Modular system and method for producing an electrical energy store for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular system for producing an electrical energy store (10-1; 10-2) for a motor vehicle. The modular system comprises cylindrical battery cells (1), which can be or are arranged mutually adjacent in a plurality of cell rows, and struts (2, 3), which each can be or are arranged between two of the plurality of cell rows. In a first design variant of the electrical energy store (10-1), the struts (2, 3) are exclusively in the form of cooling struts (2), wherein the cooling struts (2) each have a cooling channel for guiding a cooling medium, said cooling channel extending in the longitudinal direction (L). In a second design variant of the electrical energy store (10-2), the struts (2, 3) are alternately in the form of cooling struts (2) and in the form of spacing struts (3), wherein in the longitudinal direction (L) the spacing struts (3) have no cooling channels and / or are in the form of solid struts. The cooling struts (2) and the spacing struts (3) have, at least in parts, the same external geometry.

Description

[0001] MODULAR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a modular system for producing an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle, a method for producing an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle, an electrical energy storage device, and / or a motor vehicle comprising the electrical energy storage device.

[0003] The resulting thermal power loss during charging and discharging of an electrical energy storage device, e.g., a traction battery in an electrically powered vehicle, requires a cooling system that is as efficient as possible for the respective electrical energy storage device, one that keeps the battery cells at a low temperature even when there is high waste heat. To achieve this, it is advisable to cool as many sides of the battery cells as possible, e.g., double-sided cooling, in which each cylindrical battery cell (or round cell) is cooled from two sides (front and rear surface). Due to the high number of battery cells, cell rows, and cooling surfaces, this design results in comparatively high costs. In contrast, single-sided cooling would incur significantly lower costs but simultaneously lead to a reduction in electrical output.However, across a vehicle manufacturer's entire product range, there are vehicles with different cost targets and performance requirements.

[0004] With the known concepts, it is not possible to construct single- or double-sided side cooling systems with complete flexibility without changing the production or assembly process. Only single-sided cooling concepts are known. Compared to the known single-sided cooling systems, double-sided cooling must be constructed fundamentally differently in the production process, since both sides of the battery cells must be bonded to a cooler. This would result in two fundamentally different system designs, which would necessitate component part number variations and different production systems. Against the background of this prior art, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that is each suitable for enriching the prior art.

[0005] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The subordinate claims and the dependent claims each contain optional developments of the disclosure.

[0006] The problem is then solved by a modular system for producing an electrical energy storage device, e.g. a traction battery, for a motor vehicle.

[0007] The modular system comprises cylindrical battery cells that can be arranged or arranged next to each other in several cell rows (e.g. across different construction variants).

[0008] The modular system comprises struts that can be arranged or positioned between two of the several rows of cells. The struts can, for example, be arranged or positioned parallel to each other.

[0009] In a first design variant of the electrical energy storage device, the struts are designed exclusively as cooling struts. Each cooling strut has a cooling channel running in the longitudinal direction (of the cooling struts) for guiding a cooling medium.

[0010] In a second design variant of the electrical energy storage device, the struts are designed alternately as cooling struts and spacer struts. In other words, in the second design variant, the struts comprise the cooling struts and the spacer struts, which can be arranged or are arranged alternately between two of the multiple cell rows.

[0011] The spacer struts are designed longitudinally without cooling channels and / or as solid struts. The cooling struts and the spacer struts have the same external geometry (and / or the same external dimensions) at least in sections, and optionally completely.

[0012] The modular system described above offers a number of advantages. Among other things, it provides a concept that enables the flexible integration of single- and double-sided cooling for battery cells of an electrical energy storage system. The ability to manufacture the electrical energy storage system using the same modular system and with identical system architecture in the first design variant (double-sided cooling) or the second design variant (single-sided cooling) advantageously enables the production of either the first or second design variant with as little loss of synergy and as low an overall cost as possible, rather than implementing it through two separate production or assembly processes. The optional production of either of the two design variants can be integrated or implemented, for example, in the same production facility.

[0013] Possible further developments of the device described above are explained in detail below.

[0014] The struts (ie, the cooling struts and the spacer struts) can be inelastic and / or flexurally rigid.

[0015] The cooling struts can be made of or comprise a heat-conducting material, e.g., aluminum.

[0016] The spacer struts can be made of or comprise a plastic. The spacer struts can be designed without an additional insulating layer for electrical insulation. Alternatively, the spacer struts can be made of or comprise a heat-conducting material, e.g., aluminum, and / or the same material as the cooling struts.

[0017] The struts can be arranged or positioned at a distance from one another such that the battery cells rest against two of the struts each, or optionally can be glued or are glued to two of the struts each. In the first design variant, the battery cells can be cooled on two sides by resting against two of the cooling struts. In the second design variant, the battery cells can be cooled on one side by resting against one of the cooling struts (and one of the spacer struts). In addition to the cooling function of the cooling struts, the cooling and spacer struts can advantageously serve as a mechanical connection between the battery cells in order to hold the battery cells in their predetermined positions within the cell rows or to ensure the predetermined, e.g. compact, arrangement of the battery cells.

[0018] The struts can each have a wave-like longitudinal profile. This wave-like longitudinal profile can create concave contact surfaces for the respective battery cell.

[0019] The struts can each have, in the longitudinal direction (of the struts or of the respective one of the struts), a first longitudinal side surface with a first set of concave contact surfaces and a second longitudinal side surface with a second set of concave contact surfaces. The second longitudinal side surface can be opposite the first longitudinal side surface.

[0020] The first set of concave contact surfaces and the second set of concave contact surfaces can be offset from one another in the longitudinal direction (of the struts or of the respective one of the struts). Alternatively, or additionally, the first set of concave contact surfaces can be designed to support a first row of the plurality of cell rows and the second set of concave contact surfaces can be designed to support a second row of the plurality of cell rows, wherein the first row and the second row can be arranged or can be offset from one another in the longitudinal direction (of the struts or of the respective one of the struts). Such an arrangement of the battery cells can advantageously ensure the most compact arrangement possible and the most efficient use of the installation space of the electrical energy storage device, e.g., within a housing.

[0021] The cooling struts (and optionally the spacer struts) can have (identical) coupling devices which can be mechanically and fluidically coupled or coupled to one another to form at least one (common) guide channel, e.g. two guide channels, for guiding the cooling medium.

[0022] In other words, in the first construction variant, the cooling struts can have the coupling devices (and / or each of the cooling struts can have one of the coupling devices).

[0023] In the second design variant, only the cooling struts can have the coupling devices (and / or only each of the cooling struts can have one of the coupling devices). The spacer struts can be designed without coupling devices. Alternatively, the cooling struts and the spacer struts can have the coupling devices (and / or each of the cooling struts and the spacer struts can have one of the coupling devices).

[0024] The coupling devices can each be arranged at a longitudinal end region of one of the struts. The coupling devices can each be mechanically and fluidically coupled to two further coupling devices (and / or on two opposite sides to one further coupling device each).

[0025] The struts can be arranged or arranged parallel to one another in such a way that the coupling devices are arranged on the same side and / or next to one another.

[0026] The coupling devices of the cooling struts can each be fluidically connected to the respective cooling channel. In other words, the cooling struts each have one of the coupling devices and a cooling channel that are fluidically connected (to each other).

[0027] The coupling devices can be mechanically and fluidically coupled to one another to form two guide channels for guiding the cooling medium. One of the guide channels can (in the coupled state of the coupling devices) be fluidically connected to a first end of each cooling channel of the cooling struts and / or be configured to introduce the cooling medium into each cooling channel of the cooling struts. Another of the guide channels can (in the coupled state of the coupling devices) be fluidically connected to a second end of each cooling channel of the cooling struts and / or be configured to receive or discharge the cooling medium from each cooling channel of the cooling struts.

[0028] The coupling devices can each have at least one passage (e.g., two passages) and a nozzle on each side of at least one passage. The nozzles of the coupling devices can be of identical construction. To couple the coupling devices, two nozzles of two of the coupling devices, e.g., adjacently arranged, can be connected or interconnected by means of a sleeve. In the coupled state, the passages and the nozzles of the coupling devices and the sleeves can form the at least one guide channel.

[0029] The coupling devices can each have two passages, which can be aligned in the same direction and spaced from one another, e.g., one above the other. A first nozzle and a second nozzle can be formed and / or arranged on each of the two passages. The first nozzles can be formed and / or arranged on a first side surface of the respective coupling device(s), and the second nozzles can be formed and / or arranged on a second side surface of the respective coupling device(s). The first side surface can be an extension of a first longitudinal side surface of the respective strut(s), and the second side surface can be an extension of a second longitudinal side surface of the respective strut(s). The first nozzles and the second nozzles can be structurally identical.

[0030] To couple the coupling devices, a first nozzle and a second nozzle of two of the coupling devices, e.g., arranged adjacently, can be connected or interconnected by means of a sleeve. In the coupled state, the passages and the (first and second) nozzles of the coupling devices and the sleeves can form the two guide channels (for guiding the cooling medium), e.g., running parallel to each other.

[0031] The modular system can comprise, for example, identically constructed sleeves for connecting two nozzles of two of the coupling devices. The sleeves can each have a length such that, in a coupled state, one of the cell rows is arranged between two of the struts, e.g., adjacent to each other. The length of the sleeves can, for example, each correspond (approximately) to the diameter of (one) of the cylindrical battery cells.

[0032] Alternatively, in the second design variant, if only the cooling struts have the coupling devices, the sleeves can have a length such that, in a coupled state, two of the plurality of cell rows and a spacer strut (of the spacer struts) arranged therebetween are arranged, for example, adjacently, between two of the coupled cooling struts. The length of the sleeves can, for example, correspond (approximately) to twice the diameter (of one) of the cylindrical battery cells and the width (of one) of the spacer struts.

[0033] The modular system can include a busbar. The busbar can be arranged or attached, e.g., glued or bonded, to an outermost cooling strut (of the cooling struts). In the second construction variant, the struts can be arranged alternately such that one of the outermost struts is a cooling strut (of the cooling struts).

[0034] The struts can be divided into two longitudinal halves, at least in sections. The two longitudinal halves can, for example, run at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the respective strut(s), e.g., one above the other.

[0035] The modular system can comprise a housing (which is applicable to all construction variants) in which the multiple rows of cells and the struts (each arranged between two of the multiple rows of cells) can be arranged or are arranged. The above description can be summarized in other words and in a possible more concrete embodiment of the disclosure as described below, whereby the following description should be interpreted as non-limiting to the disclosure.

[0036] The present disclosure describes a concept in which the identical system architecture serves as the basis for both single-sided and double-sided cooling and the same production process can be used to construct them.

[0037] For this purpose, the entire battery can be constructed from a single block of battery cells. The battery cells can be bonded to a cooler (i.e., a cooling strut) on both sides. For batteries with reduced performance requirements, every second cooler (or cooling strut) is replaced by a spacer (i.e., a distance strut).

[0038] The spacer (i.e., the spacer bar) can, in principle, be geometrically identical to the cooler (i.e., the spacer bar), but made of cheaper materials, such as plastic. This also eliminates the need for insulation of the spacer, as the base material already provides insulation. The spacer can perform two functions: conducting the cooling medium and providing a mechanical connection between the battery cells (via bonding).

[0039] The connection of the individual elements (cooler / cooler or cooler / spacer) can be made, for example, using sleeves.

[0040] A further simplification of the spacer is possible by eliminating the fluid flow function. This can be done by omitting the coupling device (also known as the connection assembly) of the spacer and using, for example, an extended sleeve. This reduces the number of connection points, thus saving costs and increasing the robustness of the system. However, the complexity of the system technology is slightly increased and an additional part number is generated. The presence of a cooler (i.e. a cooling strut) in the first and last row of the battery means that this cooler can be used in both single-sided and double-sided cooling concepts to adhere a busbar in the same way as the battery cells. This also allows the busbar to be cooled, which increases battery performance.

[0041] Furthermore, safety requirements stipulate that the heat generated by a thermal event in one battery cell should be distributed as best as possible among the surrounding battery cells in order to prevent further thermal events in the neighboring cells or thermal propagation. The outermost battery cells have only (very) few neighboring cells; in the case of one-sided cooling, the spacer (made of a cheap material, e.g. plastic) would reduce good heat conduction to the neighboring cells. Therefore, a heat-conducting spacer can be installed on the outermost battery cells. This heat-conducting spacer can be a spacer strut which, like the cooler (i.e. the cooling strut), is made of a good heat-conducting material, e.g. aluminum, and can therefore distribute the heat well. However, to enable even cooling of the battery, unlike the cooler, the cooling medium does not flow through this spacer.

[0042] Furthermore, a method for producing an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle is provided.

[0043] The method comprises providing the modular system described above.

[0044] The method comprises arranging the cylindrical battery cells in a plurality of cell rows arranged side by side, and determining whether the electrical energy storage device is to be produced in the first construction variant or the second construction variant.

[0045] The method comprises selecting the struts. Only the struts designed as cooling struts are selected if it has been determined to manufacture the electrical energy storage device in the first design variant. The struts designed as cooling struts and the struts designed as spacer struts are selected if it has been determined to manufacture the electrical energy storage device in the second design variant.

[0046] The method comprises arranging and bonding the selected struts between two of the plurality of cell rows, wherein the cooling struts and the spacer struts for the second construction variant are arranged and bonded alternately.

[0047] What has been described above with reference to the modular system also applies analogously to the process and vice versa.

[0048] Furthermore, an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle is provided. The electrical energy storage device is manufactured using the modular system described above and / or using the method described above as an electrical energy storage device of the first design variant or the second design variant.

[0049] What has been described above with reference to the modular system and process also applies analogously to the electrical energy storage system and vice versa.

[0050] Furthermore, a motor vehicle is provided, wherein the motor vehicle comprises the electrical energy storage device described above.

[0051] The motor vehicle may be a passenger car, in particular an automobile, or a commercial vehicle, such as a truck.

[0052] The motor vehicle can be an electrically powered, optionally drivable, motor vehicle.

[0053] The electrical energy storage device can be designed as a traction battery of the motor vehicle.

[0054] The above descriptions regarding the modular system, method, and electrical energy storage device also apply analogously to the motor vehicle, and vice versa. Optional embodiments are described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[0055] Fig. 1 shows schematic sections of the electrical energy storage device according to the disclosure in the first and second construction variants, which is manufactured by means of the modular system according to the disclosure;

[0056] Fig. 2 shows schematically another section of the electrical

[0057] Energy storage in the first construction variant;

[0058] Fig. 3 shows schematically another section of the electrical

[0059] Energy storage unit in the first design variant with an attached busbar;

[0060] Fig. 4 shows schematically the cooling strut and the spacer strut according to the disclosure;

[0061] Fig. 5 shows schematic sections of the electrical energy storage device in the second construction variant with different coupling variants of the struts;

[0062] Fig. 6 shows schematically a further section of the electrical energy storage device in the second construction variant with a thermal event shown; and

[0063] Fig. 7 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the disclosure for producing the electrical energy storage device.

[0064] Figure 1 shows only schematically a section of the electrical energy storage device 10-1 in the first design variant and a section of the electrical energy storage device 10-2 in the second design variant, which is manufactured using the modular system of the present disclosure. The modular system comprises cylindrical battery cells 1, which can be arranged or are arranged next to one another in several cell rows, and struts 2, 3, which can be arranged or are arranged between two of the several cell rows.

[0065] In the first construction variant, the struts are designed exclusively as cooling struts 2, wherein the cooling struts 2 each have a cooling channel running in the longitudinal direction for guiding a cooling medium.

[0066] In the second design variant, the struts are designed alternately as cooling struts 2 and spacer struts 3, with the spacer struts 3 being designed without cooling channels in the longitudinal direction and / or as solid struts. The cooling struts 2 and the spacer struts 3 have the same external geometry (and / or the same external dimensions) at least in sections, optionally completely.

[0067] Accordingly, the electrical energy storage device 10-1 in the first design variant comprises several cell rows, with a cooling strut 2 arranged between each two adjacent cell rows. These cooling struts 2 have coupling devices 2-1 that can be mechanically and fluidically coupled to one another or are coupled in the manufactured electrical energy storage device 10-1 to form at least one guide channel for guiding the cooling medium.

[0068] The coupling devices 2-1 are each arranged at a longitudinal end region of one of the cooling struts 2 and can be mechanically and fluidically coupled to two further coupling devices 2-1 or are coupled in the manufactured electrical energy storage device 10-1. Furthermore, the coupling devices 2-1 can each be fluidically connected to the respective cooling channel of the respective cooling strut 2 in order to introduce the cooling fluid from the at least one guide channel into the cooling channel or to discharge it from the cooling channel into the at least one guide channel.

[0069] For the sake of simplicity, the section of the electrical energy storage device 10-1 in Figure 1 shows, purely schematically, only the first cylindrical battery cell 1 of the respective cell row, a section of the cooling struts 2 arranged between the cell rows, and the coupling devices 2-1 with which the adjacent cooling struts 2 are coupled to one another. The direction L shown indicates the longitudinal direction or the direction of extension of the cooling struts 2 and the cell rows.

[0070] The electrical energy storage device 10-2 in the second design variant accordingly also has several cell rows, with a cooling strut 2 or a spacer strut 3 being arranged alternately between two adjacent cell rows. Like the cooling struts 2, the spacer struts 3 also have the coupling devices 3-1, which, together with the coupling devices 2-1 of the cooling struts 2, can be mechanically and fluidically coupled and form at least one guide channel for guiding the cooling medium in the manufactured electrical energy storage device 10-2.

[0071] The coupling devices 3-1 are each arranged at a longitudinal end region of one of the spacer struts 3 and can be constructed identically to the coupling devices 2-1 of the cooling struts, with the exception that no fluidic connection to a cooling channel is provided in the spacer struts 3 without cooling channels.

[0072] The section of the electrical energy storage device 10-2 in Figure 1 also shows, purely schematically for the sake of simplicity, only the first cylindrical battery cell 1 of the respective cell row, a section of the cooling struts 2 or spacer struts 3 arranged between the cell rows, and the coupling devices 2-1, 3-1. The direction L shown indicates the longitudinal direction or the direction of extension of the cooling struts 2, the spacer struts 3, and the cell rows.

[0073] Figure 2 schematically shows a further section of the electrical energy storage device 10-1 in the first construction variant, wherein, by way of example, all cell rows of the cylindrical battery cells 1 and the cooling struts 2 are shown completely and in an intended, compact arrangement.

[0074] The cooling struts 2 each comprise the coupling devices 2-1 at one end, which, in this embodiment, form two guide channels for the cooling medium when coupled, e.g., one channel for supplying the cooling medium and another channel for discharging the cooling medium. Accordingly, two cooling connections 6 are formed on the outermost coupling device 2-1, to which lines can be attached, for example, to introduce the cooling medium into one of the guide channels and to discharge it from the other of the guide channels.

[0075] Based on the illustrated compact arrangement of the cylindrical battery cells 1 and the cooling struts 2, it can be seen that the cooling struts 2 are arranged at a distance from one another in such a way that the battery cells 1 each rest against two of the cooling struts 2 and can thus be cooled or are cooled on two sides in the illustrated first design variant.

[0076] Analogously, the electrical energy storage device 10-2 can also be constructed in the second construction variant, ie the alternately arranged cooling struts 2 and spacer struts 3 can be arranged at a distance from one another in such a way that the battery cells 1 each rest against one of the cooling struts 2 and can thus be cooled or are cooled on one side.

[0077] Figure 3 shows a further section of the electrical energy storage device 10-1 in the first design variant, wherein a cell contact 7 is arranged on the battery cells 1. A busbar 6 is arranged adjacent to the outermost cooling strut 1 and can thus also be cooled by the cooling strut 1. This arrangement of the coolable busbar 6 is also conceivable for the electrical energy storage device 10-2 in the second design variant, wherein the struts 2, 3 are arranged alternately such that the outermost rail is a cooling strut 2.

[0078] Figure 4 shows the cooling strut 2 and the spacer strut 3 according to an optional embodiment, each of which has a wave-shaped longitudinal profile, wherein concave contact surfaces 2-4, 3-4 for the respective contact of one of the battery cells 1 are formed by the wave-shaped longitudinal profile.

[0079] Due to the wave-shaped longitudinal course, the cooling strut 2 and the

[0080] Spacer bars 3 each have, in the longitudinal direction L, a first longitudinal side surface 2-3, 3-3 with a first set of concave contact surfaces 2-4, 3-4 and a second longitudinal side surface, which is opposite the first longitudinal side surface 2-3, 3-3, with a second set of concave contact surfaces. The first set of concave contact surfaces 2-4, 3-4 and the second set of concave contact surfaces are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction (L).

[0081] The first set of concave contact surfaces 2-4, 3-4 can be configured to support a first row of the plurality of cell rows, and the second set of concave contact surfaces can be configured to support a second row of the plurality of cell rows, wherein the first row and the second row can be arranged or are arranged offset from one another in the longitudinal direction L. This allows a compact arrangement to be achieved, as shown, for example, in Figure 2.

[0082] Figure 4 further shows that the coupling devices 2-1, 3-1 of the cooling strut 2 or the spacer strut 3 can each have at least one passage (not shown) and a nozzle 2-2, 3-2 on both sides of the at least one passage. To couple the coupling devices 2-1, 3-1, two nozzles 2-2, 3-2 of two of the coupling devices 2-1, 3-1 can be connected or interconnected by means of a sleeve 4-1; 4-2 (shown in Figure 5).

[0083] More precisely, the embodiment shown of the coupling devices 2-1, 3-1 of the cooling strut 2 and the spacer strut 3 each have two passages which are aligned in the same direction and spaced apart from one another or one above the other. A nozzle 2-2, 3-2 is formed and / or arranged on both sides of the two passages, so that two of the total four nozzles are formed and / or arranged on a side surface of the respective coupling device 2-1, 3-1 (or a first longitudinal side surface of the strut 2, 3) and the other two of the four nozzles are formed and / or arranged on an opposite side surface of the respective coupling device 2-1, 3-1 (or a second longitudinal side surface of the strut 2, 3). These coupling devices 2-1, 3-1 can e.g. B. be coupled together by means of sleeves in such a way as to form the two guide channels for the cooling medium, wherein the two guide channels run parallel to each other, for example.Figure 5 shows sections of the electrical energy storage device 10-2 in the second construction variant with different coupling variants of the struts 2, 3.

[0084] Coupling variant (a) provides that, in addition to the cooling struts 2, the spacer struts 3 also form the coupling devices 2-1, 3-1, which can be mechanically and fluidically coupled to one another or are coupled in the manufactured electrical energy storage device 10-2. Accordingly, the coupling devices 2-1, 3-1 are coupled to the directly adjacent coupling devices 2-1, 3-1, wherein the coupling devices 2-1, 3-1 are structurally identical or at least have the same external dimensions.

[0085] Each connecting piece 2-2 of a coupling device 2-1 of a cooling strut 2 can be coupled or connected to a connecting piece 3-2 of a directly adjacent coupling device 3-1 of a spacer strut 3 by means of a sleeve 4-1. The respective sleeve 4-1 can have a length such that a cell row of the battery cells 1 can be arranged between the cooling strut 2 and the spacer strut 3, which are coupled to one another via the coupling devices 2-1, 3-1, e.g., such that the battery cells 1 of the cell row rest against both struts 2, 3.

[0086] Coupling variant (b) provides that only the cooling struts 2 have the coupling devices 2-1. Accordingly, only the cooling struts can be coupled to one another via their coupling devices 2-1 or are coupled in the manufactured electrical energy storage device 10-2, but not the spacer struts 3.

[0087] The coupling can again be carried out by means of sleeves 4-2, wherein a nozzle 2-2 of a coupling device 2-1 of a cooling strut 2 can be coupled or coupled to a nozzle 2-2 of the coupling device 2-1 of a nearest cooling strut 2 by means of a sleeve 4-2. Due to the alternating arrangement of the cooling struts 2 and the spacer struts 3 in the second design variant, the respective sleeve 4-2 can have a length such that two cell rows of the battery cells 1 and a spacer strut 3 arranged therebetween can be arranged between the two coupled cooling struts 2, e.g. such that the battery cells 1 of the two cell rows each rest against the spacer strut 3 and Y1 of one of the cooling struts 2. The sleeves 4-2 of the coupling variant (b) can therefore be longer than the sleeves 4-1 of the coupling variant (a), but can also have the same dimensions, e.g. the same diameter.

[0088] As further shown in Figure 5, the cooling strut 2 and the spacer strut 3 can be divided at least in sections into two longitudinal halves which extend one above the other in the longitudinal direction of the cooling strut 2 and the spacer strut 3, respectively.

[0089] Figure 6 shows, by way of example, a section of the electrical energy storage device 10-2 in the second design variant with a thermal event in a battery cell 1. The arrows indicate a heat flow from the battery cell 1 with the thermal event into neighboring battery cells 1. In order to distribute the heat generated during the thermal event as best as possible among the surrounding battery cells 1 and thus prevent further thermal events in the neighboring battery cells 1 or thermal propagation, the spacer struts 3 can be made of a heat-conducting material, e.g., aluminum, and / or of the same material as the cooling struts.

[0090] The electrical energy storage device 10-1, 10-2 can be manufactured, for example, in the first or second construction variant according to the method 100 shown in Figure 7.

[0091] In a first process step S1, the modular system is provided.

[0092] In a second process step S2, the cylindrical battery cells 1 are arranged next to one another in several rows of cells.

[0093] In a third method step S3, it is determined whether the electrical energy storage device 10-1, 10-2 is to be manufactured in the first construction variant or the second construction variant.

[0094] In a fourth method step S4, the struts 2, 3 are selected. Only the struts 2 designed as cooling struts are selected if it has been determined to manufacture the electrical energy storage device 10-1 in the first design variant. The struts 2 designed as cooling struts and the struts 3 designed as spacer struts are selected if it has been determined to manufacture the electrical energy storage device 10-2 in the second design variant. In a fifth method step S5, the selected struts 2, 3 are arranged between two of the plurality of cell rows and glued. The cooling struts 2 and the spacer struts 3 are arranged alternately and glued for the second design variant.

[0095] List of reference symbols

[0096] 1 cylindrical battery cells

[0097] 2 cooling struts

[0098] 2-1 Coupling device of the cooling strut

[0099] 2-2 nozzles of the cooling strut coupling device

[0100] 2-3 first longitudinal side surface of the cooling strut

[0101] 2-4 concave contact surfaces of the cooling strut

[0102] 3 spacer struts

[0103] 3-1 Coupling device of the spacer strut

[0104] 3-2 Nozzle of the coupling device of the spacer strut

[0105] 3-3 first longitudinal side surface of the spacer strut

[0106] 3-4 concave contact surfaces of the spacer strut

[0107] 4 sleeve

[0108] 5 Busbar

[0109] 6 cooling connections

[0110] 7 Cell contacting

[0111] 10-1 electrical energy storage according to the first construction variant

[0112] 10-2 electrical energy storage according to the second construction variant

[0113] L longitudinal direction

[0114] 100 procedures

[0115] S1-S5 process steps

Claims

Patent claims 1. A modular system for producing an electrical energy storage device (10-1; 10-2) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - cylindrical battery cells (1) which can be arranged or are arranged next to one another in several rows of cells; and - struts (2, 3) which can be arranged or are arranged between two of the several rows of cells, characterized in that - the struts (2, 3) in a first construction variant of the electrical energy storage device (10-1) are designed exclusively as cooling struts (2), wherein the cooling struts (2) each have a cooling channel extending in the longitudinal direction (L) for guiding a cooling medium, and - the struts (2, 3) in a second construction variant of the electrical energy storage device (10-2) are designed alternately as the cooling struts (2) and as spacer struts (3), wherein the spacer struts (3) are designed without cooling channels in the longitudinal direction (L) and / or as solid struts, and wherein the cooling struts (2) and the spacer struts (3) have the same external geometry at least in sections.

2. Modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the struts (2, 3) can be arranged or are arranged at a distance from one another in such a way that the battery cells (1) rest against two of the struts (2, 3), wherein the battery cells (1) - in the first construction variant, they can be cooled on both sides by being attached to two of the cooling struts (2), and - in the second design variant, they can be cooled on one side by being placed on one of the cooling struts (2).

3. Modular system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the struts (2, 3) each have a wave-shaped longitudinal course, wherein concave contact surfaces (2-4, 3-4) for the respective contact of one of the battery cells (1) are formed by the wave-shaped longitudinal course.

4. Modular system according to claim 3, characterized in that the struts (2, 3) each have in the longitudinal direction (L) a first longitudinal side surface (2-3, 3-3) with a first set of the concave contact surfaces (2-4, 3-4) and a second longitudinal side surface with a second set of the concave contact surfaces, wherein - the first set of concave contact surfaces (2-4, 3-4) and the second set of concave contact surfaces are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction (L), and / or - the first set of concave contact surfaces (2-4, 3-4) are designed to contact a first row of the plurality of cell rows and the second set of concave contact surfaces are designed to contact a second row of the plurality of cell rows, wherein the first row and the second row can be arranged or are arranged offset from one another in the longitudinal direction (L).

5. Modular system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling struts (2) and optionally the spacer struts (3) have coupling devices (2-1, 3-1) which can be or are coupled to one another mechanically and fluidically to form at least one guide channel for guiding the cooling medium.

6. Modular system according to claim 5, characterized in that - the coupling devices (2-1, 3-1) are each arranged at a longitudinal end region of one of the struts (2, 3) and can be or are coupled mechanically and fluidically to two further coupling devices (2-1, 3-1), and / or - the coupling devices (2-1) of the cooling struts (2) are each fluidically connected to the respective cooling channel.

7. Modular system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the coupling devices (2-1, 3-1) each have at least one passage and on both sides of the at least one passage a nozzle (2-2, 3-2), wherein for coupling the coupling devices (2-1, 3-1) two nozzles (2-2, 3-2) of two of the coupling devices (2-1, 3-1) can be connected or are connected to one another by means of a sleeve (4-1; 4-2).

8. Method (100) for producing an electrical energy storage device (10-1; 10-2) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that the method comprises: - Providing (S1) the modular system according to one of the preceding claims; - arranging (S2) the cylindrical battery cells (1) in several rows of cells arranged next to one another; - determining (S3) to produce the electrical energy storage device (10-1; 10-2) in the first construction variant or the second construction variant; - selections (S4) of the struts (2, 3), where - only the struts (2) designed as cooling struts are selected if it has been decided to manufacture the electrical energy storage device (10-1) in the first construction variant, and, - the struts (2) designed as cooling struts and the struts (3) designed as spacer struts are selected if it has been decided to manufacture the electrical energy storage device (10-2) in the second construction variant; - arranging and gluing (S5) the selected struts (2, 3) between two of the plurality of cell rows, wherein the cooling struts (2) and the spacer struts (3) for the second construction variant are arranged and glued alternately.

9. Electrical energy storage device (10-1; 10-2) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that the electrical energy storage device (10-1; 10-2) is manufactured by means of the modular system according to one of claims 1 to 7 and / or by means of the method (100) according to claim 8 as an electrical energy storage device (10-1; 10-2) of the first construction variant or the second construction variant.

10. Motor vehicle, characterized in that the motor vehicle comprises the electrical energy storage device (10-1; 10-2) according to claim 9.

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