System with a stacking aid and a plurality of batteries

Abstract

The invention relates to a system with a stacking aid (2) and a plurality of batteries (3) which are arranged in the stacking aid (2). The stacking aid (2) has a support element (7) and two sidewalls (8, 9) which are aligned orthogonally thereto and which receive the support element (7) between each other, wherein the support element (7) receives a plurality of batteries (3) arranged one over the other in rows (10), and a positioning aid (18) is arranged between two rows (10) of batteries (3) arranged one above the other in the vertical direction (16), said positioning aid having a plate (25) which is equipped with a protrusion (24) that is used as a stop. The positioning aid (18) is designed in two parts and has a first section (19) and a second section (20) which are releasably connected together. A connecting piece (21) is provided which engages into a first recess (22) provided by the first section (19) and into a second recess (23) provided by the second section (20) in a form-fitting manner in each case in the final assembly state.

Description

[0001] System with a stacking aid and a plurality of batteries

[0002] The invention relates to a system with a stacking aid and a plurality of batteries, in particular AGM batteries, arranged in the stacking aid, wherein the stacking aid has a support element and two cheeks aligned orthogonally thereto, which receive the support element between them, wherein the support element receives a plurality of batteries arranged one above the other in rows, wherein between two rows of batteries following one another in the vertical direction, a positioning aid is arranged, which has a plate equipped with an extension serving as a stop.

[0003] Systems of the type mentioned above in general, and systems of the type mentioned above for AGM batteries in particular, are known from the state of the art, so no separate written reference is required here. A generic system is known, for example, from DE 102022 118 386 A1, which concerns a system specifically for AGM batteries.

[0004] AGM batteries are rechargeable batteries that have electrode plates arranged in a housing. The housing is rectangular in cross-section and has parallel first side walls on one side and parallel second side walls on the other. The electrode plates accommodated by the housing are aligned parallel to the first side walls of the housing. The second side walls of the housing run perpendicular to the electrode plates.

[0005] A nonwoven fabric serving as a separator is arranged between each two adjacent electrode plates. Furthermore, the housing contains an electrolyte surrounding the electrode plates. In the case of AGM batteries, this electrolyte is in bound form and is provided by the nonwoven fabrics located between the electrode plates. The nonwoven fabrics therefore serve not only as separators but also as an electrolyte binding agent.

[0006] The electrolyte present in AGM batteries in bound form makes it advantageously possible to store AGM batteries lying down, i.e. on one of the side walls of the housing, without there being any risk of electrolyte leaking out of the housing.

[0007] For AGM batteries to last a long time, there must always be surface contact between the individual electrode plates and the interposed, electrolyte-filled fleeces. To ensure this, plate packs consisting of the electrode plates and the individual fleeces interposed between them are pressed together and inserted into the AGM battery casing. However, when used as intended, the internal pressure building up in the casing can cause the casing to bulge or expand. This then leads to the compressed arrangement of the electrode plates and fleeces no longer being able to be maintained, despite the plate packs having been pressed together previously. This has the negative effect of weakening the contact between the electrode plates and the fleeces, significantly reducing the service life of the AGM battery.The pressure inside the casing of an AGM battery can increase, especially during a charging cycle, resulting in repeated contact loss between the electrode plates and the mats, which reduces their service life. The loading condition caused by the compressed mats is therefore the main cause of casing bulging.

[0008] To address this problem, it has already been proposed to store AGM batteries horizontally on shelves, with the AGM batteries aligned relative to the shelf in such a way that the electrode plates are parallel to the shelves. In their intended use, the AGM batteries are essentially clamped between two shelves to prevent unwanted bulging of the battery casing, as described, for example, in DE 202019 105 870 U1.

[0009] Comparable systems are also known from US 6,641,951 B1 and EP 0 922 308 B1. Here, too, stacking aids are used to accommodate AGM batteries, which enclose the AGM batteries held therein. Supporting elements in the form of intermediate and / or insert shelves are provided, which are connected to laterally arranged cheeks in a force-transmitting manner. When used as intended, the AGM batteries are thus clamped at least between a base element and an intermediate and / or insert shelf on the one hand, and an intermediate and / or insert shelf and a cover element on the other, whereby the base element, the cover element, and the at least one intermediate and / or insert shelf counteract unwanted bulging of the housing of an AGM battery.In the event of a force being applied to the base element, the intermediate and / or insert floor and / or the cover element as a result of counteracting a bulging of the housing of an AGM battery, the force is dissipated via the lateral cheeks of the stacking aid, which are in operative connection with the at least one intermediate and / or insert floor in a force-transmitting manner.

[0010] All of these previously known systems and stacking aids have the disadvantage of being very robust due to the use of appropriate materials, particularly to ensure adequate force dissipation via the side panels. This high material usage, due to their design, makes these previously known stacking aids comparatively expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, the material-intensive design of the stacking aids complicates both production and assembly at the installation site.

[0011] To address this problem, DE 10 2022 118 386 A1 proposes a generic system, according to which the cheeks accommodating the battery support element between them are designed to perform no supporting function and serve exclusively as lateral protection for the batteries held by the support element. Accordingly, the support element on the stacking aid side serves exclusively to securely position the batteries provided by the system. The cheeks arranged on it, however, serve exclusively as lateral fall-out protection and do not perform a supporting function.

[0012] As a result of this design, the stacking aid known from DE 10 2022 118 386 A1 is simpler and cheaper to construct and, moreover, easier to assemble and disassemble at the installation site.

[0013] In order to ensure precise positioning of the batteries held by the stacking aid, DE 10 2022 118 386 A1 proposes the use of a positioning aid. Such a positioning aid is arranged between two vertically successive rows of batteries. It is preferably designed in the manner of a plate and provides an extension serving as a stop, which, when used as intended, ensures precise positioning of the batteries interacting with the positioning aid. In contrast to the previously explained prior art, the positioning aid is not connected to the cheeks of the stacking aid in a force-transmitting manner, so that, when used as intended, no force is introduced via the positioning aids into the lateral cheeks of the stacking aid.

[0014] Although the design known from DE 10 2022 118 386 A1 has proven itself in everyday practical use, there is still room for improvement, particularly with regard to further simplifying user handling. Therefore, the object of the invention is to structurally improve the system previously known from DE 10 2022 118 386 A1 to enable simplified user handling, particularly when a stacking aid is first fitted with batteries.

[0015] To achieve this object, the invention proposes a generic system which is characterized in that the positioning aid is designed in two parts and has a first section and a second section which are detachably connected to one another, wherein a connecting piece is provided which, in the final assembled state, engages in a form-fitting manner in a first recess provided by the first section and in a second recess provided by the second section.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention proposes a stacking aid, in particular one for receiving AGM batteries, which has a support element and two cheeks aligned orthogonally thereto, which hold the support element between them, wherein the support element is designed to hold a plurality of batteries arranged one above the other in rows, wherein between two rows of batteries following one another in the vertical direction there is arranged a positioning aid which has a plate equipped with an extension serving as a stop, wherein the positioning aid is designed in two parts and has a first section and a second section which are detachably connected to one another, wherein a connecting piece is provided which, in the finally assembled state, engages in a form-fitting manner in a recess provided by the first section and in a second recess provided by the second section.

[0017] The system according to the invention and the stacking aid according to the invention are used in particular to accommodate AGM batteries, wherein an AGM battery has a housing with first side walls and electrode plates arranged in the housing, which are aligned parallel to the first side walls of the housing. In the final assembled state of a system according to the invention or a stacking aid according to the invention, the support element of a stacking aid accommodates a plurality of AGM batteries arranged one above the other in rows, wherein both the support element and the first side walls of the housings of the AGM batteries are aligned parallel.

[0018] According to the system according to the invention or according to the stacking aid according to the invention, a positioning aid is provided that is constructed in two parts. The positioning aid comprises a first section on the one hand and a second section on the other. In the final assembled state, these two sections of the positioning aid are connected to each other, and can be removed. This allows for disassembly of the positioning aid, in which case the positioning aid is divided into two sections.

[0019] A connecting piece is provided to connect the two sections of the positioning aid. The positioning aid therefore consists of three parts: a first section, a second section, and a connecting piece that allows the two sections to be detachably connected.

[0020] The two sections of the positioning aid each provide a recess, with the first section providing a first recess and the second section providing a second recess. When the positioning aid is finally assembled, the connecting piece engages in the two recesses of the sections with a form-fitting fit. This ensures a permanently secure connection between the two sections of the positioning aid during final assembly as intended. Dividing the positioning aid into two sections offers the advantage of simplified transport to the installation site. In particular, dividing the positioning aid into sections makes it possible to transport the positioning aid disassembled, with the sections only being of a size that enables transport on a commercially available standardized Euro pallet. This simplifies both order picking and on-site assembly.

[0021] Connecting the two sections of the positioning aid using a connector that engages positively in corresponding recesses in the sections also has the advantage of allowing tool-free assembly. Furthermore, on-site assembly and installation is extremely simple, allowing even untrained personnel to perform the installation.

[0022] In the final assembled state of the system, the individual batteries held by the stacking aid are stacked in rows, so that the positioning aids provided between the individual battery rows are subjected to force according to the weight. This creates inherent stability, which also prevents a connecting piece from accidentally becoming detached from the recesses provided by the sections.

[0023] Overall, the system according to the invention proposes a design that results in simplified handling for the user, particularly during assembly and disassembly. Furthermore, simplified transport is achieved, so that overall a more cost-effective and thus economically improved solution is proposed. This is further supported by the fact that assembly and disassembly can be carried out without tools, since for a proper connection of the two sections of the positioning aid, it is sufficient to insert the connecting piece into the corresponding recesses of the sections of the positioning aid in a form-fitting manner, almost like a puzzle piece, so that in the final assembled state, a force-fitting and form-fitting connection is achieved.

[0024] The positioning aid designed according to the invention can be easily assembled by placing the two sections of the positioning aid onto a fully formed battery row. After the two sections have been correctly aligned, they are connected by inserting the connecting piece. The positioning aid is then fully assembled and positioned precisely and securely between the two sides of the stacking aid, allowing batteries to be placed onto the positioning aid as intended.

[0025] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the cheeks accommodate a positioning aid between them, wherein the positioning aid and the cheeks are designed without any connection.

[0026] According to this proposed invention, a connection between the cheeks on the one hand and a positioning aid on the other hand is not provided. In the final assembled state, therefore, no force is transferred from a positioning aid to the cheeks or vice versa. The force is dissipated solely by the support element provided by the stacking aid, on which the individual rows of batteries rest, including the positioning aids arranged between the individual rows of batteries.

[0027] In the final assembled state, a positioning aid is freely positioned between two vertically stacked battery rows. Following the weight force, a positioning aid, including the batteries it supports, rests on the battery row vertically below the positioning aid. Consequently, the entire weight of the batteries supported by the stacking aid, including the positioning aids arranged between the battery rows, rests on the support element on the stacking aid side.

[0028] The purpose of a positioning aid is to securely position the batteries it holds within the stacking aid. A positioning aid also offers the advantage of simplifying assembly, as it makes it easier for the user to insert batteries into the stacking aid in the correct position.

[0029] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the positioning aid extends longitudinally between the two cheeks, wherein the two sections of the positioning aid are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] In its final assembled state, the positioning aid extends between the two cheeks, meaning that the positioning aid rests against one cheek at one end and the other cheek at the other. The two sections of the positioning aid are arranged longitudinally one behind the other. This design makes assembly and disassembly particularly easy.

[0031] During assembly, the two sections of a positioning aid are placed on a battery row already held by the stacking aid and positioned one behind the other lengthwise. To ensure secure alignment of the two sections, the cheeks are preferably equipped with extensions that serve as stops for the sections of the positioning aid. These cheek-side extensions are preferably located on the rear edge of the respective cheeks in the loading direction. The sections of the positioning aid can be placed against these extensions until they stop, making it easy for the user to determine the correct alignment of the two sections. Once the two sections of the positioning aid are positioned on the battery row below, the connecting piece for connecting the two sections can be inserted into the recesses provided by the sections.This is done without tools, allowing for the proper, i.e., intended, insertion of a positioning aid in a simple manner. Once the two sections, including the connecting piece, are assembled—i.e., the positioning aid is correctly inserted into the stacking aid—the next row of batteries can be placed on top of the positioning aid. The positioning aid serves to align the batteries in this row as intended.

[0032] According to a further feature of the invention, the two sections of a positioning aid are designed identically to each other. This design also simplifies assembly, in particular, since the user does not have to distinguish between differently designed sections. Since the two sections are designed identically, storage and order picking are also simplified. To create a positioning aid according to the invention, only two identically designed sections and a connecting piece are required.

[0033] According to a further feature of the invention, the first recess and the second recess each provide an undercut. This undercut acts in the longitudinal extension of the positioning aid and enables a mechanical connection of the two sections, wherein the connection is not only positively locking, but also non-positively locking due to the undercut in the longitudinal extension of the positioning aid. This ensures that the two sections cannot accidentally separate from one another, at least not in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the positioning aid. Since, in the finally assembled state, batteries rest on a positioning aid and the positioning aid is therefore loaded by weight due to the force of gravity, a loosening of the two sections in the vertical direction due to the batteries resting on the positioning aid is also prevented.The result is a permanently secure connection between the two sections of the positioning aid.

[0034] According to a further feature of the invention, the connecting piece has a dovetail-like geometry. This allows for an undercut geometry to be formed in a very simple manner. Due to the dovetail design, the connecting piece is axially symmetrical, which simplifies assembly, as the connecting piece can also be inserted into the recesses of the sections in a mirror-inverted manner.

[0035] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that a positioning aid is designed to be slip-resistant on its underside, which in the finally assembled state faces a row of batteries provided in the vertical direction below the positioning aid.

[0036] This design is particularly advantageous because it provides anti-slip protection between a row of batteries already inserted into the stacking aid on the one hand and a positioning aid placed on top of it on the other. This ensures that the positioning aid does not shift accidentally when it is loaded with batteries. The anti-slip protection applied to the underside of the positioning aid therefore ensures that the positioning aid does not move accidentally in relation to the stacking aid when batteries are loaded. This also ensures that the positioning aid ensures precise and secure alignment of the batteries held by the positioning aid. According to a further feature of the invention, the underside of the positioning aid is provided with an anti-slip coating.The preferred anti-slip feature of the positioning aid is achieved by providing the underside of the positioning aid with a corresponding coating. This coating can either be formed integrally with the positioning aid or applied as an additional coating to the underside of the loading aid. The key feature is that the anti-slip coating creates a frictional connection between the positioning aid and a battery row arranged vertically below it.

[0037] According to a further feature of the invention, the coating is strip-shaped and applied to the underside of the positioning aid. Such a strip-shaped coating can be provided, for example, by a strip element, for example, a sandpaper strip element, which is applied to the underside of the positioning aid by adhesive bonding. Each section of the positioning aid is provided with a corresponding coating, for example, such a sandpaper strip element.

[0038] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the coating runs along the rear edge of the positioning aid in the width direction.

[0039] This special design, in combination with the anti-slip feature already explained above, provides the synergistic effect of height compensation, so that individual batteries arranged one above the other in the vertical direction are essentially aligned vertically.

[0040] The battery housings are made of plastic and are typically manufactured as injection-molded parts. To facilitate demolding, the housings are designed to taper to a conical shape. If batteries equipped with such housings are stacked vertically on top of one another, the design-related shape of the batteries results in a housing stack that is not vertical, but rather curved. The positioning aids provided according to the invention do not change such a non-vertical stacking of individual batteries, since they are not connected to the lateral cheeks of the stacking aid in a force-transmitting manner. Rather, the positioning aids accommodate the stack curvature, so that as a result, the batteries picked up by the stacking aid deviate in height from an exact, vertically arranged stack.This increases the risk of the batteries tipping over and also creates an unsightly visual impression of the batteries arranged one above the other, as they are “crooked” in relation to the vertically aligned cheeks of the stacking aid.

[0041] The inventive application of a strip-shaped coating running along the rear edge of the positioning aid provides a remedy here, as this coating, additionally applied to the underside of the positioning aid, compensates for the conical shape of the battery casing. Despite a lack of force-transmitting connection between the positioning aids and the cheeks, vertical stacking of individual batteries is thus ensured. This is because the positioning aid, together with its coating applied to the rear edge, makes it possible to compensate for the vertical stacking offset caused by the conical design of the battery casings, so that the individual batteries are stacked vertically to the support element of the stacking aid.

[0042] The proposed design of a coating for the positioning aid is capable of being protected in itself, which is why the invention proposes a system with a stacking aid and a plurality of batteries arranged in the stacking aid, wherein the stacking aid has a support element and two cheeks aligned orthogonally thereto which receive the support element between them, wherein the support element receives a plurality of batteries arranged one above the other in rows, wherein a positioning aid is arranged between two rows of batteries which follow one another in the vertical direction, said positioning aid having a plate which is equipped with an extension serving as a stop, wherein the positioning aid is designed with an anti-slip coating which is strip-shaped and which runs along the rear edge of the positioning aid in the loading direction.

[0043] According to a further feature of the invention, a positioning aid for the spaced arrangement of adjacent batteries comprises spacers. These spacers fulfill two functions. Firstly, they serve as guide elements, thus facilitating the insertion of batteries into the stacking aid. Secondly, these spacers ensure that batteries arranged adjacently in a row are spaced apart from one another, allowing air circulation between adjacent batteries for cooling purposes.

[0044] According to a further feature of the invention, in this context, a spacer is provided as a strip body. This type of spacer design supports ease of installation, since a strip body provides a type of guide rail on the battery side, along which the battery can be guided during installation or removal. Two spaced-apart strip bodies are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the width of a rechargeable battery. Thus, a double guide is provided with respect to a battery to be accommodated by the positioning aid during installation.

[0045] According to a further feature of the invention, a strip body is applied to the upper side of the positioning aid, which is opposite the underside of the positioning aid, for example by gluing, welding, screwing and / or the like. According to a preferred embodiment, a section of a positioning aid can accommodate four batteries arranged one behind the other in series. Accordingly, the section of a positioning aid has three strip bodies attached to its upper side. Depending on the design of the individual batteries to be accommodated, more or fewer strip bodies can be provided. The decisive factor is that these are applied to the upper side of a positioning aid, whereas the anti-slip feature described above is formed on the underside of the positioning aid.This ensures that, on the one hand, the positioning aid cannot shift relative to the row of batteries located underneath it in the final assembled state and, on the other hand, that batteries to be picked up by the positioning aid can be properly aligned in relation to the positioning aid.

[0046] The positioning aid not only has the individual strips for aligning a battery, but also the aforementioned extension on the rear edge, which serves as a stop. Batteries to be picked up by a positioning aid can thus be guided all the way to this extension, with longitudinal guidance—i.e., guidance in the loading direction of the stacking aid—being provided by the individual strips of the positioning aid.

[0047] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that a positioning aid has a plate and a border edge arranged on the plate, wherein the border edge extends along the rear edge in the feeding direction and the two front edge edges.

[0048] The border edge therefore has the previously described extension, which serves as a stop and extends in the longitudinal direction of the rear edge. Furthermore, edge edges are provided on the front sides, preferably for each section of the positioning aid. This allows all batteries accommodated by a section of a positioning aid to be guided and secured in position, so that, as a result of two sections connected to one another to form a positioning aid, all batteries accommodated by the positioning aid in its final assembled state are held securely in position. Batteries accommodated on the front side of a section are therefore fixed in position by the associated front edge on the one hand and the strip body adjacent to this front edge on the other. In any case, all batteries accommodated by a section are supported on both sides.

[0049] The invention further proposes a positioning aid with the features already mentioned. Such a positioning aid provides the advantages already described above.

[0050] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description based on the following figures. These show:

[0051] Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view from above of a section of the positioning aid according to the invention;

[0052] Fig. 2 shows a schematic top view of a connecting piece; Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a section of a positioning aid according to the invention including the disassembled connecting piece;

[0053] Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the section according to Fig. 3 with the connecting piece mounted;

[0054] Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a detail of a positioning aid of the type according to the invention composed of two sections;

[0055] Fig. 6 in a further schematic perspective view, partially showing the

[0056] Positioning aid according to Fig. 5;

[0057] Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view from below of a section of a positioning aid according to the invention;

[0058] Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a section of the positioning aid according to Fig. 7;

[0059] Fig. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a positioning aid according to the invention equipped with two batteries as an example;

[0060] Fig. 10 shows a further schematic perspective view of the illustration according to Fig. 9;

[0061] Fig. 11 shows a further schematic perspective view of the illustration according to Fig. 9 with a further positioning aid according to the invention placed on the batteries as an example;

[0062] Fig. 12 shows a schematic perspective view of a stacking aid of the system according to the invention;

[0063] Fig. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of a U-shaped base body;

[0064] Fig. 14 shows a schematic perspective view of a system according to the invention with a stacking aid partially equipped with batteries; and

[0065] Fig. 15 shows a schematic perspective view of a system according to the invention with a fully loaded stacking aid.

[0066] Fig. 12 shows a schematic perspective view of a stacking aid 2 of a system 1, which stacking aid 2, when used as intended, serves to accommodate a plurality of batteries 3, as can be seen, for example, in Figures 14 and 15, each of which shows a system 1. Figures 12 to 15 show a generic stacking aid 2 or a generic system 1, as previously known from DE 102022 118 386 A1.

[0067] The stacking aid 2 according to Fig. 12 has two U-shaped base bodies 6 arranged one above the other in the height direction 16, one of which is shown in a schematic perspective view in Fig. 13 in isolation.

[0068] As can be seen from the illustration in Fig. 13, a U-shaped base body 6 has a support element 7 arranged between two cheeks 8 and 9. The support element 7 is arranged at one end on the cheek 8 and the other end on the cheek 9. In the final assembled state of the support element 7 and the cheeks 8 and 9, a base body 6 is thus formed that is U-shaped.

[0069] In the embodiment shown, the support element 7 has two tubes 11 with a rectangular cross-section. These two tubes 11 are arranged at a distance from one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension 12 of the tube, thus forming a gap between them.

[0070] For the purpose of simplified assembly, the tubes 11 of the support element 7 are each screwed to the associated cheeks 8 and 9 at their ends. Alternatively, a materially bonded connection by welding can also be provided, especially in the case of pre-assembly by the manufacturer. At the installation site, to form the stacking aid 2 shown in Fig. 12, only two base bodies 6 need to be arranged one above the other in the vertical direction 16 in accordance with the design according to Fig. 2. As an alternative to the combined use of two base bodies 6 as a stacking aid 2, as shown in Fig. 12, one base body 6 can also be used on its own, as shown in Fig. 13. Depending on the size and number of batteries 3 to be accommodated by the stacking aid 2, the cheeks 8 and 9 of the stacking aid 2 can be designed to be correspondingly long in the vertical direction.

[0071] To further stabilize the cheeks 8 and 9 and prevent unwanted twisting relative to the support element 7 with respect to the drawing planes, for example, according to Figures 12 and 13, to the left or right, a stiffening element 13 is also provided. In the illustrated embodiment, this is designed as a simple flat material that couples the two cheeks 8 and 9 together.

[0072] As can be seen from a combined view of Figures 12 and 13 in particular, a support element 7 is equipped with connecting connections 15 on its flat side facing away in the vertical direction 16 in the respective associated cheeks 8 and 9. These connecting connections 15 serve in particular for the interchangeable arrangement of spacers 14 serving as feet. In the assembled state of the stacking aid 2, only the lower support element 7 in the vertical direction 16 is equipped with corresponding spacers 14, as can be seen in particular from the illustration in Fig. 1. The connecting connections 15 of the upper support element 7 in the vertical direction 16 remain unused.

[0073] The end faces of the cheeks 8 and 9 also have corresponding connecting connections 15, whereby in the final assembled state the end faces of the cheeks 8 and 9 facing the ground at the installation site are equipped with corresponding spacers 14, as can also be seen in Fig. 12.

[0074] As a combination of the other Figures 14 and 15 shows, when used as intended, the stacking aid 2 accommodates a plurality of batteries 3 arranged one above the other in rows 10 in the vertical direction 16, lying in the illustrated embodiment. Each AGM battery 3 has a housing 4 with first side walls 5. Arranged in the housing 4 of each AGM battery 3 are, among other things, electrode plates, with the first side walls 5 and the electrode plates being aligned parallel. When stacked as intended, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the AGM batteries are stacked lying one above the other, with the first side walls 5 of the respective housing 4, as well as the support element 7 supporting the AGM batteries 3, being aligned horizontally.This alignment ensures that, on the one hand, the pre-tension of the AGM separators does not lead to a bulging of the housing in the height direction 16 and, on the other hand, that, even when an AGM battery is being charged as intended, a possible bulging of the housing in the height direction 16 does not occur.

[0075] Due to its design, system 1 successfully counteracts such unwanted housing bulging by arranging the AGM batteries 3 held by the stacking aid 2 one above the other in the vertical direction 16, so that solely due to the weight of each AGM battery 3, compression occurs following gravity in such a way that unwanted housing bulging is reliably counteracted. The stacking aid is provided with no further support elements 7, holds the AGM batteries 3, and is coupled to the cheeks 8 and 9 in a force-transmitting manner. Therefore, all AGM batteries rest solely on the support element 7 provided at the bottom in the vertical direction 16, following gravity, as can be seen from a summary of Figures 14 and 15 in particular.The cheeks 8 and 9 therefore do not perform any supporting function and serve only to secure the AGM batteries 3 held by the stacking aid 2 from accidentally falling out sideways, for example as a result of a shock or from unwanted mechanical forces from outside.

[0076] In order to arrange the AGM batteries 3 one above the other in the vertical direction 16 with precise and secure positioning within the stacking aid 2, positioning aids 18 are used, with a combination of Figures 1 to 11 showing an example of such a positioning aid 18. A positioning aid 18 is arranged between each two rows 10 of AGM batteries that follow one another in the vertical direction 16. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 14, a first row 10 of AGM batteries 3 is provided, with the AGM batteries 3 of this row resting on the support element 7. In the final state, a positioning aid 18 according to the invention is placed on this first row 10 of AGM batteries 3, which is then followed in the vertical direction 16 by a further row 10 of AGM batteries. The AGM batteries of this further row 10 are held in their precise and secure position by the positioning aid 18 located underneath in the vertical direction 16.A positioning aid 18 then follows, alternating in the vertical direction 16, followed by another row 10 of AGM batteries, until the stacking aid 2 is completely filled with AGM batteries 3, as can be seen from the illustration in Fig. 15. In this case, the stacking aid 2 is loaded with AGM batteries in the loading direction 35, as can also be seen from the illustration in Fig. 15.

[0077] According to the invention, a positioning aid 18 is constructed in two parts and has a first section 19 and a second section 20. In the final assembled state, these two sections 19 and 20 are detachably connected to one another, for which purpose a connecting piece 21 is provided.

[0078] The two sections 19 and 20 of the positioning aid 18 are preferably identical to one another. Fig. 1 shows an example of a section 19 and 20 in a schematic top view. Two such sections are provided to form the positioning aid 18, as is particularly evident from the illustration in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0079] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a section 19 or 20 of the positioning aid 18 has a plate 25. This plate 25 provides a top side 31 and a bottom side 30. When used as intended, sections 19 and 20 accommodate AGM batteries 3 carried by the positioning aid 18 with their respective top sides 31. This is shown, for example, in Figures 9, 10, and 11.

[0080] A section 19 or 20 of the positioning aid 18 further has a border edge 26 attached to the plate 25. The plate 25 and the border edge 26 can preferably be formed integrally. A preferred embodiment of the plate 25, including the border edge 26 arranged thereon, is made of plastic.

[0081] The peripheral edge 26 has a web 24 running along the rear edge 36 of the plate 25 in the loading direction 35, which web is designed as an extension and serves as a stop for AGM batteries 3 received by the positioning aid 18. The peripheral edge 26 also has webs 27 formed on the front side of the plate 5. These webs each serve to laterally guide and / or space the AGM batteries 3 assigned to these webs in the final assembled state.

[0082] Each section 19 and 20 further has recesses, namely a first recess 22 and a second recess 23. In the case of two sections 19 and 20 arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction 28, the mutually facing recesses 22 and 23 serve to positively receive a connecting piece 21, as can be seen from a comparison of Figures 1 to 6. In the final assembled state, the two sections 19 and 20 forming a positioning aid 18 are positively connected to one another by means of the associated connecting piece 21. This connection can be assembled and disassembled without tools, which enables simplified handling by the user.

[0083] For a form-fitting insertion of a connecting piece 21 into the corresponding recesses 22 and 23 of the sections 19 and 20, the recesses 22 and 23 are each geometrically designed such that an undercut 29 is provided in the longitudinal direction 28, as can be seen, for example, in Figures 3 and 4. Since the connecting piece 21 is inserted into the recesses 22 and 23 in a form-fitting manner in the final assembled state, the undercut 29 provided by the recesses 22 and 23 ensures that force transmission is permitted in the longitudinal direction 28, solely due to the mechanical operative connection between the sections 19 and 20 on the one hand and the connecting piece 21 on the other.

[0084] Each section 19 or 20 carries spacers 32 on its upper side 31 in the form of strip-shaped bars. The distance between two adjacent spacers 32 is the housing width of a battery held by the positioning aid 18 in its intended use. The distance between two spacers 32 is therefore selected depending on the size of the batteries to be held by the stacking aid 2. It is, for example, 175.5 mm.

[0085] A section 19 or 20 of a positioning aid 18 shown in Fig. 1 serves to accommodate four accumulators or batteries 3. A total of three spacers 32 are therefore provided, wherein the outer spacers 32 each interact with the associated front-side web 27, so that in the final assembled state, a battery is arranged between an edge-side spacer 32 and the associated front-side web 27.

[0086] As can be seen from Figures 7 and 8, a strip element 34 with a coating 33 is arranged on the underside 30 of each section 19 or 20 in the region of the rear edge 36 in the feeding direction 35. The strip element 34 runs in the longitudinal direction 28, thus extending in the direction of the edge 36.

[0087] The strip element 34 equipped with a coating 33 can, for example, be sandpaper glued to the underside 30 of the section 19 or 20.

[0088] The strip element 34 provided on the underside of each section 19 or 20 essentially fulfills two advantages. Firstly, it provides anti-slip protection, and secondly, it compensates for tolerances in the vertical direction.

[0089] When a positioning aid 18 is loaded with AGM batteries 3, the positioning aid 18 rests in the stacking aid 2 on an already formed row 10 of AGM batteries 3. If this positioning aid 18 is then loaded with another row of AGM batteries 3, there is a risk that the positioning aid 18 or its sections 19 and 20 will shift relative to the row 10 of AGM batteries 3 located below it. If this happens, this would result in an uneven alignment of the individual battery rows 10. To prevent this, each positioning aid 18 is provided on its underside 30 with an anti-slip coating 33, which in the illustrated embodiment is provided by a strip element 34.When in use, this coating 33 ensures that the positioning aid 18 rests non-slip on the row 10 of AGM batteries below it, minimizing the risk of relative movement between the positioning aid 18 and the row of AGM batteries 3 below it when the positioning aid 18 is loaded with AGM batteries 3. As a result, an overall vertical alignment of all AGM batteries 3 stacked one above the other in the vertical direction 16 can be ensured. Each housing of a battery 3 held by the stacking aid 2 during its intended use is conical due to its manufacturing process. The strip element 34 of each positioning aid 18 serves to provide a geometric offset due to this conical housing design, so that despite conical housing shapes, the accumulators or batteries 3 stacked one above the other in the vertical direction 16 are aligned perpendicular to the support element 7.Without such strip elements 34 provided by the positioning aids 18, the individual batteries 3 would be stacked one on top of the other, inclined in one direction. This is effectively avoided with the strip elements 34 in the manner already described above.

[0090] Fig. 11 shows, by way of example and based on two batteries 3, that a positioning aid 18 follows a row 10 of batteries 3 in the vertical direction 16. This then serves to precisely and reliably align another row 10 of AG M batteries 3 following in the vertical direction 16.

[0091] In summary, the embodiment according to the invention provides the following advantages in particular. Height compensation of the structurally conical battery housing is provided. By introducing an additional battery level on a positioning aid 18, the battery level below is firmly positioned, thus preventing the battery levels from slipping against each other. In particular, due to the anti-slip feature on the underside of the positioning aids 18, a positioning aid 18 that is not yet fully equipped with batteries is prevented from moving in relation to the battery level below it during assembly. Furthermore, the anti-slip feature ensures that the batteries 3 are prevented from tipping backwards, i.e. over the rear edge 36 in the loading direction 35.

[0092] The two-part design of a positioning aid 18 allows for compliance with standardized pallet dimensions, thus simplifying both order picking and transport of the system 1 according to the invention in a disassembled state. The individual sections of a positioning aid 18 can be assembled easily and without tools, providing both a force-fitting and a form-fitting connection in the longitudinal direction of the positioning aid 18. The spacers 32 provided on the upper side 31 of each positioning aid 18 simplify the insertion of batteries 3 into the stacking aid 2, as they serve as guide rails. Furthermore, lateral slippage of the batteries 3 is prevented, and a permanent distance is maintained between the individual batteries 3, allowing air circulation for cooling the batteries 3.

[0093] Reference symbol

[0094] 1 System 19 first section

[0095] 2 Stacking aid 20 Second section 3 AGM battery 21 Connector

[0096] 4 Housing 22 first recess

[0097] 5 first side wall 25 23 second recess

[0098] 6 Main body 24 Extension (web)

[0099] 7 Supporting element 25 Plate 8 Stringer 26 Border edge

[0100] 9 cheek 27 frontal web

[0101] 10 Row 3o 28 Longitudinal direction

[0102] 11 Pipe 29 Undercut

[0103] 12 Pipe longitudinal direction 30 Bottom side 13 Stiffening element 31 Top side

[0104] 14 spacers 32 spacers

[0105] 15 Connection port 35 33 Coating

[0106] 16 Height direction 34 Strip element

[0107] 17 Extension 35 Feeding direction 18 Positioning aid 36 Edge

Claims

Patent claims 1. System with a stacking aid (2) and a plurality of batteries (3) arranged in the stacking aid (2), wherein the stacking aid (2) has a support element (7) and two cheeks (8, 9) aligned orthogonally thereto, which receive the support element (7) between them, wherein the support element (7) receives a plurality of batteries (3) arranged one above the other in rows (10), wherein between two rows (10) of batteries (3) following one another in the vertical direction (16) there is arranged a positioning aid (18) which has a plate (25) equipped with an extension (24) serving as a stop, characterized in that the positioning aid (18) is designed in two parts and has a first section (19) and a second section (20) which are detachably connected to one another, wherein a connecting piece (21) is provided,which, in the final assembled state, engages in a form-fitting manner in a first recess (22) provided by the first section (19) and in a second recess (23) provided by the second section (20).

2. A stacking aid for accommodating batteries (3), comprising a U-shaped base body (6) which has a support element (7) and two cheeks (8, 9) aligned orthogonally thereto, wherein the support element (7) is designed to accommodate a plurality of batteries (3) arranged one above the other in rows (10), and comprising a positioning aid (18) which is designed to serve as an intermediate layer between two rows (10) of batteries (3) which follow one another in the vertical direction (16) and which has a plate (25) equipped with an extension (24) serving as a stop, characterized in that the positioning aid (18) is designed in two parts and has a first section (19) and a second section (20) which are detachably connected to one another, wherein a connecting piece (21) is provided,which, in the final assembled state, engages in a form-fitting manner in a first recess (22) provided by the first section (19) and in a second recess (23) provided by the second section (20).

3. System according to claim 1 or stacking aid according to claim 2, characterized in that the cheeks (8, 9) have a positioning aid (18) between them wherein the positioning aid (18) and the cheeks (8, 9) are designed without any connection.

4. System according to claim 1 or 3 or stacking aid according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the two sections (19, 20) of a positioning aid (18) are identical to one another.

5. System according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 3 to 4 or stacking aid according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first recess (22) and the second recess (23) each provide an undercut (29).

6. System according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 3 to 5 or stacking aid according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the connecting piece (21) has a geometry designed in the manner of a dovetail.

7. System according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 3 to 6 or stacking aid according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, characterized in that a positioning aid (18) is designed to be slip-resistant on its underside (30) facing a row (10) of batteries (3) provided in the height direction (16) below the positioning aid (18) in the finally assembled state.

8. System or stacking aid according to claim 7, characterized in that the underside (30) of the positioning aid (18) is formed with an anti-slip coating (33).

9. System or stacking aid according to claim 8, characterized in that the coating (33) is strip-shaped and is applied to the underside (30) of the positioning aid (18).

10. System or stacking aid according to claim 9, characterized in that the coating (30) runs along the rear edge (36) of the positioning aid (18) in the feeding direction (35).

11. System according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 3 to 10 or stacking aid according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 10, characterized in that a positioning aid (18) for the spaced arrangement of adjacent batteries (3) has spacers (32).

12. System or stacking aid according to claim 11, characterized in that a spacer (32) is a strip body.

13. System or stacking aid according to claim 12, characterized in that a strip body is applied to the upper side (31) of the positioning aid (18) opposite the underside (30) of the positioning aid.

14. System according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 3 to 13 or stacking aid according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 13, characterized in that a positioning aid (18) has a plate (25) and a border edge (26) arranged on the plate (25), wherein the border edge extends along the rear edge (36) in the feeding direction (35) and the two front edge edges.

15. Positioning aid for a system according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 3 to 14 or for a stacking aid according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 14, which has a plate (25) equipped with an extension (24) serving as a stop and which is designed in two parts and has a first section (19) and a second section (20) which are detachably connected to one another, wherein a connecting piece (21) is provided which, in the finally assembled state, engages in a form-fitting manner in a first recess (22) provided by the first section (19) and in a second recess (23) provided by the second section (20).

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