DE102011113467A1 - Electrically conductive arrester for electrical storage cell, has intermediate portion formed between cell attachment region and contact region, that is deformable and allows relative movement between attachment region and contact area - Google Patents

Abstract

The electrically conductive arrester (10) has a cell attachment region (11) which is formed at an upper end (10a) and is electrically connected to the electrical storage cell (1). A contact region (12) is formed at the lower end (10b) of the arrester and is electrically connected to the contact device of to-be-connected battery. An intermediate portion (13) of the arrester is formed between the cell attachment region and the contact region. The intermediate region is deformable and allows a relative movement between the cell attachment region and the contact area. An independent claim is included for electrical storage cell.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical arrester for an electrical storage cell, an electrical storage cell with an electrical arrester and an electric battery. Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of an electrical arrester for a memory cell.

In particular, the invention relates to the structure and the connection technology in multi-storage cell batteries.

It is known to build batteries as an electric energy storage device from a plurality of electric energy storage cells. The individual memory cells of the battery have at least one arrester as an electrical connection. Normally, each memory cell has both an anode and a cathode as electrical arresters.

Depending on the desired battery power, up to 100 memory cells are electrically interconnected to form a battery. The assembly of the individual memory cells is carried out by screwing the individual arresters to a battery case.

The arresters are in the form of a flat plate. At a first end of the arrester plate, the arrester is electrically connected to the memory cell. At a second end of the arrester plate, the arrester is electrically connected to a contactor of a battery. The contact device of the battery serves as electrical contacting of the memory cells with each other and z. B. be formed as part of a battery case or as a printed circuit board.

Particularly in the case of car batteries, shocks and temperature-induced deformations can generate voltages between the arresters and the individual memory cells. This can lead to the interruption of the electrical connection between the memory cell and the contact device or to the damage of the memory cells. Even vibrations can lead to the destruction of the memory cells in the course of the operating time.

The invention is based on the problem of providing an improved mechanical connection between the individual memory cells of a battery and a contact device of the battery.

This problem is solved by a trap with the features of claim 1.

Thereafter, at least one electrically conductive arrester for an electrical storage cell is provided. The arrester extends from a first end to a second end. At the first end of the arrester, a cell attachment area is formed. The cell attachment area is designed and intended to be electrically conductively connected to an electrical storage cell. At the second end of the arrester, a contact region is formed, which is designed and provided to be electrically conductively connected to a contact device of a battery.

Between the cell attachment region and the contact region, an intermediate region of the arrester is formed. In this case, the intermediate region is formed so deformable that the intermediate region allows a relative movement between the cell attachment region and the contact region. The relative movement takes place without damaging the material of the arrester.

Due to the deformability of the intermediate region, a mechanical cushioning of the contact region with respect to the cell attachment region is provided. The arrester itself is no longer rigid, as known from the prior art, formed, but has a reduced stiffness. The deformability of the intermediate area reduces the mechanical rigidity of the arrester.

In a built-in position of the arrester, the cell mounting area is electrically connected to a memory cell. At the same time, this electrical connection can be designed as a mechanical connection. For example, the cell attachment area may be materially bonded to the storage cell, such as by soldering, welding, or gluing. Alternatively, the cell attachment region can also be screwed to the storage cell, wherein a material connection is preferred. In the installed position, the contact region of the arrester is electrically connected to a contact device of a battery, such. B. a printed circuit board or a part of the battery case. In the installed position of the arrester, the deformable intermediate region causes a cushioning of the memory cells with respect to the contact device of the battery.

The deformable intermediate region absorbs mechanical shocks, which improves the mechanical connection between the memory cell and the contact device. Mechanical shocks or vibrations can z. B. when driving when the battery is designed as a car battery. Also, temperature-induced deformations of the material can be compensated by the deformability of the intermediate region.

By such an arrester both relative movements and tolerances in several or all spatial directions can be compensated. Leave through the flexible intermediate area compensate for form, position and length tolerances. This can lead to a significant reduction in manufacturing costs, since the memory cells themselves can be manufactured and assembled with further tolerances.

A memory cell has at least one electrical arrester for tapping off the electrical potential of the memory cell. In particular, each memory cell has both a positive and a negative potential diverter, a cathode and an anode.

In general, the deformation of the intermediate region can be elastic and / or inelastic.

Preferably, the intermediate region is formed substantially elastically deformable, d. H. the proportion of inelastic deformation of the intermediate region is negligible compared to the proportion of elastic deformation. By an elastically deformable formation of the intermediate region of the intermediate region remains permanently and repeatedly deformable.

In one embodiment, the intermediate region is formed in a bending-flexible geometry. Due to the bending-flexible geometry of the intermediate region, the deformability of the intermediate region is made possible. Examples of a flexible geometry of the intermediate region are in the 2 to 5 shown.

In one exemplary embodiment, the intermediate region is designed to be elastically deformable in a guide direction, the guide direction extending from the cell attachment region to the contact region. The conducting direction is essentially the direction (or opposite direction) of the current flow when a memory cell is electrically connected via the arrester to a contact device. Deformability in the direction is advantageous because in the direction of the assembly of the memory cell is carried out with the contact device. Thus, just in the direction of force to be expected via the arrester into the memory cell, caused by a jerky movement of the contact device.

Preferably, the intermediate region is formed in all three spatial directions substantially elastically deformable. By being deformable in all three spatial directions, impacts from any spatial direction can be cushioned by the deformability of the intermediate region.

In a preferred embodiment, the cell attachment region, the intermediate region and the contact region are integrally formed. The three areas are components of the arrester and made of the same material. The arrester itself is electrically conductive. Therefore, the cell attachment portion, the intermediate portion, and the contact portion are formed of a metal piece.

In one embodiment, the intermediate region is folded. Due to the folding of the intermediate region, the arrester is extended beyond its expansion plane. As a result, a force effect on the contact region is not transmitted directly via the arrester to the cell attachment region, but is cushioned by the folding of the intermediate region in another spatial direction.

In this case, the intermediate region can have folds running essentially transversely to the direction of the guide. Such transverse folds effectively dampen force coupling between the contact region and the cell attachment region through maximum force deflection.

In one embodiment, the contact region and the cell attachment region are disposed substantially in a lead attachment plane. The guiding direction runs within the arrester attachment plane. The intermediate region is formed as a curved cylinder jacket segment. By a curved formation of the intermediate region, a good suspension of a movement of the contact region with respect to the cell attachment region is effected. In this case, the cylinder axis of the cylinder jacket segment can be arranged substantially perpendicular to the Ableiterbefestigungsebene.

In one embodiment, the intermediate region is formed accordion-like folded. In this case, the intermediate region is formed as a sequence of oppositely directed transverse folds (transversely to the guide direction). The concertina-like intermediate region is both compressible and extensible in the direction.

In one exemplary embodiment, the arrangement plane of the cell attachment region is arranged rotated between 45 ° and 135 °, in particular between 80 ° and 100 °, against the arrangement plane of the contact region. The orientation of the first and the second end of the arrester are essentially rotated at right angles to each other. The twist dampens a direct force transfer from the contact area to the cell attachment area. This embodiment may, for. B. combined with the accordion-like design of the intermediate region.

In one embodiment, the intermediate region has folds running obliquely to the direction of travel. The folds can be as diagonal folds be formed and form an angle between 20 ° and 70 °, in particular between 40 ° and 50 ° with the direction. The deformability of the intermediate region is particularly good if the intermediate region has both transverse folds and diagonal folds, in particular matched transverse and diagonal folds.

In one embodiment, the intermediate region is deformable so that a relative movement of the contact region relative to the cell attachment region by up to 50%, up to 75% or up to 100% of the distance from the cell attachment region to the contact region without material damage of the arrester. Greater relative movements of the two areas relative to one another can lead to inelastic deformations of the arrester, which reduce further deformability of the intermediate area. Within the intended relative movement, the deformability of the intermediate region is maintained.

The problem underlying the invention is further solved by an electrical memory cell with an electrical arrester according to one of claims 1 to 14. In this case, the cell attachment area of the arrester is electrically connected to the potential of the memory cell. The cell attachment area may also be materially connected to the memory cell, z. B. via a weld or solder joint.

The problem underlying the invention is further solved by an electric battery having a plurality of memory cells and an electrical contact device. In this case, the memory cells are electrically connected to a cell attachment area of a surge arrester according to one of claims 1 to 14, and the contact areas of the arresters are electrically connected to the contact device of the battery.

The battery can z. B. as a car battery, a lithium-ion battery and / or an accumulator may be formed. The battery is designed as a storage for electrical energy and can both absorb and deliver electrical energy. The individual memory cells can be designed as flat memory cells and serve to store electrical energy.

A contact device of the battery serves as electrical contacting of the memory cells with each other and z. B. be formed as part of a battery case or as a printed circuit board.

The problem underlying the invention is also solved by the use of an electrical arrester according to one of claims 1 to 14 as an electrical arrester for a memory cell.

The invention provides a high-current and high-voltage connection of memory cells with the contact device, which is characterized by an increased impact resistance.

The invention will be described in more detail by exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. Individual components of the embodiments illustrated in the figures can be transferred to other embodiments. Show it:

1A a schematic representation of a memory cell in a side view,

1B a schematic representation of in 1A shown memory cell in a front view,

2 a perspective view of a trap with an accordion-like intermediate area,

3 a perspective view of a surge arrester with an intermediate region, which has both transverse and diagonal wrinkles,

4 a perspective view of a trap with a concertina twisted trained intermediate area and

5 a perspective view of a trap with an arcuate intermediate area.

The 1A and 1B show a schematic view of a memory line 1 , The memory line 1 is formed as a flat memory cell and has substantially the shape of a rectangle.

The 1B shows a frontal view of the memory cell 1 , On one of the two shorter sides of the memory cell 1 are two arresters 10 arranged. The two arresters 10 serve as positive and negative electrical connection of the memory cell 1 (Anode and cathode).

In the 1B is the memory cell 1 represented in the plane of their maximum extent (here the x, y plane). The arresters 10 are on a bottom of the memory cell 1 formed and extend from the memory cell 1 way down in negative y direction.

The memory cell 1 can z. B. have a dimension that corresponds substantially to the A5 paper size. Other possible sizes for memory cells are z. B. ½ and ¼ A5 format.

The 1A shows the memory cell 1 in a side view in the y, z plane. In this side view is the extent of the memory cell 1 minimal, because in this view the narrow side of the memory cell 1 is shown. The memory cell 1 itself can be constructed in many layers from approximately 20 μm thin individual layers which are arranged one above the other parallel to one another and in the z-direction (not shown in the figures). The thin single layers of each memory cell are all electrically connected to the arrester 10 connected, z. B. by welding or soldering.

The two arresters 10 are in the side view of 1A arranged one behind the other so that only the flat side of one of the two arresters 10 in the 1A is shown. The arresters 10 have the shape of a flat rectangle and are electrically conductive formed of a metal. By electrical contact with the arresters 10 can the electric potential of the memory cell 1 be tapped.

The memory cell 1 can z. B. 5 mm to 4 cm, in particular 8 mm to 15 mm thick (expansion in the z-direction, the smallest extension direction perpendicular to the direction, the negative y-direction). An embodiment of the memory cell 1 has a thickness of about 11 mm.

The memory cell 1 may have an electric potential of 1V to 10V, more preferably 2V to 5V. An embodiment of the memory cell 1 has an electrical potential of about 3.7V.

The in the 1A and 1B shown shape of the arrester 10 are known. Such known arrester 10 are substantially flat and extend within a plane in the figures of the x, y plane.

The 2 to 5 each show an embodiment of a trap according to the invention 10 in a perspective view.

The arrester 10 has a first end 10a and a second end 10b on. The second end 10b lies at the first end 10a in y-direction opposite. The arrester extends from the first end 10a to the second end 10b in one direction, the negative y direction.

At the first end 10a of the arrester 10 is a cell attachment area 11 educated. The cell attachment area 11 is flat and arranged in a plane in the 2 to 5 in the x, y plane. The cell attachment area is designed and provided with a memory cell 1 (see. 1A and 1B ) to be electrically connected. The cell attachment area 11 can z. B. with a memory cell 1 welded or soldered. In this case, both an electrical connection and a mechanical connection between the arrester 10 and the memory line 1 provided.

At the second end 10b of the arrester 10 is a contact area 12 educated. The contact area 12 is also flat and in the in the 2 . 3 and 5 shown embodiments in the same plane as the cell mounting area 11 arranged, the x, y plane. In the in the 4 the embodiment shown is the flat contact area 12 substantially perpendicular to the cell attachment area 11 arranged in the y, z plane. The contact area 12 is designed and intended to be connected to a contact device (eg a printed circuit board or a battery housing). The connection of the contact area 12 with the contact device takes place both electrically and mechanically. For example, the contact area 12 of the arrester 10 screwed into the contact device, welded to it, soldered to it or clamped in the contact device.

In a built-in position, both the cell attachment area 11 as well as the contact area 12 electrically and mechanically connected. This allows an electric current from the electrical potential of the memory cell 1 over the arrester 10 flow. The current flows from the cell attachment area 11 to the contact area 12 in the direction of the negative y-direction (or can the current - depending on the potential curve - also flow in the opposite direction).

Between the cell attachment area 11 and the contact area 12 is an intermediate area 13 educated. The arrester 10 consists of a metal and is integral with the cell attachment area 11 , the intermediate area 13 and the contact area 12 shaped out.

The in the 2 to 5 shown intermediate area 13 of the arrester 10 is geometrically shaped out of the x, y plane so as to provide substantially elastic deformation upon movement of the contact area 12 relative to the cell attachment area 11 learns and absorbs the relative movement.

The arrester 10 consists of a flat metal strip. The metal strip is formed at its central region so out of its flat shape, that there the intermediate area 13 is formed. The embossing of such a bending-flexible geometry can be done in the same step as the punching of the arrester. Thus, no additional steps in the production of arresters are necessary. The production can thus be cost-efficient with the same tools as before.

The 2 shows a trap 10 with an intermediate area 13 which is accordion-like. The intermediate area 13 has a number of transverse convolutions folded in positive z-direction 15 and a number of transverse convolutions folded in the negative z-direction 15 , Overall, the intermediate area 13 as many folded in positive z-direction transverse folds 15 folded like in negative z-direction. The folding can be open at an acute angle, ie from 120 ° to 70 °, or closed, ie from 70 ° to 30 °.

The in 2 shown arrester 10 consists of a flat metal strip, which is arranged in the direction of and is arranged in the x, y plane. The metal strip is at transverse to the direction of transverse folds 15 in the intermediate area 13 folded. The transverse folds 15 are alternately in the opposite direction to each other from the arrangement plane (x, y plane) of the arrester 10 folded out.

The transverse folds 15 are regularly spaced in the direction of each other and aligned parallel to each other.

The 3 shows a trap 10 with an intermediate area 13 , the cross folds 15z . 15k and 15m and diagonal folds 16 having. The three transverse folds 15z . 15m and 15k are arranged parallel to each other in the x, y plane and folded in the same direction, in FIG 3 in the z direction. Two diagonal folds 16 are folded in the opposite direction (negative z-direction) and each extend from a lateral end of the cell attachment area 11 adjacent transverse fold 157 to a laterally opposite end of the contact area 12 adjacent transverse fold 15k , The diagonal folds 16 intersect at a point of contact B with the central transverse fold 15m , The touch point B is the midpoint of the intermediate area 13 ,

The 4 shows the arrester 10 with an accordion-like intermediate area 13 similar to that in the 2 shown embodiment. Compared to that in the 2 embodiment shown, the intermediate area 13 in the 4 shown embodiment, a larger number of transverse folds 15 on. The transverse folds 15 are alternately folded in the opposite direction. All transverse folds 15 are substantially perpendicular to the direction.

In addition to the accordion-like formation of the intermediate area 13 is the contact area 12 of the arrester 10 opposite the cell attachment area 11 twisted around a straight line, which is essentially centered in the direction along the arrester 10 runs. Overall, the contact area 12 opposite the cell attachment area 11 twisted by about 90 °.

The in the 5 shown embodiment of the arrester 10 has two transverse folds 15z and 15k on, which are arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction. The first transverse fold 15z adjoins the cell attachment area 11 at. The second transverse fold 15k adjoins the contact area 12 at.

Between the first transverse fold 15z and the second transverse fold 15k is the intermediate area 13 as an arcuate cylinder jacket segment 14 educated. The associated cylinder axis of the cylinder jacket segment 14 runs parallel to the transverse folds 15z and 15k and substantially perpendicular to the direction in the x-direction. The cylinder jacket segment 14 includes between ¼ π and 1 π of the cylinder jacket to provide sufficient deformability.

In other embodiments, the in the 2 to 5 shown geometric deformations with each other or partially combined to a sufficiently deformable intermediate area 13 provide. For example, the arc segment 14 (S. 5 ) similar to the embodiment of the 4 be formed substantially vertically rotated about a straight line, the straight line in the direction substantially centrally along the arrester 10 runs.

Also in the 2 to 5 shown different geometric deformations z. B. in the direction behind the other in the intermediate region to combine the advantageous spring effects of the individual embodiments with each other.

The coordinate system used in the figures has mutually orthogonal axes x, y and z and is to be understood by way of example. In the figures, for. For example, the y-direction may be vertical, the x-direction and the z-direction may together span one horizontal plane. Thus, the direction would be a vertical direction. Alternatively, the direction of the arrester 10 (the negative y-direction) also z. B. be formed as a horizontal or oblique direction.

In one embodiment, a battery has between 10 and 100 individual memory cells 1 to, preferably between 30 and 70, more preferably between 20 and 40 memory cells 1 ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

memory cell

10

arrester

10a

first end of the arrester

10b

second end of the arrester

11

Cell attachment area

12

contact area

13

intermediate area

14

Cylinder casing segment

15

cross fold

15k

cross fold

15m

cross fold

15z

cross fold

16

diagonal fold

B

point of contact

Claims (18)

Electrically conductive arrester ( 10 ) for an electrical storage cell with - one at a first end ( 10a ) of the arrester ( 10 ) cell attachment area ( 11 ), which is designed and provided to be electrically conductive with an electrical storage cell ( 1 ) and - one at a second end ( 10b ) of the arrester ( 10 ) trained contact area ( 12 ), which is designed and intended to be electrically conductively connected to a contact device of a battery, characterized by a between the cell attachment region ( 11 ) and the contact area ( 12 ) formed intermediate area ( 13 ) of the arrester ( 10 ), the intermediate area ( 13 ) is formed so deformable that the intermediate region ( 13 ) a relative movement between the cell attachment area ( 11 ) and the contact area ( 12 ). Arrester according to Claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate region ( 13 ) is formed substantially elastically deformable. Arrester according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate region ( 13 ) is formed in a bending-flexible geometry. Arrester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate region ( 13 ) is formed elastically deformable in a guide direction, wherein the direction of the cell attachment area ( 11 ) to the contact area ( 12 ) runs. Arrester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate region ( 13 ) is formed in all three spatial directions substantially elastically deformable. Arrester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cell attachment area ( 11 ), the intermediate area ( 13 ) and the contact area ( 12 ) are integrally formed. Arrester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate region ( 13 ) is formed folded. Arrester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate region ( 13 ) substantially transverse to the direction of folding ( 15 ; 15z . 15m . 15k ), wherein the direction of the cell attachment area ( 11 ) to the contact area ( 12 ) runs. Arrester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact region ( 12 ) and the cell attachment area ( 11 ) are arranged substantially in a arrester attachment plane, wherein the intermediate region ( 13 ) as a cylinder jacket segment ( 14 ) is trained. Arrester according to Claim 9, characterized in that the cylinder axis of the cylinder jacket segment ( 14 ) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the arrester attachment plane. Arrester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate region ( 13 ) is accordion-folded. Arrester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement plane of the cell attachment area ( 11 ) and the arrangement level of the contact area ( 12 ) are arranged rotated between 45 ° and 135 °, in particular between 80 ° and 100 ° against each other. Arrester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate region ( 13 ) obliquely to the direction of folding ( 16 ), wherein the direction of the cell attachment area ( 11 ) to the contact area ( 12 ) runs. Arrester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate region ( 13 ) is formed so deformable that a relative movement of the contact area ( 12 ) opposite the cell attachment area ( 11 ) by up to 50%, in particular by up to 75% of the distance from the cell attachment area ( 11 ) to the contact area ( 12 ), without material damage to the arrester ( 10 ) he follows. Electric storage cell with at least one electrical arrester ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cell attachment area ( 11 ) of the arrester ( 10 ) electrically connected to the potential of the memory cell ( 1 ) connected is. A memory cell according to claim 16, wherein the cell attachment area ( 11 ) cohesively with the memory cell ( 1 ) connected is. Electric battery with a plurality of memory cells ( 1 ) according to one of claims 15 or 16 and an electrical contact device, wherein the contact areas ( 12 ) of arresters ( 10 ) are electrically connected to the contact device. Use of an electrical arrester ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 14 as an electrical arrester ( 10 ) a memory cell ( 1 ).

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