DE102019212462A1 - Flexible power supply unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible power supply unit (2) having a housing (4) with a modular battery storage (34) integrated therein with a battery installation space (36) for receiving at least one battery module carrier (38).

Description

The invention relates to a flexible power supply unit. The invention further relates to the use of such a power supply unit as a flexible charging column for charging an electrically powered or drivable motor vehicle.

Electrically drivable or driven motor vehicles, such as electric or hybrid vehicles for example, typically have an electric motor as the drive machine, which is coupled to an on-board electrical system in the vehicle for supplying electrical energy. Such electrical systems are usually supplied by means of an energy store, for example in the form of an electrochemical battery.

An electrochemical battery is to be understood here in particular as a so-called secondary battery (secondary battery) of the motor vehicle, in which a used chemical energy can be restored by means of an electrical (charging) process. Such vehicle or traction batteries are designed in particular as electrochemical accumulators, for example as lithium-ion accumulators.

“Charging a motor vehicle that is driven or drivable by an electric or electric motor” is understood here and in the following in particular to mean the (charging) charging of such a secondary (traction) energy store of the motor vehicle with electrical energy.

To charge the motor vehicle or the vehicle battery, it is possible, for example, to connect the battery to an electrical supply point (charging point) or to an electrical supply network in a wired manner by means of a charging cable. So-called charging stations or charging stations as charging stations or power supply units are used as charging points. For this purpose, charging stations of this type typically have a charging interface with a charging cable to which a charging plug is attached at the free end. This can be plugged into a complementary charging socket as a charging interface on the motor vehicle, and can be operated by a user by means of an associated operating unit. For example, the charging interface is arranged on a housing side (front side) of the charging column facing the street or a user, so that a user can easily position his motor vehicle.

Such charging stations or charging columns are generally connected with an electrical connection to an electrical supply network, in particular a public low-voltage network. The charging station often has power electronics for voltage conversion and / or voltage adjustment in order to adapt an electrical voltage of the supply network to a desired charging voltage or to a desired voltage level.

From the DE 10 2014 112 799 A1 a network-connected, stationary charging column is known in which a control device of the power electronics is designed as a rectangular control module which is arranged in a housing of the charging column. A functional module is also installed in the housing, which is designed, for example, as a parcel box module, as a fire extinguishing module, as a compressor module, or as an input module.

Due to the required connection to the supply network, network-connected charging stations are usually stationary, i.e. fixed, stationary or non-movable. This means that the charging columns are installed at a predetermined location and can only be dismantled with great effort and reassembled at another location.

Such charging stations can also be equipped with a battery store with power and control electronics as an additional electrical or auxiliary energy store. The components of the charging station are typically installed separately from one another in a housing. The battery storage is here regularly arranged in a separate structure of the housing. As a result, the installation and assembly of such charging columns is disadvantageously comparatively complex and cost-intensive, since both the housing of the charging column and the battery storage must be installed.

In the DE 10 2017 215 882 A1 discloses a flexible charging column with a housing and with a battery storage device integrated therein. Due to the battery storage, the charging column is essentially self-sufficient or independent of a supply network suitable and set up for charging an electrically driven or drivable motor vehicle. As a result, the charging station is flexible, i.e. comparatively easy to set up and dismantle reversibly at different points. The charging column also has a connection for a supply network (plug-in) in order to charge the internal battery storage device.

With such a flexible charging column, it is necessary that the power electronics and the battery storage device are accommodated in the housing of the charging column in as compact a space as possible. Furthermore, simple production and maintenance of the charging station or the power electronics and / or the battery storage is desired.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a particularly suitable flexible power supply unit. In particular, a power supply unit that is as flexible as possible and scalable as easily as possible with regard to different applications is to be specified. Furthermore, a battery storage and / or power electronics of the power supply unit should be as compact as possible and easy to install. The invention is also based on the object of specifying a particularly suitable use of such a power supply unit.

With regard to the power supply unit, the object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1 and with regard to the use with the features of claim 10. Advantageous refinements and developments are the subject of the dependent claims. The advantages and refinements cited with regard to the power supply unit can also be applied to use and vice versa.

The flexible power supply unit according to the invention has a housing with a modular battery store integrated therein with a battery installation space for receiving at least one battery module carrier. In other words, the power supply unit has a modularly constructed battery storage device, the battery installation space being or can be fitted with at least one battery module carrier in a modular manner as the installation space provided. A particularly suitable flexible power supply unit is thereby implemented.

A “power supply system” is understood here and in the following in particular to mean an electrical supply system in which an electrical consumer is supplied with electrical power or electrical energy via a charging interface. The consumer is preferably charged with electrical energy.

Here and in the following, a “flexible power supply system” is to be understood as a mobile or movable, ie not permanently installed or non-stationary, power supply system. This means that the power supply system according to the invention is designed essentially as an island or off-grid system, that is to say as a network-independent, self-sufficient island system.

According to the invention, the battery storage of the power supply unit is modular, that is to say according to a building block or modular principle. The battery installation space can expediently be equipped with a number of battery module carriers in a modular manner, this means that the battery installation space has a sufficiently large installation space to accommodate a number of, for example, stacked or side by side battery module carriers. As a result, the battery size, that is to say the capacity or the power or the energy content, of the modular battery store is flexible, that is to say scalable or variable, and can be individually adapted to a respective application of the power supply unit.

This means that the modular battery storage or the power supply unit has different battery sizes or (battery) power levels depending on the number of inserted or mounted battery module carriers. As a result, the power supply unit is particularly flexible or adaptable to different applications and requirements. In particular, it is thus possible, for example, to equip or retrofit a flexible power supply unit, which is built up at one point or a place of use, on site with additional battery module carriers as required. In particular, the battery module carriers are configured in a modular manner in such a way that the power supply unit functions independently of the number of battery module carrier systems.

The at least one battery module carrier is in particular accommodated in the battery installation space such that it can be replaced. This makes it possible, for example, to replace or exchange discharged battery module carriers, in which the stored electrical energy of the battery modules is essentially consumed, with new, charged battery module carriers without having to move the entire power supply unit.

For example, the flexible power supply unit is designed as a generator for use on construction sites or at major events. In a preferred application, the flexible power supply unit is designed in particular as a charging system, for example as a charging column, for charging an electrically powered or drivable motor vehicle, in particular an electric or hybrid vehicle.

The or each battery module carrier has a number of battery modules or battery cells that are electrically coupled or interconnected with one another. Depending on the application or use of the flexible power supply unit, the battery module carrier has, for example, four, six, twelve or more interconnected battery modules. This further improves the scalability and flexibility of the power supply unit with regard to individual adaptation to different applications and requirements.

In an advantageous development, the housing has a (first) mounting opening on a (housing) rear side as access to the battery installation space. A rear side of the housing is to be understood here in particular as a side of the housing facing away from a street or a user when using the power supply unit. The rear assembly opening provides particularly simple accessibility with regard to production or assembly and in the event of service, for example for maintenance or repair, of the at least one battery module carrier in the battery installation space. The battery compartment is thus designed essentially in the manner of a switch cabinet.

The assembly opening is preferably closed with a door or a removable cover which can be locked or locked, for example, so that undesired access to the battery installation space or the battery module carrier is advantageously and simply prevented. In particular, an anti-theft protection of the battery store is thus implemented.

The battery module carriers used or mounted in the battery compartment have, for example, connections on the outside, that is to say the assembly opening, for example for a cooling circuit or an air conditioning device, and / or electrical connections for interconnection. The orientation of these connections on the rear side, that is to say on the side of the assembly opening, makes assembly and disassembly and interconnection of the battery module carriers particularly simple.

The conjunction “and / or” is to be understood here and below in such a way that the features linked by means of this conjunction can be designed both together and as alternatives to one another.

In an expedient embodiment, modular power electronics are integrated into the housing. The power electronics here have an electronics installation space for receiving at least one power electronics module. The at least one power electronics module here expediently carries power electronics for voltage conversion and / or voltage adaptation of an electrical voltage provided by the power supply unit. In other words, the voltage level provided by the power supply unit can be set and / or regulated by means of the at least one power electronics module, so that, for example, a suitable charging voltage can be made available for a connected consumer.

In this embodiment, the flexible power supply unit thus has modular power electronics in the form of the power electronics modules. This means that both the battery storage and the power electronics of the power supply unit are preferably designed as modular systems. In other words, the power electronics are designed to be scalable, so that, depending on the application, more or fewer power electronics modules are used and installed.

The function of the power supply unit is suitably given regardless of the number of power electronics modules used. For example, it is conceivable that when the power supply unit is designed as a charging station, the (electrical) power provided by a charging interface to a connected electrically powered or drivable motor vehicle and the power for recharging the battery module carriers are independent of the number of power electronics modules.

The modular battery storage and the modular power electronics have two different and spatially separate installation spaces in the housing. For example, the battery storage device is in a lower, that is to say underground, area of the housing, and the power electronics and / or control electronics are installed in an upper housing area, that is, in a housing area arranged vertically above the battery storage. The battery storage and the power electronics are preferably installed in two installation spaces arranged horizontally next to one another. The spatial and functional separation of the electronics installation space and the battery installation space enables the systems to be integrated into the housing of the power supply unit in a particularly useful manner. In particular, a particularly expedient use of the available installation space, that is to say packaging that is particularly compact in installation space, is made possible.

In a suitable embodiment, the housing has a (second) mounting opening on a (housing) front side as access to the electronics installation space. A front side of the housing is to be understood here in particular as a side of the housing facing the street or the user when the power supply unit is used, that is to say opposite the rear side. The electronics installation space and the battery installation space are therefore preferably accessible from opposite housing sides of the power supply unit. This enables particularly easy access to production and in the event of service.

Preferably, the second assembly opening is also closed with a door or a removable cover, which can be locked or locked, for example, so that undesired access to the electronics installation space or the power electronics modules is advantageous and is simply prevented. In particular, an anti-theft device for the power electronics is implemented. The cover or the door of the second assembly opening can for example be provided with an external optical display unit, that is to say the surroundings facing, such as a display, a screen, or a monitor. For example, illuminated banners, infotainment or advertising content can be displayed on the display unit.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the battery compartment is designed as a slide-in frame and the at least one battery module carrier is designed as a slide-in unit for this purpose. In other words, the battery compartment is designed as a mounting frame or rack with a plurality of compartments into which a respective battery module carrier can be inserted or pushed. As a result, a particularly simple and cost-reduced assembly and maintenance of the modular battery storage is achieved. Furthermore, a particularly space-efficient arrangement of the battery module carriers in the battery installation space, that is to say particularly space-saving packaging, is implemented.

According to a suitable embodiment, the battery installation space is designed with guide contours for linear guidance of the at least one battery module carrier along an assembly or insertion direction. The battery module carriers are suitably guided in particular in a form-fitting manner by means of the guide contours, so that the battery module carriers cannot undesirably slide out of the battery installation space. The guide contours thus act as an assembly or positioning aid when inserting or removing the battery module carrier in or from the battery installation space.

A “form fit” or a “form fit connection” between at least two interconnected parts is understood here and in the following in particular to mean that the interconnected parts are held together at least in one direction by direct interlocking of contours of the parts themselves or by indirect interlocking takes place via an additional connecting part. The "blocking" of a mutual movement in this direction is therefore due to the shape.

In a conceivable embodiment, the or each battery module carrier is provided with protruding holding contours on opposite end faces, which at least in sections engage positively in the guide contours or at least partially engage behind them. As a result, a particularly reliable, stable and reliable guidance of the battery module carriers in the battery installation space is realized, which enables particularly simple assembly and disassembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the guide contours are designed as a number of pairs of guide rails, one battery module carrier being guided or guidable by one pair of guide rails. The pairs of guide rails each have two guide rails arranged opposite one another in the battery compartment, in which an inserted or pushed-in battery module carrier is preferably guided in the same direction. Each pair of guide rails is thus designed as a compartment for receiving a battery module carrier. The compartments can, for example, be lined up horizontally next to one another or stacked vertically one above the other. The slide-in rack is thus preferably designed as a rail system. The rail system enables the battery module carriers to be pushed in and pulled out particularly easily and with reduced effort, which is particularly advantageous with regard to a service case.

In an alternative embodiment, the guide contours are designed, for example, as a roller system. This means that the battery installation space and / or the battery module carriers that can be inserted therein are provided with rollers. This enables assembly and disassembly of the battery module carriers with a particularly low friction and thus reduced force.

An additional or further aspect of the invention provides that a supply connection is provided for electrically conductive coupling of a consumer connected to the power supply unit and / or the at least one battery module carrier to a supply network. In other words, the power supply unit can be connected to an electrical supply network, in particular a low-voltage network, that is to say to an external energy supply. This means that the power supply unit is designed as a plug-in system which can be connected to the supply network as required. This makes it possible, for example, to charge the internal battery storage of the power supply unit via the supply network. The mounted battery module carriers can thus be charged with a constant (recharge) charging current without the battery module carriers having to be removed from the housing for this purpose. Such charging of the battery module carriers is possible in particular when a connected consumer is charged or supplied at the same time.

In a suitable development, the supply connection is coupled to a transformer for galvanic separation of the power supply unit from the supply network. With In other words, galvanic isolation from a connected supply or low-voltage network is provided. On the one hand, the transformer reliably disconnects the power supply unit from the connected supply network; on the other hand, it is possible to charge connected loads and the internal battery storage at the same time.

In an alternative further development, instead of the transformer, an electrical circuit can be provided which galvanically isolates or switches off access to the connected supply network when a connected consumer is to be charged.

In a preferred application, the power supply unit described above is used as a flexible charging column for charging an electrically powered or drivable motor vehicle, in particular an electric or hybrid vehicle. This creates a particularly suitable, flexible charging station.

The charging column expediently has at least one charging interface for connection to the motor vehicle. In a conceivable embodiment, the charging interface is arranged on a lateral housing surface, that is to say on a vertical surface of the housing which is oriented perpendicular to the rear and front. For example, a display unit and / or a user interface can be provided on the housing surface, with which a charging process can be monitored and / or controlled and / or regulated by a user.

The charging interface is designed, for example, as a charging cable with a free-end charging plug, for example a type 2 charging plug. The charging column preferably has a number of such charging interfaces, for example four or six charging interfaces. A number of battery carrier modules and / or power electronics modules that is suitable or adapted for the respective number of charging interfaces is preferably mounted in the housing or in the battery installation space and in the electronics installation space.

The number and performance of the charging interfaces is variable and depends on the built-in power electronics or the built-in power electronics modules. For example, different combinations of the number and power of the charging interfaces in the charging station or power supply unit according to the invention, such as four charging interfaces with 50 kW DC (kW: Kilowatt, DC: direct current), or two charging interfaces with 150 kW DC, or two charging interfaces with 25 kW DC each and two charging interfaces with 100 kW DC each possible.

• 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung eine flexible Stromversorgungseinheit mit einem Gehäuse, mit Blick auf eine Vorderseite,
• 2 in perspektivischer Darstellung die Stromversorgungseinheit ohne das Gehäuse, mit Blick auf eine Vorderseite,
• 3 in perspektivischer Darstellung die Stromversorgungseinheit ohne das Gehäuse in einem teilweise demontierten Zustand, mit einem Batteriebauraum und mit einem Batteriemodulträger, mit Blick auf eine Rückseite,
• 4 in perspektivischer Darstellung Haltekonturen des Batteriemodulträgers in dem Ausschnitt IV gemäß 3,
• 5 in perspektivischer Darstellung Führungskonturen des Batteriebauraums in dem Ausschnitt V gemäß 3, und
• 6 in schematischer und vereinfachter Darstellung die Stromversorgungseinheit bei einer Verwendung als Ladesäule zum Laden eines elektrisch angetriebenen oder antreibbaren Kraftfahrzeugs.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Show in it:

• 1 a perspective view of a flexible power supply unit with a housing, with a view of a front side,
• 2 a perspective view of the power supply unit without the housing, with a view of a front side,
• 3 in a perspective illustration the power supply unit without the housing in a partially dismantled state, with a battery installation space and with a battery module carrier, with a view of a rear side,
• 4th in a perspective view of holding contours of the battery module carrier in the section IV according to FIG 3 ,
• 5 in a perspective view of the guide contours of the battery installation space in the section V according to FIG 3 , and
• 6th in a schematic and simplified representation, the power supply unit when used as a charging station for charging an electrically powered or drivable motor vehicle.

Corresponding parts and sizes are always provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

In the 1 is a flexible power supply unit designed as a charging station 2 shown. The power supply unit 2 here has a housing 4th with a front 6th and with a back 8th as well as two side faces 10 and a ceiling surface 12 on. On one side 10 is a charging interface 14th with a charging cable 16 and a free-end charging plug 18th arranged. The charging plug 18th is with a corresponding charging socket 19th an electrically powered or drivable motor vehicle 20th ( 6th ), in particular an electric or hybrid vehicle, can be plugged in and coupled in an electrically conductive manner.

The charging cable 16 is with one of the charging plugs 18th opposite end into the in 2 Interior of the housing shown in more detail 4th guided. The charging plug 18th is in a recording when not in use 21st arranged at least on the contact side, so that on the one hand easy gripping of the charging plug 18th is enabled, and on the other hand the contacts of the charging plug 18th are protected from dirt and external influences, such as weather conditions.

In an upper area of the front 6th is a visual display unit 22nd arranged in the form of a display or screen or monitor on which, for example, luminous banners, infotainment or advertising content can be displayed or represented.

Like in the 2 and the 3 can be seen has the power supply unit 2 inside the case 4th a frame 24 on in which the components of the power supply unit 2 are arranged.

The front 6th can be designed as a pivotable door or cover which has a front mounting opening of the housing 4th locks. Behind the front 6th or the mounting opening is - as in particular in 2 visible - an electronics installation space 26th to accommodate modular power electronics 28 arranged. In the in 2 The embodiment shown has the power electronics 28 eight individual power electronics modules 30th which are provided with reference numerals in the figures merely by way of example.

In the upper part of the frame 24 is an air conditioning device 32 the power supply unit 2 arranged, with which a modular battery storage system in operation 34 ( 3 ) is air-conditioned.

The structure of the battery storage is shown below 34 based on 3 explained in more detail.

The battery storage 34 the power supply unit 2 is modular, i.e. based on a building block or building block principle. The battery storage 34 has a battery compartment open at the rear 36 on which with a number of battery module carriers 38 can be equipped modularly. In the embodiment shown, the battery compartment is 36 with four battery module carriers 38 can be equipped, with the 3 just one example of a battery module carrier 38 shown in a disassembled state.

The battery module carrier 38 is especially exchangeable in the battery compartment 36 applicable. The battery module carrier 38 has a number of electrically coupled or interconnected battery modules 40 on. In the embodiment shown, the battery module carrier 38 in particular twelve interconnected battery modules 40 which are provided with reference numerals in the figures merely by way of example.

The back is suitable 8th of the housing 4th with a closable assembly opening - not shown in detail - as access to the battery compartment open at the rear 36 Mistake.

The battery module carrier 38 has a connector 42 for the cooling coupling of the battery module carrier 38 to the air conditioning unit 32 or to a cooling circuit coupled therewith. The battery module carrier 38 furthermore has an electrical connection 44 for the electrical coupling and interconnection of the battery module carriers 38 and power electronics 28 on. The connections 38 , 44 are here on one of the back 8th of the housing 4th facing side of the battery module carrier 38 arranged so that they are easily accessible by means of the rear assembly opening during assembly or service.

Like in the 3 As can be seen comparatively clearly, is the battery installation space 36 as a slide-in frame and the battery module carrier 38 designed as an insert provided for this purpose. The battery compartment 36 has guide contours 46 on, by means of which the battery module carrier 38 linearly along a mounting or insertion direction 48 is guided or feasible.

The guide contours 46 of the battery compartment 36 are designed as four pairs of guide rails arranged horizontally next to one another, each pair of guide rails for guiding and holding a battery module carrier 38 is provided. The pairs of guide rails each have two in the battery compartment 36 guide rails arranged opposite one another 50 in which an inserted or pushed-in battery module carrier 38 is preferably performed concurrently. The pairs of guide rails are thus four compartments to accommodate four battery module carriers 38 educated. Examples are in the 3 only the guide rails 50 of a pair of guide rails are provided with a reference number.

The battery module carrier 38 is on the opposite front narrow sides with protruding retaining contours 52 provided, which when inserting the battery module carrier 38 in the battery compartment 36 at least partially in a form-fitting manner in the guide contours 46 intervene or at least partially reach behind them.

The ones in the 4th Retaining contours shown in detail in detail 52 are here as a pair of two elongated retaining strips with an approximately L-shaped cross section 54 on. The retaining bars 54 are parallel to each other on the respective narrow side of the battery module carrier 38 out, and extend, for example, over its entire width or narrow side length. The length of the retaining strips 54 or the holding contours 52 essentially corresponds to the length of the guide rails 50 .

In the 5 guide rails shown in more detail 50 are roughly U-shaped in cross-section executed, with at the free ends of the vertical U-legs 56a inwardly directed horizontal processes 56b are provided which are parallel to the horizontal U-leg 56c run away.

When inserting the battery module carrier 38 engage behind the horizontal L-legs of the retaining strips 54 section by section through the appendages 56b undercut formed so that the battery module carrier 38 form-fitting on the guide rails 50 is led and held.

The 6th shows the power supply unit in a schematic and simplified representation 2 when used as a charging station for charging the electrically powered or drivable motor vehicle 20th or a vehicle or traction battery 57 of the motor vehicle 20th .

The power supply unit 2 In this exemplary embodiment, it has an electrical supply connection or network connection 58 for coupling to an electrical supply network 60 on. The supply network 60 is designed as a three-phase 230 V low-voltage network, for example.

The supply connection 58 is with a transformer 62 for galvanic isolation of the power supply unit 2 from the supply network 60 coupled.

Through the supply connection 58 is a consumed electrical energy of the internal battery storage 34 , in particular a consumed electrical energy of the battery modules 40 the mounted or built-in battery module carrier 38 , via the supply network 60 rechargeable without the battery module carrier 38 of the battery storage 34 to exchange. Such a charging of the battery module carrier 38 is particularly also when a connected motor vehicle is being charged or supplied at the same time 20th possible.

The claimed invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art within the scope of the disclosed claims without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention. In particular, all the individual features described in connection with the various exemplary embodiments can also be combined in other ways within the scope of the disclosed claims without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention.

For example, it is also conceivable that the guide contours 46 and / or holding contours 52 are designed as a roller system.

List of reference symbols

2

Power supply unit

4th

casing

6th

front

8th

back

10

Side face

12

Ceiling area

14th

Charging interface

16

Charging cable

18th

Charging plug

19th

Charging socket

20th

Motor vehicle

21st

admission

22nd

Display unit

24

Frame

26th

Electronics installation space

28

Power electronics

30th

Power electronics module

32

Air conditioning device

34

Battery storage

36

Battery space

38

Battery module carrier

40

Battery module 42 , 44 connection

46

Guide contour

48

Mounting direction

50

Guide rail

52

Holding contour

54

Retaining bar

56a, 56c

U-leg

56b

Appendix

57

Vehicle battery

58

Supply connection

60

Supply network

62

transformer

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102014112799 A1 [0007]
• DE 102017215882 A1 [0010]

Claims (10)

Flexible power supply unit (2) having a housing (4) with a modular battery storage (34) integrated therein with a battery installation space (36) for receiving at least one battery module carrier (38). Power supply unit (2) Claim 1 , characterized in that the housing (4) has a mounting opening on a rear side (8) as access to the battery installation space (36). Power supply unit (2) Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a modular power electronics (28) with an electronics installation space (26) for receiving at least one power electronics module (30) is integrated into the housing (4). Power supply unit (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the battery compartment (36) is designed as a slide-in frame and the at least one battery module carrier (38) is designed as a slide-in unit for this purpose. Power supply unit (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the battery compartment (36) is designed with guide contours (46) for linear guidance of the at least one battery module carrier (38) along an assembly direction (48). Power supply unit (2) Claim 5 , characterized in that the at least one battery module carrier (38) is provided on opposite end faces with holding contours (52) which at least partially engage behind the guide contours (46) in a form-fitting manner Power supply unit (2) Claim 5 or 6th , characterized in that the guide contours (46) are designed as a number of pairs of guide rails, wherein a battery module carrier (38) is guided or can be guided by one pair of guide rails in each case. Power supply unit (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a supply connection (58) is provided for electrically conductive coupling of a connected consumer (20) and / or the at least one battery module carrier (38) to a supply network (60) . Power supply unit (2) Claim 8 , characterized in that the supply connection (58) is coupled to a transformer (62) for galvanic separation from the supply network (60). Use of a flexible power supply unit (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 as a flexible charging column for charging an electrically powered or drivable motor vehicle (20).

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