Battery cell arrangement and method for manufacturing the battery cell arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery cell arrangement (10) comprising at least two electrically conductively connected battery cells (12, 12'), wherein the battery cells (12, 12') each have a cylindrical or prismatic cell housing (14, 14') and two pole sections (16, 18, 16', 18') projecting from the cell housing (14, 14). The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a battery cell arrangement (10). The object of the invention is to provide a battery cell arrangement and a method for manufacturing a battery cell arrangement that offer excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength while simultaneously requiring minimal manufacturing and assembly effort.This task is solved by arranging two of the battery cells (12, 12') with each of the two pole sections (16, 18') electrically conductively on a common pole connector (20) and forming a joining connection (22) between these pole sections (16, 18') and the pole connector (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a battery cell arrangement comprising at least two electrically conductively connected battery cells, wherein each battery cell has a cylindrical or prismatic cell housing and two pole sections projecting from the cell housing. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a battery cell arrangement. Reference is also made to motor vehicles equipped with such a battery cell arrangement.

[0002] Lithium-ion battery systems are preferably used as traction batteries in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) because they have a relatively high specific energy density and a low self-discharge rate. Furthermore, lithium-ion battery systems advantageously do not exhibit a memory effect.

[0003] To achieve the performance and energy data required for operating the drive motor of a hybrid electric vehicle or electric vehicle, a large number of individual battery cells, each with a voltage between 2 V and 5 V, particularly between 4 V and 5 V, are connected in series or parallel, resulting in a total voltage of a battery pack of more than 200 V, more than 300 V, more than 400 V, or even more than 800 V. Battery packs with a voltage between 200 V and 1200 V are frequently used, with a voltage between 400 V and 800 V being particularly preferred.

[0004] To form battery packs using battery cells known from the prior art, the battery cells are often arranged side by side so that the terminal sections of the battery cells protrude from the cell housing in a common direction. A terminal connector is applied flat to the terminal sections of the adjacent battery cells, thus making contact between them. With these battery packs, the battery cells can only be arranged side by side and can only be connected in series with considerable design effort. For example, flexible or plastically deformable terminal connectors may be required for the connection, electrically connecting an anode terminal of the first battery cell in a battery pack to a cathode terminal of a second battery cell in the same battery pack. Such flexible or plastically deformable terminal connectors are expensive.It is therefore desirable to be able to design and arrange the battery cells for the formation of the battery packs in such a way that the pole sections of adjacent battery cells face each other.

[0005] From DE 10 2021 127 854 A1, a traction battery cell arrangement is known which consists of at least two battery cells. The battery cells are each disc-shaped and elongated, and each battery cell has a first terminal section, referred to as the anodic terminal element, on a first end wall and a second terminal section, referred to as the cathodic terminal element, on a second end wall. The two terminal elements are plate-shaped and project from the end wall. The two battery cells are arranged linearly adjacent to each other such that an end wall with the anodic terminal element of one battery cell and an end wall with the cathodic terminal element of the other battery cell are opposite each other. The electrical connection of the two terminal elements is established exclusively by a welded connection, which connects the two terminal elements mechanically and electrically.

[0006] From US patent 6,783,887 B2, a method for manufacturing a battery cell assembly, referred to as a battery module, is known. In this method, a plurality of battery cells having metallic cell casings are aligned in a line such that two terminal sections of the battery cells are in contact with each other. A pair of welding electrodes is positioned on the cell casings of adjacent battery cells, and a welding current is passed through at least one battery cell, welding the adjacent terminal sections together. During welding, the ends of the battery cells can be subjected to a predetermined pressure by pressure elements.

[0007] Furthermore, EP 1 120 841 A1 discloses a process similar to the process known from US 6,783,887 B2.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing a battery cell arrangement and a method for manufacturing a battery cell arrangement that enable excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength while simultaneously requiring little manufacturing and assembly effort for the arrangement.

[0009] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Further practical embodiments and advantages of the invention are described in connection with the dependent claims.

[0010] A battery cell arrangement according to the invention comprises at least two electrically conductively connected battery cells, wherein each battery cell has a cylindrical or prismatic cell housing and two pole sections projecting from the cell housing. Two of the battery cells are each electrically conductively arranged with one of the two pole sections on a common pole connector, and a joining connection is formed between these pole sections and the pole connector.

[0011] The two terminal sections can protrude from the cell housing, particularly on opposite sides. Additionally or alternatively, two battery cells in the battery cell arrangement can be arranged linearly adjacent to each other, with the terminal sections of the adjacent battery cells facing each other. This creates, in particular, a linear battery cell arrangement.

[0012] The pole connector can be designed in such a way as to compensate for manufacturing and / or assembly inaccuracies in the arrangement and, for example, thereby ensure high electrical conductivity of the connection and / or avoid play in the connection that causes cyclic loads.

[0013] The pole sections connected by the pole connector can be made of a metallic material, and in particular of aluminum, an aluminum-based alloy, copper, or a copper-based alloy. The pole connector itself can also be made of a metallic material, and in particular of material identical to the pole sections. Material identical here means that the pole connector and the pole sections are made of the same materials or at least of alloys with the same metal base.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, the joining connection can be made of the same material as the pole connector and / or the pole sections, or of a different material. "Same material as" means that the joining connection and the pole connector and / or the pole sections are made of the same materials or at least of alloys with the same metal base. "Different material" means that the joining connection is made of a different material, in particular a different metal, than the pole connector and / or the pole sections.

[0015] The joint can be formed, for example, as a soldered joint or a welded joint. When producing a soldered joint, a soldering compound is melted. The components to be joined, and in the battery cell arrangement described here, in particular the terminal sections, are not melted. When producing a welded joint, a welding filler material and the components to be joined, in the battery cell arrangement described here, in particular the terminal sections and the terminal connector, are melted. The formation of the joint will also be discussed in detail in connection with the process described here.

[0016] A soldered joint can advantageously be produced at a low joining temperature, which is advantageously accompanied by a comparatively low heat input into the battery cells being joined. Furthermore, soldered joints can advantageously be plasticized relatively well when subjected to mechanical stresses that exceed the strength of the joint. A welded joint can advantageously exhibit particularly high strength and thus withstand high mechanical loads. If the joint is formed as a weld using a welding process that does not require filler metal, the welding process can also be particularly simple.

[0017] The joining joint, especially if it is a welded joint, may have a metallurgical microstructure with directed solidified grains that are oriented in the opposite direction to the heat flow directed towards the pole sections during the solidification of the joining joint.

[0018] Preferably, the joint is formed as a laser brazing or laser welding joint. Laser brazing and laser welding processes are particularly fast and involve comparatively low and only localized heat input. Furthermore, laser welding processes can operate without filler materials, allowing easy access to the areas to be joined thanks to the compact laser head. As an alternative to laser welding, the joint can be formed as a metal inert gas (MIG) weld, in particular a tungsten inert gas (TIG) weld, or as a resistance weld.

[0019] The battery cell arrangement described here achieves excellent electrical conductivity between the battery cells and high mechanical strength of the connection, making it suitable for use in applications such as the traction battery of hybrid or electric vehicles. Furthermore, the terminal connector simplifies the joining process. The connections formed between the terminal connector and the terminal sections provide ample, easily accessible space for the joining tool during the joining process.

[0020] In practice, the terminal connector can have a flat main section. In other words, the terminal connector can have a main section that is plate-like in one plane. The terminal sections can also be flat and have a flat end face on the side facing away from the battery cell. In particular, the terminal connector with its main section can lie flat against the end faces of the terminal sections arranged on the terminal connector. The terminal sections and the flat main section then extend in parallel planes. This creates a large contact area between the terminal connector and the terminal sections, allowing an electric current to flow through the main section with low electrical resistance.Furthermore, the main section, which is flat and lies flat against the end faces, can compensate particularly well for manufacturing and / or assembly inaccuracies in the arrangement.

[0021] Additionally or alternatively, the pole connector can have a connection section designed to measure current, voltage, and / or temperature. The connection section itself can include a voltage, current, and / or temperature sensor or be designed to connect one or more of these sensors. If the pole connector has a main section and a connection section, the connection section can, for example, be formed integrally with the main section, preferably using the same material, or be electrically connected. Preferably, the connection section is arranged laterally on the main section and / or next to at least one of the pole sections, preferably in the form of a contact tab.

[0022] In practice, the joining connection can be formed between the main section of the pole connector and the pole sections arranged on the pole connector. Specifically, the joining connection can be formed between one or more edges of the main section and one or more edges of the pole sections. For example, the joining connection can be formed circumferentially around the entire edge of the planar main section or around the entire edge of the pole sections. Alternatively, the joining connection can be formed only on one section or on several separate sections of the edge of the main section or the edge of the pole sections. Even with this section-by-section joining connection, a sufficiently high joining strength can be achieved, and the manufacturing speed can also be increased.For ease of access to the edges to be joined, a section-by-section joint is particularly preferred. Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the section-by-section joint is formed on two opposing edge sections of the main section or on two opposing edge sections of a pole section. This allows for good accessibility during the joint formation process. At the same time, the opposing joint formation is advantageous for absorbing mechanical loads and, in particular, when the joints are welded, with regard to the generation of residual stresses in the battery cell assembly.

[0023] If, in addition to the main section, the connecting section is provided, it may be further preferred if the joining connections – in particular those formed opposite each other section by section – are formed at edges of the main section of the pole connector where the connecting section is not located.

[0024] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a battery cell arrangement described herein. The method comprises the following process steps: - Providing at least two battery cells, each having a cylindrical or prismatic cell casing and two pole sections protruding from the cell casing; - Providing a contacting element which at least partially forms the pole connector in the battery cell arrangement; - Arranging two of the battery cells at a time, each with one of its two pole sections attached to the contacting element, so that the battery cells are electrically connected to each other; and - Forming a joining connection between these pole sections and the contacting element, wherein the contacting element is at least partially formed as the pole connector.

[0025] The method described here enables the production of a battery cell assembly with excellent electrical conductivity between the battery cells and high mechanical strength of the connection. The method is particularly easy to implement because the contacting element provides a large, easily accessible space for the joining tool used during the formation of the joint.

[0026] With regard to the procedure, reference is also made to the description of the battery cell arrangement and the advantages associated with the battery cell arrangement, which can be applied analogously to the procedure.

[0027] In practice, the contacting element can have a flat main section, with the battery cells being arranged on the contacting element in such a way that the main section lies flat against the end faces of the terminal sections. The main section of the contacting element can, for example, be identical to the main section of the terminal connector in the battery cell arrangement. However, it is also possible for the main section of the contacting element to have a larger base area than the main section of the terminal connector.

[0028] Additionally or alternatively, in practice, the contacting element may have a connection section designed to detect current, voltage, and / or temperature, wherein, within the scope of the method, the battery cells are arranged on the contacting element such that the connection section is located outside the terminal sections. The connection section of the contacting element may, in particular, be identical to the main section of the terminal connector in the battery cell arrangement.

[0029] Furthermore, in practice, the main section of the contacting element may have a base area at least one overhang larger than the end faces of the pole sections, so that the main section of the contacting element, lying flat against the end faces, projects beyond them. In this case, the joint can be formed by melting and resolidifying the overhang as a soldered joint, or by melting and resolidifying both the overhang and the pole sections as a welded joint. Alternatively, the joint can be formed as a soldered joint by introducing an additional soldering material into a space between the overhang and the pole sections, without melting the overhang or the pole sections themselves.If the joint is formed not by melting and resolidifying the protrusion, but, for example, by introducing additional solder, the main section of the contacting element can be identical to the main section of the terminal connector. However, the main section of the contacting element is not identical to the main section of the terminal connector if the joint is formed by melting and resolidifying the protrusion. In this case, the main section of the contacting element is larger than the main section of the terminal connector by the amount of the protrusion.

[0030] If the joining process between the pole sections and the contacting element is carried out by melting and resolidifying the protrusion, no additional material, in particular no solder and / or welding filler material, is advantageously required for joining. This makes forming the joining process particularly simple. The joining process, and in particular the melting of the protrusion, can be carried out, for example, by metal inert gas welding, especially tungsten inert gas welding. Preferably, the weld is formed by melting the protrusion using a laser brazing process or a laser welding process. The protrusion serves as a solder or welding filler material, which, upon solidification, forms a metallurgical bond with the pole sections and the pole connector.

[0031] The protrusion can be formed, in particular, on two opposing edge sections of the contacting element, so that the joining connection between the pole connector and the pole sections in the battery cell assembly is formed on two opposing edge sections. In this context, reference is again made to the description of the battery cell assembly and the advantages associated with the opposing joining connection.

[0032] In practice, at least one of the pole sections can have a chamfer on its end face, and the protrusion can be positioned at a distance from the chamfer. This creates a gap that is essentially contained between the chamfered pole section and the protrusion of the main section of the contacting element. This design and arrangement allows for a particularly strong joint. When the protrusion melts and solidifies again, the solidified material from which the protrusion was formed, and from which the joint is formed, has a large contact area with the pole connector(s). In particular, the material from which the pole sections are formed can also be melted and cooled in the chamfer area, thus forming a weld. The joint can be further formed, in particular, as a V-groove weld.As an alternative to melting the excess, molten solder can be placed in the gap between the chamfer and the excess and allowed to solidify there.

[0033] The method is particularly simple, fast and can be carried out with highly reproducible results if the battery cells and the contacting element are inserted into a cell positioning device in which the battery cells and the contacting element are pre-positioned in a target position relative to each other, in which the protrusion is arranged to be accessible from at least one side, and wherein the protrusion is melted and solidified again in the cell positioning device.

[0034] Further practical embodiments of the invention are described below in connection with the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the battery cell arrangement according to the invention in a side view; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the in Fig. 1 Battery cell arrangement shown in a cutaway view along line AA' from Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of one of the two in Fig. 1 battery cells shown in a top view of a side showing the pole section; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of the manufacturing step of the in area IV of Fig. 1 shown joining connection of the battery cell arrangement; Fig. 5 an enlarged representation of area V in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 a schematic representation of the in Fig. 4 manufacturing step shown in a cutaway view along line BB' from Fig. 4 without the laser head; Fig. 7 A schematic representation of an arrangement of a plurality of battery cells used in a cell positioning device.

[0035] In the Fig. Reference symbols 1 to 7, found in different figures, denote identical or functionally equivalent technical elements or process steps. For clarity, not all reference symbols are shown in the figures, although the elements may still be present.

[0036] The Fig. Figures 1 to 7 show the same embodiment of the battery cell arrangement according to the invention and of the manufacturing process according to this battery cell arrangement. In the Fig. 1, Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows the battery cell arrangement in a side view (y-direction). Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the battery cell arrangement or the battery cells in a side view (z-direction) offset by 90°.

[0037] The in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The battery cell arrangement 10 shown in Figure 2 comprises two electrically conductively connected battery cells 12, 12'. Each battery cell 12, 12' has a cylindrical cell housing 14, 14' and two pole sections 16, 18, 16', 18' projecting from each of the cell housings 14, 14'. The two battery cells 12, 12' are each electrically connected to a common pole connector 20 via one of the two pole sections 16, 18', and a joining connection 22 is formed between these pole sections 16, 18' and the pole connector 20.

[0038] The pole connector 20 has a planar main section 24 with which the pole connector 20 abuts flat against the end faces of the pole sections 16, 18' arranged on the pole connector 20. One of the two end faces against which the pole connector 20 with the main section 24 abuts, the end face 26', is in Fig. 3 shown. The two end faces, including the end face 26', are rectangular and each is bounded by a chamfer 28, 28' in the form of a chamfer 28, 28' formed on the polar sections 18, 18'.

[0039] The main section 24, like the end faces 26' of the polar sections 16, 18', has a rectangular base and can project beyond the end faces 26' in one direction, for example in the y-direction, as shown in Fig. Figure 2 shows the terminal connector. On this portion of the main section 24, which projects beyond the end face 26', the terminal connector has a connection section 30 designed to detect an electric current, voltage, and / or temperature. In this embodiment of the battery cell arrangement, the connection section 30 is integral with the main section 24 and made of the same material. It is designed as a contact lug on which sensors (not shown) can be arranged to measure the electric current flowing through the terminal connector 20, the voltage across it, and / or the temperature present therein. Specifically, the connection section 30 of the terminal connector 20, designed as the contact lug, is located at a right angle to the main section 24 of the terminal connector 20 next to the terminal section 18'.

[0040] The joining connection 22 is formed in particular between two opposing edge sections of the main section 24 of the pole connector 20 and the chamfers 28, 28' of the pole sections 16, 18' arranged on the pole connector 20, on which the connecting section 30 is not formed.

[0041] To produce the battery cell arrangement 10 described here, the two battery cells 12, 12' and one, for example, in the Fig. The contact element 32 shown in Figures 4 to 6 is provided. The contact element 32 assumes, at least partially, the function of the terminal connector 20 in the battery cell arrangement 10 and is thus formed into the terminal connector 20 during the manufacturing process. The two battery cells 12, 12' are each arranged with one of their two terminal sections 16, 18' on the contact element 32, so that the battery cells 16, 18' are electrically connected to each other. Subsequently, the joining connection 22 is formed between the terminal sections 16, 18' adjacent to the contact element 32 and the contact element 32, whereby the contact element 32 is at least partially formed as the terminal connector 20.

[0042] In the Fig. 4 to 6 is the production of the items in area IV of Fig. Figure 1 shows the joining connection 22 of the battery cell assembly 10 in detail. The contacting element 32 has a planar main section 34 and a connection section 36. The connection section 36 of the contacting element 32 is identical to the connection section 30 of the terminal connector 20 in the finished battery cell assembly 10. The main section 34 of the contacting element 32 shown, however, differs from the main section 24 of the terminal connector 20 in the finished battery cell assembly 10. This is because the main section 34 of the contacting element 32 shown has a projection 38, with which the main section 34 extends beyond the base surface of the end face 26' of the terminal section 18' and which is located in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The main section 24 of the pole connector 20 shown in section 2 is not present. The section shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. The main section 34 of the contacting element 32 shown in section 5 therefore has a base area larger by the overhang 38 than the one shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The main section 24 of the pole connector 20 is shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the main section 34 of the contacting element 32 and the main section 24 of the pole connector 20 are identical. In particular, both main sections 24 and 34 are formed as flat surfaces with a rectangular base.

[0043] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the battery cells 12, 12' are arranged on the contacting element 32 such that the main section 34 lies flat against the end faces 26' of the pole sections 16, 18' and that the connecting section 36, as in the finished battery cell assembly 10, is arranged outside the pole sections 16, 18' and next to the pole section 18'. The main section 34 of the contacting element 32 projects with the projection 38 in the z-direction beyond the base of the end faces 26', the projection 38 being located at the chamfer 28' of the pole section 18' and, in particular, between the two chamfers 28, 28' of the two pole sections 16, 18'.

[0044] The formation of the joining connection is carried out, as is particularly evident in the Fig. 4 and Fig. This can be seen in Figure 5, where the protrusion 38 is melted by a laser beam emitted from a laser head 40, and the molten material then solidifies again. The heat input caused by the laser beam is highly localized. The protrusion 38 can thus behave analogously to a soldering compound, and the joint 22 can be formed as a solder joint after the material from which the protrusion was formed has solidified. The molten material flows to the bottom of the gap formed between the two chamfers 28, 28', so that a V-groove joint forms when the material from which the protrusion was formed solidifies.

[0045] When the supernatant 38 melts, the material from which the pole sections 16, 18' are formed can also be melted, at least locally in the region of the chamfers 28, 28', and then solidify again. In this case, the supernatant 38 can function analogously to a welding filler material, and the joint 22 can be formed as a weld, particularly in the form of a V-groove weld.

[0046] In an alternative embodiment of the manufacturing step, not shown here, the protrusion 38 may not be melted. In this case, the contacting element 32 is identical to the pole connector. To form such a connection (not shown), an additional solder can be introduced into the space between the protrusion 38 and the chamfers 28, 28' and allowed to solidify there.

[0047] To produce the battery cell assembly 10, the battery cells 12, 12' can be inserted into the Fig. The cell positioning device 42 shown in Figure 7 can be used. The insertion of the battery cells 12, 12' into the cell positioning device 42 can be carried out simultaneously. The subsequent joining of each pair of adjacent battery cells 12, 12' by forming the joining connection 22 can also be carried out simultaneously. In particular, a joining tool for forming the joining connection 22, for example the laser head 40, can be moved in the direction in which the battery cells are inserted into the cell positioning device 42, i.e., in the z-direction, towards the projection 38 and / or the pole sections 16, 18, 16', 18'.

[0048] The in Fig. The cell positioning device 42 shown in Figure 7 can in particular be designed as a mounting plate in which geometrically complementary recesses are provided at predetermined positions relative to the battery cells 12, 12' (not shown). The recesses define a target position of the battery cells 12, 12' in which the battery cells 12, 12' are pre-positioned relative to each other during the manufacture of the battery cell assembly. The recesses shown in Fig. The mounting plate shown in Figure 7 has thirty recesses, each of which contains a schematically represented battery cell 12, 12'. The contacting element 32 can be inserted between each pair of battery cells 12, 12' (not shown in Figure 7). Fig.7) Due to the plate-shaped design of the cell positioning device 42, the battery cells 12, 12' are inserted such that the terminal sections 16, 18, 16', 18' of adjacent battery cells 12, 12' are accessible from at least one side, preferably from two sides, so that the joining connection 22 can be formed easily. If necessary, the battery cell assembly can be removed from the cell positioning device 42 and reinstalled upside down to form a second joining connection 22 from the same side of the cell positioning device 42. By using the cell positioning device 42 in the manufacture of the battery cell assembly 10, particularly tight tolerances and a high production speed can be achieved.

[0049] The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, the drawings, and the claims can be essential for realizing the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination. The invention can be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of the person skilled in the art. Reference symbol list 10 battery cell arrangement 12, 12' battery cells 14, 14' cell casing 16, 16' polar sections 18, 18' polar sections 20 pole connectors 22 Joining connection 24 Main section of the pole connector 26' Front surface 28, 28' chamfer, bevel 30 Connection section of the pole connector 32 Contact element 34 Main section of the contacting element 36 Connection section of the contacting element 38 Overhang 40 laser heads 42 Cell positioning device QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2021 127 854 A1

[0005] US 6,783,887 B2 [0006, 0007] EP 1 120 841 A1

[0007]

Claims

[1] Battery cell arrangement (10) comprising at least two electrically conductively connected battery cells (12, 12'), wherein the battery cells (12, 12') each have a cylindrical or prismatic cell housing (14, 14') and two pole sections (16, 18, 16', 18') projecting from the cell housing (14, 14), characterized by , that each pair of the battery cells (12, 12') with each of the two pole sections (16, 18') are electrically conductively arranged on a common pole connector (20) and a joining connection (22) is formed between these pole sections (16, 18') and the pole connector (20). [2] Battery cell arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the pole connector (20) has a planar main section (24), in particular wherein the pole connector (20) with the main section (24) lies flat against end faces (26') of the pole sections (16, 18') arranged on the pole connector (20). [3] Battery cell arrangement (10) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by that the pole connector (20) has a connection section (30) which is designed to be able to tap a current, a voltage and / or a temperature. [4] Battery cell arrangement (10) according to claim 2 or according to claim 3 in conjunction with claim 2, characterized by , that the joining connection (22) is formed between the main section (24) of the pole connector (20) and the pole sections (16, 18') arranged on the pole connector (20). [5] Method for manufacturing a battery cell arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the following process steps: - Providing at least two battery cells (12, 12') wherein the battery cells (12, 12') each have a cylindrical or prismatic cell housing (14, 14') and two pole sections (16, 18, 16', 18') projecting from the cell housing (14, 14'); - Providing a contacting element (32) which at least partially forms the pole connector (20) in the battery cell arrangement; - Arranging two of the battery cells (12, 12') each with one of the two pole sections (16, 18') on the contacting element (32), so that the battery cells (12, 12') are electrically connected to each other; and - Forming a joining connection (22) between these pole sections (16, 18') and the contacting element (32), wherein the contacting element (32) is at least partially formed as the pole connector (20). [6] Procedure according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that the contacting element (32) has a planar main section (34), wherein the battery cells (12, 12') are arranged on the contacting element (32) such that the main section (34) lies flat against end faces (26') of the pole sections (16, 18'). [7] Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by , that the contacting element (32) has a connection section (36) which is designed to be able to tap a current, a voltage and / or a temperature, wherein the battery cells (12, 12') are arranged on the contacting element (32) such that the connection section (36) is arranged outside the pole sections (16, 18'). [8] Method according to claim 6 or claim 7 in combination with claim 6, characterized by, that the main section (34) of the contacting element (32) has a base area at least one projection (38) larger than the end faces (26') of the pole sections (16, 18'), so that the main section (34) of the contacting element (32), which lies flat against the end faces (26'), projects beyond the end faces (26') with the projection (38), in particular wherein the joining connection (22) is formed by melting and re-solidifying the projection (38). [9] Procedure according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that at least one of the pole sections (16, 18') has a chamfer (28, 28') on the end face (26') and the projection (38) is arranged spaced apart from the chamfer (28, 28'). [10] Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by, that the battery cells (12, 12') and the contacting element (32) are inserted into a cell positioning device (42) in which the battery cells (12, 12') and the contacting element (32) are pre-positioned in a desired position relative to each other, in which the protrusion (38) is arranged to be accessible from at least one side, and wherein the protrusion (38) is melted and re-solidified in the cell positioning device (42).

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