WO2011092039A1

WO2011092039A1 - Stacked electric energy unit

Info

Publication number: WO2011092039A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/000465
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tim Schafer; Claus-Rupert Hohenthanner; Andreas Gutsch; Walter Lachenmeier
Original assignee: Li-Tec Battery Gmbh
Priority date: 2010-02-01
Filing date: 2011-02-01
Publication date: 2011-08-04
Also published as: DE102010006390A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric energy unit (2,102, 202, 302) comprising a plurality of electric energy cells (4) which are stacked in a stacking direction to form a cell block and connected in parallel and/or in series to each other within the cell block, wherein the electric energy cells comprise planar arresters (14) that project from the cell with the surfaces thereof being substantially parallel to each other, wherein the main surfaces of the arresters are oriented substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction, wherein the arresters of a cell at least partially do not cover each other in the stacking direction, wherein each arrester of a cell at least partially covers a arrester of a cell following in the stacking direction, as viewed in the stacking direction. The invention is characterized in that the electric interconnection between opposing arresters is established by plated-through or non-plated-through spacers (20, 120, 220, 520, 620) that are arranged in intermediate spaces between arresters of consecutive cells, wherein the spacers are clamped between the arresters by a pressure force by means of a clamping device (10, 506, 508, 524, 526), wherein the clamping device is arranged completely outside of the arresters. The invention further relates to spacers for use between arresters of consecutive cells in such an electric energy unit.

Description

Stacked electric power unit

Description

The present invention relates to an electric power unit consisting of a plurality of electric power cells stacked in a block, and a spacer for use between current sinkers of the electric power cells.

It is known to assemble electric power units from a plurality of electric energy cells stacked in a block, such as batteries from galvanic primary cells, batteries from galvanic secondary cells, stacked and modules combined capacitors and fuel cells.

There are known in particular batteries (primary storage) and accumulators (secondary storage) for storing electrical energy, which are composed of one or more memory cells, in which upon application of a charging current, electrical energy in an electrochemical charging reaction between a cathode and an anode in or between a Electrolyte is converted into chemical energy and thus stored and in which chemical energy is converted into electrical energy in an electrochemical discharge response when an electrical load is applied. It will be

Primary stores are typically charged only once and discard after discharge, while secondary stores allow multiple (from a few 100 to over 10,000) cycles of charge and discharge. It should be noted that also accumulators are sometimes referred to as batteries, such as vehicle batteries, which are known to experience frequent charging cycles. In recent years, primary and secondary storage on the basis of lithium compounds gain in importance. These have a high energy density and thermal stability, provide a constant voltage with low self-discharge and are free of the so-called memory effect.

It is known to produce energy storage and in particular lithium batteries and accumulators in the form of thin plates. The functional principle of a lithium-ion cell is exemplified by Dr. med. K. C. Möller, dr. M. Winter, "Primary and Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Accumulators" for the Practical Course Inorganic Chemical Technology, TU Graz, February 2005.

In order to achieve the desired voltages and capacities in practice, such as automotive batteries or other vehicle batteries, it is necessary to arrange several cells in a stack and to connect their Abieiter in a suitable manner. The interconnection of the individual cells usually takes place on a narrow side (usually defined as "top") of the cells from which the Abieiter protrude from WO 2008/128764 A1, WO

2008/128769 A1, WO 2008/128770 A1 and WO 2008/128771 A1, such wiring arrangements are known.

From JP 07-282841 A a similar arrangement is known in which the individual cells are inserted into a housing. Here, the individual cells are loosely in individual sections of a housing, and the above outstanding contacts are connected by bolts. The whole arrangement is then closed with a lid from above.

It is known from a still unpublished development to combine a plurality of thin, cuboidal galvanic cells into one or more stacks in such a way that their sides of greatest extent (flat sides) face or touch one another and are thus cast in a holding device. The inventors are also aware of an unspecified arrangement in which a plurality of flat cells are stacked between two printing plates, the stack being held together by tie rods (bolts or cylindrical screws) extending between the printing plates.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric power unit of a plurality of electric power cells, with which the blocking and contacting of the cells can be improved.

The object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention form the subject of the dependent claims. An electric power unit according to a first aspect of the invention comprises a plurality of electric power cells stacked in a stacking direction into a cell block and connected in parallel and / or in series with each other within the cell block, the electric power cells having planar shaped subsides substantially surface parallel to each other from the cell, the major surfaces of the ablators being substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction, the ablators of a cell at least partially obscuring each other as seen in the stacking direction, each ablator of a cell comprising at least one ablator of cells following in the stacking direction at least partially hidden. It is characterized in that the electrical interconnection between opposing Abieitern is prepared by through-contacting or non-contacting spacers, which are arranged in spaces between Abieitern successive cells, wherein the spacers are clamped by a compressive force by means of a clamping device between the Abieitern, wherein the clamping device is arranged completely outside the Abieiter. Under an electric power unit is to be understood in the context of the invention, a component which is also able to deliver electrical energy. In the context of the invention, an electric power cell is to be understood as a structurally self-contained cell which is also capable of emitting electrical energy. It can be a galvanic primary cell, which can only deliver the energy stored in it once, or a galvanic secondary cell, which can be charged and discharged several times, or a fuel cell or a capacitor cell or the like. In particular, it can be a galvanic secondary cell, wherein at least one electromagnetically active material of the cell has lithium or a lithium compound. By suitable electrical connection, the electric energy cells form an electric power unit. In the context of the invention, a connector is to be understood as meaning an ^" externally accessible connection ^" which communicates with the electrochemically active parts inside the galvanic cell and also serves as a pole of the cell Body is understood to have two parallel major surfaces and the extent of which is substantially greater in two spatial directions parallel to the main surfaces of a body-based Cartesian coordinate system than in the third spatial direction, wherein the third spatial direction is defined as the thickness direction of the body The invention relates to a component whose extension in the stacking direction of the battery corresponds to the distance between two conductors of successive memory cells A spacer should easily contact both absorbers and be easily slidable between them and contact them externally with normal surface pressure f jam the Abieites between them. In the context of the invention, through-contacting means making an electrical connection between the opposing discharge conductors. An electric power unit according to this aspect of the invention also has the advantage that the spacers only have to be placed loosely between the Abieitern and by a single clamping operation between the Arresters are secured. It is Z. B. not required to secure fasteners between Abieitern individually. The spacers can be removed and replaced even with dissolved clamping device, without having to dismantle the entire cell block. Conversely, with proper design and retention of the spacers, individual cells can be removed and replaced without having to disassemble the entire cell block.

The electric power unit may further be characterized in that the tensioning means comprises force generating elements for generating a force, wherein the force generating elements act directly in the stacking direction on the arrangement of Abieitern and spacers.

The electric power unit may be further characterized in that the tensioning means comprises force generating elements for generating a force and force transmission elements, wherein the force transmission elements transmit the force exerted by the force generating elements force on the arrangement of Abieitern and spacers.

The electrical power unit may further be characterized in that the tensioning device has tension rods extending past the arms along the length of the stack, and clamping elements, the clamping elements transmitting a force exerted by the tension rods to a plane intersecting the abrades. Such an electric power unit may be constructed so that the tie rods pass through holes in the spacers.

The electric power unit may also be characterized in that the clamping device has at least one actuator, wherein a force of the actuator acts directly or via levers, joints or the like in the stacking direction from the outside to the arrangement of Abieitern and spacers. Such an electric power unit may be constructed so that the actuator is mechanically, in particular manually, or electromotive, electromagnetically, hydraulically, pneumatically, piezoelectrically controlled. The electrical power unit may further be characterized in that a spacer adjacent to a collector has a pick-off device which establishes an electrical connection with the collector.

Such an electric power unit may be constructed such that the tapping device is provided on a unilaterally contacting spacer, which is a non-contacting spacer. Under a unilaterally contacting spacer is understood in the context of the invention, a spacer which produces an electrical connection only to a single side of the spacer. Such a unilaterally contacting spacer can be arranged in each case on the first and last Abieiter (Pol) of a series circuit of memory cells to tap the pole voltage (the nominal potential) of the series circuit. Such a unilaterally contacting spacer, which is a non-contacting spacer, can also be used to interconnect two groups of cells, which are connected in series with one another, in parallel within a cell block. On the other hand, if the tapping device is provided on a through-contacting spacer, intermediate potentials in the cell block can be tapped off.

The electric power unit can further be characterized in that a first terminal pole and a second terminal pole of the electric power unit are provided, wherein the first terminal pole is connected to a first polarity suppression of the first cell in the cell block, and wherein the second

Terminal pole is connected to a Abieiter a second polarity of the last cell in the cell block. For the purposes of the invention, a connection pole is to be understood as a contact which can also be contacted from outside the electric power unit, so that an electrical connection can be established. Such an electric power unit may be constructed so that the cells are arranged in the stacking direction with alternating polarity. In this way, a series connection of the cells by the conductive and non-conductive spacers is particularly easy to implement by these easy to see alternately between successive Abieitern. Also parallel circuits are easy to implement, as described above in connection with unilaterally contacting spacers. Parallel circuits can also be realized by the same direction Polrichtung of cells, each of which the same poles are connected by durchkontaktierender spacers. Series connections of groups of a plurality of cells connected in parallel can be realized by arranging the cells of consecutive groups each having different polarity and inserting a through-contacting spacer and a non-contacting spacer between the last cell of one group and the first cell of the next group.

Such an electric power unit may be constructed so that the cell block is clamped from the plurality of cells between two pressure plates, wherein the pressure plates, preferably by means of tie rods, are braced. In this way, the cells can be easily and reliably summarized and fixed.

The electric power unit can also be characterized in that the electric energy cells are galvanic cells, preferably a secondary cell, wherein in particular an electromagnetically active material of the cells comprises lithium or a lithium compound.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a spacer for use between Abieitern two successive electric power cells in a cell stack is proposed, wherein the spacer is made of an electrically non-conductive material, two parallel faces in the distance of the gap between the Abieitern, at least a first receiving device for receiving a contact element for electrical con Taktierung on at least one of the end faces, and a second receiving means for receiving a connection element for establishing an electrical connection with the contact element from a different surface from the end faces of the spacer.

As a contact element is understood in the context of the invention, any device or structural design or each component portion which is designed and adapted to make electrical contact with a face of the spacer opposite surface. For the purposes of the invention, a receiving device is understood as any device or structural design which is designed and set up to receive a contact element.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a spacer for use between Abieitern two successive electric power cells in a cell stack is proposed, wherein the spacer has a central portion of an electrically non-conductive material and two the middle portion sandwiching and parallel outer portions of an electrically conductive material, wherein the outer portions define end faces of the spacer, wherein the distance between the end faces corresponds to the spacing of a gap between Abieitern two successive in the cell stack electric power cells, wherein in other outer surfaces than the two end faces at least two recesses are provided, wherein one of the recesses connects to a the outer portions, but no connection to the other of the outer portions, and wherein and the other recesses connect to the other of the Außenab sections, but no connection to the one of the outer sections, wherein the recesses are formed in other than the end faces. As a depression is understood in the context of the invention, a bore, excavation or other training, which is incorporated from a surface (a surface other than the end faces) in the spacer. Such a spacer may abut with the end faces defined by the outer portions on the current conductors of successive memory cells. Since the outer sections are electrically isolated from each other by the non-conductive center section, there is no connection between the current conductors. By bridging between the recesses, however, an electrically conductive connection between the outer sections can be created, so that a through-connection between the current conductors is produced. On the other hand, a connection to one of the outer sections can be made via one of the depressions, and thus the potential of the current conductor applied there can be tapped.

There may be more than two such depressions.

The features mentioned in the claims and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway plan view of a battery as a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery of FIG. 1 taken along a line II - II in FIG. 1 between two battery cells in the direction of view of associated arrows; FIG. Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the battery of Figure 1, taken along a line III-III in Figure 1 at the level of a series of Abieitern and spacers in the direction of associated arrows ..; Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a spacer of Figure 3 in a cross-sectional view through a median plane along a line IV-IV in Figure 3, without mounting parts in the direction of arrows. Fig. 5 is a side view of the spacer of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of an arrow V in Fig. 4; Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the spacer of Figure 4, cut at the level of transverse and axial bores along a line Vl-Vl in Figure 4 in the direction of arrows associated with, with components in one-sided contacting configuration. are Fign. FIGS. 7 and 8 are views of a spacer as a second embodiment of the invention in a partial cross-sectional view and a longitudinal sectional view, with built-in parts in a through-contacting configuration; are Fign. Figures 9 and 10 representations of the spacer of Figs. 7 and 8 with built-in parts in unilaterally contacting configuration; are Fign. 1 to 13 are views of a spacer as a third embodiment of the invention in a partial cross-sectional view, a longitudinal sectional view and a plan view, with built-in parts in durchkontaktierender configuration; are Fign. Figures 14 and 15 representations of the spacer of Figs. 7 and 8 with built-in parts in unilaterally contacting configuration; Fig. 16 is an enlarged view of a detail XVI of Fig. 3 of a battery in a fourth embodiment of the present invention with a pressure screw as a pressure member in a partially exploded view; Figure 17 is an illustration of a detail corresponding to Figure 16 of a battery in a fifth embodiment of the present invention with a pressure cell as a pressure element in a partially exploded view. Fig. 18 is an illustration of a detail corresponding to Fig. 16 of a battery in a sixth embodiment of the present invention with tie rods as a pressure element in assembled configuration; Fig. 19 is a sectional plan view of the detail of Fig. 18, taken along a line XIX-XIX in Fig. 18, looking in the direction of associated arrows; are Fign. FIGS. 20 and 21 are views corresponding to the sectional view of FIGS. FIGS. 2 and 3 of the battery of the embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19; Fig. 22 is a horizontal sectional view of a spacer in a seventh embodiment of the invention; Fig. 23 is a side view of the spacer of Fig. 22; are Fign. 24 and 25 are side views of a modified spacer of this embodiment according to Fig. 23; Fig. 26 is a plan view of an end piece in an eighth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 27 is a longitudinal sectional view of the end piece of Fig. 26, taken along a line XXVII-XXVII in Fig. 26, as viewed in the direction of arrows; and Fig. 28 is a view of the tail according to Fig. 27 in an activated state.

It should be noted that the representations in the figures are schematic and are limited to the representation of the most important features for the understanding of the invention. It should also be pointed out that the dimensions and proportions shown in the figures are due solely to the clarity of the representation and are in no way restrictive or exclusively to be understood.

The following is a detailed description of specific embodiments and possible modifications thereof with reference to the accompanying figures. As far as the same components are used in various embodiments, they are provided with the same or corresponding reference numerals. In the context of this description, components whose reference numbers differ by a multiple of 100 from each other have the same or similar function. The repeated explanation of features already explained in connection with an exemplary embodiment and their functions is largely dispensed with, as long as different or further aspects do not arise due to particularities of the respective exemplary embodiment. Nevertheless, unless expressly stated otherwise or is technically nonsensical, the features, arrangements and effects of an embodiment and its modifications to other embodiments and its modifications to be transferred.

A first, basic embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned plan view of a battery 2 with eight memory cells 4, which are stacked between two end-side pressure plates 6, 8 (end-pressure plate 6, counter-pressure plate 8) and tensioned by tie rods 10 and nuts 12. In the figure, the printing plates 6, 8 and components contained therein are cut, but not between the printing plates. plates 6, 8 arranged components. The position of the memory cells 4 within the stack is numbered (i) to (viii).

The tie rods 10 are also referred to as block anchors 10, which illustrates their function to clamp the memory cells 4 into a block. The nuts 12 for the tie rods 10 are non-rotatably, but axially movable, mounted in corresponding recesses of the connection pressure plate 6. The nuts 12 are preferably square nuts or hex nuts. (The pressure plates 6, 8 can exert pressure on the entire surface of the memory cells 4. Alternatively, they can exert pressure only on a possibly reinforced edge region of the memory cells 4, in order to keep mechanical stresses on inner parts of the memory cells 4 low or even completely avoided. )

The memory cells 4 have a flat, rectangular base body with two extended flat sides or front sides (front and back) and four narrow sides (right and left side, also referred to as flank, top and bottom) on. The memory cells 4 are in each case with their flat front and back sides together and form a stack. In the context of this invention, the stacking direction of the memory cells 4 is also referred to as the axial direction of the battery 2.

In this preferred exemplary embodiment, the memory cells 4 are lithium accumulator cells (in the context of this application, accumulators, ie secondary accumulators, are referred to as batteries). The main body of each storage cell 4 houses an active part in which an electrochemical reaction takes place for the storage and delivery of electrical energy (charging and discharging reaction). The inner structure of the active part, not shown in detail in the figure, corresponds to a flat, laminated stack of electrochemically active electrode films of two types (cathode and anode), electrically conductive films for collecting and supplying or discharging electrical current to and from the electrochemically active regions, and separator foils for separating the electrochemically active regions of the two types from each other. At least one of the types of electrochemically active electrode films comprises lithium or a lithium compound. This structure is well known in the art and need not be further explored here. Reference is made to the state of the art according to Möller / Winter cited in the introductory part of the description, the disclosure content of which is fully incorporated by reference in this respect.

From a narrow side of each cell 4 defined as an upper side, two absorbers 14 (14+, 14-) protrude perpendicularly outward from the interior of the cell 4. The separators 14 are in communication with the electrochemically active cathode and anode regions inside the active region and thus serve as cathode and anode connections of the cell 4. In particular, the Abieiter 14+ forms a positive pole of the cell 4 and forms the Abieiter 14- a negative terminal of the cell 4. The Abieiter 14 are made of a good conductor material such as copper or aluminum. To improve the contact, a coating (vapor deposition, plating or the like.) From example. Silver or gold may be provided. The Abieiter 14 are flat structures whose width and height are significantly greater than their thickness and whose height is significantly less than their width. They are arranged on the upper side of the cell 4 substantially parallel to each other and offset both in the width direction and in the thickness direction. The cross-sections of the Abieiter 14 do not overlap one another in frontal view nor seen from the flank, and their projections are at a distance from each other in each of these viewing directions. The arrangement of the absorber 14 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to each axis of symmetry of the top of the cell 4.

The cells 4 are stacked with alternating polarity of the Abieiter 14+, 14-. In other words, the first cell 4 (i) is arranged in the cell block so that its negative conductor 14- lies on the right side in the drawing and its positive Abieiter 14+ lies on the left side in the drawing. The next cell 4 (ii) is arranged in the reverse pole direction, namely with its positive Abieiter 14+ on the right side in the drawing and its negative Abieiter 14- on the left side in the drawing. The polar directions of the further cells 4 each alternate further until the last (eighth) cell 4 (viii). Thus, positive Abieiter 14+ and negative Abieiter 14- alternate in the stacking direction. In the terminal pressure plate 6, a pocket 16 is formed. The pocket 16 is a recess in which two terminals 18 (18+, 18-) are arranged. The terminals 18 are accessible from the outside and form the poles of the battery 2. In particular, the terminal 18+ forms a positive pole of the battery 2 and forms the terminal 18- a negative pole of the battery 2. In the pocket 16 also find other components (not shown in detail ) for controlling and regulating the battery 2 and the individual cells 4 place.

Between the successive Abieitern 14 of two cells 4 each spacers 20 are arranged. The spacers 20 have either a feed-through device 22, a one-sided contacting device 23 or no contacting device. The feedthrough devices 22 are constructed so that they establish an electrical connection between the Abieitern 14 at fixed abutment of Abieiter 14 on both sides of the spacer 20. The one-sided contacting devices 23 are constructed in such a way that they establish an electrical connection with one of the two conductors 14 when the Abieiter 14 is firmly in abutment on both sides of the spacer 20 in such a way that it is possible to grasp it from outside the spacer. As far as neither a through-contacting device 22 nor a one-sided contacting device 23 is present in a spacer 20, the conductors 14 on both sides of a spacer 20 are reliably electrically separated from one another. It can also be said that a spacer 20 with a through-contacting device 22 is a through-contacting or spacer-configured spacer, a spacer 20 with a one-sided contacting device 23 is a spacer which is in one-sided contact or one-sided contact configuration, and a spacer 20 without a contacting device 22 or 23 is not contacting or non-contacting configured spacer. For the purpose of length compensation, end pieces 21a, 21b are arranged at the spacers 14+, 14- of the first and last cell 4 (i), 4 (viii) in the direction pointing outwards in the stacking direction - Different pieces 20 and bridge the distance between the Abieiter 14 and the pressure plates 6, 8. In this way, between the pressure plates 6, 8, a closed column of spacers 20, Abieitern 14 and end pieces 21 a, 21 b. In the terminal pressure plate 6, a respective pressure element 24 is arranged with a pressure-transmitting member 26 so that the pressure-transmitting member protrudes through an opening 54 in the terminal-pressure plate 6 therethrough. The openings 54 are each in the extension of one of the columns of spacers 20, Abieitern 14 and end pieces 21 a, 21 b, so that the pressure mediating member rests each on one of the end pieces 21 a, 21 b. Once a pressure element 24 is activated, it exerts on the associated pressure switch member 26 pressure on the corresponding end piece 21 a, 21 b and thus to the entire column of spacers 20, Abieitern 14 and end pieces 21 a, 21 b. In this way, axial pressure is exerted on the arrangement of spacers 20, end pieces 21a, 21b and Abieitern 40 from the outside, the spacers 20 and end pieces 21 a, 21 b fixed and is a permanent contact by the contacting devices 22, 23rd ensured.

The exact structure of the pressure elements 24 and pressure transmission members 26 will be discussed in more detail in connection with further embodiments. The term pressure element 24 and pressure transmitting member 26 refers to the functions, on the one hand to generate a force and on the other hand to transmit this force as a compressive force on a column of spacers 20, Abieitern 14 and end pieces 21 a, 21 b. The pressure element 24 and the pressure-transmitting element 26 (FIG. 1) on each side of the battery 2 may coincide into a single component and be realized, for example, by a simple cylinder screw which is screwed into the connection pressure plate 6 and there presses on the end piece 21 a and 21 b, wherein the opening 54 is only a threaded hole. By appropriate measures must be taken to ensure that the pressure combination can not inadvertently solve during operation Several of the cells 4 of the present embodiment are connected in series. Namely, the first four cells 4 (i) to 4 (iv) form a group A, and the second four cells 4 (v) to 4 (viii) form a group B of cells 4, each forming a series circuit. For this purpose, in group A, the spacers 20 between the positive Abieiter 14+ of the first cell 4 (i) and the negative Abieiter 14- the next cell 4 (ii), between the positive Abieiter 14+ of the cell 4 (ii) and the negative Abieiter 14- of the next cell 4 (iii) and between the positive Abieiter 14+ of the cell 4 (iii) and the negative Abieiter 14- of the last cell 4 (iv) each have a via device 21 on. Similarly, in group B, the spacers 20 between the positive Abieiter 14+ of the first cell 4 (v) and the negative Abieiter 14- the next cell 4 (vi), between the positive Abieiter 14+ the cell 4 (vi) and the negative Abieiter 14- of the next cell 4 (vii) and between the positive Abieiter 14+ of the cell 4 (vii) and the negative Abieiter 14- of the last cell 4 (viii) in each case a via device 21 on. All other spacers 20 are not durchkontaktierend.

The pole potentials of the groups (series connections) A and B of the cells 4 of the battery 2 are tapped as follows. The spacer 20 between the negative conductor 14- of the cell 4 (i) (the first cell in the group A) and the positive absorber 14+ of the next cell 4 (ii) is provided with a single-sided contacting device 23 which is located on the negative side contacted and connected via a negative pole line 28- to the negative terminal 18-. Likewise, the spacer 20 between the negative conductor 14- of the cell 4 (v) (the first cell in the second group B) and the positive absorber 14+ of the next cell 4 (vi) is provided with a single-sided contacting device 23 which is located on the negative side and connected via a negative pole 30- to the negative terminal 18- is connected. The distance Piece 20 between the positive Abieiter 14+ of the cell 4 (iv) (the last cell of the first group A) and the negative Abieiter 14- the previous cell 4 (iii) is provided with a one-sided contacting device 23 which contacts on the positive side and connected via a positive pole 28+ to the positive terminal 18+. Similarly, the spacer 20 between the positive Abieiter 14+ of the cell 4 (viii) (the last cell of the second group B) and the negative Abieiter 14- the previous cell 4 (vii) is provided with a one-sided contacting device 23, which on the positive Page contacted and connected via a positive 30+ pole to the positive terminal 18+.

In the manner described, any electrical interconnections of the cells 4 in the battery 2 can be realized. If e.g. the one-sided contactors 23 in the spacers 20 of the cells 4 (iv) and 4 (v) in Fig. 1 are omitted and instead between the positive Abieiter 14+ of the cell 4 (iv) and the negative Abieiter 14- of the cell 4 (v) also a spacer 20 is used with through-hole device 22, a series connection of all cells in the battery 2 is realized. In other words, between the headers 14 of successive cells 4 there are alternately through-contacting and non-contacting spacers 20 in order to realize a series connection of the cells 4; and where a separation is to be tapped into groups of cells, a via 22 is omitted and unilaterally contacting spacers 20, 23 are provided which are connected to the respective battery post 18+, 18-.

In Fign. 2 and 3, the structure of the battery 2 according to this embodiment is shown in more detail. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II in FIG. 1 in a plane between the second and third cells 4 (ii), 4 (iii), and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view the section along a line III-III in Fig. 1 in a median plane of a sequence of Abieitern 14 and spacers 20, 21 a, 21 b extends. As shown in Fig. 2, the spacers 20 have a rectangular cross section and the top of each cell 4 on the left and right half each have a recess 32 in which the spacers 20 rest. They are thereby fixed in the lateral direction and downwards. Upwards, the spacers are retained by a cover (not shown in detail), which rests in a shoulder 34 of the connection pressure plate 6 and in a shoulder 35 of the counter-pressure plate 8. At the lower corners, the cells 4 have notches 36 (corner recesses) into which the block anchors 10 extend and thus allow alignment of the cells 4.

The sectional plane in Fig. 2 (line II-II in Fig. 1) intersects the spacers 20 between the second and third cells 4 (ii), 4 (iii). The spacers 20 are generally cuboid; their extension in the axial direction (stacking direction of the cells 4, perpendicular to the plane in Fig. 2) corresponds to the distance between see Abieitern 14. They have a central axial bore 40, which for receiving a through-connection device (22) or a one-sided Kontaktierungsseinnchtung ( 23) and otherwise can remain empty.

The sectional plane in Fig. 3 (line III-III in Fig. 1) intersects the spacers 20 of the pressure composite on the right side in Fig. 1, at the height of the bores 40 in the spacers 20. According to the circuit arrangement in FIG. 1, the spacers 20 on this side have, in the order of their cell 4 (i) to the last cell 4 (viii), a one-sided contacting device 23, a via device 22, a one-sided contacting device 23, no through-connection device, one-sided contacting device 23, a via-contacting device 22 and a one-sided contacting device 23. In this embodiment, the through-connection devices 22 are realized by electrically conductive through-bolts 22, which are received in the axial bores 40 and which extend over the entire axial length of the spacers 20. The one-sided contacting devices 23 are realized in each case by an electrically conductive contact pin 23a and an insulating bolt 23b, which are arranged in the axial direction. Albohrungen 40 are added and together are as long as the entire axial length of the spacers 20. Between the contact pin 23a and insulating bolt 23b each have a pin 44 is clamped, which allows the contact to the outside. Where no contact is to be realized, the axial bore 40 remains empty. If required for reasons of stability, bolts of insulating material can be provided there as a counter-pressure bearing.

The structure of the spacers 20 and the contacting elements is shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 shown in more detail. FIGS. 4 and 5 show a spacer 2 initially without contacting elements.

4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a spacer 20, wherein the viewing direction of FIG. 2, ie the stacking direction of the cells 4 corresponds, and wherein the sectional plane extends through the central plane of the spacer 20 seen in the stacking direction. The spacer 20 has a cuboid main body 38 made of an electrically insulating material. As noted above, an axial bore 40 extends centrally through the spacer 20. Further, a transverse bore 42 also extends centrally from one side of the spacer 20 to the other. The transverse bore 42 extends centrally and horizontally through the main body 38 and therefore intersects the axial bore 40. The transverse bore 42 has (without limiting the generality) a smaller diameter than the axial bore 40. Fig. 5 is a view of the spacer 20 from the side. In this view, the section line of Fig. 4 is illustrated by a line IV-IV. The location of the Abieiter 14 is indicated by dotted lines.

In through-contacting configuration, via bolts 22 (see Fig. 3) are inserted in the axial bore 40. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the spacer 20 taken along lines Vl-Vl in Figs. 4 and 5, with built-in components in one-sided contacting configuration. Again, the location of the Abieiter 14 is indicated by dotted lines. As shown in Fig. 6, the contact pin 44 is inserted from one side into the transverse bore 42, and the contact pin 23a and the insulating pin 23b are inserted from opposite sides into the axial bore 40, pinching the contact pin 44 therebetween. The contact wire presses into the insulating bolt 23b and the contact pin 23a. A groove can also be provided in the inwardly facing end surfaces of the insulating bolt 23b and of the contact bolt 23a, the shape of which is modeled on the cross section of the contact pin 44; In this case, for the purpose of a torsion-proof installation, the bolts 23a, 23b have a nose on the lateral surface and may be provided in the axial bore 40 of the base body 38 (the spacer 20) has a groove which receives the nose (not shown in detail). Alternatively, the contact pin 44 may be flattened at its end. By clamping a reliable electrical contact between the contact pin 44 and the contact pin 23 a is produced.

The transverse bore 42 for receiving the contact pin 44 extends over the entire width of the spacer 20, so that it can be contacted from both sides. The contact pin 44 projects laterally out of the spacer 20 and is connected to a socket 46 or the like to the pole line 28 and 30 respectively. Alternatively, the contact pin 44 and socket 46 may realize a long pin connector.

The through-bolts 22 and contact pins 23a and the contact pins 44 are made of a good conductor material. As a conductor material copper, brass, bronze or the like in question, but there are also other materials conceivable such as steel, aluminum, nickel silver oa To reduce the contact resistance between contacts, a silvering or gold plating of the contact surfaces may be provided. To further intensify the contact, the contact surfaces may be roughened. The spacers 20 and the insulating bolts 23b are made of an electrically insulating material. As an insulator material are plastics, rubber, ceramics and the like in question.

The spacers 20 may be more compliant than the bolts 22, 23a, 23b, so that a reliable pressure contact comes about. The tolerances of the bolts 22, 23 a, 23 b and spacers 20 should be matched to one another such that the bolts 22, 23 a, 23 b can not disappear in the spacers 20. There are also two or three or more axial bores 40 with corresponding contacting elements conceivable.

In a modification of this embodiment, the bolts can be replaced by sleeves. As a result, material costs and weight can be saved, which in particular affects when a plurality of axial bores 40 are provided with corresponding contacting possibilities.

As far as required for the sake of power flow and to protect the material, in particular to avoid damage to the arrester 14 by the bolts 22, 23a, 23b (or sleeves), 20 counter bolt (or sleeves) may be provided in the non-contacting spacers.

FIGS. FIGS. 7 to 10 show a spacer 120 with built-in parts in a through-contacting and single-sided contacting configuration, as a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which is an alternative embodiment of the spacer of the previous exemplary embodiment. The direction of view of Fign. 7 and 9 corresponds to that in Fig. 4, wherein Fig. 7 is only approximately half-sided and Fig. 9 is not cut, and the viewing direction of FIGS. 8 and 10 corresponds to that in Fig. 5, but cut in the median plane (see the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7 and XX in Fig. 9 with associated arrows). FIGS. Figures 7 and 8 show the spacer 120 of this embodiment in through-contacting configuration. The spacer 120 has a cuboid main body 138 made of an electrically insulating material. The main body 138 has at the top a continuous recess 148 which continues saddle-like at the front and back. A U-shaped, adapted to the recess 148 contact plate 122 is placed from above into the recess 148, that it on the main body 138 at. The contact plate 122 is held from above by two screws 152, which are screwed into respective threaded bag bores 150 formed in the base body 138. The U-shaped contact plate 122 creates an electrical connection from a front side to the rear side of the spacer 120 and thus forms a through-contacting device in the sense of the invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the spacer 120 in a one-sided contacting configuration. In this configuration, an L-shaped contact plate 123 is placed from one side in the recess 148, wherein the long leg rests against one of the end sides of the spacer 120 and the short leg rests against the top of the spacer 120. The L-shaped contact plate 123 projects with its short leg beyond the center of the spacer 122, but not to the other end side, and is fixed with screws 152 corresponding to the through-contacting configuration. With the long leg it rests against the Abieiter (14, see Fig. 2). Under one of the screws 152, a contact shoe 144 is placed, on which a Polleitung 28 and 30 ends. On the side opposite the long leg, the spacer 120 rests with the edge 149 left by the depression 148 on the Abieiter (14, see FIG. The L-shaped contact plate 123 thus allows isolation of successive Abieiter 14 and a decrease in the pole potential of Abieiters on the side of the long leg. It therefore forms a one-sided contacting device.

The contact sheets 122, 123 are made of a good conductor material; For this selection, alternatives and variants, the above applies in the context of menhang with the Durchkontaktierungsbolzen 22 and contact pin 23 a of the first embodiment.

The spacer 120 of this embodiment replaces the spacer 20 in the first embodiment and is used as this in each desired configuration. In non-contacting configuration, it lies on both sides with the rim 149 left on the recess 18, on the headers 14, thus ensuring the distance and the clamping connection between successive headers 14.

The cable lug 144 may be formed as a ring eyelet or fork and have a crimping part or a screw terminal for the pole line 28 and 30 respectively. The cable lug 144 can also be replaced by a hook-shaped or loop-shaped bent end of the pole line 28 or 30.

FIGS. FIGS. 1 to 15 show a spacer 220 with built-in parts in a through-contacting and single-sided contacting configuration as a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which is an alternative embodiment of the spacers of the previous exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the spacer 220 of this embodiment in a through-contacting configuration, wherein the line of sight and the sectional shape approximately correspond to the situation in FIG. 7. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the spacer 220 taken along a line XII-XII in FIG. 11 as viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 13 is a plan view of the spacer 220 (see arrow XIII in Fig. 11).

The spacer 220 has a cuboid base body 238 made of an electrically insulating material. The main body 238 has a horizontal, continuous slot 240 between the front side and the rear side, as well as in the front and rear side in each case a recess 248 which extends upwards from the slot 240 (see Fig. 15). According to the representation ment in Fign. 11 to 13, a contact plate 222 extends through the slot 240 and extends on both sides on the end faces of the base body 238 further in the recesses 248 upwards. (Before assembly, the contact plate 222 is in the form of a flat or only one-sided angled semi-finished product, for installation it is pushed through the slot 240 and then angled upward.) It is not necessary to fix the contact plate 222 by means of screws. The contact plate 222 creates an electrical connection from one end face to the other end face of the spacer 120 and forms a through-contacting device in the sense of the invention.

At the top, the main body 238 of the spacer 222 of this embodiment has a transverse groove 242 and a central, up to the slot 240 reaching threaded bore 250 with a cylindrical counterbore 251 on. The countersink 251 extends slightly deeper than the transverse groove 242 into the main body 238.

1 is a cross-sectional view of the spacer 220 in single-contacting configuration and corresponds to the illustration of FIG. 4, and FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of the spacer 220 taken along a line XV-XV in FIG. 14 as viewed in the direction of the arrow.

In a one-way contacting configuration, an L-shaped contact plate 223 is slid from one side into the slot 240 and placed in the recess 248, with the long leg in the recess 248 abutting the front or back of the spacer 220 and the short leg in the Slot 240 sticks out. The L-shaped contact plate 223 protrudes with its short leg beyond the center of the spacer 122, but not to the opposite side, and is fixed with a screwed into the threaded bore 250 cylinder head screw 252. The screw head disappears in the recess 251. With the long leg, the contact plate 223 is located on the Abieiter 14 there. A pole line 28 or 30 extends from outside the spacer 220 through the transverse groove 242 and terminates in a contact shoe 244, which is separated from the cylinder screw. be 252 is fixed with. On the side opposite the long leg, the spacer 220 rests with the edge 249 (see Fig. 11) left on the depression 248 on the Abieiter 14 there. The L-shaped contact plate 223 thus allows isolation of successive Abieiter 14 and a decrease in the pole potential of Abieiters on the side of the long leg. It thus forms a one-sided contacting device according to the invention.

The contact plates 222, 223 are made of a good conductor material; for the relevant selection, alternatives and variants, what has been said above in connection with the through-bolt 22 and contact pin 23a of the first exemplary embodiment applies.

The spacer 220 of this embodiment replaces the spacer 20 or 120 in the first or second embodiment and is used as this in each desired configuration. In non-contacting configuration it rests on both sides with the edge 249 left by the depression 248, thus ensuring the distance and the clamping connection between successive ejectors 14.

In all embodiments, with respect to the spacers 20, 120, 220, the feedthrough devices can be designed so that the decrease of an intermediate potential at this point is possible. In the second and third embodiments, the provided screws 152, 252 with contact shoe 144, 244 can also be used together with the through-contacting contact plates 122, 222. In the first embodiment, instead of a via bolt 22, two contact pins 23a may be used to form a via device with a decrease in potential. In this way, a plurality of rated voltages of the battery 2, 102, 202, etc. can be realized. The following embodiments relate to variants in the realization of the pressure combination.

16 is an enlarged view of a portion of a battery 302 as a fourth embodiment of the present invention corresponding to a detail XVI in FIG. 3.

The battery 302 of this embodiment is similar in construction to the battery 2 of the first embodiment. It has a terminal pressure plate 306 which corresponds to the terminal pressure plate 6 of the first embodiment. The generation of the compressive force for producing the clamping connection of Abieitern 14 and spacers 20 including end pieces 21 a, 21 b is carried out from the terminal pressure plate 306. The terminal pressure plate 306 of the battery 302 of this embodiment has a through hole 325, which at the height of the end piece 21 a (on the other side it would be the end piece 21 b) opens. The through hole 354 has a widening with internal thread 356 to the outside. The internal thread 356 is preferably a fine thread, in particular a self-locking thread. Under a self-locking thread is understood here a thread whose geometry is designed such that for release from the tightened state, a high torque is required and an automatic release is therefore unlikely. In this embodiment, a pressing member and a pressure mediating member are formed together by a cap screw 324. The cap screw 324 has a screw head 324a with a head thread 324b and a hexagon socket 324c. Under a head thread is understood here as an external thread, which is incorporated in the head of a screw, and a cap screw is understood to mean a screw with a head thread. The head thread 324b corresponds to the internal thread 356 in the connection pressure plate 306. The screw head 324a is followed by a cylindrical punch 326 having a ner frontal chamfer 326 a, whose outer diameter corresponds to the diameter of the through hole 354. The punch 326 and the through hole 354 may be designed to fit, but this must have so much game that the screw does not jam.

When mounting the punch 326 is inserted with the chamfer 326a in the through hole 354 and then screwed the head thread 324b in the internal thread 356 and tightened, wherein the tightening torque is designed in view of the required compressive force on the end of the punch 326.

Thus, the screw head 324a of the cap screw 324 with the head thread 324b and the hexagon socket 324c forms a pressing member, and the punch 326 of the cap screw 324 forms a pressure mediating member. Instead of the cap screw 324, a simple cylinder screw or a plurality of cylinder screws or the like can be used. However, the use of a cap screw facilitates the formation of a thread with self-locking properties due to the smaller achievable thread pitch. Instead of or in addition to the formation of a self-locking thread, a counter cover (not shown in more detail) can be attached after assembly. Under a counter cover is understood here a headless screw whose length is less than their diameter; it may have two eccentric holes for receiving a puller or the like. Fig. 17 shows the same section as Fig. 16 for a battery 402 as a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The battery 402 of this embodiment is similar in construction to the battery 2 of the first embodiment. It has a terminal pressure plate 406 which corresponds to the terminal pressure plate 6 of the first embodiment. The generation of the compressive force for the production of the clamping Connection of Abieitern 14 and spacers 20 including end pieces 21 a, 21 b is carried out from the terminal pressure plate 406.

The terminal pressure plate 406 of the battery 402 of this embodiment has a through hole 454 that opens at the level of the end piece 21a (on the other side, it would be the end piece 21b). The through-bore 454 has a cylindrical countersink 455 towards the outside as well as an internal thread 456 (threaded start-up) in its once more expanded contact area. The internal thread 456 is preferably a fine thread, in particular a self-locking thread.

In this embodiment, the pressure element and the pressure mediating member are formed by a pressure can 424, which drives a plunger 426 with an end face widened punch 426a.

During assembly, the can 424 is inserted into the counterbore 454 with the punch 426 projecting into the through bore 454. Then, the counterbore 455 is closed by a lid 458. The lid 458 has an external thread 458 a corresponding to the internal thread 456 in the terminal pressure plate 406. The lid 458 further includes two eccentric blind holes 458b for receiving a puller to attract or disengage the lid and a central opening 458c. Through the central opening 458c through a connection line runs 460 for the pressure cell 424. The pressure can 424 may be formed in many ways; It is essential that the punch with a predetermined, preferably controllable pressure or predetermined path of the plunger 426 is actuated. The drive may be electromotive, electromagnetic, piezoelectric, hydraulic or pneumatic; It can also be a shape memory component used as a moving element. When the pressure cell is activated, the plunger 426 is extended axially, and the punch 426 a presses on the end piece 21 a. Thus, the pressure combination of Abieitern 14, spacers 20 and end pieces 21 a, 21 b is braced, and the contacts are pressed reliably. Particularly advantageously, the pressure can 424 is designed so that the plunger locked in the extended state. The pressure can 424 (with lid 458 as abutment) form a pressure element, and the plunger 426 with the punch 426a forms a pressure switch.

Instead of using the cover 460, in a modification of this embodiment, the pressure can 424 itself be screwed, the internal thread 456 would then be longer, and the reduction 455 could possibly be omitted.

FIGS. 18 to 21 show details and overall views of a battery 502 having another pressure introduction concept as a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 shows the same section as Fig. 16 or Fig. 17 for the battery 502 of this embodiment. Fig. 19 shows the same area in horizontal section taken along a line XIX-XIX in Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the battery 502 between two cells 4; the view corresponds to Fig. 2. Fig. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view; the view corresponds approximately to FIG. 3.

The battery 502 of this embodiment corresponds in its basic construction to the battery 2 of the first embodiment. Printing plates 506, 508 correspond to the printing plates 6, 8 of the first embodiment. Spacers 520 and end pieces 521 a, 521 b correspond to the spacers 20 and end pieces 21 a, 21 b of the first embodiment. Instead of axial bores 40, as in the case of the spacers 20 of the first exemplary embodiment, the spacers 520 of this exemplary embodiment have rectangular shafts into which cuboidal or rectangular inserts 522, 523 a, 523 b (corresponding to the through-bolt 22, contact pin 23 a and iso). lierbolzen 23b of the first embodiment) are used. The introduction of the compressive force for the production of the clamping connection of Abieitern and spacers takes place from the terminal pressure plate 506. In the terminal pressure plate 506 pockets 506a are formed, which serve to receive the pressure elements and pressure-transmitting links. The spacers 520, 521a, 521b extend in this embodiment higher than the Abieiter 14 and have, in addition to the shafts 540, which serve to receive the contacting elements 522, 523a, 523b, further axial bores above the level of Abieiter 14.

By the additional axial bores in the spacers 520, 521 a, 521 b through two tie rods 524 above the Abieiter 14 of the cells 4 of the battery 502. The tie rods 524 are based with their heads in correspondingly dimensioned recesses 508 a of the platen 508 and extend to into the pocket 506a of the terminal pressure plate 506, where they end in nuts 525. The tie rods 524 and the nuts 525 form a pressure element for bracing the spacers 520 and end pieces 521 a, 521 b in this embodiment. It should be noted that the tie rods 524 are provided in addition to the block anchors 10. To distinguish the function from the block anchors 10, the tie rods 524 are also referred to below as "contact anchors" 524.

A pressure transmitting member is formed by a bridge 526 and pressure pin 527. The pressure pins 527 sit in through holes of the terminal pressure plate 506 at the level of the shafts 540 of Abieiter 14 and abut the end pieces 521 a (or 521 b on the other side). The bridge 526 is a belt-shaped component with a recess 526a facing the battery interior and running in the transverse direction of the battery 502. Through the groove 526a two bearing lines are formed, one of which is above the contact armature 524 on the wall of the pocket 506a and the other at the height of the pressure pin 527. The contact armature 524 extend below the upper bearing line through the bridge 526, and the nuts 525 press on the bridge 526 from the outside so that the direction of force between the two bearing lines of the bridge 526 runs. Thus, the bridge 526 forms a lever which transmits the tensile force of the contact armature 524 on the pressure pin 527 and thus reliably clamped the composite of Abieitern 14 and spacers 520, 521 a, 521 b.

As shown in Fig. 20, the cells 4 have no recesses (see Fig. 32 in Fig. 2) at the top for receiving the spacers 520 on. The spacers 520, 521a, 521b are held in place by the contact anchors 524, so that said depressions are dispensable.

Likewise, the cells have no catches on the bottom. Instead, the cells 4 rest on the lower block anchors 10. The block anchors 10 are long cap screws whose heads are seated in correspondingly dimensioned counterbores 506b of the terminal pressure plate 506 and bolted into threaded holes 508b in the reaction plate 508 (the location may be reversed). The tie rods 524 are rotatably mounted with, for example, square or Außenmehrzahnköpfen in the counter-plate and are bolted to the side of the terminal pressure plate 506 with the bridge 526. All screw connections lie above or below the contours of the cells 4 including the Abieiter 14. The polar lines 28, 30 are guided above the arrester plane. When all tie rods (block anchor 10 and contact anchor 524) are released, individual cells 4 can be laterally withdrawn from the cell block and exchanged (double arrow "X" in Fig. 20). The spacers can not fall out because they are held by the contact anchors.

The contact anchors 524 are independent of the block anchors 10, but can support their effect. In other words, by tightening the contact anchors 524, additional pressure is applied to the pressure plates 506, 508, which contributes to the strain of the cell block. However, since the contact anchors 524 are retrofitted, the tensile force of the block anchors 10 must be sufficient to maintain the cell block. In order to avoid permanent one-sided burdens avoid, after mounting the contact armature 524 or shortly before the tightening torque of the underlying block anchor 10 can be increased. Under certain conditions, the upper block anchor 10 can also be omitted. Although not shown in detail, it can be ensured by suitable measures that the assembly only has to be made from one of the pressure plates 506, 508. For example, the tie rods 510 may also be bolted to internal threads in the platen 508, and their heads may sit directly on the bridge 526 where they will be tightened with a suitable tool.

In a modification of this embodiment, the contact anchors may be reduced to substantially tensionless guide rods for the spacers 520, 521 a, 521 b, while the contacting separately therefrom according to the principles of FIGS. 1 to 17 takes place. In this case, bridges 526 can be dispensed with.

In the above embodiment, the contact anchors pass through through holes in the pressure plates 506, 508 and are thus radially supported. In a further modification, the pressure plates 506, 508 have, instead of the through-holes mentioned above, slots running upwards through which the contact anchors 524 can be removed upwards, together with the spacers 520 and end pieces 521 a, 521 b arranged thereon. In a further modification, the spacers 520 and end pieces 521a, 521b have thickenings in the profile region of the contact anchors 524 such that the spacers 520 and end pieces 521a, 521b touch above the level of the abieiter 14. In this way, an axially stable composite of the spacers 520 and end pieces 521 a, 521 b created, and unwanted axial loosening and displacement of the spacers 520 or end pieces 521 a, 521 b in the removal of individual cells 4 can be avoided. An effective abutment against the contact pressure of the bridge is also bridge 526 is formed above the plane of the contact anchors 524, and undesirable deformations of the wall of the pocket 506a can be avoided.

In a further modification of this exemplary embodiment, the block anchors can lie laterally outside the cells. In this case, cells can be pulled down from the cell block and replaced.

In Fign. 22 and 23, a spacer 620 is shown as a further embodiment of the invention. FIG. 22 is a horizontal sectional view of the spacer 620, and FIG. 23 is a side view looking in the direction of an arrow XXIII in FIG. 22.

The spacer 620 in this embodiment has an insulating layer 638a sandwiched by two conductor layers 638b. This layer structure may be referred to as the main body of the spacer 620. The conductor layers 638b are thin compared to the insulating layer 638a. The conductor layers 638b form in the stacking direction of the battery 2, the front and back of the spacer 620, which are in contact with the current conductors of the battery cells (in the figure, the current conductors 14 are indicated by dashed lines).

In each of the lateral flanks of the spacer 620, two blind holes 658 are formed so as to be partially in the insulating layer 638a and partially in one of the conductor layers 638b. The blind holes 658 lie one behind the other on a horizontal plane in the stacking direction. Thus, on each flank of the spacer 620, a blind hole 658 intersects one of the conductor layers 638b and the other blind hole 658 intersects the other conductor layers 638b.

The conductor layers 638b have no electrically conductive connection with each other. Therefore, the spacer 620 as described above may be used as the non-contacting spacer 620. Through a conductor bridge 622, which is inserted into the blind holes 658 in an edge of the spacer 620, an electrically conductive connection between the conductor layers 638b is produced. With the conductor bridge 622, the spacer 620 can be used as a through-contacting spacer 620. In particular, the conductor layers 638b and the conductor bridge 622 form a through-connection device in the sense of the invention.

A plug with a pin 644 and a plug housing 646 is designed to fit into the blind holes 658 in a flank of the spacer 620. In the plug housing 646, a locking screw 647 is provided, with which a Polleitung 28/30 of the battery 2 can be clamped. By inserting the plug 644, 646 into one of the blind holes 658 (without a conductor bridge 622), the spacer 620 is configured to contact on one side, because via the pin 644, an electrically conductive connection is made from one of the conductor layers 638b to the outside of the spacer 620. In particular, one of the conductor layers 638b and the plug 644, 646 form a one-sided contacting device in the sense of the invention.

The spacer 620 of this embodiment is designed so that both a conductor bridge 622 and a plug 644, 646 can be used and so also in through-contacting configuration of the spacer 620 a prevailing at this point potential can be tapped. There may also be several pairs of blind holes 658 on at least one

Edge of the spacer 620 of this embodiment may be arranged to realize by using a plurality of conductor bridges 622 a larger conductor cross-section. The blind holes 658 may have the same or different diameters on both flanks of the spacer 620. The insulating layer 638a is a middle section in the sense of the invention, and the conductor layers 638b are outer sections in the sense of the invention. The blind holes 658 and the recesses 662 are recesses in the context of the invention. Fig. 24 corresponds to the view of Fig. 23 and shows a modification of the spacer 620 of this embodiment. Bushings 662 are fixedly arranged at the location of the blind holes (658, see FIGS. 22, 23). The inner diameter of the sockets 662 is adapted to the outer diameter of the connector pins. The use of the sockets 662 helps to improve a conductor connection between the conductor layers 638b and the plug pins 644.

Fig. 25 corresponds to the view of Fig. 23 and shows another modification of the spacer 620 of this embodiment. Instead of the blind holes (658, see FIGS. 22, 23), recesses 662 of rectangular cross-section are each formed in the side of the spacer 620 in the surface of the insulating layer 638a facing a conductor layer 638b. The recesses 662 may be formed as pockets or as continuous grooves. In this exemplary embodiment, plugs or bridges of rectangular conductor cross-section (not shown in more detail) are used, which contact the respective conductor layer 638b when they are inserted into the recess 662.

In further modifications of the exemplary embodiment, the bores and / or depressions for producing a contact between the conductor layers 638b may be arranged only on one side.

In further modifications of the exemplary embodiment, the bores and / or recesses for producing a contact between the conductor layers 638b may also be arranged or only at the upper side of the spacer 620.

In Fign. 26 to 28 is another way of introducing pressure into the sequence of current conductors and spacers as a further embodiment of the Invention shown. FIG. 26 shows an end piece 721b in plan view, FIG. 27 shows the end piece 721b in longitudinal section along a line XXVII-XXVII in FIG. 26, and FIG. 28 shows the end piece 721b in a view corresponding to FIG activated state.

The end piece 721b is disposed between a current collector 14 and the terminal pressure plate 6 or the counter-pressure plate 8 of the battery. The end piece 721b, as shown in Fig. 26 on its upper side two threaded holes 768.

27 shows a longitudinal section of the end piece 721 b (a longitudinal section is understood in the context of this application to be a section in a vertical plane which runs parallel to the stacking direction of the battery) through one of the threaded bores 768. The end piece 721b is defined by a cuboidal base. body 764 formed. From its underside, a groove 766 extends transversely from one flank to the other flank. The groove 766 has a cross-sectional shape that widens from a narrow slot at the bottom inwardly of the body 768 to a width corresponding to the nominal diameter of the threaded hole 768. The groove 766 terminates in the upper half of the end piece 721 b. Through the groove 766 two legs 764a are defined in the main body 764, which protrude from an upper part of the main body 764 down.

Fig. 28 illustrates how by screwing cap screws 770 in the threaded holes 768, the legs 764a of the end piece 721 b displaced and thereby pressed apart. In a mounting situation in a battery (2, see Figures 1-3, or the like) press the legs 764a in the axial direction to the arrangement of current conductors and spacers, thus creating a reliable clamping compound. The pressure can be adjusted well by the screw-in depth of the cylinder screws 770. There may be more than two threaded holes 768; if necessary, a threaded hole 768 is sufficient.

The legs 764a may be slightly convex rounded on the outside (ie on the front and back of the end piece 721a) to optimize the pressure introduction.

The functional and construction principle of the present invention is also applicable to cells with Abieitern opposite to the side flanks with a few adjustments.

In developments of the present invention, all tie rods (contact, but also block anchors) and / or other clamping and clamping elements electromotive, piezoelectric, hydraulic, pneumatic, remotely controlled by shape memory elements or the like and tightened. Also conceivable are joint actuations of the tie rods or other tensioning and clamping elements via levers, toothed racks and joints, toggle or worm drives.

Optionally, an automatic shutdown of the cell block in case of malfunction (over temperature, overvoltage, voltage drop, etc.) and a manual or automatic replacement of a cell in case of failure can be provided.

In some embodiments described above, the spacers have a single axial bore 40 approximately in the middle of its surface. It is also possible, the bore 40 (and thus the position of the contact) further outward or inward to move, or more holes (and thus multiple contact points) or, as in the fourth embodiment, to provide shafts 540 and contact elements rectangular cross-section. The design of the absorber 14 of the cells 4 contributes to the invention insofar as they project from the cell substantially parallel to one another, the main surfaces of the absorbers being substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction are aligned, the Abieiter a cell seen each other in the stacking direction at least partially (here: completely) do not obscure, and each Abieiter a cell each Abieiter a stacked following cells in the stacking direction at least partially (here: entirely) hidden. In a modification of the basic embodiment described above, the absorbers 14 of a cell 4 can also be arranged next to one another in a plane. In a further modification, if they are offset in the direction of thickness, they may also partially obscure each other. If the Abieiter 14+, 14- of a cell 4 seen covered from the front, holes or openings may be provided in the Abieitern 14, which are aligned with each other in the assembled cell block and through which the positive pole lines 28, 30 can be performed. The pole lines 28 may be isolated independently to avoid short circuits. In another variation, to complicate a polfalsche arrangement, the strictly symmetrical arrangement of Abieiter 14 may be broken in at least one respect; For example, one of the current workers 14+ may be wider than the other. It is essential that the Abieiter a cell seen at least partially do not cover each other in the stacking direction, so that the spacers 20 between the Abieitern 14 successive cells 4 can be arranged.

The design of the spacers 20 and the contacting devices 22, 23 allows further variants. It is essential that the spacers 22 between the Abieitern 14 are arranged, the contacting means 22, 23 and are clamped by pressure from the outside between the Abieitern 14, at the same time the contact is ensured where it is provided. The spacers may for example be made entirely of insulating or conductive material; a one-sided contact (tapping pole potential) can then be done for example by insulating spacers and between-clamped conductor lugs. In the above-described embodiments, a battery 2 was constituted by eight memory cells 4 connected in series. It will be understood that the number of cells 4 in the battery and their interconnection may take any meaningful configuration due to battery voltage and capacity specifications.

In the embodiments described above, the memory cells 4 each having alternating polarity are incorporated in the battery pack. In a further modification, it may be provided that the polar direction of the cells does not change after each cell, but that pairs or larger groups of successive cells 4, each having the same polar direction, are incorporated. The pairs or groups may then each form parallel circuits, and successive pairs or groups may be connected in series. For this purpose, within a pair or a group, the Abieiter same polarity, which are on the same side in a row, are electrically connected by contact elements (contact sleeves, shoes or bridges). At the transition from one pair or group to the next pair or group, a contact element is inserted on one side and an insulating element on the other side. If a cell block of particularly high capacity is desired and if the cell voltage of a single cell is sufficient, then all the cells in the block can also be arranged with the same polar direction and the absorbers of each side can be connected to one another by contact elements.

The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments and some modifications thereof. It should be understood that the specific embodiments illustrate and exemplify the claimed invention, but do not limit it. The invention itself is defined and limited solely by the most general understanding of the claims. It is also understood that the features of various embodiments and / or modifications can be combined and / or exchanged to take advantage of the respective advantages. The memory cells 4 are electric energy cells in the sense of the invention; and the batteries 2, 102, 202, 302 are electric power units in the sense of the invention. The stack of cells 4 is a cell block in the sense of the invention. The connection terminals 18+, 18- are connection poles in the sense of the invention. Plus and minus are polarities in the sense of the invention.

List of reference numbers:

2 battery

4 memory cell

6 connection pressure plate

8 counter pressure plate

10 tie rods

12 mother

14+, 14- Positive, Negative Abieiter

16 terminal pocket

18+, 18- Positive, Negative Terminal

20 spacer

21 a, 21 b end pieces

22 Through-hole device (pin) 23 One-sided contacting device

23a contact pin

23b insulating bolt

24 pressure element

26 pressure transmitting member

28+, 28- positive, negative pole line (first group A)

30+, 30- positive, negative pole line (second group B)

32 deepening

34, 35 paragraph

36 catch

38 basic body

40 axial bore

42 transverse bore

44 connecting pin

46 socket

54 guide opening

120 spacer (second embodiment) 122 contact sheet (both sides)

123 contact plate (one-sided)

138 basic body

144 cable lug

148 deepening

149 edge

150 threaded blind bore

152 screw 220 spacer (third embodiment)

222 contact sheet (both sides)

223 contact plate (one-sided)

238 basic body

240 slot

242 Quernut

244 cable lug

248 deepening

249 edge

250 threaded hole

251 Cylinder counterbore

252 screw

302 battery (fourth embodiment)

306 face plate

324 pressure screw

324a screw thread head

324b external thread

324c hexagon socket

326 (passport) pins

326a bevel

354 (pass) bore

356 Counterbore 402 battery (fifth embodiment)

406 face plate

424 pressure element

426 push rod

426a end plate

454 perforation

455 subsidence

456 thread start

458 cover

458a external thread

458b blind hole

458c through hole

460 supply line

502 battery (sixth embodiment)

504 battery cell

506 connection pressure plate

506a bag

506b lowering

508 counter pressure plate

508a recess

508b threaded hole

520 spacer

521 a, 521 b tail

522 bars

523a contact latch

523b insulating bolt

524 contact anchors

525 mother

526 bridge

527 pressure pin 540 shaft

620 spacer (seventh embodiment)

622 conductor bridge

638a insulating layer

638b conductor layer

644 connector pin

646 connector housing

647 locking screw

658 blind hole

660 socket (modification)

662 recess (modification)

721 b tail (eighth embodiment)

764 basic body

764a thigh

766 groove

768 threaded hole

770 cylinder screw i, ii, viii cell counter 4

A, B groups of cells 4

It is expressly understood that the above list of reference numerals is an integral part of the description.

Claims

P a n t a n s p r e c h e

An electric power unit having a plurality of electric power cells stacked in a stacking direction into a cell block and interconnected in parallel and / or in series within the cell block, the electric power cells having planarized abieites projecting substantially in parallel with each other from the cell, the major surfaces the Abieiter are aligned substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction, wherein the Abieiter a cell seen each other in the stacking direction at least partially obscure, each Abieiter a cell at least partially obscured a Abieiter seen in the stacking direction cells in the stacking direction, characterized in that the electrical interconnection between opposite Abieitern is prepared by through-contacting or non-contacting spacers, which are arranged in spaces between Abieitern successive cells, wherein the di e spacers are clamped by a compressive force by means of a clamping device between the Abieitern, wherein the clamping device is disposed completely outside the Abieiter.

Electric power unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device has force generating elements for generating a force, wherein the force generating elements act directly in the stacking direction on the arrangement of Abieitern and spacers.

An electric power unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the tensioning means comprises force generating elements for generating a force and force transmission elements, wherein the force transmission elements transmit the force exerted by the force generating elements force on the arrangement of Abieitern and spacers. An electric power unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the tensioning device comprises tension rods which extend past the Abieitern over the length of the stack, and clamping elements, wherein the clamping elements transmit a force exerted by the Zugstäben force to a Abieiter intersecting plane.

An electric power unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the tension rods run through holes in the spacers through.

Electric power unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping device has at least one actuator, wherein a force of the actuator acts directly or via levers, joints or the like in the stacking direction from the outside to the arrangement of Abieitern and spacers.

Electric power unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the actuator is mechanically, in particular manually, or by electric motor, e- lektromag netisch, hydraulically, pneumatically, piezoelectrically controllable.

Electric power unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a distance adjoining a Abieiter spacer has a tapping device, which establishes an electrical connection with the Abieiter.

Electric power unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the tapping device is provided on a unilaterally contacting spacer, which is a non-durchkontaktierendes spacer.

Electric power unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first terminal pole and a second

Terminal pole of the electric power unit are provided, wherein the first Terminal pole is connected to a Abieiter a first polarity of the first cell in the cell block, and wherein the second terminal pole is connected to a Abieiter a second polarity of the last cell in the cell block.

Electric power unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the cells are arranged in the stacking direction with alternating polarity.

Electric power unit according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the cell block is clamped from the plurality of cells between two pressure plates, wherein the pressure plates are preferably braced by tie rods. 13. Electric power unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric energy cells are galvanic cells, preferably a secondary cells, wherein in particular an electromagnetically active material of the cells comprises lithium or a lithium compound.

14. Spacer for use between Abieitern two successive electric power cells in a cell stack, wherein the spacer is made of an electrically non-conductive material, two parallel faces at a distance of the gap between the Abieitern, at least a first receiving means for receiving a contact element for making electrical contact with at least one of the end faces, and a second receiving device for receiving a connection element for establishing an electrical connection with the contact element from a surface different from the end faces of the spacer. A spacer for use between the leads of two consecutive electric power cells in a cell stack, the spacer comprising a central portion of electrically non-conductive material and two outer portions of electrically conductive material sandwiching and parallel with the middle portion, the outer portions defining end faces of the spacer, the distance between the end faces corresponds to the distance of a gap between Abieitern two successive in the cell stack electric energy cells, wherein in other outer surfaces than the two end faces at least two recesses are provided, wherein one of the recesses connects to one of the outer sections, but no connection to the other of the outer sections and wherein and the other recesses connect to the other of the outer sections but have no connection to the one of the outer sections, wherein the recesses are formed in other than the end faces.