MIXING ELEMENT, RANGE OF MIXING ELEMENTS AND ACCUMULATOR.

Abstract

The invention relates to a mixing element designed to be installed in a housing of an electrochemical accumulator operated by a liquid electrolyte in order to mix the electrolyte as a result of forces and / or movement exerted on the accumulator during operation, wherein the mixing element is designed as a hollow body provided with at least one respective opening in opposite end regions, such that a channel is formed in the hollow body, leading to at least one respective opening in the opposite end regions and circumferentially delimited therein by the material of the mixing element.wherein the mixing element comprises one or more fixing and / or separating projections extending from the outer side of the mixing element and designed to contact parts of the accumulator housing in order to fix the mixing element in the accumulator and / or fix a specific position of the mixing element relative to the housing parts. The invention further relates to a range of mixing elements as well as to an accumulator having at least one mixing element.

Description

MIXING ELEMENT, RANGE OF MIXING ELEMENTS AND ACCUMULATOR FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a mixing element designed to be installed in a housing of a liquid electrolyte-operated electrochemical accumulator, according to claim 1. The invention further relates to a range of mixing elements according to claim 11, as well as to an accumulator comprising at least one mixing element according to claim 12. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general terms, the invention relates to the field of accumulators operated by a liquid electrolyte; that is, rechargeable electrochemical batteries, for example, in the form of lead-acid batteries. Such accumulators are used, for example, as starter batteries for motor vehicles. Mixing elements of the generic type are known, for example, from WO 2011 / 029035 A2 and DE 10 2010 048 428 A1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is based on specifying a universally applicable mixing element for an electrochemical battery. It also specifies a range of mixing elements applicable to different types of batteries, as well as a battery that incorporates such a mixing element. The work is accomplished according to claim 1 by means of a mixing element designed to be installed in a housing of an electrochemical accumulator operated by a liquid electrolyte in order to mix the electrolyte as a result of forces and / or movement exerted on the accumulator during operation, whereby the mixing element is designed as a hollow body, provided with at least one respective opening in opposite end regions, such that a channel is formed in the hollow body, which leads to at least one respective opening in the opposite end regions and is circumferentially delimited therein by the material of the mixing element,wherein the mixing element comprises one or more safety and / or separator projections that extend from the outer side of the mixing element and are designed to contact parts of the accumulator housing in order to secure the mixing element to the accumulator and / or fix a specific position of the mixing element relative to the housing parts. Whenever the terms “up” and “down” are used, these indications refer to the position of the battery when operating in accordance with the specification; that is, a substantially horizontal position in which the battery cover and its filler openings for the liquid electrolyte are at the top. Some deviation from the horizontal position is permissible as a result of normal operating loads on the battery, such as those encountered when the battery is operated in a motor vehicle. Non-conforming operating positions include, for example, positions rotated 90° or 180° from the horizontal position. The invention has the advantage that the inventive mixing element is universally applicable to all possible types, sizes, and designs of electrochemical accumulators, due to the externally positioned safety and / or separator protrusions extending from the outer side of the mixing element. These safety and / or separator protrusions facilitate the attachment of the safety element to a cell chamber of the accumulator. Insertion of the mixing element into the cell chamber is also facilitated. Furthermore, the safety and / or separator protrusions ensure precise positioning, making installation a quick and easy process, even for less experienced personnel. The improved design of the mixing element with these safety and / or separator protrusions is also advantageous for automated accumulator production.Therefore, it is unnecessary to structurally modify the entire mixing element for different types, sizes, and designs of accumulators; instead, only the dimensions of one or more of the external safety and / or separator lugs need to be adjusted. The proportions of the mixing element that are essential to the mixing function remain the same, so there is no change in the performance and effectiveness of the mixing element. The central functional body of the mixing element can thus be of uniform design and manufacture, allowing for consistent use and installation in accumulators of different sizes with varying retention lugs. In particular, the mixing element can be installed in the accumulator housing without any additional material joining procedure, for example, by clamping it through one, some, or all of the safety and / or separator lugs. According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the mixing element is designed to be stackable with other mixing elements. To this end, the geometric shape of the mixing element is configured so that it can be stacked inside another. This stacking capability reduces the space required for storing the mixing elements and allows for better handling during the automated assembly of accumulators. A further advantageous development of the invention provides that the mixing element has a volumetric space in the area of ​​an upper end region, designed to be positioned above an oppositely positioned lower end region when installed in the housing. The circumference of this lower end region is significantly larger than the circumference of the mixing element sections below it, so that the sections of the mixing element below form at least a thin flow channel compared to the cross-sectional area of ​​the volumetric body. This has the advantage of further improving the desired electrolyte mixing of the inventive mixing element. Acid stratification in the accumulator can thus be eliminated or at least significantly reduced. Acid stratification refers to different acid densities along the height of the accumulator.The mixing element according to the invention enables electrolyte mixing with greater functional efficiency as a result of the reduced circumference and the associated, decreased flow area of ​​the hollow body in the area of ​​the narrow flow channel. The mixing element according to the invention already provides mixing effects comparable to mixing elements of the prior art, even at lower accumulator loads. The mixing element can be made, for example, of polypropylene or another suitable acid-proof and flexible material. With respect to its height, i.e., its longitudinal extension in the vertical direction when in the proposed installed position in the accumulator, the mixing element according to the invention can be designed to produce a cyclic circulation of electrolyte in response to movement loads in the accumulator, such that the electrolyte spills over the upper edge of the mixing element and drains back through the lower opening, as described, for example, in US 5,096,787. In this case, the mixing element functions as a hydrostatic pump. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the mixing element extends at least sufficiently upward to prevent the liquid electrolyte from overflowing in the upper edge region of the mixing element due to the specified motion load in the accumulator, as occurs in a moving vehicle. This allows for the advantageous implementation of the communicating vessels principle. A communicating connection forces a back-and-forth movement of the electrolyte in the lower region of the mixing element between the volumetric space of the mixing element and the surrounding cell chamber of the accumulator; that is, by means of the lower opening, and not electrolyte circulation as with the hydrostatic pump principle.This has the advantage that the sludge that has accumulated at the bottom of the accumulator remains in place since there is no electrolyte circulation. The electrolyte movement thus driven is sufficient to mix the electrolyte to the degree of eliminating or at least gradually reducing acid stratification. The communication connection in the lower region of the mixing element—that is, the lower opening through which the liquid electrolyte can flow—can have several different configurations, for example, in the form of a space or one or more openings in the lower region of the mixing element. These openings can be located in different places within the mixing element, preferably in the lower area of ​​the flow channel. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the mixing element is manufactured as a separate component that is not fixed in the accumulator housing until the accumulator is assembled. The mixing element can be configured, for example, as a component capable of being inserted into a cell chamber of the accumulator. This has the advantage that the mixing element can be manufactured separately and inserted as required into the cell chamber of the accumulator. Accumulators can therefore be manufactured economically, both with and without the mixing element, without requiring different injection molds to produce the housing parts for the two versions of the accumulator, as would be necessary with an integrally formed wall element.Additionally, accumulators produced in previous serial production runs can also be easily converted into accumulators that have an integrated mix in the form of a mixing element; i.e., without high manufacturing equipment costs. In particular, the mixing element may be in the form of a hollow, ring-shaped body, whereby the annular shape, in this case, refers not only to a ring shape but also to any other circular ring shape. The mixing element may be formed, for example, as a substantially closed hollow body, except for the openings provided in the oppositely positioned end regions. This allows the mixing element to be easily produced, for example, from a plastic material. The mixing element can be advantageously manufactured as a hollow body through a blow molding or thermoforming process. Furthermore, the thin flow channel that tapers towards the lower end region relative to the circumference has the added benefit of improving the demolding capability of the mixing element during the manufacturing process. accQnn / Lznz / E / Yii According to a further advantageous development, the circumference in the thin flow channel area decreases continuously along the longitudinal extent of the mixing element by means of one or more discontinuities. This results in a gradual decrease towards the hollow body circumference. This further improves the functional efficiency of the mixing element in terms of the liquid electrolyte mixing effect. The proportion of one or more discontinuities along the flow channel results in one or more graduated transitions in flow resistance and, therefore, a deceleration or acceleration of the electrolyte exchange between the volumetric space of the mixing element and the interior of the accumulator. It is advantageous, for example, to have two or three such discontinuities in the thin flow channel region.The discontinuities also improve the demolding capacity of the mixing element during the manufacturing process. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, one or more discontinuities extend linearly along the longitudinal extent of the mixing element; that is, depending on the modality, the circumferential decrease or transverse reduction in these areas is linear. This allows for economical and simple manufacturing of the mixing element, as well as improving the mechanical stability of the narrow flow channel. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the mixing element comprises at least two separate, thin-flow channels connected to the common volumetric space. One, multiples, or all of the separate, thin-flow channels can be configured according to the aforementioned thin-flow channel characteristics, particularly with one or more discontinuities. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the mixing element comprises a recess on at least one side of the hollow body, which extends longitudinally along the mixing element and is designed to receive a projection from the accumulator housing. This allows for simple and reliable mechanical fastening of the mixing element in the accumulator housing, provided the housing is configured with internal housing projections. In this case, no additional mechanical fastening means are required. The recess, in particular, can be provided within the volumetric space or extend into it in such a way as to divide the volumetric space. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the recess is at least as deep as the extent of the thin flow channel in the same direction, i.e., in the direction of the recess's extension. This allows for a particularly strong mechanical attachment of the mixing element to the accumulator housing's housing protrusion. Additionally, at least two separate thin flow channels are thus created. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the mixing element comprises at least one fixing and / or separating projection, which projects in the direction of the accumulator housing cover. Such fixing and / or separating projection can fix the position of the mixing element relative to the housing cover and also secure the mixing element relative to the housing cover. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the mixing element comprises at least one fixing and / or separating projection extending towards the bottom of the accumulator housing. Such a fixing and / or separating projection can be positioned, for example, on the mixing element on the lower side of the volumetric space. The fixing and / or separating projection extending towards the bottom of the accumulator housing can ensure a defined downward position and secure attachment of the mixing element. Therefore, the downward-projecting fixing and / or separating projection can rest on the electrodes or the separators enclosing the electrodes, respectively, thus defining the installation height of the mixing element within the housing. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the mixing element comprises one or more external, circumferential fixing and / or separating projections on one, some, or all of its outer sides facing the side walls of the accumulator housing. This has the advantage of allowing the mixing element to be placed in a defined horizontal position within a free space of a cell chamber, thus preventing improper installation in the wrong position. The side walls of the accumulator housing include both the external side walls of the accumulator and the internal walls of the accumulator that form the dividing walls between the different cell chambers.In the substantially rectangular external cross-section, when viewed from above, the mixing element may have, in each case, one or more fixing and / or separating projections on all four external sides or only on some or only one of the external sides. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, one or more fixing and / or separating projections are placed within the recess described above. In particular, one or more fixing and / or separating projections may be placed on opposite outer sides of the mixing element within the recess. Such fixing and / or separating projections, placed within the recess, allow the mixing element to be pressed in a wedge-like manner against a housing projection of the accumulator housing and secured to such housing projection. For this purpose, the fixing and / or separating projections provided within the recess may exhibit an outer contour that increases in the direction of insertion into the housing projection so that the outer contour forms a wedge with respect to the housing projection. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, one or more fixing and / or separating projections are placed within the recess described above. In particular, one or more fixing and / or separating projections may be placed on opposite outer sides of the mixing element within the recess. Such fixing and / or separating projections, placed within the recess, allow the mixing element to be pressed in a wedge-like manner against a housing projection of the accumulator housing and secured to such housing projection. For this purpose, the fixing and / or separating projections provided within the recess may exhibit an outer contour that increases in the direction of insertion into the housing projection so that the outer contour forms a wedge with respect to the housing projection. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, at least two fixing and / or separating projections are positioned to form a V-shaped pair. This has the advantage that the V-shaped construction prevents twisting of the separating projections when they are fitted into the housing or during subsequent actual operation of the accumulator. The fixing and / or separating projections, positioned in V-shaped pairs, can thus be joined and combined into a single V-shaped projection or placed at a certain distance from each other. accQnn / Lznz / E / Yii The task initially specified is accomplished according to claim 11 by a range of mixing elements of the type described above, wherein the range comprises mixing elements of various designs that differ from each other in the installation and / or dimensions of the fixing and / or separating projections. In doing so, the respectively suitable mixing elements can be made available for different types, sizes, and designs of accumulators without any further modification being required. The respective mixing element that corresponds to the given accumulator type can thus be installed without any material joining procedure and secured solely by means of fastening the fixing and / or separating projections to the housing walls and / or housing projections of the accumulator housing. The task initially specified is accomplished according to claim 12 by means of an accumulator having a housing in which at least one accumulator cell is formed, wherein the accumulator cell comprises a plurality of plate-shaped electrodes, positioned adjacently within the accumulator cell, as well as liquid electrolyte, wherein at least one mixing element of the type described above is further placed in a free space within the accumulator cell. The inventive accumulator already provides a greater mixing effect at a comparatively lower moving load and thus prevents or at least substantially reduces acid stratification. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the mixing element is positioned laterally on a flat side of a plate-shaped electrode in the battery cell. The mixing element is therefore not held in place by the force of welded ends protruding from the separator pocket, as described in DE 10 2010 048 428 A1, since it is positioned on the flat side of the plate-shaped electrode. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, a component integrated into the battery housing can be provided as the retaining means for the mechanical fixation of the mixing element in the battery cell. In particular, an internal housing projection of the battery housing can be used as a retaining means. The mixing element can also be connected to the accumulator housing or internal housing protrusion, respectively, and thus fixed positionally by means of a known joining process, e.g., plastic welding. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the mixing element is placed between a plate-shaped electrode and the housing wall or an internal housing projection formed in the housing wall. According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the housing has a longitudinal extension that is the largest dimension of the height, width, and length of the individual electrode plates, and the electrode plates are positioned in a battery cell such that the longitudinal extension of the electrode plates lies substantially in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the housing. This allows for the advantageous accommodation of a large number of electrode plates in the housing with good use of the available installation space, coupled with a simultaneously advantageous accommodation of one or more mixing elements within the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Henceforth, reference will be made to the figures in the description of the invention in greater detail by means of modalities. The following are shown: Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of an accumulator with mixing element; accQnn / Lznz / E / Yir Figures 2 and 3 Figures 4 to 6 Figures 7a9 Figures 10 to 11 Figures 12 to 13 Figures 14 to 17 Figure 18 Figure 19 The accumulator according to Figure 1 under motion load; a first modality of a mixing element without external projections; a second modality of a mixing element without external projections; a third modality of a mixing element with external projections; a fourth modality of a mixing element with external projections; side section views of accumulators; a plan view of an accumulator from above; and stackable mixing elements. The figures use the same numerical references for equivalent elements. Figures 1 to 3 and 18 illustrate the accumulator without a cover portion; that is, in a state where the top of the accumulator is still open. To complete the assembly, the accumulator housing is normally closed in the usual manner with a cover portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a battery 2 with a mixing element 1 placed in its housing 3. Electrode plates 5 are further placed in the housing 3, or in a cell chamber 4 of the housing, respectively, which are partially enclosed by spacers (not shown). The housing 3 or the cell chamber 4 further contains liquid electrolyte 7, where the electrolyte 7 is filled to level 8. A housing projection 6 is also provided in the housing 3 or the cell chamber 4, respectively. The mixing element 1 is attached to the housing projection 6, for example, clamped to it. As can be seen, the mixing element 1 comprises a volumetric space 13 in its upper end region, which transitions downwards towards a narrow flow channel 17 having a substantially smaller cross-sectional area compared to the volumetric space 13. The flow channel 17 terminates in one or more openings 11 in a lower region of the mixing element. The volumetric space 13 also opens upwards; that is, an opening 10 is provided within it. The upper and lower openings, 10 and 11, allow the pressure between the interior of the mixing element 1 and the surrounding area of ​​the accumulator housing 3 to equalize at any time. An electrolyte level 9 is thus established in the mixing element 1, which corresponds to the electrolyte level 8 of the accumulator 2 and / or the respective cell chamber 4. Figures 2 and 3 show the function of mixing element 1 under a moving load of accumulator 2. According to Figure 2, the accumulator is tilted at an angle to the left. Starting from the originally elevated levels 8 and 9, the tilt initially results in a level difference 12, since the electrolyte retained in mixing element 1 can only flow through the narrow flow channel 17 at a decelerated velocity. The arrows illustrate the external flow of electrolyte into cell chamber 4 of the accumulator. It is now assumed that the equalization process of the left-tilted accumulator in Figure 2 is completed so that level 9 in the mixing element again corresponds to level 8. It is now assumed that the accumulator is then tilted, for example, slightly to the right, as illustrated in Figure 3.This again results in a level difference of 12 between levels 8 and 9; however, this time in the reverse direction, with level 9 being lower than level 8, as shown in Figure 3. This results in electrolyte flowing back into mixing element 1 through opening 11, as illustrated by the arrows. The electrolyte is thus mixed, preventing or reducing acid stratification. Advantageously, mixing element 1 is constructed sufficiently high relative to the height of the volumetric space wall 13 to prevent electrolyte from spilling over the top edge of mixing element 1 directly into volumetric space 13 under normal flow load. When the accumulator is filled to specification, such overflow is permitted up to an angle of inclination of 20° relative to the horizontal plane.An additional mode allows the electrolyte to overflow up to an angle of inclination of 35° with respect to the horizontal plane. In regular operation; that is, when accumulator 2 is installed in a vehicle, the movement of the vehicle generates, for example, the motion load on accumulator 2. Except for vehicle movement caused by road non-uniformity, longitudinal and lateral accelerations, for example, when turning, also result in the motion load of accumulator 2, as described. Figures 4 to 6 show a first embodiment of the mixing element 1. Figure 4 shows an isometric view, Figure 5 a rear view, and Figure 6 a side view. As can be seen, the mixing element 1 comprises a recess 15 that divides the volumetric space 13 into two sub-areas, despite being connected over a relatively large cross-section. The recess 15 can be used to fit the mixing element 1 onto the housing projection 6, as shown in Figures 1 and 16. The mixing element can simply be placed on the housing projection and wedged there by means of the recess 15. A floor 16 limits the volumetric space 13 in the downward direction. The volumetric space 13 is open upwards through opening 10. In the transition region 60 below the floor 16, the volumetric space 13 transitions into a narrow-flow channel 17 that extends downwards to opening 11. Due to the division created by the recess 15, the narrow-flow channel 17 is divided into two sub-channels 40, 50, each having a respective lower opening 11, 14. The openings 11, 14 can be configured as single openings or as a combination of multiple openings. The mixing element can terminate in the area of ​​openings 11, 14 as a straight surface or, as shown in the figures, as a chamfer. As further indicated in the figures, the thin flow channel 17, or sub-channels 40, 50 respectively, have two linear discontinuities 41, 42, 51, 52, below the transition 60. These discontinuities doubly reduce the circumference and therefore also the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the hollow body in the direction of the lower end region towards the opening 11,14. Figures 7 to 9 show a second embodiment of mixing element 1. Figure 7 shows an isometric view, Figure 8 a rear view, and Figure 9 a side view. In contrast to the mixing element according to Figures 4 to 6, the mixing element 1 illustrated here has in each case additional divided subchannels 43, 44, 53, 54, for example, in the form of channels with a circular cross-section, in the lower regions of the flow channels 40, 50. Each of the subchannels 43, 44, 53, 54 has its own circumference-reducing discontinuity 42, 52 as well as a lower opening 11, 14. Figures 1 to 9 will be used to illustrate the basic function and design of the inventive mixing element by means of embodiments in which the mixing element does not comprise any fixing and / or separating projections, referred to hereafter simply as projections for brevity. Figures 10 to 19 will be used hereafter in the description of mixing elements that comprise the respective external projections. Figures 10 and 11 show two different isometric views of a mixing element 1 corresponding to the mixing element according to Figures 1 to 9 and additionally comprising external projections. In each case, only the respective upper area of ​​the mixing element provided with the projections is illustrated; the sections below correspond to Figures 7 to 9. The embodiments of the mixing element comprising projections described hereafter may also be, however, of any other desired design with respect to the lower flow channels, for example, with respect to Figures 4 to 6 or similarly. The mixing element 1 according to Figures 10 and 11 comprises an upwardly projecting projection 133 on the upper edge of the rear wall 30 of the volumetric space 13, the ends of which can be inclined towards the side wall regions 131, 132 of such volumetric space 13. The projection 133 extends in the direction of a housing cover of the accumulator housing so that the mixing element 1, when placed in the housing, can be fixed vertically by the housing cover by means of the projection 133. For additional downward vertical fixing, projections 61 are provided on the lower side 60 of the volumetric space 13, which forms a support opposite the upper projection 133 for fixing the mixing element 1 in a battery housing. The mixing element 1 can thus be secured between the housing cover and the electrode plates, or their separators, respectively, by means of the upper projection 133 and the downward-facing projections 61 located on the lower part of the housing or an electrode plate pack of the battery, respectively. For horizontal mounting and positioning, the mixing element comprises projections 134, 135 on the respective side walls 131, 132, extending from the sides towards the side walls of the accumulator housing. Projections 136, 137 are further provided on the side of the volumetric space 13 opposite the rear wall 130, each positioned to form a V-shaped pair when viewed from above. To simplify the insertion of the mixing element 1 into the accumulator housing from above, the projections 131, 134, 135, 136, 137 have a downward taper and are therefore rounded. The outward-pointing projections 152, 153 can be placed within the recess 15 on respective opposite walls 150, 151 of the volumetric space 13 by means of which the fixing element can be attached to the housing projection 6. The various protrusions described in relation to Figures 10 and 11 do not always need to be fully realized on the mixing element or in the dimensions illustrated. In fact, the protrusions allow the mixing element to be adapted to other accumulator housing designs, for example, by modifying the dimensions of the protrusions or omitting individual protrusions. An example of this is illustrated in the following references, and an alternative modality is illustrated in Figures 12 and 13. The mixing element 1, according to Figures 12 and 13, comprises the projections 61, 134, 135, 152, and 153. The projections 61 are configured here at a shorter overall height than in Figures 10 and 11. The mixing element can thus be installed, for example, in a housing of a shorter overall height than the housing applicable to Figures 10 and 11. This is illustrated hereafter by reference to Figures 14 to 17. Figures 14 and 17 show a side view of an accumulator facing the rear wall 130 of the volumetric space 13 of the mixing element 1, respectively. Figures 15 and 16 show a side wall view 131 / 132, respectively. Figures 14 and 15 depict the mixing element as shown in Figures 10 and 11; Figures 16 and 17 depict the mixing element as shown in Figures 12 and 13. The accumulator, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, has a housing of greater overall height than the accumulator in Figures 16 and 17. It can be observed that the mixing element is placed in each case on a housing projection 6 and is held between an electrode plate pack 5 and a housing cover 100 of the accumulator, thus being fixed vertically. Figure 18 shows a six-cell accumulator 2 in a plan view, whereby the accumulator housing cover has not been replaced, thus making visible the six individual accumulator cells 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 with the electrode plates 5 in place. One group of electrode plates 5 is illustrated only in cell chamber 94 as an example. It can be observed that, as well as its maximum dimension LE, the electrode plates 5 extend in the same direction as the maximum dimension LG of the housing 3 of the accumulator 2. It can also be observed that the housing 3 comprises housing projections 6. A mixing element 1 fitted into a housing projection 6 is illustrated in an exemplary manner in each cell chamber 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95. The housing 3 of the accumulator 2 thus has external side walls 101 and internal walls 102.Internal walls 102 divide the interior of housing 3 into cell chambers for accumulator cells 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95. Figure 19 shows an example of a stackable design of mixing elements 1, using the mixing elements from Figures 10 and 11 (left) and Figures 12 and 13 (right). This design can save space and simplify the automated assembly of mixing elements.

Claims

1. A mixing element (1) designed to be installed in a housing (3) of an electrochemical accumulator (2) operated by means of a liquid electrolyte (7), for the purpose of mixing the electrolyte (7) as a result of forces and / or movements exerted on the accumulator (2) during operation, wherein the mixing element (1) is designed as a hollow body which is provided with at least one respective opening (10, 11, 14) in opposite end regions, such that a channel is formed in the hollow body, which leads to the at least one respective opening (10, 11, 14) in the opposite end regions and is circumferentially delimited therein by the material of the mixing element (1), characterized in that the mixing element (1) comprises one or more fixing and / or separating projections (61, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 152,153) projecting from the outer side of the mixing element (1) and designed to contact housing parts of the accumulator (2) in order to fix the mixing element (1) in the accumulator (2) and / or to define a specific position of the mixing element (1) relative to the housing parts, wherein the mixing element (1) comprises a volumetric space (13) in the region of an upper end region that is designed to be disposed above an oppositely disposed lower end region when installed in the housing (3), the circumference of which is significantly larger than the circumference of the sections of the mixing element (1) that are located below it, so that the sections of the mixing element (1) that are located below it form at least two flow channels (17) that are thin compared to the cross-sectional area of ​​the volumetric space (13).

2. The mixing element according to claim 1, further characterized in that the circumference of the hollow body in the region of the thin flow channels (17) decreases in the direction towards the lower end region below a transition (60) from the volumetric space (13) to the thin flow channels (17).

3. The mixing element according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the mixing element (1) is designed as a hollow body produced in an injection molding process with an internal mandrel and an external mold, by a blow molding process or by a thermoforming method.

4. The mixing element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that the mixing element (1) comprises at least one fixing and / or separating projection (61, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 152, 153) projecting towards the housing cover (100) of the accumulator housing (3) (2).

5. The mixing element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that the mixing element (1) comprises at least one fixing and / or separating projection (61, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 152, 153) projecting towards the lower part of the housing (107) of the accumulator housing (3) (2).

6. The mixing element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that the mixing element (1) comprises one or more fixing and / or separating projections (61, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 152, 153) on the outer circumference of one, some, or all of its outer sides that are directed towards the side walls (101, 102) of the accumulator housing (3) (2). accQnn / Lznz / E / Yii 7. The mixing element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further characterized in that the mixing element (1) comprises a recess (15) at least on one side of the hollow body, which passes in the longitudinal direction of the mixing element (1) and is designed to receive a housing protrusion (6) from the housing (3) of the accumulator (2).

8. The mixing element according to claim 7, further characterized in that one or more fixing and / or separating projections (61, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 152, 153) are arranged within the recess (15), particularly on opposite outer sides of the mixing element (1) within the recess (15).

9. The mixing element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further characterized in that at least two fixing and / or separating projections (61, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 152, 153) are arranged in relation to each other in order to deform a V-shaped part.

10. An accumulator (2) having a housing (3) in which at least one accumulator cell (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95) is formed, characterized in that the accumulator cell (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95) comprises a plurality of plate-shaped electrodes (5) arranged adjacently within said accumulator cell (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95), as well as a liquid electrolyte (7), wherein at least one mixing element (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 is further disposed in a free space within said accumulator cell (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95).

11. The accumulator according to claim 10, further characterized in that the mixing element (1) extends upwards at least to such an extent as to prevent a liquid electrolyte (7) from overflowing over the upper edge region of the mixing element (1), in the event of a moving load of the accumulator (2) according to specifications.

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