DE102017112125A1 - Contacting element for a cell contacting system for an electrochemical device and method for producing a cell contacting system for an electrochemical device - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to provide a contacting element for producing an electrically conductive connection between a cell connector or a power connection of a power line system of an electrochemical device on the one hand and a signal line of a signal line system of the electrochemical device on the other hand, without additional corrosion protection, in particular without a seal of a material transfer between the contacting element and the It is proposed that the contacting element comprises a power line system side section of a first material and a signal line system side section of a second material, wherein the second material is different from the first material, and wherein the power line system side section and the signal line system side section are joined together by plating.

Description

The present invention relates to a contacting element for producing an electrically conductive connection between a cell connector or a power connection of a power line system of an electrochemical device on the one hand and a signal line of a signal line system of the electrochemical device on the other.

The signal conducting system of the electrochemical device serves to monitor the individual electrochemical cells of the electrochemical device with respect to physical quantities, such as the voltage. For this purpose, for example, potential differences between different cell connectors are measured. At the same time a potential equalization between the electrochemical cells can take place. The signal sources or measuring points are electrically conductively connected by the signal line system to a signal line connection serving as an interface to a monitoring device of the electrochemical device or to a monitoring device integrated into the electrochemical device.

In known cell contacting systems, the signal line system includes a wiring harness which serves for voltage tapping and forms an electrical connection from the cell connectors or power terminals to the signal line terminal or to the monitoring device. The cable ends of the cable harness are welded in an assembly plant with the respectively associated cell connectors or power connections, for example by an ultrasonic welding method, a resistance welding method or a laser welding method.

In order to be able to weld the cell connectors or power connections sorted with the respectively assigned cell terminals of the electrochemical cells, the cell connectors and power connections as well as the cell terminals are made of aluminum. The unmistakable welding avoids the formation of brittle intermetallic phases, which would otherwise lead to higher contact resistances in the case of current-carrying connections.

The voltage taps of the signal line system are formed of copper. Since copper in the electrochemical series is a more noble metal than aluminum, the material transition must be sealed from the copper voltage taps to the aluminum cell connectors or power connectors, for example, by applying a lacquer to prevent corrosion in the area of the material junction.

However, in particular in mass production, it is difficult to reliably and completely seal these material transition areas, which may also have undercuts. Different thermal expansion coefficients may damage the seal during operation of the electrochemical device. When using two-component sealants for sealing, there are the disadvantages of time-consuming metering, high output of the starting materials and abrasive behavior of the paint components.

The present invention has for its object to provide a contacting element of the type mentioned, which without additional corrosion protection, in particular without a seal of a material transfer between the contacting and the cell connector or power connection to be connected, gets along.

This object is achieved in a contacting element with the features of the preamble of claim 1 according to the invention that the contacting element comprises a power line side portion of a first material and a signal line system side portion of a second material, wherein the second material is different from the first material and wherein the power line system side portion and the signal line system side portion are connected to each other by plating.

The present invention is thus based on the concept of moving the material transition from the contact point between the contacting element and the cell connector or the power connection into the contacting element itself, where a material connection of a power line system side portion of the contacting of the first material and a signal line system side of the Contacting element is provided from the second material.

The first material can be chosen so that it is cohesively connectable to the material of the cell connector or the power connector without additional corrosion protection is required at the material transition between the power line system side portion of the contacting and the associated cell connector or power connector.

The power line system-side section and the signal line system-side section of the contacting element can be connected to each other in particular by roll-plating, in particular by cold-roll plating.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the first material comprises aluminum.

Preferably, the first material comprises aluminum as the main component.

The main constituent of a material is that component which has the largest mass fraction of the relevant material.

The first material may in particular be aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

A contacting element with a current-carrying-system-side section made of an aluminum-containing first material can be connected in a sorted manner with a cell connector or a power connection made of an aluminum-containing material, in particular welded.

Furthermore, it is provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention that the second material comprises copper. Copper is particularly suitable for the production of crimp connections, as they can be used in the manufacture of cable harnesses with connectors.

In particular, the second material comprises copper as the main constituent.

For example, it can be provided that the second material is copper or a copper alloy.

A contacting element with a signal line system side portion of a copper-containing second material can be sorted with a signal line made of copper, in particular by crimping fixed to the same, be.

Preferably, the signal line system side portion of the contacting element comprises a connection region, on which the contacting element is electrically conductively connected to the signal line.

Such a connection region may in particular comprise a crimping element or a crimping element preform, from which a crimping element may be formed by a crimping process.

The current-carrying-system-side section of the contacting element preferably comprises a contact region which, in the mounted state of the contacting element, bears against the respectively assigned cell connector or power connection and is electrically conductively connected thereto, in particular materially bonded.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the contacting element comprises a connection region which connects the connection region and the contact region of the contacting element and preferably a relative movement of the connection region and the contact region relative to one another, for example during operation of the electrochemical device and / or tolerance compensation the mounting of the contacting element allows.

Such a connection region is particularly flexible if it comprises one or more waves.

One or more waves of the connection region may in particular run transversely to a longitudinal direction of the contacting element.

It is preferably provided that the power line system-side section and the signal line system-side section of the contacting element are connected to one another in the connection region of the contacting element.

The contacting element according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in a cell contacting system for an electrochemical device comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells and a power line system,
wherein the Zellkontaktierungssystem comprises a signal line system with one or more signal lines for electrically conductive each connecting a signal source with a signal line terminal or with a monitoring device of Zellkontaktierungssystems and at least one inventive contacting element.

It can be provided that the Zellkontaktierungssystem comprises a carrier element, for example in the form of a carrier plate, which carries the signal line system.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the power line system is a component of the Zellkontaktierungssystems and that the support member carries the power line system.

The power line system includes one or more cell connectors for electrically connecting cell poles of various electrochemical cells.

The power line system allows a power flow to flow from and to the electrochemical cells of the electrochemical device.

A cell connector of the power line system can be any one-piece or composite, in the Operation of the electrochemical device be current-carrying element, which connects the cell poles of different electrochemical cells in an electrically conductive manner.

Such a cell connector can be formed, for example, from electrically interconnected cell terminals of the electrochemical cells.

Alternatively, it may also be provided that such a cell connector is an element provided in addition to the cell terminals of the electrochemical cells to be connected to one another, which connects the cell terminals to one another in an electrically conductive manner.

The electrochemical device is preferably designed as an accumulator, for example a lithium-ion accumulator.

The electrochemical device can in particular be designed as an energy store for a motor vehicle.

• - Herstellen eines Signalleitungssystems mit einer oder mehreren Signalleitungen zum elektrisch leitenden Verbinden jeweils einer Signalquelle mit einem Signalleitungsanschluss oder mit einer Überwachungsvorrichtung des Zellkontaktierungssystems.

The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a cell contacting system for an electrochemical device comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells and a power line system, the method comprising:

• - Producing a signal line system with one or more signal lines for electrically conductive connection of a respective signal source to a signal line connection or with a monitoring device of Zellkontaktierungssystems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a method which enables the electrically conductive connection of a signal line to a cell connector or a power connection of the power line system, without the need for additional corrosion protection, in particular in the form of a seal.

• - Herstellen mindestens eines Kontaktierungselements aus einem flächigen Ausgangsmaterial, welches einen ersten Materialabschnitt aus einem ersten Material zur Bildung eines stromleitungssystemseitigen Abschnitts des Kontaktierungselements und einen zweiten Materialabschnitt aus einem zweiten Material zur Bildung eines signalleitungssystemseitigen Abschnitts des Kontaktierungselements umfasst; und
• - Festlegen einer Signalleitung des Signalleitungssystems an dem signalleitungssystemseitigen Abschnitt des Kontaktierungselements.

This object is achieved by a method for producing a cell contacting system, comprising:

• - Producing at least one contacting element of a sheet-like starting material, which comprises a first material portion of a first material for forming a power line system side portion of the contacting element and a second material portion of a second material to form a signal line system side portion of the contacting element; and
• - Specifying a signal line of the signal line system on the signal line system side portion of the contacting element.

Particular embodiments of such a method have already been explained above in connection with particular embodiments of the contacting element according to the invention and of the cell contacting system according to the invention.

In particular, it can be provided that a contacting element preform is cut out of the flat starting material and the contacting element is formed from the contacting element preform by forming operations.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the power line system-side section of the contacting element is fixed in a material-locking manner to a cell connector or to a power connection of the power line system.

The signal line system side portion of the contacting element according to the invention can meet in particular the requirements of a crimping process.

The current-carrying-system-side section of the contacting element according to the invention can fulfill in particular the requirements for a single-type welding with a cell connector or a current connection of a power line system of an electrochemical device.

The power line system side portion of the contacting element can be connected in particular by laser welding, ultrasonic welding or resistance welding with the associated cell connector or power connector.

A sealing of the material transfer from the first material to the second material to the contacting element is not required.

The unmistakable welding of the power line-system-side section of the contacting element to the cell connector or power connection significantly reduces the scrap content, the requirement for reworking and the risk of errors in relation to a welding of different materials.

The first material of the power line system side portion of the contacting element preferably has the same hardness or a slightly higher hardness than the material of the cell connector or power connector. This will Increased wear of the tools used for welding of contacting and cell connector or power connector in relation to a welding of a harder material, such as copper, with a softer material, such as aluminum, prevented.

By using a contacting element according to the invention, the electrically conductive connection between a signal line and a cell connector or a power connection of the electrochemical device's power line system can be made without sealing a material interface between the contacting element and the cell connector or power connector, with less tool wear, smaller rejects and less rework become.

Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of an embodiment.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Kontaktierungselements zum Herstellen einer elektrisch leitenden Verbindung zwischen einem Zellverbinder oder einem Stromanschluss eines Stromleitungssystems einer elektrochemischen Vorrichtung einerseits und einer Signalleitung eines Signalleitungssystems der elektrochemischen Vorrichtung andererseits;
• 2 eine Draufsicht von oben auf das Kontaktierungselement aus 1;
• 3 einen Längsschnitt durch das Kontaktierungselement aus den 1 und 2, längs der Linie 3 - 3 in 2;
• 4 eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Bereichs I aus 3;
• 5 einen Querschnitt durch einen Anschlussbereich des Kontaktierungselements aus den 1 bis 4, längs der Linie 5 - 5 in 2;
• 6 eine Ansicht des Kontaktierungselements aus den 1 bis 5, mit der Blickrichtung in Richtung des Pfeiles 6 in 2;
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung eines Herstellungsverfahrens des Kontaktierungselements aus den 1 bis 6, bei welchem solche Kontaktierungselemente aus einem flächigen Ausgangsmaterial herausgetrennt und umgeformt werden;
• 8 eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Bereichs II aus 7;
• 9 eine Draufsicht auf eine aus dem flächigen Ausgangsmaterial herausgetrennte Kontaktierungselement-Vorform;
• 10 einen Längsschnitt durch die Kontaktierungselement-Vorform aus 9, längs der Linie 10 - 10 in 9;
• 11 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Trägerelements eines Zellkontaktierungssystems für eine elektrochemische Vorrichtung, insbesondere ein Akkumulatormodul, eines an dem Trägerelement gehaltenen Stromleitungssystems, eines an dem Trägerelement gehaltenen Signalleitungssystems und mehrerer Ausführungsformen von Kontaktierungselementen zum Herstellen einer elektrisch leitenden Verbindung zwischen einem Zellverbinder oder einem Stromanschluss des Stromleitungssystems einerseits und einer Signalleitung des Signalleitungssystems andererseits;
• 12 eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Bereichs III aus 11;
• 13 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer elektrochemischen Vorrichtung mit einem Gehäuse und mehreren darin angeordneten elektrochemischen Zellen, wobei das in 11 dargestellte Zellkontaktierungssystem auf das Gehäuse aufsetzbar und mit Zellterminals der elektrochemischen Zellen elektrisch leitend verbindbar ist; und
• 14 eine Draufsicht von oben auf das Zellkontaktierungssystem aus 11, nachdem ein Abdeckelement auf das Trägerelement aufgesetzt worden ist.

In the drawings show:

• 1 a perspective view of a contacting element for producing an electrically conductive connection between a cell connector or a power connector of a power line system of an electrochemical device on the one hand and a signal line of a signal line system of the electrochemical device on the other;
• 2 a plan view from above of the contacting element 1 ;
• 3 a longitudinal section through the contacting of the 1 and 2 , along the line 3 - 3 in 2 ;
• 4 an enlarged view of the area I from 3 ;
• 5 a cross section through a connection region of the contacting of the 1 to 4 , along the line 5 - 5 in 2 ;
• 6 a view of the contacting of the 1 to 5 , with the line of sight in the direction of the arrow 6 in 2 ;
• 7 a schematic representation of a manufacturing method of the contacting of the 1 to 6 in which such contacting elements are separated out from a flat starting material and reshaped;
• 8th an enlarged view of the area II out 7 ;
• 9 a plan view of a separate from the sheet-like starting material Kontaktierungselement preform;
• 10 a longitudinal section through the contacting element preform 9 , along the line 10 - 10 in 9 ;
• 11 a perspective view of a support member of a Zellkontaktierungssystems for an electrochemical device, in particular an accumulator module, held on the support member power line system, held on the support member signal line system and several embodiments of contacting elements for making an electrically conductive connection between a cell connector or a power connector of the power line system on the one hand and a signal line of the signal line system, on the other hand;
• 12 an enlarged view of the area III out 11 ;
• 13 a perspective view of an electrochemical device with a housing and a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged therein, wherein the in 11 shown Zellkontaktierungssystem can be placed on the housing and electrically connected to cell terminals of the electrochemical cells; and
• 14 a top view of the Zellkontaktierungssystem from 11 After a cover has been placed on the support member.

Identical or functionally equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in all figures.

One in the 11 to 14 shown, as a whole with 100 designated Zellkontaktierungssystem comprises a carrier element 102 at which a power line system 104 and a signal line system 106 are held, and one in 14 shown, on the support element 102 attachable cover 108 ,

The carrier element 102 is on a (in 13 shown) housing 110 an electrochemical device 112 , For example, an accumulator module, with multiple electrochemical cells 114 , in particular accumulator cells, can be placed and closes in the assembled state of the electrochemical device 112 an upper housing opening through which cell terminals 116 the electrochemical cells 114 the electrochemical device 112 protrude.

The carrier element 102 can, for example, in the form of a preferably substantially rectangular support plate 118 be educated.

The carrier element 102 is with a plurality of passage openings 120 provided, each passage opening 120 on the one hand in each case a contact area 122 a cell connector 124 or a power connection 126 and on the other hand in each case a cell terminal 116 the electrochemical cells 114 the electrochemical device 112 is assigned, so that through such a passage opening 120 one cell terminal each 116 with an associated contact area 122 a cell connector 124 or a power connection 126 is connectable.

The cell connectors 124 So are in addition to the cell terminals 116 provided, the cell terminals 116 and thus the cell poles of the electrochemical cells 114 formed electrically conductive interconnecting elements.

Alternatively, it could also be provided that the cell terminals 116 are designed and fixed directly to each other so that they are the cell poles of the respective electrochemical cells 114 electrically conductively connect to each other and thus themselves (in particular in pairs) a cell connector 124 form.

In this case, for example, a cell terminal 116 through the passage opening 120 extend therethrough to contact a contact area 122 a cell connector 124 or a power connection 126 get.

Alternatively, there may be a contact area 122 a cell connector 124 or a power connection 126 through the respective associated passage opening 120 extend therethrough to contact the respective associated cell terminal 116 get.

Furthermore, it is also conceivable that both the cell terminal 116 as well as the contact area 122 of the cell connector 124 or the power connection 126 both in the passage opening 120 extend into it and are connected there.

How out 11 can be seen, the passage openings 120 the carrier element 102 in several rows 128 be arranged, with the rows 128 For example, in a longitudinal direction 130 the carrier element 102 extend.

This longitudinal direction 130 the carrier element 102 is also referred to below as the X direction of the cell contacting system 100 designated.

The passages 120 may in particular be substantially rectangular, in particular with rounded corner areas; but in principle are other forms of openings 120 , in particular circular, oval, square or polygonal passage openings 120 , possible.

At the assembled state of the Zellkontaktierungssystems 100 the electrochemical cells 114 facing away from the top of the support element 102 is the cover element 108 arranged, which for covering the power line system 104 and the signal line system 106 serves.

The cover element 108 is for example in the form of a substantially rectangular cover plate 132 educated.

The cover element 108 and / or the carrier element 102 preferably comprises a thermoplastic material, for example polypropylene.

Preferably, the cover is 108 and / or the carrier element 102 essentially completely formed of a thermoplastic material, for example of polypropylene.

How out 14 can be seen, is the cover 108 further preferably with a circumferential along an outer edge, in the mounted state of Zellkontaktierungssystems 100 to the carrier element 102 towards the protruding edge area 134 Mistake.

The border area 134 of the cover 108 can of two passageways 136 be interrupted, which from the edge of the cover 108 in the X direction, for example 130 forward or backward, projecting and may have, for example, a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

How out 11 can be seen, is also the support element 102 preferably with a circumferential along an outer edge, in the assembled state of Zellkontaktierungssystems 100 to the cover 108 towards the protruding edge area 138 Mistake.

Also the border area 138 the carrier element 102 can of two passageways 140 be interrupted, which from the edge of the support element 102 , preferably in the X direction 130 forward or backward, projecting and may have, for example, a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

The passageways 140 the carrier element 102 and the passageways 136 of cover 108 are at mutually corresponding locations of the respective edge areas 138 respectively 134 arranged and facing each other with their open sides, so that the passageways 140 . 136 together one passageway each 142 form, which for receiving in each case one of the power connections 126 of the cell contacting system 100 serves.

The power connections 126 and the cell connectors 124 , by means of which the cell terminals 116 each two adjacent electrochemical cells 114 are electrically conductively connected to each other with different polarity, together form the power line system 104 of the cell contacting system 100 ,

The power line system 104 serves to conduct a current between the electrochemical cells 114 the electrochemical device 112 and to or from the power outlets 126 of the cell contacting system 100 to enable.

Through this power line system 104 For example, the electrochemical cells 114 the electrochemical device 112 electrically connected in series. In principle, a parallel connection of electrochemical cells is also possible 114 the electrochemical device 112 possible.

Each cell connector connects 124 a first cell terminal 116a negative polarity of a first electrochemical cell 114a with a second cell terminal 116b positive polarity of an adjacent second electrochemical cell 114b (please refer 13 ).

One cell terminal each 116c the electrochemical cell forming the beginning of the cell series connection of the electrochemical device 114c and a cell terminal 116d the end of the cell series connection forming electrochemical cell 114d are electrically conductive with one of the electrically conductive power connections 126 of the cell contacting system 100 connected.

Several electrochemical devices 112 each with a Zellkontaktierungssystem 100 are preferably electrically connected in series.

Such a series connection can be produced in particular by virtue of a current connection 126 a first electrochemical device 112 by means of a (not shown) module connector electrically conductive with an electrical power connection 126 (opposite polarity) of a second electrochemical device 112 is connected.

To the cover 108 detachable on the carrier element 102 to be able to set, is preferably a locking device 144 provided, which one or more on the cover 108 provided latching elements 146 and one or more on the support element 102 provided latching elements 148 includes.

The cover element-side locking elements 146 and the carrier element-side locking elements 148 are at mutually corresponding points of the edge area 134 of the cover 108 or the edge area 138 the carrier element 102 arranged and lock together when the cover 108 on the carrier element 102 is placed so that the cover 108 by means of the locking device 144 detachable on the carrier element 102 is held.

The carrier element 102 is at its edge area 138 preferably with a connection recess 150 provided by which a signal line tree 152 from a plurality of signal lines 154 connected to a signal line connection 156 are connected, from one of the support element 102 and the cover member 108 surrounded interior 158 of the cell contacting system 100 led out.

In the outer space of the Zellkontaktierungssystems 100 is the signal line connection 156 for contacting with a signal line connection 156 complementary signal line element accessible.

The signal line connection 156 may be formed, for example, as a signal line connector.

In this case, this is complementary to the signal line connection 156 formed signal line element preferably formed as a signal line socket.

The signal line connection 156 serves to connect the on the support element 102 arranged signal line system 106 to a monitoring device (not shown) of the electrochemical device 112 via a (not shown), preferably multi-pole, connecting line.

The signal line system 106 Used to connect one or more voltage taps 160 on each cell connector 124 or electricity connection 126 and / or one or more temperature sensors 162 of the cell contacting system 100 with the signal line connection 156 ,

The signal line system 106 includes the signal lines 154 , which each have a signal source 164 electrically conductive with the signal line connection 156 (or directly with a monitoring device of the Zellkontaktierungssystems 100 ) connect.

Each of the contact areas 122 the cell connector 124 and every power connection 126 is each a cell terminal 116 the electrochemical device 112 assigned and in the assembled state of the electrochemical device 112 electrically conductive, preferably cohesively, with the respective associated cell terminal 116 connected.

In the series connection shown here, each cell connector comprises 124 two contact areas 122 for electrically contacting each cell terminal 116 and one the two contact areas 122 interconnecting compensation area 166 ,

In a parallel connection, each cell connector 124 also more than two contact areas 122 for electrically contacting each cell terminal 116 include.

The compensation area 166 is preferably elastically and / or plastically deformable to a relative movement of the two contact areas 122 of the cell connector 124 relative to each other during operation of the electrochemical device 112 and / or tolerance compensation during assembly of Zellkontaktierungssystems 100 to enable.

For this purpose, the compensation range 166 in particular one or more transverse to a connecting direction, which is a center of the first contact area 122a with a center of the second contact area 122b of the cell connector 124 interconnecting, extending compensation waves 168 exhibit.

Every contact area 122 a cell connector 124 or a power connection 126 can by means of one positioning hole 170 on a respectively assigned positioning pin 172 the carrier element 102 be positioned.

In this case preferably passes through the positioning pin 172 the carrier element 102 the associated positioning hole 170 of the cell connector 124 or the power connection 126 ,

The carrier element 102 and / or the cover member 108 preferably comprises an electrically nonconductive plastic material, for example PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), PA (polyamide), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) and / or LCP ("liquid crystal polymer"), and is preferably substantially all of one formed of such plastic material.

A particularly suitable material for the carrier element 102 is a talc-reinforced polypropylene material (for example, the material called PPT TV 20 ). This material has by the talcum reinforcement on a particularly high dimensional stability.

At least one signal line 154 of the signal line system 106 is electrically conductive with a contacting element 174 connected, which on the one hand to the relevant signal line 154 and on the other hand on a cell connector 124 or at a power connection 126 of the power line system 104 is fixed.

Each contacting element 174 can with a respective associated carrier element-side positioning 176 be connected, in such a way that the contacting element 174 through the positioning element 176 in a desired position relative to a cell connector 124 or a power connection 126 of the power line system 104 is held.

It is due to the interaction of the carrier element-side positioning 176 and the contacting element 174 preferably only the position of the contacting element 174 along the X direction 130 and along a Y direction 178 set, with the Y direction 178 perpendicular to the X direction 130 of the cell contacting system 100 and preferably substantially parallel to a major surface 180 the carrier element 102 is aligned so that the cell connectors 124 and the power connections 126 of the cell contacting system 100 in the from the X direction 130 and the Y direction 178 spanned level side by side on the support element 102 are arranged.

At least one contact area 182 of the contacting element 174 in the assembled state of the cell contacting system 100 at the respectively assigned cell connector 124 or electricity connection 126 is present and with the same electrically conductive, preferably cohesively connected, but is preferably relative to the carrier element side positioning 176 along a Z-direction 184 movable, while the carrier element-side positioning element 176 the position of the contacting element 174 in the from the X direction 130 and the Y direction 178 defined level. Here is the Z direction 184 perpendicular to the X direction 130 and perpendicular to the Y direction 178 aligned.

Preferably, the Z direction 184 of the cell contacting system 100 aligned substantially parallel to the direction along which the cell terminals 116 the electrochemical cells 114 protrude from the respective cell housing (see 13 ).

A possible embodiment of a contacting element 174 is in the 1 to 6 shown in detail.

The contacting element 174 includes a power line system side section 186 of an electrically conductive first material and a signal line system side section 188 made of an electrically conductive second material.

The first material and the second material are different from each other.

It is preferably provided that the first material, from which the power line system side section 186 is formed, as the main component includes aluminum, and / or that the second material from which the signal line system side section 188 is formed, as a main component comprises copper.

The signal line system side section 186 includes in particular the contact area 182 of the contacting element 174 , which in the mounted state of Zellkontaktierungssystems 100 at the respectively assigned cell connector 124 or electricity connection 126 is present and with the same electrically conductive, preferably cohesively connected.

The signal line system side section 188 includes in particular a connection area 190 at which the contacting element 174 electrically conductive with the respective associated signal line 154 is connectable.

Furthermore, the contacting element comprises 174 one the connection area 190 with the contact area 182 connecting connection area 192 which has a plating section 194 includes, in which the power line system side section 186 and the signal line system side section 188 of the contacting element 174 by plating, in particular by roll-plating (see in particular 4 ).

It is preferably provided that in the plating section 194 the material thickness D ₁ of the power line system side section 186 from the first material of the total material thickness D of the plating section 194 at the contact area 182 facing the end of the Plattierabschnitts 194 , to zero, at the contact area 182 opposite end of the Plattierabschnitts 194 , decreases.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the material thickness D ₂ the signal line system side section 188 from the second material of the total material thickness D of the plating section 194 at the contact area 182 opposite end of the Plattierabschnitts 194 , to zero, at the contact area 182 facing the end of the Plattierabschnitts 194 , decreases.

It is particularly preferred if the sum of the material thickness D ₁ of the power line system side section 186 from the first material and the material thickness D ₂ the signal line system side section 188 from the second material over the plating section 194 is substantially constant.

The contact area 182 of the contacting element 174 For example, by welding, in particular ultrasonic welding, laser welding or resistance welding, or by soldering to the associated cell connector 124 or electricity connection 126 established.

The material of the cell connector 124 or the power connection 126 preferably comprises aluminum, in particular aluminum as the main component.

The connection area 192 may in particular as a deformation area 196 be formed, which serves to a relative movement of the contact area 182 and the connection area 190 relative to each other during operation of the electrochemical device 112 and / or tolerance compensation during assembly of Zellkontaktierungssystems 100 to enable.

For this purpose, the deformation range 196 in particular one or more transverse to a longitudinal direction 198 of the contacting element 174 running waves 200 exhibit.

Such a wave 200 allows flexibility of the contacting element 174 in the Z direction 184 ,

A particularly good flexibility of the deformation range 196 is achieved when the material thickness of the contacting element 174 in the deformation area 196 , especially preferred throughout the body 202 of the contacting element 174 , which from the power line system side section 186 and the signal line system side section 188 is at most about 0.6 mm, in particular at most about 0.3 mm.

The connection area 192 of the contacting element 174 In this embodiment, for example, has a substantially U-shaped (in the longitudinal direction 198 taken) cross section (see 3 ), with a contact area side leg 204 , a terminal area side leg 206 and one the two thighs 204 and 206 interconnecting bridge 208 ,

How out 12 can be seen, in this embodiment comprises the carrier element-side positioning 176 two positioning projections 210 attached to their respective associated cell connector 124 or electricity connection 126 facing front, each with a in the Z direction 184 extending guide rail 212 are provided.

The guide rails 212 pointing in a transverse direction 214 of the contacting element 174 a distance G from each other, which is substantially the width B of the contact area side leg 204 of the connection area 192 of the contacting element 174 corresponds, so that the contacting element 174 by the carrier element-side positioning element 176 in the transverse direction 214 positioned in the desired manner and in the direction of the longitudinal direction 198 and the transverse direction 214 vertical height direction 216 slidably guided.

The carrier element-side positioning 176 , including the positioning projections 210 is preferably integral with the carrier element 102 educated.

In particular, it can be provided that the carrier element 102 including the carrier element side positioning 176 produced by an injection molding process.

The connection area 190 of the contacting element 174 serves to the contacting element 174 at the respectively assigned signal line 154 set.

The signal line 154 preferably comprises a plurality of individual conductors or strands formed by an insulating jacket or sheath 218 are surrounded by an electrically insulating material.

In a stripped end portion of the signal line 154 is this electrically insulating cladding 218 removed, leaving an electrically conductive connection between the individual conductors of the signal line 154 and the contacting element 174 can be produced.

In this case, the contacting element 174 in principle, for example, by welding, in particular by ultrasonic welding, laser welding or resistance welding, by soldering, by crimping and / or by riveting on the associated signal line 154 be set.

In the illustrated embodiment, the end portion of the signal line 154 crimping by means of a at the connection area 190 of the contacting element 174 provided crimping element 220 electrically conductive with the contacting element 174 connected.

It can also be provided that the end sections of a plurality of signal lines 154 electrically conductive with the contacting element 174 get connected.

In case of crimping, in this case, the end portions of plural signal lines become 154 inserted in the crimp, by the crimping element 220 of the contacting element 174 is formed.

This in 12 illustrated crimping element 220 becomes a crimper preform during crimping 220 ' formed in the 1 to 3 . 5 and 6 is shown.

As best of the cross section of 5 As can be seen, includes the crimping element preform 220 ' two thighs 222 , which are inclined at an angle α against each other and by a in the longitudinal direction 198 of the contacting element 174 extending footbridge 224 connected to each other.

The angle α is preferably greater than about 20 ° and / or preferably less than about 45 °. The angle α may be about 30 °, for example.

The bridge 224 remote free ends of the legs 222 can each with a chamfer 226 be provided.

How best of the 1 to 3 can be seen, the crimping element preform 220 ' or the crimping element formed therefrom 220 on its inside with one or more grooves 228 be provided.

Preferably, a plurality of grooves 228 provided, in particular at least three grooves 228 , more preferably at least four grooves 228 which are in the longitudinal direction 198 of the contacting element 174 spaced apart and preferably in the transverse direction 214 and in the height direction 216 of the contacting element 174 extend.

Through the grooves 228 is the adhesion of the end portions of the individual conductors of the signal line 154 on the crimping element 220 elevated.

The grooves 228 can in particular by embossing in the starting material of the contacting element 174 be generated.

Several contacting elements 174 in the 1 to 6 The type shown are preferably cut out of a sheet-like starting material, for example punched or cut out.

A suitable starting material 229 is in 7 and is preferably formed as a band-shaped hybrid material, which has a first material portion 230 from the first material to form the power line system side section 186 of the contacting element 174 and a second piece of material 232 from the second material to form the signal line system side section 188 of the contacting element 174 includes.

Here are the first section of material 230 and the second material section 232 preferably as in the later transverse direction 214 the contacting elements 174 extending material strips formed in the Plattierabschnitt 194 overlap each other and by plating, preferably by roll cladding, in particular by cold roll cladding, are materially interconnected.

The flat source material 229 may in particular to a roll of material or coil 234 rolled up and stored and / or transported in this form.

From the coil 234 becomes the planar starting material 229 for creating the contacting elements 174 withdrawn and supplied, for example, a progressive compound tool.

The progressive compound tool preferably comprises a punching station, at least one forming station and a separating station.

In the punching station is from the supplied flat starting material 229 a contacting element preform 174 ' with the in 9 illustrated outer contour 236 separated out.

It can be provided that in the longitudinal direction of the starting material successive contacting element preforms 174 ' initially still connected to each other, for example along the outer edges 238 the crimping element preforms 220 ' , from which later the crimping elements 220 the contacting elements 174 be formed.

In one or more forming stations of the progressive tool, the connection areas become 192 the contacting element preforms 174 ' deformed so that they are the shape of the connecting areas 192 in the finished contacting elements 174 match, as in 7 is shown.

In the separation station of the progressive tool, the contacting elements which follow each other in the longitudinal direction of the starting material become 174 along the outer edges 238 the crimping element preforms 220 ' separated from each other, for example by means of a punching tool.

Subsequently, the connection areas 190 the contacting elements 174 reshaped so that the crimping element preforms 220 ' in the 1 to 3 . 5 and 6 obtained form shown.

In 11 are next to the one in the 1 to 6 shown in detail embodiment of a contacting element 174 and a same associated carrier element-side positioning 176 still further embodiments of such contacting elements 174 and positioning elements 176 , the other cell connectors 124 or power connections 126 are assigned shown.

This illustration of different embodiments of contacting elements 174 and carrier element-side positioning elements 176 in the same cell contacting system 100 but only for explanatory purposes.

In principle, it is also possible, all these contacting elements 174 or positioning elements 176 essentially identical to each other.

In addition, any number of copies of any embodiment of the contacting elements 174 and the positioning elements 176 in a cell contacting system 100 with any number of any other embodiments of such contacting elements 174 or positioning elements 176 be combined.

The cell contacting system described above 100 is preferably as a separate assembly of the electrochemical device 112 completely pre-assembled.

In this pre-assembly, the components of the power line system 104 , in particular the cell connectors 124 and the power connections 126 , as well as one or more temperature sensors 162 with connection elements, for example with connecting wires, on the support element 102 positioned.

The signal lines 154 on the one hand with the signal line connection 156 and, on the other hand, at its signal line terminal 156 remote end portions, with the respective associated contacting element 174 connected, in particular by crimping, wherein the stripped end portions of the signal lines 154 into the crimping element preforms 220 ' the contacting elements 174 and the crimping element preforms 220 ' the contacting elements 174 in the crimping elements 220 , which are the end regions of the individual conductors of the signal lines 154 hold on by adhesion and / or by form fit, be reshaped.

Subsequently, the signal lines 154 of the signal line system 106 so on the carrier element 102 arranged that the contacting elements 174 in the desired position on the respective carrier element-side positioning element 176 be arranged and optionally set to it, for example by locking.

Subsequently, the contact areas 182 the contacting elements 174 , which in a desired manner relative to the respective associated cell connector 124 or electricity connection 126 are positioned with the respective cell connector 124 or electricity connection 126 connected electrically conductive, preferably by material bond, in particular by soldering or by welding, for example by ultrasonic welding, resistance welding or laser welding.

Thus, all are for contacting the electrochemical cells 114 the electrochemical device 112 required components in a unit manageable assembly, namely in the Zellkontaktierungssystem 100 , already summarized in the required relative positioning.

The carrier element 102 with the power line system 104 and the signal line system 106 becomes during assembly of the electrochemical device 112 on the case 110 placed in which the electrochemical cells 114 are arranged, and with the housing opening surrounding the edge of the housing 110 connected.

Subsequently, the cell connectors 124 and the power connections 126 electrically conductive with the respective associated cell terminals 116 the electrochemical device 112 contacted, for example by material bond, in particular by welding, and / or by positive engagement.

After contacting between the power line system 104 and the cell terminals 116 the electrochemical cells 114 the electrochemical device 112 becomes the cover element 108 on the carrier element 102 fitted and connected to the same, in particular by locking, so that the cover 108 the power line system 104 and the signal line system 106 of the cell contacting system 100 covers and protects against accidental contact.

This will damage the power line system 104 and the signal line system 106 during transport and assembly of the electrochemical device 112 prevented.

The fully assembled electrochemical device 112 can work with several other electrochemical devices 112 , in particular accumulator modules, are combined to form an electrochemical device group, wherein in particular different electrochemical devices 112 by means of module connectors (not shown) connecting the power connections 126 various electrochemical devices 112 connect together, can be interconnected.

Claims (15)

Contacting element for establishing an electrically conductive connection between a cell connector (124) or a power connection (126) of a power line system (104) of an electrochemical device (112) on the one hand and a signal line (154) of a signal line system (106) of the electrochemical device (112) on the other hand, characterized in that the contacting element (174) comprises a power line system side portion (186) of a first material and a signal line system side portion (188) of a second material, the second material being different from the first material, and wherein the power line system side portion (186) and the signal line system side portion (188) are connected to each other by plating. Contacting element according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the first material comprises aluminum. Contacting element according to one of Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the second material comprises copper. Contacting element according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the Signal line system-side section (188) comprises a connection region (190) on which the contacting element (174) is electrically conductively connected to the signal line (154). Contacting element according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the terminal region (190) comprises a crimping element (220) or a crimping element preform (220 '). Contacting element according to one of Claims 4 or 5 , characterized in that the power line system side portion (186) comprises a contact region (182), which in the assembled state of the contacting element (174) against the respectively associated cell connector (124) or power connection (126) and is electrically connected to the same. Contacting element according to Claim 6 Characterized in that the contacting element (174) comprises a connecting portion (192) surrounding the connection region (190) and the contact region (182) of the contacting element (174) to one another and preferably a relative movement of the connection region (190) and the contact region (182 ) relative to each other. Contacting element according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the connection region (192) comprises one or more shafts (200). Contacting element according to one of Claims 7 or 8th , characterized in that the power line system side portion (186) and the signal line system side portion (188) in the connection region (192) of the contacting element (174) are interconnected. A cell contacting system for an electrochemical device (112) comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells (114) and a power line system (104), the cell contacting system (100) comprising a signal line system (106) having one or more signal lines (154) for electrically connecting each of a signal source (164) with a signal line connection (156) or with a monitoring device of the Zellkontaktierungssystems (100) and at least one contacting element (174) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 includes. Zellkontaktierungssystem after Claim 10 , characterized in that the Zellkontaktierungssystem (100) comprises a carrier element (102) which carries the signal line system (106). Zellkontaktierungssystem after Claim 11 , characterized in that the power line system (104) is a component of the Zellkontaktierungssystems (100) and the carrier element (102) carries the power line system (104). A method of making a cell contacting system (100) for an electrochemical device (112) comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells (114) and a power line system (104), comprising: - establishing a signal line system (106) with one or more signal lines (154) for electrically connecting each of a signal source (164) to a signal line terminal (156) or to a monitoring device of the cell contacting system (100); - Producing at least one contacting element (174) of a sheet-like starting material having a first material portion (230) of a first material for forming a power line side portion (186) of the contacting element (174) and a second material portion (232) of a second material for forming a signal line system side portion (188) of the contacting element (174) comprises; - Establishing a signal line (154) of the signal line system (106) on the signal line system side portion (188) of the contacting element (174). Method according to Claim 13 , characterized in that a contacting element preform (174 ') from the sheet-like starting material (229) separated out and from the contacting element preform (174') by forming operations, the contacting element (174) is formed. Method according to one of Claims 13 or 14 , characterized in that the power line system side portion (186) of the contacting element (174) is firmly bonded to a cell connector (124) or to a power connector (126) of the power line system (104).

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