AT526882B1 - Battery cell testing device, battery cell testing system and method for testing battery cells - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery cell testing device (10), comprising: a holding device (12) with a battery cell receiving device (13) for a battery cell to be tested, and a positioning device (16) for a conditioning plate (22); and a base device (14) with an electrical connection device (32) for connection to the battery cell to be tested, an electrical test system connection (52) electrically connected to the electrical connection device (32) for connection to a test system power source, a signal connection device (34) for connection to a signal line connected to a sensor, a test system signal connection (54) signal-technically connected to the signal connection device (34), a first heat transfer medium connection device (36a) for fluidically connecting the conditioning plate (22) to an external heat transfer medium source, and a first test system heat transfer medium connection (56) fluidically connected to the first heat transfer medium connection device (36a).

Description

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Description

Battery cell test device, battery cell test system and method for testing battery cells

[0001] The invention relates to a battery cell testing device, as well as a battery cell testing system for a plurality of such battery cell testing devices and a method for testing battery cells with such a battery cell testing system.

[0002] Due to the increasing electrification of road traffic, batteries are becoming an increasingly important energy storage device in automotive technology for maintaining mobility. The batteries used are usually made up of multiple pouch cells or prismatic cells connected in series. In order to estimate durability, performance, and the resulting potential distances that can be covered, the individual battery cells must be subjected to tests. These tests usually take place in climatic chambers where the ambient temperature can be set to various temperatures. This involves running through predefined temperature profiles and determining the resulting performance and/or capacity of the battery cell at different constant temperatures.

[0003] Climatic chambers typically contain high-current connectors, sensors, such as temperature sensors, and signal connectors for connecting the battery cell or the test unit, consisting of the battery cell and the pressure plates between which the battery cell is clamped, to the corresponding control and power supply located outside the climatic chamber. These connections often have to be made individually by hand.

[0004] For example, document AT 525652 A4 discloses a battery cell test unit comprising a battery cell, two pressure plates between which the battery cell is clamped and which form a test unit with the battery cell, a test unit housing, and an electrical connection device via which the battery cell can be electrically contacted in the test unit housing.

[0005] Document D2 discloses a battery module that can be used in various configurations, including, but not limited to, an overlapping battery cell pack configuration and a vertical stack battery cell pack configuration used in a motor vehicle. The battery module has a plurality of battery heat sink assemblies with the cells disposed therebetween.

[0006] However, it has proven problematic that the growing number of battery cells to be tested means that the time required to conduct and prepare a single measurement, and the associated costs, are too high. Furthermore, the installation space required is too large.

[0007] The objective is therefore to provide a battery cell test unit and a battery cell test system that can perform measurements on battery cells in a shorter time and with less setup time. The required installation space should be significantly reduced and costs saved.

[0008] This object is achieved according to a first aspect of the invention by a battery cell testing device, comprising: a holding device with a battery cell receiving device for a battery cell to be tested, and a positioning device for a conditioning plate; and a base device with an electrical connection device for connection to the battery cell to be tested, an electrical test system connection electrically connected to the electrical connection device for connection to a test system power source, a signal connection device for connection to a signal line connected to a sensor, a test system signal connection connected to the signal connection device for signal technology, a first heat transfer medium connection device for the fluidic connection of the

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Conditioning plate to a heat transfer medium source, and a first test system heat transfer medium connection in fluid communication with the first heat transfer medium connection device.

[0009] In this context, a battery cell testing device is understood to be a device intended to be used in connection with conducting a battery cell test run. A holding device serves to position the battery cell and a conditioning plate. As part of this, the battery cell receiving device is configured to receive a battery cell. A battery cell is understood to be the smallest unit in the battery system that is capable of either generating electrical energy from chemical reactions or using electrical energy to trigger chemical reactions. A positioning device for a conditioning plate is a device on which a conditioning plate can be arranged in at least one specific position. This can be, for example, a horizontal or a vertical position. A conditioning plate is intended to adjust the temperature of a battery cell in thermal contact with the conditioning plate. For this purpose, flow channels for a heat transfer medium are preferably arranged in the conditioning plate. A heat transfer medium is a fluid heat transport medium and, depending on the application and temperature range, can also be referred to as a heating medium, coolant, or refrigerant. Additionally, electrical conditioning with heating wires can also be provided. A base device is a device, preferably arranged on a base of the battery cell testing device, which serves to ensure the supply of electricity and heat transfer medium to the battery cell and the conditioning plate and to create a connection to the test system. The electrical connection device of the base device serves to connect the battery cell to be tested. An electrical test system connection is connected to the electrical connection device. The electrical test system connection is intended to be connected to a test system power source. A test system power source is a power source of the test system. The base device further comprises a signal connection device, which serves to connect a signal line connected to a sensor to the test system signal connection. The sensor and the signal line are thus arranged on the battery cell side. The sensor can preferably be part of the battery cell testing device, but in principle also a part of the replaceable battery cell. The test system signal connection, which is connected to the signal connection device for signal purposes, also belongs to the base device and is preferably arranged on a side of the base device facing away from the battery cell after the battery cell has been installed. Also part of the base device is a first heat transfer fluid connection device. This serves to fluidically connect the conditioning plate to a heat transfer fluid source on the battery cell side. A first test system heat transfer fluid connection is preferably arranged on the side of the base device opposite the battery cell. The first test system heat transfer fluid connection serves to fluidically connect the heat transfer fluid source on the test system side and is fluidically connected to the first heat transfer fluid connection device. The test system heat transfer fluid connection and the heat transfer fluid connection device of the base device thus form two elements of a connecting unit for supplying the heat transfer fluid provided by a heat transfer fluid source in the test system to the battery cell to be tested.

[0010] With such a battery cell testing device, it is possible to completely eliminate the previously necessary climate chambers. Temperature conditioning of the battery cells is made possible solely by the conditioning plate. The conditioning plate's temperature can be adjusted with high precision in a particularly quick and easy manner. This allows for faster and easier replacement of the battery cell testing device without complex manual assembly work.

[0011] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a battery cell test system for a plurality of battery cell test devices according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a plurality of battery cell test devices can be arranged in test slots arranged one above the other and/or next to one another in the battery cell test system, and the test slots each have: a power connection connected to a power source, which is connected to an electrical

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Test system connection of the battery cell test device, a signal connection corresponding to a test system signal connection of the battery cell test device, and a heat transfer medium connection corresponding to a test system heat transfer medium connection of the battery cell test device.

[0012] The battery cell testing device can be designed as a cabinet-shaped unit, into which, for example, the battery cell testing devices can be inserted into respective test slots from one side. Each of the test slots has a power source connection, via which power can be supplied to the battery cell to be tested and/or via which power can be discharged from the battery cell to be tested. The power connections in the test slots correspond to an electrical test system connection of the battery cell testing device. Likewise, the signal connection of the test system corresponds to a test system signal connection of the battery cell testing device, and the heat transfer medium connection of the test system corresponds to a test system heat transfer medium connection of the battery cell testing device, thus serving as connecting parts to one another.

[0013] The battery cell testing system allows multiple battery cells to be tested simultaneously under different conditions. In particular, different battery cells can be tested simultaneously under different temperature conditions.

[0014] According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method for testing battery cells, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a battery cell testing system according to any one of claims 11 to 13; b) providing a battery cell testing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10; c) arranging a battery cell in the battery cell testing device;

d) placing the battery cell test device in a first test slot;

e) connecting the electrical test system connector, the test system signal connector and the test system heat transfer fluid connector to the corresponding connectors of the battery cell test system; and

f) Conduct a test run.

[0015] In the battery cell testing device according to the first aspect of the invention, it can preferably be provided that it comprises a conditioning plate arranged on the positioning device.

[0016] The conditioning plate serves for the thermal conditioning of a battery cell to be tested. The controllability of the temperature of the conditioning plate can be increased by providing each conditioning plate with an inlet, an outlet, and an inner channel through which a heat transfer medium flows from the inlet to the outlet. The temperature of the conditioning plate, and thus of a battery cell to be tested that is in thermal contact with the conditioning plate, can be changed very quickly via the heat transfer medium, since an optimally conditioned heat transfer medium can be continuously supplied while the heated or cooled heat transfer medium is removed. The inlet and outlet are preferably formed on the narrow surfaces of the conditioning plate. When using a liquid heat transfer medium, heat conduction is further improved compared to a gaseous heat transfer medium due to the existing heat capacity of the liquid. The conditioning plate can be arranged on the positioning device, in particular, in a horizontal or vertical orientation. The positioning device can be plate-shaped. Additional fastening means for attaching the conditioning plate may, but do not have to, be provided on the positioning device.

[0017] An even better heat transfer to the outer surface of the conditioning plates is achieved by forming webs in the inner channel of the conditioning plates. These webs can, in particular, be designed as turbulator plates.

[0018] Further advantages are achieved if the battery cell testing device further comprises two

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the positioning device comprises pressure plates with surfaces facing each other, wherein a battery cell receiving space is formed between the two pressure plates.

[0019] In this context, surfaces facing each other are understood to be surfaces where the normal vectors from the surfaces point in opposite directions. Pressure plates are understood to be plates with which pressure can be exerted on a battery cell to be tested or on another object arranged in the battery cell receiving space. This can be achieved in particular by a screw connection between the plates that brings the plates together when actuated, but also by other mechanical or mechatronic measures. The pressure exerted on the battery cell by the pressure plate during testing simulates the conditions prevailing during later operation, when the battery cell is combined with other battery cells to form battery packs or battery modules.

[0020] It is particularly advantageous if one printing plate is designed as a conditioning plate or both printing plates are designed as conditioning plates.

[0021] A pressure plate is a plate designed to exert pressure on a battery cell arranged in the battery cell receiving space. Such a pressure plate can, for example, be designed as a conditioning plate by having connections and the above-described channels for a heat transfer medium and by being made of a thermally conductive material so that it can transfer heat to the battery cell to be tested.

[0022] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the conditioning plates are conditioned at least in the temperature range from -30°C to +60°C, preferably at least in the temperature range from -40°C to +80°C.

[0023] Conditionability to a specific temperature means that a heat transfer medium transfers heat to the conditioning plate for a sufficiently long period of time so that the conditioning plate assumes the intended temperature. For this to happen, all components and connecting elements, such as existing seals, must be designed to withstand these temperatures. The temperature range of -30°C to +60°C enables testing over a wide temperature range. The preferably provided larger temperature range of -40°C to +80°C enables testing over temperatures that occur even under borderline conditions in the vehicle. Such conditionability means that it can be repeated over many test cycles, in particular more than 1,000, preferably at least 10,000 test cycles, at different temperatures and can be reproduced.

[0024] Further advantages are achieved if the base device further comprises a second heat transfer medium connection device for the fluidic connection of a second conditioning plate and a second test system heat transfer medium connection which is in fluidic connection with the second heat transfer medium connection device.

[0025] This particular embodiment of the invention makes it possible to connect two conditioning plates simultaneously and thus to condition the battery cell receiving space from two sides, which enables a more homogeneous and faster conditioning of the battery cell.

[0026] In particular, it can be provided that the first and/or second heat transfer medium connection device comprises a supply line and a return line. In this context, the supply line refers to a heat transfer medium connection configured to supply a heat transfer medium to the conditioning plate. In this context, the return line refers to a heat transfer medium connection configured to conduct the heat transfer medium away from the conditioning plate.

[0027] Further advantages are achieved if the electrical test system connection and/or the test system signal connection and/or the test system heat transfer medium connection is designed as a plug connector.

[0028] The connector is used to easily connect one or more of the terminals

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The battery cell test fixture connects to the corresponding terminals of the battery cell test system. The connecting parts of a connector are aligned by a positive fit of the connector parts and are releasably secured with a force-locking, linear movement by spring force, i.e., a spring clamp connection. This type of fixation contributes, among other things, to the easier automation of battery cell testing procedures that use such a battery cell test fixture.

[0029] In a further particular embodiment, the battery cell testing device is designed as a plug-in module for a battery cell testing system. A plug-in module is configured to be inserted into a plug-in opening. A test slot of a battery cell testing system, for example, can be provided as the plug-in opening. For this purpose, in addition to the appropriate shape, contact rails and/or guide elements can be provided on the battery cell testing device.

[0030] It is further advantageous if the battery cell testing device further comprises a sensor device that is in signal-technical communication with the signal line. The sensor device can be a single sensor or a sensor device consisting of several sensors, possibly arranged in a distributed manner.

[0031] It is particularly advantageous if the sensor device comprises a temperature sensor and/or a voltage sensor. The temperature sensor can preferably be used to measure the temperature at the conditioning plate. A voltage sensor can preferably be configured to measure the voltage of a battery cell.

[0032] In the battery cell test system according to the second aspect of the invention, it is particularly advantageous if a first conditioning plate of a first battery cell test device in a first test slot can be conditioned to a first temperature and a second conditioning plate of a second battery cell test device in a second test slot can be conditioned to a second temperature which differs from the first temperature.

[0033] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the battery cell testing system further comprises an automated conveyor device which is configured to remove a battery cell testing device from a first test slot and to arrange it in a second test slot.

[0034] In the method for testing battery cells according to the third aspect of the invention, it is particularly advantageous if the method further comprises the step:

[0035] e1) Setting a first conditioning plate temperature.

[0036] The setting of the first conditioning plate temperature is provided between steps e) and f). The conditioning plate temperature preferably corresponds to a battery cell temperature and is achieved by supplying the heat transfer medium to the conditioning plate.

[0037] Further advantages are achieved if steps d) to f) are carried out automatically. Automated execution means that at least these steps are not performed manually by humans, but by artificial systems.

[0038] In a further particular embodiment, it is preferably provided that the method further comprises the steps:

g) removing the battery cell test device from the first test slot;

h) placing the battery cell test device in a second test slot that is different from the first test slot from which the battery cell test device was removed;

ij) setting a second conditioning plate temperature that is different from the first conditioning plate temperature; and

)) Perform a second test run.

[0039] In the latter embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if steps d) to ]) are carried out automatically.

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[0040] In further particular embodiments of the invention, the term "comprise" may also mean "contain".

[0041] Thus, a battery cell testing device, a battery cell testing system and a method for testing battery cells are created, with which an accurate and, in comparison to known battery cell testing devices in climatic chambers, particularly rapid conditioning of the battery cells for testing can be carried out in a very small space.

[0042] Temperature profiles can be run fully automatically with minimal control effort. Setup and test times can be significantly reduced compared to conventional designs. Accordingly, the system's efficiency is significantly increased.

[0043] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. They show schematically:

[0044] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell testing device according to a particular embodiment of the invention,

[0045] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a battery cell testing device according to another particular embodiment of the invention,

[0046] Fig. 3 is a front view of the base device of the battery cell testing device of Fig. 1,

[0047] Fig. 4 is a rear view of the base device of Fig. 3,

[0048] Fig. 5a-e a front view of a base device according to Figure 3 with various possible arrangements of a battery cell to a conditioning plate and pressure plates to this,

[0049] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a battery cell testing system according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0050] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a battery cell testing device 10 according to a particular embodiment of the invention. The battery cell testing device 10 is designed as a plug-in module for a battery cell testing system 62 and comprises a holding device 12 and a base device 14. The holding device 12 comprises a battery cell receiving device 13 for receiving a battery cell to be tested and a first positioning device 16a for positioning a conditioning plate 22a.

[0051] The first positioning device 16a consists of a lower support element 17 and an upper clamp element 20, with which the unit to be tested, consisting in this case of a lower conditioning plate 22a, an upper conditioning plate 22b and a battery cell arranged therebetween (not shown in this illustration), is held in position.

[0052] A second positioning device 16b is arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the first positioning device 16a and provides additional stability for the conditioning plates 22a, 22b. In this embodiment, the battery cell receiving device 13 consists of the lower conditioning plate 22a and the upper conditioning plate 22b, and a receiving frame 24 arranged therebetween, which in turn encloses a battery cell receiving space 26. The conditioning plates 22a, 22b can clamp battery cells (not shown) arranged in the battery cell receiving space 26. The pressure exerted on the battery cell in this way can be adjusted via clamping screws 30 that fix the conditioning plates 22a, 22b. The conditioning plates 22a, 22b thus have a pressure-exerting effect in addition to acting as a thermal conditioning element and thus also serve as pressure plates.

[0053] Such a complex mounting of the battery cell and the conditioning plate 22a has, among other things, stability advantages compared to other embodiments, but for example a conditioning plate 22a arranged horizontally on the positioning device 16 can also serve alone as the battery cell receiving device 13.

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[0054] The base device 14 is arranged substantially vertically on a base of the battery cell testing apparatus 10. The base device 14 comprises a plurality of connections. In the perspective illustrated in Fig. 1, some of the battery cell-side connections 18 can be seen, in particular, although the test system-side connections 19 opposite them are only partially visible. The terms "battery cell-side connections" and "test system-side connections" are chosen with reference to a preferred application discussed in the figures, in which a battery cell is received by the battery cell receiving device during operation, and are not intended to be limiting. A detailed description of the connections 18, 19 on both sides follows in conjunction with the explanations of Figures 3 and 4. The battery cell-side connections 18 of the base device 14 comprise an electrical connection device 32 consisting of two connections for connection to the battery cell to be tested, a signal connection device 34 for connection to a signal line connected to a sensor, and a first heat transfer medium connection device 36a and a second heat transfer medium connection device 36b for the fluidic connection of the conditioning plate 22a, 22b to test system heat transfer connections connected to an external heat transfer medium source (not shown). One of the heat transfer medium connection devices 36a, 36b can be connected to the conditioning plate 22b via the conditioning plate connections 38. For reasons of clarity, the connection lines provided for this purpose are not shown here.

[0055] The electrical connection devices 32 are connected to battery cell terminals 42 via ribbon cables 40. To cool the electrical battery cell terminals 42 during a test run, an axial fan 44 is arranged above them, with which an air flow can be generated over the battery cell terminals 42, which represents a cost-effective alternative to known compressed air cooling systems.

[0056] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a battery cell testing device 10 according to another particular embodiment of the invention. In contrast to the battery cell testing device 10 shown in Figure 1, the holding device 12 is arranged here for vertically receiving the battery cell.

[0057] In particular, for this purpose, holding elements 46 are arranged on a base plate of the battery cell testing device 10, which can be moved via elongated holes 48. The holding elements 46 hold the conditioning plates 22 in a vertical position such that a battery cell receiving space 26 is formed between them. The holding elements 46 and two holding columns 50 are parts of the positioning device 16, with which the conditioning plates 22 can be positioned. Positioning is achieved via a clamping lever 53, which engages in a curved elongated hole 55. On an upper side of the holding columns 50, the length of which can be adjusted by a telescopic system, a cross member 57 serves to fix the holding device 12 as well as the battery cell connections 42 and the axial fans 44. The heat transfer medium connection devices 36a, 36b are fluidically connected to the conditioning plate connections 38 via supply lines 59 and return lines 61. Other elements designated by the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 correspond to these and/or have a corresponding function.

[0058] Figure 3 shows a front view of a base device 14, looking toward a battery cell-side plate element 27 with the battery cell-side terminals 18. This includes an electrical connection device 32 consisting of two terminals, which is intended to supply power to a battery cell to be tested. When the battery cell is mounted on the battery cell testing device 10, cables, for example the ribbon cables 40 shown in Figures 1 and 2, are connected to the electrical connection device 22 and the battery cell terminals 42.

[0059] The signal connection device 34 is designed as a multi-pin connector. It serves to connect a signal line connected to one or more sensors. The sensor or sensors form a sensor device with which the temperature, the current flowing through the battery cell, a voltage applied to the battery cell, a signal between pressure plates

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and/or conditioning plates, the pressure acting on the battery cell to be measured or other parameters relevant for testing the battery cell can be measured. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the sensors can also be connected to the electrical connection devices 32. In particular, it can be provided to connect sensors for measuring the current flowing through the battery cell to be tested and/or the voltage flowing through the battery cell to the electrical connection devices 32.

[0060] Furthermore, the base device 14 has on its front a first heat transfer medium connection device 36a and a second heat transfer medium connection device 36b for fluidically connecting the conditioning plate to an external heat transfer medium source. The first heat transfer medium connection device 36a forms a return line for a heat transfer medium, i.e., a heating medium, coolant, or refrigerant. The second heat transfer medium connection device 36b forms a supply line for the heat transfer medium to supply the conditioning plate 22. Each of the two heat transfer medium connection devices has two connections to supply two conditioning plates 22 with the heat transfer medium. A mixture of water with antifreeze, for example, is suitable as a heat transfer medium for use in a wide temperature range.

[0061] The battery cell-side plate element 27 also has two connecting holes 31, via which screw connectors (not shown in detail) engage in counterbores 48 of a test system-side plate element 50 of the base device 14 shown in Figure 4.

[0062] The rear view of the base device 14 shown in Figure 4 has an electrical test system connection 52, which is configured to be connected to a test system power source, i.e., a power source of a test system 62. The electrical test system connection is electrically connected to the opposite electrical connection device 32. A test system signal connection 54 is provided to forward sensor signals to the test system 62. For this purpose, the test system signal connection 54 is in signal connection with the opposite signal connection device 34.

[0063] Furthermore, the base device 14 has a test system heat transfer connection 56 on the test system side, which is fluidically connected to the battery cell-side heat transfer connection device 36. In contrast to the four connections of the battery cell-side heat transfer connection device 36, the test system heat transfer connection 56 consists of only two connections, which are formed into a supply line and a return line and are each divided into two channels in the connection to their respective counterparts of the battery cell-side heat transfer connection device 36.

[0064] Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of possible arrangements of a battery cell 58 relative to a conditioning plate 22 and the base device 14 and optionally a second conditioning plate 22 and/or one or two pressure plates 60.

[0065] In Figure 5a, a conditioning plate 22 is arranged horizontally and a battery cell 58 is arranged vertically, which enables a possible simple mounting arrangement with, however, relatively low heat transfer from the one conditioning plate 22 to the battery cell.

[0066] Figure 5b shows an arrangement in which the conditioning plate 22 and the battery cell 58 are both arranged horizontally to each other, which already allows a somewhat higher heat transfer.

[0067] The arrangement shown in Figure 5c is based on the arrangement of conditioning plate 22 and battery cell 58 shown in Figure 5a, wherein two vertically aligned pressure plates 60 are additionally arranged on the battery cell 58, thereby making it possible to exert pressure on the battery cell 58 in addition to the thermal conditioning.

[0068] The arrangement shown in Figure 5d is based on the arrangement shown in Figure 5c, wherein the pressure plates 60 are configured as conditioning plates 22, thus enabling more efficient thermal conditioning of the battery cell 58 and pressure application with only two conditioning plates. An additional, horizontal conditioning plate 22 has been omitted, as this provides only relatively little added value.

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[0069] The arrangement shown in Figure 5e is based on that shown in Figure 5d, wherein one of the conditioning plates is designed as a comparatively less complex pressure plate 60. This arrangement also enables thermal conditioning and the application of pressure to the battery cell 58, while using overall more cost-effective components.

[0070] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a battery cell testing system 62 according to a particular embodiment of the invention. The battery cell testing system 62 is configured to accommodate a plurality of battery cell testing devices 10 of the type described above and to perform test runs for testing the battery cells arranged in the battery cell testing devices 10.

[0071] For this purpose, a test system cabinet unit 63 is provided with a plurality of test slots 64 arranged one above the other and next to one another, which, in the illustration shown, are arranged behind a vertically displaceable push plate 66, with which the battery cell test devices 10 are protected from external influences, in particular thermal influences, during a test run.

[0072] The test slots 64 each have a power source (not shown in detail) on their rear side, the connection of which corresponds to the electrical test system connection 52 of the battery cell test device 10. They also have a signal connection (also not shown in detail) that corresponds to a test system signal connection 54 of the battery cell test device 10, and a heat transfer medium source (also not shown in detail) that corresponds to a test system heat transfer medium connection 56 of the battery cell test device 10. The corresponding connections of the test slots 64 are designed as plug-in connectors, like the connections of the test device 10, but with opposite genders. This allows the power source connection to be connected to the electrical test system connection 52, the signal connection to the test system signal connection 54, and the heat transfer medium connection to the test system heat transfer medium connection 56 by inserting the test device 10 into a test slot 64 of the test system 62. Guide rails (not shown in detail) are arranged in the test slots for the necessary alignment of the battery cell test device 10 to the test slot 64. For conditioning the conditioning plates 22, a heat transfer medium temperature control device 68 is provided in the battery cell test system 62, which serves as a heat transfer medium source for heat transfer mediums of various temperatures. The heat transfer medium temperature control device 68 is connected to the test slots 64 in such a way that a conditioning plate 22 of a battery cell testing device 10 can be conditioned to a first temperature in a first test slot 64a, to a second temperature in a second test slot 64b, and to a third temperature in a third test slot 64c. The first, second, and third temperatures differ from one another. In total, heat transfer mediums can be conditioned to preferably at least 8, particularly preferably at least 15, different temperatures. By changing the test slots without having to remove the battery cell from the battery cell testing device 10, quick and easy conditioning of the battery cell to be tested is possible. Any further thermal conditioning of the test slots 64 themselves, for example by heating or cooling elements arranged therein, is not necessary and is not provided.

[0073] The battery cell test system 62 further comprises an automated conveyor 70, which is configured to remove a battery cell test device 10 from a first test slot 64a and to place it in a second test slot 64b. For this purpose, the automated conveyor 70 has a positioning module 72 with an outer frame 74 and an inner frame 76 that can be moved vertically within the outer frame 74, as well as a positioning unit 78, with which an insertion device 80, which is configured to insert a battery cell test device 10 configured as a plug-in module into one of the test slots 64, can be horizontally displaced. The automated conveyor 70 itself is also movable via a transport module 82, on which the outer frame 74 is arranged, so that the automated conveyor 70 can also be used to exchange battery cell test devices 10 between different battery cell test systems 62. For the

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Positioning the insertion device 80 at the respective test slot 64, the automated conveyor device 70 is equipped with suitable sensors and control electronics.

[0074] The above explanations of the embodiments describe the present invention exclusively in the context of examples.

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LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

10 battery cell test device

12 Holding device

13 Battery cell holder 14 Base unit

16 Positioning device

17 Support element

18 battery cell side connections 19 test system side connections

20 clamp element

22 Conditioning plate

24 mounting frames

26 Battery cell compartment

27 Battery cell side plate element 28 Flow

29 Return

30 clamping screw

31 connecting holes

32 electrical connection device 34 signal connection device

36a first heat transfer medium connection device 36b second heat transfer medium connection device 38 conditioning plate connection

40 ribbon cables

42 Battery cell connection

44 axial fan

46 holding elements

48 counterbores

50 Test system side plate element 52 Electrical test system connection 53 Clamping lever

54 Test system signal connection

55 curved slot

56 Test system heat transfer connection

57 58 59 60 61 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82

cross member

Battery cell

Supply lines

printing plate

Return lines battery cell test system test slot

Push plate heat transfer temperature control device automated conveyor system positioning module

outer frame

inner frame positioning unit insertion device

Transport module

AT 526 882 B1 2025-05-15

Claims (14)

N Bes AT 526 882 B1 2025-05-15 Ss N Patent claims 1. Battery cell testing device (10), comprising: a holding device (12) with a battery cell receiving device (13) for a battery cell to be tested, and a positioning device (16) for a conditioning plate (22); and a base device (14) with an electrical connection device (32) for connection to the battery cell to be tested, an electrical test system connection (52) electrically connected to the electrical connection device (32) for connection to a test system power source, a signal connection device (34) for connection to a signal line connected to a sensor, a test system signal connection (54) connected to the signal connection device (34) for signal technology purposes, a first heat transfer medium connection device (36a) for fluidically connecting the conditioning plate (22) to an external heat transfer medium source, and a first test system heat transfer connection (56) in fluid communication with the first heat transfer connection device (36a), characterized in that two pressure plates (60) arranged on the positioning device (16) with surfaces facing each other, wherein a battery cell receiving space (26) is formed between the two pressure plates (60), one pressure plate (60) is designed as a conditioning plate (22) or both pressure plates (60) are designed as conditioning plates (22), the conditioning plates (22) can be conditioned at least in the temperature range from -20°C to +40°C, preferably at least in the temperature range from -30°C to +60°C, and the battery cell testing device (10) is designed as a plug-in module for a battery cell testing system (62). 2, Battery cell testing device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: a conditioning plate (22) arranged on the positioning device (16). 3. Battery cell testing device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base device (14) further comprises: a second heat transfer medium connection device (36b) for the fluidic connection of a second conditioning plate (22) and a second test system heat transfer connection (56) fluidically connected to the second heat transfer connection device (36b). 4. Battery cell testing device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical test system connection (52) and/or the test system signal connection (54) and/or the test system heat transfer connection (56) is designed as a plug-in connector. 5. Battery cell testing device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sensor device in signal-related connection with the signal line. 6. Battery cell testing device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the sensor device comprises a temperature sensor and/or a voltage sensor. 7. Battery cell test system (62) for a plurality of battery cell test devices (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that several battery cell test devices (10) can be arranged in test slots (64) arranged one above the other and/or next to one another in the battery cell test system (62), and the test slots (64) each have: a power terminal connected to a power source, which corresponds to an electrical test system terminal (52) of the battery cell test device (10), a signal terminal corresponding to a test system signal terminal (54) of the battery cell test device (10), and a heat transfer medium connection corresponding to a test system heat transfer medium connection of the battery cell test device (10). 8. Battery cell test system (62) according to claim 7, characterized in that a first conditioning plate (22) of a first battery cell test device (10) in a first test slot (64a) can be conditioned to a first temperature and a second conditioning plate (22) of a second battery cell test device (10) in a second test slot (64b) is conditioned to a second temperature which differs from the first temperature. 9. Battery cell test system (62) according to one of claims 7 and 8, further comprising an automated conveyor (70) which is configured to remove a battery cell test device (10) from a first test slot (64a) and to arrange it in a second test slot (64b). 10. A method for testing battery cells, comprising the steps of: a) providing a battery cell testing system (62) according to one of claims 7 to 9; b) providing a battery cell testing device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6; c) arranging a battery cell in the battery cell testing device (10); d) arranging the battery cell testing device (10) in a first test slot (64a); e) connecting the electrical test system connection (52), the test system signal connection (54) and the test system heat transfer medium connection (54) to the corresponding connections of the battery cell test system (62); and f) Conduct a test run. 11. A method for testing battery cells according to claim 10, further comprising the step: e1) setting a first conditioning plate temperature. 12. A method for testing battery cells according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of: g) removing the battery cell testing device (10) from the first test slot (64a); h) placing the battery cell test device (10) in a second test slot (64b) which is different from the first test slot (64a) from which the battery cell test device (10) was removed; ij) setting a second conditioning plate temperature that is different from the first conditioning plate temperature; and )) Perform a second test run. 13. A method for testing battery cells according to one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that steps d) to f) are carried out automatically. 14. A method for testing battery cells according to claim 12, characterized in that steps d) to j) are carried out automatically. 5 sheets of drawings