Arrangement with a cell connector, high-voltage battery and vehicle

Abstract

An arrangement (20) comprises a cell connector (30) for electrically connecting battery cells (11, 12) and an insulating element (50), wherein the cell connector (30) comprises a first material which is electrically conductive, wherein the insulating element (50) comprises a second material which is electrically non-conductive, wherein the cell connector (30) has a first opening (35), wherein the insulating element (50) has a first projection (55), and wherein the first projection (55) extends into the first opening (35) in order to bring about a defined relative position between the cell connector (30) and the insulating element (50).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement with a cell connector, a high-voltage battery and a vehicle.

[0002] DE 10 2020 110 175 A1 shows an electrical connector with improved tracking resistance.

[0003] DE 10 2021 206 252 A1 shows a housing part for an electrical component.

[0004] DE 10 2014 017 081 A1 shows a connection arrangement for electrically contacting a battery module and a coupling element.

[0005] DE 101 42 195 A1 shows a connector with an insulating and sealing element.

[0006] DE 102 22 534 A1 shows an electronic assembly with a housing, wherein a plug connection is formed by the connection of an insert part integrated in the housing with a circuit carrier.

[0007] DE 10 2022 128 805 A1 shows a connection device for electrically connecting several electrical components to an energy storage device.

[0008] US 2020 / 0 295 336 A1 shows an electrically conductive busbar with an opening and a cage made of a polymer with a locking device, wherein the locking device can snap into the opening.

[0009] DE 11 2014 002 519 T5 shows a battery connecting body and a power supply device, wherein a bus bar module has a plurality of bus bars each connecting the electrodes of adjacent batteries to each other, wherein cover portions are provided.

[0010] DE 10 2013 019 468 A1 shows a battery with battery cells and connecting elements for the electrical connection of the poles.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new arrangement with a cell connector, a new high-voltage battery and a new vehicle.

[0012] This problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1 and the subordinate claims.

[0013] An arrangement comprises a cell connector for electrically connecting battery cells and an insulating element, wherein the cell connector comprises a first material which is electrically conductive, wherein the insulating element comprises a second material which is electrically non-conductive, wherein the cell connector has a first opening, wherein the insulating element has a first projection, and wherein the first projection extends into the first opening in order to bring about a defined relative position between the cell connector and the insulating element. In the case of the insulating elements, improving the insulation by applying a layer of lacquer is difficult, since these are usually connected to the battery cells by a welding process. The shielding region of the insulating element can also be referred to as a shield.The insulation element enables a reduction in the number of individual components, a reduction in production effort, and a reduction in costs. The insulation element can also serve as contact protection.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the first opening is designed as a through hole. This has advantages during manufacturing, since, for example, cleaning the opening during a drilling process is easier than with a blind hole.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the first projection extends through the first opening. This results in a secure connection.

[0016] The insulating element has a third material in the region of the first projection, which is electrically conductive, wherein the third material is in electrical contact with the first material. Since the cell connector conducts high currents, the provision of the first opening leads to a reduction in the cross-section and thus to poorer electrical conductivity of the cell connector. The provision of the third material at least partially prevents this disadvantage.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the third material is arranged at least partially in the first opening. This enables electrical conduction in the region of the first opening.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the first projection comprises sections of the second material and sections of the third material. This enables electrical conductivity in the region of the opening and better insulation outside the first opening.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the first projection is formed in two parts with the second material and the third material.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the first projection and the first opening form a plug-in connection. This is a stable connection type.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the first projection and the first opening form a press connection. This is a particularly stable connection type.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the cell connector has a second opening, and the insulation element has a second projection, wherein the second projection extends into the second opening. Here, the second opening and the second projection can have any of the possible embodiments of the first opening and the first projection, regardless of the design of the first opening and the first projection. The second opening provides protection against twisting of the insulation element, unless this is already ensured by the shape of the insulation element.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the insulation element completely covers the cell connector on at least one side of the cell connector to ensure good insulation. This prevents a direct air and creepage distance between the cell connector and another electrically conductive part, such as the housing.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, an electrically conductive housing is provided on the side of the insulating element opposite the cell connector. This allows the cell connector to be arranged close to the housing, and the insulating element ensures sufficient insulation.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the cell connector has an H-shape, in which two contacting sections are connected to each other by a connecting section. With the H-shape, it is advantageously possible to arrange the first opening in the region of the connecting section. In a high-voltage battery with battery cells and such an arrangement, the cell connector is electrically connected to at least two of the battery cells to create an electrical connection between these battery cells via the cell connector. Such a high-voltage battery is very safe.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the high-voltage battery is designed to provide a first direct voltage which is greater than or equal to at least one voltage value from a voltage value group consisting of: - 400 V, - 600 V, - 800 V, and - 1,000 V

[0027] At these high voltages, there are high demands on insulation, and the insulating element makes this possible.

[0028] A vehicle is equipped with such a high-voltage battery. This makes the vehicle safer overall.

[0029] Further details and advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and illustrated in the drawings, which are in no way to be understood as limiting the invention, as well as from the dependent claims. It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below 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 present invention. It shows: Fig. 1 in a plan view a cell connector with an insulation element, Fig. 2 in a side view a high-voltage battery with the cell connector and the not yet mounted insulation element of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 in a side view the high-voltage battery of Fig. 2 with mounted insulation element and housing, and Fig. 4 shows a side view of another embodiment of the insulation element.

[0030] In the following, identical or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference symbols and are usually described only once. The description builds on each figure to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows an arrangement 20.

[0032] The arrangement 20 has a cell connector 30 for electrically connecting battery cells 11, 12 (cf. Fig. 2) and an insulation element 50.

[0033] The cell connector 30 has a first material that is electrically conductive. This allows battery cells to be electrically connected to one another via the cell connector 30.

[0034] The cell connector 30 has an opening 35 and an opening 36.

[0035] In the exemplary embodiment, the cell connector 30 has an H-shape with two contacting sections 31, 32, which are connected to one another by a connecting section 33.

[0036] The contacting sections 31, 32 enable contacting of the cell connector 30 with one pole of the battery cells each.

[0037] The insulating element 50 has a projection 55 and a projection 56.

[0038] The projections 55, 56 are designed to insert the projections 55, 56 into the openings 35, 36 and thus to create a defined relative position between the cell connector 30 and the insulation element 50.

[0039] The insulation element 50 comprises a second material that is electrically non-conductive. This allows it to provide electrical insulation.

[0040] Preferably, the insulation element 50 completely covers the cell connector 30 to the opposite side of the insulation element 50 in order to achieve good insulation.

[0041] Fig. 2 shows a high-voltage battery 10 with two battery cells 11, 12 and the cell connector 30.

[0042] The battery cells 11, 12 have battery poles 111, 121, which are connected to each other via the cell connector 30.

[0043] The connection of the battery poles 111, 121 to the cell connector 30 can be designed, for example, as a welded connection, as a clamping connection or as a snap-in connection.

[0044] The insulation element 50 is not yet installed.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows the high-voltage battery 10 of Fig. 2 with mounted insulation element 50.

[0046] The projections 55, 56 extend into the openings 35, 36, as can be seen in the opening 36.

[0047] The openings 35, 36 can be designed as blind holes or as through openings.

[0048] Preferably, the openings 35, 36 are designed as through-openings, and the projections 55, 56 extend at least partially through the openings 35, 36, i.e. they protrude from the respective opening on the opposite side.

[0049] Preferably, the projections 55, 56 and the openings 35, 36 form a plug-in connection. This results in a defined and secure positioning.

[0050] In the exemplary embodiment, the high-voltage battery 10 has a housing 17, and the housing 17 and the cell connector 30 are insulated from each other by the insulation element 50.

[0051] The high-voltage battery 10 is preferably designed to provide a first DC voltage which is greater than or equal to at least one voltage value from a voltage value group consisting of: - 400 V, - 600 V, - 800 V, and - 1,000 V

[0052] At these high voltages, arrangement 20 is particularly advantageous in order to ensure reliable insulation.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment, the high-voltage battery 10 is arranged in a vehicle 15. This increases the safety of the vehicle 15.

[0054] Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the insulation element 50.

[0055] A third electrically conductive material is provided in a region 562 of the projections 55, 56. This allows at least some of the openings 35, 36 to be filled with an electrically conductive material, thereby reducing the electrical resistance in the cell connector 30. This leads to lower heat generation and a reduction in losses.

[0056] Preferably, the third material has electrical contact with the first material to enable low-loss current flow.

[0057] Preferably, the third material is arranged at least partially in the first opening 35 in order to thereby effect a good electrical contact with the second material.

[0058] Preferably, the projections 55, 56 comprise the second material in section 561 and the third material in section 562. This allows for an increase in the insulation distance between the cell connector 30 and the electrically conductive section 562, on the one hand, and the flat region of the insulation element 50, on the other hand, through section 561.

[0059] Naturally, various variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiments, the projections 55, 56 and the openings 35, 36 are each constructed identically, but they can also be designed differently.

Claims

[1] Arrangement (20) comprising a cell connector (30) for electrically connecting battery cells (11, 12) and an insulating element (50), wherein the cell connector (30) has a first material which is electrically conductive, wherein the insulating element (50) comprises a second material which is electrically non-conductive, wherein the cell connector (30) has a first opening (35), wherein the insulating element (50) has a first projection (55), and wherein the first projection (55) extends into the first opening (35) to effect a defined relative position between the cell connector (30) and the insulating element (50), wherein the insulating element (50) in the area of ​​the first projection (55) has a third material which is electrically conductive, wherein the third material is in electrical contact with the first material. [2] Arrangement (20) according to claim 1, wherein the first opening (35) is designed as a through-opening. [3] Arrangement (20) according to claim 2, wherein the first projection (55) extends through the first opening (35). [4] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the third material is arranged at least partially in the first opening (35). [5] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first projection (55) has the second material section by section and the third material section by section. [6] Arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first projection (55) and the first opening (35) form a plug connection. [7] Arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first projection (55) and the first opening (35) form a press connection. [8] Arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cell connector (30) has a second opening (36) and the insulating element (50) has a second projection (56), the second projection (56) extending into the second opening (36). [9] Arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating element (50) completely covers the cell connector (30) on at least one side of the cell connector (30) to provide good insulation. [10] Arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which an electrically conductive housing (17) is provided on the side of the insulating element (50) opposite the cell connector (30). [11] Arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cell connector (30) has an H-shape in which two contacting sections (31, 32) are connected to each other by a connecting section (33). [12] High-voltage battery (10) with battery cells (11, 12) and with an arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cell connector (30) is electrically connected to at least two of the battery cells (11, 12) in order to effect an electrical connection between these battery cells (11, 12) via the cell connector (30). [13] High-voltage battery (10) according to claim 12, which is configured to provide a first DC voltage which is greater than or equal to at least one voltage value from a group of voltage values ​​consisting of: - 400 V, - 600 V, - 800 V, and - 1,000 V. [14] Vehicle (15) comprising a high-voltage battery (10) according to one of claims 12 or 13.

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