectors are configured to exert a mechanical preload on the battery cells along a vertical axis, whereby the battery cells are pressed onto the cooling device with a second end face.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of specifying a cell module for an electrical energy storage device, an electrical energy storage device and a vehicle.

[0004] The object is achieved according to the invention by a cell module which has the features specified in claim 1, by an electrical energy storage device which has the features specified in claim 9, and by a vehicle which has the features specified in claim 10.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0006] A cell module for an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle comprises a plurality of electrically connected individual cells, wherein according to the invention each individual cell is surrounded in sections by a separate foam sleeve.

[0007] Using separate foam sleeves that surround the individual cells in sections, the position of each individual cell within the cell module is determined exclusively by the cell holder. Furthermore, the cell module is comparatively lightweight, which also makes the electrical energy storage device lightweight. The foam sleeve is essentially shaped like a circular cylinder, with an inner diameter of the foam sleeve corresponding to an outer diameter of the individual cell. For example, the foam sleeve is made of polyurethane.

[0008] A cost advantage can be achieved through highly automated installation of the foam sleeves, i.e. automated application of the foam sleeves to the individual cells during the production of the individual cells.

[0009] In one embodiment, the respective foam sleeve extends over a predetermined section of an outer surface of a cell housing of an individual cell. Contact between adjacent individual cells can thus be prevented at least in this predetermined section, so that the respective foam sleeve can serve for the electrical and / or thermal insulation of the individual cells, in particular the cell housings, especially when the cell housings form an electrical pole contact of the individual cell.

[0010] In another embodiment, the individual cells and the surrounding foam sleeves are spaced at a predetermined distance from each other. This predetermined distance can be comparatively small, allowing the number of individual cells in the cell module to be increased, thus optimizing—in other words, increasing—the energy volume of the cell module.

[0011] In one possible embodiment, adjacent individual cells are positioned relative to each other and electrically connected by means of a cell holder having integrated cell connectors, so that the number of components of the cell module and thus the assembly effort can be reduced.

[0012] A further development provides for a temperature control unit to be arranged on the bottom of the individual cells. For example, the temperature control unit forms a base element of the cell holder. Because the individual cells are pressed onto the base element, in particular the temperature control unit, by means of the cell connectors along the vertical axis, thermal coupling of the individual cells to the temperature control unit is relatively efficient, so that any heat loss generated during operation of the individual cells of the cell module is efficiently transferred to the temperature control unit and dissipated. This makes it possible to operate the individual cells essentially within their optimized operating temperature range.

[0013] In a possible further development of the cell module, the individual cells are attached to the temperature control unit at the bottom using a thermally conductive adhesive. Thus, the individual cells, positioned using the cell holder, are firmly attached to the bottom, and the thermally conductive adhesive ensures heat transfer between the individual cells and the temperature control unit.

[0014] In one embodiment, the cell connectors are designed to exert a mechanical preload on the individual cells in the direction of a vertical axis. This allows for optimized electrical contact between individual cells and cell connectors, as well as thermal coupling of the individual cells to the temperature control unit. In particular, the temperature control unit has a channel structure through which a temperature control medium flows, in order to efficiently control the temperature, in particular, the cooling, of the individual cells.

[0015] In another possible embodiment, a potting compound is arranged at least partially between the individual cells enclosed by the foam sleeves and / or the cell holder. The potting compound can permanently fix the individual cells in a position with optimized coupling to the temperature control unit. This can reduce the impact of vibrations during operation of the cell module, for example, during vehicle operation, because the individual cells are fixed in place. Furthermore, the potting compound can increase the inherent rigidity of the cell module and transfer mechanical loads.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrical energy storage device with at least one cell module, the individual cells of which are at least partially enclosed by a separate foam sleeve, so that the position of each individual cell within the cell module is determined exclusively by the cell holder. This eliminates the need to consider any tolerances that may exist regarding the positioning of the individual cells.

[0017] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with an electrical energy storage device, which in particular forms a traction battery of the vehicle and comprises at least one cell module, the individual cells of which are at least partially surrounded by a separate foam sleeve.

[0018] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

[0019] The following shows: Fig. 1 schematically shows a sectional view of a cell module for an electrical energy storage device.

[0020] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a cell module 1 for an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle. The electrical energy storage device is a traction battery of an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a fuel cell-powered vehicle.

[0021] Such a cell module 1 comprises a predetermined number of individual cells 2, which, according to the present embodiment, are designed as round cells. The individual cells 2 have a cell housing 2.1 in which an electrode foil arrangement, in particular an electrode foil coil, is arranged. Electrode foils of one electrical polarity are electrically conductively connected to an electrical pole contact P1, which is electrically insulated and leads out through a cell housing cover 2.2. Electrode foils of a further electrical polarity are electrically conductively connected to the cell housing 2.1 as a further electrical pole contact P2 of the respective individual cell 2.

[0022] The individual cells 2 are electrically connected by means of cell connectors (not shown in detail) that are integrated into a cell holder 3. This means that the cell connectors are connected to the pole contacts P1 and / or the other pole contacts P2 of the individual cells 2 in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner in order to establish a mechanically stable connection between the cell connectors and the pole contacts P1, P2 of the individual cells 2.

[0023] Each individual cell 2 of the cell module 1 is surrounded in sections by a separate foam sleeve 4, which, as in the prior art, is provided in particular for weight optimization of a cell module 1 filled with potting compound 5.

[0024] The respective foam sleeve 4 extends over a predetermined section of an outer surface of the cell housing 2.1 of a respective individual cell 2, with all foam sleeves 4 being arranged at substantially the same height relative to the cell housings 2.1. By means of the foam sleeves 4, which have a specific thickness and thus protrude from the surface by a predetermined amount, contact and thus also unwanted electrical contact between the cell housings 2.1 of adjacent individual cells 2 can be largely eliminated.

[0025] The individual cells 2, which are partially surrounded by a foam sleeve 4, are additionally positioned at a predetermined distance from one another, wherein the respective position of the individual cells 2 is predetermined by the cell holder 3. This predetermines the alignment of the individual cells 2. Adjacent individual cells 2 are thus positioned relative to one another by the cell holder 3 such that a predetermined distance is set between the individual cells 2 and the respective surrounding foam sleeve 4. This predetermined distance can be kept comparatively small, as a result of which, for example, the number of individual cells 2 of the cell module 1 can be increased, thereby increasing the energy volume of the cell module 1 and thus of the electrical energy storage device.

[0026] The potting compound 5 is arranged in the gaps created by the spacing of adjacent individual cells 2 and in relation to the cell holder 3. By means of the potting compound 5, the individual cells 2 are permanently fixed in their respective positions and thermally optimized coupled to the temperature control unit 6. This means that the individual cells 2 have essentially no room for movement. Thus, the effect of vibrations during operation of the cell module 1, in particular during vehicle operation, can be reduced because the individual cells 2 are fixed. The potting compound 5 also increases the inherent rigidity of the cell module 1, thereby also increasing the inherent rigidity of the electrical energy storage device, which generally comprises several such cell modules 1.

[0027] The cell holder 3, with the electrically contacted individual cells 2, each of which is partially surrounded by a foam sleeve 4, is placed on a temperature control unit 6, in particular in the form of a temperature control plate, and is pressed along a vertical axis toward the temperature control unit 6 by means of the cell connectors. For this purpose, the cell connectors are designed, for example, as spring elements to exert a mechanical preload along the vertical axis on the individual cells 2. This presses the individual cells 2 with their cell bases onto the temperature control unit 6. In addition, the individual cells 2 are integrally bonded to the temperature control unit 6 by means of a thermally conductive adhesive 7, so that the individual cells 2 are fixed in their respective positions both by the cell holder 3 and by the temperature control unit 6. In one possible embodiment, the temperature control unit 6 forms a base element of the cell holder 3. List of reference symbols 1 cell module 2 single cells 2.1 Cell housing 2.2 Cell housing cover 3 cell holder 4 foam sleeves 5 Potting compound 6 Temperature control unit 7 Adhesive P1 pole contact P2 additional pole contact 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 2022 001 136 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Cell module (1) for an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle comprising a plurality of electrically interconnected individual cells (2), characterized by , that each individual cell (2) is surrounded section by section by a separate foam sleeve (4). [2] Cell module (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the respective foam sleeve (4) extends over a predetermined section of an outer lateral surface of a cell casing (2.1) of a single cell (2). [3] Cell module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the individual cells (2) with the surrounding foam sleeves (4) have a predetermined distance from each other. [4] Cell module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that adjacent individual cells (2) are positioned relative to each other and electrically connected by means of a cell holder (3) having an integrated cell connector. [5] Cell module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a temperature control unit (6) for temperature control of the individual cells (2) is arranged on the bottom side of the individual cells (2). [6] Cell module (1) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the individual cells (2) are attached to the temperature control unit (6) on the bottom side by means of a thermally conductive adhesive (7). [7] Cell module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cell connectors are designed to exert a mechanical preload along a vertical axis on the individual cells (2). [8] Cell module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a potting compound (5) is arranged at least section by section between the individual cells (2) surrounded by the foam sleeves (4) and / or the cell holder (3). [9] Electrical energy storage device comprising at least one cell module (1) which is configured according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Vehicle with an electrical energy storage device according to claim 9.

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