Carrier device for battery cells for a high-voltage storage system

Abstract

The invention relates to a carrier device (17) for battery cells for a high-voltage storage device (10), wherein the carrier device (17) is configured to accommodate a number of battery cells (16) spaced apart from each other, wherein the battery cells (16) can be arranged in a cell pack (15).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a carrier device for battery cells for a high-voltage storage system, wherein the carrier device is configured to accommodate a number of battery cells spaced apart from one another, the battery cells being arrangeable in a cell pack, and comprising at least one cell contacting device for electrically contacting at least one battery cell. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cell pack for a high-voltage storage system and a high-voltage storage system, as well as a method for manufacturing a cell pack of battery cells.

[0002] High-voltage storage systems, also known as traction batteries or accumulators, are used to provide electrical energy for powering electric vehicle drives. A vehicle battery or high-voltage storage system typically consists of battery cells connected in parallel and series, arranged in packed configurations. To ensure mechanical stability within the cell pack, the battery cells are typically positioned in a plastic cell carrier. This cell carrier can be a single piece or multi-piece and typically features several mounting points for screwing it into a high-voltage storage housing or for attaching various components, such as a module cover, a mounting frame for cell contacting devices, or similar items.

[0003] Electrically conductive cell connectors or cell contacting devices can be used to connect the battery cells. These connectors can be made to the end faces of several battery cells in a cell row of the packing arrangement. They can be pre-mounted or grouped together on a support frame, for example, to facilitate positioning them opposite the battery cells and to connect or electrically connect them. Additional fasteners, such as screws or adhesives, are usually required to mount the cell support and the cell contacting device, for example, as a cell module.

[0004] Against this background, an object of the invention is to improve a high-voltage storage device for a motor vehicle. In particular, a receiving device or a holding assembly for battery cells is to be improved in order to enable improved electrical contact and / or weight reduction.

[0005] This problem is solved by a carrier device for battery cells for a high-voltage storage system with the features of claim 1, a cell pack for a high-voltage storage system with the features of claim 8, a high-voltage storage system for a motor vehicle with the features of claim 9, and a method for manufacturing a cell pack of battery cells with the features of claim 10. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a carrier device for battery cells for a high-voltage storage system is specified, comprising the carrier device being configured to accommodate a number of battery cells spaced apart from each other, the battery cells being arrangable in a cell pack, and comprising at least one cell contacting device for electrically contacting at least one battery cell.

[0007] This allows battery cells to be inserted into the carrier device, whereby the carrier device defines the position of the battery cells and thus a predetermined or necessary distance between the battery cells relative to each other. Because the cell contacting device is arranged or attached to the carrier device, positioning relative to the cell contacting device can be achieved during insertion, particularly simultaneously. This enables an integrated provision of the carrier device and the cell contacting device, allowing battery cells to be pre-assembled and electrically connected, particularly in sub-clusters, using the carrier device. These pre-assembled cells can then be functionally tested before being inserted into the housing of a high-voltage storage system for further assembly.

[0008] According to a further aspect, a method for manufacturing a cell pack of battery cells is proposed, comprising steps of providing a carrier device, in particular described herein, which is configured to receive a number of battery cells spaced apart from each other, wherein the battery cells can be arranged in a cell pack, and the carrier device has at least one cell contacting device for electrically contacting at least one battery cell; of arranging a number of battery cells in or by means of the carrier device; and of connecting the at least one cell contacting device to the battery cells.

[0009] According to another aspect, a cell pack for a high-voltage storage device is specified, comprising a number of battery cells which are mounted and electrically connected by means of at least one carrier device described herein and / or which is manufactured by means of a method described herein. According to another aspect, a high-voltage storage device for a motor vehicle is specified, comprising at least one cell pack and / or at least one carrier device described herein. The effects and / or advantages described herein can be utilized by means of such a cell pack or such a high-voltage storage device.

[0010] A high-voltage storage system is, in particular, an energy storage device or traction battery for a motor vehicle, comprising multiple battery cells. The housing of the high-voltage storage system defines an interior space in which the battery cells or cell pack are housed or arranged. Cylindrical battery cells are primarily used, which can be provided in a hexagonal packing arrangement by means of the carrier device. A cylindrical battery cell can, for example, have a circular cross-section and a longitudinal axis perpendicular to it, and can be bounded longitudinally by two end faces, which are connected by a cell shell or surface. Of course, battery cells with other cross-sections, such as rectangular, hexagonal, or prismatic cross-sections, can also be used.

[0011] In a cell pack where the battery cells are positioned or held and electrically contacted by means of a carrier device proposed herein, the battery cells can be tightly packed and connected in parallel or in series. Particularly when cylindrical cells are used, they are arranged, or can be arranged, in a hexagonal cell pack, also called a "honeycomb" or "honeycomb structure".

[0012] Typically, such a battery cell has a geometrically distinct or slightly raised first electrical pole or cell terminal on one end face for electrical contact via the cell contacting device. The remaining part of the end face, as well as the cell shell of the battery cell, can form the second electrical pole of the battery cell. The portion of the end face surrounding the cell terminal, or this area of ​​the second electrical pole, forms a so-called cell shoulder. In an installation situation in a motor vehicle, the high-voltage storage system and / or the battery cells can be arranged such that the longitudinal axes of the battery cells are parallel to a vehicle vertical and / or the electrical poles are located on a side of the cell pack or the high-voltage storage system facing away from the vehicle interior.

[0013] The cell contacting device is designed to contact the battery cells at their first and / or second electrical poles. The cell contacting device enables parallel and series connection of these battery cells in a cell array. The cell contacting device can be designed as a single unit or in multiple parts to electrically connect a large number of battery cells, or it can have (several) individual contact elements that are electrically and / or mechanically connectable. The respective contact element can be located at the end face of the respective battery cell of the high-voltage storage system or its cell terminal and can be designed, in particular, as an electrically conductive track, strip, or sheet metal that is configured to provide positive and / or negative contacts.To connect the poles of battery cells, especially across cells and / or cell rows.

[0014] The invention is based, among other things, on the idea of ​​creating a way to position battery cells simultaneously relative to each other and relative to a cell contacting system, thereby saving work steps. For this purpose, it is proposed to provide a carrier device for battery cells with a cell contacting device arranged thereon. The carrier device is configured to receive battery cells in such a way that they can be fixed and / or positioned relative to the cell contacting device in such a way that only a permanent connection of the cell contacting device to the battery cells is necessary to provide a functional cell pack. The cell contacting device can be at least partially received by the carrier device, which can also serve, at least partially, as electrical insulation for the cell contacting device.

[0015] The carrier device can, for this purpose, have receiving openings for the battery cells, separated from one another in particular by structural walls, which are at least partially delimited by the cell contacting device at a particularly end face of the receiving opening. The cell contacting device can extend essentially in a plane that is perpendicular to a receiving direction of the receiving opening. This allows the cell contacting device or individual contacting elements of the cell contacting device to be positioned such that, when the battery cells are inserted or pushed into the receiving openings, which allow for movement of the battery cells along their longitudinal axis, the electrical poles of the battery cells can be arranged for electrical contact relative to the cell contacting device or are in contact with it in a final position. At these physical orIn a further step, the poles of the battery cells can be permanently electrically connected to each other at the mechanical contact points, for example by welding or soldering, in order to provide a functional cell pack or (partial) cluster of battery cells, which can be designed to meet predetermined conditions, particularly with regard to their size or number of battery cells. This allows for functional and / or safety testing of the cell pack outside of or before assembly of the high-voltage storage system, enabling the early detection of defects and / or rejects. Such (partial) cell packs can be connected to form a complete cluster before being arranged in an interior space or housing of the high-voltage storage system. Overall, this can reduce the number of production steps and / or production costs, especially through the early detection of defective battery cells.electrical connections are made possible.

[0016] In one embodiment, the carrier device has at least one holding device configured to fix the at least one cell contacting device, particularly relative to the carrier device. The holding device can interact with a retaining element of the cell contacting device, wherein the holding device of the carrier device can, for example, be a pin and / or a stud that can interact with a recess of the cell contacting device. The cell contacting device can be positioned or fixed to the carrier device by means of the holding device in such a way that the receiving openings are at least partially bounded at their end faces by the cell contacting device, in order to enable mechanical contact or physical contact between the battery cell or its terminals and the cell contacting device when the battery cell is inserted into the receiving opening.This can simplify the mounting of the cell contacting device on the carrier device and also improve the positioning of the cell contacting device relative to the battery cells held by this carrier device.

[0017] In one embodiment, the carrier element comprises at least one spacer element configured to define or provide a predetermined distance between the cell contacting device and a battery cell held by the carrier element. The spacer element can be configured to define the predetermined distance between a cell shoulder and the cell contacting device in order to prevent electrical contact between, for example, a contacting element configured to contact a first electrical pole at the cell terminal and the wider area of ​​the battery cell or the cell shoulder, thus avoiding a short circuit. Furthermore, the spacer element can be configured to prevent relative movement, particularly along a longitudinal axis of the battery cells, in order to improve the mechanical stability of the cell pack.

[0018] In some embodiments, the spacer element can be arranged on at least one structural wall of the support device and project in the direction of a central axis of the receiving opening or overlap it. In this case, the spacer element can have the retaining element for the cell contacting device in a direction opposite to the receiving opening, thus enabling an integrated design and saving on additional components.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cell contacting device is configured to contact first the electrical poles of a first cell row of battery cells and second the electrical poles of a second cell row adjacent to the first cell row, the cell rows being defined, in particular, by the carrier device. This allows the cell contacting device to extend, in particular, substantially between two cell rows and to form first contact elements on a first side for contacting the first electrical poles and second contact elements on a second side opposite the first side, which are configured for contacting the second electrical poles. This allows for a simple electrical connection of the battery cells. Furthermore, the cell contacting device can be...A strand of the cell contacting device may be arranged on a flat side of the carrier device between two cell rows, in particular by means of at least one retaining element and / or on a structural wall, in order to simplify the positioning of the cell contacting device relative to the battery cells.

[0020] In one embodiment, the support element has at least one receiving opening for a battery cell, configured to accommodate a battery cell along its longitudinal axis. The receiving opening can have a cross-section that corresponds at least substantially to the cross-section of the battery cell in order to accommodate and / or hold it. For example, a receiving opening for a cylindrical battery cell can have a substantially circular cross-section. The support structure can be configured to completely or partially enclose the battery cells circumferentially and / or longitudinally, for example, to allow only partial enclosing of the battery cells along the receiving direction.In other embodiments, the carrier device can be designed such that the battery cells can be completely received by the carrier device in their longitudinal direction, for example to improve the mechanical stability of the cell pack. It can be provided that each of the receiving openings is at least partially limited at its end face by the cell contacting device in order to enable mechanical and / or electrical contact between the battery cell or its terminals and the cell contacting device.

[0021] In one embodiment, the receiving opening has a hexagonal cross-section. This allows several receiving openings to be arranged in a space-saving manner, particularly in two perpendicular spatial directions, thereby enabling the provision of cell rows that can be electrically contacted by means of the cell contacting device. The hexagonal receiving openings can be separated by structural walls of the support structure, with the structural walls forming a circumferential boundary of the receiving opening. The structural walls of the receiving opening can be at least partially in contact with the outer surfaces of the battery cells along a longitudinal axis to allow for the fixation and / or positioning of the battery cells.

[0022] In one embodiment, the receiving opening has at least one positioning element configured to position a received battery cell. This positioning element can, for example, be a rib, projection, or pin on the structural wall of the support device, which is / are configured to define a distance between the structural walls and the battery cell. The at least one positioning element can be deformable so that it can exert a predetermined contact pressure on the battery cell received in the receiving opening to enable positioning, particularly longitudinal centering and / or positioning relative to the receiving opening. This reduces tolerances in the cell positions.

[0023] According to a further aspect, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising a high-voltage storage device described herein, wherein the cell contacting device of the carrier device is arranged on a side facing away from the vehicle interior. This means that the electrically contacted or contactable poles are arranged facing the environment of the high-voltage storage device or the motor vehicle, allowing the flat sides of the battery cells opposite the poles to be in thermal contact with a heat exchanger arranged facing the vehicle interior, thus improving cooling of the battery cells during operation.

[0024] Further advantages and application possibilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the figures. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention comprising a high-voltage storage device according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a high-voltage storage device or a cell packing according to the invention in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Fig. Figure 3 shows a further schematic representation of the embodiment of a high-voltage storage device or a cell packing according to the invention in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a cell pack of battery cells according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a motor vehicle 50 with a high-voltage storage device 10 for a motor vehicle 50 with a cell packing 15 with a carrier device 17 according to the present disclosure in a schematic sectional view in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0026] The motor vehicle 50 has a high-voltage storage unit 10 in its underbody area, which comprises a housing 11 with a housing cover 12 and a housing tray 13. The housing 11 encloses or delimits an interior space 14 in which a cell pack 15 of battery cells 16 is arranged. The battery cells 16 are received by means of a carrier device 17, which is designed to hold the battery cells 16 at a distance from one another in order to provide the cell pack 15. The carrier device 17 has a cell contacting device 18 for electrically contacting the battery cells 16, which is arranged or designed on the carrier device 17 such that receiving openings of the carrier device 17 for receiving battery cells 18 are at least partially delimited at their ends by means of the cell contacting device 18. The carrier device 17 and the cell pack 15 are connected in conjunction with the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 explained in more detail.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the cell pack 15, or the battery cells 16, are received in the high-voltage storage device 10, or its housing 11, such that on a first (end) side of the battery cells 16, recessed cell terminals 26 (first electrical poles) are arranged facing away from the housing cover 12 or a vehicle interior 57 for electrical contact. The remaining part of the first (end) side, or a cell shoulder 36, forms a second electrical pole 36 of the battery cell. The electrical poles 26 and 36 of the battery cells 16 are electrically connected to each other by means of a cell contacting device 18, and the battery cell assembly 15 is partially (illustrated by the dotted line) embedded in a structural medium 19.

[0028] The second end faces of the battery cells 16 are arranged facing the housing cover 12 or the vehicle interior 57 of the motor vehicle 10 and are thus in thermal contact with a heat exchange device 22 formed on or in the housing cover 12 in order to improve the performance of the battery cells 16 or the high-voltage storage unit 10.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 shows an enlarged detail view of the high-voltage storage unit 10 or the cell pack 15. Fig. Figure 1 is shown in a perspective view. Here, the cell packing 15 is shown in reverse with respect to its longitudinal orientation in order to better describe the components.

[0030] The cell pack 15 comprises a number of battery cells 16, which are received by means of at least one carrier device 17 and electrically connected to one another. The carrier device 17 is configured to receive the battery cells 16 at a predetermined distance from one another. For this purpose, the carrier device 17 can have at least one receiving opening 27 for receiving a battery cell 16, which is bounded in a circumferential direction by at least one structural wall 67 and is configured to receive a battery cell 16 along its longitudinal axis L. The receiving openings 27 are at least partially bounded at their ends by means of the cell contacting device 18, so that the electrical poles 26, 36 of the battery cells 16 can be brought into contact with the respective contacting elements 28, 38 of the cell contacting device 18 when arranged in the carrier device 17.

[0031] The carrier device 17 has a retaining device 37 and a spacer element 47, which in the present embodiment are integrated on a tongue or arranged as a tongue on a structural wall 67 of the carrier device 17. In the present embodiment, the retaining device 37 is designed as a protruding stud located on one side of the tongue 37, 47 opposite the receiving opening 27 and forming a positive-locking connection with a recess in the cell contacting device 18 to fix the cell contacting device 18 to the carrier device.

[0032] The spacer element 47 is arranged between the cell contacting device 18 and the battery cell 16 or its cell shoulder 36 in order to provide a predetermined distance A between the cell contacting device 18 or its first contacting element 28 and the received battery cell 16 or its second electrical pole 36 and thus to prevent an electrical connection or a short circuit.

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail view of the high-voltage storage unit 10 or the cell pack 15. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a schematic top view.

[0034] The battery cells 16 are arranged in a hexagonal packing arrangement 15, with each first cell row 25 offset adjacent to a second cell row 35 and electrically connected by means of the cell contacting device 18. For this purpose, the carrier device 17 forms receiving openings 27 with a hexagonal cross-section, which are separated from each other by structural walls 67. Positioning elements 77 are arranged in the receiving openings 27, which are configured to position, hold, and center the received battery cells 16.

[0035] The cell contacting device 18 is held on the carrier device 17 by means of the holding device 37 and is positioned or fixed relative to the battery cells 16 or the cell pack 15. The cell contacting device 18 has a first contacting element 28, which is configured to contact the cell terminal 26 or the first electrical pole of a first battery cell 16. The cell contacting device 18, or the first contacting element 28, forms a fracture zone 48, which in this case is achieved by a reduction in cross-section by means of recesses and, in particular, the recess that interacts with the holding device 37 of the carrier device.

[0036] Furthermore, the cell contacting device 18 forms a second contacting element 38 by means of which the second electrical pole 36 or a cell shoulder can be electrically contacted. The second contacting element 38 forms a circular arc segment to contact the second pole 36. This allows the cell contacting device 18 to contact or electrically connect the first electrical poles 26 of a first cell row 25 to battery cells 16 and the second electrical poles 36 of a second cell row 35 adjacent to the first cell row 25 to battery cells 16.

[0037] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic flowchart of a process for manufacturing a cell pack 15 of battery cells 16, as they are used in the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 are shown according to an exemplary exposition of the present disclosure.

[0038] In a first step a, a carrier device 17, in particular a carrier device 17 as described herein, is provided which is configured to accommodate a number of battery cells 16 spaced apart from one another, wherein the battery cells 16 can be arranged in a cell packing 15, in particular a hexagonal one. In addition, the carrier device 17 has at least one cell contacting device 18 for electrically contacting at least one of these battery cells 16.

[0039] In a further step b, a number of battery cells 16 of the carrier device 17 are arranged as a cell pack 15. The battery cells 16 can be inserted into the receiving openings 27 of the carrier device 17 in a receiving direction that essentially corresponds to the longitudinal axis L of the battery cells 16, until the electrical poles 26, 36 of the battery cells 16 are in contact with the cell contacting device 18 or its corresponding contacting elements 28, 38. In a further step c, the battery cells 16 or their poles 26, 36 are permanently connected to the cell contacting device 18, in particular by welding. This allows a functional or functionally testable cell cluster to be formed, which can be checked for defects before further processing.For the high-voltage storage system, this allows for improved electrical contact between the battery cells 16 in the cell assembly, while simultaneously enabling weight savings through a reduction in necessary storage components. REFERENCE MARK LIST 10 high-voltage storage units 11 cases 12 Case covers 13 Housing tray 14 Interior of the housing 15 Battery cell arrangement 16 battery cells 17 Supporting institution 18 Cell contacting device 19 Structural medium 26 first electrical pole / cell terminal 27 Intake opening 28 first contact element 36 second electrical pole / cell shoulder 37 Holding device 38 second contact element 46 Breakaway point / Degassing opening 47 spacer element 48 Fracture area 50 motor vehicles 57 Vehicle interior 67 Structural wall 77 positioning elements A distance L Longitudinal axis of the battery cell

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