Abstract:
In order to provide a cell contact-making system for an electrochemical device which includes a plurality of electrochemical cells, wherein the cell contact-making system includes a current conductor system having one or more cell connectors, for electrically conductively connecting cell terminals of different electrochemical cells, a signal conductor system having one or more signal conductors for electrically conductively connecting a respective signal source to a signal conductor terminal connector of the cell contact-making system, and a monitoring unit for monitoring signals from the signal sources, which is of compact construction and is assemblable from a relatively small number of parts, it is proposed that the monitoring unit should include a plug contact terminal connector which is directly connectable by a plug connection to the signal conductor terminal connector of the signal conductor system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of international application number PCT/EP2014/057137 filed on Apr. 9, 2014, which claims priority to German patent application number 10 2013 207 357.7 filed Apr. 23, 2013, the entire specification of both being incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a cell contact-making system for an electrochemical device which includes a plurality of electrochemical cells, wherein the cell contact-making system includes a current conductor system having one or more cell connectors, for electrically conductively connecting cell terminals of different electrochemical cells, 
         [0000]    a signal conductor system having one or more signal conductors for electrically conductively connecting a respective signal source to a signal conductor terminal connector of the cell contact-making system, and a monitoring unit for monitoring signals from the signal sources. 
         [0003]    A cell contact-making system of this kind serves on the one hand to enable a power current to flow from and to the electrochemical cells of the electrochemical device, by means of the current conductor system, and on the other to perform individual cell monitoring for physical measured variables such as voltage and temperature, by means of the signal conductor system and the monitoring unit. For this purpose, potential differences for example are measured between different cell connectors, and/or temperatures in the vicinity of the cell connectors are detected by means of suitable temperature sensors. The signal sources or measuring points are electrically conductively connected by the signal conductor system to the signal conductor terminal connector, which serves as the interface with the monitoring unit of the electrochemical device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    In the case of known cell contact-making systems, the monitoring unit is arranged spatially distanced from the signal conductor terminal connector of the signal conductor system, and is connected to the signal conductor terminal connector by way of a connection cable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The object of the present invention is to provide a cell contact-making system having a monitoring unit which is of the type mentioned in the introduction and is of compact construction and is assemblable from a relatively small number of parts. 
         [0006]    This object is achieved according to the invention with a cell contact-making system having the features of the precharacterizing clause of claim  1  in that the monitoring unit includes a plug contact terminal connector which is directly connectable by a plug connection to the signal conductor terminal connector of the signal conductor system. 
         [0007]    The solution according to the invention is thus based on the concept of arranging the monitoring unit not at a spacing from the signal conductor terminal connector of the signal conductor system but in the immediate vicinity of the signal conductor terminal connector, with the result that a plug contact terminal connector of the monitoring unit is directly connectable by a plug connection to the signal conductor terminal connector of the signal conductor system without any need for an additional connection line or an additional connection cable or an additional plug connection to make an electrically conductive contact between the plug contact terminal connector of the monitoring unit and the signal conductor terminal connector of the signal conductor system. 
         [0008]    As a result, the cell contact-making system including the monitoring unit may be of very compact and space-saving construction. 
         [0009]    Further, by eliminating the cable connection between the monitoring unit and the signal conductor terminal connector of the signal conductor system there is a saving on components, with the result that the cell contact-making system according to the invention is also producible at particularly low cost. 
         [0010]    The monitoring unit serves to monitor and evaluate the signals provided by the signal sources of the cell contact-making system, in particular electrical potentials and/or temperature data, in order that the operating condition of the electrochemical device can be determined at any time and any measures that become necessary, such as switching off the electrochemical device, can be taken. 
         [0011]    For this purpose, it is particularly favorable if the monitoring unit includes a processor for electronically processing the signals provided by the signal sources. 
         [0012]    A monitoring unit of this kind is also designated a BMU (battery management unit) or CSC (circuit supervisory controller). 
         [0013]    The monitoring unit may be arranged for example inside a housing of the cell contact-making system which is preferably formed from a support element, which carries the current conductor system and the signal conductor system of the cell contact-making system, and a cover element fixed to the support element. 
         [0014]    In this arrangement, the cover element is preferably releasably fixed to the support element so that the housing can be opened in a simple way and the monitoring unit can be removed for maintenance and/or repair purposes. 
         [0015]    As an alternative thereto, it may also be provided for the monitoring unit to be arranged outside the housing of the cell contact-making system that is formed by the support element and the cover element, in a separate monitoring unit housing. 
         [0016]    This monitoring unit housing may be produced as a separate component, separately from the housing of the cell contact-making system, and be fixable, preferably releasably, to the housing of the cell contact-making system. 
         [0017]    As an alternative thereto, it may also be provided for a housing part of the monitoring unit housing to be made in one piece with a housing part of the housing of the cell contact-making system, in particular in one piece with a cover element of the cell contact-making system. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment of the cell contact-making system according to the invention, it is provided for the signal conductor terminal connector to include a signal plug or a signal socket and for the monitoring unit to include a signal socket that is complementary with the signal plug of the signal conductor terminal connector, or a signal plug that is complementary with the signal socket of the signal conductor terminal connector. 
         [0019]    The plug contact terminal connector of the monitoring unit and the signal conductor terminal connector of the signal conductor system are intermateable, preferably without a terminal connector cable placed in between. 
         [0020]    Further, it may be provided for the monitoring unit to include a signal terminal connector for connecting a connection line to a monitoring unit of another cell contact-making system or to a central monitoring device. 
         [0021]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the signal conductor terminal connector of the signal conductor system includes a terminal connector housing, wherein at least one terminal connector pin is fixed to the terminal connector housing, for connecting a signal conductor of the signal conductor system. 
         [0022]    In this case, it may in particular be provided for at least one terminal connector pin to take a curved form. 
         [0023]    The angle of curvature may be for example approximately 90°. As a result, it is possible on the one hand to connect the terminal connector pin to a signal conductor of the signal conductor system that runs in a plane defined by a longitudinal direction of the cell contact-making system and a transverse direction of the cell contact-making system running perpendicular to this longitudinal direction, and on the other to bring it into contact with the plug contact terminal connector of the monitoring unit in a contact direction that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the transverse direction. 
         [0024]    Further, it may be provided for the terminal connector housing of the signal conductor terminal connector to include a receptacle for a terminal connector housing of the plug contact terminal connector, wherein at least one terminal connector pin is fixed to the terminal connector housing of the plug contact terminal connector. 
         [0025]    Conversely, it could also be provided for the terminal connector housing of the plug contact terminal connector to which at least one terminal connector pin is fixed to include a receptacle for the terminal connector housing of the signal conductor terminal connector. 
         [0026]    If the cell contact-making system includes a support element that carries the current conductor system and the signal conductor system, it is preferably provided for the signal conductor terminal connector to be fixed to the support element. 
         [0027]    Preferably, the signal conductor terminal connector is releasably fixed to the support element, for example being latched. 
         [0028]    The signal conductor terminal connector is preferably a component produced separately from the support element. 
         [0029]    If the cell contact-making system includes, in addition to the support element that carries the current conductor system and the signal conductor system, a cover element that is releasably fixed to the support element, then the current conductor system, the signal conductor system and the monitoring unit may be arranged at least partly, preferably substantially entirely, between the support element and the cover element. As a result, a particularly compact overall construction of the cell contact-making system is produced. 
         [0030]    In order to enable the monitoring unit to be positioned in a desired position relative to the support element and/or the cover element, it is advantageous if the support element and/or the cover element include/includes at least one positioning element that engages with the monitoring unit. 
         [0031]    In a particular embodiment of the invention, it is provided for the cell contact-making system to include a cover element that, in the assembled condition of the cell contact-making system, is arranged on the side of the current conductor system and the signal conductor system remote from the cell terminals of the electrochemical device. 
         [0032]    In this case, it may be provided for the signal conductor terminal connector of the signal conductor system to extend at least partly through the cover element. This makes it possible to arrange the monitoring unit directly adjacent to the signal conductor terminal connector of the signal conductor system without the monitoring unit being located in the intermediate space between the cover element and the signal conductor system. 
         [0033]    The monitoring unit may in particular be arranged in a monitoring unit housing. 
         [0034]    A monitoring unit housing of this kind may take the form of an element that is produced separately from the cover element. 
         [0035]    The monitoring unit housing may include a housing lower part and a housing upper part. 
         [0036]    In this case, it may in particular be provided for the housing lower part of the monitoring unit housing to be formed in one piece with the cover element. 
         [0037]    Further features and advantages of the invention form the subject matter of the description below and the illustration in the drawings of exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective exploded illustration of a cell contact-making system for an electrochemical device, in particular a battery module, which includes a support element, a current conductor system that is held on the support element and a signal conductor system that is held on the support element, a cover element and a monitoring unit that is arranged between the cover element and the support element, for monitoring signals from signal sources of the cell contact-making system; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  shows a plan view from above of the support element, the current conductor system and the signal conductor system from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic section through the cell contact-making system from  FIG. 2 , along the line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic cross section through the cell contact-making system, along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 , but with the monitoring unit assembled and with the cover element placed on the support element; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  shows a plan view from above of the cell contact-making system from  FIGS. 1 to 4 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of the cell contact-making system from  FIG. 5 , with the direction of view in the direction of the arrow  6  in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective illustration of an electrochemical device, for example a battery module, having a housing and a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged therein, wherein the cell contact-making system is placeable on the housing and is electrically conductively connectable to cell terminals of the electrochemical cells; 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective illustration of a second embodiment of the cell contact-making system, in which the monitoring unit is arranged outside the intermediate space between the support element and the cover element, in a housing whereof the housing lower part is formed in one piece with the cover element; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  shows a plan view from above of the cell contact-making system from  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  shows a cross section through the cell contact-making system from  FIG. 9 , along the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of the cell contact-making system from  FIG. 9 , with the direction of view in the direction of the arrow  11  in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective illustration of a housing upper part of the housing in which the monitoring unit in the second embodiment of the cell contact-making system is arranged; 
           [0050]      FIG. 13  shows a schematic illustration of the cell contact-making system from  FIGS. 8 to 12 , without the housing upper part illustrated in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective illustration of the monitoring unit of the cell contact-making system; 
           [0052]      FIG. 15  shows a perspective illustration of the support element, the current conductor system and the signal conductor system of the second embodiment of the cell contact-making system from  FIGS. 8 to 14  before a terminal connector housing of a signal conductor terminal connector of the cell contact-making system is fixed to the support element; 
           [0053]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective illustration of the support element, the current conductor system and the signal conductor system corresponding to  FIG. 15  after the terminal connector housing has been fixed to the support element; 
           [0054]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective illustration of a third embodiment of the cell contact-making system, in which the monitoring unit is arranged in a housing which is produced separately from the cover element and is fixed releasably to the cover element; 
           [0055]      FIG. 18  shows a plan view from above of the cell contact-making system from  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 19  shows a front view of the cell contact-making system from  FIG. 18 , with the direction of view in the direction of the arrow  19  in  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 20  shows a side view of the cell contact-making system from  FIGS. 18 and 19 , with the direction of view in the direction of the arrow  20  in  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 21  shows a longitudinal section through the cell contact-making system from  FIGS. 18 to 20 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 22  shows a perspective illustration of the housing in which the monitoring unit in the third embodiment of the cell contact-making system is arranged; 
           [0060]      FIG. 23  shows a perspective exploded illustration of the housing for the monitoring unit from  FIG. 22 , wherein a housing upper part of the housing has been lifted away from a housing lower part of the housing; 
           [0061]      FIG. 24  shows a perspective illustration of the cell contact-making system from  FIGS. 17 to 23 , wherein the housing of the monitoring unit has been removed from the cover element and a signal conductor terminal connector of the signal conductor system extends through a passage opening in the cover element; and 
           [0062]      FIG. 25  shows a schematic illustration of the cell contact-making system from  FIGS. 17 to 24 , wherein the cover element has been removed from the support element. 
       
    
    
       [0063]    Like or functionally equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals in all the Figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0064]    A cell contact-making system that is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 6  and is designated  100  as a whole includes a support element  102 , on which a current conductor system  104  and a signal conductor system  106  are held, a cover element  108  that is placeable on the support element  102 , and a monitoring unit  167  which is arranged in the intermediate space between the support element  102  and the cover element  108 , for monitoring signals that are transmitted by way of the signal conductor system  106  to the monitoring unit  167 . 
         [0065]    The support element  102  is placeable on a housing  109  (illustrated in  FIG. 7 ) of an electrochemical device  111 , for example a battery module, having a plurality of electrochemical cells  113 , in particular battery cells, and in the assembled condition of the electrochemical device  111  closes off an upper housing opening through which cell terminals  115  of the electrochemical cells  113  of the electrochemical device  111  project. 
         [0066]    The support element  102  may for example take the form of a preferably substantially rectangular support plate  110 . 
         [0067]    The support element  102  is provided with a plurality of passage openings  112 , wherein each passage opening  112  is allocated on the one hand to a respective contact region  114  of a cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118  and on the other to a respective cell terminal  115  of the electrochemical cells  113  of the electrochemical device  111 , with the result that a respective cell terminal  115  is connectable, through a passage opening  112  of this kind, to an allocated contact region  114  of a cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118 . 
         [0068]    In this arrangement, a cell terminal  115  may for example extend through the passage opening  112  in order to come into contact with a contact region  114  of a cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118 . 
         [0069]    As an alternative thereto, a contact region  114  of a cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118  may also extend through the respectively associated passage opening  112  in order to come into contact with the respectively associated cell terminal  115 . 
         [0070]    Further, it is also conceivable for both the cell terminal  115  and also the contact region  114  of the cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118  to extend into the passage opening  112  and to be connected to one another there. 
         [0071]    As can be seen from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the passage openings  112  of the support element  102  may be arranged in a plurality of rows  120 , wherein the rows  120  extend for example in a longitudinal direction  122  of the support element  102 . 
         [0072]    The passage openings  112  may in particular take a substantially rectangular form, in particular with rounded corner regions; in principle, however, other shapes of the passage openings  112 , in particular circular, oval, square or polygonal passage openings  112 , are also possible. 
         [0073]    The cover element  108 , which serves to cover the current conductor system  104  and the signal conductor system  106 , is arranged on the upper side of the support element  102 , in the assembled condition of the cell contact-making system  100  remote from the electrochemical cells  113 . 
         [0074]    The cover element  108  for example takes the form of a substantially rectangular cover plate  124 . 
         [0075]    As can best be seen from  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the cover element  108  is further preferably provided with an edge region  126  which runs peripherally along an outer edge and in the assembled condition of the cell contact-making system  100  projects towards the support element  102 . 
         [0076]    The edge region  126  of the cover element  108  may be interrupted by two passage channels  128  which project forwards or backwards from the edge of the cover element  108 , preferably in the longitudinal direction  122 , and may for example have a substantially U-shaped cross section. 
         [0077]    As can best be seen from  FIG. 1 , the support element  102  is also preferably provided with an edge region  130  which runs peripherally along an outer edge and in the assembled condition of the cell contact-making system  100  projects towards the cover element  108 . 
         [0078]    The edge region  130  of the support element  102  may also be interrupted by two passage channels  132  which project forwards or backwards from the edge of the support element  102 , preferably in the longitudinal direction  122 , and may for example have a substantially U-shaped cross section. 
         [0079]    The passage channels  132  of the support element  102  and the passage channels  128  of the cover element  108  are arranged at mutually corresponding points on the respective edge regions  130  and  126  and face one another by means of their open sides, with the result that the passage channels  132 ,  128  together form a respective passage duct  134  which serves to receive a respective one of the current terminal connectors  118  of the cell contact-making system  100 . 
         [0080]    The current terminal connectors  118  and the cell connectors  116 , by means of which the cell terminals  115  of in each case two mutually adjacent electrochemical cells  113  of different polarity are electrically conductively connectable to one another, together form the current conductor system  104  of the cell contact-making system  100 . 
         [0081]    The current conductor system  104  serves to enable current to flow between the electrochemical cells  113  of the electrochemical device  111  and to or from the current terminal connectors  118  of the cell contact-making system  100 . 
         [0082]    As a result of this current conductor system  104 , for example the electrochemical cells  113  of the electrochemical device  111  are connected electrically in series. 
         [0083]    In this arrangement, each cell connector  116  connects a first cell terminal  115   a , of negative polarity, of a first electrochemical cell  113   a  to a second cell terminal  115   b , of positive polarity, of an adjacent second electrochemical cell  113   b  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0084]    In each case, a cell terminal  115   c  of the electrochemical cell  113   c  that forms the start of the cell series circuit of the electrochemical device, and a cell terminal  115   d  of the electrochemical cell  113   d  that forms the end of the cell series circuit, are electrically conductively connected to one of the electrically conductive current terminal connectors  118  of the cell contact-making system  100 . 
         [0085]    A plurality of electrochemical devices  111  each having a cell contact-making system  100  are preferably connected electrically in series. 
         [0086]    A series circuit of this kind may in particular be produced in that a current terminal connector  118  of a first electrochemical device  111  is electrically conductively connected, by means of a module connector (not illustrated), to an electrical current terminal connector  118  (of the opposite polarity) of a second electrochemical device  111 . 
         [0087]    So that the cover element  108  may be releasably fixed to the support element  102 , there is preferably provided a latching device  136  that includes one or more latching elements  138  provided on the cover element  108  and one or more latching elements  140  provided on the support element  102 . 
         [0088]    The latching elements  138  on the cover element and the latching elements  140  on the support element are arranged at mutually corresponding points on the edge region  126  of the cover element  108  and the edge region  130  of the support element  102  respectively and latch to one another when the cover element  108  is placed on the support element  102 , with the result that the cover element  108  is held releasably on the support element  102  by means of the latching device  136 . 
         [0089]    The support element  102  is preferably provided, on its edge region  130 , with one or more terminal connector recesses  142  through which a respective signal terminal connector  144  (see in particular  FIG. 1 ) having a plurality of terminal connector pins  146  is accessible from outside the cell contact-making system  100  for making contact with a signal conductor element that is complementary with the signal terminal connector  144 . 
         [0090]    The signal terminal connector  144  may for example take the form of a signal conductor plug. 
         [0091]    In this case, the signal conductor element, which takes a form complementary with the signal terminal connector  144 , preferably takes the form of a signal socket. 
         [0092]    The signal terminal connector  144  serves to connect the monitoring unit  167  that is arranged on the support element  102  to a central monitoring device (not illustrated) or to the monitoring unit  167  of another cell contact-making system  100  (not illustrated) by way of a preferably multiple-pole connection line (not illustrated). 
         [0093]    In  FIG. 1 , the signal terminal connector  144  is shown twice for reasons of illustration: once in a position assembled on the monitoring unit  167 , and once in a position released from the monitoring unit  167 . 
         [0094]    The signal conductor system  106  serves to connect one or more voltage tapping points  148  to a respective cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118  and/or to connect one or more temperature sensors  150  of the cell contact-making system  100  to the monitoring unit  167 . 
         [0095]    The signal conductor system  106  includes one or more signal conductors  152  that electrically conductively connect a respective signal source  154  to the signal conductor terminal connector  170 . 
         [0096]    If the signal source  154  is a voltage tapping point  148  on a cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118 , then this signal source  154  is connected to the signal conductor terminal connector  170  by way of a voltage tapping conductor  156 . 
         [0097]    The voltage tapping points  148  are connected to a respective contact region  114  of a cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118  of the cell contact-making system  100 , in order to be able to tap the electrical potential respectively prevailing there. 
         [0098]    If the signal source  154  is a temperature sensor  150 , the signal source  154  is electrically conductively connected to the signal conductor terminal connector  170  by means of one or more temperature measuring conductors  158 . 
         [0099]    The temperature sensors  150  are preferably also in contact with a contact region  114  of a cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118  of the cell contact-making system  100 , in order to be able to measure the temperature prevailing there. 
         [0100]    Each of the contact regions  114  of the cell connectors  116 , and each current terminal connector  118 , is allocated to a respective cell terminal  115  of the electrochemical device  111  and, in the assembled condition of the electrochemical device  111 , is electrically conductively connected, preferably by a substance-to-substance bond, to the respectively associated cell terminal  115 . 
         [0101]    Each cell connector  116  includes two contact regions  114 , for making electrical contact with a respective cell terminal  115 , and a compensation region  160  that connects the two contact regions  114  to one another. The compensation region  160  is preferably elastically and/or plastically deformable in order to enable a relative movement of the two contact regions  114  of the cell connector  116  in relation to one another during operation of the electrochemical device  111  and/or for the compensation of tolerances when the cell contact-making system  100  is assembled. 
         [0102]    For this purpose, the compensation region  160  may in particular have one or more compensation corrugations  162 , which run transversely to a connection direction that connects a center of the first contact region  114   a  and a center of the second contact region  114   b  of the cell connector  116  to one another. 
         [0103]    Each contact region  114  of a cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118  may be positioned, by means of a respective positioning hole  164 , on a respectively allocated positioning pin  166  on the support element  102 . 
         [0104]    In this arrangement, the positioning pin  166  on the support element  102  preferably passes through the respectively associated positioning hole  164  in the cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118 . 
         [0105]    The support element  102  and/or the cover element  108  is/are preferably made from an electrically non-conductive synthetic material, for example PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), PA (polyamide), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and/or LCP (liquid crystal polymer), and is preferably formed substantially entirely from a synthetic material of this kind. 
         [0106]    A particularly suitable material for the support element  102  and/or the cover element  108  is/are a polypropylene material with talcum filler (for example the material designated PP TV20). As a result of the talcum filler, this material has particularly good dimensional stability. 
         [0107]    The signal conductors  152  of the signal conductor system  106  lead to a signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106  that is preferably arranged substantially centrally on the support element  102 . 
         [0108]    As can best be seen from the cross section of  FIG. 3 , the signal conductor terminal connector  170  includes a terminal connector housing  172  having a base wall  174  and, carried by the base wall  174 , side walls  176  that extend in a contact direction  178  from the base wall  174  in the direction of the monitoring unit  167 . 
         [0109]    The contact direction  178  preferably runs substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction  122  of the support element  102 , substantially perpendicular to a transverse direction  182  of the support element  102  (which for its part runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction  122  of the support element) and substantially parallel to the direction in which the cell terminals  115  of the electrochemical cells  113  of the electrochemical device  111  extend towards the cell connectors  116  and current terminal connectors  118  of the current conductor system  104 . 
         [0110]    The terminal connector housing  172  of the signal conductor terminal connector  170  is preferably formed from an electrically insulating material, in particular a synthetic material. 
         [0111]    For example, the terminal connector housing  172  may be formed from PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), PA (polyamide), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and/or LCP (liquid crystal polymer). 
         [0112]    The terminal connector housing  172  may for example be produced as an injection molded part. 
         [0113]    Further, the signal conductor terminal connector  170  includes a respective terminal connector pin  180  for each signal conductor  152 , and this terminal connector pin  180  extends through the terminal connector housing  172 , in particular the base wall  174  thereof, and is held at the terminal connector housing  172 . 
         [0114]    In particular, it may be provided for the terminal connector pins  180  to be molded inside the terminal connector housing  172  in certain regions. 
         [0115]    Each of the terminal connector pins  180  takes a preferably substantially angular form and includes a terminal connector portion  184 , which is aligned substantially parallel to an end region of the respectively associated signal conductor  152 , and a contact portion  186 , which is aligned substantially parallel to the contact direction  178  and hence substantially perpendicular to the terminal connector portion  184 . 
         [0116]    The terminal connector portion  184  and the contact portion  186  of each terminal connector pin  180  are connected to one another by a curved portion  188 . 
         [0117]    The overall angle of curvature of the curved portion  188  is preferably substantially 90°. 
         [0118]    The terminal connector portions  184  of the signal conductor terminal connector  170  are preferably connected by a substance-to-substance bond to the end regions of the respectively associated signal conductors  152 , for example by welding, in particular by ultrasound welding, and/or by soldering. 
         [0119]    The signal conductor terminal connector  170  is preferably arranged at a passage opening  190  in the support element  102  which is large enough to allow the terminal connector housing  172  and the terminal connector pins  180  arranged thereon to pass through, with the result that the signal conductor terminal connector  170  can be introduced into the intermediate space between the support element  102  and the monitoring unit  167  from the side of the support element  102  remote from the monitoring unit  167 , through the passage opening  190 , until the terminal connector portions  184  of the terminal connector pins  180  of the signal conductor terminal connector  170  abut against the end regions of the respectively associated signal conductors  152 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0120]    The region of overlap of the terminal connector portions  184  and the signal conductors  152  is in this case accessible through the passage opening  190 , with the result that the substance-to-substance bond between the terminal connector pins  180  and the end regions of the signal conductors  152  may be made through the passage opening  190 . 
         [0121]    In this arrangement, the movement introducing the terminal connector housing  172  through the passage opening  190  in the contact direction  178  is preferably guided by means of a guiding device  192 , which includes guide elements  194  on the terminal connector housing and guide elements  196 , of a form complementary therewith, on the support element (see  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). 
         [0122]    The guide elements  194  on the terminal connector housing may in particular have an approximately T-shaped cross section and be arranged for example on mutually opposing end faces  198  of the terminal connector housing  172 . 
         [0123]    Once the terminal connector pins  180  have been connected by a substance-to-substance bond to the end regions of the signal conductors  152 , the terminal connector housing  172  is held in its assembled position on the support element  102  by these substance-to-substance bonds. 
         [0124]    As an alternative or in addition thereto, however, it is also possible to provide for the terminal connector housing  172  of the signal conductor terminal connector  170  to be held on the support element  102  with positive engagement, in particular by being latched. 
         [0125]    The monitoring unit  167  includes a printed circuit board  168  having conductor tracks (arranged on the side facing the support element  102 , and so not illustrated in the Figures) that are electrically conductively connected to a respective terminal connector pin  200  of the monitoring unit  167 , for example by soldering. 
         [0126]    These conductor tracks lead to the inputs of a processor (also arranged on the side of the printer circuit board  168  facing the support element  102 , and so not illustrated in the Figures). 
         [0127]    As can best be seen from  FIGS. 1 and 4 , each of the terminal connector pins  200  is held in a terminal connector housing  202  of the monitoring unit  167  such that, in the assembled condition of the cell contact-making system  100 , the terminal connector pins  200  of the monitoring unit  167  extend substantially parallel to the contact direction  178 . 
         [0128]    The terminal connector housing  202  has a top wall  204 , through which the terminal connector pins  200  extend, and side walls  206  that extend in the contact direction  178  from the top wall  204  towards the support element  102 . 
         [0129]    The terminal connector housing  202  is preferably formed from an electrically insulating material, in particular a synthetic material. 
         [0130]    In particular, it may be provided for the terminal connector housing  172  to be formed from PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), PA (polyamide), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and/or LCP (liquid crystal polymer). 
         [0131]    The terminal connector housing  172  is preferably produced as an injection molded part. 
         [0132]    The terminal connector pins  200  of the monitoring unit  167  and/or the terminal connector pins  180  of the signal conductor terminal connector  170  are formed from an electrically conductive material, for example copper or aluminum, a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy. 
         [0133]    The terminal connector housing  202  of the monitoring unit  167  takes a form complementary with the terminal connector housing  172  of the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106  such that the two terminal connector housings  172  and  202  are directly connectable to one another by a plug connection. 
         [0134]    Preferably, in this arrangement, in the plugged-in condition the terminal connector housing  202  of the monitoring unit  167  is at least partly, preferably substantially entirely, received in the terminal connector housing  172  of the signal conductor terminal connector  170 . 
         [0135]    Conversely, it may also be provided in the plugged-in condition for the terminal connector housing  172  of the signal conductor terminal connector  170  to be at least partly, preferably substantially entirely, received in the terminal connector housing  202  of the monitoring unit  167 . 
         [0136]    The terminal connector housing  202  and the terminal connector pins  200  together form a plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167 . 
         [0137]    Once the plug connection between the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  on the one hand and the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106  on the other has been made, the processor of the monitoring unit  167  is electrically conductively connected to the signal sources  154  of the cell contact-making system  100 . 
         [0138]    The plug connection between the plug contact terminal connector  208  and the signal conductor terminal connector  170  is releasable at any time by lifting the monitoring unit  167  off the support element  102  in the contact direction  178 . 
         [0139]    As an alternative or in addition thereto, for embedding the terminal connector pins  180  and/or  200  in the terminal connector housing  172  or the terminal connector housing  202  respectively, it may also be provided for the terminal connector pins  180  and  200  to be connected to the respective terminal connector housing  172  and  202  by a substance-to-substance bond in another way, for example by adhesion. 
         [0140]    As an alternative or in addition thereto, it may also be provided for the terminal connector pins  180  and/or  200  respectively to be connected to the respectively allocated terminal connector housings  172  and  202  by force locking, in particular by press fit, and/or by positive engagement, in particular by being latched. 
         [0141]    The monitoring unit  167  is preferably carried by positioning elements  210  that are arranged on the side of the support element  102  facing the monitoring unit  167 . 
         [0142]    The positioning elements  210  may in particular be formed in one piece with the support element  102 . 
         [0143]    Each positioning element  210  is provided with a positioning peg  212  that, in the assembled condition of the cell contact-making system  100 , extends through a respectively allocated positioning opening  214  in the monitoring unit  167 . 
         [0144]    In this way, it is possible to position the monitoring unit  167  in a desired manner in the longitudinal direction  122  and in the transverse direction  182  relative to the support element  102 . 
         [0145]    The cell contact-making system  100  described above is preferably pre-assembled complete, as a separate assembly of the electrochemical device  111 . 
         [0146]    During this pre-assembly, the components of the current conductor system  104 , in particular the cell connectors  116  and current terminal connectors  118 , and one or more temperature sensors  150  and the signal conductors  152  of the signal conductor system  106 , are positioned on the support element  102 . 
         [0147]    The terminal connector housing  172  of the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106  is brought into its assembled position relative to the support element  102 , through the passage opening  190  in the support element  102 , in the contact direction  178 , and the terminal connector pins  180  of the signal conductor terminal connector  170  are electrically conductively connected to the end regions of the signal conductors  152 . 
         [0148]    For the purpose of illustrating the assembly procedure, the signal conductor terminal connector  170  is illustrated twice in  FIG. 1 : once before assembly, and once in the position assembled on the support element  102 . 
         [0149]    The terminal connector housing  202  of the monitoring unit  167  is assembled on the printed circuit board  168  of the monitoring unit  167 , wherein the terminal connector pins  200  of the plug contact terminal connector  208  are electrically conductively connected to the conductor tracks of the monitoring unit  167 . 
         [0150]    Then, a plug connection is made between the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  and the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106 . 
         [0151]    In this arrangement, the positioning elements  210  of the support element  102  are simultaneously brought into engagement with the positioning openings of the monitoring unit  167 , with the result that the monitoring unit  167  adopts the desired position relative to the support element  102 . 
         [0152]    The ends of the signal conductors  152  remote from the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106  are electrically conductively connected to the respectively associated signal sources  154 , that is to say in particular to the voltage tapping points  148  of the cell connectors or current terminal connectors  118 , or to a respective terminal connector element  216  of a temperature sensor  150 . 
         [0153]    Thus, all the components needed for making contact with the electrochemical cells  113  of the electrochemical device  111  are grouped into an assembly that is handlable as a unit, namely in the cell contact-making system  100 , already in the required relative positions. 
         [0154]    During assembly of the electrochemical device  111 , the support element  102  is placed, with the current conductor system  104  and the signal conductor system  106  and the monitoring unit  167 , on the housing  109  in which the electrochemical cells  113  are arranged, and is connected to the edge of the housing  109  that surrounds the housing opening. 
         [0155]    Then, the cell connectors  116  and current terminal connectors  118  are brought into electrically conductive contact with the respectively associated cell terminals  115  of the electrochemical device  111 , for example by a substance-to-substance bond, in particular by welding, and/or by positive engagement. 
         [0156]    Once contact has been made between the current conductor system  104  and the cell terminals  115  of the electrochemical cells  113  of the electrochemical device  111 , the cover element  108  is placed on the support element  102  and connected thereto, in particular by being latched, with the result that the cover element  108  covers the current conductor system  104 , the signal conductor system  106  and the monitoring unit  167  of the cell contact-making system  100  and protects them from undesired contact. 
         [0157]    This prevents damage to the current conductor system  104 , the signal conductor system  106  and the monitoring unit  167  during transport and assembly of the electrochemical device  111 . 
         [0158]    The electrochemical device  111  that has been fully assembled can be grouped with a plurality of other electrochemical devices  111 , in particular battery modules, to form an array of electrochemical devices, wherein in particular different electrochemical devices  111  can be joined together by means of module connectors (not illustrated) that connect the current terminal connectors  118  of different electrochemical devices  111  to one another. 
         [0159]    The signal terminal connectors  144  of the monitoring units  167  of the different electrochemical devices  111  may also be connected to one another with a signal conductor element that is complementary therewith by way of a respective, preferably multiple-pole, connection line or be connected to a central monitoring device of the electrochemical device array. 
         [0160]    During operation of the electrochemical device  111  or the electrochemical device array, the monitoring unit  167  of each cell contact-making system  100  makes it possible to monitor and evaluate the signals provided by the signal sources  154  of the respective cell contact-making system  100 , in particular electrical potentials and/or temperature data, in order that the operating condition of the electrochemical device  111  can be determined at any time and any measures that become necessary, such as switching off the electrochemical device  111 , can be taken. 
         [0161]    For the purposes of maintenance and/or repair, the monitoring unit  167  can easily be removed from the respective cell contact-making system  100  in that the cover element  108  is removed from the support element  102  and then the plug connection between the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  on the one hand and the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106  on the other is released. 
         [0162]    A second embodiment of the cell contact-making system  100 , illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 16 , differs from the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7  in that in the case of the second embodiment the monitoring unit  167  is not arranged in the intermediate space between the support element  102  and the cover element  108  but in a monitoring unit housing  218  having a housing upper part  220  (see in particular  FIG. 12 ) and a housing lower part  222  (see in particular  FIG. 13 ), wherein the housing lower part  222  is formed in one piece with the cover element  108 . 
         [0163]    The housing lower part  222  in particular includes an edge region  224  that extends from an upper side  226  remote from the support element  102 , in a vertical direction  228  that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction  122  and to the transverse direction  182 . 
         [0164]    The housing upper part  220  illustrated individually in  FIG. 12  includes for example a preferably substantially rectangular top plate  230  from the edge whereof an edge region  232  extends downwards, as seen in the vertical direction  228 , towards the housing lower part  222 . 
         [0165]    The housing upper part  220  further has a passage opening  234  having an elevated portion  236  that adjoins the passage opening  234 . 
         [0166]    At a point corresponding to the position of the passage opening  234  in the housing upper part  220 , the edge region  224  of the housing lower part  222  is also provided with a passage opening  238 , which in the assembled condition of the cell contact-making system  100  forms, together with the passage opening  234  in the housing upper part  220 , a passage duct  240  through which the signal terminal connector  144  of the monitoring unit  167  is accessible from outside the monitoring unit housing  218 , in order in particular to connect a connection line to the signal terminal connector  144 . 
         [0167]    Within the portion of the upper side  226  of the cover element  108  that is surrounded by the edge region  224  of the housing lower part  222 , there are further provided a plurality of positioning elements  242 , which in the assembled condition of the cell contact-making system  100  extend through respectively associated positioning openings  214  in the monitoring unit  167  in order to position the monitoring unit  167  in a desired position in the monitoring unit housing  218  in respect of the longitudinal direction  122  and the transverse direction  182 . 
         [0168]    As can best be seen from the sectional illustration in  FIG. 10 , in this embodiment the cover element  108  has a passage opening  244  that is preferably arranged substantially centrally and through which the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  extends, in order, together with the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106 , to form a plug connection. 
         [0169]    In this arrangement, the monitoring unit  167  may lie on the upper side  226  of the cover element  108  by means of its lower side facing the cover element  108 , or indeed may be spaced in the vertical direction  228  from the upper side  226  of the cover element  108 . 
         [0170]    In contrast to the first embodiment, in the case of this second embodiment of the cell contact-making system  100  the signal terminal connector  144  of the monitoring unit  167  is not arranged on the lower side of the monitoring unit  167  facing the support element  102 , but is arranged on the upper side  246  of the monitoring unit  167  remote from the support element  102  and the cover element  108 . 
         [0171]    In particular, it may be provided for the signal terminal connector  144  of the monitoring unit  167  to be received in the region of the raised portion  236  of the housing upper part  220  in the monitoring unit housing  218 . 
         [0172]    So that the housing upper part  220  can be releasably fixed to the housing lower part  222 , there is preferably provided a latching device  248  that includes one or more latching elements  250  provided on the housing upper part  220  and one or more latching elements  252  provided on the housing lower part  222 . 
         [0173]    The latching elements  250  on the housing upper part and the latching elements  252  on the housing lower part are arranged at mutually corresponding points on the edge region  232  of the housing upper part  220  and the edge region  224  of the housing lower part  222 , and are latched to one another when the housing upper part  220  is placed on the housing lower part  222 , with the result that the housing upper part  220  is held releasably on the housing lower part  222  by means of the latching device  248 . 
         [0174]    The housing upper part  220  of the monitoring unit housing  218  preferably includes an electrically non-conductive material, in particular a synthetic material, for example PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), PA (polyamide), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and/or LCP (liquid crystal polymer), and is preferably formed substantially entirely from a synthetic material of this kind. 
         [0175]    During assembly of the second embodiment of the cell contact-making system  100 , the procedure is for example such that the cover element  108 , with the housing lower part  222 , is first placed, without the housing upper part  220  or the monitoring unit  167 , on the support element  102  and is connected thereto, preferably releasably. 
         [0176]    Then, the monitoring unit  167  is inserted into the monitoring unit housing  218  from above, in the vertical direction  228 . During this, at the same time the plug connection between the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  and the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106  is made through the passage opening  244  in the cover element  108 . 
         [0177]    Finally, the housing upper part  220  is placed on the housing lower part  222  and connected thereto, in particular by being latched, with the result that the housing upper part  220  covers the monitoring unit  167  and protects it from undesired contact. 
         [0178]    In order to remove the monitoring unit  167  from the cell contact-making system  100 , for the purposes of maintenance and/or repair, all that needs to be done is for the housing upper part  220  of the monitoring unit housing  218  to be released from the housing lower part  222  and for the monitoring unit  167  to be taken off the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106 . 
         [0179]    In this embodiment it is not therefore necessary to release the cover element  108  from the support element  102  in order to remove the monitoring unit  167 . This provides the advantage that even while the monitoring unit  167  is being removed the current conductor system  104  and the signal conductor system  106  of the cell contact-making system  100  remain protected by the cover element  108  from undesired contact. 
         [0180]    Otherwise, the second embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 16 , of the cell contact-making system  100  corresponds, as regards its structure, functioning and manner of production, to the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7 , so in this respect reference is made to the description thereof above. 
         [0181]    A third embodiment of the cell contact-making system  100 , illustrated in  FIGS. 17 to 25 , differs from the second embodiment described above in that the housing lower part  222  of the monitoring unit housing  218  is not formed in one piece with the cover element  108  but takes the form of a component produced separately from the cover element  108 . 
         [0182]    Thus, in this embodiment the housing lower part  222  includes, in addition to the edge region  224 , a preferably substantially rectangular base plate  254  which, in the assembled condition of the cell contact-making system  100 , faces the cover element  108  (see in particular  FIG. 23 ). 
         [0183]    In the case of the third embodiment, the housing lower part  222  is preferably formed from an electrically insulating material, in particular a synthetic material, for example PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), PA (polyamide), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and/or LCP (liquid crystal polymer). 
         [0184]    In this embodiment the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167 , arranged on an underside  256  of the monitoring unit  167  that faces the base plate  254 , has terminal connector pins  258  that are angled in form and each include a terminal connector portion  260  that extends in the vertical direction  228  and a contact portion  262  that extends in the longitudinal direction  122  of the cell contact-making system  100 . 
         [0185]    In this embodiment, the contact portions  262  of the terminal connector pins  258  of the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  thus extend in a contact direction  178  that runs parallel to the plane defined by the longitudinal direction  122  and the transverse direction  182  of the support element  102 . 
         [0186]    As can best be seen from  FIG. 25 , in this embodiment the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106  takes the form of a plug contact  264  that is in a form complementary with the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  and whereof the terminal connector pins  266  also have contact portions  268  extending parallel to the longitudinal direction  122 . 
         [0187]    The terminal connector portions  270  of the terminal connector pins  266  of this plug contact  264  extend through respectively allocated passage openings in a printed circuit board  272  on the upper side  274  whereof the plug contact  264  is arranged. 
         [0188]    On the lower side  276  of the printed circuit board  272 , remote from the upper side  274 , which in the assembled condition of the cell contact-making system faces the support element  102 , conductor tracks (not illustrated) are provided, and these form a respective component of a signal conductor  152  of the signal conductor system  106  and are electrically conductively connected to a respective terminal connector pin  266  of the plug contact  264  of the signal conductor system  106 , for example by soldering. 
         [0189]    At its end remote from the respectively associated terminal connector pin  266 , each conductor track of the printed circuit board  272  is electrically conductively connected, for example by soldering, to a voltage tapping element  278 , for example a voltage tapping web  280 , of a cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118 , or a terminal connector element  216 , for example a terminal connector wire, of a temperature sensor  150 . 
         [0190]    In this arrangement, the voltage tapping elements  278  each lead from a conductor track of the printed circuit board  272  to a voltage tapping point  148  on a cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118 . 
         [0191]    In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, the voltage tapping elements  278  are formed for example in one piece with the respectively associated cell connector  116  or current terminal connector  118 . 
         [0192]    Each voltage tapping element  278  forms, together with the respectively associated conductor track of the printed circuit board  272 , which makes an electrically conductive connection between the voltage tapping element  278  and a terminal connector pin  266  of the plug contact  264 , a respective voltage tapping line  156  of the signal conductor system  106 . 
         [0193]    Further, each terminal connector element  216  of a temperature sensor  150  forms, together with the respectively associated conductor track of the printed circuit board  272 , which makes an electrically conductive connection between the respective terminal connector element  216  and a terminal connector pin  266  of the plug contact  264 , a respective temperature measuring line  158  of the signal conductor system  106 . 
         [0194]    As can best be seen from  FIG. 24 , the signal conductor terminal connector  170 , which takes the form of a plug contact  264 , of the signal conductor system  106  extends through a passage opening  244  in the cover element  108 . 
         [0195]    The passage opening  244  extends in front of the access opening of the signal conductor terminal connector  170  in the contact direction  178  by an amount such that the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  is inserted into the passage opening  244  in front of the signal conductor terminal connector  170  and can then, by being displaced in the contact direction  178 , be brought into plug contact with the signal conductor terminal connector  170 . 
         [0196]    During this, the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  extends through a passage opening  282  in the housing lower part  222  of the monitoring unit housing  218  (see in particular  FIG. 21 ). 
         [0197]    In order to guide displacement of the monitoring unit housing  218  in the contact direction  178 , relative to the cover element  108 , a plurality of guide elements  284 , preferably four, on the cover element are provided on the upper side  226  of the cover element  108  and cooperate with a respective guide element  288  on the housing that is arranged in the edge region  224  of the housing lower part  222  of the monitoring unit  218 , in order to enable the monitoring unit housing  218  to be displaced in a guided manner in the contact direction  178 , relative to the cover element  108 . 
         [0198]    In this context, it may be provided for the guide elements  284  on the cover element and the guide elements  288  on the housing to be releasably fixed, in particular being latched, to one another in the operative position of the monitoring unit housing  218 , in which the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  is in plugged connection with the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106 . 
         [0199]    During assembly of the third embodiment of the cell contact-making system  100 , the monitoring unit  167  is placed on the housing lower part  222  and at the same time positioned by means of the positioning elements  242  of the monitoring unit housing  218  in the desired manner in the longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the monitoring unit housing  218 , wherein the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  extends through the passage opening  282  in the housing lower part  222  (see  FIG. 23 ). 
         [0200]    Then, the housing upper part  220  is placed on the housing lower part  222  and connected thereto, in particular by being latched by means of the latching device  248 , with the result that the housing upper part  220  covers the monitoring unit  167  and protects it from undesired contact. 
         [0201]    As a result, damage to the monitoring unit  167  is reliably prevented even if the monitoring unit housing  218  is released from the cover element  108  of the cell contact-making system  100 . 
         [0202]    Then, the monitoring unit housing  218  is placed on the upper side  226  of the cover element  108  such that the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  extends into the passage opening  244  in the cover element  108 , and the plug contact terminal connector  208  and guide elements  288  on the housing are spaced in the contact direction  178  from the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106  and from the guide elements  284  on the cover element such that, by displacing the monitoring unit housing  218  in the contact direction  178 , a plug connection is producible between the plug contact terminal connector  208  and the signal conductor terminal connector  170 , and the guide elements  288  on the housing are engageable with the guide elements  284  on the cover element and preferably latchable thereto. 
         [0203]    For the purposes of maintenance and/or repair, the monitoring unit housing  218  can simply be displaced in the opposite direction and thus released from the cover element  108 , wherein at the same time the plug connection between the plug contact terminal connector  208  of the monitoring unit  167  and the signal conductor terminal connector  170  of the signal conductor system  106  is disconnected. 
         [0204]    Otherwise, the third embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 17 to 25 , of the cell contact-making system  100  corresponds, as regards its structure, functioning and manner of production, to the second embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 16 , so in this respect reference is made to the description thereof above.