BATTERY CELL AND MOTOR VEHICLE INDICATING THE BATTERY CELL

Abstract

A battery cell exhibits: a case; and several electrode arrangements stacked on top of each other in the housing, each electrode arrangement comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and a separator arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode; wherein Electrode arrangements of a respective subset of the multiple electrode arrangements form a single-cell electrode arrangement stack and are connected in series to form a respective single cell; and at least two of the individual cells are connected in parallel.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell and a motor vehicle comprising the battery cell. The present invention relates in particular to a battery cell for a motor vehicle with an electric drive motor, wherein the battery cell is configured to supply the electric drive motor with electrical energy.

[0002] Typically, different types of electrode arrangements within a battery cell housing deliver a specific voltage and current, whereby the voltage and current can be influenced by the cell chemistry.

[0003] In particular, a type of battery cell defined by (1) the design of the electrodes (arrangement(s)), namely stacked or rolled cylindrically (jellyroll) or ovally rolled, (2) the (battery) cell(s) chemistry and (3) the (size and / or shape) of the battery cell casing, will always deliver an agreed voltage and current.

[0004] Lithium-ion (battery) cells typically have a voltage of around 3.6 V, while the current varies considerably depending on the volume, particularly the area and thickness, and the chemistry of the electrode's active material. Therefore, to achieve a desired voltage of, for example, 400 V, 800 V, or 960 V and a desired current, (battery) cells, such as those based on lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide chemistry (typically around 3.6 V), LiFePO4 (typically around 3.2 V), or sodium-ion (typically around 2.4 V), are connected in series or in parallel.

[0005] However, to achieve the desired voltage and current, the (battery) cells must be connected in series and parallel according to a specific pattern, for example, 200 (battery) cells in series (200-S configuration) and nine (battery) cells in parallel (9-P configuration). This presents a challenge for the various (motor) vehicle variants / architectures, as a smaller vehicle, for instance, might not have the space to implement a circuit with 180 (battery) cells connected in series (180-S configuration). In this case, the number of (battery) cells must be adapted to the desired parallel connection, and to achieve this, it is usually necessary to reduce the number of (battery) cells, which is detrimental to the vehicle's range, or to increase the number of (battery) cells if space allows.

[0006] The various S- and P-circuit configurations result in a significant variant matrix for many battery cell components, some of which are supplied by multiple vendors for different production sites, further increasing the number of variants. This high number of possible variants can lead to quality problems, as well as increased costs and space requirements for the various components.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide an improved battery cell.

[0008] This problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claim. Further preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a battery cell has: a case; and several electrode arrangements stacked on top of each other in the housing, each electrode arrangement comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and a separator arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode; wherein

[0010] Electrode arrangements of a respective subset of the multiple electrode arrangements form a single-cell electrode arrangement stack and are connected in series to form a respective single cell; and at least two of the single cells are connected in parallel.

[0011] This allows for the provision of different battery cells in some designs that have the same external dimensions (and preferably the same terminal arrangement) but deliver different voltages and / or currents depending on different (battery) cell chemistries and / or different electrode configurations. While not every possible combination of voltage and current (supplied by the battery cell) is achievable, very fine discretization is possible. This is made possible by the design of the electrodes (arrangements). The electrodes (arrangements) are stacked, and the way the current is collected allows for the implementation of any S- or P-connection between the individual electrodes (arrangements).

[0012] For example, in the case of a 4680 (battery) cell, approximately 1600 V at 50 mAh can be achieved with 440 electrode arrangements connected in series (with current collectors coated on one side with active material) (3.6 V * 440 = 1854 V), or approximately 800 V at 50 mAh can be achieved with 220 electrode arrangements connected in series (with current collectors coated on both sides with active material) (3.6 V * 220 = 792 V). If all electrode arrangements are connected in parallel, approximately 3.6 V at 22 A is achieved. Between these values, the voltage and current can be adjusted depending on the (battery) cell geometry and the (battery) cell chemistry to achieve the best combination for a given vehicle. In particular, the number of variants in the external dimensions and (preferably the arrangement of the terminal poles) of the battery cells, especially high-voltage storage systems, can be reduced.

[0013] The term "motor vehicle" used here refers in particular to a passenger car, including all types of motor vehicles, hybrid and battery-powered electric vehicles, as well as vehicles such as sedans, vans, buses, trucks, delivery vans and the like.

[0014] Any terms used herein, such as "comprises," "includes," "features," "has," "with," or any other variant thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a method or apparatus that includes or features a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such method or apparatus.

[0015] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated otherwise, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not an exclusive "or". For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0016] The terms "ein" or "eine," as used here, are defined as "one or more." The terms "ein anderer" and "ein Weitere," as well as any other variant thereof, are to be understood as "at least one more."

[0017] The term "plural", as used here, is to be understood in the sense of "two or more".

[0018] The terms "configured" or "set up" to perform a specific function (and their respective variations) are understood within the meaning of the invention to mean that the corresponding device or apparatus already exists in a configuration or setting in which it can perform the function, or at least that it is adjustable—i.e., configurable—so that it can perform the function after appropriate adjustment. Configuration can be achieved, for example, by adjusting parameters of a process sequence or by using switches or similar devices to activate or deactivate functionalities or settings. In particular, the device or apparatus can have several predetermined configurations or operating modes, so that configuration can be carried out by selecting one of these configurations or operating modes.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the invention and their further developments are described below, which, unless expressly excluded, can be combined with each other as desired and with the second aspect of the invention described below.

[0020] In some designs, the electrode arrangements are stacked in such a way that the first electrode of an electrode arrangement of a pair of adjacent electrode arrangements faces the second electrode of the other electrode arrangement of the pair of adjacent electrode arrangements.

[0021] In some embodiments, a first electrode of a first electrode arrangement located at one end of a single-cell electrode arrangement stack is connected to a first terminal pole, in some embodiments the positive pole, of the battery cell, and a second electrode of a second electrode arrangement located at the other end of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack is connected to a second terminal pole, in some embodiments the negative pole, of the battery cell.

[0022] In some embodiments, the housing, which in some embodiments is electrically conductive, has a tubular housing part, a first end plate and a second end plate, wherein a first end of the housing part is closed by the first end plate, and a second end of the housing part is closed by the second end plate; the first electrode, the second electrode and the separator are each disc-shaped and each have a through-hole; an (electrically conductive) leakage element that is connected (electrically conductive) to the first terminal pole, is arranged in the through-holes of the first electrode, the second electrode and the separator, and in some embodiments passes through these through-holes; a radially inner section of the first electrode of the first electrode arrangement of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack projects radially inwards over a radially inner section of the second electrode of the electrode arrangement of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack, and is connected (electrically conductively) to the discharge element, and a radially outer section of the second electrode of the second electrode arrangement of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack projects radially outwards over a radially outer section of the first electrode of the second electrode arrangement of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack, and is connected to an (electrically conductive) inner wall of the housing part, which is connected to the second terminal (electrically conductive) is connected, (electrically conductive) is connected.

[0023] In some designs, the first electrode of an electrode arrangement of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack is in direct (electrically conductive) contact with the second electrode of an adjacent electrode arrangement of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack.

[0024] In some designs, this allows the series connection of the adjacent electrode arrangements (the subset of the multiple electrode arrangements) to be realized.

[0025] In some embodiments, a disc-shaped intermediate piece with a (through) opening, arranged in some embodiments corresponding to or aligned with the through-openings of the first electrode, the second electrode and the separator, is arranged between a main surface of a first electrode of an electrode arrangement of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack and a main surface of a second electrode of an adjacent electrode arrangement of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack, in some embodiments electrically conductively, connecting the first electrode of the electrode arrangement of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack and the second electrode of the adjacent electrode arrangement of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack.

[0026] The intermediate piece can, for example, be selected and arranged in such a way as to prevent or at least reduce corrosion of the first electrode and / or the second electrode (caused by mutual contact).

[0027] In some versions, the intermediate piece is made of steel and / or nickel. For example, the intermediate piece may consist of a steel plate and / or a nickel plate.

[0028] In some embodiments, the first electrode has a first current collector, in some embodiments an aluminum-containing first current collector, in some embodiments an aluminum foil, and a first active material, in some embodiments cathode active material, which is arranged on at least one main surface of the first current collector, and the second electrode has a second current collector, in some embodiments a copper-containing second current collector, in some embodiments a copper foil, and a second active material, in some embodiments an anode active material, which is arranged on at least one main surface of the second current collector.

[0029] In some designs, the first active material can be arranged on both (opposite) main surfaces of the first current collector and / or the second active material can be arranged on both (opposite) main surfaces of the second current collector.

[0030] In some versions, an insulating layer is arranged between adjacent individual cells.

[0031] In some designs, this can prevent the corresponding adjacent electrode arrangements, between which the insulating layer is arranged, from being connected in series.

[0032] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a battery cell as described above and an electric drive motor, wherein the battery cell is configured to supply the electric drive motor with electrical energy.

[0033] The features and advantages described in relation to the first aspect of the invention and its advantageous embodiment also apply, at least where technically appropriate, to the second aspect of the invention and its advantageous embodiments, and vice versa.

[0034] Further advantageous developments result from the following description of preferred embodiments. This is shown, in part schematically: Fig. 1 a cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to one embodiment; Fig. 2 a side view of several individual cells of the in Fig. 1 battery cell shown according to one embodiment; Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view of a single cell of the battery cell according to one embodiment; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a single cell of the battery cell according to one embodiment; and Fig. 5 a motor vehicle according to one design.

[0035] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a battery cell 10 according to one embodiment. The battery cell 10, in some embodiments a lithium-ion battery cell, has a housing 20, which in some embodiments is at least partially electrically conductive, for example, containing metal, a first terminal 100 and a second terminal 200, which in some embodiments is formed by a section of an outer wall of the housing 20.

[0036] The housing 20 comprises a tubular, or in some versions hollow cylindrical, housing part 21, a first end plate 22, and a second end plate 23. The first end of the housing part 21 is closed by the first end plate 22, and the second end of the housing part 21 is closed by the second end plate 23.

[0037] Within or in an interior space of the housing 20, several electrode arrangements 30 and an electrolyte (not shown, in some embodiments liquid) are arranged. The electrode arrangements 30 are stacked on top of each other in the housing 20. Here, electrode arrangements 30 form a respective subset of the multiple electrode arrangements 30, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a single-cell electrode array stack 70.

[0038] This indicates, as in Fig. Figure 3 illustrates each of the electrode arrangements 30 comprising a first electrode 40, 41, a second electrode 50, 51 and a separator 60 arranged between the first electrode 40, 41 and the second electrode 50, 51.

[0039] The electrode arrangements 30 of a respective subset in which in Fig. In the embodiment shown in 1, four electrode arrangements 30 are shown and in the one shown in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, five electrode arrangements 30 are connected in series and form a single cell 71 of the battery cell 10. At least two of the single cells 71 are connected in parallel.

[0040] The electrode arrangements 30 are stacked such that the first electrode 40, 41 of an electrode arrangement 30 of a pair of adjacent electrode arrangements 30 faces the second electrode 50, 51 of the other electrode arrangement 30 of the pair of adjacent electrode arrangements 30.

[0041] In this case, a first electrode 40, 41 of a first electrode arrangement 30 arranged at one end of a single-cell electrode arrangement stack 70 is connected to the first terminal 100 of the battery cell 10, and a second electrode 50, 51 of a second electrode arrangement 30 arranged at the other end of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack 70 is connected to the second terminal 200 of the battery cell 10.

[0042] With reference to Fig. 3 the first electrode 40, 41, the second electrode 50, 51 and the separator 60 are each designed in a disc shape and each has a through-opening 42, 43, 52, 53, 61, in some versions, in the middle or central position.

[0043] Again with reference to Fig. 1 The battery cell 10 further comprises an electrically conductive discharge element 80 arranged in or passing through the interior of the housing 20 as well as in the through-openings 42, 43 of the first electrode 40, 41, in the through-openings 52, 53 of the second electrode 50, 51 and in the through-opening 61 of the separator 60, which is electrically connected to the first terminal pole 100.

[0044] In this case, a radially inner section 40-1 of the first electrode 40, 41 of the first electrode arrangement 30 of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack 70 projects radially inwards beyond a radially inner section of the second electrode 50, 51 of the first electrode arrangement 30 of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack 70, and is connected to the discharge element 80.

[0045] Furthermore, a radially outer section 50-1 of the second electrode 50, 51 of the second electrode arrangement 30 of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack 70 projects radially outwards beyond a radially outer section of the first electrode 40, 41 of the second electrode arrangement 30 of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack 70, and is connected to an inner wall of the housing part 21, which is connected to the second terminal pole 200.

[0046] In the in the Fig. In the embodiments shown in 1 to 4, the first electrode 40, 41 of an electrode arrangement 30 of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack 70 is in direct contact with the second electrode 50, 51 of an adjacent electrode arrangement 30 of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack 70.

[0047] In embodiments not shown, a disc-shaped, preferably electrically conductive, intermediate piece with a (through-) opening through which the discharge element 80 passes is arranged between a main surface of a first electrode 40, 41 of an electrode arrangement 30 of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack 70 and a main surface of a second electrode 50, 51 of an adjacent electrode arrangement 30 of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack 70. This intermediate piece connects the first electrode 40, 41 of the electrode arrangement 30 of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack 70 and the second electrode 50, 51 of the adjacent electrode arrangement 30 of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack 70 over a surface area, preferably in an electrically conductive manner. The intermediate piece may be made of steel and / or nickel.

[0048] With reference to Fig. 4 the first electrode 40, 41 has a first current collector 40, for example an aluminum foil, and a first active material 41 which is arranged on at least one main surface of the first current collector 40.

[0049] The second electrode 50, 51 has a second current collector 50, for example a copper foil, and a second active material 51, which is arranged on at least one main surface of the second current collector 50.

[0050] With reference to Fig. In some versions, an insulating layer 90 is arranged between adjacent individual cells 71.

[0051] Fig. Figure 5 shows a motor vehicle 500 according to an embodiment, which has a battery cell 10 as described above and an electric drive motor 501. The battery cell 10 is configured to supply the electric drive motor 501 with electrical energy in order to power it and thus the motor vehicle 500.

Claims

[1] Battery cell (10), comprising a case (20); and several electrode arrangements (30) which are stacked on top of each other in the housing (20), each of the electrode arrangements (30) comprising a first electrode (40, 41), a second electrode (50, 51) and a separator (60) arranged between the first electrode (40, 41) and the second electrode (50, 51); wherein Electrode arrangements (30) of a respective subset of the multiple electrode arrangements (30) form a single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70) and are connected in series to form a respective single cell (71); and at least two of the individual cells (71) are connected in parallel. [2] Battery cell (10) according to claim 1, in which the electrode arrangements (30) are stacked such that the first electrode (40, 41) of an electrode arrangement (30) of a pair of adjacent electrode arrangements (30) faces the second electrode (50, 51) of the other electrode arrangement (30) of the pair of adjacent electrode arrangements (30). [3] Battery cell (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a first electrode (40, 41) of a first electrode arrangement (30) arranged at one end of a single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70) is connected to a first terminal (100) of the battery cell (10), and a second electrode (50, 51) of a second electrode arrangement (30) arranged at the other end of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70) is connected to a second terminal (200) of the battery cell (10). [4] Battery cell (10) according to claim 3, wherein the housing (20) comprises a tubular housing part (21), a first end plate (22) and a second end plate (23), a first end of the housing part (21) being closed by the first end plate (22), and a second end of the housing part (21) being closed by the second end plate (23); the first electrode (40, 41), the second electrode (50, 51) and the separator (60) are each disc-shaped and each have a through-opening (42, 43, 52, 53, 61); a discharge element (80) which is connected to the first terminal pole (100) is arranged in the through-openings (42, 43, 52, 53, 61) of the first electrode (40, 41), the second electrode (50, 51) and the separator (60); a radially inner section (40-1) of the first electrode (40, 41) of the first electrode arrangement (30) of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70) projects radially inwards over a radially inner section of the second electrode (50, 51) of the electrode arrangement (30) of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70) and is connected to the drain element (80), and a radially outer section (50-1) of the second electrode (50, 51) of the second electrode arrangement (30) of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70) projects radially outwards over a radially outer section of the first electrode (40, 41) of the second electrode arrangement (30) of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70) and is connected to an inner wall of the housing part (21) which is connected to the second terminal pole (200). [5] Battery cell (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first electrode (40, 41) of an electrode arrangement (30) of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70) is in direct contact with the second electrode (50, 51) of an adjacent electrode arrangement (30) of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70). [6] Battery cell (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which a disk-shaped intermediate piece with an opening is arranged between a main surface of a first electrode (40, 41) of an electrode arrangement (30) of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70) and a main surface of a second electrode (50, 51) of an adjacent electrode arrangement (30) of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70), which connects the first electrode (40, 41) of the electrode arrangement (30) of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70) and the second electrode (50, 51) of the adjacent electrode arrangement (30) of the single-cell electrode arrangement stack (70) in a planar manner. [7] Battery cell (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the intermediate piece comprises a steel material and / or nickel. [8] Battery cell (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first electrode (40, 41) has a first current collector (40) and a first active material (41) which is arranged on at least one main surface of the first current collector (40), and the second electrode (50, 51) has a second current collector (50) and a second active material (51) which is arranged on at least one main surface of the second current collector (50). [9] Battery cell (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an insulating layer (90) is arranged between adjacent individual cells (71). [10] Motor vehicle (500) comprising a battery cell (10) according to one of the preceding claims and an electric drive motor (501), wherein the battery cell (10) is configured to supply the electric drive motor (501) with electrical energy.

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