WO2014154347A1

WO2014154347A1 - Electrochemical energy converter and method for producing same

Info

Publication number: WO2014154347A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/000790
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erhard SCLETTERER; Roland Weixler
Original assignee: Li-Tec Battery Gmbh
Priority date: 2013-03-27
Filing date: 2014-03-24
Publication date: 2014-10-02
Also published as: WO2014154347A8; DE102013005421A1

Abstract

An electrochemical energy converter according to the invention has a plurality of electrodes and at least one outgoing electrical conductor (1, 2), which extends substantially in a longitudinal direction and which therefore has a direction of longitudinal extent (LR), and which is electrically conductively connected to a plurality of these electrodes. A plurality of joints, in particular welded joints (4, 5, 6, 7), is arranged at or on this outgoing electrical conductor in the direction of longitudinal extent at a distance from one another. The outgoing electrical conductor has first cross-sectional areas (QF1) arranged perpendicular to this direction of longitudinal extent at these joints. The outgoing electrical conductor has second cross-sectional areas (QF2) between these joints in the direction of longitudinal extent. These first cross-sectional areas (QF1) are greater and in particular considerably greater than these second cross-sectional areas (QF2), at least in the case of a number of joints arranged adjacent to one another.

Description

Electrochemical energy converter and

Process for its preparation

Description

Hereby, the entire content of the priority application DE 10 2013 005 421.4 by reference is part of the present application. The present invention relates to an electrochemical energy converter, hereinafter also referred to as converter and a method for producing an electrochemical energy converter. The invention is preferably described in the context of lithium-ion batteries for the supply of motor vehicle drives. It should be noted that the invention can also be used independently of the chemistry of the transducer and regardless of the type of powered drive.

Under an electrochemical energy converter in the context of the present invention, hereinafter also referred to as converter, each means for the conversion of energy to be understood, which can convert chemical energy into electrical energy and / or electrical energy into chemical energy. Important examples of electrochemical energy converters in the context of the present invention are in particular electrochemical

Energy storage and so-called fuel cells. The latter convert chemical energy into electrical energy, wherein the reactants are continuously fed to the electrochemical reaction and the reaction products are discharged accordingly. In electrochemical energy storage, a distinction is made between primary and secondary electrochemical Energy storage. Primary electrochemical energy stores convert the chemical energy present in a stored supply of reactants into electrical energy. Secondary electrochemical

Energy storage can convert electrical energy into chemical energy and recharge the chemical energy storage in this way.

A fuel cell is a galvanic cell, which is the chemical

Reaction energy of a continuously supplied fuel and an oxidizing agent converts into electrical energy. A fuel cell is not an energy storage but only a converter. The energy for power production is supplied to a fuel cell in chemically bound form with the fuels. Like an electrochemical energy storage also has a

Fuel cell electrodes, which are separated by a semipermeable for (certain) ions permeable membrane and / or an electrolyte. The electrode plates of fuel cells usually consist of metal or carbon nanotubes. They are coated with a catalyst, for example platinum or palladium. The energy provides a reaction of oxygen with a fuel, such as hydrogen or organic compounds such. As methane or methanol may exist. Both reactants are fed continuously via the electrodes.

An electrochemical energy store has one or more galvanic cells. In addition to the fuel cells, which are also referred to as tertiary cells, a distinction between primary cells and secondary cells in electrochemical energy storage. Primary cells are colloquially often referred to as "battery". Their discharge is irreversible and the primary cell can no longer be charged electrically. Secondary cells are colloquially referred to as an accumulator or short battery. After a discharge secondary cells can be recharged by a opposite direction opposite to the discharge current direction again. The chemical processes in the cell run, limited by the number of memory cycles, reversible. The energy density of secondary cells is compared to

Primary cells at identical temperature lower.

From the prior art electrochemical energy converter, in particular for the supply of motor vehicle drives known. Conventional transducers have an electrode assembly with at least two electrodes of different polarity and a separator. The separator separates or complains the electrodes of different polarity. Further, conventional transducers have at least two current conductors, which are electrically connected to one electrode of the electrode assembly. DE 10 2008 032 270 discloses a galvanic cell with a

Current conductor, which has at least one substantially plate-shaped and preferably thin-walled core region. This core region contains at least one electrically conductive third material. Of the

Current conductor further has a first surface area with at least a first material. Furthermore, the current collector has a second

Surface area with at least one second material. The electrical conductivity of the first surface area is less than that of the second surface area. Furthermore, this first surface area is delimited or spatially separated from this second surface area. DE 10 2009 010 147 discloses an electrochemical energy store having a substantially flat housing and at least two electrical conductors of opposite electrical polarity. In order to dissipate the energy stored in the galvanic cell, the conductors or the housing are designed such that the absorbers are accessible from the outside for electrical contacts via window-shaped recesses of the housing arranged essentially in planes parallel to the flat housing surface of the cell. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved transducer which can be manufactured as simply and inexpensively as possible.

The object is achieved by a product or by a method according to one of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

An inventive electrochemical energy converter has a plurality of electrodes and at least one current conductor, which is located in the

Substantially extends in a longitudinal direction and thus a

Has longitudinal direction, and is electrically connected to a plurality of these electrodes. At or on this current conductor is a plurality of joints, in particular welds in the

Longitudinal direction arranged at a distance from each other. Of the

Current conductor has at these junctions perpendicular to this

Longitudinal direction arranged on the first cross-sectional areas. The current collector has in the longitudinal direction between them

Connecting points on second cross-sectional areas. These first

Cross-sectional areas are larger, and in particular significantly larger than these second cross-sectional areas, at least in the case of a number of connection points arranged adjacent to one another. An advantage associated with this inventive solution can be seen in the fact that, with a suitable design or choice of sizes or proportions of the first and second cross-sectional areas electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different welds and / or between associated with these welds components the energy converter can be avoided or reduced in the generation of at least one of these welds. According to some preferred embodiments of the invention, an electrochemical energy converter according to the invention has a plurality of electrodes and at least one current conductor, which is electrically conductively connected to a plurality of these electrodes. This current collector has a plurality of welds, at least some of which

Welds through at least one recess in the material of

Stromableiters are partially separated when receiving at least one electrically conductive connection between these connection points.

Current arresters are sometimes referred to simply as Abieiter in this specification. Preferably, the current collector as metallic sheets, particularly preferably of highly electrically conductive metals such as copper or aluminum or as composite materials or

Alloys of such metals designed.

An advantage associated with these preferred embodiments can be seen in the fact that, when suitably designed, the invention

Recess or recesses electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different welds and or between connected to these welds components of the

Energy converter in the generation of at least one of these welds can be avoided or reduced by this at least one recess.

A welding point in the sense of the present invention is intended to be understood to mean any location on the surface of a component to which this component is or is connected in a materially bonded manner to another component. Important examples of such welds are

Joints such as in particular solder joints, splices and welds in the strict sense. Cohesive connections are all compounds in which the connection partners are held together by atomic or molecular forces. They are consistently not solvable

Compounds that separate only by destruction of the connecting means to let. Important examples of such compounds are in particular

Connections made by soldering, gluing or welding.

A welding process in the sense of the present invention is to be understood as meaning any process for the cohesive connection or joining of two components, that is to say in particular brazing, gluing or welding.

Some preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the at least one current conductor is electrically conductively connected via a plurality of welds to a plurality of collector lugs, each of which is electrically connected to an electrode. These preferred

Embodiments of the invention have the advantage that electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different electrodes can be avoided or reduced even more effectively if current conductors are electrically conductively connected via a plurality of welds to a plurality of collector vanes, each of which is electrically connected to an electrode. It has been shown that undesired electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different electrodes are the lower the longer the connection paths between the electrodes are configured.

Some such or further preferred embodiments of the invention provide that each arrester lug has its own drainage conductor

Welding point is connected to that of other welds

Stromableiters by at least one recess in the material of

Stromableiters are partially separated when receiving at least one electrically conductive connection between these connection points. These preferred embodiments of the invention have the advantage that electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different electrodes can be avoided or reduced even more effectively if each arrester lug is connected to the current collector via its own welding point, that of other welds Stromableiters by at least one recess in the material of

Stromableiters are partially separated when receiving at least one electrically conductive connection between these connection points. It has been shown that unwanted electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different electrodes are the lower, the longer the connection paths between a weld and such electrodes are designed, the other welds with a

Current conductors are connected.

Some such or further preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the at least one current conductor is designed as a metallic sheet having a plurality of parallel recesses. These preferred embodiments of the invention are associated with the advantage that a space-saving arrangement of the recesses is possible, which has the lowest possible electrical resistance between electrodes and

Current conductors with as long as possible connecting paths between

can unite different electrodes.

Some of these preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the length of at least one of these recesses is greater than twice the distance, preferably three times the distance, and more preferably four times the distance between two of these recesses. These preferred embodiments of the invention have the advantage that as long as possible connecting paths between different electrodes can be realized, this goal being achieved the better, the greater the ratio between the length of a recess and the distance of the recesses from each other.

Some of these preferred embodiments of the invention provide that at least two of these recesses have a different length. These preferred embodiments of the invention have the advantage that special requirements for mechanical stability, In particular, the flexural rigidity of a Stromableiters in connection with the inventive solution can be easily met.

Some such or further preferred embodiments of the invention provide that at least one recess is formed as a linear one

Material recess is designed, whose width is small compared to their length. These preferred embodiments of the invention have the advantage that the electrical resistance of the connection of a connection between an electrode with a current conductor can be kept small while at the same time very effectively avoiding or reducing electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different electrodes.

Some of these preferred embodiments of the invention provide that at least one recess surrounds a weld annularly, this ring being interrupted by at least one electrically conductive bridge. These preferred embodiments of the invention have the advantage that even more effective prevention or reduction of electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different electrodes or between adjacent welds on a current conductor is possible. Some of these preferred embodiments of the invention provide that at least one recess (22) partially separates at least two connection points, in particular welds, from one edge line (25) when at least one electrically conductive connection is obtained between these connection points. the Stromableiters, in which this recess (23) opens, are each smaller than the length (26), preferably as twice the length and particularly preferably as three times the length of this recess (23). Some of these preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the distance of a connection point from an edge line of the current conductor is given by the distance (27) of a point (28) of this connection point from this edge line (25) whose distance from this edge line is greater than that or equal to the distance of all other points of this joint from that edge line.

Some of these preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the current conductor is substantially plate-shaped and formed with at least one substantially rectangular first lateral surface. The first

The lateral surface is bounded by a first edge line and a second edge line, wherein the edge lines are arranged substantially parallel to each other. An imaginary center line M extends between the first and the second edge line, has in each case at substantially the same distance to these edge lines and divides the first lateral surface and two substantially equal sections, hereinafter called the first lateral surface portion and second lateral surface portion. The first lateral surface portion is bounded by the first edge line and this center line. These joints, in particular

Welds, are arranged in the first lateral surface portion. These one or more recesses extend from the first

Edge line substantially perpendicular to this center line over most of the width of the first lateral surface portion, preferably starting from the first edge line across the center line to the second

Lateral surface section. These preferred embodiments of the invention are associated with the advantage that a heat flow and / or an electric current between a first of these connection point and an adjacent second of these connection points is reduced.

Some preferred developments of the aforementioned preferred

Embodiments provide that the ratio q of the length of at least one of these recesses, measured perpendicular to the center line, divided by the distance between the first edge line and the second edge line more than 0.6, more preferably more than 0.75, more preferably less than 0.9. These preferred developments are associated with the advantage that a heat flow and / or an electric current between a first of these connection point and an adjacent second of these connection points is reduced.

Some preferred developments of the aforementioned preferred

Embodiments provide that the ratio r of the width of one of these recesses measured parallel to the center line divided by the width of a portion of the current collector between two of these recesses is less than 1/3, more preferably less than 0.2, more preferably less as 0.1, more preferably more than 0.01. These preferred developments are associated with the advantage that the part or surface area of the first lateral surface section available for connection points is reduced as little as possible by the recesses. These preferred developments can be advantageously combined with the aforementioned preferred developments.

Some such or further preferred embodiments of the invention provide that at least one recess separates two groups of welds. These preferred embodiments of the invention have the advantage that the electrical resistance between

Electrodes and a current collector can be reduced even more effectively when adjacent welds are grouped together on a current collector, which are partially separated by a recess upon receipt of at least one electrically conductive connection between these joints, wherein the welds within a group preferably not through recesses are separated from each other.

Some such or further preferred embodiments of the invention provide that at least one weld has been produced by a friction welding process. These preferred embodiments of the invention have the advantage that the expense of their production at high quality at the same time can be kept low. By largely avoiding or reducing electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different electrodes or between adjacent welds on a current conductor can

Reibschweißverfahren be used for the production of inventive products, without any loss of quality of the manufactured products are to be feared.

Some such or further preferred embodiments of the invention provide that at least one weld has been produced by an ultrasonic welding process. These preferred embodiments of the invention have the advantage that the cost of their production can be kept very low while maintaining high quality. By largely avoiding or reducing electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different electrodes or between adjacent welds on a current conductor can

Ultrasonic welding process for the production of inventive products are used without any loss of quality of the manufactured products are to be feared.

Some such or further preferred embodiments of the invention provide that at least some welds are separated from each other by at least one recess in the material of the current collector that electrical, mechanical and / or thermal effects between different welds and / or between them

Welds connected components of the energy converter in the generation of at least one of these welds by these at least one

Recess avoided or reduced.

Preferably, the at least one electrode assembly is provided to convert at least temporarily chemical energy into electrical energy. Preferably, the at least one electrode assembly is provided, at least temporarily supplied electrical energy to convert into chemical energy. Electrodes of an electrode assembly are preferably separated by a separator, which is preferably not or only poorly electron-conducting and has an at least partially material-permeable carrier. The support is preferably coated on at least one side with an inorganic material. As at least partially permeable carrier, an organic material is preferably used, which is preferably designed as a non-woven fabric. The organic material, which preferably contains a polymer and more preferably a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), is an inorganic, preferably ion-conducting

Coated material, which is more preferably ion conducting in a temperature range of - 40 ° C to 200 ° C. The inorganic material preferably contains at least one compound from the group of oxides, phosphates, sulfates, titanates, silicates, aluminosilicates with at least one of the elements Zr, Al, Li, particularly preferably zirconium oxide. In particular zirconium oxide serves the material integrity, nanoporosity and flexibility of the separator. Preferably, the inorganic, ion-conducting material has particles with a largest

Diameter below 100 nm. This embodiment offers the advantage that durability of the electrode assembly is improved at temperatures above 100 ° C.

Under a recess in the material of a Stromableiters for the purposes of the present invention, any shape design of this Stromableiters to

understand that is suitable to separate at least some welds of the current collector from each other such that electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different welds and / or between connected to these welds components of the

Energy converter can be avoided or reduced in the generation of at least one of these welds. Preferably, these recesses are recesses in the material of the current conductor, particularly preferably linear incisions in the preferably sheet-like material of the

Current conductor. Under a current conductor (or Abieiter) in the context of the invention is to be understood a device of a transducer, which in particular the conduction of electrons between one of the electrodes of the electrode assembly and the environment of the transducer, in particular a consumer, or between one of the electrodes and an adjacent transducer serves. Preferably, the current conductor is indirectly or directly electrically connected to one of the electrodes of the electrode assembly, preferably materially connected.

Preferably, the current conductor is at least indirectly to one

associated consumers. An entirety of the components of a device for the discharge of a current from an electrode or to

In the following, connection of an electrode to a consumer is sometimes also referred to as a current-conducting device in the sense of this invention.

Preferably, the current conductor has a first region which extends into the environment of the transducer and serves to electrically connect the transducer to the environment of the transducer. According to a preferred embodiment, the first region is formed as a metal plate or as a plate with a metallic coating, preferably of copper and / or aluminum. This embodiment has the advantage that a mechanically stable, substantially flat surface is present for easy and / or as long as possible electrical connection to a connection device. The current conductor preferably has a second region, which is preferably arranged inside the transducer. The second region is electrically connected to at least one electrode of the electrode assembly, preferably with a material fit, preferably with all electrodes of the same polarity.

Under a Ableitfähnchen (or under a Ableiterfahne) in the context of the invention, any device is to be understood, which is adapted to electrically connect a current conductor with at least one electrode. These

Connection is preferably cohesive, particularly preferably by means of Friction welding or ultrasonic welding. Ableiterfähnchen are

preferably metallic sheets.

Under a weld in the context of the invention is an area on a current collector, a Ableiterfahne, an electrode or another

Component of a converter according to the invention, in which a connection of at least two components of the transducer by a

Welding process, preferably by a friction welding process, particularly preferably carried out by an ultrasonic welding process.

According to a preferred embodiment, a current conductor is as

Metal plate, stamped part and / or pressed sheet metal part formed. This embodiment offers the advantage of lower manufacturing costs. This refinement has the further advantage that the current conductor in the first region is mechanically sufficiently stable for connection to a connection device which does not belong to the converter, for example busbar, current band or

Power cable, is formed.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the current conductor is the current conductor with a contact surface formed. This contact surface is vorzugswese arranged substantially in a lateral surface of one of the housing parts of a cell housing or extends into the environment of the transducer. Preferably, the contact surface is provided for electrical connection to a preferably spring-loaded connection device. This embodiment has the advantage that the contact surface for transport or storage of the transducer can be covered with an insulating adhesive strip.

A cell housing in the sense of the invention means a device, which preferably • serves to limit the electrode assembly to the environment,

• protects the electrode assembly against harmful environmental influences, in particular to protect it from water in the environment,

Counteracts the escape of substances from the electrode group into the environment,

Preferably, the electrode assembly is substantially gas tight

encloses.

The cell housing surrounds the electrode assembly at least in regions, preferably completely or substantially completely. Preferably, the cell housing, as well as the electrode assembly, is substantially

cuboid shaped. The cell housing preferably surrounds the electrode assembly such that at least one wall of the cell housing exerts a force on the electrode assembly, the force counteracting undesirable relative movement of the electrode assembly with respect to the cell housing.

Particularly preferably, the cell housing receives the electrode assembly in a form-fitting and / or non-positive manner. Preferably, the cell housing is electrically isolated from the environment. Preferably, the cell housing is electrically insulated from the electrode assembly.

Preferably, at least one current conductor has at least one

Contacting area on. Preferably, at least one of these

Contacting a metal, particularly preferably aluminum and / or Copper on. Preferably, the contacting region is arranged in an edge region of the first housing part.

Preferably, the connection between contacting area and

Electrode connection area formed cohesively, more preferably by means of a friction welding or ultrasonic welding process. These

Design offers the advantage that the connection between

Stromleiteinrichtung and electrodes can be easily automated.

Preferably, at least one current conductor, in particular in its second region on a plurality of Ableiterfahnen. These multiple collector lugs are preferably connected to the electrode of an electrode assembly designed as an electrode winding, or with a plurality of electrodes of the same polarity of an electrode assembly formed as an electrode assembly preferably cohesively. The Ableiterfahnen same polarity are preferably cohesively connected to the current conductor in the interior of the cell housing. This current conductor preferably also extends into the first area outside the cell housing.

Preferably, the current conductor is connected to the first housing part, preferably in the edge region preferably cohesively. Particularly preferably, the current conductor extends through the second polymer material in the edge region of the first housing part. So in a first

Production step of the current conductor cohesively and preferably gas-tightly connected to the first housing part and in a subsequent manufacturing step, the arrester lugs connected to the current conductor preferably cohesively, particularly preferably welded. This embodiment has the advantage that a heat energy input during the first manufacturing step in the absence of the electrode assembly does not contribute to their heating or accelerated aging. According to a preferred embodiment, the converter is provided for installation in a vehicle with at least one electric motor. Preferably, the converter is provided for supplying this electric motor. Particularly preferably, the converter is provided to supply at least temporarily an electric motor of a drive train of a hybrid or electric vehicle. This embodiment offers the advantage of an improved supply of

The electric motor.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the converter is intended for use in a stationary battery, in particular in one

Buffer storage, as a device battery, industrial battery or starter battery.

Preferably, the rated charging capacity of the converter is for these

Applications at least 50 Ah. This embodiment offers the advantage of an improved supply of a stationary consumer, in particular a stationary mounted electric motor. According to a second preferred embodiment, the at least one separator, which is not or only poorly electron-conducting, but is conductive for ions, consists at least predominantly or completely of a ceramic, preferably of an oxide ceramic. This embodiment offers the advantage that durability of the electrode assembly is improved at temperatures above 100 ° C.

The invention will be described in more detail below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments and with the aid of figures.

It shows

1 shows schematically a first preferred embodiment of a product according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows schematically a second preferred embodiment of a product according to the invention;

3 shows schematically a third preferred embodiment of a product according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows schematically a fourth preferred embodiment of a product according to the invention;

Fig. 5 schematically shows a fifth preferred embodiment of a product according to the invention;

Fig. 6 schematically shows a sixth preferred embodiment of a product according to the invention;

7 shows schematically a seventh preferred embodiment of a product according to the invention;

Fig. 8 schematically an eighth preferred embodiment of a product according to the invention; Fig. 9 in a schematic way a ninth preferred embodiment of a product according to the invention.

The embodiment of a schematically illustrated in Figure 1

according to the invention shows a current collector (1, 2) which extends substantially in a longitudinal direction and thus has a longitudinal direction of extension (LR). On or on this current collector is a plurality of

Junctions, in particular welds (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) in the

Longitudinal direction arranged at a distance from each other. Of the

Current conductor has at these junctions perpendicular to this Longitudinal direction arranged first cross-sectional areas (QF1) on. The current collector has second cross-sectional areas (QF2) in the longitudinal direction between these connection points. These first

Cross-sectional areas (QF1) are larger, and in particular significantly larger than these second cross-sectional areas (QF2), at least in the case of a number of connection points arranged adjacent to one another.

The embodiment of a schematically illustrated in Figure 2

inventive electrochemical energy converter has two

Current conductor 1 and 2, which protrude partially from the housing 3 of the converter. Inside the housing 3 of the converter have the

Current conductor 1 and 2 welds 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, which the

Connect current conductor with the electrodes 10 and 1 1 or with the current collectors of these electrodes electrically conductive. The weld 6 of

Stromableiters 2 is separated by a recess 12 of the welds 7 and 8 of this Stromableiters.

The embodiment shown in Figure 3 of an electrochemical energy converter according to the invention differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in that the weld 6 of the

Stromableiters 2 to the current collector 10 and the welds 7 and 8 are connected to the current collector 13. In both exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, unlike electrodes are separated by a separator 9.

In the embodiment of an electrochemical energy converter according to the invention shown in FIG. 4, the current conductors 1 and 2 are over

Welds 4, 5, 6 and 7 connected to Ableitfähnchen, namely the

Welds 6 and 7 with the Ableiterfähnchen 14 and 15, which in turn are electrically connected to the electrodes or current collectors 10 and 1 1. The possibly existing welds for connecting the current collectors 10 and 1 1 with the Ableitfähnchen 14 and 15 are in the figure 4 not shown. Also in this embodiment will be

unlike electrodes separated by a separator 9.

In the embodiment of a Stromableiters shown in Figure 5 of an electrochemical energy converter according to the invention are the

Welds 6, 7 and 8 by parallel, linear

Recesses of equal length separated. In the embodiment of a current conductor of an electronic converter according to the invention shown in FIG. 6, the welds 6, 7 and 8 pass through

Recesses of different lengths separated. In the case of Figure 5, the recesses have a length which exceeds a multiple, in particular twice, three times or even four times their width.

Figure 7 shows a current conductor of an embodiment of a

electrochemical energy converter according to the invention, in which the groups 6a and 6 and 7a and 7 of welds are separated by a recess 20 from each other. FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the weld 7 is surrounded by an annular arrangement of recesses 21.

Figure 9 shows a current conductor of an embodiment of a

electrochemical energy converter according to the invention, in which a

Recess (22) two connection points, in particular welds on receipt of at least one electrically conductive connection between these connection points partially separated from each other whose distances (23, 24) from that edge line (25) of the Stromableiters, in which this recess (23) opens, respectively smaller are as the length (26), preferably twice the length and more preferably three times the length of this recess (23). The distance of a connection point from an edge line of the current conductor is preferably given by the distance (27) of a point (28) of this connection point from this edge line (25) whose distance from this boundary line is greater than or equal to the distance of all other points of this junction from this boundary line.

These embodiments of the invention are associated with the advantage that electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different welds (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and / or between with these joints, in particular welds (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) connected components of the energy converter in the generation of at least one of these connection points, in particular welds are avoided by these at least one recess particularly effective or reduced.

List of reference numbers

1 current conductor

2 current conductors

3 housing

4 weld

5 weld

6, 6a weld

7, 7a weld

8 weld

9 separator

10 electrode, current collector

11 electrode, current collector

12 recess

13 electrode, current collector

14 arrester flag

15 arrester flag

16, 17, 18 recess

19, 20 recess

21 bridge

22 recess

23, 24 distances

25 edge line

26 Length of the recess

27 distance

28 point on a junction

M midline

QF1 first cross-sectional areas

QF2 second cross-sectional areas

LR longitudinal direction

Claims

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

Electrochemical energy converter with a plurality of electrodes (10, 1 1) and at least one current conductor (1, 2) located in the

Substantially extends in a longitudinal direction and thus a

Longitudinal direction (LR), and is electrically connected to a plurality of these electrodes (10, 1 1), characterized

in that a plurality of connection points, in particular welds (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) are arranged in the longitudinal extension direction at a distance from one another, that the current conductor has first cross-sectional surfaces (15) arranged at these connection points perpendicular to this longitudinal extension direction ( QF1), that the current conductor in the longitudinal direction between these connection points has second cross-sectional areas (QF2), and that these first cross-sectional areas (QF1) are larger and in particular considerably larger than these second at least at a number of adjacent connection points

Cross-sectional areas (QF2).

Electrochemical energy converter according to claim 1, characterized

in that at least some of these connection points, in particular welds, are partially separated from one another by at least one recess (12) in the material of the current conductor when at least one electrically conductive connection is obtained between these connection points.

Electrochemical energy converter according to claim 1, characterized

characterized in that the at least one current conductor (1, 2) via a plurality of connection points, in particular welds (4, 5, 6, 7) with a plurality of Ableitfahnen (14, 15) electrically conductive is connected, each of which is electrically connected to an electrode (10, 1 1).

Electrochemical energy converter according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that each Ableiterfahne (1, 15) with the current conductor (1, 2) via its own connection point, in particular welding point (4, 5, 6, 7) is connected, the other welds of this Stromableiters by at least one recess (12) are partially separated from each other in the material of the Stromableiters on receipt of at least one electrically conductive connection between these connection points.

Electrochemical energy converter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one

Current conductor (1, 2) as a metallic sheet with a plurality of parallel recesses (16, 17) is configured.

Electrochemical energy converter according to claim 5, characterized

in that the length of at least one of these recesses (16, 17) is greater than twice the distance, preferably three times the distance, and more preferably four times

Distance between two of these recesses.

Electrochemical energy converter according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that at least two of these recesses (18, 19) have a different length.

Electrochemical energy converter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one

Recess (16, 17, 18, 19) is designed as a linear material recess whose width is small against its length. Electrochemical energy converter according to claim 8, characterized

characterized in that at least one recess a

Joint, in particular weld (7) annularly surrounding, said ring is interrupted by at least one electrically conductive bridge (21).

Recess (22) at least two connection points, in particular welds upon receipt of at least one electrically conductive

Partially separates the connection between these connection points whose distances (23, 24) from the edge line (25) of the current conductor, in which this recess (23) opens, are respectively smaller than the length (26), preferably twice the length and especially preferably three times the length of these

Recess (23).

Electrochemical energy converter according to claim 10, characterized in that the distance of a connection point from an edge line of the Stromableiters is given by the distance (27) of a point (28) of this junction of this edge line (25) whose distance from this edge line is greater than that or equal to the distance of all other points of this joint from that edge line.

Recess (20) two groups (6, 6a, 7, 7a) of connection points, in particular welds partially separated on receipt of at least one electrically conductive connection between these connection points. Electrochemical energy converter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one

Joint, in particular weld (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) has been produced by a friction welding process.

Joint, in particular weld (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) has been produced by an ultrasonic welding process.

Electrochemical energy converter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some

Connecting points, in particular welds (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) are partially separated from each other by at least one recess in the material of the Stromableiters such that electrical, mechanical and / or thermal influences between different welds (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and / or between connected to these connection points, in particular welds (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) components of the energy converter in the generation of at least one of these connection points, in particular welds be avoided or reduced by this at least one recess.

A method for producing an electrochemical energy converter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of electrodes (10, 11) is electrically conductively connected to at least one current conductor (1, 2), characterized in that this

Stromableiter a plurality of connection points, in particular welds (4, 5, 6, 7, 8), wherein at least some of these connection points, in particular welds by at least one Recess (12) are partially separated from each other in the material of the Stromableiters upon receipt of at least one electrically conductive connection between these connection points.