Crimping device for frame device that clamps battery cell packs, frame device and battery

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clamping device (1) for a frame arrangement (2) and a battery (3) equipped with the frame arrangement (2). The clamping device (1) comprises a fixing body (12), a chuck body (16) and a chuck hinge device (20). The clamping device (1) can be fixed to a tightening device (8) of the frame arrangement (2) by means of the fixing body (12). The chuck body (16) is formed so that a battery cell pack (7) is placed thereon. The chuck hinge device (20) connects the fixed body (12) and the chuck body (16) to each other, and the chuck hinge device (20) is configured such that when pressure (21, 37, 38) acting in a direction toward the fixed body (12) is applied to the chuck body (16), the chuck hinge device (20) bends in a predetermined manner, thereby moving the chuck body (16) in the pressure direction (22) toward the fixed body (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressing device for a frame device formed so as to clamp (sandwich) a battery cell pack. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a frame device that clamps a battery cell pack, the frame device comprising the pressing device as described above. The present invention also relates to a battery comprising the frame device and the battery cell pack, wherein the battery cell pack includes a large number of battery cells arranged adjacent to each other, and the battery cell pack is clamped within a clamping region.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles that can be at least partially electrically driven or moved, such as hybrid cars and electric vehicles, are provided with batteries, particularly secondary batteries, for storing and supplying electrical energy used to drive the target vehicle via an electromechanical energy converter. In this case, a battery is usually formed of a plurality of battery cells, each of which is formed, for example, as a pouch cell or a prismatic cell. During vehicle driving, each battery cell is repeatedly charged (increasing the state of charge (SoC)) and discharged (decreasing the state of charge (SoC)). Each battery cell has different external dimensions, i.e., different spatial expansions, when in a discharged state (SoC is equal to or close to 0) and when in a charged state (SoC is greater than 0). In other words, due to charging, the battery cell expands from a basic dimension when SoC ≒ 0 to an expanded dimension when SoC > 0. In addition, battery cells irreversibly expand with aging, which means that the basic dimension increases as the battery cell ages. Moreover, a defective battery cell may expand to an expanded dimension or remain in an expanded state.

[0003] Furthermore, when using conventional rigid frames to hold battery cells, the expansion of the battery cells to their bulging dimensions places a significant load on the frame elements, particularly the frame joints. Also, when manufacturing conventional batteries, if at least one or more battery cells are thicker than the target thickness due to manufacturing tolerances, those cells can be undesirably and excessively compressed. Excessive stress can lead to damage to the electrodes and / or separators, potentially resulting in a premature end of life. Moreover, visually identifying whether a conventional battery or battery module—that is, one or more conventional battery cells—is damaged or worn is currently quite difficult and requires considerable effort. For example, as part of vehicle maintenance and / or repair, a rigid frame gives service engineers the impression that at least the exterior remains unchanged, regardless of whether the battery cells have reached their base dimensions or expanded dimensions. Furthermore, conventional frames, formed with high strength and rigidity, are considered undeformable elements in the event of an accident involving a vehicle with a battery. This limits the assembly space available for incorporating battery cells. This is because, for accident safety, a space and / or element ("crushable zone") that deforms (in a controlled manner as much as possible) during a collision must be provided within the vehicle to efficiently dissipate the kinetic energy present during the collision. This crushable zone must be free of any non-deformable elements (so-called block formations). Furthermore, deformation of the battery or battery module must be avoided, because otherwise, mechanical overload during a collision could lead to thermal runaway.

[0004] Because each battery cell undergoes a size change during operation, structural measures must be taken to absorb or compensate for the spatial size change when the battery cells are assembled. This spatial size change manifests as a volume difference of up to 10% per battery cell between the charged and discharged states. For example, both Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a battery module having a clamping device with two support elements separated from each other via a wave spring. Conventional battery cells are clamped between one of these support elements and the other support. However, these conventional battery modules are particularly complex in terms of their manufacture, because the clamping device is made up of several parts, and the parts of the clamping device must be prepared separately and then arranged to fit together. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102018216835 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 102019201126 Specification [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a means for loading or arranging battery cells, whose spatial size changes during operation, in a particularly advantageous manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This problem is addressed by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further possible embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, specification and drawings.

[0008] The present invention proposes a clamping device provided on a frame device formed to clamp a battery cell pack. For this purpose, the clamping device comprises a fixing body interposed to fix the clamping device (directly or indirectly) to the clamping device of the frame device in a predetermined manner. For example, the fixing body of the clamping device can be fixed to the clamping member of the clamping device. In this case, the clamping device may be provided with one or more clamping members. To connect or fix the fixing body to the clamping device in a predetermined manner, the fixing body comprises, for example, fixing elements. For this purpose, the fixing body comprises fixing elements acting on a weld surface and / or at least one other friction-coupled, shape-coupled and / or material-coupled. The clamping device, in particular one or more of its clamping members, comprises fixing elements corresponding to the fixing elements of the fixing body.

[0009] Battery cell packs are provided, in particular, for vehicles that are at least partially electrically driven or mobile. These vehicles include, for example, passenger cars and / or trucks, buses, and motorcycles. Furthermore, this does not preclude the use of battery cell packs in other types of vehicles (such as ships, aircraft, and rail vehicles). With the battery cell pack incorporated in a defined manner, the battery comprises the battery cell pack. In this case, the battery cell pack comprises a number of battery cells, particularly secondary battery cells, arranged side-by-side or vertically. Each battery cell or secondary battery cell is formed, for example, as a solid battery cell. Therefore, each battery cell has, in this case, a solid electrolyte. Furthermore, in particular, each battery cell contains no liquid whatsoever. A battery cell configured in this way is called an ASSB cell (ASSB: All-Solid-State-Battery). Solid battery cells have the advantage of particularly high intrinsic energy density and improved operational safety.

[0010] The clamping device further includes a chuck body formed to be placed (directly or indirectly) on the battery cell pack in a predetermined manner. In particular, the chuck body has a chuck surface corresponding to the contact surface of the battery cell pack, so that the chuck body is placed on the battery cell pack by the chuck surface of the chuck body and the contact surface of the battery cell pack coming into direct or indirect contact with each other. The contact surface of the battery cell pack can here be at least a portion of the outer surface of the “last” battery cell, and no other battery cells are positioned between this last battery cell and the chuck surface of the chuck body.

[0011] The clamping device further includes a chuck hinge device used to connect the stationary body and the chuck body to each other (directly or indirectly). For example, the stationary body and the chuck body are fixed to each other via the chuck hinge device by friction, shape, and / or material bonding. In other words, the chuck hinge device and the stationary body or the chuck hinge device and the chuck body are not merely in contact without being connected by friction, shape, and / or material bonding. To put it another way, relative movement between the chuck hinge device and the stationary body and between the chuck hinge device and the chuck body is prevented, at least in the corresponding connecting elements, particularly in all three spatial directions. This is because the stationary body and the chuck body are connected to each other, i.e., fixed to each other, via the chuck hinge device.

[0012] In any case, the chuck hinge device is designed so that when pressure acting toward the fixed body is applied to the chuck body, the chuck hinge device flexes in a predetermined manner, causing the chuck body to move toward the fixed body in the direction of the pressure. Because the clamping device is equipped with a chuck hinge device, the clamping device is considered a compensatory system.

[0013] When a frame device is formed by a chuck hinge device being connected to a clamping device in a defined manner, the chuck hinge device is at least compressible by the expansion of at least one battery cell in the battery cell pack clamped by the frame device to its expanded dimensions. In this case, the expanded dimensions of the battery cell are larger than the basic dimensions of the battery cell. The expansion of the battery cell from its basic dimensions to its expanded dimensions is related, for example, to its charge state (SoC: State of Charge) at that time. Therefore, a battery cell in a discharged state (SoC=0) has basic dimensions, while a battery cell in a charged state (SoC>0) has expanded dimensions. When a battery cell has expanded dimensions, it is larger in at least one spatial direction compared to when it has basic dimensions. In this case, for example, the battery cell is thicker. In short, when a battery cell has expanded dimensions, it is wider and / or longer and / or taller compared to when it has basic dimensions.

[0014] When the battery cell in question expands, the pressure exerted on the chuck body by the expansion of the battery cell toward the fixed body is applied, causing the chuck body to move toward the fixed body in the direction of the pressure, and the chuck hinge device to flex in a predetermined manner. Thus, the change in the size of the battery cell is compensated, absorbed, or offset by the clamping device, particularly the chuck hinge device, within the frame device. In particular, at this time, the fixed body and the clamping device remain relatively stationary regardless of whether the chuck hinge device flexes or has flexed, so that the expansion of the battery cell does not manifest as a change in the size of the frame device outside the frame device. In this way, the geometric shape and external dimensions of the frame device remain constant externally, regardless of whether the battery cell has its basic dimensions or expanded dimensions. Consequently, the external dimensions of the frame device, particularly the external dimensions of the clamping device and / or the clamping device, do not change while the battery cell in question is used periodically (repeated charging and discharging during a predetermined mode of operation).

[0015] The clamping device further effectively prevents, for example, excessive clamping of battery cells in an undesirable manner due to manufacturing tolerances of the battery cells. This is particularly true when manufacturing batteries with frame devices, as the thickness of the battery cells is compensated for by the chuck hinge device even if the thickness exceeds the target thickness. Furthermore, by measuring the angles and / or spacing between the elements of the clamping device, particularly between the elements of the chuck hinge device, it is particularly easy to visually identify whether a battery, especially one or more battery cells, is damaged or worn. This is especially clear when the chuck hinge device is bending strongly or greatly, to the point that its elements come into direct or indirect contact with each other, i.e., when the chuck hinge device is bending to the point of becoming a solid mass, as the battery or battery module is nearing the end of its lifespan.

[0016] In addition, the space between the fixed body into which the chuck hinge device is inserted and the chuck body can function as a crushable zone (deformable area) in the event of an accident. As a result, it is no longer necessary to provide a separation between the elements or spaces that deform during a collision and the frame device, particularly between the clamping device and the frame device, because the kinetic energy present during a collision is efficiently dissipated by the flexing of the chuck hinge device. In this way, for example, it becomes possible to use other or additional battery cells, which advantageously leads to an increase in the driving range of the vehicle equipped with the battery described herein.

[0017] In order to ensure a particularly long lifespan and particularly reliable operation of the battery cell pack or its battery cells, the chuck hinge device is configured, in particular, to be formed and positioned so that initial pressure acts on each battery cell even when the battery cell is not expanded. Thus, the chuck hinge device is formed and positioned so that initial pressure acts on each battery cell even when the battery cell has its basic dimensions.

[0018] In yet another embodiment of the clamping device, the chuck hinge device includes a deformable portion of the fixed body, so that the chuck hinge device is configured to flex in a predetermined manner by the deformation, particularly bending, of the deformable portion. In this case, the deformable portion of the fixed body may be a flex portion of the fixed body. Thus, the fixed body, particularly its deformable or flex portion, can be considered herein as a flex element or bending hinge of the chuck hinge device. In this way, the thickness and / or type of material and / or geometric form of the fixed body or its deformable portion can compensate for particularly significant expansion and the particularly large pressures that accompany it.

[0019] According to one advanced form of a clamping device, the chuck hinge device has a first hinge device or hinge device, which is configured to include a first strip member and a second strip member. Furthermore, the hinge device or hinge device includes a pivot hinge or hinge on the stationary side that interposes (directly or indirectly) the stationary body and the first strip member to hinge each other. The first hinge device further includes an intermediate pivot hinge or intermediate hinge that interposes the first strip member and the second strip member to hinge each other. Furthermore, the first hinge device or first hinge device includes a pivot hinge or hinge on the chuck body that interposes the second strip member and the chuck body to hinge each other. In this case, the stationary body and the chuck body are connected to each other via a pivot hinge on the stationary body side, via a first strip member, via an intermediate pivot hinge, via a second strip member, and further via a pivot hinge on the chuck body side. As the chuck hinge device flexes, the strip members rotate by hinges relative to each other, relative to the stationary body, and further relative to the chuck body. Here, the pivot hinges are changed or rotated, for example, from a standby state to a changed state. In order to pre-set the respective rotation directions of each pivot hinge or hinge, the chuck hinge device is manufactured or provided in particular, and is provided so that an angle different from 180° is set by an intermediate pivot hinge between the strip members. Thus, the respective rotation directions of the pivot hinges or hinges when the chuck hinge device flexes are pre-set or can be pre-set.

[0020] A chuck hinge device, equipped with a hinge or hinge between the fixed body and the chuck body, is used to provide a motion mechanism between the fixed body and the chuck body that ensures a constant level of force is applied between the battery cell and the clamping device. Here, this constant level of force is independent of the deflection or bending of the chuck hinge device. In other words, a constant initial pressure is applied to the battery cells of the battery cell pack. At the same time, particularly high flexibility is ensured by the motion mechanism, i.e., the chuck hinge device.

[0021] A clamping device, particularly its chuck hinge device, in an advanced form of the clamping device, may have more than one hinge device. The hinge devices here may be spaced apart from each other and may move uniformly or independently as the chuck body moves toward the fixed body. Intermediate pivot hinges of two hinge devices may move in the same direction as the chuck hinge device flexes. Alternatively, intermediate pivot hinges of both (same) hinge devices may move toward each other as the clamping device flexes. Therefore, when a clamping device has multiple hinge devices, they can be freely combined in series, parallel, and / or chained configurations, that is, connected to each other via corresponding pivot hinges, in order to achieve the desired overall mechanical characteristics of the motion mechanism between the fixed body and the chuck body. This means that the desired overall mechanical characteristics between the fixed body and the chuck body are produced, in particular, during or through the manufacture of the clamping device. In this context, the combination of series, parallel, and / or chain configurations, along with the selection of the thickness of the strip members and / or pivot hinges or hinges, are important design parameters of the chuck hinge device.

[0022] In this regard, according to one development of the clamping device, the chuck hinge device is further configured to include at least one second hinge device, a third strip member, and a fourth strip member. In addition, the chuck hinge device in this case has a connecting pivot hinge or connecting hinge interposed for the third strip member and the fourth strip member to be hinged together. In this case, the third strip member and the intermediate pivot hinge of the first hinge device are hinged together, and the fourth strip member and the intermediate pivot hinge of the second hinge device are hinged together. In this embodiment, that is, the intermediate pivot hinges of both hinge devices that form a hinge device pair with each other are each configured to be triple pivot hinges. Such a triple pivot hinge, that is, by the intermediate pivot hinges of each hinge device of a pair of hinge devices, allows each first strip member, each second strip member, and each third or fourth strip member to rotate or pivot relative to one another, particularly about a common pivot axis.

[0023] Generally, the hinges of a chuck hinge device have a repulsive force against the hinge action of the corresponding hinge device. Therefore, by combining hinge devices in series, parallel, and / or chain configurations, the repulsive force against the bending of the chuck hinge device can be adjusted or preset. If a third and fourth strip member and a connecting pivot hinge between the hinge devices of a pair of hinge devices are used as needed, additional levels of repulsive force can be added to the repulsive force against the bending of the chuck hinge device without sacrificing the structural height of the chuck hinge device. Furthermore, the connecting pivot hinge, the third strip member, and the fourth strip member ensure that they deform or rotate in a predetermined manner between the two hinge devices, and that the pivot hinge between the two hinge devices moves toward each other when the chuck hinge device flexes.

[0024] In still another embodiment of the pressing device, each pivot hinge or hinge is formed as a living hinge or a film hinge. In this way, the pressing device is configured to be manufactured particularly simply and without high expenditure of labor. This is because at least the (respective) hinge arrangement, and optionally the third strip member and the fourth strip member, as well as the connecting pivot hinge can be combined with each other and formed integrally. For example, the above-mentioned elements may be or are manufactured integrally with each other by extrusion molding, casting, additive manufacturing method (3D printing), or the like.

[0025] According to still another embodiment of the pressing device, the fixed body, the chuck body and the chuck hinge device are combined with each other and formed integrally. This means that the fixed body, the chuck body and the chuck hinge device are formed, for example, by a single common extrusion molding, casting, or the like. Through the integral formation, particularly simultaneous formation, of the fixed body, the chuck body and the chuck hinge device performed in this single common working step, the pressing device is manufactured in this one working step. This does not exclude that the pressing device comprises a plurality of materials, in particular different materials. This is because one or more elements can be coextruded together to manufacture the pressing device. Alternatively, one or more elements of the pressing device may be prepared separately from the remaining elements of the pressing device, so that in order to manufacture the pressing device, the separately prepared elements and the remaining elements can be fixed to each other by frictional connection, form-fitting connection and / or material-bonded connection after appropriate preparation, that is, in a further working step. Due to the integral formation of the pressing device, the device is particularly stable, thereby advantageously having a particularly long service life.

[0026] When the clamping device includes both a fixed body provided with a deformable portion and at least one of the above-mentioned hinge devices, in still another aspect of the clamping device, the repulsive force against the hinge operation of the hinge device is provided so as to be formed such that the hinge operation of the hinge device is performed under a first pressure. In contrast, the repulsive force against the deformation of the deformable portion of the fixed body, particularly the repulsive force against the bending of the flexible portion of the fixed body, is formed so as to deform / bend under a second pressure. In this case, the first pressure is set to be larger than the second pressure, or the second pressure is set to be larger than the first pressure. In this way, particularly when manufacturing the clamping device, the order of bending or deformation and / or bending of the clamping device can be determined in advance. For this purpose, the material, material thickness and / or shape of one or more hinge devices and the fixed body, particularly the deformable portion or flexible portion thereof, are selected accordingly. Then, according to this selection, when the chuck hinge device bends, the second pressure first deforms the deformable portion of the fixed body, that is, for example, the flexible portion of the fixed body bends, and only after the second pressure is applied does the rotating hinge or hinge of the hinge device rotate. Alternatively, in the other case, when the chuck hinge device bends, the hinge of the hinge device first rotates under the second (smaller) pressure, and only after the first (larger) pressure is applied does the deformable portion of the fixed body deform. Thus, advantageously, it is possible to predetermine which elements of the clamping device deform first and / or more strongly, whereby the clamping device can be used particularly in a versatile and / or flexible manner, that is, for many purposes of use.

[0027] In a further developmental aspect, the clamping device, in particular the clamping device, is formed such that the flexure of the chuck hinge device is fully or partially nondestructively reversible elastic. In particular, in this case, the flexure of the chuck hinge device, i.e., the deformation or bending of the deformable or flexible part of the fixed body and / or the rotation of the hinge of the hinge device, is provided to be fully nondestructively reversible elastic, at least within the range of pressure dependent on the charging cycle of the battery cell. This means that the clamping device is formed to self-return in the compliance or deformation region resulting from the expansion and contraction of the battery cell between its basic dimensions and its expanded dimensions due to the charge-discharge cycle. Alternatively or additionally, the flexure of the chuck hinge device may be provided to be at least partially plastic. In particular, in this regard, the flexure of the chuck hinge device is provided to be plastic within the range of pressure generated due to the expansion of the battery cell or the pressure applied to the chuck body, which depends on the lifespan.

[0028] In order to predetermine whether a chuck hinge device is nondestructively reversible or plastically deformable or flexible, or to what extent, appropriate material selection is made during the manufacture of clamping devices, particularly chuck hinge devices. For example, using a metal such as aluminum can embody the deformation characteristics of a chuck hinge device that are rather plastic. If a different metal is selected, or if the appropriate metal is mechanically, thermally, and / or mechanically treated, for example, surface-treated, both elastic and plastic bending of the chuck hinge device can be achieved, in which case the elastic and plastic bending properties are, for example, mutually interchangeable. Furthermore, it is conceivable to form the chuck hinge device from a plastic such as an elastomer, which greatly considers a particularly wide range of elastic bending of the chuck hinge device. The plastic and / or elastic deformability or flexibility of the chuck hinge device allows the chuck body to conform to the external dimensions of the expanding or contracting battery cell, ensuring particularly robust mounting, for example, a highly reliable fit of the battery cell pack within a frame device. This results in particularly good NVH quality (NVH: Noise, Vibrations, Harshness).

[0029] The present invention further relates to a frame device for clamping a battery cell pack. Features, advantages and advantageous embodiments of the clamping device according to the present invention are considered to be features, advantages and advantageous embodiments of the frame device according to the present invention, and vice versa. The frame device has a clamping device and a mating support having the configuration described above, wherein the mating support and the clamping device are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the frame device. Furthermore, the frame device includes a clamping device comprising a first clamping member and a second clamping member, which are spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction of the frame device. Furthermore, the clamping device and the mating support are fixed together by the clamping members, thereby creating a clamping area between the clamping device and the mating support along the longitudinal and transverse directions, into which a battery cell pack can be loaded and clamped.

[0030] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a battery comprising a frame device having the configuration described above and a battery cell pack. The features, advantages and advantageous embodiments of the clamping device and the frame device according to the present invention are considered to be the features, advantages and advantageous embodiments of the battery according to the present invention, and vice versa. The battery cell pack has a number of battery cells arranged side by side or stacked vertically, and is fitted into or clamped in the clamping area of ​​the frame device. When at least one of the battery cells expands to its expanded dimension, pressure is applied to the chuck body in the pressure direction, thereby moving the chuck body toward the fixed body in the pressure direction with respect to a predetermined flexure of the chuck hinge device.

[0031] Further features of the present invention may become apparent from the claims, drawings, and description of the drawings. The features and combinations of features described above in the specification, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the drawings and / or in the drawings alone, may be used not only in the combinations described, but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] The only diagram shows a schematic representation of a battery, particularly a vehicle battery, equipped with a frame device that includes a clamping mechanism.

[0033] The clamping device 1, frame device 2, and battery 3 are described below in a common specification. In the figures, the same elements and elements with the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0034] The battery 3 comprises a frame device 2 having a clamping device 1. Furthermore, in this example, the battery 3 comprises a mating support 4, and a plurality of battery cells 5 are clamped between this mating support 4 and the clamping device 1. The mating support 4 may be, for example, another clamping device 1. The battery cells 5 are arranged along the longitudinal direction 6 of the battery 3 into a single battery cell pack 7, and stacked, for example, into a single battery cell stack. The frame device 2 comprises a tightening device 8 having two tightening members 9 (tie rods as an example). Here, the tightening members 9 or tie rods of the tightening device 8 are spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction 10 of the battery 3. Thus, the clamping region 11 of the frame device 2 is partitioned by the clamping device 1, the mating support 4, and the tightening members 9. The battery cell pack 7 is placed in this clamping region 11 or fastened or clamped between the clamping device 1 and the mating support 4.

[0035] The clamping device 1 and the opposing support 4 are connected to each other by a clamping member 9. For this purpose, the clamping device 1 includes a fixing body 12, through which the clamping device 1 is fixed (directly in this example) to the clamping device 8, in this case to the clamping member 9, in a predetermined manner. For this purpose, the fixing body 12 includes a fixing element 13 formed as a welded surface in this example. Furthermore, each clamping member 9 includes another fixing element 14 corresponding to the fixing element 13 of the clamping device 1, so that the clamping device 1, particularly its fixing body 12, and the clamping device 8, particularly its clamping member 9, are fixed to each other by frictional coupling, shape coupling, and material coupling via the fixing elements 13 and 14. In this example, the clamping device 1 and the clamping device 8 are fixed to each other by welding, particularly laser welding, of the clamping member 9 and the fixing body 12. This is shown in Figure 1 by the welded joint 15.

[0036] Figure 1 also shows that the tightening member 9 and the (each) fixing body 12 are positioned so as not to move relative to each other. Furthermore, in this example, it can be seen that the battery 3, in particular the clamping device 1, is provided with a plurality of fixing elements 13, a plurality of fixing elements 14, and a plurality of welds 15. Here, the clamping device 1 and the tightening device 8 may be connected to each other by other frictional connections, shape connections and / or material connections, in lieu of or in addition to the welds 15 shown or described herein, for example, by screw connections, riveting, brazing, etc.

[0037] The clamping device 1 further comprises a chuck body 16, which in this example has a chuck surface 17 corresponding to the contact surface 18 of the battery cell pack 7. As the battery cell pack 7 is clamped within the frame device 2, the chuck body 16 and the battery cell pack 7 come into contact with each other, indirectly in this example. This is because a separation sheet 19 is provided between the chuck body 16 and the battery cell pack 7 in this example, causing the battery cell pack 7 and the chuck body 16 to come into contact with each other via the separation sheet 19. The contact surface 18 of the battery cell pack 7 is formed, in particular, at least partially, by the outer surface of the “last” battery cell 5.

[0038] The clamping device 1 further comprises a chuck hinge device 20, which connects the fixed body 12 and the chuck body 16 to each other. In this example, the fixed body 12, the chuck body 16, and the chuck hinge device 20 are assembled together and formed as a single unit. The chuck hinge device 20 is configured such that when a pressure 21 acting toward the fixed body 12 is applied to the chuck body 16, the chuck body 16 is moved toward the fixed body 12 in the pressure direction 22, and the chuck hinge device 20 flexes in a predetermined manner as a result of this movement. In particular, the chuck hinge device 20 flexes in the pressure direction 22. Since the chuck body 16 and the clamping device 8 are not directly connected to each other, as the chuck hinge device 20 flexes, the chuck body 16 moves relative to the fixed body 12, relative to the clamping device 8, and especially relative to the clamping member 9.

[0039] Here, the chuck hinge device 20 has one or more first hinge devices 23, as shown in the left half of Figure 1. Each first hinge device 23 here comprises a first strip member 24 and a second strip member 25, and further comprises a pivot hinge 26 on the stationary side, an intermediate pivot hinge 27, and a pivot hinge 28 on the chuck body side. The strip members 24 and 25 are hinged to each other via the intermediate pivot hinge 27. Furthermore, the first strip member 24 and the stationary body 12 are hinged to each other by the pivot hinge 26 on the stationary side, while the second strip member 25 and the chuck body 16 are hinged to each other by the pivot hinge 28 on the chuck body side.

[0040] In yet another embodiment of the clamping device 1, frame device 2, or battery 3 shown in the right half of Figure 1, the chuck hinge device 20 comprises a first hinge device 23 and yet another (second) hinge device 29, and these hinge devices 23, 29 form a hinge device pair 30. Here, the chuck hinge device 20 comprises, in this case in particular, the hinge device pair 30, a third strip member 31 and a fourth strip member 32 and a connecting pivot hinge 33. This yet another hinge device or second hinge device 29 and the first hinge device 23 are the same or at least similarly formed. In particular, the hinge devices 23, 29 have the same or similar mechanical properties. In Figure 1 (the right half of the figure), it can be seen that the hinge devices 23, 29 may be formed as mirror images of each other.

[0041] In the hinge device pair 30, the third strip member 31 and the intermediate pivot hinge 27 of the first hinge device 23 are hinged to each other. Furthermore, the fourth strip member 32 and the intermediate pivot hinge 34 of the second hinge device 29 are hinged to each other. The strip members 31 and 32 are hinged to each other here by a connecting pivot hinge 33. In this case, since both hinge devices 23 and 29 are mechanically connected to each other via the strip members 31 and 32 and further via the connecting pivot hinge 33, the movement of the first hinge device 23 and the movement of the second hinge device 29 are mechanically linked to each other.

[0042] Here, the pivot hinges 26, 27, 28, 34 and / or the linked pivot hinge 33 are each formed as living hinges. In particular, all hinges used in the chuck hinge device 20 may be formed as living hinges.

[0043] The clamping device 1, the frame device 2, and / or the battery 3 may be formed to be mirror-symmetric, and the corresponding mirror surface 35 is indicated by the dashed vertical line 6. Similarly, it is quite possible that the clamping device 1, the frame device 2, and / or the battery 3 have an asymmetric structure.

[0044] In this example, the fixed body 12 includes a deformable portion 36 which is specifically formed as a flexible portion. In this example, this deformable portion 36 or flexible portion is part of the chuck hinge device 20. In other words, the chuck hinge device 20 partially comprises the fixed body 12 because the chuck hinge device 20 has the deformable portion 36 of the fixed body 12. Here, the chuck hinge device 20 may be made to bend at least partially in a predetermined manner by deforming the deformable portion 36, that is, by bending the flexible portion as an example.

[0045] Each hinge device 23, 29 or each pair of hinge devices 30 resists the hinge action of the corresponding hinge device 29, 23, 30. Also, the deformable portion 36 of the fixed body 12 resists the deformation of the deformable portion 36. For the chuck hinge device 20 to flex in a predetermined manner, the corresponding repulsive force must be overcome by pressure 21. At this time, the repulsive force against the hinge action of the corresponding hinge devices 23, 29, 30 and the repulsive force against the deformation of the deformable portion 36 are of different strengths or magnitudes, so different levels or strengths of pressure 21 are required to appropriately overcome the corresponding repulsive forces. In this case, the repulsive force against the hinge action of the hinge devices 23, 29, 30 can be overcome by the first pressure 37, but this first pressure 37 is not sufficient to overcome the repulsive force against the deformation of the deformable portion 36. This is because, for example, a second pressure 38 greater than the first pressure 37 is required to overcome the repulsive force against the deformation of the deformable portion 36. In an alternative embodiment, the first pressure 37 may be greater than the second pressure 38. The sequence is thus set, and accordingly, the chuck hinge device 20 flexes in a predetermined manner. Depending on the material, material thickness, and / or shape of the corresponding hinge devices 23, 29, 30 and / or the deformation portion 36, a repulsive force is generated, which in turn determines whether the first pressure 37 is greater than the second pressure 38 or vice versa.

[0046] The respective pressures 21, 37, and 38 are applied to the chuck body 16 of the clamping device 1 (particularly during the operation of the clamping device 1, the frame device 2, or the battery 3) as one or more battery cells 5 expand from their basic dimensions to their expanded dimensions. This occurs, in particular, due to charging of the battery cell 5 or due to aging of the battery cell 5, or at least one of the two. In this case, expansion due to aging is irreversible or only partially reversible, whereas expansion due to discharge or charging can be at least partially reversed by the discharge of the battery cell 5.

[0047] In this example, the flexure of the chuck hinge device 20 is designed to be fully or partially nondestructively reversible elastic. In other words, the chuck hinge device 20 is designed to return to its original position immediately when the pressures 21, 37, and 38 decrease (again). In this case, the flexure of the chuck hinge device includes a first component of nondestructively reversible elastic flexibility, as well as other components of plastic, i.e., irreversible flexibility. Furthermore, the expansion of the battery cell 5 due to aging is designed to occur within the range of plastic flexure of the chuck hinge device 20. Conversely, the expansion of the battery cell 5 due to discharge or charge is designed to occur within the range of nondestructively reversible elastic flexure of the chuck hinge device 20. In this way, the clamping device 1, particularly its chuck body 16, follows the periodic expansion and contraction of the battery cell 5, and consequently, the periodic expansion and contraction of the battery cell pack 7. In contrast, the clamping device 1, particularly its chuck body 16, follows the irreversible expansion of the battery cell 5 or battery cell pack 7 due to aging deterioration through plastic deformation or plastic bending of the chuck hinge device 20. This ensures that a desired initial pressing force is always applied to the battery cell 5, i.e., to the battery cell pack 7, in order to suppress crystal formation inside the battery cell 5.

[0048] Overall, the clamping device 1, the frame device 2, and the battery 3 demonstrate the possibilities for particularly advantageous use or arrangement of the battery cells 5, which change in spatial dimensions between the charged and discharged states and also change due to aging. While this application pertains to the invention described in the claims, the disclosure of this application also includes the following: 1. A clamping device (1) for a frame device (2) formed to clamp a battery cell pack (7), - A fixing body (12) interposed so that the clamping device (1) can be fixed to the tightening device (8) of the frame device (2), - A chuck body (16) formed to be placed on the battery cell pack (7), - A chuck hinge device (20) used to connect the fixed body (12) and the chuck body (16) to each other, wherein when a pressure (21, 37, 38) acting toward the fixed body (12) is applied to the chuck body (16), the chuck hinge device (20) flexes in a predetermined manner, causing the chuck body (16) to move toward the fixed body (12) in the direction of the pressure (22). Crimping device (1). 2. In the clamping device (1) described in item 1 above, The chuck hinge device (20) includes a deformable portion (36) of the fixed body (12), and the chuck hinge device (20) bends in a predetermined manner when the deformable portion (36) is deformed, and in particular bent. A clamping device characterized by the following features. 3. In the crimping device (1) described in 1 or 2 above, The chuck hinge device (1) has a first hinge device (23, 29), and the hinge device is - The first strip member (24) and the second strip member (25), - A pivot hinge (26) on the fixed body side interposed in the hinge connection between the fixed body (12) and the first strip member (24), - An intermediate pivot hinge (27) interposed between the first strip member (24) and the second strip member (25) for hinge connection between them, - A pivot hinge (28) on the chuck body side interposed in the hinge connection between the second strip member (25) and the chuck body (16) and It is equipped with A clamping device characterized by the following features. 4. In the clamping device (1) described in item 3 above, The chuck hinge device (20) further comprises: - The second hinge device (29), - A third strip member (31) and a fourth (32) strip member, - A connecting pivot hinge (33) interposed between the third strip member (31) and the fourth strip member (33) for hinge connection between them. It has, - The third strip member (31) and the intermediate pivot hinge (27) of the first hinge device (23) are hinged to each other. - The fourth strip member (32) and the intermediate pivot hinge (34) of the second hinge device (29) are hinged to each other. A clamping device characterized by the following features. 5. In the crimping device (1) described in 3 or 4 above, Each of the aforementioned pivot hinges (26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34) is formed as a living hinge. A clamping device characterized by the following features. 6. In the crimping device (1) described in any of items 1 to 5 above, The fixing body (12), the chuck body (16), and the chuck hinge device (20) are assembled together and formed as a single unit. A clamping device characterized by the following features. 7. In the crimping device (1) described in any of the above 2 and 3 to 6, The repulsive force of the hinge device (23, 29) against the hinge operation is formed such that the hinge operation is performed by a first pressure (37). The repulsive force against the deformation of the deformable portion (36) of the fixed body (12) is formed to deform under a second pressure (38), - The first pressure (37) is greater than the second pressure (38), or - The second pressure (38) is greater than the first pressure (37). A clamping device characterized by the following features. 8. In the crimping device (1) described in any of the above 1 to 7, The clamping device is formed such that the bending of the chuck hinge device (20) is at least partially nondestructively and reversibly elastic. A clamping device characterized by the following features. 9. A frame device (2) for clamping a battery cell pack (7), - A clamping device (1) and a mating support (4) having the configuration described in any of 1 to 8 above, which are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction (6) of the frame device (2), - A tightening device (8) comprising two tightening members (9) spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction (10) of the frame device (2), Equipped with, The clamping device (1) and the opposing support (4) are fixed to each other by the tightening member (9), thereby creating a clamping area (11) between the clamping device (8) and the opposing support (4), within which the battery cell pack (7) can be loaded and clamped. Frame device (2). 10. A battery (3) comprising a frame device (2) having the configuration described in item 9 above, and a battery cell pack (7) having a number of battery cells (5) arranged side by side and clamped in the clamping area (11), As one of the battery cells (5) expands to its expanded size, the pressure (21, 37, 38) is applied to the chuck body (16) in the pressure direction (22), and as a result, the chuck body (16) is moved toward the fixed body (12) in the pressure direction (22) due to a predetermined bending of the chuck hinge device (20) in the battery (3). [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Crimping device 2 Frame device 3 Batteries 4. Supporting device of the other party 5 battery cells 6 Longitudinal direction 7 Battery cell stack 8 Tightening device 9. Tightening member 10. Sideways direction 11 Clamping area 12 Fixed body 13 Fixed elements 14 fixed elements 15. Welded section 16 Chuck Body 17 Chuck surface 18 Contact surface 19 Separation Sheets 20 Chuck hinge device 21 Pressure 22 Pressure direction 23 First hinge device 24 First strip member 25 Second strip member 26 Rotating hinge on the fixed side 27 Intermediate pivot hinge 28. Rotating hinge on the chuck body side 29. Other hinge devices 30 Hinge device pairs 31 Third strip member 32 Fourth strip member 33. Linked rotating hinge 34 Intermediate pivot hinge 35 Mirror surface 36 Deformed part 37. First Pressure 38. The Second Pressure

Claims

1. A clamping device (1) for a frame device (2) formed to clamp a battery cell pack (7), - A fixing body (12) interposed so that the clamping device (1) can be fixed to the tightening device (8) of the frame device (2), - A chuck body (16) formed to be placed on the battery cell pack (7), - A chuck hinge device (20) used to connect the fixed body (12) and the chuck body (16) to each other, wherein when pressure (21, 37, 38) acting toward the fixed body (12) is applied to the chuck body (16), the chuck hinge device (20) flexes in a predetermined manner, causing the chuck body (16) to move toward the fixed body (12) in the direction of the pressure (22). Crimping device (1).

2. In the clamping device (1) according to claim 1, The chuck hinge device (20) includes a deformable portion (36) of the fixed body (12), and the chuck hinge device (20) bends in a predetermined manner when the deformable portion (36) is deformed. A clamping device characterized by the following features.

3. In the crimping device (1) according to claim 1, The chuck hinge device (20) has a first hinge device (23, 29), and the hinge device is - The first strip member (24) and the second strip member (25), - A pivot hinge (26) on the fixed body side interposed in the hinge connection between the fixed body (12) and the first strip member (24), - An intermediate pivot hinge (27) interposed between the first strip member (24) and the second strip member (25) for hinge connection between them, - The second strip member (25) and the chuck body (16) are hinged together by a rotating hinge (28) on the chuck body side. It is equipped with A clamping device characterized by the following features.

4. In the crimping device (1) according to claim 3, The chuck hinge device (20) further comprises: - The second hinge device (29), - The third strip member (31) and the fourth strip member (32), - A connecting pivot hinge (33) interposed between the third strip member (31) and the fourth strip member (32) for hinge connection between them. It has, - The third strip member (31) and the intermediate pivot hinge (27) of the first hinge device (23) are hinge-connected to each other. - The fourth strip member (32) and the intermediate pivot hinge (34) of the second hinge device (29) are hinged to each other. A clamping device characterized by the following features.

5. In the crimping device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, Each of the aforementioned pivot hinges (26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34) is formed as a living hinge. A clamping device characterized by the following features.

6. In the crimping device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The fixing body (12), the chuck body (16), and the chuck hinge device (20) are assembled together and formed as a single unit. A clamping device characterized by the following features.

7. In the crimping device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, The chuck hinge device (20) includes a deformable portion (36) of the fixed body (12), and the chuck hinge device (20) bends in a predetermined manner when the deformable portion (36) is deformed. The repulsive force of the hinge device (23, 29) against the hinge operation is formed such that the hinge operation is performed by a first pressure (37). The repulsive force against the deformation of the deformable portion (36) of the fixed body (12) is formed to deform under a second pressure (38), - The first pressure (37) is greater than the second pressure (38), or - The second pressure (38) is greater than the first pressure (37). A clamping device characterized by the following features.

8. In the crimping device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The clamping device is formed such that the bending of the chuck hinge device (20) is at least partially nondestructively and reversibly elastic. A clamping device characterized by the following features.

9. A frame device (2) for clamping a battery cell pack (7), - A clamping device (1) and a mating support (4) having the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction (6) of the frame device (2), - A tightening device (8) comprising two tightening members (9) spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction (10) of the frame device (2), Equipped with, The clamping device (1) and the mating support (4) are fixed to each other by the tightening member (9), thereby creating a clamping area (11) between the clamping device (8) and the mating support (4), within which the battery cell pack (7) can be loaded and clamped. Frame device (2).

10. A battery (3) comprising a frame device (2) having the configuration described in claim 9, and a battery cell pack (7) having a number of battery cells (5) arranged side by side and clamped in the clamping area (11), As one of the battery cells (5) expands to its expanded size, the pressure (21, 37, 38) is applied to the chuck body (16) in the pressure direction (22), and as a result, the chuck body (16) is moved toward the fixed body (12) in the pressure direction (22) in accordance with the predetermined bending of the chuck hinge device (20) in the battery (3).

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