DE102018204360A1 - Electric storage and method for producing an electrical storage - Google Patents

Abstract

Electrical memory, comprising at least one terminal pole, wherein the terminal pole is arranged via an insert part in a passage of a housing of the memory, and wherein the insert member is injection molded by means of an injection molding method to the terminal pole and thermally joined to the housing.

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical memory, in particular a lithium-ion battery, and a method for producing an electrical memory.

The memory of the type in question is in particular a lithium-ion battery as it is used more and more in motor vehicles. These batteries or accumulators have, for example, a prismatic metal housing in which a plurality of individual cells is arranged. The housing has one or more pole or electrode feedthroughs, which serve the connection or the interconnection. From the DE 10 2015 221 555 A1 In this context, a battery with a metallic housing is known, which has a housing outer wall with an opening or an opening. An electrically conductive pole bolt has a shaft which is guided through the opening. An electrically insulating support element and at least one sealing element in their combination form a sealing system for the terminal leadthrough. Emphasized in this context, in particular the good sealing effect of such an arrangement. However, the proposed configuration requires the use of many items and seems already for this reason consuming in the production. In addition, the assembly effort is high and error prone in the sequence.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electrical memory and a method for producing an electrical memory, which are characterized in particular by a low complexity and thereby meet the highest requirements in terms of insulation and tightness.

This object is achieved by an electrical memory according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 11. Further advantages and features will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description and the accompanying figures.

According to the invention, an electrical memory comprises at least one terminal pole, wherein the terminal pole is arranged above or by means of an insert part in and / or at a passage of a housing of the memory, and wherein the insert part is injected by means of an injection molding process to the terminal pole and thermally joined to the housing. The passage is, for example, an opening or an aperture in a housing or a housing outer wall of the memory, in particular, for example, in a housing cover of the electrical memory. In this, the insert can be used or plugged in with advantage simple and straightforward. The (final) attachment to the housing, for example, on the housing cover, then takes place with advantage by the entry of heat, for example, on the housing and / or the insert part. Conveniently, the housing and the insert are so form-locking or positive and / or cohesively connected. An excellent sealing effect is the result. One major advantage, which also leads to a reduction in the complexity of the entire arrangement, is, inter alia, that the insert is not manufactured as a separate component, but this is injected directly to the terminal pole (on). For this purpose, for example, the terminal pole is inserted in a suitably designed injection molding tool (and then encapsulated). When arranging the insert part, the connection pole is then virtually automatically mounted, without further process steps being necessary. Due to the direct injection of the terminal pole further no additional sealing elements or the like are necessary. In addition, the insert part can be adapted to virtually any geometry of the terminal pole. Between the terminal pole and the insert part, a corresponding structure or the like may be provided in order to improve an interlocking positive engagement. By the introduction of heat, a form and / or material connection can also be provided in addition, which among other things can benefit the life of the entire arrangement.

According to a preferred embodiment, the insert part has a support section, which comprises a support surface, which is joined to an inner side or to an outer side of the housing. An arrangement on the inside is particularly advantageous because a pressure inside the housing leads to a reinforced seal through the insert part and is thus in no way harmful. In other words, the insert can be supported on the inside of the housing via its support surface, whereby the sealing effect is even increased. An arrangement on the outside can be advantageous for reasons of space.

According to one embodiment, the inside or the outside of the housing is structured for connection to the support surface, according to a preferred embodiment for example by means of a laser, whereby a structural region is formed. By means of laser structuring, defined surface structures can be created which are suitable for increasing adhesion for thermal joining. In addition, soiling such as oils and greases can be removed. Due to the high temperatures during laser structuring, oxide layers can advantageously be produced, which contribute significantly to improving the connection. The housing is in particular structured in a region corresponding to the support surface of the insert part. Also, the aforementioned opening or opening can be structured, so that the insert is also optimally positive or possibly also materially connected to the housing in the radial direction. According to one embodiment, the structure comprises grooves, holes, punctiform depressions, undercuts, etc. As already indicated, according to one embodiment, the terminal pole may also comprise a structural region. The aforementioned advantages apply accordingly.

According to one embodiment, a material of the insert part is a plastic. According to various embodiments, this may be a thermoplastic or a thermoplastic elastomer. Advantageously, therefore, between the insert part and the housing, which consists for example of an aluminum material or an aluminum alloy, a hybrid material connection can be created. At this point it should be mentioned that the thermal joining according to one embodiment takes place under pressurization. In particular, in particular in the area of the support surface, for example, a joint pressure acts simultaneously with the heat input.

According to one embodiment, the insert part has a shank portion which projects through the passage. If the support surface on the inside of the housing, the shaft portion expediently projects beyond the housing to the outside, otherwise to the inside. Advantageously, the insert part does not end within the opening or the opening, but passes through it and even projects beyond the housing to the outside or possibly to the inside. According to one embodiment, the insert also terminates flush with the housing, while penetrating the opening or opening but completely. Through the complete protrusion of the opening, a very stable arrangement is created, which also gives the highest stability by the all-round or overlapping form-fitting. In addition, by the full concern within and along the opening an excellent sealing as well as insulating effect can be ensured.

According to one embodiment, the support portion extends in a flange or radially away from the shaft portion. The insert part therefore has an approximately T-shaped configuration according to a preferred embodiment. A cross section of the insert part may be round, for example circular, but also angular, in particular polygonal, executed. The injection molding allows a very high freedom of design at this point.

According to one embodiment, the connection pole has a connection point to which a line element is fastened, wherein the connection point is embedded in the insert part. In other words, the insert part advantageously surrounds the connection point completely, as a result of which it is optimally protected and additionally stabilized. According to one embodiment, the connection point is formed or realized in a materially bonded manner, for example by means of a laser welding process.

According to a preferred embodiment, the electrical storage is a lithium-ion cell or a / n lithium-ion battery / rechargeable battery, wherein the line element is an arrester, which with the corresponding electrode or generally the cell winding of the Memory is electrically connected. Preferably, the memory is a prismatic cell, according to the VDA standard. Instead of the term terminal pole, the term terminal or even "pole" is used in this context. According to a preferred embodiment, the terminal pole in question is the anode contact of the memory. This is according to a preferred embodiment of copper or copper and aluminum (because of better weldability). According to a preferred embodiment, the terminal pole is formed as a roll-clad aluminum-copper disc, which is connected by means of the aforementioned laser welding process with the corresponding arrester. The aforementioned material combination may alternatively also z. B. be realized by means of friction welding. The arrester on the anode side is made of copper. Typically, a second terminal pole is provided, which provides the cathode contact. This is likewise connected to the cell winding via a line element or an arrester, the arrester and the terminal on the cathode side being made of aluminum. According to one embodiment, the cathode contacting and the electrode contacting of the cathode are joined to the housing cover by means of a laser welding process. According to one embodiment, an insert part is (also) used on the cathode side. According to one embodiment, the terminal pole is thus the cathode contact of the memory. The basic structure corresponds to that on the anode side, only with the materials used there may be differences. For example, the terminal pole and arrester are made of aluminum. According to one embodiment, the memory comprises two terminal poles, wherein both terminal poles are respectively arranged via insert parts in the corresponding openings of a housing of the memory, and wherein the insert parts are injection-molded by injection molding to the terminal poles and thermally joined to the housing.

The housing cover or the entire housing are preferably made of aluminum. It has been found that by thermal joining of the insert to the aluminum housing an age-resistant compound can be created, which would not be possible between copper and plastic. In this respect, it is particularly advantageous that the arrester, at least partially encapsulated for molding of the insert part and is then joined to the housing.

According to one embodiment, the conduit element, in particular therefore the arrester or the conduit element, projects through the passage or the opening of the housing. Advantageously, the insert is provided in this area, so that the line element is advantageously supported by the insert.

Conveniently, the shank portion surrounds the conduit element at least in sections. In this way, a support effect can be achieved, which can be particularly advantageous in the case of the vibrations occurring during vehicle operation. The joint is also well protected because it is also embedded in the insert. Appropriately, the arrester is attached to the terminal pole, inserted into a corresponding injection molding tool and then encapsulated. The entire arrangement can be handled easily and used as a whole in the housing or in the housing cover.

• - Bereitstellen eines Anschlusspols sowie eines Gehäuses;
• - Bereichsweise Umspritzen des Anschlusspols und Formen eines Einsatzteils;
• - Thermisches Fügen des Einsatzteils an das Gehäuse.

Die im Zusammenhang mit dem elektrischen Speicher erwähnten Vorteile und Merkmale ergeben sich analog und entsprechend für das Verfahren sowie umgekehrt und untereinander.The invention is also directed to a method for producing an electrical memory, in particular a lithium-ion battery, comprising the steps:

• - Providing a terminal pole and a housing;
• - Partial encapsulation of the terminal pole and forms an insert part;
• - Thermal joining of the insert to the housing.

The advantages and features mentioned in connection with the electrical storage arise analogously and correspondingly for the process and vice versa and with each other.

• - Fügen des Einsatzteils von innen oder außen an das Gehäuse.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the step:

• - Add the insert to the housing from inside or outside.

• - Befestigen eines Leitungselements an den Anschlusspol und abschnittsweise Umspritzen zusammen mit dem Anschlusspol.

Bei dem Leitungselement handelt es sich gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform um einen Ableiter bzw. um eine Elektrode. Diese wird beispielsweise mittels eines Laserschweißprozesses an den Anschlusspol bzw. das Terminal geschweißt. Die gesamte Anordnung kann dann in ein entsprechendes Spritzgusswerkzeug eingelegt und umspritzt werden, wobei hierbei mit Vorteil direkt an dieser Anordnung das Einsatzteil ausgebildet werden kann. Dieses wird dann in einem weiteren Schritt in das Gehäuse angeordnet und anschließend gefügt. Zweckmäßigerweise ist das Gehäuse in einem parallelen Verfahrensschritt bereits entsprechend vorbehandelt worden, beispielsweise indem es an den Kontaktstellen zum Einsatzteil strukturiert wurde, beispielsweise mechanisch oder mittels eines Lasers bzw. auch chemisch.According to one embodiment, the method comprises the step:

• - Attaching a line element to the terminal pole and sections of the encapsulation together with the terminal pole.

The line element is according to a preferred embodiment, an arrester or an electrode. This is welded, for example by means of a laser welding process to the terminal pole or the terminal. The entire assembly can then be placed in a corresponding injection molding tool and molded around, in which case the insert can be advantageously formed directly on this arrangement. This is then arranged in a further step in the housing and then joined. Conveniently, the housing has already been appropriately pretreated in a parallel process step, for example by being structured at the contact points to the insert part, for example mechanically or by means of a laser or also chemically.

Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of a Anschlußpols or insert part with reference to the accompanying.

• 1: eine Ausführungsform eines Anschlusspols nebst Leitungselement;
• 2: ein Einsatzteil, angespritzt an die aus 1 bekannte Anordnung;
• 3: das aus der 2 bekannte Einsatzteil, angeordnet in einem Gehäuse einer Batterie.

Show it:

• 1 an embodiment of a connection pole together with line element;
• 2 : an insert, molded to the 1 known arrangement;
• 3 : that from the 2 known insert part, arranged in a housing of a battery.

1 schematically shows a terminal pole 20 , which with a conduit element 24 connected is. At the connection pole 20 or the terminal or contacting element 20 it is, for example, an anode contact of a battery, not shown here, which is connected to the line element, in particular an arrester or an electrode of the battery, or attached thereto. This is a connection point 22 shaped, which was formed for example by means of a laser welding process. Alternatively, it may be in the terminal pole 20 but also the cathode contact of a battery etc.

2 now shows an insert 40 , which from the 1 known arrangement comprising the terminal pole 20 and the conduit element 24 , molded on. Part of the pipe element 24 as well as the connection point 22 are through the insert part 40 covered. Advantageously, the insert wraps around 40 the conduit element 24 in sections or the connection point, cf. this also the 1 , Completely. The insert part has a support section 42 on which a support surface 46 as well as one shank portion 44 formed. The insert part has a substantially T-shaped form.

3 now shows how the off 2 known arrangement in a housing 60 , in particular in a passage or in an opening 62 of the housing 60 , is used, in particular from the inside. The substantially annular support surface 46 supports with advantage on an inside of the housing 60 from. The shaft section 44 extends through the opening with advantage completely and also surmounted a housing outside. By the radial support of the shaft portion 44 in the opening 62 and the flat support over the support surface 46 inside the case 60 a very stable, safe and well-sealed arrangement is achieved. Especially in the area of the support surface 46 , possibly also in the area of the opening 62 itself, is produced with advantage, for example by heat input in conjunction with a laser structuring, a form or a form and / or material connection. As a result, an extremely compact and inexpensive arrangement is possible, which reduces the number of required components and any process steps in the production to a minimum. In an arrangement from the outside, the shape of the insert z. B. reversed, ie the terminal pole would then z. B. arranged on the support portion and the shaft portion would project through the opening from the outside inwards.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

20

Connection pole, contacting element

22

junction

24

line element

40

insert

42

support section

44

shank portion

46

support surface

60

casing

62

Passage, opening

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been 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.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102015221555 A1 [0002]

Claims (13)

Electrical memory, comprising at least one terminal pole (20), wherein the terminal pole (20) via an insert part (40) in a passage (62) of a housing (60) of the memory is arranged, and wherein the insert part (40) by means of an injection molding method the connection pole (20) molded and thermally joined to the housing (60). Electric storage after Claim 1 wherein the insert member (40) has a support portion (42) which includes a support surface (46) which is joined to an inside or outside of the housing (60). Electric storage after Claim 2 , wherein the inside and / or the outside of the housing (60) for connection to the support surface (46) is structured, in particular by means of a laser is structured. Electrical storage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a material of the insert part (40) is a plastic. An electrical accumulator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert member (40) has a shank portion (44) which projects through the passageway (62). Electric storage after Claim 5 with the support portion (42) extending flange-wise away from the shaft portion (44). Electrical store according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal pole (20) has a connection point (22) to which a line element (24) is attached, and wherein the joint (22) is embedded in the insert part (40). Electric storage after Claim 7 wherein the electrical storage is a lithium-ion cell, and wherein the conduit member (24) is an electrode. Electrical storage according to one of the Claims 7 - 8th , wherein the conduit member (24) protrudes through the passage (62). Electrical storage according to one of the Claims 7 - 9 , wherein the shank portion (44) surrounds the conduit element (24) in sections. Method for producing an electrical memory, comprising the steps: - Providing a terminal pole (20) and a housing (60); - Partial encapsulation of the terminal pole (20) and forms of an insert part (40); - Thermal joining of the insert part (40) to the housing (60). Method according to Claim 11 comprising the step of: - joining the insert part (40) from the inside or from the outside to the housing (60). Method according to Claim 11 or 12 comprising the step of: - fixing a line element (24) to the connection pole (20) and partially encapsulating it together with the connection pole (20).

Images