Safe manual workstation for working on an electrochemical battery

Abstract

A manual workstation (1) for an operator to work manually on an electrochemical battery, comprising a worktop (3) on which there is mounted a support platform (4) designed to support the electrochemical battery, and a water tank (5) arranged below the worktop (3). According to the invention, the support platform forms a tilting hatch mounted on the worktop with the ability to pivot about a pivot axis (40) and coupled to a tilting actuator (6) configured to pivot and tilt said support platform from a working configuration in which said support platform is horizontal, to a tilted configuration in which said support platform is inclined with respect to the horizontal to form a downward slope directed towards the water tank in the event of the electrochemical battery catching fire. In addition, the support platform has a front edge (41) and an opposite rear edge, wherein, in the tilted configuration, said rear edge is lowered while said front edge is raised in order to form the downward slope.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Safe manual workstation for electrochemical battery operations

[0003] [Technical field]

[0004] The invention relates to a manual workstation for an operator to carry out manual operations on an electrochemical battery, as well as to a method of securing such a manual workstation in the event of a fire in the electrochemical battery.

[0005] [State of the art]

[0006] It is well known that operators manually intervene on an electrochemical battery, whether for testing, disassembly, inspection, or maintenance operations. However, there is a risk, particularly with lithium batteries, that during these operations the electrochemical battery could become thermally overheated and a fire could occur, for example in the event of a short circuit, overcharging, or damage to the electrochemical battery.

[0007] It is also common to provide fire-fighting devices so that the operator can intervene in the event of a fire breaking out in the electrochemical battery, such as a fire extinguisher, a water hose, or overhead sprinklers.

[0008] It is also known from documents CN114504749A and EP2929987A1 to use workstations comprising a work platform designed to receive the battery and placed above a water tank, and control means making it possible to move the work platform to bring the battery into the water tank in the event of a fire.

[0009] In document CN114504749A, the worktop is composed of two hinged panels articulated on a fixed frame, and more precisely a panel on the right pivotally mounted on an edge on the right of the fixed frame and a panel on the left pivotally mounted on an edge on the left of this fixed frame. In a working situation, the two hinged panels are coplanar and substantially joined and, in the event of a fire, the control means make it possible to tilt the two panels which pivot on the two respective edges of the fixed frame and which thus open like a hinged door, thus allowing the battery to fall into the water tank.

[0010] In document EP2929987A1, the control means operate in the manner of an elevator in order to lower the work platform into the tray. The work stations described in these two documents are however not entirely satisfactory, because they rely on a vertical fall (for CN114504749A after opening the two panels) or on a vertical descent (for EP2929987A1), which maintains a risk of flame rising towards the operator during the fall or vertical movement, in particular if the operator was leaning over the battery.

[0011] Also, there is a need to further secure the manual workstation, to protect the operator.

[0012] [Summary of the invention]

[0013] One aim of the invention is to improve the safety of manual workstations on electrochemical batteries in the face of the risk of fire starting from such an electrochemical battery.

[0014] To this end, the invention proposes a manual workstation for an operator to carry out manual operations on an electrochemical battery, such as, for example, testing, dismantling, checking or maintenance operations, this manual workstation comprising a work surface on which is mounted a support plate designed to support the electrochemical battery, and a water tank arranged below the work surface.

[0015] According to the invention, the support tray forms a tilting hatch by being pivotally mounted on the worktop about a pivot axis and being coupled to a tilting actuator configured to pivot and tilt said support tray from a working configuration in which said support tray is horizontal, to a tilted configuration in which said support tray is inclined relative to the horizontal to form a downward slope directed towards the water tank, and the support tray has an opposite front edge and a rear edge, where in the tilted configuration said rear edge is lowered while said front edge is raised to form the downward slope.

[0016] Thus, the invention proposes to arrange the water tank under the work surface (and preferably at the rear of the work surface; the operator being located at the front of the work surface) and therefore also under the support plate, and to place the electrochemical battery on the support plate which remains horizontal during the operator's work. In the event of a fire, the support plate tilts backwards, under the effect of the tilting actuator, so that the electrochemical battery falls into the water tank following the downward slope formed by the support plate. Thus, the electrochemical battery which has caught fire is secured by being immersed in the water tank, the water level of which is of course sufficient in relation to the dimensions of the electrochemical battery.

[0017] In addition, the tilting is easy to do backwards so that the electrochemical battery slides backwards towards the water tank, and the raised front edge improves operator safety because the support plate forms a sort of fire wall between the electrochemical battery and the operator.

[0018] According to one possibility, the front edge of the support plate extends in a direction parallel to the pivot axis. According to another possibility, the rear edge of the support plate extends in a direction parallel to the pivot axis.

[0019] According to one possibility, the pivot axis is located closer to the rear edge than to the front edge of the support plate, so that in the tilted configuration said front edge is raised relative to the work surface by a given height, called the safety height.

[0020] In this way, in the tilted configuration, the support tray protrudes above the work surface, thus interposing itself between the electrochemical battery and the operator, like a fire barrier.

[0021] Advantageously, considering a middle of the support plate located equidistant from the front edge and the rear edge, the pivot axis is located closer to the middle than to the rear edge of the support plate.

[0022] This feature is advantageous in avoiding catapulting or projection of the electrochemical battery, and thus in promoting a sliding descent of the battery along the downward slope defined by the support plate.

[0023] Alternatively, the manual workstation comprises a transparent front wall arranged above and in front of the work surface and designed to face the operator, this transparent front wall having a lower edge located at a given height, called the working height, relative to the work surface, where the safety height is greater than or equal to said working height.

[0024] During work, the operator can pass his hands under the transparent front wall, in the space between the work surface and the lower edge of the transparent front wall. In the event of a fire on the electrochemical battery, the support plate tilts and its front edge rises to the point of reaching or even exceeding, in height, the lower edge of the transparent front wall, so that the protection of the operator is improved.

[0025] Alternatively, the manual workstation comprises an autonomous energy reserve connected to the tilt actuator, such as at least one compressed air reserve or an electric battery. Such an autonomous energy reserve is advantageous for activating the tilt actuator, even in the event of a power failure.

[0026] In a particular embodiment, the tilting actuator comprises at least one cylinder articulated on the support plate to push or pull the support plate in order to pivot it around the pivot axis from the working configuration to the tilted configuration, and vice versa.

[0027] The use of a jack is advantageous for controlling the tilting speed of the support plate, and thus avoiding projection of the electrochemical battery or jamming of the electrochemical battery.

[0028] In a particular embodiment, the manual workstation comprises at least one emergency button connected to the tilt actuator to manually activate said tilt actuator and thus tilt the support plate.

[0029] This allows the operator to tilt the support plate by pressing the emergency button.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the manual workstation comprises at least one fire sensor capable of measuring a fire parameter representative of the start of a fire in the electrochemical battery on the support plate, and a control unit connected to the at least one fire sensor and connected to the tilting actuator to automatically activate said tilting actuator and thus tilt the support plate according to the fire parameter measured by the at least one fire sensor.

[0031] Thus, the tilting of the support plate can be done automatically, without human intervention; which is advantageous if the fire starts when the operator has left his post or is unable to press the aforementioned emergency button.

[0032] According to one characteristic, the at least one fire sensor comprises at least one of the following sensors chosen from: a smoke sensor, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor.

[0033] Alternatively, the water tank is mounted on a transport trolley.

[0034] Thus, once the electrochemical battery is in the water tank, the trolley can be transported to a secure area, for example outside, for quarantine of the water tank and the electrochemical battery.

[0035] Advantageously, the transport trolley supports a cover adapted to cover the water tank, said cover being configurable between a raised position when the transport trolley is placed under the worktop, and a lowered position covering the water tank when the transport trolley is moved out from under the worktop.

[0036] Thus, when the electrochemical battery is dropped into the water tank, the transport trolley is pulled out from under the worktop and the cover automatically lowers to cover the water tank. The cover can move into the lowered position under its own weight and / or under the effect of an elastic return member.

[0037] According to another possibility, the manual workstation comprises at least one presence sensor configured to detect a presence of the water tank in a position, called the safety position, which is adapted to receive the electrochemical battery which falls from the support tray having tilted towards the tilted configuration.

[0038] This presence sensor is advantageous in being able to signal the presence or absence of the water tank in the safety position, and thus to alert the operator that the manual workstation is safe or not, and that he must, if necessary, place a water tank in the safety position.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the manual workstation comprises at least one water level sensor configured to detect a minimum water level in the water tank.

[0040] This water level sensor is advantageous in being able to signal whether the water tank is sufficiently filled with water or not to accommodate a burning electrochemical battery, and thus to alert the operator that the manual workstation is safe or not, and that he must, if necessary, fill the water tank with water.

[0041] Advantageously, the manual workstation comprises at least one tool equipped with at least one cable, such as for example a power supply cable and / or a low current cable for a computer connection, in which said at least one cable follows a wiring path which first passes under the work surface and then passes through a rear edge of the work surface to pass over the work surface.

[0042] So, when the electrochemical battery is sliding towards the water tank, after tilting the support plate, and if this tool is connected to the electrochemical battery, then this wiring path ensures that the cable will not brake and prevent the electrochemical battery from falling into the water tank.

[0043] The invention also relates to a method of securing a manual workstation as described above, in the event of a fire breaking out in the electrochemical battery which is placed on the support tray in its working configuration, this method of securing implementing an activation of the tilting actuator to pivot and tilt said support tray towards the tilted configuration in which its rear edge is lowered while its front edge is raised to define the downward slope, so that the electrochemical battery falls into the water tank following the downward slope formed by said support tray.

[0044] [Brief description of the figures]

[0045] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description below, of a non-limiting example of implementation, made with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0046] [Fig 1] is a schematic view of a manual workstation with the support platform in working configuration;

[0047] [Fig 2] is a schematic front view (top) and along section plane BB (bottom) of the manual workstation of Figure 1;

[0048] [Fig 3] is a schematic view of the manual workstation with the support plate in a tilted configuration;

[0049] [Fig 4] is a schematic front view (top) and along section plane AA (bottom) of the manual workstation of Figure 3;

[0050] [Fig 5] is a partial schematic view of the manual workstation of Figure 1, with the presence of an electrochemical battery on the support plate which is in working configuration;

[0051] [Fig 6] is a partial schematic view of the manual workstation of Figure 3, with the electrochemical battery beginning to slide towards the water tank following the passage of the support tray into the tilted configuration;

[0052] [Fig 7] is a schematic view of the transport trolley on which the water tank is mounted, and with its cover in the raised position;

[0053] [Fig 8] is a schematic view of the transport trolley on which the water tank is mounted, and with its cover in the lowered position.

[0054] [Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention]

[0055] With reference to Figures 1 to 6, a manual workstation 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is used for an operator to carry out manual operations on an electrochemical battery 2 (illustrated in Figures 5 and 6), such as for example testing, dismantling, checking and / or maintenance operations.

[0056] This manual workstation 1 comprises a work surface 3 which rests on feet 30 so as to be raised above the ground, and this work surface 3 extends horizontally, or substantially horizontally to within plus or minus 5 degrees. Thus, the operator can position himself facing the work surface 3, for example on a chair or a stool, with his legs under the work surface 3.

[0057] This work surface 3 comprises a front edge 31 and a rear edge 32 opposite each other, as well as two side edges 33, right and left. For the purposes of the invention, the term "front" to designate a part refers to the part closest to the operator, while the term "rear" to designate a part refers to the part furthest from the operator. The work surface 3 also has an upper face 34 and a lower face 35 opposite each other; the lower face 35 is turned downwards facing the ground, while the upper face 34 is turned upwards.

[0058] The worktop 3 also includes an opening 36 which opens into both its upper face 34 and its lower face 35, this opening 36 thus forming a window in its thickness. This opening 36 also opens into the rear edge 32 of the worktop 3.

[0059] This manual workstation 1 comprises a support tray 4 which is mounted hinged on the work surface 3 inside its opening 36. As visible in FIG. 5, this support tray 4 has the function of supporting the electrochemical battery 2 during operations on it. The support tray 4 thus forms a tilting hatch by being pivotally mounted on the work surface 3 around a pivot axis 40. This pivot axis 40 is for example parallel to the front edge 31 of the work surface 3.

[0060] The support plate 4 comprises an opposite front edge 41 and a rear edge 42, as well as two right and left side edges 43. The support plate 4 also has an opposite upper face 44 and a lower face 45.

[0061] The front edge 31 and the rear edge 32 of the worktop 3 extend in directions parallel to the pivot axis 40, and these edges 31, 32 are even parallel to the pivot axis 40. The front edge 41 and the rear edge 42 of the support plate 4 extend in directions parallel to the pivot axis 40, and these edges 41, 42 are even parallel to the pivot axis 40.

[0062] The pivot axis 40 is provided on the lower face 45 of the support plate 4. More precisely, the support plate 4 supports, on its lower face 45, a shaft 46 which defines the pivot axis 40 and which is pivotally mounted in bearings 37 which are fixed on the lower face 35 of the work surface 3.

[0063] This support plate 4 is thus movable by pivoting between:

[0064] - a working configuration visible in Figures 1, 2 and 5, in which the support plate 4 is horizontal, that is to say that it extends horizontally, or substantially horizontally to within plus or minus 5 degrees; and

[0065] - a tilted configuration visible in Figures 3, 4 and 6 in which the support plate 4 is inclined relative to the horizontal at an angle greater than or equal to 30 degrees, or even greater than or equal to 45 degrees.

[0066] When the support plate 4 is in the working configuration, it fully occupies the opening 36, in a contiguous manner, apart from the mounting clearance. In the working configuration, the upper face 44 of the support plate 4 is substantially coplanar with the upper face 34 of the work surface 3.

[0067] The manual workstation 1 also comprises a water tank 5 arranged below the work surface 3, and below the support plate 4. This water tank 5 is intended to be filled with water. This water tank 5 extends to the rear of the manual workstation 1, below the rear edge 32 of the work surface 3 and the rear edge 42 of the support plate 4. The water tank 5 even extends beyond these two rear edges 32, 42, towards the rear; in other words the water tank 5 protrudes from these two rear edges 32, 42.

[0068] When the support plate 4 is in the tilted configuration, it forms a downward slope directed towards the rear, and therefore also directed towards the water tank 5, so that the electrochemical battery 2 slides along this downward slope to fall into the water tank 5. In other words, in the tilted configuration, the downward slope of the support plate 4 is defined from its front edge 41 which is raised, to its rear edge 42 which is lowered.

[0069] To pivot, and therefore tilt, the support plate 4, the manual workstation 1 comprises a tilting actuator 6 coupled to the support plate 4 and configured to pivot and tilt this support plate 4 from the working configuration to the tilted configuration, and vice versa for a return to the working configuration.

[0070] In the example illustrated, this tilting actuator 6 is a double-acting cylinder provided with a cylinder body 60 articulated on a part 39 secured to the work surface 3, and a rod 61 sliding in the cylinder body 60 and having a free end articulated on the support plate 4, and more specifically on the lower face 45 of the support plate 4. The part 39 can be formed of a beam extending on the underside of the work surface 3 and secured to the feet 30.

[0071] The articulation of the rod 61 on the support plate 4 is located between the pivot axis 40 and the front edge 41 of the support plate 4. Thus, this cylinder is positioned below the support plate 4, and the rod 61 is retracted inside the cylinder body 60 in the working configuration, and on the other hand the rod 61 is deployed outside the cylinder body 60 in the tilted configuration. In other words, the cylinder pushes the support plate 4 to tilt it, and pulls on the support plate 4 to bring it back into the working configuration.

[0072] As seen in Figure 4, in the toggled configuration:

[0073] - the rear edge 42 of the support plate 4 is lowered, in the direction where it has passed below the lower face 35 of the work surface 3; and

[0074] - the front edge 41 of the support plate 4 is raised, in the direction where it has passed above the upper face 34 of the work surface 3.

[0075] Furthermore, the pivot axis 40 is located closer to the rear edge 42 of the support plate 4 than to the front edge 41 of the support plate 4. Considering the width LP of the support plate 4 which corresponds to the distance between its front edge 41 and its rear edge 42, and considering the distance DA between the pivot axis 40 and the rear edge 42 of the support plate 4, then the distance DA is less than half the width LP of the support plate 4, i.e. DA <LA / 2.

[0076] Furthermore, considering a middle of the support plate 4 located equidistant from the front edge 41 and the rear edge 42 of the support plate 4, the pivot axis 40 is located closer to the middle than to the rear edge 421 of the support plate 4. In other words, the distance DA is between LA / 4 and LA / 2, i.e. LA / 4 <DA<LA / 2.

[0077] Thus, with such positioning of the pivot axis 40, when the support plate 4 is in the tilted configuration:

[0078] - the front edge 41 of the support plate 4 is raised relative to the work surface 3 (and more specifically relative to the upper face 34 of the work surface 3) to a given height, called the safety height HS;

[0079] - the rear edge 42 of the support plate 4 is lowered relative to the work surface 3 (and more specifically relative to the lower face 35 of the work surface 3) to a given height, called the lower height HI, where this lower height HI is lower than the safety height HI.

[0080] In other words, the front edge 41 of the support plate 4 is raised more than the rear edge 42 is lowered. Raising the front edge 41 amounts to raising this front edge 41 high, and therefore to forming a high fire barrier between the operator and the electrochemical battery 2 on fire and which begins to be evacuated towards the water tank 5, without projection or catapulting phenomenon, the electrochemical battery 2 simply sliding along the downward slope on the upper face 44 of the support plate 4.

[0081] The manual workstation 1 comprises at least one emergency button 62 connected to the tilting actuator 6 (here the jack) to manually activate this tilting actuator 6 and thus tilt the support plate 4 to the tilted configuration. This emergency button 62 is accessible to the operator and, in the example illustrated, this emergency button 62 is placed on the front edge 31 of the work surface 3.

[0082] Manual workstation 1 may also include:

[0083] - at least one fire sensor 63 capable of measuring a fire parameter representative of the start of a fire in the electrochemical battery 2 on the support plate 4, such as by a smoke sensor, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor; and

[0084] - a control unit 64 connected to the at least one fire sensor 63 and connected to the tilting actuator 6 to automatically activate this tilting actuator 6 and thus tilt the support plate 4 according to the fire parameter measured by the at least one fire sensor 63.

[0085] It is further advantageous for the manual workstation 1 to comprise an autonomous energy reserve 65 connected to the tilt actuator 6, so as to be able to activate the tilt actuator 6 even in the event of a power failure. In the case where the tilt actuator 6 is a hydraulic actuator, such as for example a hydraulic cylinder, then the autonomous energy reserve 65 is a compressed air reserve. In the case where the tilt actuator 6 is an electric actuator, such as for example an electric cylinder, then the autonomous energy reserve 65 is a pre-charged electric battery.

[0086] The manual workstation 1 comprises a hood 7 placed above the work surface 3 and therefore also the support tray 4, where this hood 7 is connected to an extraction system 73 for extracting the toxic fumes which are emitted during a fire in the electrochemical battery 2, and in particular lithium fires. This extraction system 73 can advantageously be connected to a general extractor of the building in which the manual workstation 1 is arranged, in order to have an evacuation of the toxic fumes to the outside of the building.

[0087] This hood 7 can be equipped with a transparent front wall 70 arranged above and in front of the work surface 3 and designed to face the operator. This transparent front wall 70 has a lower edge 71 located at a given height, called the working height HT, relative to the work surface 3.

[0088] Advantageously, the safety height HS is greater than or equal to the working height HT. In other words, in the tilted configuration, the front edge 41 of the support plate 4 is raised higher, or as high, as the transparent front wall 70, which increases the safety of the operator, with a double barrier which overlaps and which includes the transparent front wall 70 and the support plate 4 which is tilted. In the example illustrated, the safety height HS is equal to the working height HT.

[0089] With reference to Figures 7 and 8, the water tank 5 is mounted on a transport trolley 50, provided with rollers 52, so as to be able to evacuate the water tank 5 with the electrochemical battery 2 to a secure location.

[0090] This transport trolley 50 supports a cover 51 adapted to cover the water tank 5. This cover 51 is configurable between:

[0091] - a raised position (visible in Figure 7) when the transport trolley 50 is placed under the work surface 3, as also visible in Figure 2; and

[0092] - a lowered position (visible in Figure 8) covering the water tank 5 when the transport trolley 50 is moved out from under the work surface 3, in other words when the transport trolley 50 is removed and evacuated.

[0093] Thus, when the transport trolley 50 is pulled for evacuation, the cover 51 falls automatically (for example under its own weight) to cover the water tank 5.

[0094] It is furthermore advantageous for the manual workstation 1 to comprise at least one presence sensor 52 configured to detect a presence of the water tank 5 in a position, called the safety position, which is the position visible in Figures 1 to 6, in which the water tank 5 is placed under the work surface 3 in order to be able to receive the electrochemical battery 2 which falls from the support tray 4 having tilted towards the tilted configuration.

[0095] This presence sensor 52 may be a mechanical sensor, an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, or any other type of sensor which makes it possible to detect the physical presence of the water tank 5 (or the transport trolley 50) in the safety position.

[0096] This presence sensor 52 thus makes it possible to signal the presence or absence of the water tank 5 in the safety position, so that the operator is alerted whether the manual workstation 1 is secure or not, and that he must, if necessary, place a water tank 5 in the safety position.

[0097] Thus, this presence sensor 52 can be connected to a controller, itself connected to a signaling system (for example a screen or a visual alarm), so as to signal that the manual workstation 1 is secure or not depending on the presence or absence of the water tank 5 in the safety position.

[0098] It is also advantageous for the manual workstation 1 to comprise at least one water level sensor configured to detect a minimum water level in the water tank 5. This water level sensor may be an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, a magnetic sensor, a buoyancy sensor, or any other type of sensor that makes it possible to detect the water level in the water tank 5.

[0099] This water level sensor thus makes it possible to signal the presence or absence of a satisfactory minimum water level in the water tank 5, so that the operator is alerted whether the manual workstation 1 is secure or not, and that he must, if necessary, come and fill the water tank 5 with water.

[0100] Thus, this water level sensor can be connected to a controller, itself connected to a signaling system (for example a screen or a visual alarm), so as to signal that the manual workstation 1 is secure or not depending on the presence or absence of the minimum water level in the water tank 5.

[0101] The manual workstation 1 can be equipped with several tools used to carry out the manual operation(s) on the electrochemical battery 2, such as for example testing, dismantling, inspection, or maintenance operations.

[0102] With reference to Figures 5 and 6, at least one of the tools may be a tool 8 equipped with at least one cable 80, such as for example a power supply cable and / or a low current cable for a computer connection.

[0103] This tool 8 can be connected to the electrochemical battery 2 during the operation carried out by the operator. When the electrochemical battery 2 falls into the water tank 5, under the effect of the tilting of the support plate, the at least one cable 80 necessarily accompanies the electrochemical battery 2, and it is of course preferable that this at least one cable 80 does not oppose any resistance which would lead to hindering the electrochemical battery 2 in its fall, and that moreover this at least one cable 80 does not retain the electrochemical battery 2 in suspension above the water tank 5 without reaching the water.

[0104] Also, and as schematically illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, a proposed solution is that the at least one cable 80 follows a wiring path which first passes under the work surface 3 (in other words on the side of its lower face 35) and which then passes through the rear edge 32 of the work surface 3 to pass over the work surface 3 (in other words on the side of its lower face 34). In this way, this at least one cable 80 will not hinder the fall of the electrochemical battery, thanks to such a wiring path.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Manual workstation (1) for carrying out manual operations on an electrochemical battery (2) by an operator, such as for example testing, dismantling, inspection, or maintenance operations, said manual workstation (1) comprising a work surface (3) on which is mounted a support plate (4) provided to support the electrochemical battery (2), and a water tank (5) arranged below the work surface (3), said manual workstation (1) being characterized in that said support plate (4) forms a tilting hatch by being pivotally mounted on the work surface (3) about a pivot axis (40) and by being coupled to a tilting actuator (6) configured to pivot and tilt said support plate (4) from a working configuration in which said support plate (4) is horizontal,to a tilted configuration in which said support tray (4) is inclined relative to the horizontal to form a downward slope directed towards the water tank (5), and in that the support tray (4) has an opposite front edge (41) and rear edge (42), where in the tilted configuration said rear edge (42) is lowered while said front edge (41) is raised to form the downward slope., 2. Manual workstation (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pivot axis (40) is located closer to the rear edge (42) than to the front edge (41) of the support plate (4), so that in the tilted configuration said front edge (41) is raised relative to the work surface (3) by a given height, called the safety height (HS).

3. Manual workstation (1) according to claim 2, wherein, considering a middle of the support plate (4) located equidistant from the front edge (41) and the rear edge (42), the pivot axis (40) is located closer to the middle than to the rear edge (42) of the support plate (4).

4. Manual workstation (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said manual workstation (1) comprises a transparent front wall (70) arranged above and in front of the work surface (3) and provided to face the operator, said transparent front wall (70) having a lower edge (71) located at a given height, called working height (HT), relative to the work surface (3), where the safety height (HS) is greater than or equal to said working height (HT).

5. Manual workstation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said manual workstation (1) comprises an autonomous energy reserve (65) connected to the tilting actuator (6), such as for example at least one compressed air reserve or an electric battery.

6. Manual workstation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tilting actuator (6) comprises at least one cylinder articulated on the support plate (4) to push or pull the support plate (4) in order to pivot it around the pivot axis (40) from the working configuration to the tilted configuration, and vice versa.

7. Manual workstation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said manual workstation (1) comprises at least one emergency button (62) connected to the tilting actuator (6) for manually activating said tilting actuator (6) and thus tilting the support plate (4).

8. Manual workstation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said manual workstation (1) comprises at least one fire sensor (63) capable of measuring a fire parameter representative of a fire outbreak of the electrochemical battery (2) on the support plate (4), and a control unit (64) connected to the at least one fire sensor (63) and connected to the tilting actuator (6) to automatically activate said tilting actuator (6) and thus tilt the support plate (4) as a function of the fire parameter measured by the at least one fire sensor (63).

9. Manual workstation (1) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one fire sensor (63) comprises at least one of the following sensors chosen from: a smoke sensor, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor.

10. Manual workstation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the water tank (5) is mounted on a transport trolley (50).

11. Manual workstation (1) according to claim 10, wherein the transport trolley (50) supports a cover (61) adapted to cover the water tank (5), said cover (61) being configurable between a raised position when the transport trolley (50) is placed under the work surface (3), and a lowered position covering the water tank (5) when the transport trolley (50) is moved out from under the work surface (3).

12. Manual workstation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said manual workstation (1) comprises at least one presence sensor (52) configured to detect a presence of the water tank (5) in a position, called the safety position, which is adapted to receive the electrochemical battery (2) which falls from the support tray (4) having tilted towards the tilted configuration.

13. Manual workstation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said manual workstation (1) comprises at least one water level sensor configured to detect a minimum water level in the water tank (5).

14. Manual workstation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said manual workstation (1) comprises at least one tool (8) equipped with at least one cable (80) which follows a wiring path which first passes under the worktop (3) and which then passes through a rear edge (32) of the worktop (3) to pass over the worktop (3).

15. A method of securing a manual workstation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in the event of a fire breaking out in the electrochemical battery (2) which is placed on the support plate (4) in its working configuration, said securing method implementing an activation of the tilting actuator (6) to pivot and tilt said support plate (4) towards the tilted configuration in which its rear edge (42) is lowered while its front edge (41) is raised to define the downward slope, so that the electrochemical battery (2) falls into the water tank (5) following the downward slope formed by said support plate (4).

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