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DE-102024132597-A1 - Device for contacting cell tabs of battery cells

DE102024132597A1DE 102024132597 A1DE102024132597 A1DE 102024132597A1DE-102024132597-A1

Abstract

Device (10, 45, 61, 100) for contacting cell tabs (43, 44, 63) of battery cells (41, 65, 42, 66), wherein the cell tabs (43, 44, 63) each extend from a main plane (50, 51) of the respective battery cells (41, 65, 42, 66), comprising: a conductor (11); characterized in that the conductor (11) has a first opening (12, 48) configured to receive a first cell tab (43, 63); wherein the conductor (11) has at least a second opening (13, 49) configured to receive at least a second cell tab (44); wherein the conductor (11) has a first fin (14, 46, 62) which is arranged to be electrically connected to the first cell tab (43, 63) via a joining process; wherein the conductor (11) has at least a second fin (15, 47) which is arranged to be electrically connected to the at least one second cell tab (44) via the joining process.

Inventors

  • Ralf Stahl

Assignees

  • BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241108

Claims (12)

  1. Device (10, 45, 61, 100) for contacting cell tabs (43, 44, 63) of battery cells (41, 65, 42, 66), wherein the cell tabs (43, 44, 63) each extend from a main plane (50, 51) of the respective battery cells (41, 65, 42, 66), comprising: a conductor (11); characterized in that the conductor (11) has a first opening (12, 48) configured to receive a first cell tab (43, 63); wherein the conductor (11) has at least a second opening (13, 49) configured to receive at least a second cell tab (44); wherein the conductor (11) has a first fin (14, 46, 62) which is arranged to be electrically connected to the first cell tab (43, 63) via a joining process; wherein the conductor (11) has at least a second fin (15, 47) which is arranged to be electrically connected to the at least one second cell tab (44) via the joining process.
  2. Device (10, 45, 61, 100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the first fin (14, 46, 62) is arranged on a side (16) of the first opening (12, 48) and the at least second fin (15, 47) is arranged on a side (17) of the at least second opening (13, 49).
  3. Device (10, 45, 61, 100) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the conductor (11) comprises a planar semi-finished product with a first surface (18); and wherein the first fin (14, 46, 62) and the at least second fin (15, 47) are arranged at least partially perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first surface (18), such that the first fin (14, 46, 62) and the first cell tab (43, 63) as well as the at least second fin (15, 47) and the at least second cell tab (44) can be arranged at least partially parallel or at least partially substantially parallel to each other for the joining process.
  4. Device (10, 45, 61, 100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor (11) is integrally constructed in one piece and/or consists of a copper sheet.
  5. Device (10, 45, 61, 100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical joining method comprises one of the following: ultrasonic welding, riveting, clamping or crimping.
  6. Device (10, 45, 61, 100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fin (14, 46, 62) and the second fin (15, 47) have a correspondingly high stiffness, so that the first cell tab (43, 63) can be aligned on the first fin (14, 46, 62) during the joining process and the second cell tab (44) can be aligned on the second fin (15, 47) during the joining process.
  7. Device (10, 45, 61, 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second fins (15, 47) are deformable in such a way that deformation according to the joining method for installation space optimization is possible.
  8. Device (10, 45, 61, 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery cell (41, 65, 42, 66) comprises a pouch cell.
  9. Battery system (40, 60), comprising a first battery cell (41, 65) with a first cell tab (43, 63) and at least a second battery cell (42, 66) with a second cell tab (44); further comprising a device (10, 45, 61, 100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 .
  10. Method for manufacturing a device (10, 45, 61, 100) according to a Claims 1 until 8 , wherein the method is characterized by the following process steps: providing the conductor (11) from a semi-finished product; separating a first contour from the semi-finished product to form a first fin (14, 46, 62) and a second contour to form a second fin (15, 47); and bending the first fin (14, 46, 62) and the second fin (15, 47) in a direction perpendicular upwards to a surface (18) of the conductor (11).
  11. Method for producing a system according to Claim 9 , wherein the method is characterized by the following process steps: providing a device (10, 45, 61, 100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 ; Providing a first battery cell (41, 65) with a first cell tab (43, 63) and at least one second battery cell (42, 66) with a second cell tab (44), in particular in a stacked position; sliding the device (10, 45, 61, 100) for contacting cell tabs of battery cells onto the first cell tab (43, 63) and the second cell tab (44); and joining the first fin (14, 46, 62) to the first cell tab (43, 63) and the second fin (15, 47) to the second cell tab (44).
  12. Procedure according to Claim 11 , further comprising a reshaping of the joined first fin (14, 46, 62) and the joined second fin (15, 47).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for contacting cell tabs of battery cells, a battery system, a method for manufacturing such a device and a method for manufacturing such a battery system. Battery cells are used as energy storage devices in electric vehicles. There are different types of battery cells. To increase capacity, individual battery cells are electrically connected to each other. This is also known as contacting. Battery cells typically have connection electrodes, also called poles, terminals, or cell tabs, for this purpose. Cell tabs are designed as thin, flexible metal elements. Individual battery cells can be connected via the electrically conductive connection of these cell tabs. In this context, it has now become apparent that these cell tabs are very flexible and not fixed in place. This causes problems with regard to contact. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for overcoming the disadvantages described above. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and efficient device for contacting cell tabs of battery cells, wherein the cell tabs each extend from a main plane of the respective battery cells. The foregoing problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1, by a battery system having the features of claim 9, by a method for manufacturing such a device having the features of claim 10, and by a method for manufacturing such a battery system having the features of claim 11. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the device naturally also apply in connection with the battery system according to the invention, the method for manufacturing the device, the method for manufacturing the battery system, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always makes, or can make, reciprocal reference. A first aspect of the present invention relates to a device for contacting cell tabs of battery cells, wherein the cell tabs each extend from a principal plane of the respective battery cells, comprising: a conductor, wherein the conductor has a first opening configured to receive a first cell tab, wherein the conductor has at least a second opening configured to receive at least a second cell tab, wherein the conductor has a first fin configured to be electrically conductively connected to the first cell tab by means of a joining method, wherein the conductor has at least a second fin configured to be electrically conductively connected to the at least one second cell tab by means of the joining method. In this context, the term "contact" refers to an electrically conductive connection between a first cell tab and a second cell tab. This conductive connection allows for the series connection of individual battery cells to increase the overall voltage of a battery system. It also allows for the parallel connection of individual battery cells to increase the overall capacity of a battery system. The term cell tab refers to an electrode for the electrical connection of a battery cell. The cell tab can comprise a planar conductive element. Preferably, the cell tab comprises a metal element. More preferably, the cell tab can comprise a metal foil. Preferably, the cell tab can comprise one of the following materials: aluminum or copper. Preferably, the cell tab can have a rectangular shape. Preferably, the material thickness of the cell tab can be in the range of 0.15 mm to 0.2 mm. The cell tab can preferably have a contact area in the range of 15–115 square millimeters, more preferably in the range of 30–115 square millimeters. In this context, the term principal plane refers to a plane that runs parallel or substantially parallel to the largest surface area of the battery cell. Therefore, in the case of a pouch cell, the cell tab extends parallel or substantially parallel to the largest surface area of the pouch cell. The term battery cell, as used here, refers to a rechargeable energy storage device (e.g., accumulator or battery). The battery cell can comprise a prismatic energy storage device, a cylindrical energy storage device, a blade cell, and/or a pouch cell. Preferably, the battery cell comprises a pouch cell. A pouch cell is a special type of lithium-ion battery housed in a flexible, flat pouch. Unlike cylindrical or prismatic cells, which consist of a rigid metal casing, a pouch cell is a flexible, flat battery. Pouch cells use a laminated packaging made of aluminum and plastic. This allows for a lighter and more flexible design. The advantages of pouch cells include higher energy density and design flexibility. A blade cell is a special type of lithium-ion battery cell. The term "blade" refers to the flat, narrow shape of the cell, which resembles a sword blade. The cell is longer and narrower than conventional battery cells, which can