DE102017203117A1 - Cell contacting device, method for producing a cell contacting device, battery with Zellkontaktiereinrichtung and vehicle with such a battery - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a cell contacting device, the cell contacting device having at least two contact sections for electrically contacting corresponding contact surfaces of two electrical cells, wherein the cell contacting device has an electrically conductive connection region which connects the two contact sections and which is more flexible than the contact sections, so that the cell contacting device by changing can compensate for the shape of the connection region deviations, the connection region in at least one shape has connecting webs which each connect the two contact portions and each extending from a first contact point on one of the contact portions to a second contact point on the other of the contact portions, wherein the two contact portions are formed such that they at least partially in a form of the connecting portion in a Level lie, and the connecting webs each span an imaginary surface which contains the contact points of the connecting web and an angle of less than 60 °, 45 °, 30 ° or 20 ° with the plane, and preferably lies in the plane of the contact portions.

Description

The invention relates to a cell contacting device for contacting and connecting two electrical, preferably prismatic, cells of a battery. Such Zellkontaktiereinrichtungen are used in particular for connecting cells of traction batteries, which are used in an electric vehicle.

Zellkontaktiereinrichtungen of the aforementioned type are widely used in batteries, especially traction batteries or high-voltage batteries, which are used to power electric vehicles, for connecting adjacent cells.

For example, two adjacent cells of a battery can be electrically connected by means of a cell contacting device, which not only has contact portions at which the electrical contact with the cells takes place, but also has a connection area between the contact portions, which can compensate if, for example, the move both cells relative to each other. For example, a deviation of the original arrangement of two electrical cells may result in the cells becoming further spaced apart from each other (for example, with respect to their center) over time, as the thickness of the cells increases. The position of the contact surfaces of the cells in height can be variable and it may be necessary to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. The heating of the cell contacting device during operation can also lead to a thermal expansion of the material of the cell contacting device, which must be compensated.

These deviations can contribute to high forces (about 500 N or even more than 1 kN) acting on the contact sections of the cell contacting device or the contact surfaces of the cells. These are deviations in the plane of the contact surfaces or perpendicular to the plane of the contact surface, usually in a range of less than 1 mm. If the forces are too long over a long period of time, it could happen that the two electrical cells are no longer sufficiently contacted or a leak of the cell occurs.

In order to reduce these forces, the connection region of the cell contacting device is made mechanically soft, so that a fold between the two contact sections can serve as a compensation section. Conventionally, the fold extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the contact portions.

In the context of optimizing such Zellkontaktiereinrichtungen it is additionally desirable to design a cell contacting so that as much space or space for the cells can be used in itself to make the installable energy and realizable energy density of the battery as large as possible.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide the design of a Zellkontaktiereinrichtung with a simple construction, which creates more space, whereby the electrical contact and the power line between the connected by the Zellkontaktiereinrichtung cells should not be substantially affected.

This object is achieved by the Zellkontaktiereinrichtung with the features of claim 1.

The object is further achieved by the Zellkontaktiereinrichtung with the features of claim 7. The cell contacting device according to the invention can also be produced by other methods.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a battery, preferably a traction battery, is provided which has at least two electrical cells each having at least one contact surface, wherein the contact surfaces are connected via a cell contacting device according to the invention.

The battery according to the invention can be arranged in a vehicle; According to the invention, a vehicle is provided with a battery according to the invention.

The invention further relates to a method for producing a cell contacting device for contacting and electrically connecting at least two electrical cells of a battery (which is preferably a traction battery), the method comprising the steps of claim 10.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a cell contacting device is provided for contacting and electrically connecting at least two electrical cells of a battery, preferably a traction battery, with at least two contact sections for electrically contacting corresponding contact surfaces of two electrical cells; an electrically conductive connection portion that connects the two contact portions and that is more flexible than the contact portions, so that the cell contacting device can compensate for variations (such as relative movements of the contact surfaces) by changing the shape of the connection portion. The connection region is preferably made of the same material as the contact sections. In particular, the material of the connection region is connected without seams to the contact sections. The connecting region has connecting webs which connect the two contact sections to each other and each extend from a first contact point on one of the contact sections to a second contact point on the other of the contact sections. Here, the two contact portions are formed such that they lie at least partially in a plane, and the connecting webs each span an imaginary surface, in particular an imaginary plane containing the contact points of a connecting web and an angle of less than 60 °, 45 °, 30 ° or 20 ° with the plane, and preferably lies in the plane of the contact portions.

• - Bereitstellen eines Bauteils, das zumindest zwei Kontaktabschnitte zur elektrischen Kontaktierung entsprechender Kontaktflächen der zwei elektrischen Zellen aufweist, das einen elektrisch leitfähigen Verbindungsbereich aufweist, der die zwei Kontaktabschnitte miteinander verbindet und der flexibler als die Kontaktabschnitte ist, sodass das Bauteil durch Verändern der Gestalt des Verbindungsbereichs Abweichungen (wie beispielsweise Relativbewegungen der Kontaktflächen) ausgleichen kann, insbesondere ist der Verbindungsbereich aus dem gleichen Material wie die Kontaktabschnitte, bevorzugt ist das Material des Verbindungsbereichs nahtstellenfrei mit den Kontaktabschnitten verbunden; der Verbindungsbereich eine Falte aufweist, welche die beiden Kontaktabschnitte miteinander verbindet, wobei die zwei Kontaktabschnitte derart ausgebildet sind, dass zumindest abschnittsweise in einer Ebene liegen, die Falte in eine Richtung zeigt, die im Wesentlichen orthogonal zu der Ebene der Kontaktabschnitte ist,
• - Neigen und Aufteilen der Falte in Verbindungsstege, welche jeweils die beiden Kontaktabschnitte miteinander verbinden und sich jeweils von einem ersten Kontaktpunkt auf einem der Kontaktabschnitte zu einem zweiten Kontaktpunkt auf dem anderen der Kontaktabschnitte erstrecken, wobei die Verbindungsstege jeweils eine imaginäre Fläche, insbesondere eine imaginäre Ebene, aufspannen, welche die Kontaktpunkte eines Verbindungsstegs enthält und einen Winkel von weniger als 60°, 45°, 30° oder 20° mit der Ebene einschließt, und bevorzugt in der Ebene der Kontaktabschnitte liegt.

According to a further embodiment, a cell contacting device for contacting and electrically connecting at least two electrical cells of a battery, preferably a traction battery, which is obtainable by the following method:

• - Providing a component having at least two contact portions for electrically contacting respective contact surfaces of the two electrical cells having an electrically conductive connection region which connects the two contact portions and which is more flexible than the contact portions, so that the component by changing the shape of the connecting portion Deviations (such as relative movements of the contact surfaces) can compensate, in particular, the connection region of the same material as the contact portions, preferably the material of the connection region is free of seams connected to the contact portions; the connecting region has a fold which connects the two contact sections, the two contact sections being formed such that at least in sections lie in a plane which shows the fold in a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the contact sections,
• - Tilting and dividing the fold in connecting webs, each connecting the two contact portions and each extending from a first contact point on one of the contact portions to a second contact point on the other of the contact portions, wherein the connecting webs each have an imaginary surface, in particular an imaginary plane , which includes the contact points of a connecting web and encloses an angle of less than 60 °, 45 °, 30 ° or 20 ° with the plane, and preferably lies in the plane of the contact portions.

Preferably, the direction of the connecting webs, which are not orthogonal to the plane of the contact portions, in the plane of the contact portions. Preferably, the connecting webs in the one shape thus in a direction which lies in the plane of the contact portions. The direction of the connecting webs is preferably determined so that the connecting webs are themselves in the plane of the contact portions. If the connecting webs in the one shape lie in the same plane as the contact sections, the cell contacting device can be substantially flat.

A connecting bridge spans an imaginary surface. Preferably, the imaginary surface is an imaginary plane. The surface or plane, which is respectively spanned by a connecting web, is preferably parallel to the surface or planes that are spanned by the other connecting webs.

The invention is based on the idea that, by virtue of the fact that the cell contacting device has connecting webs which enclose an angle of less than 60 ° to the plane of the contact sections, the expansion of the cell contacting device in the direction perpendicular (ie at an angle 90 °) to the plane of FIG To reduce contact sections. The fact that less space is required for the Zellkontaktiereinrichtung in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the contact surfaces, the height of the Zellkontaktiereinrichtung can be reduced. This height can then be added to the electrical cells, so that the energy density or the amount of energy in the given space can be increased. Of course, it is also conceivable that the reduction in the extent or the height of the Zellkontaktiereinrichtung in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the contact portions is used so advantageous that overall a reduction of the battery can be achieved without limiting the amount of energy. The electrical contact or mechanical decoupling of the contact sections remains sufficiently available.

Thus, the present invention can solve the conflict of goals between required height and mechanical decoupling of the contact surfaces of the cells or the contact portions of the Zellkontaktiereinrichtung.

The expansion of the cell contacting device in the direction perpendicular to the plane can of course be further advantageously reduced by the imaginary surface and the plane of the plane Contact sections include an angle of less than 45 °, 30 ° or 20 °. The advantages are most pronounced when the direction of the connecting webs lies in the plane of the contact surfaces, or when the fold itself lies in the plane of the contact surface. In the preferred case, the split fold is therefore inclined by 90 °. If the fold conventionally protrudes about 5 mm out of the plane of the contact surface, it is possible to obtain up to 5 mm which, for example, can be added to the cell height.

The deviations which the connecting region can compensate by changing its shape may be due to the arrangement of the two electrical cells relative to one another, but also to changes which result in the cell contacting device itself, as described above. The deviation may therefore relate to the arrangement of the two electrical cells relative to one another and / or to deviations of the arrangement of the contact surfaces and / or the contact sections relative to one another.

Each electrical cell may have a contact portion for connection to one or two adjacent cells; For example, it is also conceivable for an electrical cell to have two contact surfaces, one contact surface serving for connection to an electrical cell and the other contact surface for connection to another electrical cell. The cells are preferably prismatic cells.

The shape in which the two contact sections lie in one plane and the connecting region has connecting webs preferably represents the basic form of the cell contacting device or of the component. The cell contacting device according to the invention can thus have at least one shape, in particular the basic shape, in the "one" shape in which the Zellkontaktiereinrichtung or the component is described in this application. The Zellkontaktiereinrichtung must therefore be able to take this shape, which means that it must be suitable to take such a shape. Preferably, the basic shape of the cell contacting device according to the invention extends in one plane and is thus flat.

The Zellkontaktiereinrichtung preferably comprises an aluminum or copper sheet, which preferably has a thickness less than 2 mm. The Zellkontaktiereinrichtung may also be formed of overlapping or partially overlapping sheets. The material must be sufficiently soft or flexible at least in the connection area, so that it can change its shape so that deviations can be compensated or compensated.

The connecting region or the fold or the connecting webs are preferably formed integrally with the contact sections of the cell contacting device. A multi-piece training is also conceivable.

In the present case, a crease is to be understood as meaning a profile of the connection region, which is to be seen in contrast to a direct or shortest connection between the two contact sections. The fold may be formed as a bead or as a folded portion or as a curvature; the connection region can be designed as a shaft part. The fold can also be described as a loop. Preferably, the fold, viewed in cross section, has an Ω, U, V or parabolic shape. A sequence of different or uniform fold regions along the direction of the connection of the contact cuts is also conceivable, for example a waveform or sine or cosine shape of the fold. Particularly advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Preferably, the connecting webs correspond to a cross section through the fold. In other words, the connecting webs thus represent cross-sections through the fold.

By dividing the fold into a plurality of connecting webs, the fold can be fanned into individual webs. This allows a particularly advantageous embodiment with regard to the electrical contacting and mechanical decoupling of the two contact surfaces. The entire fold can be divided into connecting webs.

At least 5, preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 15 connecting webs may be provided.

Preferably, all connecting webs in the cell contacting device according to the invention are inclined, more preferably all at the same angle to the plane of the contact surfaces.

The connecting webs can be strung together in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the fold and / or perpendicular to the plane of the contact surfaces in the one shape.

Preferably, the connecting webs point in one direction and preferably project in this direction from the contact portions, which is not orthogonal to the plane of the contact portions and which preferably lies in the plane of the contact portions. More preferably, the connecting webs are in the plane of the contact portions. In this way, the advantages of the invention can best be exploited.

The connecting webs are arranged substantially in such a way that they are nested. The connecting webs can run essentially parallel to one another and / or have the same dimensions. Preferably, the connecting webs have a width of less than 2 mm, wherein the width indicates the extent of a connecting web in the direction in which the fold is divided into the connecting webs.

In a preferred embodiment, a connecting web which lies on the edge and thus connects the edge of the contact portions, at least 4 mm project from the contact portions in the plane of the contact portions. In particular, the connecting web at the edge can essentially represent a projection in the plane of the contact sections, which corresponds to the projection of the fold, which has a right angle to the contact surfaces or the plane of the contact surfaces.

Viewed in cross-section, the connecting webs V-, U-, and / or Ω-shaped. Also juxtapositions (also mirrored) of the same or different configurations are conceivable.

• 1 zeigt ein Teil einer Batterie mit mehreren elektrischen Zellen und Zellkontaktiereinrichtungen des Stands der Technik.
• 2 zeigt ein Stadium bei der Herstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Zellkontaktiereinrichtung.
• 3 zeigt ein weiteres Stadium bei der Herstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Zellkontaktiereinrichtung.
• 4 zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Zellkontaktiereinrichtung.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description.

• 1 shows a portion of a battery with multiple electrical cells and cell contacting devices of the prior art.
• 2 shows a stage in the production of Zellkontaktiereinrichtung invention.
• 3 shows a further stage in the production of Zellkontaktiereinrichtung invention.
• 4 shows a Zellkontaktiereinrichtung invention.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a portion of a battery with a plurality of electric cells 1a, 1b, which are lined up in the X direction. The electric cell 1a has the contact surface 2a on, for electrical connection with the contact surface 2 B the neighboring cell 1b serves.

The cell contacting device 4 ' has two contact sections 5a . 5b and a connecting portion disposed between the contact portions, which contacts the contact portions 5a . 5b connects with each other. The contact section 5a is so with the contact surface 2a at least electrically connected, and the contact portion 5b is with the contact surface 2 B at least electrically connected.

The connection area is in the in 1 shown basic form of Zellkontaktiereinrichtung as a fold 6 formed the two contact sections 5a and 5b connects with each other. It is conceivable that the connection region in another shape no longer has a fold, for example when the deviation between two adjacent electrical cells 1a . 1b is so large that the entire fold is substantially smoothed or tense to the large deviation between the two contact portions 5a . 5b or contact surfaces 2a . 2 B to be able to compensate for the cells.

The two contact sections 5a . 5b lie in the in 1 shown shape in a plane E, which corresponds to the XY plane. The wrinkle 6 shows in the direction R1, perpendicular to the plane E of the contact portions 5a . 5b is. The direction R1, in which the fold 6 in 1 shows corresponds to the Z direction.

The connection area is made of electrically conductive material. The connection region is so flexible that the cell contacting device can compensate deviations, for example from the arrangement of the electrical cells, by changing the shape of the connection region 1a . 1b result. In the 1 shown electrical cells 1a . 1b may be part of a traction battery disposed in a vehicle.

2 shows the preparation of Zellkontaktiereinrichtung invention 4 and serves to describe the method according to the invention. The cell contacting device of the prior art is called a component 4 ' viewed and assigns the contact sections 5a . 5b for electrical connection of the contact surfaces 2a and 2 B the respective electric cell. In the component 4 ' the connection area is initially as a continuous, one-piece fold 6 educated. The fold is so flexible that the component 4 ' can compensate for deviations by changing the shape of the connection area. The wrinkle 6 shows in 2 in the direction R1 which is orthogonal to the plane E of the contact portions. The wrinkle 6 of the component 4 ' thus extends continuously from one edge to the opposite edge of the contact portions 5a . 5b , The wrinkle 6 is now divided into a plurality of connecting webs 6a, 6b, 6c, wherein each connecting web, the two contact portions 5a . 5b electrically interconnects. As a result, each connecting bar can therefore receive power from a contact section 5a to the next contact section 5b conduct.

In the embodiment of 2 becomes the fold 6 first in the connecting bridges 6a . 6b . 6c divided, and then each link is tilted. But it is also conceivable dividing into larger folding parts before tilting and the further subdivision of the larger folding parts in smaller connecting webs after tilting is conceivable.

The connecting bridges 6a . 6b . 6c are in the Y-direction (ie the direction R2) lined up.

Out 2 It can be seen that the connecting webs represent a cross section through the fold. The connecting bridges 6a . 6b . 6c have the same width B. They are also designed so that they have the same dimensions. The connecting webs are substantially parallel to each other.

In 2 are three of the connecting bridges 6a . 6b . 6c already tilted by 90 °, two more connecting webs are not yet inclined; the majority of the fold 6 has not been divided yet. Thus, so are the inclined connecting webs 6a . 6b . 6c in the plane E, in which the contact sections 5a , 5b lie. The non-sloped connecting webs and the rest of the original fold 6 of the component 4 ' extend in the direction of R1. The inclined connecting bridges 6a . 6b . 6c show in the direction R2, which is perpendicular to the direction R1 and lies in the plane E.

The connecting bridges 6a . 6a each extend from a first contact point 7a - 1 . 7b - 1 on the contact section 5b to a second contact point 7a - 2 . 7b - 2 on the other contact section 5a , The connecting webs tension 6a . 6b each an imaginary surface (preferably a plane) on which the contact points 7a - 1 . 7b - 1 . 7a - 2 . 7b - 2 of the connecting bridge 6a . 6b includes, and at an angle of less than 60 °, 45 °, 30 ° or 20 ° with the plane E includes. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the angle is 0 °.

The connecting bridge 6a , the edges of the contact sections 5a . 5b connects to each other, projects by the distance A from the contact portions 5a, 5b, in the plane E of the contact portions. This projection A in the direction R2 corresponds substantially to the height of the fold 6 before dividing and tilting, so the expansion of the fold 6 in the direction of R1. The distance A is preferably at least 4 mm.

In 3 is a stage in producing the cell contacting device according to the invention shown, in which compared with 2 created further connecting webs and have been inclined by 90 °. Out 3 is in particular the Ω-shaped cross section of the fold 6 can be seen, which is equally in the inclined connecting webs 6a . 6b reflects. From the 2 and 3 is also apparent that the connecting webs 6a , 6b are nested in the plane E, pointing in the direction R2. The connecting bridges 6a . 6b thus run substantially parallel to each other and have the same dimensions.

4 shows a Zellkontaktiereinrichtung invention 4 in which the entire fold 6 in the form of connecting webs 6a . 6b etc. is present. The connecting bridges 6a . 6b extend in the plane E of the contact sections 5a . 5b and point in the direction R2 which lies in the plane E. The connecting bridges 6a . 6b are arranged nested inside each other.

The contact points 7a - 1 . 7b - 1 , ... every connecting bridge 6a . 6b , ... on a contact section 5b lie on a line. The same applies to the contact points 7a - 2 . 7b - 2 , ... on the other contact section 5a ,

In an alternative embodiment, in which the connecting webs are not tilted by 90 °, but for example only by 45 °, the direction R2 would accordingly extend at a 45 ° angle to the direction R1 and the plane E. Embodiments with an angle of 60, 30 or 20 ° are conceivable, for example.

Claims (10)

Cell contacting device (4) for contacting and electrically connecting at least two electrical cells (1a, 1b) of a battery, preferably a traction battery, wherein the cell contacting device has at least two contact sections (5a, 5b) for electrically contacting corresponding contact surfaces (2a, 2b) of two electrical cells ( 1a, 1b), the cell contacting device has an electrically conductive connection region which connects the two contact sections (5a, 5b) and which is more flexible than the contact sections so that the cell contacting device can compensate deviations by changing the shape of the connection region, the connection region in at least a shape connecting webs (6a, 6b), each of which connect the two contact portions (5a, 5b) and each from a first contact point (7a-1, 7b-1) on one of the contact portions (5b) to a second contact point ( 7a-2, 7b-2) on the ande The contact portions (5a) extend, wherein the two contact portions (5a, 5b) are formed such that they are at least partially in a plane (E) in at least one shape of the connection region (6), and the connecting webs (6a, 6b ) each span an imaginary surface containing the contact points (7a-1, 7a-2) of a connecting web (6a) and a Angle of less than 60 °, 45 °, 30 ° or 20 ° with the plane (E), and preferably lies in the plane (E) of the contact portions. Zellkontaktiereinrichtung after Claim 1 in that the connecting webs (6a, 6b) point in one direction (R2), and preferably project in this direction from the contact portions, which is not orthogonal to the plane (E) of the contact portions (5a, 5b) and which are preferably in the Level (E) of the contact sections lies. Cell contacting device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connecting webs (6a, 6b) are substantially nested one inside the other. Cell contacting device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connecting webs (6a, 6b) have the same dimensions, preferably a width (B) of less than 2 mm. Cell contacting device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connecting web (6a) which connects edges of the contact sections projects at least 2 mm, preferably at least 4 mm, from the contact sections (5a, 5b) with respect to the plane of the contact sections. Cell contacting device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connecting webs (6a, 6b) are V, U, Ω or parabolic. Cell contacting device (4) for contacting and electrically connecting at least two electrical cells (1a, 1b) of a battery, preferably a traction battery, obtainable by the following method: Providing a component (4 '), the at least two contact sections (5a, 5b) for electrically contacting corresponding contact surfaces (2a, 2b) of the two electrical cells (1a, 1b), which has an electrically conductive connection region which connects the two contact sections and which is more flexible than the contact sections, so that the component (4 ') can compensate for deviations by changing the shape of the connection region (6), the connecting region has in at least one shape a fold (6) which connects the two contact sections (5a, 5b) to one another, wherein the two contact portions (5a, 5b) are formed such that they lie in at least one shape of the connecting region (6) at least in sections in a plane (E), Splitting and tilting of the fold (6) into connecting webs (6a, 6b), which connect the two contact sections (5a, 5b) to one another and in each case from a first contact point (7a-1, 7b-1) on one of the contact sections ( 5b) extend to a second contact point (7a-2, 7b-2) on the other of the contact portions (5a), wherein the connecting webs (6a, 6b) each span an imaginary surface defining the contact points (7a-1, 7a-2 ) of a connecting web (6a) and encloses an angle of less than 60 °, 45 °, 30 ° or 20 ° with the plane (E), and preferably lies in the plane (E) of the contact portions. Battery, preferably traction battery, the at least two electrical cells (1a, 1b), each having at least one contact surface (2a, 2b), and a Zellkontaktiereinrichtung (4) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 7 wherein the contact surfaces (2a, 2b) are interconnected via the cell contacting device (4). Vehicle with a battery after Claim 8 , Method for producing a cell contacting device (4) for contacting and electrically connecting at least two electric cells (1a, 1b) of a battery, preferably a traction battery, comprising the following steps: Providing a component (4 '), the at least two contact sections (5a, 5b) for electrically contacting corresponding contact surfaces (2a, 2b) of the two electrical cells (1a, 1b), which has an electrically conductive connection region which connects the two contact sections (5a, 5b) and which is more flexible than the contact sections, so that the component can compensate deviations by changing the shape of the connection region, the connecting region having in at least one shape a fold (6) which connects the two contact sections (5a, 5b) to one another, wherein the two contact portions (5a, 5b) are formed such that they lie in at least one shape of the connecting portion at least partially in a plane (E), and Splitting and tilting of the fold (6) into connecting webs (6a, 6b), which connect the two contact sections (5a, 5b) to one another and in each case from a first contact point (7a-1, 7b-1) on one of the contact sections ( 5b) extend to a second contact point (7a-2, 7b-2) on the other of the contact portions (5a), wherein the connecting webs (6a, 6b) each span an imaginary surface defining the contact points (7a-1, 7a-2 ) of a connecting web (6a) and encloses an angle of less than 60 °, 45 °, 30 ° or 20 ° with the plane (E), and preferably lies in the plane (E) of the contact portions.

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