Cell block with cell fixation for a battery and method of assembling a cell block
The present disclosure relates to a cell block for a battery and a method for assembling a cell bock having one or more battery cells. In one implementation, the cell block includes a box-shaped housing, which is open on one side and into which the battery cells are fitted through the open side, and a cell fixation, which is pushed through the open side into the housing, such that the battery cells are fixed in the housing and the housing is at least partially closed. The cell fixation may further include one or more bond openings, through which the battery cells may be accessed after the cell fixation has been pushed in, and a projecting collar on the side of the cell fixation facing away from the battery cells, such that the collar may be brought into contact with an end plate.
1. A cell block for a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal, comprising:
a box-shaped housing including:
an open side, and
a base opposite the open side, the base including a cell-insertion opening;
a battery cell contained in the housing and received through the cell-insertion opening;
a cell fixation inserted in the housing near the open side of the housing, the cell fixation being configured to fix the battery cell in the housing, and the cell fixation including a bond opening aligning with the battery cell, the bond opening being configured to allow the battery cell to be accessed through the bond opening;
a first projecting collar provided on a side of the cell fixation, projecting away from the battery cell and at least partially surrounding the bond opening;
a second projecting collar provided on a side of the cell fixation, projecting towards the battery cell and at least partially surrounding the bond opening; and
a terminal connection plate having a first end plate electrically coupled to the first terminal and in contact with the first projecting collar, a second end plate in contact with a second terminal of an adjacent cell block, and a bridge connecting the first end plate to the second end plate.
2. The cell block according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first end plate includes a contact-plate opening that matches the bond opening, and
the cell block further comprises a bonding wire arranged through the bond opening and the contact-plate opening, and electrically coupling the first end plate with the first terminal.
3. The cell block according to claim 1 , wherein the housing includes the base opposite the open side, the base including the cell-insertion opening aligning with the battery cell.
4. The cell block according to claim 3 , wherein the cell-insertion opening includes a ridge configured to guide and hold the battery cell.
5. The cell block according to claim 4 , further comprising:
a conductive adhesive provided between the second end plate and one side of the battery cell that is held by the cell-insertion opening, for a heat-conducting connection.
6. The cell block according to claim 1 , wherein the cell fixation is provided as an integral part with the first projecting collar and/or the second projecting collar.
7. The cell block according to claim 6 , wherein the integral part is made of plastic.
8. The cell block according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first projecting collar and/or the second projecting collar is made of a first plastic,
the cell fixation is made of a second plastic, and
the first plastic is softer than the second plastic.
9. The cell block according to claim 1 , wherein the second projecting collar is in contact with the battery cell.
10. The cell block according to claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an end stop, configured to limit a distance into the housing the cell fixation is inserted.
11. The cell block according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cell fixation or the housing includes a component configured to engage the cell fixation at a certain position in the housing.
12. A method for equipping a cell block for a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal with a battery cell, the cell block comprising:
a box-shaped housing including:
an open side, and
a base opposite the open side, the base including a cell-insertion opening;
a cell fixation configured to be inserted in the housing near the open side of the housing, the cell fixation being configured to fix the battery cell in the housing, and the cell fixation including a bond opening, the bond opening being configured to allow the battery cell to be accessed through the bond opening;
a first projecting collar provided on a side of the cell fixation, projecting away from the battery cell and at least partially surrounding the bond opening;
a second projecting collar provided on a side of the cell fixation, projecting towards the battery cell and at least partially surrounding the bond opening; and
a first terminal connection plate having a first end plate configured to be electrically coupled to the first terminal and in contact with the first projecting collar, a second end plate configured to be in contact with a second terminal of an adjacent cell block, and a bridge connecting the first plate to the second plate,
the method comprising:
fitting the battery cell into the housing through the open side of the housing; and
pushing the cell fixation through the open side into the housing, thereby fixing the battery cell in the housing and at least partially closing the housing, the battery cell being aligned with the bond opening of the cell fixation.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein fitting the battery cell into the housing includes pushing the battery into the cell-insertion opening provided in the base of the housing that opposite the open side.
14. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising:
applying and securing a first terminal-connection plate and a second terminal-connection plate to the housing, such that a first contact plate of the first terminal-connection plate contacts a collar of the cell fixation, and a second contact plate of the second terminal-connection plate is fastened on the base of the housing; and
bonding the second contact plate with a bottom side of the battery cell.
15. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising:
installing, after bonding the second contact plate, the cell block on a cooling plate; and
bonding, after installing the cell block on the cooling plate, a side of the battery cell facing away from the cooling plate with the first plate of the first terminal connection plate.