DE102022128743A1 - Support device for round battery cells - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates, among other things, to a carrier device (14) for a plurality of round battery cells (12) of an electrical energy storage device (10) of a vehicle. The carrier device (14) has a plurality of carrier plates (16 - 38) which are arranged in parallel and into which a plurality of receiving shells (40) arranged in a row are formed. Two receiving shells (40) of adjacent carrier plates of the plurality of carrier plates (16 - 38) which are directly opposite one another together form a receiving chamber for a jacket surface of one of the plurality of round battery cells (12). The carrier device (14) can advantageously be constructed in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

Description

The invention relates to a carrier device for several round battery cells of an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle and an electrical energy storage device with a carrier device and round battery cells. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with an electrical energy storage device. The invention also relates to a method for producing a carrier device.

Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell and electric vehicles have traction energy storage units that can be used to absorb electrical recuperation energy and provide electrical drive energy. Traction energy storage units can be based on accumulators, e.g. Li-ion batteries. Such traction energy storage units can, for example, be modular in design, with individual battery cells arranged in stacks or next to one another and electrically combined to form individual battery modules, which in turn are connected in series or parallel within a housing.

The EN 10 2009 011 656 A1 discloses a method for insulatingly bonding non-exactly cylindrical cells into one-sided and two-sided, precisely shaped half-shell receptacles to obtain rectangular blocks.

The EN 10 2011 015 622 B4 discloses a battery for a motor vehicle, with a plurality of battery cells that are arranged axially parallel next to one another in at least two rows, and an electrical conducting element, via which a connection pole of the battery cells of at least one of the two rows is electrically connected to a connection element for connecting the battery to the motor vehicle. The electrical conducting element is arranged at least in some areas between the two rows. The conducting element is a component of a holding element into which the battery cells are inserted and by which they are held in a housing of the battery.

Conventional battery cell arrangements can have the disadvantage that they require a relatively large amount of installation space and thus the energy density is relatively low in relation to the required installation space volume. Furthermore, the modularization approaches known from practice have the disadvantage that the number of battery cells to be installed cannot be adjusted flexibly enough to be able to adapt the traction energy storage system as flexibly as possible to different performance requirements.

A further disadvantage of the known state of the art may be that the holders or supports for the battery cells can only be manufactured with comparatively great effort and are therefore costly.

A further disadvantage of conventional techniques may be that they do not take into account, or only insufficiently take into account, that battery cells can have comparatively large manufacturing tolerances, e.g. around 1 mm.

Another disadvantage of conventional techniques may be the insufficient consideration of recyclability at the end of the service life of the electrical energy storage device. For example, recyclability can already be impaired during disassembly due to many adhesive joints, etc.

The invention is based on the object of creating an improved technology for supporting round battery cells of an electrical energy storage device, which at least partially overcomes existing disadvantages, e.g. the disadvantages mentioned above.

The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims and the description.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a carrier device for a plurality of round battery cells of an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle. The carrier device has a plurality of carrier sheets (e.g. carrier aluminum sheets) which are arranged in parallel and into which a plurality of receiving shells arranged in a row are formed (e.g. pressed in or deep-drawn). Two receiving shells of adjacent carrier sheets of the plurality of carrier sheets which are directly opposite one another together form a receiving chamber for a lateral surface of one of the plurality of round battery cells.

The carrier device can advantageously be constructed in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner, since its main components, namely the carrier plates, can be manufactured very easily, quickly, precisely and cost-effectively using a mechanical forming process, e.g. pressing or deep drawing. This means that it is advantageous to completely or largely dispense with the need for cast or extruded bodies, which are difficult to manufacture. In addition, the carrier plates can make the carrier device particularly lightweight. In addition to its function of receiving or holding the round battery cells, the carrier device can also advantageously function as a thermal sink, in that excess thermal energy can be conducted away through the carrier plates. The carrier plates can form the receiving chambers and thus the round battery cells. cells are spatially separated. The overheating of a single round battery cell, for example in the event of a thermal emergency, also known as thermal runaway, cannot therefore be transferred to the surrounding round battery cells to the same extent as would be the case without corresponding carrier plates. The carrier device with its carrier plates advantageously has a modular structure. By adjusting a number of the carrier plates, carrier devices of different sizes can be formed in the manner of a modular system. Carrier devices can therefore advantageously be formed for both many round battery cells and for a few round battery cells.

In one embodiment, the multiple carrier plates are each elongated, strip-shaped and/or vertically aligned. This can advantageously support a particularly simple construction of the carrier device.

In a further embodiment, the multiple carrier sheets are designed as identical parts and/or aluminum sheets. A identical parts strategy can advantageously further support the modular structure and further reduce costs through economies of scale and storage costs, etc.

In a further embodiment, the multiple receiving shells per carrier sheet directly adjoin one another and/or merge directly into one another (e.g. beveled or rounded). Alternatively or additionally, the multiple receiving shells of the multiple carrier sheets each essentially have a cylinder shell segment shape. Alternatively or additionally, the multiple receiving shells per carrier sheet are arranged only on one long side of the respective carrier sheet. Alternatively or additionally, the multiple receiving shells of the multiple carrier sheets are arranged in a common position. This can advantageously enable particularly dense packing of the round battery cells.

In one embodiment, the plurality of carrier sheets each have a plurality of bulges on a longitudinal side (of the respective carrier sheet) opposite the respective receiving shells, which bulges are caused by the plurality of receiving shells.

In a further embodiment, the multiple bulges each have at least one flat support surface that is formed in the respective carrier sheet for flat support on a flat, preferably strip-shaped, support surface of an adjacent carrier sheet (if present). This advantageously enables secure positioning of the carrier sheets relative to one another and good force transmission between the carrier sheets, e.g. to counteract swelling of the round battery cells or negative effects of swelling.

Optionally, the at least one support surface can be strip-shaped. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one support surface can have a longitudinal axis that runs perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the respective carrier sheet. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one support surface can be oriented vertically.

In a further embodiment, adjacent carrier plates that lie flat against one another on the flat support surfaces are joined to the flat support surfaces, preferably in a material-to-material manner, preferably by means of a soldered connection, welded connection or adhesive connection. The flat contact surfaces can advantageously facilitate and improve joining. This can also advantageously save joining material, for example. This can also improve recyclability when dismantling at the end of the service life.

In one embodiment, the plurality of carrier plates form the receiving chambers in pairs, so that each pair of the plurality of carrier plates forms a row of receiving chambers and preferably one, two, three, four, five, six or more pairs of the plurality of carrier plates are included.

In a further embodiment, adjacent pairs of the multiple carrier plates are arranged offset from one another with respect to a longitudinal axis of one of the multiple carrier plates, preferably to create a honeycomb structure of the receiving chambers and/or by substantially half the diameter of one of the receiving chambers. On the one hand, this can advantageously enable a particularly dense packing of the round battery cells. On the other hand, this can advantageously support a particularly rigid structure of the carrier device.

In one embodiment, the carrier device further comprises a plurality of detachable mechanical connecting elements which detachably connect, preferably clamp, the two carrier plates per pair. The detachability of the mechanical connecting elements can advantageously promote the recyclability of the carrier device or the energy storage device in that the battery round cells, the carrier plates and the connecting elements can be separated in a simple, non-destructive manner. The connecting elements can also make it possible for the battery round cells to be recycled despite their comparatively large manufacturing tolerances. can be held securely in the support plates connected by the connecting elements.

In a further embodiment, the plurality of connecting elements are elastically deformable, preferably for applying a clamping force to hold the two carrier plates together in each pair. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of connecting elements are designed as clips, brackets or bracket springs. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of connecting elements are U-shaped. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of connecting elements are designed as clamping elements. This advantageously enables simple and reliable assembly of the carrier device and holder of the round battery cells. On the other hand, easy disassembly can also be supported, which can improve recyclability.

In one embodiment, the plurality of connecting elements each have at least one, preferably tab-shaped and/or projecting, hold-down section for holding down one of the plurality of round battery cells. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of connecting elements each have a receiving section, preferably on the top, for receiving or supporting an electrical conductor. The connecting elements can thus advantageously combine several functions, namely holding the carrier plates together and thus securing the round battery cells as well as holding down the round battery cells and/or supporting/holding additional components, e.g. on the top of the carrier device.

In a further embodiment, the multiple connecting elements engage in gaps between the multiple carrier plates. The gaps are additionally designed as cooling channels for a cooling liquid, preferably an immersion cooling system. On the one hand, this advantageously makes it possible to easily assemble and disassemble the connecting elements. On the other hand, the gaps can advantageously combine several functions, namely accommodating the connecting elements and cooling the round battery cells.

In one design variant, the two carrier plates in each pair are connected to each other without gluing. This advantageously enables easy dismantling, which improves recyclability.

In a further design variant, the two carrier plates in each pair are spaced apart from each other by a gap (e.g. so that they do not touch each other). Alternatively or additionally, the two carrier plates in each pair are not supported directly on each other, but only indirectly, preferably at least partially via the respective round battery cells. In this way, the manufacturing tolerances of the round battery cells can be advantageously compensated.

A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle. Alternatively, the further aspect relates to a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle (e.g. truck or bus), with an electrical energy storage device. The electrical energy storage device has at least one carrier device as disclosed herein. The electrical energy storage device has a plurality of round battery cells, each of which is accommodated in one of the receiving chambers, so that a honeycomb structure of the plurality of round battery cells preferably results. The same advantages that have already been explained with reference to the carrier device can advantageously be achieved with the energy storage device.

Preferably, the electrical energy storage device can be designed for immersion cooling and gaps between the plurality of carrier plates can be designed as cooling channels for cooling liquid of the immersion cooling.

A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for producing a carrier device as disclosed herein. The method comprises producing the plurality of carrier sheets from a strip-shaped sheet or a strip-shaped sheet section by forming the receiving shells into the respective strip-shaped sheet or the respective strip-shaped sheet section by means of a sheet metal forming process, preferably pressing or deep drawing. The carrier device produced in this way can advantageously achieve the same advantages that have already been explained with reference to the carrier device.

Preferably, the receiving shells can be molded together with the bulges and preferably with the flat support surfaces, e.g. with the same pressing or deep-drawing tool.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Bereichs eines elektrischen Energiespeichers gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Offenbarung;
• 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer mehrere Batterierundzellen tragenden Trägervorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Offenbarung;
• 3 eine Draufsicht auf die mehrere Batterierundzellen tragende Trägervorrichtung von 2;
• 4 eine Schnittansicht entlang einer Linie A-A in 3;
• 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Trägerblechs einer Trägervorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Offenbarung;
• 6 eine Seitenansicht des beispielhaften Trägerblechs von 5 gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Offenbarung; und
• 7 eine Baugruppe aus zwei miteinander gefügten Trägerblechen.

The preferred embodiments and features of the invention described above can be combined with one another as desired. Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

• 1 a perspective view of a portion of an electrical energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• 2 a perspective view of a carrier device carrying a plurality of round battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• 3 a plan view of the carrier device carrying several round battery cells of 2 ;
• 4 a sectional view along a line AA in 3 ;
• 5 a perspective view of a carrier plate of a carrier device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• 6 a side view of the exemplary carrier plate of 5 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
• 7 an assembly consisting of two carrier plates joined together.

The embodiments shown in the figures correspond at least partially, so that similar or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals and for their explanation reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments or figures in order to avoid repetition.

The 1 shows an area of an electrical energy storage device 10 for a motor vehicle.

The motor vehicle is preferably designed as a commercial vehicle, e.g. a truck or a bus. For example, the truck can have a body (e.g. loading) or be designed as a tractor unit.

The motor vehicle is preferably electrically powered. The energy storage device 10 can be designed as a traction battery for providing electrical energy to drive the motor vehicle. For example, the motor vehicle can be powered by means of a central electric drive, by means of several electric wheel hub drives or several electric drives close to the wheels. The energy storage device 10 can be charged externally, for example, via an electrical charging cable connected to a charging socket of the motor vehicle and/or by means of recuperation.

The energy storage device 10 can preferably be attached to a vehicle frame of the motor vehicle. The vehicle frame can be designed, for example, as a lattice frame or preferably as a ladder frame. The energy storage device can preferably be arranged on the outside of a main longitudinal member of the ladder frame or between the two main longitudinal members of the ladder frame.

The energy storage device 10 has a plurality of round battery cells 12 and at least one carrier device 14, which are described below with reference to all 1 to 7 are described in more detail by way of example. For the sake of clarity, not all round battery cells 12 are provided with their own reference symbol in the figures.

The round battery cells 12 can be carried by the at least one carrier device 14. The round battery cells 12 can be arranged by the at least one carrier device 14, preferably in a (honey)comb arrangement. The round battery cells 12 can essentially have a circular cylindrical shape. The round battery cells 12 can each have electrical poles at one end region or at opposite end regions for conductively connecting the round battery cells 12. The round battery cells 12 can preferably be electrically connected in series. For example, two adjacent round battery cells 12 can each be electrically conductively contacted at their poles by means of a cell connector.

It is possible that the energy storage device 10 has several (e.g. two, three, four, etc.) carrier devices 14 for round battery cells 12. The 1 The region of the energy storage device 10 shown as an example has, for example, five carrier devices 14 arranged next to one another in one layer. The plurality of carrier devices 14 can be arranged at least partially next to one another in a common alignment plane. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of carrier devices 14 can be at least partially stacked on one another (not shown in 1 shown).

The carrier device 14 and its components are in the 2 to 7 shown.

The carrier device 14 has several carrier plates 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38.

The carrier plates 16 - 38 are arranged parallel and spaced apart from one another. The respective longitudinal axes of the carrier plates 16 - 38 can preferably run parallel. For example, the carrier plates 16 - 38 can each be elongated, preferably strip-shaped. The carrier plates 16 - 38 can preferably be aligned vertically. The carrier plates 16 - 38 are preferably designed as aluminum sheets.

Particularly preferably, the carrier plates 16 - 38 are designed as identical parts. Adjacent carrier plates (e.g. 16 and 18; 18 and 20; 20 and 22 etc.) can be rotated by 180° relative to each other. preferably around a vertical axis of the respective carrier sheet.

A plurality of receiving trays 40 for the round battery cells 12 are formed in the carrier plates 16 - 38, each arranged in a row. Preferably, the carrier plates 16 - 38 each have a single row of receiving trays 40. For the sake of a better overview, the 2 to 7 only some of the receiving shells 40 are provided with their own reference symbol.

The carrier sheets 16 - 38 can preferably be produced from a strip-shaped sheet or a strip-shaped sheet section by forming the receiving shells 40 into the respective strip-shaped sheet or the respective strip-shaped sheet section using a sheet metal forming process. For example, the receiving shells 40 can be formed into the respective strip-shaped sheet or the respective strip-shaped sheet section using pressing or deep drawing. Preferably, all receiving shells 40 of a respective carrier sheet 16 - 38 are formed together (and preferably simultaneously) into the respective strip-shaped sheet or the respective strip-shaped sheet section in one forming step.

The receiving shells 40 can each essentially have a cylinder shell segment shape. For example, the receiving shells 40 can extend over an angular range between ≥ 90° and < 180° around a vertical axis of the respective receiving shell 40. The receiving shells 40 are preferably designed as half shells. Preferably, all receiving shells 40 have the same shape.

The receiving shells 40 of a respective carrier sheet 16 - 38 preferably directly adjoin one another. For example, adjacent receiving shells of a respective carrier sheet 16 - 38 can merge directly into one another, e.g. without a web (without a web arranged in between). A transition between adjacent receiving shells 40 can be at an acute angle or with a curve. A radius of the curve can be significantly smaller than a radius of the receiving shell 40. For example, the radius of the curve can be ≤ 10% or ≤ 5% of the radius of the receiving shells 40.

The receiving trays 40 of the carrier plates 16 - 38 are preferably arranged in a common position or a common alignment plane. As already mentioned, it is also possible for several carrier devices 14 to be stacked on top of one another. In such embodiments, several layers of receiving trays 40 arranged one above the other can be present.

The receiving shells 40 of a respective carrier plate 16 - 38 are preferably arranged only on one long side of the respective carrier plate 16 - 38.

Two receiving shells 40 of adjacent carrier plates of the plurality of carrier plates 16 - 38, which are directly opposite one another, together form a receiving chamber for a lateral surface of one of the plurality of round battery cells 12. For example, the adjacent carrier plates 16 and 18 with their receiving shells 40 which are directly opposite one another, together form several receiving chambers arranged in a row for some of the round battery cells 12. The receiving shells 40 of the adjacent carrier plates 20 and 22 which are directly opposite one another can together form a further row of receiving chambers for further round battery cells 12, etc. The rows of receiving chambers are preferably arranged parallel to one another.

In detail, the carrier plates 16 - 38 can each form the receiving chambers in pairs. Each pair of the carrier plates 16 - 38 can each form a row of the receiving chambers. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier plates 16 and 18 can form a first pair. The carrier plates 20 and 22 can form a second pair. The carrier plates 24 and 26 can form a third pair. The carrier plates 28 and 30 can form a fourth pair. The carrier plates 32 and 34 can form a fifth pair. The carrier plates 36 and 38 can form a sixth pair. It is possible that more or fewer pairs are included. The carrier plates 16 - 38 of a respective pair can face each other so that their rows of receiving shells 40 for forming the receiving chambers face each other.

Preferably, adjacent pairs of the plurality of carrier plates 16-38 can be arranged offset from one another with respect to a longitudinal axis of one of the plurality of carrier plates 16-38. For example, the pair of carrier plates 16 and 18 can be offset from the pair of carrier plates 20 and 22 with respect to the longitudinal axis, etc. Preferably, the pairs of carrier plates 16-38 can be offset from one another in such a way that a nested structure or a honeycomb structure of the receiving chambers is created. Preferably, the adjacent pairs can be arranged offset from one another by substantially half the diameter of one of the receiving chambers.

Each pair of carrier plates 16 - 38 can be detachably connected to one another by several detachable, mechanical connecting elements 42 and thus hold them together, preferably by Applying a clamping force. Preferably, the connecting elements 42 are designed as clamping elements. For the sake of clarity, only some of the connecting elements 42 are shown in the 2 to 4 shown.

Each pair of carrier plates 16 - 38 can be connected and held together, preferably clamped together, by several of the connecting elements 42. For example, each receiving chamber can comprise at least one connecting element 42.

Depending on the number of carrier plates 16 - 38 or pairs, the connecting elements 42 can be arranged or aligned in one or more parallel rows. For example, with six pairs, there can be six rows of connecting elements 42.

The connecting elements 42 can be held in gaps or empty spaces between the carrier plates 16 - 38, e.g. by clamping. Preferably, each connecting element 42 can be held in a gap on both end sides of the respective connecting element 42.

An end leg of a connecting element 42 can be held in a first intermediate space. Another end leg of the connecting element 42 can be held in a further intermediate space. The connecting elements 42 can preferably be designed as clips, brackets or bracket springs and/or have a U-shape.

It is possible that the gaps into which the connecting elements 42 engage or in which the connecting elements 42 are held also serve as cooling channels for a cooling liquid. For example, the electrical energy storage device 10 can be designed for immersion cooling. The carrier device 14, together with the round battery cells 12 carried therein, can be surrounded by cooling liquid or can be immersed in a cooling liquid bath. This cooling liquid can in particular also flow through the gaps that thus function as cooling channels.

Preferably, the connecting elements 42 can each apply a clamping force to hold the carrier plates 16 - 38 of the respective pair together. The connecting elements 42 can, for example, be elastically deformable. Preferably, the carrier plates 16 - 38 of the respective pair can be connected to one another without adhesive due to the connecting elements 42.

The connecting elements 42 can hold the carrier plates 16 - 38 of the respective pair together via the round battery cells 12 carried in the receiving chambers of the respective pair. The carrier plates 16 - 38 of the respective pair cannot therefore be supported directly on one another or lie against one another. Instead, the carrier plates 16 - 38 of the respective pair can only be supported on one another indirectly via the round battery cells 12, with the connecting elements 42 holding the carrier plates 16 - 38 of the respective pair and the round battery cells 12 received by the respective pair together.

Preferably, the carrier plates 16 - 38 of the respective pair can be spaced apart from each other. Between the carrier plates 16 - 38 of the respective pair, a gap S (only in the 3 and 4 provided with reference symbols). A size of the gap S can depend, for example, on a manufacturing tolerance of the round battery cells 12 and thus preferably compensate for this manufacturing tolerance. The gap S can be, for example, > 0 mm or ≥ 1 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the gap S can be, for example, ≤ 30 mm, ≤ 20 mm, ≤ 10 mm, ≤ 5 mm, ≤ 4 mm, ≤ 3 mm or ≤ 2 mm. The gap S can be a minimum distance between the carrier plates 16 - 38 of the respective pair.

Preferably, the connecting elements 42 can fulfil additional functions.

For example, the connecting elements 42 can be designed additionally to hold down the round battery cells 12. For example, the connecting elements 42 can each have one or more hold-down sections 44 (see e.g. 2 and 3 ).

The hold-down sections 44 can press against a front side, preferably the top side, of the round battery cells 12 and thus preferably hold down the round battery cells 12. The hold-down sections 44 can be arranged on a top side of the carrier device 14. The hold-down sections 44 can be arranged on center legs of the connecting elements 42, which are preferably each designed in a U-shape and/or as clips, brackets or bracket springs. The hold-down sections 44 can be designed, for example, to be cantilevered and/or tab-shaped, as shown.

It is possible for the connecting elements 42 to each have hold-down sections 44 for simultaneously holding down two adjacent round battery cells 12. For example, the connecting elements 42 can each have two hold-down sections 44 on opposite longitudinal sides of a center leg of the respective connecting element 42.

The connecting elements 42 can also be used, for example, to support or hold electrical conductors. A busbar, a busbar, a cell connector or a cell contact system can be used as an electrical conductor. For example, the connecting elements 42 can each have a receiving section 46 (see, for example, 2 and 3 ). The receiving section 46 is preferably arranged on the top of the respective connecting element 42. The receiving section 46 can be arranged, for example, on the middle leg of the respective connecting element 42. An electrical conductor can be received or supported on the receiving section 46 (not shown in the figures).

The connecting elements 42 can also serve, for example, as spacers between support devices 14 stacked on top of one another (not shown in the figures).

As mentioned, the carrier plates 16 - 38 can each have the receiving shells 40 on one of their long sides. On an opposite long side, the carrier plates 16 - 38 can each have several bulges 48 (see e.g. 5 to 7 ). The bulges 48 can be caused by the receiving shells 48, which are preferably designed as indentations.

The bulges 48 can each have at least one flat or level support surface 50. In the embodiment shown, each bulge 48 has, for example, two flat, spaced-apart support surfaces 50. For the sake of clarity, the 5 to 7 Not all support surfaces 50 are provided with their own reference symbol.

The support surfaces 50 can be formed into the respective carrier plate 16 - 38. In detail, the support surfaces 50 can be formed directly into the bulges 48.

The support surfaces 50 are preferably formed into the respective strip-shaped sheet or the strip-shaped sheet section at the same time as the receiving shells 40 are formed. Particularly preferably, a punch and/or a die with which the receiving shells 40 are formed is additionally designed in such a way that it also directly forms the support surfaces 50 into the respective strip-shaped sheet or the respective strip-shaped sheet section. The punch and/or the die can be used as part of a forming process, preferably when pressing or deep-drawing the strip-shaped sheet or the strip-shaped sheet section. The strip-shaped sheet is preferably an aluminum sheet. The strip-shaped sheet section is preferably an aluminum sheet. However, it is also possible to use other metals for the sheet, the sheet section or the carrier sheets, e.g. steel sheet, etc.

Adjacent carrier plates of the multiple carrier plates 16 - 38 can support each other on the flat support surfaces 50. For example, the adjacent carrier plates 18 and 20 can support each other via the respective support surfaces 50, as in 7 is shown. Likewise, the adjacent carrier plates 22 and 24, 26 and 28, 30 and 32 and 34 and 36 can be supported on one another via the respective support surfaces 50. In contrast, as already explained, a gap S can be present between the adjacent carrier plates 16 and 18, 20 and 22, 24 and 26, 28 and 30, 32 and 34 and 36 and 38. In other words, the adjacent pairs can be supported on one another via the support surfaces 50.

Preferably, the support surfaces 50 are each strip-shaped and aligned vertically. For example, the support surfaces 50 can each have a longitudinal axis that runs perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the respective carrier plate 16 - 38.

Carrier plates that lie flat against one another on the support surfaces 50 can preferably be joined to the support surfaces 50, preferably in a material-locking manner. For example, the support surfaces 50 can be joined to one another flatly and/or on the outer edge of the support surfaces 50 by means of a soldered connection, a welded connection or an adhesive connection.

Optionally, the carrier device 14 can also have support bodies 52 and/or end side plates 54.

The support bodies 52 can be arranged on the transverse sides of the carrier device 14. The support bodies 52 can be arranged in spaces between the carrier plates 16 - 38. These spaces can preferably result from the offset arrangement of the pairs of the multiple carrier plates 16 - 38. The support bodies 52 can each have a fastening hole. A fastening element can be accommodated in the fastening hole. By means of the fastening element, the carrier device 14 can be fastened, for example, to a frame, a housing and/or a support structure of the electrical energy storage device 10. It is also possible for the carrier device 14 to be fastened in another way to a frame, a housing and/or a support structure of the electrical energy storage device 10.

The end side plates 54 can be arranged on the transverse sides of the carrier device 14. The end side plates 54 can rest against the support bodies 52. The end side plates 54 can hold the support bodies 52 in the respective intermediate space. The end side plates 54 can be at least partially connected, e.g. joined, to the carrier plates 16 - 38.

It is also possible that, for example, a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the round battery cells 12 is arranged below the carrier device 14 (not shown in the figures). The temperature control device can be, for example, a temperature control plate through which a cooling medium can flow. A so-called gap filler can preferably be arranged between the carrier device 14 and the temperature control device.

The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a large number of variants and modifications are possible which also make use of the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and the features of the subclaims independently of the claims referred to. In particular, the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another. In addition, the features of the subclaims are also disclosed independently of all features of independent claim 1 and, for example, independently of the features relating to the presence and/or configuration of the multiple carrier plates of independent claim 1. All range specifications herein are to be understood as disclosed in such a way that all values falling within the respective range are disclosed individually, e.g. also as preferred narrower outer limits of the respective range.

List of reference symbols

10

Energy storage

12

Battery round cell

14

Carrier device

16 - 38

Carrier plate

40

Holder

42

Connecting element

44

Hold-down section

46

Recording section

48

Bulge

50

Support surface

52

Support body

54

End side panel

S

gap

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

Cited patent literature

• DE 102009011656 A1 [0003]
• DE 102011015622 B4 [0004]

Claims (15)

Support device (14) for a plurality of round battery cells (12) of an electrical energy storage device (10) of a vehicle, wherein the support device (14) comprises: a plurality of support plates (16 - 38) which are arranged in parallel and into which a plurality of receiving shells (40) arranged in a row are formed, wherein two receiving shells (40) of adjacent support plates of the plurality of support plates (16 - 38) which are directly opposite one another jointly form a receiving chamber for a lateral surface of one of the plurality of round battery cells (12). Support device (14) according to Claim 1 , wherein: the plurality of carrier sheets (16 - 38) are each elongated, strip-shaped and/or aligned vertically; and/or the plurality of carrier sheets (16 - 38) are designed as identical parts and/or aluminum sheets. Support device (14) according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 , wherein at least one of the following features is fulfilled: the plurality of receiving shells (40) per carrier sheet directly adjoin one another and/or merge directly into one another; the plurality of receiving shells (40) of the plurality of carrier sheets (16 - 38) each have essentially a cylinder shell segment shape; the plurality of receiving shells (40) per carrier sheet are arranged only on one long side of the respective carrier sheet; and the plurality of receiving shells (40) of the plurality of carrier sheets (16 - 38) are arranged in a common position. Support device (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the plurality of support plates (16 - 38) each have a plurality of bulges (48) on a longitudinal side opposite the respective receiving shells (40), which are caused by the plurality of receiving shells (40). Support device (14) according to Claim 4 , wherein: the plurality of bulges (48) each have at least one flat support surface (50) which is formed in the respective carrier sheet (16 - 38) for surface support on a flat, preferably strip-shaped, support surface (50) of an adjacent carrier sheet, wherein optionally: the respective at least one support surface (50) is strip-shaped; and/or the respective at least one support surface (50) has a longitudinal axis which runs perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the respective carrier sheet (16 - 38); and/or the respective at least one support surface (50) is oriented edgewise. Support device (14) according to Claim 5 , wherein: adjacent carrier sheets, which lie flat against one another on the flat support surfaces (50), are joined to the flat support surfaces (50), preferably in a material-locking manner, preferably by means of a soldered connection, a welded connection or an adhesive connection. Support device (14) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the plurality of support plates (16 - 38) each form the receiving chambers in pairs, so that each pair of the plurality of support plates (16 - 38) each forms a row of the receiving chambers and preferably one, two, three, four, five, six or more pairs of the plurality of support plates (16 - 38) are included. Support device (14) according to Claim 7 , wherein: adjacent pairs of the plurality of carrier sheets (16 - 38) are arranged offset from one another with respect to a longitudinal axis of one of the plurality of carrier sheets (16 - 38), preferably to create a honeycomb structure of the receiving chambers and/or by substantially half a diameter of one of the receiving chambers. Support device (14) according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 , further comprising: a plurality of detachable, mechanical connecting elements (42) which detachably connect, preferably clamp, the two carrier plates (16 - 38) per pair. Support device (14) according to Claim 9 , wherein at least one of the following features is fulfilled: the plurality of connecting elements (42) are elastically deformable, preferably for applying a clamping force to hold the two carrier sheets (16 - 38) together per pair; the plurality of connecting elements (42) are designed as clips, brackets or bracket springs; the plurality of connecting elements (42) are U-shaped; and the plurality of connecting elements (42) are designed as clamping elements. Support device (14) according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 , wherein: the plurality of connecting elements (42) each have at least one, preferably tab-shaped and/or projecting hold-down section (44) for holding down one of the plurality of round battery cells (12); and/or the plurality of connecting elements (42) each have a receiving section (46), preferably on the upper side, for receiving or supporting an electrical conductor. Support device (14) according to one of the preceding Claims 7 until 11 , wherein: the plurality of connecting elements (42) engage in gaps between the plurality of carrier sheets (16 - 38); and the gaps are additionally designed as cooling channels for a cooling liquid, preferably an immersion cooling system. Support device (14) according to one of the preceding Claims 7 until 12 , wherein: the two carrier sheets per pair are connected to one another without adhesive; and/or the two carrier sheets per pair are each spaced apart from one another by a gap (S); and/or the two carrier sheets per pair are not supported directly on one another, but only indirectly, preferably at least partially via the respectively accommodated round battery cells (12). Electrical energy storage device (10) for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle with an electrical energy storage device (10), wherein the electrical energy storage device (10) has: at least one carrier device (14) according to one of the preceding claims; and a plurality of round battery cells (12), each of which is accommodated in one of the receiving chambers, so that a honeycomb structure of the plurality of round battery cells (12) is preferably obtained, wherein the electrical energy storage device (10) is preferably designed for immersion cooling and gaps between the plurality of carrier plates (16 - 38) are designed as cooling channels for cooling liquid for the immersion cooling. Method for producing a carrier device (14) according to one of the Claims 1 until 13 , comprising: producing the plurality of carrier sheets (16 - 38) each from a strip-shaped sheet or a strip-shaped sheet metal section by forming the receiving shells (40) into the respective strip-shaped sheet or the respective strip-shaped sheet metal section by means of a sheet metal forming process, preferably pressing or deep drawing.

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