Energy storage cell, carrier plate and battery module

Abstract

The invention relates to a energy storage cell, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: (i) an electrode device having a first electrode and a second electrode, which are separated from one another by a separator; (ii) a cell housing, in particular cylindrical or cuboidal, in which the electrode device is arranged; (iii) wherein the cell housing has, on a first cell housing side, a first cell housing coupling device which is designed to be form-fittingly and releasably connected to a carrier plate by interlocking with a first plate coupling device of the carrier plate.

Description

[0001] ENERGY STORAGE CELL, CARRIER PLATE AND BATTERY MODULE

[0002] The present invention relates to an energy storage cell, a carrier plate, a battery module and a motor vehicle.

[0003] In the field of energy storage cells, especially battery cells, especially lithium-ion battery cells, cylindrical, prismatic and pouch-shaped battery cells are known.

[0004] For a battery module, a plurality of battery cells with the same geometry, i.e. cylindrical, prismatic, or pouch-shaped, are usually arranged in a module housing. A coiled cooling device can run between the individual adjacent battery cells to cool the battery cells. When arranging the battery cells, it is necessary that the battery cells are positioned precisely, since automated contacting of the battery cells is to take place in a later process step. The coiled cooling device must also be taken into account. A deviation from a specified position, for example due to mechanical influence or a change in temperature, can lead to faulty electrical contact. To prevent this, the respective process steps are subject to a tolerance in order to compensate for any deviation of a battery cell from the specified positioning.This requires additional effort when planning the arrangement or design of battery cells in a module housing and its production. In addition, when battery cells are arranged in multiple rows, this tolerance is also passed on from one row to the next. This must also be considered during planning.

[0005] The present invention is based on the object of providing an energy storage cell which is improved with regard to the problems mentioned above.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the teaching of the independent claims. Various embodiments and developments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims. A first aspect of the solution relates to an energy storage cell, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: (i) an electrode device with a first electrode and a second electrode, which are separated from one another by a separator; (ii) a cell housing, in particular cylindrical or cuboid-shaped, in which the electrode device is arranged; (iii) wherein the cell housing has, on a first cell housing side, a first cell housing coupling device which is designed to be positively and detachably connected to the carrier plate by interengaging with a first plate coupling device of a carrier plate.

[0007] The terms "comprises," "includes," "includes," "has," "has," "with," or any other variation thereof, as used herein, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a method or apparatus that includes or has a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or that are inherent in such a method or apparatus.

[0008] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or." For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by one of the following conditions: A is true (or present) and B is false (or absent), A is false (or absent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0009] The terms "a" or "an" as used herein are defined as "one or more." The terms "another" and "another," and any other variations thereof, are defined as "at least one other."

[0010] The term "plurality" as used here is to be understood as meaning "two or more".

[0011] The term “configured” or “set up” to fulfil a specific function (and respective variations thereof) as used here means that the corresponding device is already in a design or setting in which it can carry out the function or is at least adjustable – i.e. configurable – so that it can carry out the function after being set accordingly. The configuration can be carried out, for example, by appropriately setting parameters of a process sequence or of switches or the like for activating or deactivating functionalities or settings. In particular, the device can have a plurality of predetermined configurations or operating modes, so that the configuration can be carried out by selecting one of these configurations or operating modes.

[0012] The term "separator" or "separator layer" as used here refers in particular to an electrically insulating device which separates and spaced apart two electrodes, in particular an anode and a cathode. Preferably, a separator layer is applied to an anode layer and / or a cathode layer. Preferably, the separator layer is designed as an independent body. The separator or separator layer can also at least partially accommodate an electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte preferably contains lithium ions, and wherein the separator or separator layer is permeable to ions, in particular lithium ions. Preferably, a separator is designed with thin walls, particularly preferably as a microporous film. Preferably, the separator layer or separator extends at least partially over a boundary edge of at least one electrode. Particularly preferably, the separator layer or separator extendsthe separator extends beyond all boundary edges of adjacent electrodes.

[0013] The term “essentially the same” as used here means in particular that two values, in particular two distance values, do not differ from each other by more than 10%, in particular not more than 5%.

[0014] The term “positively locking, detachable connection” as used here refers in particular to a mechanical connection between two components, in particular two coupling devices, which can form a positively locking connection and which can be released again without causing damage.

[0015] The energy storage cell according to the first aspect makes it possible to achieve a predetermined, fixed position of the energy storage cell on the carrier plate through the positive, detachable connection when mounting the energy storage cell on the carrier plate, which requires little or no tolerance values ​​with regard to the position. This is because the position of the energy storage cell is predetermined by the position of the first plate coupling device, and by forming the positive connection of the first cell housing coupling device of the cell housing with the first plate coupling device of the carrier plate, the energy storage cell obtains this predetermined position. This enables improved reliability when carrying out further process steps, in particular electrical contacting of the energy storage cell.The detachable connection also allows the energy storage cell to be replaced and repaired. The same applies to the carrier plate.

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the energy storage cell are described below, which can be combined with each other as well as with the other aspects described, unless this is expressly excluded or is technically impossible.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first cell housing coupling device and the first plate coupling device are each circular, in particular interacting as a bayonet lock, so that the positive, detachable connection can be achieved by rotating the first cell housing coupling device relative to the first plate coupling device. This makes it possible, in particular, to achieve a stable connection that extends across a cross-section of the cell housing. Furthermore, when mounting the energy storage cell on the carrier plate, a holding and rotating device can be used that can rotate the energy storage cell about its longitudinal axis, thus requiring little space for attachment.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first cell housing coupling device and the first plate coupling device are each elongated, so that the positive, releasable connection can be achieved by a linear movement of the first cell housing coupling device relative to the first plate coupling device. In contrast to a rotational movement, a linear movement can be implemented more easily technically, since it can be sufficient to form the connection if one of the first cell housing coupling device and the first plate coupling device has to be pushed in one direction, while the other remains stationary at the same time. In particular, several positive connections of several housings on a carrier plate can be achieved in parallel by a linear movement or sliding movement in the same direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, the cell housing has a second cell housing coupling device on a second cell housing side opposite the first cell housing side, in particular one that is structurally identical to the first cell housing coupling device, which is configured to be positively and detachably connected to the further carrier plate by interlocking with a second plate coupling device, in particular one that is structurally identical to the first plate coupling device. This makes it possible for the energy storage cell to be connected to a carrier plate on both the first cell housing side and the opposite second cell housing side. This makes it possible to achieve increased stability in a correspondingly mounted arrangement.This stability can be particularly enhanced if, in the assembled arrangement, a plurality of energy storage cells are arranged between the two carrier plates. In particular, it is possible for the first cell housing coupling device and / or the second cell housing coupling device to be subsequently mounted on a cell housing, in particular by welding, soldering, or injection molding. This avoids having to modify an already used manufacturing process for the cell housing or battery cell.

[0020] In some embodiments, the cell housing is formed integrally with the first cell housing coupling device and / or with the second cell housing coupling device. This allows for high stability when the first and second cell housing coupling devices interact with the cell housing, which also enables a stable, positive connection between the cell housing and the carrier plate.

[0021] A second aspect of the solution relates to a carrier plate having a first plate coupling device on a first side of the carrier plate, wherein the first plate coupling device is configured to be positively and detachably connected to the cell housing by interlocking with a first cell housing coupling device of a cell housing of an energy storage cell according to the first aspect.

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the carrier plate are described below, which can be combined with each other as well as with the other aspects described, unless this is expressly excluded or is technically impossible.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first plate coupling device and the first cell housing coupling device are each circular, so that the positive, detachable connection can be achieved by rotating the first cell housing coupling device relative to the first plate coupling device. This makes it possible, in particular, to achieve a stable connection that extends across a cross-section of the cell housing. Furthermore, when mounting the energy storage cell on the carrier plate, a holding and rotating device can be used, which rotates the energy storage cell about a longitudinal axis and thus requires little space.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first plate coupling device and the first cell housing coupling device are each elongated, so that the positive, releasable connection can be achieved by a linear movement of the first cell housing coupling device relative to the first plate coupling device. In contrast to a rotational movement, a linear movement is technically easier to implement, since the respective component only needs to be pushed in one direction.

[0025] In some embodiments, the carrier plate has a plurality of first plate coupling devices, wherein adjacent first plate coupling devices of the plurality of first plate coupling devices are spaced apart from one another in at least one direction by a substantially equal distance. The substantially equal distances allow for simpler automated control for electrically contacting energy storage cells arranged on the carrier plate, since a device that can successively establish electrical contact for adjacent energy storage cells only needs to be moved the same distance from the adjacent energy storage cell. Individual adjustment of the distance from one energy storage cell to the next is therefore not necessary.

[0026] In some embodiments, the carrier plate has a second plate coupling device on a second side opposite the first side, in particular one that is structurally identical to the first plate coupling device. This makes it possible to form a positive, detachable connection to a cell housing of the first aspect on the first side and the second side of the carrier plate. This makes it possible to achieve a compact arrangement with a plurality of energy storage cells.

[0027] In some embodiments, the carrier plate is made of a metal, a plastic, or a composite material, in particular carbon fiber or glass fiber with synthetic resin. Due to the electrical conductivity of metal, a carrier plate made of metal can be electrically connected to the energy storage cells in an assembled arrangement with one or more energy storage cells and can thus additionally be used as a component of a circuit, in particular serial or parallel, of the energy storage cells. By using plastic, electrical insulation between the energy storage cells and other components can be achieved in an assembled arrangement with one or more energy storage cells if the carrier plate is arranged between the energy storage cells and the other components. Furthermore, plastic is lightweight, which enables a lightweight arrangement.In a composite material, a material property, particularly a mechanical property such as tensile strength or elongation at break, can be adjusted during its manufacturing process. The composite material can then have a composition corresponding to a mechanical material property required for the carrier plate. This enables a carrier plate with improved mechanical properties.

[0028] In some embodiments, the carrier plate is formed integrally with the first plate coupling device and / or with the second plate coupling device. This allows for high stability when the first and / or second plate coupling device interacts with the carrier plate, which also enables a stable, positive connection to the cell housing of the energy storage cell.

[0029] A third aspect of the solution relates to a battery module with an energy storage cell according to the first aspect and a carrier plate according to the second aspect, wherein the energy storage cell is connected to the carrier plate by means of a positive and detachable connection between the first cell housing coupling device and the first plate coupling device.

[0030] In some embodiments, the battery module has a further carrier plate that is structurally identical to the carrier plate according to the second aspect, wherein the energy storage cell is connected to the carrier plate by means of a positive and detachable connection between the first cell housing coupling device on the first cell housing side and the first plate coupling device, and is connected to the further carrier plate by means of a further positive and detachable connection between a second cell housing coupling device on the second cell housing side and a second plate coupling device of the further carrier plate. Because the energy storage cell is arranged between the carrier plate and the further carrier plate and is positively connected to them, a particularly mechanically stable arrangement can be achieved.This stability can be particularly enhanced if a plurality of energy storage cells are arranged between the two carrier plates.

[0031] A fourth aspect of the solution relates to a motor vehicle with a battery module according to the third aspect.

[0032] The features and advantages explained with regard to the first aspect of the solution also apply accordingly to the other aspects described.

[0033] Further advantages, features and possible applications emerge from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the figures.

[0034] Figs. 1A and 1B schematically show an energy storage cell in 3D views according to an embodiment;

[0035] Figs. 2A and 2B schematically show an oblique plan view of a carrier plate according to an embodiment;

[0036] Figs. 3A and 3B schematically show an oblique plan view of bayonet locking groups of an embodiment;

[0037] Figs. 4A and 4B are schematic 3D views of a battery module of an embodiment; and

[0038] Figs. 5A to 5C are schematic 3D views of a battery module of another embodiment.

[0039] Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding elements.

[0040] 1A and 1B schematically show an energy storage cell 100 in 3D views according to one embodiment. The energy storage cell 100 has a cylindrical cell housing 110. In Fig. 1A, a first bayonet closure group 130 with a plurality of first bayonet closure parts 140 is arranged on a first cell housing side 115 of the cylindrical cell housing 110. For example, some first bayonet closure parts 140 are provided with reference numerals. Likewise, additional or fewer bayonet closure parts 140 can be provided for the first bayonet closure group 130. In particular, it is also conceivable for one of the first bayonet closure parts 140 to be different, in particular shorter, than the additional bayonet closure parts 140 of a bayonet closure group 130 in order to specify a starting position for connecting to a second bayonet closure group 210. In Fig. 1 B, the cell housing 110 from Fig.1A is shown rotated by 180°, so that a second cell housing side 120, which is arranged opposite the first cell housing side 115 on the cell housing 110, is visible. Accordingly, no further first bayonet closure group 130 is arranged on the second cell housing side 120. However, it is also possible for a first bayonet closure group 130 to be arranged on the second cell housing side 120, and thus on both cell housing sides 115, 120. Such a first bayonet closure group 130 enables the energy storage cell 100 or the cell housing 110 to form a bayonet closure with a second bayonet closure group 210, which represents the counterpart to the first bayonet closure group 130, and thus to establish a positive and detachable connection.In this case, each individual first bayonet closure part 140 can ultimately establish a positive and detachable connection with a corresponding second bayonet closure part 220, which represents a counterpart to the first bayonet closure part 140.

[0041] Figs. 2A and 2B schematically show an oblique top view of a carrier plate 200 according to a respective embodiment. The carrier plate 200 has a plurality of second bayonet closure groups 210. Each of the second bayonet closure groups 210 has a plurality of second bayonet closure parts 220. The second bayonet closure parts 220 are designed such that they can each establish a positive and detachable connection with the first bayonet closure parts 140 of the cell housing 110 from Figs. 1A and 1B. As a result, the energy storage cell 100 can be established a positive and detachable connection with the carrier plate 200 using the first bayonet closure group 130 and the second bayonet closure group 210, which interact to form a bayonet closure.

[0042] Additionally, in the carrier plate 250 according to Fig. 2B, a spring 260 is provided within each second bayonet lock group 210. This spring can release a positive connection between the first bayonet lock group 130 and the second bayonet lock group 210. This spring 260 can, in particular, release a locked connection between a first bayonet lock group 130 and a second bayonet lock group 210.

[0043] Figs. 3A and 3B schematically show an oblique top view of a first bayonet locking group 130 (Fig. 3A) and a second bayonet locking group 210 (Fig. 3B) of one embodiment. The first bayonet locking group 130 according to Fig. 3A has a plurality of first bayonet locking parts 140, some of the first bayonet locking parts 140 being provided with reference numerals, for example. The second bayonet locking group 210 according to Fig. 3B has a plurality of second bayonet locking parts 220, some of the second bayonet locking parts 220 being provided with reference numerals, for example.The oblique top view reveals that the first bayonet locking parts 140 are each counterparts to the second bayonet locking parts 210, so that when the first bayonet locking parts 140 are placed on top of the second bayonet locking parts 210 and subsequently rotated relative to one another, the first bayonet locking parts 140 are each inserted into the second bayonet locking parts 210 and can engage there. To release this engagement, the spring 260 according to Fig. 2B can be used, thereby lifting the carrier plate 250 toward the then connected energy storage cell 100.

[0044] Figs. 4A and 4B schematically show 3D views of a battery module 400 of one embodiment, wherein the view of Fig. 4A is rotated by 180° about the y-axis of the schematically illustrated coordinate system relative to the view of Fig. 4B. The battery module 400 has a plurality of battery cells 100, each of which is mounted on a carrier plate 250 using a positive connection between first bayonet closure groups 130 and second bayonet closure groups 210. Fig. 4B shows that the carrier plate 250, as shown in Fig. 2B, has a spring 260 for each second bayonet closure group 210. For the functionality of the spring 260, reference is made to Figs. 3A and 3B.

[0045] 5A to 5C schematically show 3D views of a battery module 550 of a further embodiment. Fig. 5A shows a rectangular carrier plate 500. The rectangular carrier plate 500 has a plurality of first elongated closure groups 510. Each of the first elongated closure groups 510 has four first elongated closure parts 515 arranged to describe a rectangle, with a spring 260 arranged centrally in this rectangle. Two of these first elongated closure parts 515 of a first elongated closure group 510 are provided with a reference numeral by way of example. Likewise, further first elongated closure groups 510 and closure parts 515 can be provided. The function of the spring 260 is comparable to that described in Figs. 3A and 3B. Furthermore, three energy storage cells 530 are shown by way of example in Figs. 5A to 5C.Each of the energy storage cells 530 has a cuboid-shaped cell housing 535, wherein a second elongated closure group 540 with second elongated closure parts 545 is arranged on each end face of the cuboid-shaped cell housing 535. A first elongated closure part 515 of the carrier plate 500 can establish a positive and detachable connection with a second elongated closure part 545 of the energy storage cell 530. In contrast to a rotational movement in a bayonet lock, this is achieved by a linear sliding or interlocking of the first elongated closure part 515 into the second elongated closure part 545. As indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5A, the rectangular carrier plate 500 is first placed onto the energy storage cells 530. As a result, the first elongated closure parts 515 each rest on the second elongated closure parts 545. This is shown in Fig. 5B.By sliding the carrier plate 500 in a straight line along the end faces of the energy storage cell 530, the first elongated closure parts 515 and the second elongated closure parts 545 are pushed into one another to form a positively locking, releasable connection. This pushing into one another is indicated, for example, by the arrow on the rectangular carrier plate 500 in Fig. 5B, after which the carrier plate 500 is moved in the direction of the arrow. To release the positively locking connection, the carrier plate 500 must be moved in the opposite direction to the arrow. In Fig. 5C, the formation of a positively locking, releasable connection is schematically indicated by the fact that the top view of the first elongated closure parts 515 on the rectangular carrier plate 500 has changed from Fig. 5B to Fig. 5C.

[0046] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that a large number of variations exist. It should also be noted that the described exemplary embodiments are only non-limiting examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the devices and methods described herein. Rather, the foregoing description will provide a guide to implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, with the understanding that various changes in the operation and arrangement of the elements described in an exemplary embodiment may be made without departing from the subject matter defined in the appended claims, as well as their legal equivalents.

[0047] 100 battery cells with cylindrical cell casing

[0048] 110 Cylindrical cell housing

[0049] 115 First cell casing side

[0050] 120 Second cell casing side

[0051] 130 First bayonet lock group

[0052] 140 First bayonet lock parts

[0053] 200, 250 carrier plate

[0054] 210 Second bayonet lock group

[0055] 220 Second bayonet lock parts

[0056] 260 spring

[0057] 400, 550 battery module

[0058] 500 carrier plate

[0059] 510 First elongated bolt group

[0060] 515 First elongated closure part

[0061] 530 battery cell with cuboid cell housing

[0062] 535 Cuboid cell housing

[0063] 540 Second elongated bolt group

[0064] 545 Second elongated closure part

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Energy storage cell (100, 530), comprising: An electrode device having a first electrode and a second electrode separated from each other by a separator; A cell housing (110, 535) in which the electrode device is arranged; wherein the cell housing (110, 535) has, on a first cell housing side (115), a first cell housing coupling device (130, 540), which is designed to be positively and detachably connected to the carrier plate (200, 250, 500) by engaging with a first plate coupling device (210, 510) of a carrier plate (200, 250, 500).

2. Energy storage cell (100, 530) according to claim 1, wherein the first cell housing coupling device (130) and the first plate coupling device (210) are each circular in shape, so that the positive, releasable connection can be effected by a rotation of the first cell housing coupling device (130) relative to the first plate coupling device (210).

3. Energy storage cell (100, 530) according to claim 1, wherein the first cell housing coupling device (540) and the first plate coupling device (510) are each elongated, so that the positive, releasable connection can be effected by a rectilinear movement of the first cell housing coupling device (540) relative to the first plate coupling device (510).

4. Energy storage cell (100, 530) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cell housing (110, 535) has, on a second cell housing side (120) opposite the first cell housing side (115), a second cell housing coupling device (130, 540), which is designed to be positively and detachably connected to the further carrier plate (200, 250, 500) by engaging with a second plate coupling device (210, 510) of a further carrier plate (200, 250, 500).

5. Energy storage cell (100, 530) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cell housing (110, 535) together with the first cell housing coupling device (130, 540) and / or is formed in one piece together with the second cell housing coupling device (130, 540).

6. Carrier plate (200, 250, 500), comprising a first plate coupling device (210, 510) on a first side of the carrier plate (200, 250, 500), wherein the first plate coupling device (210, 510) is configured to be positively and detachably connected to the cell housing (110, 535) by interlocking with a first cell housing coupling device (130, 540) of a cell housing (110, 535) of an energy storage cell (100, 530) according to one of the preceding claims.

7. The carrier plate (200, 250, 500) according to claim 6, wherein the first plate coupling device (210, 510) and the first cell housing coupling device (130, 540) are each circular in shape, so that the positive, releasable connection can be formed by a rotation of the first cell housing coupling device (130, 540) relative to the plate coupling device (210, 510).

8. Carrier plate (200, 250, 500) according to claim 6, wherein the first plate coupling device (210, 510) and the first cell housing coupling device (130, 540) are each elongated, so that the positive, releasable connection can be effected by a rectilinear movement of the first cell housing coupling device (130, 540) relative to the first plate coupling device (210, 510).

9. Carrier plate (200, 250, 500) according to one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a plurality of first plate coupling devices (210, 510), wherein adjacent first plate coupling devices (210, 510) of the plurality of first plate coupling devices (210, 510) are spaced apart from one another in at least one direction by a substantially equal distance.

10. Carrier plate (200, 250, 500) according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the carrier plate (200, 250, 500) has a second plate coupling device (210, 510) on a second side opposite the first side.

11. Carrier plate (200, 250, 500) according to one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the carrier plate (200, 250, 500) is formed from a metal, a plastic or a composite material.

12. Support plate (200, 250, 500) according to one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the support plate (200, 250, 500) is formed in one piece together with the first plate coupling device (210, 510) and / or together with the second plate coupling device.

13. Battery module (400, 550) with an energy storage cell (100, 530) according to one of claims 1 to 5, and a carrier plate (200, 250, 500) according to one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the energy storage cell (100, 530) is connected to the carrier plate (200, 250, 500) by means of a positive and detachable connection between the first cell housing coupling device (130, 540) and the first plate coupling device (210, 510).

14. Battery module (400, 550) according to claim 13, comprising a further carrier plate (200, 250, 500) which is constructed identically to the carrier plate (200, 250, 500) according to one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the energy storage cell (100, 530) is connected to the carrier plate (200, 250, 500) by means of a positive and detachable connection between the first cell housing coupling device (130, 540) on the first cell housing side (115) and the first plate coupling device (210, 510), and by means of a further positive and detachable connection between a second cell housing coupling device (210, 510) on the second cell housing side (120) and a second plate coupling device (210, 510) of the further carrier plate (200, 250, 500) is connected to the further carrier plate (200, 250, 500).

15. Motor vehicle with an electric drive or a hybrid drive and a battery module (400, 550) according to claim 13 or 14.

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