CIRCUIT BOARD AND CHARGING DEVICE INCLUDING A CIRCUIT BOARD FOR A RECHARGEABLE BATTERY PACK

Abstract

A circuit board, which includes at least one contact surface for electrical contacting with a contact partner, so that an electric current may be transferred between the circuit board and the contact partner, the circuit board including structures in at least one contact area, which are designed to pierce through contaminant layers and/or oxide layers present on the contact partner, the contact area including the contact surface.

Claims

1. A circuit board, comprising: at least one contact surface for electrical contacting with a contact partner, so that an electric current may be transferred between the circuit board and the contact partner; and structures in at least one contact area, the contact area including the contact surface and the structures being designed to pierce through at least one of: contaminant layers and oxide layers, potentially existing on the contact partner.

2. The circuit board as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive contact surface includes divided, web-like strip conductor structures.

3. The circuit board as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a part of the web-like strip conductor structures is implemented with sharp-edged border areas, which are suitable for piercing through the at least one of contaminant layers and oxide layers potentially existing on the contact partner, at least one of: (i) during a relative movement of the contact partner along the contact area, and (ii) with little contact pressure between the contact surface and the contact partner.

4. The circuit board as recited in claim 1, wherein the web-like strip conductor structures are situated exposed at least relative to an area of the circuit board immediately surrounding the web-like strip conductor structures.

5. The circuit board as recited in claim 1, wherein the circuit board also includes material-removing structures, the material-removing structures being suitable for at least partially removing the at least one of the contaminant layers and oxide layers potentially existing on the contact partner, during a relative movement of the contact partner along the contact area.

6. The circuit board as recited in claim 5, wherein the material-removing structures are not used to conduct electric current.

7. The circuit board as recited in claim 5, further comprising: at least one first, electrically non-conductive layer; at least one second electrically conductive layer made at least one of copper and a copper alloy, the second electrically conductive layer being applied to a first surface of the first electrically non-conductive layer; and at least one third layer made of solder resist, the third layer being applied to a first surface of the second electrically conductive layer; wherein the material-removing structures are formed by by at least one of the first, second and third layers.

8. The circuit board as recited in claim 7, wherein the material-removing structures are formed by recesses in the first layer, the recesses having the shape of round holes, and the circuit board not including a third layer in the contact area.

9. The circuit board as recited in claim 7, wherein the material-removing structures are formed at least partly by exposing isolated areas in the second layer, the isolated areas being triangular-shaped.

10. The circuit board as recited in claim 7, wherein the material-removing structures are formed at least partially by recesses in the third layer, the recesses having the shape of round holes.

11. The circuit board as recited in claim 5, wherein the material-removing structures are formed at least partially by sharp-edged granular elements in the second layer, an adhesive surface between the granular elements and the first layer being dimensioned in such a way that the granular elements are sheared off during a relative movement of the contact partner along the contact area and partially come to rest between the contact surface and the contact partner, where they pierce through the at least one of the contaminant layers and oxide layers, potentially existing on the contact partner.

12. The circuit board as recited in claim 1, wherein the circuit board is a flexible, pliable, circuit board, at least in sections.

13. A rechargeable battery pack for a hand-held power tool, comprising: a rechargeable battery pack housing, including at least one first housing component and one second housing component, the rechargeable battery pack housing accommodating at least one rechargeable cell; and rechargeable battery pack electronics, including at least one contact element for establishing an electrical connection between the rechargeable battery pack and the hand-held power tool, the rechargeable battery pack electronics including at least one circuit board including at least one contact surface for electrical contacting with a contact partner, so that an electric current may be transferred between the circuit board and the contact partner, and structures in at least one contact area, the contact area including the contact surface and the structures being designed to pierce through at least one of: contaminant layers and oxide layers, potentially existing on the contact partner.

14. The rechargeable battery pack as recited in claim 13, wherein the contact element is connectable to the circuit board via the at least one contact partner, the contact partner being situated on the first housing component in such a way that a relative movement of the contact partner along the contact area of the circuit board is caused when connecting the first housing component to the second housing component, so that the at least one of the contaminant layers and oxide layers, potentially existing on the contact partner are pierced through.

15. The rechargeable battery pack as recited in claim 13, wherein the contact partners are designed as guided spring contacts.

16. A charging device for charging a rechargeable battery pack, comprising: a housing for accommodating charging device electronics; and an interface situated on the housing having mating contact elements for the electrical or mechanical contacting of the contact elements of the rechargeable battery pack; wherein the housing includes at least one first housing component and one second housing component, the mating contact element being connected to the charging device electronics via at least one contact partner and the charging device electronics includes at least one circuit board including at least one contact surface for electrical contacting with a contact partner, so that an electric current may be transferred between the circuit board and the contact partner, and structures in at least one contact area, the contact area including the contact surface and the structures being designed to pierce through at least one of: contaminant layers and oxide layers, potentially existing on the contact partner.

17. A hand-held power tool, comprising: a housing having a handle; a drive motor situated in the housing for driving a mechanical interface; first electronics situated in the housing; and a rechargeable battery pack detachably connectable to the hand-held power tool, the rechargeable battery pack being electrically connected to the hand-held power tool in the installed state, the rechargeable battery pack including a rechargeable battery pack housing, including at least one first housing component and one second housing component, the rechargeable battery pack housing accommodating at least one rechargeable cell, and rechargeable battery pack electronics, including at least one contact element for establishing an electrical connection between the rechargeable battery pack and the hand-held power tool, the rechargeable battery pack electronics including at least one circuit board including at least one contact surface for electrical contacting with a contact partner, so that an electric current may be transferred between the circuit board and the contact partner, and structures in at least one contact area, the contact area including the contact surface and the structures being designed to pierce through at least one of: contaminant layers and oxide layers, potentially existing on the contact partner.

18. A tool system, comprising: at least one rechargeable battery pack; a hand-held power tool; a charging device for charging a rechargeable battery pack of a hand-held power tool; and at least one circuit board including at least one contact surface for electrical contacting with a contact partner, so that an electric current may be transferred between the circuit board and the contact partner, and structures in at least one contact area, the contact area including the contact surface and the structures being designed to pierce through at least one of: contaminant layers and oxide layers, potentially existing on the contact partner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The present invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, identical reference numerals being used for identical features.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first specific embodiment of a contact area of a circuit board according to the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second specific embodiment of a contact area of a circuit board according to the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a third specific embodiment of a contact area of a circuit board according to the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth specific embodiment of a contact area of a circuit board according to the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a fifth specific embodiment of a contact area of a circuit board according to the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a sixth specific embodiment of a contact area of a circuit board according to the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a seventh specific embodiment of a contact area of a circuit board according to the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an eighth specific embodiment of a contact area of a circuit board according to the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a ninth specific embodiment of a contact area of a circuit board according to the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a tenth specific embodiment of a contact area of a circuit board according to the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 11 shows a side view of a hand-held power tool including a rechargeable battery pack according to the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 12 shows a side view of a charging device according to the present invention including not yet connected housing components.

[0049] FIG. 13 shows a side view of a charging device according to the present invention including connected housing components.

[0050] FIG. 14 shows a perspective exploded view of a rechargeable battery pack according to the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a first specific embodiment of a flexible circuit board.

[0052] FIG. 16 shows a depiction of a contact tongue introduced into a cell channel of a cell holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a contact area of a circuit board 812 according to the present invention. The multilayer construction of circuit board 812 is clearly apparent. A first layer 810 forms a first electrically non-conductive base layer. A second conductive layer 820 is made preferably of copper and/or of a copper alloy. This second conductive layer 820 is applied to a first surface 811 of first electrically non-conductive base layer 810. A third layer 830 made, in particular, of solder resist is applied to a first surface 821 of second conductive layer 820, the contact area for a contact partner 149 not depicted in FIGS. 1 through 10 not including a third layer 830. The contact area of circuit board 812 further includes at least one contact surface 822 for electrical contacting with contact partner 149, so that an electric current may be transferred between circuit board 812 and contact partner 149. According to the present invention, it is provided that circuit board 812 includes structures in the contact area, which are designed to pierce through contaminant layers and/or oxide layers present on contact partner 149.

[0054] These structures may be formed in the contact area in various embodiment variants adapted to the respective circuit board 812 and to its use, so that FIGS. 1 through 10 are merely a small selection of these embodiment variants.

[0055] In principle, the structures as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 may be divided, web-like strip conductor structures 826 of contact surface 822. In this case, at least a part of the web-like strip conductor structures 826 is designed with sharp-edged border areas 828, which are suitable for piercing through contaminant layers and or oxide layers potentially existing on contact partner 149 with minimal contact pressure between contact surface 822 and contact partner 149. It is advantageous in this case if web-like strip conductor structures 826 are situated exposed at least relative to an area on circuit board 812, which immediately surrounds web-like strip conductor structures 826. Thus, FIGS. 1 through 3 each show a configuration, in which the contact pressure is distributed to few contact points of contact surface 822, a somewhat different, radial configuration being depicted in each of FIGS. 1 and 3 and a web-like strip conductor structure 826 or structure of contact surface 822 being depicted in FIG. 2.

[0056] As depicted in FIGS. 4 through 10, circuit board 812 may also include material-removing structures 824, which are suitable for at least partially mechanically removing the contaminant layers and/or oxide layers on contact partner 149 during a relative movement of contact partner 149 along the contact area. Material-removing structures 824 are advantageously not used to conduct electric current.

[0057] In FIGS. 4 and 5, at least a part of web-like strip conductor structures 826 is designed with sharp-edged border areas 828. In this case, the sharp-edged, material-removing border areas 828, in particular, are suitable for mechanically removing the contaminant layers and/or oxide layers on contact partner 149 during a relative movement of contact partner 149 along the contact area, whereas web-like strip conductor structures 826 are suitable for piercing through the contaminant layers and/or oxide layers with minimal contact pressure between contact surface 822 and contact partner 149. Thus, for example, the contact surface 822 of the variant depicted in FIG. 4 includes tips in the joining direction, so that the tips rupture the surface of contact partner 149 in a plow-like manner during a relative movement of contact partner 149 along the contact area, as a result of which the contaminant layers and/or oxide layers on contact partner 149 are at least partially removed.

[0058] The embodiment variants depicted in FIGS. 6 through 10 are also a combination of material-removing structures 824 and web-like strip conductor structures 826, the individual specific embodiments each differing in the configuration and the manner of material-removing structures 824 and/or in the configuration of web-like strip conductor structures 826.

[0059] Thus, FIGS. 6 and 7 show, in particular, material-removing structures 824 in the form of upstream, partially exposed isolated areas in second layer 820, which have a triangular-shaped or rasp-like design. In contrast to the embodiment variant depicted in FIG. 6, the embodiment variants depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 each also include a web-like strip conductor structure 826, as a result of which the contact pressure is distributed to few contact points on contact surface 822.

[0060] In the embodiment variant depicted in FIG. 9, material-removing structures 824 are formed by recesses in first layer 810, the base layer of circuit board 812. The recesses in the variant depicted in FIG. 6 have the shape of round holes, the edges of which roughen the contact partner during joining.

[0061] In contrast, material-removing structures 824 in the embodiment variant depicted in FIG. 10 are formed at least partially by recesses in third layer 830, these recesses in the specific embodiment shown here also having the shape of round holes, the edges of which mechanically roughen the contaminant layers and/or oxide layers on contact partner 149 during a relative movement of contact partner 149 along the contact area. The configuration of material-removing structures 824 in third layer 830 also has the advantage that the mechanical tensile strength of the circuit board composite is weakened less. It is advantageous in this case if no second, conductive layer 820 or no conductive material such as, for example, copper, is situated in the area of material-removing structures 824 or of the recesses.

[0062] FIG. 11 shows an electrical device designed as a hand-held power tool 300, which is designed by way of example as a cordless screw drill. Accordingly, hand-held power tool 300 in the specific embodiment depicted is connected mechanically and electrically to a rechargeable battery pack 100 for battery-supplied power. It is noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to a cordless screw drill, but rather may be used in different hand-held power tools 300, regardless of whether it operates with a rechargeable battery pack 100 for battery-supplied power as depicted, or for mains-supplied power. Hand-held power tool 300 includes a transmission 330 situated in a housing 305 for transferring a torque generated by a drive motor 335 to a drive shaft rotating about an axis x, to which a tool receptacle 320 for a tool not depicted is fastened, and a handle 315. Electronics 370, which are in electronic and mechanical contact with drive motor 335 and/or transmission 330, are situated inside housing 305. Handle 315 serves as a support surface for a hand of an operator of hand-held power tool 300 and generally includes a longitudinal axis y, a front side 317, which points along an axis x in the direction of tool receptacle 320, a rear side 316 and two side surfaces 318.

[0063] A first control element 310 for the energy supply of drive motor 335 is situated in the area of handle 315, first control element 310 protruding from housing 305 manually accessible to the user, so that a control and/or regulation of the drive motor preferably as a function of the adjustment path of first control element 310 may be enabled in a known manner by a pressure movement of first control element 310, and the voltage supply for drive motor 335 may also be switched on and/or off. Hand-held power tool 300 also includes a second control element 312 in the form of a sliding switch for adjusting the rotation direction of drive motor 335 of hand-held power tool 300. Second control element 312 is slidably situated perpendicular to the rotation axis x of the drive shaft, in particular, to tool receptacle 320 of hand-held power tool 300, so that second control element 312 when actuated may be moved back and forth between a first position, a second position and a third position. In the process, the first position and second position each establish a rotation direction of the driver motor. Thus, the user of hand-held power tool 300 may recognize in which operating mode hand-held power tool 300 is operating, based just on the positions of second control element 312. In addition, the second control element includes a third position between the first position and the second position, for example, a middle position, an electrical, electromechanical and/or mechanical disruption of the motor current taking place in the third position. Thus, for example, the control of first switch element 310 may be mechanically blocked, second control element 312 acting to lock first switch element 310 when moved into a third position. In this case, second control element 312 as depicted, may be designed as a sliding switch or alternatively as a toggle switch.

[0064] First control element 310 and second control element 312 are situated along rotation axis x in such a way that it is possible to actuate both first control element as well as second control element 310, 312 using the index finger or middle finger. The spacing between first control element 310 and second control element 312 in this case is selected in such a way that one-handed operation of hand-held power tool 300 is possible. Furthermore, both control elements 310, 312 are situated in an area below rotation axis x and project from housing 305.

[0065] In the position shown in FIG. 11, rechargeable battery pack 100 is fastened to handle 315 of hand-held power tool 300 and locked by locking means. The operation of hand-held power tool 300 is not disrupted by situating rechargeable battery pack 100 below handle 315. The locking means not depicted in detail include, among other things, a locking element and an actuating element 220. Rechargeable battery pack 100 may be released from handle 315 of hand-held power tool 300 by actuation of actuating means 200. Hand-held power tool 300 also includes an interface 380.

[0066] Rechargeable battery pack 100 depicted in FIG. 11 is implemented as a sliding rechargeable battery pack, and includes an interface 180 corresponding to interface 380 of hand-held power tool 300. An implementation as a rotating or swiveling rechargeable battery pack is also possible as an alternative to the sliding rechargeable battery pack, whereby rechargeable battery pack 100 may be detachably locked on the side opposite the swivel axis by latching, screwing, clamping or bracing to housing 305 of hand-held power tool 300. In this way, a potential falling of the rechargeable battery pack off housing 305 may be effectively counteracted.

[0067] To detachably mount rechargeable battery pack 100 on a hand-held power tool 300 or on a charging device 700, rechargeable battery pack 100 includes an interface 180 for detachable mechanical or electrical connection to a corresponding interface 380 of hand-held power tool 300 or to a corresponding interface 780 of charging device 700. When mounting rechargeable battery pack 100, receiving means, for example, guide grooves and guide ribs, of hand-held power tool 300 or of charging device 700 for receiving the corresponding guide elements of rechargeable battery pack 100 are engaged with these guide elements, rechargeable battery pack 100 being introduced along the receiving means, and interface 180 of rechargeable battery pack 100 is slid into corresponding interface 380 of hand-held power tool 300 or into corresponding interface 780 of charging device 700. Rechargeable battery pack 100 may be assigned to hand-held power tool 300 and/or to charging device 700 via interfaces 180, 380.

[0068] FIGS. 12 and 13 show various views of a charging device 700, which may be used in a tool system of the present invention. The charging device includes a housing 710 having a first housing component 720 and a second housing component 730. Charging device electronics 720 having a circuit board 812 are situated inside housing 710.

[0069] To detachably mount charging device 700 on a rechargeable battery pack 100, the charging device includes an interface 780 for mechanical and electrical connection with corresponding interface 180 of rechargeable battery pack 100. When mounting rechargeable battery pack 100, receiving means, for example, guide grooves and guide ribs, of charging device 700 for receiving the corresponding guide elements of rechargeable battery pack 100 are engaged with these guide elements, rechargeable battery pack 100 being introduced in a contacting direction along the receiving means, and interface 180 of rechargeable battery pack 100 is slid into corresponding interface 780 of charging device 700. Rechargeable battery pack 100 may be assigned to interface 780 of battery charging device 700 via interfaces 180.

[0070] Charging device 700 according to the present invention depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13 also includes charging device electronics 720, including at least one, preferably however a plurality of mating contact elements 740 for establishing an electrical connection between rechargeable battery pack 100, charging device 700 and a circuit board 812. Each mating contact element 740 is connected to circuit board 812 inside housing 710 via a tongue-shaped contact partner 149, tongue-shaped partner 149 being connected with its first end a to mating contact element 740. Contact partner 149 is situated inside housing component 720 in such a way that the contaminant layers and or oxide layers are pierced through due to a relative movement of contact partner 149 along a contact area of circuit board 812 when first housing component 720 is connected to second housing component 730. In order to ensure this, contact partner 149 is designed as a guided spring contact, contact partner 149 being situated at such an angle to circuit board 812 that a sliding movement of contact partner 149 on contact surface 822 results when seating contact partner 149 on circuit board 812, so that the contaminant layers and/or oxide layers are pierced through. To ensure a good sliding movement, it is provided that second end b of tongue-shaped contact partner 149 is designed bent in such a way that it is curved toward contact surface 822 of circuit board 812.

[0071] When joining first housing component 720 together with second housing component 730, contact surface 822 of circuit board 812 is pressed against contact partner 149. A relative movement of contact partner 149 occurs along the contact area of circuit board 812. Material-removing structures 824 situated in the contact area of circuit board 812 are suitable for at least partially mechanically removing the contaminant layers and/or oxide layers on contact partner 149, as a result of which a reliable electrical contact may be ensured between contact surface 822 of circuit board 812 and contact partner 149 and, therefore, mating contact elements 740. Since second end b of tongue-shaped contact partner 149 is flexibly designed, second end b engages in the relatively soft copper coating on contact surface 822 of circuit board 812 and thereby forms a solid and durable contact between contact partner 149 and contact surface 822 of circuit board 812.

[0072] In one alternative embodiment variant, connecting first housing component 720 to second housing component 730 causes no parallel shift between circuit board 812 and contact partner 149, rather first housing component 720 is seated on second housing component 730 perpendicular to the surface of circuit board 812. Due to the previously described contact surface geometry on circuit board 812, the constructively existing contact pressure of contact surface 822 on contact partner 149 is distributed on a preferably small surface area in such a way that a centering effect is exerted between contact surface 822 of circuit board 812 and contact partner 149, as a result of which the contaminant layers and/or oxide layers are pierced through with a minimum contact pressure between contact surface 822 of circuit board 812 and contact partner 149.

[0073] FIG. 14 shows a rechargeable battery pack 100 in an exploded view. Rechargeable battery pack 100 includes a housing 110 made of a first upper housing component 120, a second lower housing component 130 and two additional lateral housing components 128. Here, it is readily apparent that rechargeable battery pack housing 110 also includes a cell holder 600 having a plurality of rechargeable cells 400 interconnected in series not depicted in detail, second housing component 130 directly forming cell holder 600. Cell holder 600 is positioned between the two housing components 120, 130. Rechargeable battery pack housing 110 also includes two lateral components 125 holding first housing component 120 and second housing component 130 and cell holder 600 together in the assembled state in such a way that a detaching of first housing component 120 from second housing component 130, or vice versa, is prevented. Rechargeable battery pack 100 in the embodiment variant depicted in FIG. 11 is designed as a sliding rechargeable battery pack.

[0074] The interconnection of rechargeable cells 400 is implemented via cell connectors 500, which enable an electrical interconnection of rechargeable cells 400 in parallel and/or in series. Cell connectors 500 are advantageously already situated directly on circuit board 812 or a contacting of individual rechargeable cells 400 with rechargeable battery pack electronics 800 takes place via additional conductors. Individual rechargeable cells 400 are accommodated spaced apart from one another for mechanical fixation in cell holder 600. Rechargeable battery pack 100 depicted in FIG. 14 also includes rechargeable battery pack electronics 800 having at least one, preferably a plurality, of contact elements 140 for establishing an electrical connection between rechargeable battery pack 100 and hand-held power tool 300, and a circuit board 810. Each contact element 140 is connected to circuit board 810 inside rechargeable battery pack housing 110. Rechargeable battery pack electronics 800 also include a circuit board 812 according to the present invention in the form of a flexible circuit board 812 having multiple contact means 840, which are fastened to cell holder 600 in such a way that they are connected to the microcontroller not depicted.

[0075] Flexible circuit board 812 depicted in detail in FIG. 15 exhibits a flexural stiffness, which is designed at least in areas in such a way that a flexural deformation of flexible circuit board 812 is possible in the mounted state, at least in areas. The flexural deformation of flexible circuit board 812 may take place in such a way that a median plane of circuit board 812 is deformed in each case in an area of flexural deformation 843 by an angle φ relative to an original position. In this way, it is possible to variably adapt flexible circuit board 812, as is apparent in FIG. 14, to the geometrical shape of rechargeable battery pack housing 110 or of cell holder 600. Cell holder 600 includes multiple positioning elements 604 to ensure a secure positioning of flexible circuit board 812 on cell holder 600. Positioning elements 604 engage in corresponding recesses 816 of flexible circuit board 812 in the mounted state. Flexible circuit board 812 also includes multiple contact surfaces 822 corresponding to rechargeable cells 400 for electrical contacting with contact partner 149, which is a rechargeable cell 400 in the embodiment variant depicted. In this way, it may be ensured that an electric current may be transferred between circuit board 812 and contact partner 149 or rechargeable cell 400. Thus, it is provided that each contact surface 822 electrically contacts a corresponding rechargeable cell 400 or a contact partner 149, contact surfaces 822 in the embodiment variant depicted in FIGS. 14 through 16 being designed in the form of flexible contact tongues 842, which are inserted into corresponding openings 602 in cell holder 600. As depicted by way of example in FIG. 15, contact surfaces 822 each include structures 824 in the contact area, which are designed to pierce through contaminant layers and/or oxide layers present on contact partner 149 or on rechargeable cell 400.

[0076] FIG. 16 shows a contact tongue 842 introduced into an opening of a cell holder 600. Contact tongues 842 are introduced into a cell channel 402 in openings 602 of cell holder 600, contact tongues 842 being deformed by an angle φ relative to an original position when rechargeable cells 400 are introduced. After rechargeable cells 840 are introduced into cell channel 402, contact surface 822 is clamped between the walls of cell channel 402 and rechargeable cell 400. In the process, a relative movement occurs, as previously described, between contact surface 822 of contact tongue 842 and rechargeable cell 400 being introduced due to the introduction of rechargeable cell 400 into cell channel 402, so that contaminant layers and/or oxide layers on rechargeable cell 400 are pierced through. To ensure a good sliding movement, it is provided that second end b of contact tongue 842 is introduced into cell channel 402 in such a way that it is curved toward rechargeable cell 400. As depicted in FIG. 16, the angle φ after being introduced, has a value of approximately 180°, a value between 10° and 200°, preferably a value between 30° and 190°, being possible. Individual rechargeable cells 400 are connected directly to flexible circuit board 812 via contact surfaces 822 on contact tongues 842, structures 824 in the contact area piercing through the contaminant layers and/or oxide layers potentially existing on contact partner 149 or on rechargeable cell 400. In the depicted specific embodiment of a flexible circuit board 812 including two contact surfaces 822 situated opposite one another, a uniform pull occurs in both directions on flexible circuit board 812 when rechargeable cells 400 are introduced into cell channel 402.

[0077] In addition to the specific embodiments described and depicted, additional specific embodiments are possible, which may include additional modifications and combination of features.