Battery

Abstract

A battery has an electrode assembly with two electrodes, namely a positive and a negative electrode; an electrically conductive cover plate; a contact element; and a housing. The electrode assembly and the electrically conductive cover plate are accommodated in the housing, and the electrically conductive cover plate is electrically conductively connected to a first electrode of the two electrodes and to the contact element. The contact element is guided outwards through an opening in the housing. An additional structure is provided between the cover plate and the housing, the additional structure being electrically conductively connected directly or indirectly to the contact element, and a current path from the additional structure to the contact element has a higher resistance than a current path from the cover plate to the contact element, which can reduce the potential risk of a short circuit during a nail penetration test.

Description

[0001] BATTERY

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery.

[0003] Batteries, as electrochemical storage devices for electrical energy, have been known for a long time. Many different types of batteries are known from the state of the art, varying particularly in their size, shape, output voltage, capacity, and materials used. There are also significant differences in their suitability for specific applications.

[0004] The present invention relates to batteries comprising an electrode arrangement (positive and negative electrodes) in a substantially enclosed housing. Such batteries can, for example, have a wound electrode arrangement. This electrode arrangement can be in the form of a strip with a positive electrode foil, a negative electrode foil, and a separator between them. The strip is often wound or folded in a spiral shape. Examples include cylindrical batteries (or round batteries) and prismatic batteries. The prior art and embodiments of the invention are explained primarily using the example of cylindrical batteries with a spirally wound electrode arrangement.While this is an important area of ​​application, the invention is not necessarily limited in this respect and can therefore also be applied, if necessary, to non-cylindrical batteries - for example, prismatic batteries - as well as to batteries in which the electrode arrangement is not wound in a spiral.

[0005] As part of decarbonization efforts, many vehicles today are designed as hybrid or purely electric vehicles. Such vehicles are equipped with a traction battery. Typically, however, the traction battery is not a single battery, but comprises a relatively large number of individual batteries connected in series. A battery according to the present invention can, in particular, be used as part of such a traction battery in a vehicle, i.e., especially connected in series with other, possibly identical, batteries. However, the invention is not limited to this example with regard to its application. US 8,227,107 discloses a cylindrical battery with a spirally wound electrode arrangement. The wound electrode arrangement thus defines a longitudinal axis around which the electrode strip is wound.The electrode assembly is arranged in a substantially enclosed, electrically conductive housing. At each axial end of the electrode assembly is a current collector, which is electrically connected to the positive electrode foil and the negative electrode foil, respectively. The current collector connected to the negative electrode foil or electrode is electrically connected to the housing base. The housing base, or the entire housing, thus serves as the negative terminal of the battery. At the other axial end of the electrode assembly, the positive electrode foil or electrode is electrically connected to an electrically conductive cover plate, which is also housed within the casing. This cover plate, in turn, is electrically connected to an electrically conductive contact element that extends through an opening in the housing to the outside and represents the positive terminal of the battery.The cover plate and the contact element are electrically insulated from the housing.

[0006] Lithium batteries are commonly used as traction batteries in motor vehicles today. The so-called nail test is a test used to assess the mechanical integrity of a lithium battery's casing. In this test, a nail is driven through the battery casing. Various tests can be performed, with nails penetrating the battery from different directions. In particular, if a nail penetrates the battery at the end face where the positive terminal is located, a short circuit can occur if the nail's tip penetrates the (positive) cover plate while its shank also touches the (negative) casing. The inventor recognized that this short circuit can overheat the battery. Specifically, the short circuit can at least partially melt the positive cover plate, allowing molten metal droplets from the cover plate to fall into the electrode assembly.This can then lead to a short circuit within the electrode arrangement, which in turn can result in severe and potentially dangerous overheating of the battery. It is the purpose of the present disclosure to at least mitigate the problems discussed above.

[0007] A solution to this problem is achieved according to the teaching of the main claim. Various embodiments and further developments of the solution are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a battery comprising: an electrode arrangement with two electrodes, namely a positive and a negative electrode; an electrically conductive cover plate; a contact element; and a housing, wherein the electrode arrangement and the electrically conductive cover plate are received in the housing, wherein the electrically conductive cover plate is electrically connected to a first of the two electrodes and electrically connected to the contact element, wherein the contact element is led outwards through an opening in the housing, wherein an additional structure is arranged between the cover plate and the housing, wherein the additional structure is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the contact element, wherein a current path from the additional structure to the contact element has a higher resistance than a current path from the cover plate to the contact element.Because the current path from the additional structure to the contact element has a higher resistance than a current path from the cover plate to the contact element, the probability of potentially dangerous overheating of the battery can be at least reduced or even eliminated. This is because, in a nail test where a nail contacts the additional structure before (or instead of) contacting the cover plate, at least some of the electrical energy contained in the battery can discharge through the higher-resistance current path, thus reducing the voltage between the positive terminal of the battery (or the cover plate electrically connected to it) and the negative terminal (or the casing) before the nail contacts the cover plate.When the nail then contacts the cover plate, the voltage between the cover plate and the housing may have been reduced sufficiently so that the short circuit occurring between these components leads to a slightly lower heat generation compared to the case of an otherwise identical battery without additional structure.

[0009] The higher-resistance current path can, for example, have a total resistance that is at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 500 or 1000% higher than a current path from the cover disc to the contact element.

[0010] To compare a current path from the additional structure to the contact element, as mentioned in the first aspect, with a current path from the cover plate to the contact element, and in particular to check whether and by how much such a current path from the additional structure to the contact element has a higher resistance than such a current path from the cover plate to the contact element, the following procedure can be used. A first location on or at the additional structure is selected, and the electrical resistance between this first location and the contact element is measured. Similarly, a second location on or at the cover plate is selected. This second location is chosen such that, in a projection perpendicular to a principal surface of the cover plate, the first and second locations coincide or are congruent. The electrical resistance between the second location and the contact element is also measured.The two measured values ​​of the electrical resistances are then compared. Because the first and second digits coincide in the described projection, a comparison is made possible that would be relevant for a nail test if the nail penetrated the battery perpendicular to a main surface of the cover plate.

[0011] As mentioned previously, the electrode arrangement can be wound or folded, for example, and it can be a cylindrical or nearly cylindrical battery or a prismatic battery. In the case of a cylindrical battery, the winding axis would also be (essentially) perpendicular to a major surface of the cover plate, so the projection described above would also be visible in a direction along (or parallel to) the winding axis.

[0012] While, according to the first aspect, the current path from the additional structure to the contact element should have a higher resistance than the current path from the cover plate to the contact element, the former should not be chosen to have too high a resistance, otherwise the desired voltage reduction mentioned above might not occur to a sufficient degree. An essentially infinitely high resistance, such as would result if the additional structure consisted solely of an insulator, is unacceptable anyway, because, according to the first aspect, the additional structure should be electrically connected (directly or indirectly) to the contact element.

[0013] The material for the additional structure and / or its design can vary depending on the intended application and should be chosen according to the desired ratio of resistances in the current paths from the additional structure or cover plate to the contact element, which will not pose any difficulties for the specialist.

[0014] The cover plate and the contact element can be implemented as separate components, which may be made of the same or different materials, but which are electrically connected to each other. Alternatively, the cover plate and the contact element can be manufactured as a single component.

[0015] The following describes various exemplary embodiments of the battery of the first aspect, which, unless expressly excluded or technically impossible, can be combined arbitrarily with each other and with the second aspect of the present disclosure and its exemplary embodiments described below.

[0016] The cover plate can essentially, and in particular completely, cover the entire electrode assembly, at least in one projection direction perpendicular to a principal surface of the cover plate. This can ensure the best possible contact between the cover plate and the corresponding electrode of the electrode assembly. In particular, the cover plate can be designed so that it has, at least substantially, no holes. Especially in the case of a wound electrode assembly, the cover plate can extend over the entire radius of the electrode winding.

[0017] Similarly, the additional structure can essentially, and in particular completely, cover the entire cover plate, at least in one projection direction perpendicular to a principal surface of the cover plate. This can ensure that a nail penetrating the battery in a direction perpendicular to a principal surface of the cover plate will first strike the additional structure and only then, if necessary, the cover plate.

[0018] At least one section of the additional structure can have a thinner material thickness than the cover plate. The material thickness should be measured specifically in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the cover plate. The thinner material thickness of the additional structure can contribute to the current path from the additional structure to the contact element having a higher resistance than the current path from the cover plate to the contact element. This can have a particularly significant effect at higher currents.

[0019] The additional structure can be made of the same material as the cover plate, or in particular, be made of the same material as the cover plate. Especially if the additional structure is made of the same material as the cover plate, the increased roughness of the additional structure may only be achieved through its spatial design, for example, by using a thinner material or by including a section with a thinner material thickness within the additional structure. Alternatively or additionally, the additional structure can be made of a material with a higher specific electrical resistivity than the material of the cover plate. This, too, can contribute to the increased roughness. For example, if aluminum is used as the material for the cover plate—the specific electrical resistivity of aluminum is given in the literature as, for example, 0.0265 Ω mm²—the additional structure may have a higher specific electrical resistivity than the cover plate. 2 / m specified - could for example be a material with a specific electrical resistance of 0.03 Q mm 2 / m or higher can be used for the additional structure.

[0020] The additional structure can be positioned at a distance from the cover plate. Firstly, this can contribute to the increased impedance of the current path from the additional structure to the contact element, because the current cannot immediately flow through the cover plate to the contact element when the nail makes contact with the additional structure. Secondly, this distance means that a nail penetrating the additional structure remains in electrical contact with the additional structure (and the battery casing) for a longer period (and not yet with the cover plate) than would be the case with an otherwise identical battery design without this distance. This delay thus provides slightly more time for the voltage reduction described above.

[0021] An insulating material can be placed between the cover plate and the additional structure. This can counteract potential sparking between the additional structure and the cover plate. Furthermore, the insulating material can slightly delay the nail's penetration into the cover plate as it bores through the insulating material. This delay also provides a little more time for the voltage reduction described above.

[0022] The additional structure can be arranged directly on the cover plate, at least partially, and in particular across its entire surface. In this case, a material of the additional structure (or a material comprising the additional structure) should have a higher specific electrical resistance than a material of the cover plate—at least in the areas where the additional structure contacts the cover plate. The additional structure can have a disk, in particular a disk that is oriented substantially parallel to the cover plate. The additional structure need not necessarily be a disk in the geometric sense. It does not need to have two exactly parallel, planar surfaces, but can deviate (slightly) from a disk in the geometric sense. However, in the interest of a space-saving, higher-resistance design, it is advantageous for the additional structure to have a disk that is substantially parallel to the cover plate.a section thereof has at least approximately or substantially the shape of a disc in the geometric sense.

[0023] The additional structure can comprise several disks that are directly or indirectly electrically connected to the contact element, with each current path from the disks of the additional structure to the contact element having a higher resistance than a corresponding current path from the cover disk to the contact element. The above also applies to each of these disks individually; that is, these disks do not necessarily have to have the shape of a disk in the strictly geometric sense.

[0024] There can be a gap between the multiple layers of the additional structure. However, it is also conceivable that the layers touch, especially across their entire surface. A design without gaps between individual layers can be particularly advantageous if the layers are made of different materials.

[0025] An insulating material can be placed between the individual panes of the additional structure. This can counteract potential sparking between the panes. The insulating material can occupy the entire space between the panes or only a portion of this space.

[0026] The additional structure can be directly electrically connected to the contact element. In the case of a cylindrical battery with a central contact element, the additional structure can therefore be arranged radially around the contact element and directly connected to it. If the additional structure comprises multiple disks, each disk can extend radially around the contact element and be directly connected to it. In this case, the individual disks of the additional structure can also be interconnected, but this is not mandatory; that is, it is possible that the only connection from one disk to the next is via the contact element. In this case, the individual disks—considered on their own—do not constitute a single, coherent component. Nevertheless, this is referred to here as an "additional structure."

[0027] Alternatively, the additional structure may not be directly electrically connected to the contact element, but (only) to the cover plate, particularly only over a partial area. This partial area can be significantly smaller than the surface of the cover plate. The partial area may be located, in particular, at the edge of the cover plate. If the additional structure comprises one or more discs, it may include additional material extending perpendicular to a main surface of these discs, thus creating a connecting section—that is, an electrically conductive connection—from the disc(s) of the additional structure to the cover plate. Here, too, the remaining space between the disc of the additional structure and the cover plate, or between the discs of the additional structure themselves, may be at least partially filled with insulating material.

[0028] In the case where the additional structure is not directly electrically connected to the contact element, but (only) to the cover plate, the current path from the additional structure to the contact element therefore leads via the cover plate. This current path is nevertheless more resistant than the current path from the cover plate (directly) to the contact element, because at least part of it passes through the additional structure.

[0029] The additional structure can comprise at least one first and one second electrically conductive material. The second electrically conductive material can have a higher specific electrical resistance than the first. In this case, with respect to the current path from the additional structure to the contact element, the second electrically conductive material can be positioned closer to the contact element than the first. Along the current path, the second electrically conductive material would thus lie between the first electrically conductive material and the contact element. Such a design can be particularly advantageous if the second electrically conductive material is more expensive than the first.Despite using the potentially cheaper first electrically conductive material, possibly for a large part of the additional structure, it can be ensured that the current path from the additional structure to the contact element can be designed with a higher resistance than the current path from the cover disc to the contact element. This is the case even if the first electrically conductive material has the same specific electrical resistance as the cover disc material. In particular, the first electrically conductive material can be the same material as the cover disc material.

[0030] A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle comprising a battery as described herein.

[0031] The features and advantages described in relation to the first aspect of the revelation and its advantageous design also apply, at least where technically appropriate, to the second aspect of the revelation and its advantageous design, and vice versa.

[0032] While the nail test and the associated problems have been previously explained in connection with a lithium battery, it should be noted that the solution described here can also be used in connection with other types of batteries (which may be similarly constructed), regardless of whether these other types of batteries are subjected to a nail test, and regardless of whether a nail test is carried out or would be useful for them.

[0033] Any terms used herein, such as "comprises," "includes," "features," "has," "with," or any other variant thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a method or apparatus comprising or featuring a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such method or apparatus.

[0034] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated otherwise, "or" refers to an inclusive "or" and not an exclusive "or". For example, a condition "A or B" is satisfied by each of the following: "A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present)", "A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present)", and "both A and B are true (or present)".

[0035] The terms "ein" or "eine," as used here, are defined as "one or more." The terms "ein anderer" and "ein Weitere," as well as any other variant thereof, are to be understood as "at least one more."

[0036] The terms "plural" or "several", as used here, are to be understood in the sense of "two or more".

[0037] The terms "configured" or "set up" to perform a specific function (and their respective variations) are used here to mean that the device in question is already in a configuration or setting in which it can perform the function, or at least that it is adjustable—i.e., configurable—so that it can perform the function after appropriate adjustment. Configuration can be achieved, for example, by adjusting parameters of a process sequence or by using switches or similar devices to activate or deactivate functionalities or settings. In particular, the device can have several predefined configurations or operating modes, allowing configuration to be performed by selecting one of these configurations or operating modes.

[0038] The term "essentially" can, within the meaning of this disclosure, describe a deviation from a desired property. In particular, this can be a small deviation, i.e., without a significant change to the desired property. For example, if the desired property is considered a target property, "essentially" can describe a deviation from this target property of less than about 50%, less than about 30%, less than about 20%, less than about 10%, less than about 5%, less than about 2%, and in particular, less than about 1%.

[0039] Further features, advantages and applications of the revelation will be revealed in the following description in connection with the figures, in which the same reference signs are consistently used for the same or corresponding elements of the revelation.

[0040] For the sake of clarity, the figures are at least partially schematic or greatly simplified.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a battery undergoing a nail test.

[0042] Fig. 2 shows an assembly of a battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising a cover disc, a contact element and an additional structure.

[0043] Fig. 3 shows an assembly of a battery according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising a cover disc, a contact element and an additional structure.

[0044] Fig. 4 shows an assembly of a battery according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising a cover disc, a contact element and an additional structure.

[0045] Fig. 5 shows an assembly of a battery according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising a cover disc, a contact element and an additional structure.

[0046] Fig. 6 shows a battery assembly according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising a cover plate, a contact element, and an additional structure. Fig. 7 shows a battery assembly according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising a cover plate, a contact element, and an additional structure.

[0047] Fig. 1 shows a battery 10 undergoing a nail test. As described above, the battery 10 has an electrode arrangement 5. In the example shown, we assume that the battery 10 is cylindrical and that the electrode arrangement 5 is a spirally wound electrode arrangement 5. In the example shown, the electrode arrangement 5 is wound around a central axis that extends vertically in Fig. 1. The axis and details of the electrode arrangement 5 are not shown in Fig. 1, as these are well known from the prior art.

[0048] At the lower axial end of the electrode assembly 5 is a current collector 7, which is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the electrode assembly 5. At the opposite, upper axial end of the electrode assembly 5 is a cover plate 1, which is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the electrode assembly 5.

[0049] The electrode assembly 5, the cover plate 1, and the current collector 7 are housed in a casing 6 of the battery 10. The current collector 7 is electrically connected to the casing 6, so that the lower end of the battery 10, or the entire casing 6, represents the negative terminal of the battery 10.

[0050] The cover plate 1 is electrically connected to a contact element 2, which extends centrally from the cover plate 1 upwards through the housing 6. The cover plate 1 and the contact element 2 can be manufactured as separate components or as a single, integral component. In particular, the cover plate 1 and the contact element 2 can be made of the same material.

[0051] The contact element 2 serves as the positive terminal of the battery 10. The cover plate 1 and the contact element 2 are electrically insulated from the housing 6. This is achieved by the insulator 4, which is arranged between the contact element 2 and the housing 6. While the example shown assumes that the bottom of the housing 6 represents the negative terminal of the battery 10 and the contact element 2 at the top represents the positive terminal of the battery 10, it would also be possible to reverse the polarities accordingly. Furthermore, the terms "top" and "bottom" used here are merely for the purpose of describing the examples when oriented as shown in the figures. Naturally, the battery 10 in Fig. 1 can also be used in a different orientation.

[0052] Fig. 1 also shows a nail 20 that has already penetrated the housing 6 and partially entered the cover plate 1. In a prior art battery 10, as shown in Fig. 1, this creates a short circuit via the nail 20, because it establishes an electrically conductive connection between the housing 6 and the cover plate 1. Since, in the example shown, the housing 6 is entirely metallic and the base of the housing serves as the negative terminal of the battery 10, the housing 6 is also at essentially the same negative potential as the base of the housing at the point where the nail 20 enters the battery 10. The cover plate 1 is, in turn, electrically connected to the positive electrode of the electrode arrangement 5. This can lead to the problems described at the outset.

[0053] Figures 2 to 7 show various embodiments of the present disclosure, with Figures 3 to 7 showing only the cover plate 1, the contact element 2, and the additional structure 3, and Figure 2 additionally showing only the insulator 4 and part of the housing 6. In the embodiments of Figures 2 to 7, the remaining elements can be configured as in Figure 1. However, these remaining elements have been omitted from Figures 2 to 7 for the sake of a compact representation. It should also be noted here that all components shown in Figures 3 to 7, except for the upper section of the contact element 2, are housed within the housing 6.

[0054] In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, an additional structure 3 in the form of a disk 8 is arranged above and at a distance from the cover disk 1. This disk extends around the contact element 2. In the example shown, the disk 8 of the additional structure 3, viewed in a vertical projection, i.e., perpendicular to a main surface (for example, the top) of the cover disk 1, is congruent with the cover disk 1; in the case of a circular cover disk 1, it is therefore also circular. The additional structure 3, or disk 8, is oriented parallel to the cover disk 1. Furthermore, disk 8 is thinner than the cover disk 1. This contributes to a current path from a point on the additional structure 3 to the contact element 2 having a higher resistance than a current path from a corresponding point on the cover disk 1 to the contact element 2.

[0055] The materials of the additional structure 3, the contact element 2, and / or the cover plate 1 can be the same or different. In particular, these can be manufactured as a single integral component if all three components are made of the same material.

[0056] According to one variant, however, it is not essential that the disc 8 be thinner than the cover disc 1. The disc 8 can therefore have the same material thickness as the cover disc 1, or even a greater one. However, the material of the disc 8 would then have to be chosen such that its specific electrical resistance is correspondingly higher than that of the cover disc 1, in order to ensure that the current path from the additional structure 3 to the contact element 2 has a higher resistance than the current path from the cover disc 1 to the contact element 2.

[0057] Optionally, insulating material (not shown) can be placed in the space 9a, filling it completely or partially. Also optionally, insulating material (not shown) can be placed in space 9b above the pane 8, either instead or in addition.

[0058] Fig. 3 shows an assembly of a battery 10 according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising a cover disk 1, a contact element 2, and an additional structure 3. The descriptions relating to Fig. 2 apply accordingly to Fig. 3 and are therefore not repeated. In Fig. 3, the additional structure 3 has a second disk 8b, which is arranged at a distance above the first disk 8a. The second disk 8b may or may not differ from the first disk 8a with respect to its material properties, size, shape, and / or thickness. In an embodiment according to Fig. 3, the current path from the first disk 8a to the contact element 2 has a higher resistance than the current path from the cover disk 1 to the contact element 2, and the current path from the second disk 8b to the contact element 2 again has a higher resistance than the current path from the first disk 8a to the contact element 2.In this embodiment, the voltage of the battery 10 can be gradually reduced when a nail 20, as part of a nail test, first penetrates the second disk 8b, then the first disk 8a and then the cover disk 1, which may be particularly effective in counteracting a problem described above with regard to a short circuit.

[0059] Optionally, insulating material can again be applied to the space 9a between the cover plate 1 and the first plate 8a and / or to the space 9b between the first plate 8a and the second plate 8b and / or onto the second plate 8b. The same applies to all other embodiments described here.

[0060] Optionally, the additional structure 3 can also have more than two discs, which may be arranged with or without a gap between each other or between themselves and the cover disc 1. This also applies accordingly to all other embodiments described here.

[0061] Fig. 4 shows an assembly of a battery 10 according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising a cover plate 1, a contact element 2, and an additional structure 3. The embodiment of Fig. 4 can be considered a variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 2, wherein the plate 8a of the additional structure 3 in Fig. 4 is not directly electrically connected to the contact element 2, but only indirectly, namely via the cover plate 1. For this purpose, the additional structure 3 has a connecting section 8c that leads from the plate 8a downwards to the cover plate 1 and thus electrically connects the plate 8a to the cover plate 1. In the example shown, the connecting section 8c is located radially outside at the edge of the cover plate 1. However, the connecting section 8c could also establish an electrically conductive connection between the plate 8a and the cover plate 1 at another location.The connecting section 8c can be made of the same or a different material as the disc 8a or the cover disc 1.

[0062] Fig. 5 shows an assembly of a battery 10 according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising a cover plate 1, a contact element 2, and an additional structure 3. The embodiment of Fig. 5 can be considered a variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 4, wherein the additional structure 3 in Fig. 5—similar to the embodiment according to Fig. 3—comprises a first plate 8a and a second plate 8b. Both plates 8a and 8b are electrically connected to each other and to the cover plate 1 via the connecting section 8c.

[0063] In the embodiments according to Figs. 4 and 5, insulating material can be inserted radially between the individual disks 8a, 8b and the contact element 2 - optionally in addition to insulating material on or between the disks 8a, 8b and / or the cover disk 1.

[0064] Fig. 6 shows an assembly of a battery 10 according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising a cover plate 1, a contact element 2, and an additional structure 3. The embodiment of Fig. 6 can be considered a variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 2, wherein the additional structure 3 in Fig. 6—here again in the form of a disc 8—is made of two different electrically conductive materials. The radially outer region of the disc 8 comprises a first electrically conductive material 8d, and the radially inner region of the disc 8 comprises a second electrically conductive material 8e. A current path through the second electrically conductive material 8e has a higher resistance than a corresponding current path through the cover plate 1, for example, due to a higher specific electrical resistance of the second electrically conductive material 8e compared to the material of the cover plate 1. The embodiment of Fig.Method 6 can be used particularly when the second electrically conductive material 8e is more expensive than the first electrically conductive material 8d. For example, the same (and potentially cost-effective) first conductive material 8d as for the cover disc 1 could then be used for the radially outer region of the disc 8, and the relatively expensive second electrically conductive material 8e only for the radially inner region. The high permeability of the current path from the radially outer region of the disc 8 to the contact element 2 can still be ensured because this current path leads through the radially inner region with the second electrically conductive material 8e.

[0065] Additionally or alternatively, the radially inner area can also be made thinner (in the axial direction) than the radially outer area. This can also ensure that the current path from the additional structure 3 to the contact element 2 has a higher resistance than the current path from the cover disc 1 to the contact element 2.

[0066] Fig. 7 shows an assembly of a battery 10 according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising a cover plate 1, a contact element 2, and an additional structure 3. The embodiment of Fig. 7 can be considered a variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 2, wherein the additional structure 3 of Fig. 7 – here again in the form of a disc 8 – is arranged without a gap on the cover plate 1. The higher impedance of the current path from the additional structure 3 to the contact element 2 can in this case be ensured by the fact that the material of the disc 8 has a higher specific electrical resistance than the material of the cover plate 1.

[0067] When a battery 10 with an assembly according to one of the embodiments of Figures 2 to 7 or their variants is subjected to a nail test, the nail 20 first penetrates the additional structure 3 before penetrating the cover plate 1. Upon penetration of the additional structure 3, the voltage of the battery 10 can already be reduced via the higher-resistance current path before the nail 20 penetrates the cover plate 1 and thus creates a short circuit. Due to the voltage reduction of the battery 10 that has already occurred, the short circuit is created at a lower voltage than would be the case without the additional structure 3 (and with an otherwise identical battery).

[0068] Each of the embodiments of a battery 10 described herein can be used as or in a traction battery of a vehicle (not shown). While at least one exemplary embodiment has been described above, it should be noted that a large number of variations exist. It should also be noted that the described exemplary embodiments are only non-limiting examples, and it is not intended to restrict the scope, applicability, or configuration of the devices described herein.Rather, the preceding description will provide guidance for the person skilled in the art to implement at least one exemplary embodiment, whereby it is understood that various modifications to the function and arrangement of the elements described in an exemplary embodiment can be made without deviating from the subject matter defined in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. The features described herein can be combined with one another as desired, unless expressly excluded or technically impossible. Likewise, features described primarily in connection with one aspect disclosed herein can also represent features of the other aspects disclosed herein. Furthermore, all aspects and features disclosed herein, either individually or in combination, are to be considered aspects of the present invention.

[0069] Reference symbol

[0070] 1 cover plate

[0071] 2 contact elements

[0072] 3 additional structures

[0073] 4 Insulator

[0074] 5 Electrode arrangement

[0075] 6 cases

[0076] 7 current collectors

[0077] 8, 8a, 8b Disc of the additional structure

[0078] 8c Connection section

[0079] 8d first electrically conductive material

[0080] 8e second electrically conductive material

[0081] 9a, 9b, 9c Interspace

[0082] 10 batteries

[0083] 20 nails

Claims

REQUIREMENTS 1. Battery (10) comprising: an electrode arrangement (5) with two electrodes, namely a positive and a negative electrode; an electrically conductive cover disc (1); a contact element (2);and a housing (6), wherein the electrode arrangement (5) and the electrically conductive cover plate (1) are received in the housing (6), wherein the electrically conductive cover plate (1) is electrically connected to a first of the two electrodes and electrically connected to the contact element (2), wherein the contact element (2) is led to the outside through an opening in the housing (6), wherein an additional structure (3) is arranged between the cover plate (1) and the housing (6), wherein the additional structure (3) is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the contact element (2), wherein a current path from the additional structure (3) to the contact element (2) has a higher resistance than a current path from the cover plate (1) to the contact element (2).

2. Battery (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cover plate (1) substantially, in particular completely, covers the entire electrode arrangement (5) at least in one projection direction perpendicular to a main surface of the cover plate (1).

3. Battery (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the additional structure (3) substantially, in particular completely, covers the entire cover plate (1) at least in one projection direction perpendicular to a main surface of the cover plate (1).

4. Battery (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one section of the additional structure (3) has a thinner material thickness than the cover disc (1).

5. Battery (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional structure (3) has the same material as the cover disc (1), in particular consisting of the same material as the cover disc (1).

6. Battery (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the additional structure (3) comprises a material having a higher specific electrical resistance than a material of the cover disc (1).

7. Battery (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional structure (3) is arranged at a distance from the cover plate (1).

8. Battery (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a Insulating material is arranged between the cover plate (1) and the additional structure (3).

9. Battery (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the additional structure (3) is arranged at least sectionally, in particular substantially over the entire surface, directly on the cover disc (1).

10. Battery (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional structure (3) comprises a disk (8), in particular a disk (8) which is oriented substantially parallel to the cover disk (1).

11. Battery (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional structure (3) comprises several disks (8a, 8b) which are directly or indirectly electrically connected to the contact element (2), wherein a respective The current path from each of the disks (8a, 8b) of the additional structure (3) to the contact element (2) has a higher resistance than the current path from the cover disk (1) to the contact element (2).

12. Battery (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein an insulating material is arranged between individual disks (8a, 8b) of the additional structure (3).

13. Battery (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional structure (3) is directly electrically connected to the contact element (2).

14. Battery (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the additional structure (3) is not directly electrically connected to the contact element (2), but to the cover plate (1), in particular only over a partial area, in particular wherein the partial area is significantly smaller than the area of ​​the cover plate (1), in particular wherein the partial area is located at the edge of the cover plate (1).

15. Battery (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional structure (3) comprises at least a first (8d) and a second (8e) electrically conductive material, wherein the second electrically conductive material (8e) has a higher specific electrical resistance than the first electrically conductive material (8d), in particular wherein, with respect to the current path from the additional structure (3) to the contact element (2), the second electrically conductive material (8e) is arranged closer to the contact element (2) than the first electrically conductive material (8d).

Images