WO2023041699A1

WO2023041699A1 - Battery cell

Info

Publication number: WO2023041699A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/075754
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marius Ebbighausen; Stephan Leonhard Koch; Mesut Yurtseven
Original assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2021-09-17
Filing date: 2022-09-16
Publication date: 2023-03-23
Also published as: DE102021124056A1; CN117957684A

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery cell (1), at least comprising a dimensionally stable housing (2) and, arranged therein, a plurality of layers (3) at least stacked on top of one another, comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode as electrodes and a separator between the different electrodes, wherein: the housing (2) comprises an outer casing (4) for forming a volume (5) enclosed by the housing (2) and, within the volume (5), a heat exchanger plate (6) connected to the outer casing (4); in one heat exchange section (7), the heat exchanger plate (6) is designed so as to be at least elastically or plastically deformable; the heat exchanger plate (6) comprises at least one connection element (8), which is integrally connected to the heat exchange section (7) and forms at least one part of the outer casing (4).

Description

battery cell

The invention relates to a battery cell, at least comprising a dimensionally stable housing and arranged therein at least a plurality of layers at least stacked on top of one another, comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode as electrodes and a separator between the different electrodes. The layers form at least one stack.

The at least stacked, possibly additionally wound or folded, cathodes, anodes and separators form in particular a stack. Each electrode is connected to a conductor extending outwardly from the stack so that an electrical current can be drawn from or supplied to the stack. The conductors of the anodes and the conductors of the cathodes are respectively connected to each other in order to electrically connect the respective electrodes in parallel. Several stacks can also be arranged in the battery cell.

Batteries, in particular lithium-ion batteries, are increasingly being used to drive motor vehicles. Batteries are usually composed of battery cells and/or battery modules comprising several battery cells.

From the subsequently published DE 10 2021 112 444.1, a battery cell is known, at least comprising a housing and at least one block of active material arranged therein. The block of active material has a plurality of layers at least stacked on top of one another. The housing comprises a casing part with an open first end face and an open second end face, which completely encloses the at least one block of active material along a circumferential direction, and a core part designed in one piece. The core part has a base part arranged on the first end face and connected to the casing part and a cover part arranged at a distance therefrom along an axial direction on the second end face and connected to the casing part, as well as a middle part connecting the base part to the cover part. The at least one block of active material is arranged on a first side of the middle part along a radial direction between the casing part and the middle part and on a second side of the middle part opposite the first side between the casing part and the middle part. The core part is an extruded profile. This type of battery cell enables effective use of space, so a high value is achieved for this parameter in Wh/I [watt hour per liter].

Furthermore, a connection of the cell to the cooling in the system is very important. Current designs do not have a direct cooling path between the stacks or the block of active material for system cooling. The core part, which is designed as an extruded profile and is proposed in DE 10 2021 112 444.1, allows heat generated in the housing to be easily dissipated.

Individual battery cells are assembled into a battery module. Because the battery cells "breathe" as they cycle, i. H. expand and contract and generally become thicker with age, there is a need in the battery module to compensate for these changes in shape and to prevent excessive expansion over a fixed frame so that the installation space is not blown up. Breathing is particularly pronounced in cells with Si or lithium metal anodes. Even with classic cell chemistries with graphite anodes, swelling (i.e. an expansion of the active material or the at least one stack) occurs over the service life, i. H. the pressure in the battery cell gradually increases more and more, so that a construction of the battery module is limited. In the case of a technical update of the battery cells, e.g. B. as part of a facelift, in which z. B. a cell chemistry optimization or a design adjustment is made, the entire module frame must be redesigned, possibly the entire module concept redeveloped and secured. This problem also exists with cell-to-pack systems.

CN 211828956 U discloses a heat dissipation element for a prismatic battery cell.

A battery module element is known from DE 10 2018 215 543 A1. It includes a frame element in which a battery cell with a cooling element and an insert element are held. The insert element is designed to be elastic and can compensate for an increase in the thickness of the battery cell.

From US 2016/0164149 A1 is a battery module having a plurality of

Battery cells known. The battery cells are positioned adjacent to heat sink plates.

The object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems cited with reference to the prior art. In particular, a battery cell be proposed, which is inexpensive to produce, enables effective use of space in the housing, ensures improved temperature control of the battery cell or the stack arranged in the housing and can compensate for a change in thickness of the layers over the life of the battery cell.

A battery cell with the features according to patent claim 1 contributes to the solution of these tasks. Advantageous developments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims. The features listed individually in the patent claims can be combined with one another in a technologically meaningful manner and can be supplemented by explanatory facts from the description and/or details from the figures, with further embodiment variants of the invention being shown.

A battery cell is proposed, at least comprising a dimensionally stable housing and arranged therein a plurality of layers at least stacked on top of one another, comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode as electrodes and a separator between the different electrodes. The housing includes an outer shell to form a volume enclosed by the housing and a heat exchanger plate connected to the outer shell within the volume. The heat exchanger plate is designed to be at least elastically or plastically deformable in a heat exchange section. The heat exchanger plate comprises at least one connection element which is integrally connected to the heat exchange section and forms at least part of the outer shell.

The at least stacked, possibly additionally wound or folded, cathodes, anodes and separators form in particular a stack. The electrodes have active materials, in particular as coatings on electrically conductive carrier materials, which serve in particular as conductors. The anode, cathode and separator are each referred to as a layer. The layers can be arranged as a single sheet stack, lamination, Z-fold, jelly roll, each in any number.

Each electrode is connected to a conductor extending outwardly from the stack so that an electrical current can be drawn from or supplied to the stack. The conductors of the anodes and the conductors of the cathodes are respectively connected to each other in order to electrically connect the respective electrodes in parallel. Several stacks can also be arranged in the battery cell. In particular, the electrodes are arranged in a known manner to form the stack and are acted upon by an electrolyte or an electrolyte liquid.

The electrodes are designed in particular in the form of foils, ie they have a large side surface and a small thickness. In particular, a coating with active material is arranged on the side surface or on each side surface of the electrode. The separators are each arranged between the side surfaces of the adjacently arranged different electrodes. In particular, uncoated parts of the electrodes extend out of the stack as conductors.

In particular, the anodes and the cathodes within the stack are connected in parallel with one another, so that the conductors of a plurality of anodes are electrically conductively connected to one another and the conductors of a plurality of cathodes are electrically conductively connected to one another.

The housing of the battery cell is in particular only plastically deformable. The housing is also referred to as a hard case and the battery cell z. B. as a prismatic cell.

The battery cell is in particular a lithium-containing battery cell, in particular a secondary cell, ie a rechargeable battery cell.

In the case of the ready-to-use battery cell, the housing is in particular made in one piece. The housing or the casing enclosing the volume is composed of the at least one connection element of the heat exchanger plate and other components forming the casing, which are only connected to one another during the manufacture of the housing, but are separate from one another beforehand. Connection element(s) and heat exchanger plate form, in particular, a pre-assembly group which is then connected to the other components for the sheathing.

The heat exchange section is in particular arranged within the volume and in particular arranged on both (largest) sides adjacent to at least one stack. The heat exchanger plate is, in particular exclusively, designed to be at least elastically or plastically (possibly elastically and plastically) deformable in the heat exchange section. In particular, the elastic deformability can compensate for a growth in thickness of the layers during cycling (i.e. during charging and discharging) but also over the running time. With that can In particular, a growth in thickness within the casing of the housing can be compensated for, so that the size of the housing does not change over time.

In particular, the heat exchanger plate, in particular exclusively, is designed to be plastically deformable (also or exclusively) in the heat exchange section. In particular, the plastic deformability can compensate for an increase in the thickness of the layers over time.

The deformability of the heat exchanger plate serves in particular to compensate for the growth in thickness of the layers, so that the housing in particular does not deform. The plastic deformation of the heat exchanger plate occurs in particular before a (plastic) deformation of the housing. In particular, this prevents (plastic) deformation of the housing.

The heat exchange section can also z. B. fulfill several functions. In addition to the elastic and/or plastic deformability, it can in particular be designed at least partially as a cavity, so that it can be acted upon by a cooling fluid supplied from outside the housing. In particular, the temperature of the battery cell or the at least one stack can be controlled via the heat exchange section, that is to say cooled or, if necessary, heated.

In particular, the heat exchange section and the at least one connection element are designed in one piece as a die-cast part, as an extruded profile or as a welded construction. It is also possible to manufacture two half-shells and to connect them, e.g. B. by welding. A production by additive manufacturing processes, e.g. B. by three-dimensional printing is of course also possible.

In the extrusion process, a starting material is heated to a forming temperature and pressed through a shaping die at high pressure. The resulting profile is moved out of the die along a feed direction.

In the die casting process, a liquid starting material is introduced into a mold negative and demolded after solidification.

In particular, at least the heat exchange section is at least partially hollow and has at least one cavity, which is at least partially equipped with an elastic deformable material is filled. In doing so, e.g. B. the wall of the heat exchange section surrounding the cavity can be designed to be so thin-walled or deformable that the elastically or plastically deformable material supports the wall.

In particular, the heat exchange section is filled internally with a compressible material, e.g. B. with a material that is used in known and used in battery modules compression pads.

With the elastic and/or plastic deformability of the heat exchange section, in particular all changes in volume of the battery cell within the housing can be compensated for. It is possible and useful here to ideally adapt the cell-internal compensating body, i.e. the heat exchange section, to the special battery cell. This means that no additional design work is required at the module level and all battery cells behave identically at the module level, even if the cell chemistry changes. In particular, a new development for facelifts is not required. Likewise, a module concept with different battery cells (low costs versus high performance; i.e. low-cost versus high-performance) can be used identically. This substantially reduces the development effort in a diverse portfolio.

The heat exchange section is constructed in particular as a structural profile component (that is to say with internal structures, for example honeycomb or support structure construction) or additional springs or else foams are installed in the at least one cavity. The heat exchange section can also be designed in the manner of a honeycomb structure, the honeycombs being arranged in such a way that elastic or plastic deformability of the heat exchange section between the individual stacks is ensured.

In particular, the battery cell according to DE 10 2021 112444.1 is modified in such a way that the core part proposed there is now designed to be elastically or plastically deformable. For this purpose, the core part is designed with a greater width, at least in the area of the middle part, so that changes in the thickness of the layers can be compensated for.

Due to the increased space and weight of the heat exchange section within the volume, the energy density (volumetric as well as gravimetric) at the battery cell level decreases. At the module level (i.e. when several battery cells are considered), this is offset by the savings in the battery module, since other compensation elements can be omitted. In particular, the casing comprises at least one casing part with at least one open first end face, which completely encloses the layers and the heat exchange section along a circumferential direction. The first end face is at least partially closed by the at least one connection element.

The casing part is in particular of cylindrical design, ie it only has surfaces which run parallel to one another. The first end face extends in particular transversely thereto. The jacket part can be designed as a deep-drawn part, with both end faces being open or one end face being able to be closed.

In particular, the casing part comprises an open second end face which is at least partially closed by the at least one connection element which is connected in one piece to the heat exchange section.

The end faces face each other along an axial direction. The axial direction runs in particular parallel to the extent of the cylindrical surfaces of the casing part or transversely to the extent of the first end face.

The at least one connection element or the connection elements extend, e.g. B. in the manufacture of the heat exchanger plate by extrusion, each parallel to the feed direction, and parallel to the at least one end face.

In a radial direction, i.e. transverse to the axial direction and transverse to a largest side of the heat exchange section, the connection elements have a greater width than the heat exchange section, in particular by a factor greater than 3, preferably greater than 5. The connection elements extend in particular perpendicularly to the heat exchange section. The heat exchange section has a width of 3 to 15 millimeters, in particular at most 8 millimeters, preferably at most 5 millimeters. The heat exchange section has, in particular parallel to the width of the heat exchange section, a minimum wall thickness (thus in particular a wall thickness of a solid material) of 0.2 to 5 millimeters, in particular at most 3 millimeters, preferably at most 2 millimeters). In particular, the connection elements have a very small wall thickness, for which the limits of the wall thickness of the heat exchange section also apply. However, the wall thickness of the individual parts can be different from one another. The width of the connection elements is designed in particular in such a way that it just covers the extension of the at least one stack along the radial direction.

The at least one connecting element comprises in particular a completely closed surface, so that one end face can also be completely closed with it. Alternatively, the connection element but z. B. have connections for connecting the housing or the heat exchanger plate to a cooling system.

In particular, aluminum or an aluminum alloy or other materials can be used as the material at least for the heat exchange section and the connection elements. The material used should in particular have good thermal conductivity, preferably comparable to or higher than the thermal conductivity of aluminum.

In particular, the at least one stack is arranged in such a way that the layers in the area of the sides of the heat exchange section each extend parallel to the sides. If only one stack is provided, the layers may be wrapped around the heat exchange section. If two stacks are provided, each stack may be adjacent to the respective side.

In order to produce the battery cell, the heat exchanger plate is first provided in particular. The at least one stack is arranged on the heat exchange section of the heat exchanger plate, in particular between the end faces.

The at least one stack can be surrounded by electrical insulation.

The at least one stack can be arranged in particular via a type of clamp on the heat exchange section. The clamp can encompass the at least one stack on the outside and thus fix a width of the at least one stack. The width runs across the sides of the heat exchange section. In particular, the at least one stack is arranged on the heat exchange section in such a way that it is arranged in alignment with the at least one connection element along the axial direction. The heat exchanger plate can be pushed into the casing part together with the at least one stack (in particular together with insulation), in particular along the axial direction.

The at least one connection element can be connected to the casing part on the respective end face, preferably in a materially bonded manner, e.g. B. by welding. In particular, the connecting element can be connected to the casing part at least at contact points formed with the casing part on the respective end face. In this way, an at least liquid-tight, possibly also gas-tight connection can be produced between the casing part and the connection element.

The housing is in particular cuboid. The side surfaces of the housing that extend parallel to the sides of the heat exchange section have the largest surfaces and are formed in particular by the casing part. The first and second end faces, on which at least one connection element is arranged, can form the side surfaces with the respective smaller surfaces.

In particular, the at least one first connection element covers at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, of the end face on which it is arranged.

In particular, a longitudinal direction, in particular the feed direction when extruding the heat exchanger plate, runs perpendicularly to the axial direction and parallel to the sides of the heat exchange section.

In particular, a longitudinal direction runs parallel to the heat exchange section and parallel to the first end face and/or second end face. The casing is formed on at least one of the end faces by at least two connection elements spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, with an intermediate space being formed between the connection elements.

In particular, two intermediate spaces are formed at least on the first end face or on the second end face. In particular, the intermediate spaces are arranged spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction, in particular by a connection element.

In particular, at least one electrical contact of the battery cell is arranged in an intermediate space. At least one electrical contact can be arranged in each intermediate space, via which the stacks arranged in the volume can be connected to a circuit arranged outside of the housing. In particular, one contact or several contacts are arranged in each intermediate space.

As a result of the provision of multiple contacts (that is, multiple contacts of one pole), the internal resistance can be reduced.

An intermediate space can be machined out of the connection element or heat exchanger plate in particular by mechanical processing (e.g. when the heat exchanger plate is designed as an extruded profile) or can be provided directly therein (e.g. when the heat exchanger plate is designed as a die-cast part or as a welded construction). In particular, the heat exchanger plate has no gaps after extrusion.

In particular, the respective connection element extends along the longitudinal direction beyond the heat exchange section. In particular, the layers of a stack can thus extend from one side of the heat exchange section to the other side of the heat exchange section, in particular by wrapping the layers along the circumferential direction around the heat exchange section. The extension of the respective connection element along the longitudinal direction is in particular designed in such a way that it just covers the extension of the at least one stack along the longitudinal direction.

In particular, at least one end face is exclusively closed by only one connection element. In this case, forms a connection element z. B. from a complete end face of the casing.

In particular, the at least one connecting element is integrally connected to the casing part.

The housing of the battery cell is produced in particular with the connection of the heat exchanger plate and the casing part. The housing is, in the case of a material connection between the heat exchanger plate and the jacket part, in particular made in one piece, but is always made from at least two parts, namely the heat exchanger plate and the jacket part. In particular, the casing part is an extruded profile. The statements made regarding the extrusion process and the material thicknesses in relation to the heat exchanger plate apply here in particular accordingly.

In particular, the casing on the end faces is comparable, possibly even identical, and has at least one gap or two gaps, possibly even more. Alternatively, the heat exchanger plate has at least two intermediate spaces in the area of at least one end face, while it is closed (without an intermediate space, ie as a continuous connection element) in the area of the other end face. However, the end faces can also have different numbers of intermediate spaces, ie none, one, two or even more.

The at least two electrical contacts of the battery cell can be arranged on one end face or distributed over the two end faces.

Several electrical contacts can also be arranged on each end face, or on only one of the end faces. In this case, identical or different contacts can be arranged on one end face.

The battery cell described here with a heat exchanger plate can in particular have comparable dimensions (at least in two of three spatial dimensions, preferably in all spatial dimensions) as a conventional pouch cell with a deformable housing or a known prismatic battery cell that has no heat exchanger plate. In particular, the electrical contacts can be arranged on the housing in almost any configuration, so that the proposed battery cell can easily be adapted to arrangements provided for known battery cells.

In particular, the respective electrical contact is electrically insulated from the housing. For example, the electrical contact may comprise a metallic frame which is integral with the housing, e.g. B. cohesively, connectable or can be connected. The electrical contacting of the stack takes place in particular via an electrical conductor which extends from the stack through the electrical contact to the environment of the battery cell.

The electrical contact is arranged electrically insulated in particular from the metal frame, z. B. via a contact insulation. The contact is arranged electrically insulated in particular from the at least one stack by stack insulation. In particular, at least one contact can also be arranged non-insulated with respect to the housing, so that the housing has an electrical potential.

In particular, at least one electrode of the at least one stack is electrically conductively connected to a first contact arranged in an intermediate space or to a second contact arranged in another intermediate space via an arrester extending out of the stack only in the region of the intermediate space.

In particular, the conductors therefore only extend out of the stack or the insulation of the stack where the intermediate space or where the electrical contact or electrical conductor to be contacted with the conductors is arranged. This means that a space between the stack and the end face or the casing that is otherwise necessary and has to be kept free for the arresters only has to be kept free in the area of the contact. Since the intermediate space is present in this area, ie no connection element, the at least one connection element can be arranged directly on the stack, ie without a gap to be provided. The respective contact can have the installation space required for contacting between arrester(s) and contact, or can be arranged in such a way that this installation space is available.

In particular, all conductors of one type of electrode, ie the anode or the cathode, are connected to one of the two contacts. All conductors of the other type of electrode are preferably connected to the other of the two contacts.

The at least one stack extends in particular over more than 95%, preferably over 98%, particularly preferably over 99%, of a minimum height extending along the axial direction between the connecting elements or the end faces of the casing. In particular, the stack has an undersize of at most 1 millimeter, preferably of at most 0.5 millimeter compared to the smallest height. In particular, the at least one stack contacts the casing at the end faces at the same time.

This slight undersize is possible because very high accuracies can be achieved through extrusion, especially in the case of components calibrated after extrusion. So there is no play on the part of the stack or in the design of the housing to later fitting in the assembly of the stack in the housing, e.g. B. with deep-drawn housing components to ensure.

The use of indefinite articles (“a”, “an”, “an” and “an”), particularly in the claims and the description reflecting them, is to be understood as such and not as a numeral. Correspondingly introduced terms or components are to be understood in such a way that they are present at least once and in particular can also be present several times.

As a precaution, it should be noted that the numerals used here (“first”, “second”, ...) primarily (only) serve to distinguish between several similar objects, sizes or processes, i.e. in particular no dependency and/or sequence of these objects, sizes or make processes mandatory for each other. Should a dependency and/or order be necessary, this is explicitly stated here or it is obvious to the person skilled in the art when studying the specifically described embodiment. If a component can occur several times (“at least one”), the description of one of these components can apply equally to all or part of the majority of these components, but this is not mandatory. Insofar as a plurality of components is addressed here, this also includes more than two components.

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures. It should be pointed out that the invention should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments given. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts explained in the figures and to combine them with other components and findings from the present description. In particular, it should be pointed out that the figures and in particular the proportions shown are only schematic. Show it:

FIG. 1 : a battery cell in an exploded perspective view; FIG.

2: a core part according to DE 10 2021 112 444.1 and a heat exchanger plate, each in a perspective view; and

3: a heat exchanger plate, in each case in a perspective view. 1 shows a battery cell 1 in an exploded perspective view. 2 shows a core part 21 according to DE 10 2021 112 444.1 and a heat exchanger plate 6, each in a perspective view. Fig. 3 shows a heat exchanger plate 6, each in a perspective view. 1 to 3 are described together below.

The battery cell 1 comprises a dimensionally stable housing 2 and arranged therein two stacks 28 each having a plurality of layers 3 at least stacked on top of one another, comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode as electrodes and a separator between the different electrodes. The housing 2 comprises an outer casing 4 to form a volume 5 enclosed by the housing 2 and, within the volume 5, a heat exchanger plate 6 connected to the outer casing 4. The heat exchanger plate 6 is designed to be elastic and/or plastically deformable in a heat exchange section 7. The heat exchanger plate 6 comprises a plurality of connection elements 8 which are connected in one piece to the heat exchange section 7 and form at least part of the outer casing 4 .

The housing 2 is made in one piece when the battery cell 1 is ready for use. The housing 2 or the casing 4 enclosing the volume 5 is composed of the connection elements 8 and other components forming the casing 4 (e.g. the contacts 17), which are only connected to one another during the production of the casing 2, beforehand but separate from each other. Connection elements 8 and heat exchanger plate 6 form a pre-assembly group, which are then connected to the other components for the casing 4 .

The heat exchange section 7 is arranged within the volume 5 and arranged with the two largest sides 20 adjacent to the respective stack 28 . The heat exchange section 7 is at least partially designed as a cavity 9 and is at least partially filled with an elastically or plastically deformable material 10 . The wall of the heat exchange section 7 surrounding the cavity 9 is designed to be so thin-walled or deformable that the elastically or plastically deformable material 10 supports the elastically deformable wall.

The battery cell 1 according to DE 10 2021 112444.1 is modified in such a way that the core part 21 proposed there is now designed to be elastic and/or plastically deformable. For this, the central part 22 of the core part 21 is now designed as a heat exchange section 7 with a larger width 29, so that changes in the thickness of the layers 3 can be compensated for. The casing 4 comprises a casing part 11 with an open first end face 12 which completely encloses the layers 3 and the heat exchange section 7 along a circumferential direction 13 . The first end face 12 is partially closed by the connection elements 8 . The casing part 11 is cylindrical, ie it only has surfaces which run parallel to one another. The first end face 12 extends transversely thereto. The casing part 11 comprises an open second end face 14 which is completely closed by a further connection element 8 which is connected in one piece to the heat exchange section 7 .

The end faces 12, 14 are opposite to one another along an axial direction 18. The axial direction 18 runs parallel to the extent of the cylindrical surfaces of the casing part 11 or transversely to the extent of the end faces 12, 14.

The connection elements 8 extend, z. B. in the manufacture of the heat exchanger plate 6 by extrusion in each case parallel to the feed direction and parallel to the end faces 12, 14.

The connection elements 8 have a greater width 29 than the heat exchange section 7 in a radial direction 19 , ie transversely to the axial direction 18 and transversely to the largest sides 20 of the heat exchange section 7 . The connection elements 8 extend perpendicularly to the heat exchange section 7.

The width 29 of the connecting elements 8 is designed such that it just covers the extent of the stack 28 along the radial direction 19 .

The connecting elements 8 each have a completely closed surface, so that the second end face 14 is completely closed.

The stacks 28 are arranged in such a way that the layers 3 in the area of the sides 20 of the heat exchange section 7 each extend parallel to the sides 20 .

In order to produce the battery cell 1 , the heat exchanger plate 6 is provided in particular first. The stacks 28 are arranged at the heat exchange section 7 of the heat exchanger plate 6 between the end faces 12,14. Each stack 28 is surrounded by electrical insulation 23 . The stacks 28 are arranged on the heat exchange section 7 via a type of clamp 26 . The clamp 26 surrounds the stacks 28 on the outside and thus fixes a width 29 of the stacks 28 extending along the radial direction 19. The width 29 runs transversely to the sides 20 of the heat exchange section 7. The stacks 28 are arranged on the heat exchange section 7 in such a way that they are arranged in alignment with the connection elements 8 along the axial direction 18 .

The heat exchanger plate 6 is pushed into the jacket part 11 along the axial direction 18 together with the stacks 28 and together with the insulation 23 .

The connecting elements 8 are connected to the casing part 11 via a weld seam 27 on the respective end face 12 , 14 . The housing 2 is cuboid. The side surfaces of the housing 2 extending parallel to the sides 20 of the heat exchange section 7 have the largest surfaces and are formed by the casing part 11 . The first and second end faces 12, 14, on which the connection elements 8 are arranged, form the side surfaces with the respective smaller surfaces.

A longitudinal direction 15, the feed direction when extruding the heat exchanger plate 6, runs perpendicular to the axial direction 18 and parallel to the sides 20 of the heat exchange section 7.

The longitudinal direction 15 runs parallel to the heat exchange section 7 and parallel to the first end face 12 and second end face 14. The casing 4 is formed on the first end face 12 by three connection elements 8 spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction 15, with a gap between the connection elements 8 in each case 16 is formed. Two intermediate spaces 16 are formed on the first end face 12 . The intermediate spaces 16 are arranged spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction 15 by the one connecting element 8 .

An electrical contact 17 is arranged in each intermediate space 16 , via which the stacks 28 arranged in the volume 5 can be connected to a circuit arranged outside of the housing 2 .

The other connection elements 8 extend along the longitudinal direction 15 beyond the heat exchange section 7 . The extension of the respective connecting element 8 along the longitudinal direction 15 is designed in such a way that it just covers the extent of the stack 28 along the longitudinal direction 15 .

With the connection of the heat exchanger plate 6 and the casing part 11, the housing 2 of the battery cell 1 is produced. The housing 2 is designed in one piece with a materially bonded connection between the heat exchanger plate 6 and the jacket part 11 , but it is always made from several parts, namely at least the heat exchanger plate 6 and the jacket part 11 .

The respective electrical contact 17 is electrically insulated from the housing 2 . The electrical contact 17 has a metal frame 30 which is connected to the housing, e.g. B. cohesively, connectable or can be connected. Stack 28 is electrically contacted via an electrical conductor that extends from stack 28 through electrical contact 17 to the area surrounding battery cell 1 . The electrical contact 17 is arranged electrically isolated from the metal frame 30 via a contact insulation 24 . The contact 17 is arranged electrically insulated from the stacks 28 by stack insulation 25 .

The collectors 31 only extend out of the stack 28 or the insulation 23 of the stack 28 where the intermediate space 16 or where the electrical contact 17 or electrical conductor to be contacted with the collectors 31 is arranged. This means that a space between the stack 28 and the first end face 12 or the casing 4 that is otherwise required and is to be kept free for the arresters 31 only has to be kept free in the area of the contact 17 . Since the intermediate space 16 is present in this area, ie no connection element 8, the connection element 8 can be arranged directly on the stack 28, ie without a gap to be kept. The respective contact 17 can have the installation space required for contacting between conductors 31 and contact 17, or can be arranged in such a way that this installation space is available.

Reference List

battery cell

Housing

Position

sheathing

volume

heat exchanger plate

heat exchange section

connection element

cavity

material

Shell part first end face

Circumferential direction second end face longitudinal direction gap contact axial direction radial direction

Page

core part

middle part

insulation

contact insulation

stack insulation

bracket

Weld

stack

Broad

Frame

arrester

Claims

Battery cell (1), at least comprising a dimensionally stable housing (2) and arranged therein a plurality of layers (3) at least stacked on top of one another, comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode as electrodes and a separator between the different electrodes; wherein the housing (2) comprises an outer casing (4) to form a volume (5) enclosed by the housing (2) and, within the volume (5), a heat exchanger plate (6) connected to the outer casing (4), the The heat exchanger plate (6) is designed to be at least elastically or plastically deformable in a heat exchange section (7), the heat exchanger plate (6) comprising at least one connecting element (8) which is integrally connected to the heat exchange section (7) and at least part of the outer casing ( 4) forms. Battery cell (1) according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange section (7) and the at least one connection element (8) are designed in one piece as a die-cast part, as an extruded profile or as a welded construction. Battery cell (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the heat exchange section (7) is at least partially hollow and has at least one cavity (9) which is at least partially filled with an at least elastically or plastically deformable material (10). Battery cell (1) according to one of the preceding patent claims, wherein the casing (4) comprises at least one casing part (11) with at least one open first end face (12) which the layers (3) and the heat exchange section (7) along a circumferential direction (13 ) encloses the entire circumference, the first end face (12) being at least partially closed by the at least one connecting element (8). Battery cell (1) according to claim 4, wherein the casing part (11) comprises an open second end face (14) which is at least partially closed by the at least one connection element (8). Battery cell (1) according to Patent Claim 4 or 5, wherein a longitudinal direction (15) runs parallel to the heat exchange section (7) and parallel to the second end face (14), the casing (4) on at least one of the end faces (12, 14) is formed by at least two connection elements (8) spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction (15), an intermediate space (16) being formed between the connection elements (8). Battery cell (1) according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 6, wherein at least on the first end face (12) or on the second end face (14) two gaps (16) are formed. Battery cell (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one electrical contact (17) of the battery cell (1) is arranged in the intermediate space (16). Battery cell (1) according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 8, wherein at least one end face (12, 14) is closed exclusively by a connection element (8). Battery cell (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one connection element (8) is materially connected to the casing part (11).