Conductive materials for connecting tires of multi-element accumulator traction batteries

Abstract

The article deals with the choice of materials for connecting tires of traction batteries (TB). The optimal parameters of their spot welding with batteries are experimentally established (the first pulse with a current of 7 kA duration of 1 ms, the break between the pulses of 1 ms, the second pulse with a current of 7 kA duration of 2 ms). When operating the traction battery on electric vehicles, the resistance of the connecting tires should not lead to heating of the batteries in order to avoid overheating above 60 °C. In most modern TB, consisting of Li-ion elements, a nickel tape is used for the connection. To ensure the weldability of materials (copper–nickel or nickel–nickel), it is important that the operating temperature is reached at a short-term current pulse in the welding zone. One of the solutions to this problem is the application of a metal coating. Experiments were conducted on the weldability of various materials, including those with applied coatings. The best results in weldability were shown by tires made of tinned copper, which was welded to nickel plates (emitting the battery body). Tear tests of the welded samples were carried out. The tensile strength of the original copper tires was 340–450 MPa. When welding copper–nickel and copper(tinned) – nickel plates, the strength limit values reach 70 % of the strength of the original copper plate. On the basis of the obtained experimental data, a pilot batch of battery TB was manufactured, which successfully passed tests for compliance with the technical requirements for the strength and the value of the transition resistances of the welded joints of connecting buses with batteries.