Patent Application
20230402718
This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of German Patent Applications DE 10 2022 114 655.3, filed Jun. 10, 2022, and DE 10 2022 116 709.7, filed Jul. 5, 2022; the prior applications are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The present invention relates to a cell connector for a cell contacting system for electrically contacting a first pole contact of a first energy storage cell and a second pole contact of a second energy storage cell of an energy storage device, in particular an energy storage device for a vehicle in the automotive sector, including an electrically conductive main body with a first contact face which serves to electrically contact the first pole contact and a second contact face which serves to electrically contact the second pole contact. The invention also relates to a cell connector for a cell contacting system for electrically contacting a pole contact of an energy storage cell of an energy storage device, in particular an energy storage device for a vehicle in the automotive sector, including an electrically conductive main body with a contact face which serves to electrically contact the pole contact, and a current tap. The invention further relates to an energy storage device, in particular energy storage device for a vehicle, having a plurality of energy storage cells disposed in a row, using a cell connector.
A central point in the development of electrically powered means of transport, for example electric vehicles, is energy storage. This requires energy storage devices with a high power density and energy density. Energy storage devices are regularly formed of a plurality of individual energy storage cells (for example lithium ion battery cells) that are electrically connected to each other. Energy storage devices usually require temperature management to ensure their operation in an optimized temperature range. The energy storage cells usually have a narrow operating temperature range (for example between +15° C. and +45° C.). The functional safety, service life and cycle stability of the energy storage cell and thus also the functional safety of the entire energy storage device depend significantly on the energy storage cell not leaving this range. If the temperature exceeds a critical level, a so called “thermal runaway” occurs. In the case of thermal runaway, an unstoppable chain reaction is set in motion. The temperature rises extremely within milliseconds and the energy stored in the energy storage cell is released suddenly. In this way, temperatures of over 1000° C. can occur. The contents of the energy storage device become gaseous and a fire occurs that is difficult to extinguish by conventional measures. The danger of a thermal runaway starts at a certain temperature (for example 60° C.) and becomes extremely critical at a further temperature threshold (for example 100° C.). As a result, energy storage devices, especially energy storage devices for electric vehicles, use an energy storage device management system that not only provides open loop or closed loop control of the charging and discharging behavior of the energy storage cells, but also takes measures with regard to temperature management and emergency management in the event of a thermal runaway. In order to ensure a targeted escape of gases in the event of a thermal runaway, the gas tightly sealed energy storage cells can have degassing openings. The degassing openings can, for example, be configured as predetermined breaking points which allow gases to escape from the interior of the energy storage cell to the surrounding environment above a certain internal pressure. The escaping gases may contain electrolytes that can react with water to form hydrofluoric acid. In order to reduce the danger to surrounding components and/or individuals, such gases must be discharged in a controlled and targeted manner.
In order to provide the electrical connection of the energy storage cells, energy storage devices have so called cell connectors that electrically connect two or more poles of two or more energy storage cells, depending on the circuit type. In a series circuit, for example, the anode of one energy storage cell is connected to the cathode of another energy storage cell. In order to be able to monitor and control the state of charge of each energy storage cell, each cell connector can be electrically connected to the open loop and/or closed loop control electronics of the energy storage device. This allows the cell voltage of each individual energy storage cell to be measured and the state of charge of each particular energy storage cell to be deduced by the cell voltage. Furthermore, sensors, for example temperature sensors for monitoring the surface temperature of the energy storage cells, can also be provided, which are connected to the open loop and/or closed loop control electronics. In previous solutions, the open loop and/or closed loop control electronics are located in an independent module.
German Patent Application DE 10 2007 063 1 78 A1 discloses a battery with a heat conducting plate for controlling the temperature of the battery. The battery includes a plurality of interconnected individual cells. The heat conducting plate has holes and/or incisions in the region of the poles of the individual cells, through which the poles of the individual cells protrude in or out. The heat conducting plate is disposed between the individual cells and contacting elements placed on the poles. Electrical cell connectors and/or a cell connector circuit board are provided as contacting elements for the electrical connection of the poles of the individual cells. Furthermore, elastic elements and/or contacting elements may be located on the upper side of the heat conducting plate. This sequence of these individual layers must be clamped to the individual cells by screws during the assembly process. The assembly is therefore time consuming.
German Patent Application DE 10 2009 046 385 A1, corresponding to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0059175 A1, discloses a battery with a degassing system. The degassing system is located on the side opposite the poles of the battery cells. A base plate provided specially for this purpose is provided there, with passages for degassing openings and a collection basin for collecting the gases from the battery cells.
German Patent Application DE 10 2012 219 784 A1 discloses a battery module including a gas channel, a printed circuit board and a battery module housing which accommodates a plurality of battery cells. The gas channel is formed by a U profile with through openings to the degassing openings of the battery cells and by a printed circuit board closing the U profile on the side facing away from the degassing openings. The printed circuit board thus forms a wall of the gas channel and can come into direct contact with the gas when gas escapes from a gas outlet opening of a battery cell. During assembly, the printed circuit board is attached directly to the busbars. The U profile is not directly connected to the busbars. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that escaping gas can destroy the unprotected circuit board. In this case, open loop and/or closed loop control of the battery module is no longer ensured. Furthermore, no active temperature control of the battery cell surface or of the cell connectors is provided.
European Patent Application EP 3 316 384 A1, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 11,127,990 B2, discloses a circuit board arrangement as described above. A rigid circuit board for open loop and/or closed loop control electronics is provided, to the surface of which there are directly applied cell connectors for connecting the energy storage cells. Due to this direct connection of the cell connectors to the open loop and/or closed loop control electronics, a direct heat transfer from the electrical connections of the energy storage cells to the open loop and/or closed loop control electronics takes place. Such an arrangement leads to unavoidable measurement deviations in the voltage and temperature measurement. Furthermore, a C shaped flexible printed circuit board carrying a temperature sensor element is fixed to the rigid circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board extends through a slot shaped through opening in the rigid circuit board. The construction is complex and costly, both in terms of the production of the individual parts and in terms of final assembly.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a cell connector for a cell contacting system, and an energy storage device, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known cell connectors and devices of this general type and which have improved temperature control.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a cell connector for a cell contacting system for electrically contacting a first pole contact of a first energy storage cell and a second pole contact of a second energy storage cell of an energy storage device, in particular an energy storage device for a vehicle, comprising an electrically conductive main body, preferably composed of a flat material with a constant layer thickness, in particular composed of sheet metal, with a first contact face which serves to electrically contact the first pole contact and a second contact face which serves to electrically contact the second pole contact. According to the invention, the main body is provided, preferably overmolded, in a partial region with a temperature control structure which increases the surface area of the cell connector. This ensures particularly good temperature control of the cell connector.
With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided a cell connector for a cell contacting system for electrically contacting a pole contact of a first or last energy storage cell of the energy storage device, in particular an energy storage device for a vehicle, comprising an electrically conductive main body, preferably composed of a flat material with a constant layer thickness, in particular composed of sheet metal, with a contact face which serves to electrically contact the pole contact, and a current tap. According to the invention, the main body is provided, preferably overmolded, in a partial region with a temperature control structure which increases the surface area of the cell connector. This ensures particularly good temperature control of the cell connector.
Advantageously, the main body can have a first side and a second side and the temperature control structure can extend along the entire length of the first side. This configuration is advantageous if the cell connector does not have a current tap.
Expediently, the main body can have a first side and a second side and the temperature control structure can extend only along the length of the first side in the region of the first contact face. This configuration is advantageous if the cell connector has a current tap.
The first side of the main body extends in the contacting direction of the energy storage cells.
Furthermore, the first and the second contact face can be separated from one another by at least one cutout. This configuration is advantageous if the cell connector does not have a current tap. The cell connector can have a certain degree of elasticity due to this cutout. In the case of a first and a second contact face connected to energy storage cells, relative movements of the energy storage cells can be compensated for due to the elasticity. In addition, the flow of current can be shifted in the direction of the overmolded partial region by the recess.
In an expedient configuration, the temperature control structure can include a plurality of temperature control ribs, temperature control nubs, temperature control pins and/or temperature control bars. As a result, particularly effective temperature control and/or flow of the temperature control fluid can be achieved as a function of the temperature control fluid surrounding the temperature control structure.
Expediently, the temperature control ribs, temperature control nubs, temperature control pins and/or temperature control bars can be disposed in series with one another, parallel to one another and/or at equal distances from one another for this purpose.
The fact that the temperature control structure is formed of a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material, in particular a thermally conductive, electrically insulating plastic, means that particularly good heat transfer and electrical insulation of the cell connector take place.
In order to provide additional temperature control of the surface of an energy storage cell, a contact element can be provided with a contact face for contacting the surface of the energy storage cell and the contact element can be connected to the temperature control structure.
In an advantageous configuration, the contact element can be part of the temperature control structure.
In an alternative configuration, the contact element can be a contact plate, preferably composed of a sheet metal.
There can be a gap between the contact plate and the main body, and the temperature control structure can join the main body and the contact plate to one another in the region of the gap. The contact plate and the main body can be electrically isolated from one another by the gap.
The fact that the first and/or the second contact face and the contact face of the contact element are positioned with a vertical offset in relation to one another means that thermal and electrical contacting of the first and/or the second contact face to the pole contacts of the energy storage cell and thermal contacting of the contact element to the surface of the energy storage cell are possible.
Expediently, the vertical offset can be formed by at least one bent portion of the contact element.
Advantageously, the at least one bent portion can be provided on both sides of the temperature control structure.
It is particularly expedient when the main body and the contact element are punched parts or cut parts, preferably laser cut parts, from a common plate-like blank. As a result, the main body and the contact element can be produced in a particularly cost-effective manner, without waste occurring during production of the contact element.
In a further advantageous configuration, the contact element can extend as far as at least one degassing opening of the first and/or the second and/or the last energy storage cell, preferably as far as the degassing openings of the first and the second energy storage cell, preferably can at least partially enclose the degassing openings.
Furthermore, the contact element can partially or completely enclose an energy storage cell by way of the pole contact.
Expediently, the temperature control structure can form an interface to a thermal conditioning system.
In an advantageous configuration, the thermal conditioning system can include a support structure which has at least one temperature control channel in which the temperature control structure of the cell connector is positioned.
Expediently, a through-opening can be provided in the temperature control channel, the partial region with the temperature control structure entering the temperature control channel of the support structure through the through-opening.
Advantageously, the cell connector and the support structure can be connected to form a collectively mountable module.
In a particularly advantageous configuration, the temperature control structure can be welded or adhesively bonded to the support structure and/or the temperature control structure can tightly seal the through-opening.
Expediently, the support structure can be formed as a plastic part, preferably as an injection-molded plastic part or as an extruded plastic part. As a result, lightweight construction of the support structure is possible.
Particularly advantageously, the temperature control structure can be surrounded by a temperature control fluid, preferably a temperature control liquid, and insulate the main body from the temperature control fluid, preferably the temperature control liquid, in the temperature control channel. As a result, an electrically conducive temperature control fluid can be used, for example.
The support structure can expediently include at least one degassing channel integrated into the support structure for discharging gases escaping from the energy storage cells. The at least one degassing channel and the at least one temperature control channel thus form an integral part of the support structure and thus an integrated compact, scalable cell contacting system.
As a result of the fact that both the at least one temperature control channel and the degassing channel are an integral part of the support structure, the assembly effort required to complete an energy storage device can be significantly reduced. In addition, the functional reliability of the energy storage device is increased and a reduction in the required installation space is achieved. The degassing channel enables a targeted removal of hot gases during a thermal runaway of the energy storage device.
Furthermore, the support structure offers the possibility of being able to attach additional functional parts (such as a circuit board or printed circuit), which carry the open loop and closed loop control electronics of the energy storage device or the individual energy storage cells, to the rear side of the degassing channel. Compared to conventional embodiments, the number of parts can be reduced.
Advantageously, the at least one degassing channel and the at least one temperature control channel are each molded into the support structure. This means that the support structure is configured as a single component and can be produced in a single manufacturing step. In addition, a higher functional safety is achieved due to the one piece configuration without connection points of the various channels.
The degassing channel can be configured to be open on the first side of the support structure. The degassing channel is thus formed as a recess in the support structure, the recess being open on one side, the upper side of the energy storage device or energy storage cells thereof facing the degassing channel in the assembled state. In the event of degassing, escaping gases can thus be collected and discharged in the degassing channel with a simple construction of the support structure and without additional components. In the region of the degassing channel, there are corresponding predetermined breaking points on the energy storage cells which ensure that, in the event of thermal runaway, gases escape specifically at these points and can be discharged through the degassing channel. The surface of the energy storage cells thus delimits the degassing channel on the side of the degassing channel opposite the support structure. The support structure thus does not require any openings that are locally assigned to the predetermined breaking points.
It is expedient that the support structure has a wall delimiting the degassing channel, the side of the wall opposite the degassing channel serving as a mounting base for further components. The aforementioned side of the wall can thus serve for the assembly of further components of the cell contacting system, for example for assembly of a circuit board or printed circuit which includes the open-loop and/or closed-loop control electronics, and/or for the assembly of sensor arrangements, for example sensor arrangements for determining the temperature of the energy storage device. The wall therefore fulfils a dual function. For example, the circuit board or printed circuit is protected from thermal and/or chemical influences by the wall.
Preferably, the wall extends between two temperature control channels.
In an advantageous embodiment, the wall has an offset forming a mounting recess. The other components of the cell contacting system can thus be mounted recessed in the mounting recess. They are thus protected. At the same time, the installation space is reduced and the mechanical stability of the support structure is increased.
It is expedient that the support structure, preferably in the region of the mounting recess, can have a fastening and/or centering device and/or through openings and/or spacers for the circuit board. These serve to facilitate the assembly process, increase the safety of the assembled arrangement, or ensure a distance between the open loop and/or closed loop control electronics or the circuit board at the underside thereof towards the wall.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the inner side of the degassing channel has a protective layer, in particular protecting against heat and/or abrasive media and/or chemical influences (for example by acids). In addition, the underside of the corresponding temperature control channel can also have a protective layer.
The protective layer can be an applied coating (for example a liquid, curable coating, for example lacquers with the addition of ceramic particles, foamed and cured coating or for example a powder coating) or a layer placed on and/or bonded to the wall or the wall portion in question (for example a mica sheet, a ceramic fiber mat, a glass fiber mat, or a carbon mat or a cork sheet).
The at least one temperature control channel as well as temperature control lines connecting to the at least one temperature control channel are preferably sealed at all interfaces.
The wall extends expediently between two or at least two temperature control channels. The temperature control channels are preferably each located in the outer region of the support structure.
The support structure also makes it possible to have a third or a third and fourth temperature control channel between two edge temperature control channels. This allows additional temperature control of the circuit board disposed on the upper side of the support structure.
The support structure allows the cell connectors and the support structure to be connected to form a module that can be mounted collectively. By connecting the cell connectors and the support structure to form a collectively mountable module, a readymade or pre-assembled module can thus be created. By mounting the cell connectors on the energy storage cells, the support structure with the degassing channel and the temperature control channels can be mounted in a single operation. The cell contacting system can thus be advantageously kept in stock as a readymade mounting module.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive main body can be formed of a, preferably plate-shaped, flat material with a constant layer thickness or of a bent flat material with a constant layer thickness or a material with a varying layer thickness, in particular a bent material with a varying layer thickness.
With the objects of the invention in view, there is concomitantly provided an energy storage device, in particular an energy storage device for a vehicle, comprising a plurality of energy storage cells disposed in a row, and a cell connector according to the invention.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a cell connector for a cell contacting system, and an energy storage device, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to
The energy storage cells 2a, 2b, 2z each have two pole contacts 22a, 22b (of which only one pole contact 22a can be seen in
The cell contacting system 1 further includes a support structure 13 as well as cell connectors 11a, 11b attached to the support structure 13, which serve to electrically contact and connect the individual energy storage cells 2a, 2b, 2z. Furthermore, open loop and/or closed loop control electronics 16 are positioned on the support structure 13 and are electrically connected to the cell connectors 11a, 11b by connection elements 15. The open loop and/or closed loop control electronics 16 include a circuit board 161a which is equipped with corresponding electronic components 162 and which is connected to the support structure 13.
Since the cell connectors 11a, 11b are connected to the cell contacting system 1, the complete cell contacting system 1 can be attached to the energy storage cells 2a, 2b, 2z of the energy storage device 3 by the cell connectors 11a, 11b. For this purpose, the cell connectors 11a, 11b can be welded to the pole contacts 22a, 22b, for example. The cell contacting system 1 can thus be kept in stock as an assembled module and can be mounted on the energy storage cells 2a, 2b, 2z as a unit in a single process step within an automated production line.
The cell contacting system 1 includes the temperature control channels 131 and a degassing channel 132, each described in greater detail below, which are integrated into the support structure 13 in accordance with the invention. The temperature control channels 131 serve to conduct a gaseous or liquid fluid (not shown in the figures) through the energy storage device 3 in order to control the temperature of the latter. The degassing channel 132 serves to remove, in a controlled manner, gases released in the event of a so called “thermal runaway” of the energy storage device 3. A degassing opening 21 can be seen in
In the exemplary embodiment, fourteen energy storage cells 2a, 2b, 2z are shown, which are electrically connected to each other in a series circuit by the cell contacting system 1. For this purpose, the energy storage cells 2a, 2b, 2z are each disposed rotated relative to one another, so that the pole contact 22a of the anode of the energy storage cell 2a is opposite the pole contact 22b of the cathode of the adjacent energy storage cell 2b, or the pole contact 22b of the cathode of the energy storage cell 2b is opposite the pole contact 22a of the anode of the adjacent energy storage cell 2a. The pole contact 22b of the cathode of the first energy storage cell 2a is connected to the terminal cell connector 11b. The pole contact 22a of the anode of the first energy storage cell 2a is connected by the cell connector 11a to the pole contact 22b of the cathode of the adjacent, second energy storage cell 2b. The pole contact 22a of the anode of the second energy storage cell 2b is in turn connected to the pole contact 22b of the cathode of the third energy storage cell by a cell connector 11a, and so on. The pole contact 22a of the anode of the last energy storage cell 2z is connected to the cell connector 11b. The cell connectors 11b are intended to electrically connect the energy storage device 3 to an electrical consumer, not shown, for example the electric motor of an electric vehicle. The two cell connectors 11b thus form the energy storage device connections, i.e. the cathode and anode of the entire energy storage device 3.
In alternative embodiments of an energy storage device 3, a different number of energy storage cells can also be provided and/or the energy storage cells can be connected in parallel by the cell contacting system 1. For this purpose, the cell connectors 11a, 11b can, for example, connect the electrical connections 22a of the anodes of two or more energy storage cells or the electrical connections 22b of the cathodes of two or more energy storage cells. The energy storage cells can also be disposed in a row in the same orientation, i.e. not rotated, so that the electrical connections of the cathodes of the energy storage cells of the energy storage device 3 are disposed along a first line and the electrical connections of the anodes of the energy storage cells are disposed along a second line running parallel to the first line.
The degassing channel 132 is formed by the lateral temperature control channels 131, which are opposite each other, and by a wall 139, which runs between the temperature control channels 131. The degassing channel 132 is open on the first side 137 of the support structure 13 to the energy storage cells 2a, 2b, 2z. This allows gases to pass from the degassing openings 21 of the energy storage cells 2a, 2b, 2z into the degassing channel 132 in the assembled state of the cell contacting system 1 and to be discharged from there in a controlled manner. This increases the protection of vehicle occupants.
As can be seen from
The support structure 13 is provided with a protective layer 133 (see
The temperature control channels 131 are each formed by a hollow chamber. As can be seen in
Furthermore, the support structure 13 has a mounting recess 135 on the second side 138 opposite the degassing channel 132. This is formed by an offset of the wall 139. The mounting recess 135 serves to position the open loop and/or closed loop control electronics 16 in a particularly space saving manner. A fastening and/or centering device 136 can be provided at the mounting base of the mounting recess 139 for fastening and/or centering the circuit board of the open loop and/or closed loop control electronics 16. Spacers 136a may also be provided, which cause the underside of the open loop and/or closed loop control electronics 16 or circuit board 161a thereof to be spaced apart from the mounting base of the mounting recess 139. The mounting recess 135 allows a flat structure of the cell contacting system 1. The offset of the wall 139 forming the mounting recess 135 also serves to increase the mechanical stability of the support structure 13. The offset acts in this case as a bead, i.e. a channel shaped stiffening device, which increases the second moment of area of the support structure 13. The support structure 13 can thus better withstand, for example, an increase in pressure in the degassing channel 132 occurring during degassing of the energy storage cells 2a, 2b, 2z. Furthermore, the wall 139 has through openings 141 for temperature sensor arrangements 17a, 17b and/or for contacting a sensor circuit board 18a, 18b.
The circuit board 161a has, for example, holes through which the circuit board 161a is fitted on the fastening and/or centering device 136, which in the exemplary embodiment are in the form of “domes”. The ends of the domes can then be upset to form mushroom heads, thereby fastening the circuit board 161a to the support structure 13.
If required, more than two temperature control channels 131 may also be formed in the support structure 13. For example, as shown in
According to the embodiment shown in
Alternatively, the cell connectors can also be screwed or soldered to the energy storage cells.
Through openings 111, for example through holes, can be provided on the cell connectors 11a, 11b. These can serve as inspection openings. Furthermore, if required, measuring lines can also be attached, through these through openings 111, to threaded holes located beneath the through openings 111 on the pole contacts 22a, 22b. In this way, for example, the contacting of the cell connectors 11a, 11b to the pole contacts 22a, 22b can be checked.
Alternatively, the cell connectors 11a, 11b could also be connected, for example screwed, to the pole contacts 22a, 22b through the through openings 111 if required.
The temperature sensor arrangement 17a includes a flexible sensor circuit board 176a having a sensor element 171a integrated on the sensor circuit board 176a and a shaped housing element 172a for mounting on the circuit board 161a, 161b from
The shaped housing element 172a includes a guide channel 179a for the flexible sensor circuit board 176a and thus serves to position and hold the sensor element 171a. Furthermore, the shaped housing element 172a has a base 178a with a connection device 175a and an elastically deflectable spring arm 177a. The connection device 175a are configured as a snap connection with two resilient detent arms. They are used to connect to the circuit board 161a from
The sensor circuit board 176a has electrical connections 174a which are electrically connected to the sensor element 171a by conductor tracks that are not shown.
In addition, an elastic, thermally conductive contact element 173a is provided on the underside of the temperature sensor arrangement 17a in the region of the sensor element 171a in order to avoid gap formation and to transfer the temperature of the energy storage cells to be detected to the sensor element 171a.
When mounting the temperature sensor arrangement 17a, the shaped housing element 172a can first be connected to the sensor circuit board 161a. The sensor circuit board 176a can then be inserted from the side opposite of the shaped housing element 172a through the slot shaped recess 162a of the circuit board 161a into the guide channel 179a of the shaped housing element 172a. After the sensor circuit board 176a is positioned in the guide channel 179a, the electrical connections 174a of the sensor circuit board 176a can be connected to the circuit board 161a. This facilitates handling. In addition, the assembly can be automated as a result.
As can be seen from
The base 178a is provided to cover or close the through opening 141 of the support structure on the first side 137 thereof. A flow of gases through the through opening 141 is thus prevented or at least reduced.
The temperature sensor arrangement 17b includes a sensor element 171b and a shaped housing element 172b. The shaped housing element 172b includes a base 178b with connection device 175b and a step 178d, which have a corresponding structure and the same function as the base 178a, the connection device 175a and the step 178c of the temperature sensor arrangement 17a according to
In this embodiment, the shaped housing element 172b of the temperature sensor arrangement 17b has a chamber 176b for positioning the sensor element 171b. The chamber 176b is open on the side facing the circuit board 161a, 161b, 161c. This allows the sensor element 171b to be pushed into the chamber 176b.
The sensor element 171b may be a wired electronic component for through hole technology (THT) with two electrical connections 174b.
A contact element 173b, which at least partially encloses the sensor element 171a, is located on the side of the shaped housing element 172b facing away from the electrical connections 174b. The contact element 173b is formed of an elastic, thermally conductive material. Further, the contact element 173b is partially enclosed by the chamber 176b and abuts a shoulder in the chamber 176b.
The temperature sensor arrangement 17b is mechanically connected to the circuit board 161b by snap connection by the connection device 175b.
In order to connect the electrical connections 174b, the circuit board 161b can have contact holes with contact rivets, for example. The electrical connections 174b can be inserted through these holes and soldered to the circuit board 162b from the side opposite the sensor element 171b.
The contact element 173b, which is concealed by the shaped housing element 172b in
The temperature sensor arrangement 17b may be mounted on the circuit board 161b as an assembled module.
By pressing the temperature sensor arrangements 17a, 17b, a good thermal contact is ensured. In addition, it is possible to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, thermal expansions or relative movements of the components.
One of the two temperature sensor arrangements 17a, 17b or a combination of both of them may be provided in the cell contacting system 1.
A circuit board can be a printed circuit board, i.e. a printed circuit for carrying electronic components.
According to
The additional circuit board 18a in
Sensor elements 181a, 181b are provided on the additional circuit board 18a and are electrically connected to the circuit board 161a by conductor tracks, not shown, and by the contacting device 182a, 181b. The sensor elements 181a, 181b can be SMD components, for example, which are soldered to the additional circuit board 18a at solder pads.
According to
As shown in
According to
According to
According to
The additional circuit board 18b has a different configuration in the region of the contacting device 182b as compared to the additional circuit board 18a.
The cell connectors 11a are intended to electrically connect a pole contact 22a of one energy storage cell, for example 2a, to a pole contact 22b of an adjacent energy storage cell, for example 2b. For this purpose, the cell connectors 11a have a main body 110 with a first contact face 112a and a second contact face 112b, which are each connected, for example welded, to a pole contact 22a, 22b.
The two cell connectors 11b are intended to provide, at the first energy storage cell 2a and the last energy storage cell 2z, a contacting device to an electrical consumer, not shown, for example an electric motor of an electric vehicle, or to an adjacent energy storage device. The cell connectors 11b have a main body 113 with a contact face 112a which is connected, for example welded, to the pole contact 22b of the cathode of the first energy storage cell 2a or the pole contact 22a of the anode of the last energy storage cell 2z. Furthermore, the main body 113 has a current tap 110d. The current taps 110d of the two cell connectors 11b thus form the connections of the anode and cathode of the energy storage device 3.
The main body 110, 113 of the cell connector 11a, 11b is formed of an electrically conductive flat material with preferably a constant layer thickness, for example a sheet metal. The main body 110, 113 has a first side S1, S1′ and a second side S2, S2′ and is overmolded in each case in the region of the second side S2, S2′ in a partial region 110a with a temperature control structure 12 which increases the surface area of the cell connector 11a, 11b. The temperature control structure 12 has, for example, a plurality of temperature control ribs 124a running parallel to one another.
In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the main body 110, 113 can be formed of a bent flat material with a constant layer thickness or a material with a varying layer thickness, for example a bent material with a varying layer thickness.
The temperature control structure 12 is preferably a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material, in particular plastic.
In the cell connector 11a, the temperature control structure 12 extends along the entire length L1 of the first side S1. In the cell connector 11b, the temperature control structure 12 extends only along the length L2 of the first side S1′ in the region of the contact face 112a.
A recess 114 may be provided between the contact faces 112a, 112b of the cell connector 11a. On the one hand, this recess shifts the flow of current and the resultant heat into the partial region 110a overmolded by the temperature control structure 12. On the other hand, the main body 110 thus has a higher elasticity. It is thus possible to better compensate for thermal expansions or movements of the adjacent energy storage cells 2a, 2b, 2z relative to each other.
Furthermore, the main bodies 110, 113 of the cell connectors 11a, 11b can have recesses 115, for example in the form of crescent shaped through openings. These also increase the elasticity of the main bodies 110, 113.
The contact element 121a of the temperature control structure 12 from
According to
The variant of
The offset 127a, 127b can be created, for example, by two folds of a plate shaped raw material, for example a metal sheet, as can be seen in
The main body 110 and the contact elements 121b, 121c can advantageously be made, for example cut or punched, from a common plate shaped blank.
Corresponding contact elements can also be provided for the terminal cell connectors 11b. The geometry of the contact element for a cell connector 11b can be easily adapted to the geometry of the cell connector 11b.
The cell connectors 11a, 11b can have an interface to a temperature control channel 131 and can be connected to the latter, for example welded or adhesively bonded, preferably in the region of the temperature control structure 12. For this purpose, the through openings 140 of the support structure 13 can be disposed laterally in the direction of the pole contacts and/or in the direction of the degassing channel and/or in the direction of the battery storage cells.
The temperature control structure 12 of the cell connectors can close the through openings 140 of the support structure 13. In addition, the temperature control structure 12 may insulate the base element 110, 113 and/or the contact element 121b, 121c with respect to a temperature control fluid located in the temperature control channel 131. Thus, for example, a fluid formed of an electrically conductive fluid may be provided. The temperature control structure 12 may likewise insulate the base element 110, 113 and/or the contact element 121b, 121c with respect to the support structure 13. Alternatively, the support element in this variant could, for example, be formed of a metal, for example aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
Alternatively, the embodiments of the cell connectors 11a, 11b can also be used without a temperature control channel 131. In this case, the ambient air can be used for temperature control, for example.
The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2022 114 655.3 | Jun 2022 | DE | national |
| 10 2022 116 709.7 | Jul 2022 | DE | national |
