BATTERY ARRANGEMENT, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING IT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery assembly comprising at least one assembly of electrochemical battery modules, each electrochemical battery module comprising a plurality of electrochemical battery elements, and a receiving box for at least one assembly.

[0002] Such a battery pack is intended for electrical energy storage and is typically intended to be installed in a ground-based electrical storage bay or on board a vehicle, especially a railway vehicle.

[0003] An example of a battery assembly is given in CN207217634U.

[0004] DE 20 2020 104925 U1 discloses a case comprising a base, a lid and side walls.

[0005] US 2018 / 154754 A1 discloses a device configured to receive a vehicle battery.

[0006] DE 10 2016 125697 A1 discloses a battery support intended to carry a plurality of battery modules.

[0007] DE 10 2016 213832 A1 discloses a battery case.

[0008] Typically, numerous external accessories are required for such battery packs, such as mounting hardware, power supply units, external seals, etc. These external accessories must be arranged on the battery pack while minimizing its overall size, especially when the battery pack is installed in a vehicle.

[0009] However, the complex geometry of drum kits, particularly their external interfaces, makes it difficult to arrange external accessories on the kit. This necessitates designing specific external accessories, creating additional space around the kit, and / or adapting the drum kit to accommodate the external accessories. This is complex, time-consuming, and expensive.

[0010] In addition to the size, integrating such assemblies into railway vehicles also requires specific qualifications, particularly regarding mechanical stresses, fire resistance, cooling, and overall safety. If the structure of the assembly is significantly modified from one type of railway vehicle to another, the qualifications must be reobtained for each new vehicle.

[0011] One aim of the invention is to provide a battery assembly with a simple geometry and allowing easy arrangement of external accessories in receiving spaces of various geometries, while limiting the time and cost of requalification.

[0012] For this purpose, the invention relates to a battery assembly according to claim 1.

[0013] The battery assembly according to the invention is according to one or more of claims 2 to 9, taken individually or in any technically possible combination.

[0014] The invention also relates to a system according to claim 10.

[0015] The invention further relates to a manufacturing process according to claim 11.

[0016] The manufacturing process according to the invention may include one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically feasible combination: The side partitions are formed by extruding a profile; the process includes manufacturing at least one first battery assembly and at least one second battery assembly by assembling, in particular by screwing, the lower support, the side partitions and the upper cover and by forming and arranging at least one assembly of electrochemical battery modules in the receiving space, the first battery set having at least one dimension, in particular a length, a width and / or a height, different by at least 5% from the corresponding dimension of the second battery set, the side walls of the first battery set being obtained by extruding a profile of identical cross-section to the cross-section of the profile extruded to form the side walls of the second battery set.

[0017] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the attached drawings, in which: there figure 1 is a schematic exploded and perspective view of a system according to the invention, comprising two battery assemblies superimposed one on top of the other; the figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a battery assembly according to the invention; the figure 3 is a schematic view of a section III along a median transverse plane of a battery assembly of the system of the figure 1 , according to the invention; the figure 4 is an enlarged view of portion IV of the figure 3 ; there figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a battery assembly of the system of the figure 1 According to the invention, in which certain electrochemical battery modules have been omitted. figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing process for a battery assembly of the figure 1 .

[0018] A system of 10 battery assemblies according to the invention is illustrated in the figure 1 .

[0019] The system 10 includes at least one battery set 12, in particular at least two battery sets 12.

[0020] According to the example illustrated on the figure 1 , system 10 includes a first set of 12A batteries and a second set of 12B batteries.

[0021] The first 12A and second 12B battery sets are stacked in a vertical Z direction.

[0022] Following the example of the figure 1 , a lower support 30 (defined in more detail below) of the second set 12B is an upper cover 50 (defined in more detail below) of the first set 12A.

[0023] In what follows, unless otherwise stated, only one battery pack 12 is described. It is understood that the description applies to each battery pack 12.

[0024] The battery assembly 12 comprises at least one assembly 14 of electrochemical battery modules 16 and a receiving box 20 for the module(s) or each assembly 14. As illustrated in the example on the figure 1 , each set 12A, 12B comprises a plurality of assemblies 14, in particular three assemblies 14A, 14B, 14C each forming a row of electrochemical battery modules.

[0025] The battery pack 12 is intended for the storage and supply of electrical energy.

[0026] Battery pack 12 is designed, for example, to be installed in a ground-based electrical storage bay. Alternatively, the battery pack is designed to be mounted in a vehicle, particularly a rail, marine, and / or aircraft vehicle. Battery pack 12 is designed to fit within the available space of the vehicle, while allowing for its mechanical, electrical, and thermal connections.

[0027] In what follows, unless otherwise stated, a single assembly 14 of electrochemical battery modules 16 is described. It is understood that the description applies to each assembly 14.

[0028] Assembly 14 comprises a plurality of electrochemical battery modules 16, including lithium batteries. For example, figures 1 And 2 , each assembly 14A, 14B, 14C comprises three electrochemical modules 16A, 16B, 16C.

[0029] With reference to the figure 2 The trunk 20 extends: along a longitudinal direction X between a first longitudinal end 22 and a second longitudinal end 23; along a transverse direction Y between a first transverse end 24 and a second transverse end 25; along the vertical direction Z between a first vertical end 26 and a second vertical end 27.

[0030] Trunk 20 features: a length L, measured along the longitudinal direction X between its longitudinal ends 22, 23, generally between 800 mm and 1,600 mm; a width W, measured along the transverse direction Y between its transverse ends 24, 25, generally between 600 mm and 1,800 mm; and a depth H, measured along the vertical direction Z between its vertical ends 26, 27, generally between 100 mm and 200 mm.

[0031] The chest 20 includes a lower support 30, an upper cover 50 and side partitions 60 defining between them a space 21 for receiving the or each assembly 14 of electrochemical battery modules 16.

[0032] At least one of the lower support 30, the upper cover 50, and the side panels 60 is made of metal, preferably aluminum. This feature allows us to take advantage of aluminum's lightness to reduce the trunk's mass, its thermal conductivity to dissipate heat generated by the battery electrochemical module assemblies 14 and 16, and its electrical conductivity to provide an electrical ground path.

[0033] As illustrated in the example of the figure 1 , the trunk 20 has four side partitions 60. In this example, the lower support 30, the upper cover 50 and the four side partitions 60 form a hollow block.

[0034] Trunk 20 also includes a circuit 85 (visible on the figures 3 And 4 ) cooling of at least one assembly 14 of electrochemical modules 16 of battery.

[0035] Advantageously, the 20 chest also includes at least one 90mm cleat (visible on the figure 5 ), specifically configured to support at least one assembly of 14 electrochemical battery modules. The chest 20 includes, in particular, a plurality of cleats 90.

[0036] Even more advantageously, the 20-piece case also includes at least one layer of 100 thermal paste (visible on the figure 5 ), arranged in particular between the lower support 30 and an electrochemical battery module 16.

[0037] Even more advantageously, the 20 box also includes at least one upper sealing gasket 110 (visible on the figures 1 , 3 And 4) arranged between the upper hood 50 and the side partitions 60. In particular, the trunk 20 includes a single upper sealing gasket 110 arranged between the upper hood 50 and each of the side partitions 60.

[0038] Even more advantageously, the 20 box also includes at least one lower sealing gasket 120 (visible on the figures 3 And 4 ) arranged between the lower support 30 and the side partitions 60. In particular, the box 20 includes a single lower sealing gasket 120 arranged between the lower support 30 and each of the side partitions 60.

[0039] Even more advantageous, the 20 trunk includes a 130 protective plate (visible on the figures 1 And 2 ) extending over the lower support 30.

[0040] Each electrochemical battery module 16 contained in the case comprises a plurality of electrochemical battery elements 18 (or cells). An electrochemical element is an assembly of electrodes, electrolyte, container, terminals, and usually separators, which is a source of electrical energy obtained by direct transformation of chemical energy. A battery electrochemical element is schematically represented on the figure 3 .

[0041] Battery electrochemical elements 18 are for example prismatic electrochemical elements, with in particular a general shape of parallelepiped, in particular rectangular parallelepiped, or pockets (“pouch” in English).

[0042] As mentioned above, set 10 is particularly suitable for receiving lithium battery electrochemical elements, including rechargeable lithium ion battery electrochemical elements.

[0043] As will be described in more detail above, each battery electrochemical module 16 is fixed to a lower support 30 of the trunk 20. In particular, each battery electrochemical module 16 is fixed to at least one cleat 90, itself fixed to the lower support 30 of the trunk 20. In particular, as illustrated in the example of the figure 5 , the electrochemical battery modules 16 of the same assembly 14 are all fixed to the same block 90, or to two of the same adjacent blocks 90, preferably by screwing.

[0044] Advantageously, each electrochemical battery module 16 includes fastening means 17 (visible on the figure 5 ) intended to cooperate with complementary fixing means 92 of at least one cleat 90. In particular, the fixing means 17 include an electrochemical fixing module 19 comprising at least one through hole and at least one screw (not illustrated) extending into said through holes.

[0045] As illustrated on the figures 2 à 4 , each electrochemical battery module 16, particularly when mounted on at least one cleat 90, is separated from the lower support 30 by an intermediate space 99 which, as will be detailed below, is filled with a layer of thermal paste 100 intended to increase the thermal conductivity between the electrochemical module 16 and the support 30.

[0046] The electrochemical battery modules 16 are for example organized according to one of the following electrical configurations: 1P12S, 2P6S, 3P4S, 4P3S.

[0047] The lower support 30 extends substantially along a support plane S parallel to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0048] The lower support 30 includes an internal surface 32 oriented towards the space 21 for receiving at least one assembly 14 of electrochemical battery modules 16 and an external surface 33 opposite the internal surface 32.

[0049] For example, particularly when the chest 20 is without a protective plate 130, the external surface 33 of the lower support 30 defines the first vertical end 26.

[0050] Advantageously, the internal surface 32 of the lower support 30 is substantially flat.

[0051] Furthermore, the external surface 33 of the lower support 30 is substantially flat.

[0052] The lower support 30 advantageously has a thickness E1 (illustrated on the figure 2 ), measured along the vertical direction Z, between the inner surface 32 and the outer surface 33 of the lower support 30, is between 6 mm and 7 mm. This characteristic provides satisfactory fire protection, in particular conforming to criterion E15 according to standard EN45545 (fire resistance for 15 minutes without flame release).

[0053] As described in more detail below, the lower support 30 delimits a network 86 of cavities 87 for the circulation of a cooling fluid, advantageously of horizontally elongated cross-section, which belongs to the cooling circuit 85. The cooling fluid is preferably a coolant.

[0054] As seen on the figures 3 à 5 The lower support 30 comprises a plurality of plates 36 extending side by side, each according to the support plane S. Thanks to this feature, it is possible to modulate the number of plates 36 according to the desired size for the box 20.

[0055] As illustrated on the figures 3 à 5 , the plates 36 extend along the longitudinal direction X.

[0056] The 36 plates are welded together.

[0057] Each plate 36 comprises a portion 88 of the network 86 of cavities 87. The cavities 87 have a circular, oval, or polygonal cross-section, including a rectangular one. The portion 88 of the network 86 of cavities 87 is, in particular, hollowed out in the plate 36.

[0058] Advantageously, the plates 36 are welded together at their ends by means of terminal plates ensuring the fluidic connection between the cavities according to the desired circulation network 86.

[0059] Preferably, the 36 plates are made by extruding profiles.

[0060] Thanks to the structure described in the paragraphs above, the lower support 30 fulfills several functions. It provides cooling for the electrochemical modules 16 and the battery electrochemical elements 18 within the electrochemical modules 16. The lower support 30 also seals the internal space 21 downwards. Furthermore, it provides mechanical support for the electrochemical modules 16 and ensures fire resistance, while offering a reduced height and mass.

[0061] The side partitions 60 are fixed to the lower support 30 by screwing.

[0062] For example, at least one plate 36, in particular each plate 36, includes fastening means 40 intended to cooperate with additional fastening means 72 of the side partitions 60 to ensure a fastening between the lower support 30 and the side partitions 60.

[0063] For example, the fastening means 40 include a plurality of through holes 41 cut into the plate 36 and a plurality of screws 42 extending into the through holes 41.

[0064] The lower support 30 is also fixed to the protective plate 130, in particular by screwing.

[0065] The upper hood 50 extends substantially along a hood plane C parallel to the support plane S.

[0066] The upper hood 50 includes an internal surface 52 oriented towards the receiving space 21 and an external surface 53 opposite the internal surface 52.

[0067] Advantageously, the internal surface 52 and the external surface 53 of the upper cover 50 are substantially parallel to each other and substantially flat.

[0068] The upper cover 50 advantageously has a thickness of E2 (illustrated on the figure 2 ), measured along the vertical direction Z between the inner surface 52 and the outer surface 53 of the upper cover 50, and is between 1.5 mm and 5.0 mm. This characteristic provides satisfactory fire protection, in particular conforming to criterion E15 according to standard EN45545 (fire resistance for 15 minutes without flame release).

[0069] For example, the upper hood 50 includes at least one plate 56 extending along the hood plane C.

[0070] Even more advantageously, the upper cover 50 is fixed to the side partitions 60, in particular by screwing.

[0071] For example, at least one plate 56 of the upper hood 50 includes fastening means 57 intended to cooperate with complementary fastening means 75 of the side partitions 60 to ensure a fastening between the upper hood 50 and the side partitions 60.

[0072] For example, the fastening means 57 include a plurality of through holes 58 cut into the plate 56 and a plurality of screws 59 extending into the through holes 58.

[0073] The side partitions 60 extend from the lower support 30 to the upper hood 50 in the vertical direction Z.

[0074] Each side partition 60 comprises an internal surface 62 oriented towards the reception space 21 and an external surface 63 opposite the internal surface 62.

[0075] The internal surface 62 and the external surface 63 of each side panel 60 are substantially parallel to each other and substantially flat. This characteristic, in particular the very simple geometry of the side panel 60 and especially its external surface 63, facilitates the installation of external accessories on the assembly, such as, for example, mounting elements, power supply boxes, and external sealing gaskets (the external sealing gaskets ensuring sealing in accordance with IP65 and / or IP66 standards).

[0076] With reference to figures 1 And 2, the external surfaces 63 of the side partitions 60 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X define the first 22 and second 23 longitudinal ends of the chest 20 and the external surfaces 63 of the side partitions 60 substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction Y define the first 24 and second 25 transverse ends of the chest 20.

[0077] With reference to the figure 4 , each lateral partition 60 extends: along a local longitudinal direction A between a first longitudinal end A1 and a second longitudinal end A2; along a local transverse direction B between a first transverse end B1 and a second transverse end B2; and along a local vertical direction C between a first vertical end C1 and a second vertical end C2.

[0078] As illustrated on the figure 4 , the local vertical direction C is parallel to the vertical direction Z.

[0079] For each side partition 60, the local longitudinal direction A corresponds to the longitudinal direction X or transverse direction Y along which the side partition 60 has the largest dimension (relative to the dimension along the local transverse direction B) and the local transverse direction B corresponds to the longitudinal direction X or transverse direction Y along which the side partition has the smallest dimension (relative to the dimension along the local longitudinal direction A).

[0080] The local longitudinal direction A of the lateral partition 60 visible in section on the figure 4 corresponds to the longitudinal direction X.

[0081] The local transverse direction B of the lateral partition 60 visible in section on the figure 4 corresponds to the transverse direction Y.

[0082] The internal surface 62 and the external surface 63 of each lateral partition 60 advantageously extend substantially parallel to the local longitudinal direction A and vertical direction C.

[0083] The internal surface 62 and the external surface 63 of each lateral partition 60 are separated by a thickness E3 (illustrated on the figure 4 ) taken substantially orthogonally to said internal surface 62 and to said external surface 63, for example in other words along the local transverse direction B, advantageously between 20 mm and 40 mm, in particular between 27 mm and 29 mm. This characteristic makes it possible to obtain satisfactory protection against fire, in particular conforming to criterion E15 according to standard EN45545 (fire resistance 15 min without flame release).

[0084] Each lateral partition 60 includes in particular a body 64 and defines at least one internal hollow space 65.

[0085] Each side partition 60, in particular the body 64 of said side partition 60, comprises an internal wall 67 and an external wall 68 separated, in particular along the local transverse direction B, by the internal hollow space 65.

[0086] The internal hollow space 65 is defined in particular by the empty space of material located between the internal wall 67 and the external wall 68 along the local transverse direction B. The internal hollow space 65 makes it possible to lighten the side partition 60 and also improves the resistance of the side partition 60 to fire, by complying with criterion E15 according to standard EN45545 (fire resistance 15 min without flame exit).

[0087] The internal wall 67 defines the internal surface 62 of the lateral partition 60 and the external wall 68 defines the external surface 63 of the lateral partition 60.

[0088] Advantageously, each side partition 60, in particular the body 64 of said side partition 60, includes at least one cross member 70 extending from the inner wall 67 to the outer wall 68 in the hollow internal space 65, in particular along the local transverse direction B. The cross member 70 mechanically reinforces the side partition 60 by constituting a point of attachment between the inner wall 67 and the outer wall 68.

[0089] Preferably, the cross member 70 came from the material with the internal 67 and external 68 walls of the side partition 60.

[0090] Advantageously, each side partition 60 is fixed to two adjacent side partitions 60 by screwing. In particular, as illustrated on the figure 2 , the side partitions 60 include fastening means 140 to ensure the fastening of the side partitions 60 to each other.

[0091] For example, the fastening means 140 include a plurality of threaded cylindrical cavities 141 and a plurality of screws 142 cooperating with the threaded cylindrical cavities 141.

[0092] Each side partition 60 is fixed to the lower support 30 by screwing.

[0093] In particular, each side partition 60 includes additional fixing means 72 intended to cooperate with fixing means 40 of the lower support 30 to ensure the fixing between said side partition 60 and the lower support 30.

[0094] For example, as illustrated on the figure 4 , the additional fastening means 72 comprise a plurality of threaded cylindrical cavities 73 cooperating with the screws 42.

[0095] Even more advantageously, each side partition 60 is fixed to the upper cover 50 by screwing.

[0096] In particular, each side partition 60 includes additional fixing means 75 (visible on the figure 5 ) intended to cooperate with fastening means 57 of the upper hood 50 to ensure the fastening between said side partition 60 and the upper hood 50.

[0097] For example, the additional fastening means 75 include a plurality of threaded cylindrical cavities 76 cooperating with the screws 59.

[0098] In particular, as illustrated on the figure 4 , each side partition 60, in particular the body 64 of said side partition 60, includes an upper fixing portion 77 at the first vertical end C1 and a lower fixing portion 78 at the second vertical end C2.

[0099] The upper and lower fixing portions 77 and 78 extend between the inner wall 67 and the outer wall 68. Advantageously, the upper fixing portion 77 extends above and away from the cross member 70, and the lower fixing portion extends below and away from the cross member. The internal hollow space 65 is present on either side of the cross member 70, between the cross member and, respectively, the upper fixing portion 77 and the lower fixing portion 78.

[0100] The upper fixing portion 77 includes the additional fixing means 75 and the lower fixing portion 78 includes the additional fixing means 72.

[0101] As illustrated in the example of the figure 4 According to a cross-section of a lateral partition 60, the ratio of the area occupied by material to the total area of ​​the cross-section is between 45% and 50%. The cross-section of the lateral partition 60 is a section of the lateral partition 60 taken along a plane parallel to the local transverse direction B and vertical direction Z (the cutting plane of the figure 3 following the example of the figure 3 ). The area occupied by material corresponds to the area of ​​the cross-section of body 64 of the lateral partition 60. The total surface area of ​​the cross-section corresponds to the entire surface area of ​​the cross-section corresponding to body 64 and the hollow internal space 65.

[0102] Advantageously, each side partition 60 includes at least one receiving gutter for a sealing joint 110, 120.

[0103] According to the example illustrated on the figures 3 And 4, each side partition 60 includes an upper gutter 80 for receiving the upper sealing joint 110 and a lower gutter 81 for receiving the lower sealing joint 120.

[0104] The upper gutter 80 is arranged at the first vertical end C1 of the side partition 60 between the inner wall 67 and the outer wall 68 and the lower gutter 81 is arranged at the second vertical end C2 of the side partition 60 between the inner wall 67 and the outer wall 68.

[0105] The upper gutter 80 is delimited by the inner wall 67, the outer wall 68 and the upper fixing portion 77.

[0106] The lower gutter 81 is delimited by the inner wall 67, the outer wall 68 and the lower fixing portion 78.

[0107] Advantageously, as illustrated by the example of the figure 4 , the threaded cylindrical cavities of the complementary fixing means 72, 75 open respectively into the upper 80 or lower 81 gutters.

[0108] With reference to the figure 4 , each side partition 60 includes for example also at least one mass continuity piece 82 arranged in the lower gutter 81 so as to form an electrical contact of defined minimum area between said side partition 60, in particular the lower fixing portion 78, and the lower support 30.

[0109] For example, as illustrated in the example of the figure 3 , part 82 is a ring arranged around a screw 42 of a fixing means 40 of the lower support 30.

[0110] Each side partition 60 also includes, for example, at least one ground continuity piece (not shown) arranged in the upper gutter 80 so as to form an electrical contact between said side partition 60, in particular the upper fixing portion 77, and the upper cover 50.

[0111] According to the example illustrated on the figures 1 , 3 And 4 , each side partition 60 includes fastening means 44 intended to cooperate with complementary fastening means 75 of another side partition 60 located below in the vertical direction Z to ensure a fastening between them.

[0112] For example, the fastening means 44 include a plurality of pins 46 cooperating with the threaded cylindrical cavities 76.

[0113] According to an unillustrated example, at least one side partition 60 includes a through hole (not illustrated) extending from the inner surface 62 to the outer surface 63. Such a hole is, for example, a cable and / or connector passage hole.

[0114] The very simple structure and geometry of the side partitions 60 facilitates their placement in the available space to accommodate the battery pack(s) 12, particularly within a vehicle, especially a railway vehicle. It also allows for very simple connection of external accessories to the assembly, particularly mechanically, electrically, and hydraulically (especially for cooling).

[0115] Despite the simplicity of structure and geometry, the 60 side partitions are very robust, and therefore allow several sets of 12 to be stacked on top of each other with a reduced footprint.

[0116] This structure and geometry can be used for highly variable sizing of sets 12, which avoids having to requalify each set 12 of different dimensions.

[0117] With reference to figures 3 And 4 The cooling circuit 85 comprises a cooling fluid and the network 86 of cavities 87 for circulating the cooling fluid. It is connected to a cooling fluid circulation assembly.

[0118] The coolant is, for example, a coolant liquid comprising water and glycol.

[0119] As explained above, the network 86 of cavities 87 extends into the lower support 30, in particular into at least one plate 36 of the lower support 30.

[0120] The network 86 of cylindrical cavities 87 comprises all the portions 88 of the network 86 of cavities 87 of each plate 36.

[0121] With reference to the figure 5 , each cleat 90 is fixed on the internal surface 32 of the lower support 30.

[0122] Each 90mm batten extends along the longitudinal X direction or along the transverse Y direction. Following the example of figures 1 à 5 , the 90 cleats extend along the longitudinal direction Y in a plane substantially parallel to the support plane S and each 90 cleat is separated from neighboring 90 cleats by a distance D.

[0123] Each cleat 90 is a support for at least one electrochemical battery module 16 of an assembly 14. In particular, each cleat 90 is a support for all the electrochemical battery modules 16 of the same assembly 14.

[0124] Each cleat 90 includes additional fastening means 92, 96 for cooperating with the fastening means 17 of the battery electrochemical modules 16 to secure the cleat 90 to the battery electrochemical modules 16. For example, the additional fastening means 92, 96 include at least one threaded cylindrical cavity 94 cut into the cleat 90 and at least one screw (not shown) cooperating with the at least one threaded cylindrical cavity 94. The at least one screw extends into a through hole in the fastening means 17 of an electrochemical module 16 and into a threaded cylindrical cavity 94.

[0125] With reference to the figure 5 , a layer of thermal paste 100 is arranged between the lower support 30 and each electrochemical battery module 16. The layer of thermal paste 100 fills the space 99 between the lower support 30 and each electrochemical battery module 16. Typically, the space 99 has a thickness, measured along the vertical direction Z, of between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, in particular substantially equal to 1 mm.

[0126] The thermal paste layer 100 allows good heat conduction from the battery electrochemical module 16 to the lower support 30, in particular to the cooling circuit 85. The thermal paste layer 100 therefore improves heat dissipation from the battery electrochemical modules 16. It preferably has a thermal conductivity greater than 1 W / mK.

[0127] With reference to figures 1 , 3 , 4 And 5, the upper sealing gasket 110 ensures the seal between the upper cover 50 and the side partitions 60.

[0128] As illustrated in the example of the figure 1 The upper sealing gasket 110 has a rectangular shape.

[0129] In particular, the upper sealing joint 110 is arranged in the upper gutter 80 of each side partition 60.

[0130] With reference to figures 3 And 4 , the lower sealing joint 120 ensures the seal between the lower support 30 and the side partitions 60.

[0131] The lower sealing joint 120 notably has a rectangular shape.

[0132] In particular, the lower sealing joint 120 is arranged in the lower gutter 81 of each side partition 60.

[0133] With reference to figures 1 And 2, the protective plate 130 extends over the external surface 33 of the lower support 30.

[0134] The 130 protective plate, for example, is made of metal, specifically aluminum.

[0135] The protective plate 130 protects the lower support 30 of the box 20 from elements external to the battery assembly 12. For example, in the specific example where the battery assembly 12 is installed under a railway vehicle, the protective plate 130 protects the lower support 30 of the box 20 from possible ballast projections.

[0136] For example figures 1 And 2 , the protective plate 130 defines the first vertical end 26 of the chest 20.

[0137] Advantageously, the protective plate 130 includes fixing means 132 intended to cooperate with screws attached to the side partitions 60. In particular, the fixing means 132 of the protective plate 130 include a plurality of crimped posts 134 having a thread cooperating with the screws attached to the side partitions to fix the protective plate 130 to the side partitions.

[0138] With reference to the figure 6 A manufacturing process for the battery assembly 12 is also described. The dimensions and number of battery 12 assemblies to be stacked are chosen prior to manufacturing, depending on the available space where the battery assembly will be installed.

[0139] The process 200 includes a first step 210 of supplying at least one assembly 14 of electrochemical battery modules 16.

[0140] The process 200 further includes a second step 220 of supplying the components of the chest 20.

[0141] The second step 220 involves the production 221 of the side partitions 60 by extrusion. Thanks to this feature, the side partitions 60 are easily produced using simple and inexpensive tooling. It advantageously includes the creation of through-holes in the side partitions 60 to accommodate the accessories to be connected to the assembly 12.

[0142] Advantageously, the second step 220 further includes the realization 222 of the lower support 30 by welding plates 36 to each other.

[0143] The process 200 further includes a third step 230 of manufacturing the battery assembly 12 by assembling, preferably by screwing, the lower support 30, the side partitions 60 and the upper cover 50 and by arranging at least one assembly 14 of electrochemical battery modules 16 in the receiving space 21.

[0144] It then includes the mechanical, electrical and fluidic connection of assembly 12 to external accessories.

[0145] According to an unillustrated variant, the 20-unit case includes a thermal pad instead of the 100-layer thermal paste. This thermal pad preferably has a thermal conductivity greater than 1 W / mK.

[0146] Thanks to the simple structure of the battery pack and its 60 side panels, numerous external accessories can be mounted on the battery pack while minimizing its footprint and simplifying connections thanks to the flat exterior surfaces, particularly when the battery pack is installed in a vehicle. Furthermore, stacking multiple packs on top of each other is possible (for example, 2 to 4 packs), allowing for optimal use of available space.

[0147] In addition, the geometric arrangement of the side partitions 60 allows them to be fixed to the lower support 30 and to each other by simple screwing, which simplifies the manufacturing process, while maintaining high robustness.

[0148] As mentioned above, the structure and geometry of the side partitions 60, which are balanced in terms of weight and stiffness, allow for very simple adjustments to the dimensions of the assembly 12 to adapt it to the space in which it is installed, thus limiting or even eliminating the necessary modifications, particularly in terms of mechanical constraints, fire resistance, cooling, and more generally, safety. This reduces design costs while meeting fire resistance standards (e.g., EN455545-3) and shock and vibration resistance standards (EN 12663 and IEC 61373).

[0149] Advantageously, the same extruded profile can be used to form the side walls 60 of a first battery set 12 and a second battery set 12, the first battery set 12 having at least one dimension, in particular a length, a width and / or a height, different by at least 5% from the corresponding dimension of the second battery set 12.

Claims

1. Battery assembly (12) comprising: - at least one assembly (14) of electrochemical battery modules (16), each electrochemical battery module (16) comprising a plurality of electrochemical battery elements (18); and - a box (20) for receiving the at least one assembly (14), comprising: + a lower support (30) extending substantially according to a support plane (S) parallel to a longitudinal direction (X) and to a transverse direction (Y); + an upper cover (50) extending substantially according to a cover plane (C) parallel to the support plane (S); and + lateral partitions (60) extending from the lower support (30) to the upper cover (50) according to a vertical direction (Z) substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal (X) and transverse (Y) directions; the lower support (30), the upper cover (50) and the lateral partitions (60) delimiting between them a receiving space (21) for the at least one assembly (14) of electrochemical battery modules (16), the lower support (30) comprising an internal surface (32) oriented toward the receiving space (21) and an external surface (33) opposite to said internal surface (32), each lateral partition (60) comprising an internal surface (62) oriented toward the receiving space (21) and an external surface (63) opposite to said internal surface (62), the internal surface (62) and the external surface (63) of each lateral partition (60) being substantially parallel to each other and substantially planar, each lateral partition (60) comprising an internal wall (67) and an external wall (68) separated by a hollow internal space (65), the internal wall (67) defining the internal surface (62) of the lateral partition (60), the external wall (68) defining the internal surface (63) of the lateral partition (60), characterized in that each lateral partition (60) is fixed to the lower support (30) by screwing, the lateral partitions (60) being fixed to one another by screwing, the box (20) comprising a circuit (85) for cooling the at least one assembly (14) of electrochemical battery modules (16), the cooling circuit (85) comprising a network (86) of cavities (87) for circulation of a cooling fluid, the network (86) of cavities (87) extending in the lower support (30), the cavities (87) preferably having a rectangular cross section, the lower support (30) comprising a plurality of plates (36) extending side by side each according to the support plane (S), the plates (36) being welded to one another, each plate (36) comprising a portion (88) of the network (86) of cavities (87).

2. Battery assembly (12) according to claim 1, wherein each lateral partition (60) comprises at least one crosspiece (70) extending from the internal wall (67) to the external wall (68) in the hollow space (65), the crosspiece (70) preferably being formed integrally with the internal (67) and external (68) walls of the lateral partition (60).

3. Battery assembly (12) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, according to a cross section of a lateral partition (60), the ratio of the area occupied by material to the total area of the cross section is comprised between 45% and 50%.

4. Battery assembly (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving box (20) further comprises at least one cleat (90) fixed on the internal surface (32) of the lower support (30), the at least one cleat (90) extending according to the longitudinal direction (X) or according to the transverse direction (Y), the electrochemical battery modules (16) of an assembly (14) being fixed to at least one cleat (90), preferably by screwing.

5. Battery assembly (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each electrochemical battery module (16) is separated from the lower support (30) by a space (99) filled with a layer of thermal paste (100).

6. Battery assembly (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box (20) further comprises at least one sealing gasket (120) arranged between the lower support (30) and the lateral partitions (60).

7. Battery assembly (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one among the lower support (30), the lateral partitions (60) and the upper cover (50) is made of metal, preferably of aluminum.

8. Battery assembly (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal surface (62) and the external surface (63) of each lateral partition (60) is separated by a thickness (E3) taken substantially orthogonally to said internal surface (62) and to said external surface (63), comprised between 20 mm and 40 mm, in particular between 27 mm and 29 mm.

9. Battery assembly (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box (20) comprises a protection plate (130) extending on the external surface (33) of the lower support (30).

10. System (10) comprising at least two battery assemblies (12A, 12B) according to any one of the preceding claims, the at least two battery assemblies (12A, 12B) being superposed according to the vertical direction (Z), the lower support (30) of one among the two battery assemblies (12A, 12B) being the upper cover (50) of the other among the two battery assemblies (12A, 12B).

11. Method (200) for manufacturing at least one battery assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps: - providing (210) electrochemical battery modules (16); - providing (220) components of the receiving box (20), including the lower support (30) and the lateral partitions (60); - manufacturing (230) the battery assembly (12) by assembling, in particular by screwing, the lower support (30), the lateral partitions (60) and the upper cover (50) and by forming and arranging the at least one assembly (14) of electrochemical battery modules (16) in the receiving space (21).