Patent Description:
Electrical components, such as battery cells for example, are often combined to form units. <FIG> shows a perspective depiction of a battery module <NUM>, as used for example for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or purely electric vehicles. The battery module <NUM> consists of five battery segments <NUM> connected in series. Each of the battery segments <NUM> consists of five battery cells <NUM> connected in parallel.

Each battery cell <NUM> has a first electrical terminal <NUM>, for example the positive pole, and a second electrical terminal <NUM>, for example the negative pole, which consist of aluminium for example. As shown in <FIG>, the terminals of in each case five adjacent battery cells <NUM>, connected in parallel, of a battery segment <NUM> are electrically connected by using connection plates. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the same poles, i.e. in each case the positive and the negative poles, are connected to the battery cells <NUM> of a battery segment <NUM>, in order to connect the battery cells <NUM> of a battery segment <NUM> in parallel.

Furthermore, the adjacent battery segments <NUM> are connected in series. In particular, the positive pole of a first battery segment is connected to the negative pole of the adjacent second battery segment. Simultaneously, the electrical connection between the negative pole of a first battery segment is electrically insulated from the positive pole of a second battery segment by means of a segment insulator <NUM>.

Furthermore, there is the necessity that each battery segment <NUM> of the battery module <NUM> can be contacted. In particular for electric vehicles, it is necessary for each battery segment <NUM> of the battery module <NUM> to be monitored by means of a monitoring electronics assembly. As shown in <FIG>, the battery module <NUM> comprises a central terminal <NUM> for connection to such a monitoring electronics assembly (the monitoring electronics assembly is not shown in <FIG>). The terminal <NUM> contacts each battery segment <NUM> via a first flat flexible cable <NUM> and second flat flexible cable <NUM>. The flat flexible cables <NUM> and <NUM> are connected by means of a terminal connector <NUM>. By means of such a monitoring electronics assembly with the appropriate cabling, it is possible to individually monitor the temperature, the charging status and/or the integrity status, for example, of each battery segment <NUM> for the battery module <NUM>.

<CIT>) relates to a flexible circuit board consisting of a flexible carrier foil with a number of conducting paths carried by this.

One object of the present invention is to optimise the cabling for electrically contacting the electronics units of the battery module. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to produce the cabling cost-effectively and to avoid excess material. Furthermore, one object consists in using such cabling to enhance the monitoring of the segments.

At least one of these objects is achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments are a constituent part of the dependent claims.

In accordance the present invention, a contacting unit is provided for electrically contacting at least one battery segment of a battery module. The contacting unit comprises a module connector having a first terminal and a second terminal for connection to the battery module, wherein the first terminal is connected to the second terminal via a connection conductor in the direction of a main axis of the contacting unit. Furthermore, the contacting unit comprises at least one segment connector having a first contact element for contacting a first electrical terminal of the battery segment, wherein the first contact element is connected to the connection conductor via a first contact conductor, which comprises a first bending region. Furthermore, the contacting unit comprises a flexible substrate having a contact side, wherein the contact side comprises the module connector and the segment connector, and wherein an angle between a first fold of the flexible substrate, folded in the first bending region, and the main axis is oblique.

Such a contacting unit makes material-saving manufacture possible, since the contactable surface area is increased by folding of the flexible substrate. In particular, such a contacting unit can be manufactured as a narrow strip having a small width b. The flexible substrate is selected for the base material of the strip. The elements for contacting the battery segment and the elements for connection to the battery module are applied to the flexible substrate. In the process, the narrow strip extends in the direction of the connection conductor. Furthermore, the flexible substrate is folded in such a way that the surface contacted by the contacting unit is enlarged. In particular, the width b' of the contacting unit is greater than the width b of the narrow strip. In other words, the fold, which is produced by the folding of the flexible substrate, forms an oblique angle with the main axis. In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment, the oblique angle is <NUM>°. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that every oblique angle, i.e. every acute or obtuse angle, or put another way, every angle that is not a multiple of <NUM>°, leads to an enlargement of the contactable surface area.

Further it is clear to the person skilled in the art that the module connector can comprise a multiplicity of connection conductors, each having a first and second terminal. Furthermore, the module connector can be connected to the battery module directly or indirectly, for example via an intermediate element. Advantageously, the module connector is designed for data communication.

Furthermore, such a contacting unit makes cost-effective manufacture possible, since only the contact side of the flexible substrate has electrical contacts, whereas the opposing surface of the flexible substrate can be formed as an insulator. By way of the folding of the flexible substrate, both opposing surfaces of the contacting unit can then have electrical contacts. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the contacting unit can only have contacts on opposing surfaces if the number of folds is odd.

By way of the folding, the flexible substrate for the contacting unit can thus be manufactured, for example, in a layer process. In particular, the flexible substrate can have an insulation layer, on which a contacting layer is applied. Furthermore, an insulating mask can be applied to the contacting layer, which insulating mask has recesses in particular, in the region of the contacts. Such a manufacturing method, by the building-up of layers, is particularly cost-effective and precise.

According to the present invention, the contacting unit further comprises at least one monitoring unit, wherein the first contact conductor of the at least one segment connector is connected to the connection conductor via the monitoring unit. This makes it possible for the segment connector and the module connector to take on various tasks, for example data communication or measurement of data. In particular, the monitoring unit can also be formed as a control unit.

It is particularly advantageous if the at least one monitoring unit comprises a communication unit. According to the present invention, the monitoring unit comprises an evaluation unit. Thus, the segment connector can be used for recording data, for example.

In addition, or alternatively, the module connector can be adapted to communicate with a management unit of the battery module. Thus, the module connector can be formed as a daisy chain, for example.

In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment, the segment connector is adapted to electrically contact a pole of the battery segment. In this case, the pole can be both negative and positive.

According to the present invention, the segment connector comprises a second contact element for contacting a second electrical terminal of the battery segment, wherein the second contact element is connected to the connection conductor via a second contact conductor, which comprises a second bending region. In particular, it is advantageous if the second contact element is adapted to electrically contact a second pole of the battery segment. According to a first embodiment, the first fold comprises the second bending region. According to a second and third embodiment, the first fold does not comprise the second bending region. By means of a second contact element, additional properties, such as the voltage, of the battery segment for example, can be measured, or properties such as the temperature of the battery segment, for example, can be measured more accurately. Moreover, a current can be conducted through the battery segment by way of the second contact element, in order to measure the properties of the battery segment.

According to the present invention, each of the first and second contact elements comprises a pair of contact terminals. Thus, it is possible to increase the accuracy when examining the battery segment, for example by means of an impedance spectroscopy.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, a second fold of the flexible substrate, folded in the second bending region, extends along the direction of the main axis. In particular, it is advantageous if the first contact conductor comprises a third bending region and a third angle between a third fold of the flexible substrate, folded in the third bending region, and the main axis is <NUM>°. In particular, it is advantageous if the second and third bending regions are arranged between the first bending region and the connection of the contact conductor to the connection conductor. Thus, it is possible to fabricate the contacting unit in a particularly material-saving manner.

In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment, the contact side comprises an arm connector. The arm connector comprises a linkage arm terminal for connection to the battery module. The linkage arm terminal is connected to one of the terminals of the module connector via a linkage arm conductor, which comprises a fourth bending region, wherein a fourth angle between a fourth fold of the flexible substrate folded in the fourth bending region and the main axis is oblique. Thus, it is possible, for example, for the monitoring unit to be arranged at identical poles of battery segments connected in series. In particular, thermal coupling at the negative pole of a battery cell is ideal. Thus, it is particularly advantageous to position the monitoring unit, having an additional temperature sensor, at the negative pole of a battery segment.

According to a further aspect, the problem is solved by a contacting system having at least two contacting units according to any one of the abovementioned embodiments, wherein in each case the first and the second terminal of adjacent contacting units are connected to each other.

According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one contacting unit according to any one of the previously mentioned embodiments contacts at least one battery segment of a battery module.

In an advantageous manner, the contact element of the contacting unit is welded to the battery segment. As a result, a particularly stable connection is achieved between the contacting unit and the battery segment.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, each battery segment comprises at least one battery cell. Thus, a connection both in parallel and in series can be obtained in the battery module.

According to a further aspect, the problem is solved by a method for contacting at least one battery segment of a battery module. The method comprises the provision of a module connector having a first terminal and a second terminal for connection to the battery module, wherein the first terminal is connected to the second terminal via a connection conductor in the direction of a main axis of the contacting unit. Furthermore, the method comprises the provision of at least one segment connector having a first contact element for contacting a first electrical terminal of the battery segment, wherein the first contact element is connected to the connection conductor via a first contact conductor, which comprises a first bending region, and the provision of a flexible substrate having a contact side, wherein the contact side comprises the module connector and the at least one segment connector. The method further comprises the folding of the flexible substrate in the first bending region, wherein the angle between a first fold and the main axis is oblique.

To better understand the present invention, it is explained in greater detail using the exemplary embodiments depicted in the following figures. In this case, identical components are indicated with the same reference numerals and the same component names. In the drawings:.

The present invention will now be described using the figures and first of all with <FIG> show a contacting unit <NUM> for electrically contacting a battery segment of a battery module in accordance with a first embodiment. For example, such a contacting unit <NUM> can be used to contact battery segments <NUM> of the battery module <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the contact side <NUM> of a flexible substrate having a module connector and a segment connector. In particular, <FIG> shows the flat, i.e. the unfolded, flexible substrate. The module connector comprises a first terminal <NUM> and a second terminal <NUM>, which are connected to a connection conductor <NUM>. In this case, the connection conductor <NUM> extends in the direction of the main axis <NUM> of the module connector. The direction of the main axis <NUM> is depicted by a chain-dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>.

The segment connector comprises a first contact element <NUM>, which is connected to the connection conductor <NUM> via a first contact conductor <NUM>. The first contact conductor <NUM> comprises a first bending region <NUM> in the region of the first bending axis <NUM>, which is depicted by means of a chain-dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>.

In particular, the first contact conductor <NUM> of the segment connector extends, in the unfolded flexible substrate, as shown in <FIG>, along the main axis <NUM> at least in the region between the first bending region <NUM> and the first contact element <NUM>. Furthermore, in this region the flexible substrate has a gap <NUM> between the contact conductor <NUM> and the connection conductor <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a first surface of the contacting unit <NUM>, which has a fold pattern in accordance with a first embodiment. Regions of the contact conductor <NUM> which are hidden by the folding in this first view are indicated by a dotted line.

The segment connector has a first fold <NUM>. The first fold <NUM> extends along the first bending axis <NUM>, which is depicted by a chain-dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>. The first bending axis <NUM> forms an oblique angle α with the main axis, which is depicted by the chain-dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>. In the present case, the oblique angle is <NUM>°.

<FIG> shows a second surface of the contacting unit <NUM>. The second surface lies opposite the first surface of the contacting unit <NUM> from <FIG>. Regions of the contact conductor <NUM> and of the connection conductor <NUM> which are hidden by the folding in this second view are indicated by dotted lines. In particular, the second surface comprises the contact side <NUM> having the first contact element <NUM> for contacting the first electrical terminal of a battery segment. In the region of the connection conductor <NUM> and in parts of the contact conductor <NUM>, the second surface comprises the insulating layer <NUM>. In other words, the contacting unit <NUM> can be connected to a battery module in such a way that the connection conductor <NUM> is arranged in a manner electrically insulated from the battery module by means of the insulating layer <NUM>. Simultaneously, the first contact element <NUM> can electrically contact a battery segment of the battery module.

<FIG> shows a section along the sectional line IV-IV in <FIG>. The flexible substrate <NUM> comprises an insulating layer <NUM>. Furthermore, the flexible substrate comprises the contact side <NUM>, which comprises the module connector and the segment connector. The module connector comprises the connection conductor <NUM> and the segment connector comprises the first contact element <NUM>. By way of example, the contact side <NUM> can be created by a mask, which has a recess at least in the region of the first contact element <NUM>.

The flexible substrate <NUM> can be, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

Even if this is not shown in <FIG>, the contacting unit <NUM> of the first embodiment can have further segment connectors. Additionally or alternatively, the module connector can comprise a multiplicity of connection conductors, as is described in the following text with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> and with reference to the second and third embodiment. Additionally or alternatively, the segment connector can comprise several contact elements, such as the segment connector <NUM>, for example, in <FIG>. In particular, each contact element can comprise a pair of contact terminals in each case.

<FIG> shows, like <FIG>, a battery module <NUM> with battery segments <NUM>, wherein each battery segment <NUM> consists of several battery cells <NUM>. Here, the structure of the battery module <NUM> is for the most part the same as the battery module <NUM>, which is described with reference to <FIG>. In particular, the last three digits of the reference numerals correspond to identical structural elements.

In contrast to <FIG>, in <FIG> a monitoring unit <NUM> is provided for each of the five battery segments <NUM>. Each of the monitoring units <NUM> comprises an evaluation unit and a communication unit. Each monitoring unit <NUM> contacts a battery segment <NUM> via a segment connector <NUM>. The evaluation unit of the monitoring unit <NUM> evaluates measurement values which are measured via the segment connector <NUM>. Thus, a set of parameters, for example the temperature, the charging status or the integrity status of the respective battery segment <NUM>, can be determined for each battery segment <NUM>.

Furthermore, each monitoring unit <NUM> with a module connector <NUM> is connected to a management unit of the battery module (not shown in the figures) via at least one terminal <NUM> of the battery module <NUM>. By means of the communication unit of the monitoring unit <NUM>, the monitoring unit <NUM> communicates with the management unit via the module connector <NUM>. In this way, for example, the parameters evaluated by the evaluation unit can be transferred.

Through the decentralised control of the battery segments <NUM> via in each case one monitoring unit <NUM> per battery segment <NUM>, fewer cables are required for the module connector <NUM>. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that, for the transfer of data, the module connector <NUM> must meet other requirements than the segment connector <NUM>, which is used for determining measurement values. By way of example, the monitoring units <NUM> can be connected in a daisy chain via the module connector <NUM>.

The segment connector <NUM> is shown in detail in <FIG>. The segment connector <NUM> comprises a first contact element <NUM> and a second contact element <NUM>. The first contact element <NUM> comprises a pair of contact terminals 202a and 202b, each of the contact terminals 202a and 202b being connected to the monitoring unit <NUM> via a separate contact conductor 206a and 206b. The second contact element <NUM> comprises a pair of contact terminals 204a and 204b, each of the contact terminals 204a and 204b being connected to the monitoring unit <NUM> via a separate contact conductor 208a and 208b.

The first contact element <NUM> is connected to a first electrical terminal <NUM> of the battery segment <NUM>. The second contact element <NUM> is connected to a second electrical terminal <NUM> of the battery element. The first electrical terminal <NUM> is, for example, the positive pole of the battery segment <NUM> and the second electrical terminal <NUM> is, for example, the negative pole of the battery segment <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, each pole of the battery segment is contacted by a pair of electrical terminals. As a result of the contacting of four points of the battery segment <NUM>, the parameters can be measured particularly accurately. By way of example, an impedance spectroscopy can be carried out for examining the battery segment. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the control system <NUM> measures the temperature of the battery segment <NUM> independently of the value of the impedance spectroscopy. In particular, a temperature measurement at the negative pole of the battery segment <NUM> is advantageous, since the temperature coupling is particularly good at the negative pole.

By means of an evaluation unit, each monitoring unit <NUM> can evaluate parameters of the respective battery segment <NUM>, and can communicate these to the management unit of the battery module <NUM> via the module connector <NUM>.

<FIG> show a contacting unit <NUM> for electrically contacting a battery segment of a battery module in accordance with a second embodiment. <FIG> shows a contacting unit <NUM> of the second embodiment for electrically contacting a battery segment <NUM> of a battery module <NUM>. The battery module <NUM> shown in <FIG> is the same as the battery module <NUM> in <FIG>.

The contacting unit <NUM> of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the contacting unit of the first embodiment. Identical components are provided with identical reference signs. The contacting unit shows, by way of example, a contacting unit <NUM> of the first embodiment, which is particularly suitable for contacting battery segments <NUM> of the battery module <NUM> from <FIG>.

In contrast to the contacting unit <NUM> of the first embodiment, the flexible substrate of the second embodiment is folded multiple times.

<FIG> shows the contacting unit <NUM> having a module connector and two segment connectors. The contacting unit <NUM> comprises the same elements for contacting the battery segment and the same elements for connection to the battery module, like the contacting described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. In particular, the contacting unit comprises a module connector having two connection conductors <NUM>. Moreover, the contacting unit <NUM> comprises two segment connectors. Each segment connector comprises a first contact element <NUM> and a second contact element <NUM>, wherein each of the contact elements comprises a pair of contact terminals. Each segment connector is connected to a monitoring unit <NUM>. Each monitoring unit <NUM> is connected to the connection conductor <NUM> of the module connector. For further details about the module connector, the segment connector and the monitoring unit, reference is made to the description of <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a region of the contacting unit <NUM> with a segment connector. <FIG> show the individual steps of the folding of the contacting unit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the contact side <NUM> of a flexible substrate having a module connector and a segment connector. In particular, <FIG> shows the flat, i.e. the unfolded, flexible substrate. The connection conductor <NUM> extends in the direction of the main axis <NUM>, which is depicted by the chain-dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>. The segment connector comprises a pair of first contact conductors <NUM> and a pair of second contact conductors <NUM>, which are connected to the connection conductor <NUM> via the monitoring unit <NUM>. Each of the first and second contact conductors <NUM> and <NUM> comprises, in the region of the second bending axis <NUM>, which is depicted by the chain-dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>, a second bending region <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the contacting unit <NUM> of the second embodiment, wherein the flexible substrate is folded once. By means of the first folding, according to the second embodiment the segment connector comprises the second fold <NUM>, which extends along the second bending axis <NUM>. In particular, the second fold <NUM> extends along the direction of the main axis <NUM>. Furthermore, the contacting unit <NUM> comprises a third bending axis <NUM>, which is depicted by the chain-dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>. In the region of the third bending axis, each of the first and second contact conductors <NUM> and <NUM> comprises a third bending region <NUM>. In <FIG>, the third bending region is hidden by the insulating layer <NUM> of the flexible substrate.

<FIG> shows the contacting unit <NUM> of the second embodiment, wherein the flexible substrate is folded twice. By means of the second folding of the second embodiment, the segment connector comprises the second fold <NUM>, which extends along the second bending axis <NUM>. In particular, the third fold <NUM> extends perpendicular to the direction of the main axis <NUM>. Furthermore, the contacting unit <NUM> comprises a first bending axis <NUM>, which is depicted by the chain-dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>. In the region of the first bending axis <NUM>, each of the first and second contact conductors <NUM> and <NUM> comprises a first bending region <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the contacting unit <NUM> according to the second embodiment, wherein the flexible substrate is folded three times. By means of the third folding of the second embodiment, the segment connector comprises the first fold <NUM>, which extends along the first bending axis <NUM>. In particular, the first bending axis <NUM> forms an oblique angle α of <NUM>° with the main axis <NUM>. The second bending axis <NUM>, which comprises the second fold <NUM>, extends in the direction of the first main axis <NUM>. The third bending axis <NUM>, which comprises the third fold <NUM>, forms a right angle γ of <NUM>° with the main axis.

<FIG> shows the contacting unit <NUM> of the second embodiment, wherein the contacting unit <NUM> contacts battery segments <NUM> of a battery module <NUM>. Each segment connector <NUM> contacts a first electrical terminal <NUM> and a second electrical terminal <NUM> of a battery segment <NUM>. Each segment connector <NUM> is connected to the module connector <NUM> via a monitoring unit <NUM>.

<FIG> show a contacting unit <NUM> for electrically contacting a battery segment of a battery module in accordance with a third embodiment. <FIG> shows a contacting unit <NUM> of the third embodiment for electrically contacting a battery segment <NUM> of a battery module <NUM>. The battery module <NUM> shown in <FIG> corresponds to the battery module <NUM> from <FIG> and <FIG>.

The contacting unit <NUM> of the third embodiment is substantially the same as the contacting unit of the first and second embodiments. Identical components are provided with identical reference symbols.

In contrast to the contacting unit <NUM> of the first and second embodiments, as shown, for example, in <FIG>, the contacting unit <NUM> of the third embodiment makes it possible, as shown for example in <FIG>, for the module connector <NUM> to be positioned at the negative pole, i.e. therefore either at the first electrical terminal <NUM> or at the second electrical terminal <NUM> of the battery segment <NUM>. Thus the monitoring unit <NUM>, for example, which contains an additional temperature sensor, of each contacting unit <NUM> can be positioned at the negative pole of the battery segment <NUM>. This is advantageous, in particular, as the thermal coupling at the negative pole of the battery segment <NUM> is particularly good.

<FIG> shows the contact side <NUM> of a contacting unit <NUM> of the third embodiment. In particular, <FIG> shows the flat, i.e. therefore the unfolded, flexible substrate. The contacting unit <NUM> comprises a module connector <NUM>, a segment connector <NUM> and additionally an arm connector <NUM>. The module connector <NUM> and the segment connector <NUM> are substantially the same as the module connector and the segment connector of the second embodiment. In particular, each of the first terminals <NUM> of the module connector <NUM> is connected in each case to a linkage arm conductor <NUM> of the arm connector <NUM> in the region of the fourth bending axis <NUM>, the chain-dotted line <NUM>.

<FIG> shows two contacting units <NUM> of the third embodiment, wherein the segment connector <NUM> is folded in accordance with the second embodiment, as described with reference to <FIG>. In particular, <FIG> shows the flat, i.e. the unfolded, flexible substrate of the arm connector and of the module connector. The arm connector comprises four linkage arm terminals <NUM>, which are connected to the monitoring unit <NUM> by in each case a linkage arm conductor <NUM> via in each case a connection conductor <NUM>. Each connection conductor <NUM> of the arm connector extends in the direction of the main axis <NUM> of the module connector, which is depicted by the chain-dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>. Each connection conductor <NUM> is connected to a linkage arm conductor <NUM> in the region of the fourth bending axis <NUM>, which is depicted by the chain-dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>, in a fourth bending region <NUM>. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the present connection is not limited to four connection terminals <NUM>.

<FIG> shows two contacting units <NUM> of the third embodiment, wherein the flexible substrate is folded four times. The flexible substrate is folded three times, as shown in <FIG>. Additionally, the flexible substrate is folded a fourth time. By means of the fourth folding of the third embodiment, the arm connector comprises the fourth fold <NUM>, which extends along the fourth bending axis <NUM>. In particular, the fourth bending axis <NUM> forms an oblique angle δ of <NUM>° with the main axis <NUM>.

Furthermore, <FIG> show a contacting system that comprises a first contacting unit 100a and a second contacting unit 100b. In particular, the contacting units 100a and 100b are contacting units <NUM> of the third embodiment. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the contacting system can also comprise contacting units <NUM> of the first and second designs.

<FIG> shows the contacting system that has two contacting units 100a and 100b of the third embodiment, and contacts the battery segments <NUM> of a battery module <NUM>. As a result of the series connection of the battery segments <NUM>, the polarity of adjacent battery segments reverses. For example the first terminal <NUM> of the first battery segment 502a is a first negative pole 504a and the second terminal of the first battery segment 502a is a first positive pole 506a. Accordingly, the first terminal <NUM> of the second battery segment 502b is a positive pole 504b and the second terminal <NUM> of the second battery segment 502b is a negative pole 506b.

Each module connector 101a and 101b contacts in each case the negative pole 504a and 506a of a battery segment 502a and 502b. In particular, the monitoring unit 400a and 400b contacts the negative pole 504a and 506a. Furthermore, each segment connector 200a and 200b contacts a first electrical terminal <NUM> and a second electrical terminal <NUM> of each battery segment <NUM>. Each segment connector 200a and 200b is connected to the module connector 101a and 101b via a monitoring unit 400a and 400b. The module connector 101a of the first contacting unit 100a is connected to the module connector 101b of the second contacting unit 100b via a first arm connector <NUM>. The module connector 101b of the second contacting unit 100b is connected to a terminal for a management unit <NUM>.

The contacting unit of the present invention can be manufactured in a simple and material-saving manner. The present invention is advantageous in the electrical contacting of battery segments of battery modules. By folding a flexible substrate, the contactable surface area can be enlarged. In this way, the contacting unit can be manufactured as a narrow strip having a predetermined length I and a small width b. By means of the folding, the contactable surface area is not limited by the small width b.

The device for contacting battery segments of a battery module can be used, for example, for battery segments of a battery module, in particular in electrically driven vehicles, for monitoring the individual battery segments, with the outlay for the cabling being reduced simultaneously. Therefore the present invention also relates to a contacting unit for contacting a battery segment of a battery module.

Claim 1:
A contacting unit (<NUM>) for electrically contacting at least one battery segment (<NUM>) of a battery module (<NUM>), comprising:
a module connector having a first terminal (<NUM>) and a second terminal (<NUM>) for connection to the battery module, wherein the first terminal is connected to the second terminal via a connection conductor (<NUM>) in the direction of a main axis (<NUM>) of the contacting unit,
at least one segment connector having a first contact element (<NUM>) for contacting a first electrical terminal of the battery segment, wherein the first contact element is connected to the connection conductor via a first contact conductor (<NUM>), wherein the first contact conductor (<NUM>) comprises a first bending region (<NUM>),
a flexible substrate (<NUM>) having a contact side (<NUM>), wherein the contact side comprises the module connector and the segment connector,
wherein an angle (α) between a first fold (<NUM>) of the flexible substrate, folded in the first bending region, and the main axis is oblique,
wherein the at least one segment connector comprises a second contact element for contacting a second electrical terminal of the battery segment, wherein the second contact element (<NUM>) is connected to the connection conductor via a second contact conductor (<NUM>), the second contact conductor (<NUM>) comprises a second bending region (<NUM>),
wherein each of the first and second contact elements comprises a pair of contact terminals; and
a monitoring unit (<NUM>), wherein the first and the second contact conductor of the at least one segment connector is connected to the connection conductor via the monitoring unit and the unit comprises an evaluation unit.