Cover structure with prefabricated terminal group and method for manufacturing it

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cover structure for at least partially sealing a cell housing of a battery cell, comprising at least one prefabricated terminal group having at least one current collector and at least one battery electrode, wherein at least one connecting section is positioned between at least one battery electrode and the current collector along the height direction, and comprising a cell cover having at least one opening, wherein at least one opening has a cross-sectional shape such that at least one battery terminal of the terminal group protrudes at least partially along the width direction and / or length direction through the opening to form a protrusion, and comprising at least one insulator designed to electrically insulate at least one terminal group from the cell cover. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method and a battery cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover structure for sealing an edge of a battery cell housing, comprising a terminal group including at least one current collector and at least one battery pole, and a method for manufacturing the cover structure and the battery cell.

Background Art

[0002] In addition to pouch cells, so-called hard case cells are also known in the production of battery cells. Such battery cells can have a rigid metal housing and can be formed in a prismatic shape or in the form of a round cell. In order to enable simple electrical connection, each battery pole is positioned on the outside of the battery cell in a raised form, at a so-called terminal. The battery poles are usually integrated into a cover structure of the battery cell that closes the cell housing.

[0003] Electrical insulation and sealing of the battery poles against breakthroughs in the cover structure are usually achieved by a non-conductive potting compound, which is processed in a liquid state and later cured by a chemical process. For example, potting compounds made of polyurethane, silicone, or epoxy resin are known for such applications. Furthermore, casting compounds are known to liquefy when heated and solidify again when cooled. Examples of casting compounds are thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, or polyphenylene sulfide.

[0004] Such battery electrodes are connected to terminals, which technically protrude simply through openings within the cover structure and are also mechanically attached to the cover structure by a casting agent. However, the drawback here is that the orientation of the battery cells is fixed only by the material connection due to the adhesive effect of the casting agent, and therefore it cannot absorb larger mechanical loads, such as mechanical loads that occur in accidents. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a cover structure with a terminal structure for connecting battery electrodes to a cell cover in a more mechanically robust manner, and a method for manufacturing the cover structure. This object is resolved by the features specified in claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are included in the dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cover structure is provided for at least partially closing a cell housing of a battery cell. The cover structure has at least one prefabricated group of terminals. Furthermore, a cell cover is provided having at least one opening. The at least one opening has a cross-sectional shape such that at least one battery electrode of the group of terminals protrudes at least partially through the opening along the width and / or length to form a projecting portion.

[0007] Similarly, the current collectors of the terminal group also form protrusions that extend through openings in the cell cover within at least some areas. In the lateral direction, they are provided, for example, in the width direction and / or length direction.

[0008] Furthermore, the cover structure has at least one insulator designed to electrically isolate at least one group of terminals from the cell cover.

[0009] A prefabricated group of terminals or terminal structure has at least one current collector and at least one battery terminal. At least one connecting section is positioned between at least one battery terminal and the current collector along the height direction. The connecting section can be designed as an independent component and / or as a component of the current collector and / or as a component of the battery terminal. According to the present invention, at least one battery terminal protrudes beyond at least one connecting section along the width direction and / or length direction in at least several areas.

[0010] The characteristic of the battery terminals protruding laterally in at least some areas allows for the creation of a lateral projection, which, in conjunction with the cell cover, can form a projection. After the terminal group is sealed in the cell cover, this measure results in the terminal group being additionally secured within the cell cover with the help of this projection. When a force is applied to the terminal group from the outside toward the cell housing, this projection can form a positive connection between the battery terminal and the cell cover, reinforcing the solidified casting agent or releasing it from tensile load.

[0011] A protrusion is obtained between the battery terminals and the cell cover of the terminal group, ensuring that the battery terminals can be passed through the opening only by rotating and / or swirling and / or tilting. After the battery terminals have passed through the opening in the cell cover, the terminal group can be moved to the optimal position for casting in one or more movements.

[0012] Therefore, the terminal group can be inserted into the opening of the cell cover according to the so-called key principle or latch principle. The resulting protrusion or undercut between the prefabricated terminal group and the cell cover increases the strength of the cover structure and allows for form fitting along the height direction on both sides of the cell cover. Subsequently, after the gap between the cell cover and the terminal group is filled, fixation in all spatial axes is also achieved by form fitting, thereby increasing mechanical strength and fracture resistance.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a battery cell is provided. The battery cell is designed as an electrochemical storage device, for example, in the form of a lithium-ion battery. The battery cell has a cell housing in which at least one cell stack is arranged.

[0014] At least one cell stack arranged within a cell housing may have multiple anode layers, cathode layers, and separator layers, which are connected to a current collector via cell connectors. By electrically connecting the battery electrodes to the current collector, after the completion of the battery cell, the respective anode and cathode layers can be electrically coupled to enable charging and discharging of the battery cell.

[0015] The battery cell is closed on at least one side by at least one cover structure according to the present invention. In one advantageous embodiment, the battery cell is closed on two opposing sides or ends by cover structures, each of which has at least one current collector connected to at least one battery terminal.

[0016] In a further embodiment, an insulator in the form of a plate is positioned between the cell cover and the current collector of the terminal group along the height direction. Advantageously, the connection sections for the terminal group and / or battery electrodes protrude at least partially through the insulator. Using a plate-shaped insulator simplifies the arrangement of the cover structure. Specifically, such an insulator allows the terminal group to be pressed against the cell cover.

[0017] Furthermore, when a plate-shaped insulator seals openings and gaps on the bottom side or one side, it becomes easier to introduce a sealing compound into the gap between the terminal group and the cell cover.

[0018] The terminal group can be locked within the opening in a particularly simple manner if the terminal group, which is positioned in its final position within at least one opening, is electrically insulated from the cell cover in at least several areas by an insulator designed as a solidified casting agent.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, at least one opening of the cell cover has a cross-sectional shape that is at least partially tapered and / or has a bevel aligned in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. Such an opening can be realized, for example, by rotating along the height direction or height axis, to a triangular, quadrilateral, or any polygonal shape.

[0020] Advantageously, the cross-sectional shape of the opening can correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the battery electrode or current collector, but can be rotated by a predetermined angle along the height axis. Specifically, at least one opening in the cell cover has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the battery electrode, rotated by a certain angle with respect to the cross-sectional shape of the battery electrode in its final position. This measure allows the terminal group to first pass through or through the opening with respect to the battery electrode, and then rotate to its final position. When the terminal group is finally rotated, a protrusion is created between the battery terminal and the cell cover, which contributes to increasing the strength of the cover structure.

[0021] According to furth, at least one web is formed adjacent to the opening. The web can be a section of the cell cover. Depending on the design, the web may be offset in depth from the rest of the cell cover and may be located within a recess.

[0022] The terminal group can be integrated into the cell cover particularly efficiently by a casting agent if a recess is formed within the opening area to accommodate at least a portion of the battery terminals and / or insulator. In this case, it is unnecessary to provide additional shapes or areas for applying the solidifying sealant, as the recess can still be used for the localized positioning of the liquid sealant.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, at least one protruding element is formed in the form of at least one overlapping area between the battery terminals and the cell cover within the area of ​​the opening. This allows at least one overlapping area to act as a tension or pressure relief area for an insulator in the form of a solidified casting agent, and thus the battery cell is designed to be more mechanically robust within that area of ​​the cover structure.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the current collector, at least one battery terminal and at least one connecting section are connected, in particular by welding, soldering, and / or riveting, to form a single-piece component. As a result of this measure, a pre-assembled terminal structure is obtained which is designed as a single piece or unit and thus functions as one component. This simplifies the further use of the terminal structure in the production of battery cells. In addition, the attachment of the cover structure or cell cover structure is made particularly easy.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for manufacturing a cover structure according to the invention is provided. In one step, a cell cover with at least one opening and a prefabricated terminal group are provided. The terminal group is then tilted and / or rotated and / or moved relative to the cell cover. In a further step, at least one battery terminal of the terminal group is passed through the opening in the cell cover. In a subsequent step, after the battery terminal has been passed through, the terminal group and the cell cover are aligned and connected to each other.

[0026] Due to the difference between the relative orientation of the terminal group with respect to the cell cover for passing the battery terminal through the opening in the cell cover and the final position of the terminal group, at least one undercut or overlap is created at the final position of the terminal group, increasing the strength. By this measure, the terminal group is reliably held within the cell cover even if an atypical or unexpected load occurs on the battery electrode, which takes the form of a force directed towards the battery cell.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the cell cover and the terminal group are connected to each other by at least partially introducing and curing a casting agent and / or by forming. This particularly simplifies the technical insulation of the terminal group from the cell cover.

[0028] When the cell cover and the terminal group are aligned with each other such that at least one edge of the cell cover is aligned with and / or parallel to at least one edge of the terminal group, the final position of the terminal group can be designed to be particularly space-saving.

[0029] When the terminal group is tilted and / or rotated and / or shifted with respect to the cell cover and with respect to the insulator plate, and then at least one battery terminal of the terminal group is passed through the opening in the insulator plate and the opening in the cell cover, the protrusion between the battery terminal and the cell cover can be adjusted.

[0030] Some embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are shown.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a manufacturing method of a cover structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a manufacturing method of a cover structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a manufacturing method of a cover structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a manufacturing method of a cover structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing a manufacturing method of a cover structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing a manufacturing method of a cover structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a manufacturing method of a cover structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a state of manufacturing a cover structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing a state of manufacturing a cover structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]This figure shows the process of manufacturing a cover structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows the process of manufacturing a cover structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This figure shows the process of manufacturing a cover structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a cross-sectional view showing a method for manufacturing a cover structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention, which includes a cover structure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] In the diagram, the same reference number indicates the same element or structural component. The size and relative position of elements in the diagram are not necessarily drawn to scale; some of these elements have been enlarged and positioned for clarity. Furthermore, the specific shapes of the depicted elements are not intended to convey information through the actual shapes of the individual elements, but are merely selected for their recognizability within the diagram.

[0033] To illustrate the shortcomings of the conventional solution, the structure of a conventional cover structure is described below. In the conventional cover structure, an insulating plate is placed on the terminal group, such that the battery terminals of the terminal group 10 protrude through openings in the insulating plate. A cell cover is then placed on the insulating plate, and the cell cover has openings with a rectangular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the battery terminals. Thus, the battery terminals of the terminal group protrude through openings in the insulating plate and through openings in the cell cover. The battery terminals of the terminal group pass through corresponding holes in the cell cover until the current collector rests on the insulating plate placed between the underside of the cell cover and the current collector.

[0034] When a group of terminals consisting of battery terminals that protrude through an opening in the cell cover and into the cell housing is welded to a current collector to which the uncovered ends of the anode and cathode foils of an electrode stack or cell stack, or a so-called cell connector, are pre-connected, the installation of the cover structure becomes particularly easy.

[0035] In a further step using conventional technology, a sealant is filled into the gap between the cell cover and the battery terminals. This gap can result from an excessively large opening within the cell cover, or, depending on the design, from an excessively large opening within the insulating plate.

[0036] After the sealant has hardened, material connections are formed to connect the components and form the cover structure. The sealant is prevented from flowing out or leaking through the gap by an insulating plate pressed between the cell cover and the current collector.

[0037] Conventional cover structures seal the cell housing, with the battery terminals forming the external electrical interface. The remaining terminals and insulating plates are located within the internal space of the cell housing.

[0038] For example, when a force is applied to conventional battery terminals directed into the inner space of the cell housing, this force is absorbed solely by the adhesive effect of the potting agent. However, the adhesive effect of the potting agent is limited in terms of force absorption, and malfunctions can occur, for example, in the event of an accident. Due to the malfunction of the potting agent, the terminal group may be torn or detached from the cover structure and pushed into the inner space of the cell housing, thereby causing the electrolyte filling the inner space of the cell housing to leak out of the cell housing.

[0039] Figures 1 to 14 are shown as exemplary embodiments illustrating the present invention.

[0040] Figures 1 to 7 are diagrams illustrating the process of manufacturing a cover structure 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Here, Figure 1 shows exemplary steps for manufacturing a terminal group 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal group 10 includes a current collector 11 and battery terminals 12. At least one connecting section 13 is positioned between the battery terminals 12 and the current collector 11 along the height direction H.

[0042] The connecting section 13 can be designed as an independent component and / or as a component of the current collector 11 and / or as a component of the battery terminal 12. For example, the connecting section 13 is shown as a component or extension in the height direction H of the battery terminal 12.

[0043] In the first embodiment, the battery terminals 12 protrude beyond the connecting section 13 along the width B and longitudinal L within several areas.

[0044] The terminal group 10 is advantageously prefabricated. For this purpose, the current collector 11, battery terminals 12, and connecting section 13 are connected to form a single component, i.e., the terminal group 10. For example, the current collector 11, battery terminals 12, and connecting section 13 are connected to each other by a welded joint 14.

[0045] The battery terminals 12 protrude along the width B and length L in at least some areas, thereby creating protrusions 15, which serve as additional shape-fitting reinforcements or bracing for the casting material 30 shown in Figure 6 during the fabrication of the cover structure 20.

[0046] Figure 2 shows the arrangement of the terminal group 10, which was prefabricated in Figure 1, for the fabrication of the cover structure 20. In the cover structure 20, the undercut portion or protrusion portion 15 is created by rotating the terminal group 10 relative to the cell cover 21 according to the so-called key principle. To illustrate this arrangement, the steps shown in Figure 2 are shown from a different viewpoint in Figure 3.

[0047] Since the cover structure or cover structure 20 is for a battery cell 100 in the form of a prismatic hard case cell, its battery electrodes 12 are each located within two opposing short sides of the cover structure 20, and for example, only one group of terminals 10 is provided per cover structure 20.

[0048] The components 11, 12, and 13 of the terminal group 10 are connected by welding before the cover structure 20 is attached, as shown in Figure 1. In one terminal group 10, the current collector 11 is made of aluminum to form the positive electrode, and in another terminal group 10, the current collector 11 is made of copper to form the negative electrode.

[0049] The connecting section 13 and the battery terminal 12 may be made of the same material as the current collector 11, or they may be made of a different material than the current collector 11.

[0050] The cover structure 20 has a cell cover 21 provided with at least one opening 22.

[0051] The opening 22 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, which is essentially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the battery terminals 12 of the terminal group 10, but rotated by 45° along the height axis H. This creates four inwardly projecting triangular webs 23 within the area of ​​the opening 22. The webs 23 are located within recesses 24 oriented in the height direction H.

[0052] The recess 24 can be created by local deformation along the height direction H of the cell cover 21 and / or by reducing the material thickness of the cell cover 21 along the height direction H.

[0053] The recess 24 has an orientation and cross-sectional shape that basically corresponds to the orientation and cross-sectional shape of the battery terminal 12 at the final position E. The way in which the final position E of the terminal group 10 is set relative to the cell cover 21 is schematically shown in Figure 4.

[0054] The opening 22, which has been rotated by 45°, is then used to guide the battery terminals 12 of the terminal structure 10 through it. For this purpose, the terminal group 10 is rotated by an angle of 45° relative to the cell cover 21 along the height axis in the height direction H.

[0055] An insulator in the form of an insulating plate 31 is inserted between the cell cover 21 and the current collector 11 of the terminal structure 10. The insulating plate 31 also has an opening 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 32 in the insulating plate 31 is the same size and position as the opening 22 in the cell cover 21. This allows the battery terminals 11 of the terminal group 10 to be guided through the opening 32 in the insulating plate 31 and the opening 22 in the cell cover 21 after a 45° rotation.

[0056] The terminal group 10 is guided along the height direction H through the opening 32 of the insulating plate 31 and the opening 22 of the cell cover 21 until the insulating plate 31 is sandwiched between the cell cover 21 and the current collector 11 of the terminal group 10. This ensures that the insulating plate 31 fits snugly against the cell cover 21 and the current collector 11.

[0057] Figure 4 shows a further step in which, after the battery terminals 12 have passed through the opening 22 in the cell cover 21, the terminal group 10 is rotated a further 45° together with the insulating plate 31. The arrows indicate rotational movement. For this step, the connecting section 13 between the battery terminals 12 and the current collector 11 is sized so that it can rotate freely or without obstruction at least within the opening 22 of the cell cover 21.

[0058] Rounding the corners and edges of the battery terminals 12 and / or connecting section 13 also simplifies, or at least makes possible, rotation within the opening 22 and recess 24 of the cell cover 21. When the terminal group 10 is rotated a further 45°, the terminal group 10 reaches its final position E.

[0059] After the terminal group 10 is rotated another 45°, the protruding web 23 formed in the recess 24 overlaps with the protruding portion 15 of the terminal group 10. This creates a protruding portion or undercut portion that increases the strength of the cover structure 20.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions 15 are formed at all four protruding corners at the final position E of the terminal group 10. However, depending on the design, protrusions 15 at two corners may be sufficient. Such a design is schematically shown in the third embodiment of Figure 13.

[0061] Figure 5 shows a top view relating to the adjustment of the protrusion 15 between the battery terminal 12 and the web 23 of the cell cover 21 by rotating the terminal structure to its final position E.

[0062] After adjusting the terminal group 10 to its final position E, the sealant 30 can be introduced into the gap 25 between the cell cover 21 and the terminal group 10 from the upper side of the cell cover 21.

[0063] The potting agent 30 is prevented from flowing out by the insulating plate 31 pressed between the cell cover 21 and the current collector 11. Thus, the interaction between the cell cover 21, the insulating plate 31 and the current collector 11 forms a mold for the potting agent 30. Figure 6 shows the final step in the fabrication of the cover structure 20, in which the casting agent 30 is introduced into the gap 25 and cured.

[0064] The protrusions 15 formed after the terminal group 10 is sealed in the cell cover 21 increase the strength of the terminal group 10 within the cover structure 10. The protrusions 15 form a positive connection along the height direction H, and therefore, when a force acts on the battery terminals 12, the adhesive effect of the cured casting agent 30 is rescued and / or supported by the protrusions 15.

[0065] Figure 7 is shown as a cross-sectional view illustrating the reinforcing effect of the protrusion 15 within the manufactured cover structure 10.

[0066] Figures 8 to 12 are shown to illustrate the process of manufacturing a cover structure 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 shows exemplary steps for manufacturing a terminal group 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal group 10 includes a current collector 11 and a battery terminal 12. At least one connecting section 13, designed as an extension of the battery terminal 12 in the height direction H, is positioned between the battery terminal 12 and the current collector 11 along the height direction H.

[0068] In the second embodiment, the battery terminal 12 protrudes beyond the connecting section 13 along the width direction B. Here, the battery terminal 12 protrudes beyond the connecting section 13 on both sides along its entire extension in the longitudinal direction L.

[0069] The battery terminals 12, which protrude along at least a portion of the width direction B, result in the protrusions 15 shown in Figure 12, which serve as additional shape-fitting reinforcements or bracing for the casting agent 30 during the fabrication of the cover structure 20.

[0070] The terminal group 10 is prefabricated in the same manner as in the first embodiment. For this purpose, the current collector 11, the battery terminals 12, and the connecting section 13 are connected by a welded joint 14 to form a single-piece component, i.e., the terminal group 10.

[0071] Figure 9 shows the arrangement of the prefabricated terminal group 10 from Figure 8 for fabricating the cover structure 20. In contrast to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the terminal group 10 is rotated or tilted around a longitudinal axis in the longitudinal direction L so that the battery terminals 12 can be carried through the opening 22 in the cell cover 21.

[0072] Similar to the first embodiment, an insulator in the form of an insulating plate 31 with an opening 32 is used to electrically insulate the terminal group 10 from the cell cover 21 and to form a mold for the casting agent 30.

[0073] The rectangular opening 22 within the cell cover 21 is provided with rectangular webs 23 projecting inward on two opposing sides within the lower area, leaving behind the opening 22 with a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The battery terminals 12 of the terminal group 10 can be passed through this opening 22 by rotating and shifting them.

[0074] The opening 22 may have an extension along the longitudinal direction L that corresponds to the extension of the battery terminal 12. Along the width direction B, the opening 22 has an extension that basically corresponds to the sum of the extension of the connecting section 13 plus the extension along the width direction of the protrusion of the battery terminal 12.

[0075] Figures 10 and 11 show possible steps for passing the battery terminals 12 through the opening 22 in the cell cover 21. This process can be performed in several steps, which include one or more relative displacements of the terminal group 10 along the width direction B and the height direction H, and / or pivoting of the terminal group 10 along the longitudinal axis in the longitudinal direction L.

[0076] The battery terminals 12 are accessed through an opening 22 in the cell cover 21, following a so-called latching principle. After the battery electrodes 12 have passed through the opening 22 along the height direction H, they are centrally positioned within the opening 22 of the cell cover 21. This central positioning is achieved by moving the terminal group 10 along the width direction in a manner similar to a locking bolt. Such central positioning of the battery electrodes 12 is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view in Figure 11.

[0077] Due to the central arrangement, the terminal group 10 or battery electrodes 12 reach their final position E, where the casting agent 30 is introduced to connect the terminal group 10 to the cell cover 21, thereby forming the cover structure 20.

[0078] After the battery electrode 12 is pivoted laterally in conjunction with the displacement of the terminal group 10 in the width direction B and height direction H and enters the opening 22 of the cell cover 21, the side edge 23 of the battery electrode 12 that protrudes beyond the connecting section 13 comes into contact with the web 23 of the cell cover 21 in the area of ​​the recess 24 of the cell cover 21, thereby forming an undercut or protrusion 15 necessary to increase strength.

[0079] The protruding portion 15 is shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of Figure 12. Figure 12 shows a cover structure 20 in which the terminal group 10 is connected to the cell cover 21 by a casting agent 30. This step can preferably be performed from the top of the cell cover 21. The liquid sealing agent 30 is introduced into the gap 25 between the opening 22 in the cell cover 21 and the terminal group 10, while the sealing agent 30 is prevented from leaking by an insulating plate 31 pressed between the cell cover 21 and the current collector 11.

[0080] A second embodiment is shown as an opening 22 with a rectangular cross-sectional shape, but this is for illustrative purposes only. The present invention is not limited to this shape. Specifically, the opening 22, battery terminals 12, connecting section 13, and / or web 23 may have cross-sectional shapes that deviate from the rectangular shape. The web 23 and projection 15 may be formed on the short side, long side, and / or corners. Possible cross-sectional shapes may also be circular or elliptical.

[0081] Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the fabrication of a cover structure 20 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment, the battery terminal 12 is inserted into the opening 22 in the cell cover 21 by rotation along the height axis in the height direction H. Due to the elongated cross-sectional shape of the opening 22 and the two webs 23 formed at the two corners within the area of ​​the opening 22, the battery terminal 12 can be brought to its relative position with a slight rotation that allows the battery terminal 12 to pass through the opening 22 of the cell cover 21.

[0082] Figure 14 is shown as a perspective view of a battery cell 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, which includes a cover structure 20 according to the present invention.

[0083] When assembling an exemplary battery cell 100, a cell connector (not shown) is first welded from the cathode layer of the cell stack 120 onto the current collector of a first cover structure 20.1 designed as the positive electrode. The cell stack 120 is then pressed into the cell housing 130, with one side closed by the first cover structure 20.1. The cell housing 130 can be designed as an aluminum box-shaped cell housing jacket.

[0084] In a further step, the cell connector 110 of the anode layer is welded to the current collector 11 of the terminal group 10 of the second cover structure 20.2. This can be done particularly easily on the back side of the current collector 11. After connecting the cell connector 110 to the current collector 11, the second cover structure 20.2 can be folded 90° toward the cell housing 130, as indicated by the arrow.

[0085] At least one cell stack 120 located within the cell housing 130 may have multiple anode layers, cathode layers, and separator layers, which are connected to the current collector 11 via the cell connector 110. By electrically connecting the battery electrodes 12 to the current collector 11, the respective anode and cathode layers can be electrically coupled after the completion of the battery cell 100, for example, to enable charging and discharging of the battery cell 100.

[0086] Finally, the two cover assemblies 20.1 and 20.2 can be welded to the cell housing 130 to form the end of the cell housing 130 to the fluid. Depending on the design, the electrolyte may be already filled, or it may be filled into the internal space of the cell housing 130 after the two cover assemblies 20.1 and 20.2 have been welded together.

Claims

1. A cover structure (20) for sealing at least a portion of the cell housing (130) of a battery cell (100), At least one prefabricated terminal group (10) comprising at least one current collector (11) and at least one battery terminal (12), wherein at least one connecting section (13) is positioned between the at least one battery electrode (12) and the current collector (11) along the height direction (H), A cell cover (21) having at least one opening (22), wherein the at least one opening (22) has a cross-sectional shape such that at least one battery terminal (12) of the terminal group (10) protrudes through the opening (22) in at least several areas along the width direction (B) and / or the longitudinal direction (L) to form a protruding portion (15), A cover structure (20) comprising at least one insulator (30, 31) designed to electrically insulate the at least one group of terminals (10) from the cell cover (21).

2. The cover structure according to claim 1, wherein the insulator (31) in the form of a plate is positioned along the height direction (H) between the cell cover (21) and the current collector (11) of the terminal group (10), and the insulator (31) in the form of a plate is positioned such that the connecting section (13) of the terminal group (10) and / or the battery terminal (12) protrudes at least partially through the insulator (31).

3. The cover structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one battery terminal (12) of the terminal group (10) protrudes at least partially beyond at least one connecting section (13) along the width direction (B) and / or the longitudinal direction (L).

4. The cover structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the group of terminals (10) positioned at the final position (E) within the at least one opening (22) is electrically insulated from the cell cover (21) in at least some areas by an insulator (30) designed as a solidified casting agent.

5. The cover structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one opening (22) of the cell cover (21) has a cross-sectional shape that tapers in at least a number of areas and / or has a cross-sectional shape with a bevel (23) aligned in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction (L).

6. The cover structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one opening (22) of the cell cover (21) has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the battery electrode (12), which is rotated by a certain angle with respect to the cross-sectional shape of the battery electrode (12) at the final position (E).

7. The cover structure according to claim 6, wherein at least one web (23) is formed adjacent to the opening (22).

8. The cover structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a recess (24) for at least partially receiving the battery terminal (12) and / or the insulator (30) is formed within the area of ​​the opening (22).

9. The cover structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one protrusion (15) is formed in the form of at least one overlapping area between the battery terminal (12) and the cell cover (21) within the area of ​​the opening (22).

10. The cover structure according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the current collector (11) of the prefabricated terminal group (10), the at least one battery terminal (12), and the at least one connecting section (13) are materially joined together, particularly by welding, soldering, and / or riveting, to form a single part component.

11. A method for manufacturing a cover structure (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a cell cover (21) having at least one opening (22) and a prefabricated group of terminals (10), wherein the group of terminals (10) is tilted and / or rotated and / or displaced relative to the cell cover (21), and then at least one battery terminal (12) of the group of terminals (10) passes through the opening (22) of the cell cover (21), and after the battery terminal (12) has passed, the group of terminals (10) and the cell cover (21) are aligned with each other and connected to each other.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the cell cover (21) and the terminal group (10) are connected to each other by introducing at least partially a casting agent (30) and curing, and / or by forming.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the cell cover (21) and the terminal group (10) are aligned with each other such that at least one edge of the cell cover (21) is aligned with and / or parallel to at least one edge of the terminal group (10).

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the terminal group (10) is tilted and / or rotated and / or displaced with respect to the cell cover (21) and the insulating plate (31), and then at least one battery electrode (12) of the terminal group (10) is passed through an opening (32) in the insulating plate (31) and an opening (22) in the cell cover (21).

15. A battery cell (100) in particular in the form of a lithium-ion battery, comprising a cell housing (130) in which at least one cell stack (120) is disposed, wherein the cell housing (130) is closed on at least one side by at least one cover structure (20) as described in any of claims 3 to 10.

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