Vehicle battery module charging / discharging device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for loading / unloading vehicle battery modules, said device comprising a housing delimited by walls and configured to receive several battery modules, said housing being provided with an access hatch and wherein the modules have the capacity to move within said housing between a use position in which they are installed in said housing and a loading / unloading position in which they are graspable from the access hatch. And wherein: - the housing comprises one or more guide rails, - each module is equipped with one or more rolling or sliding elements that cooperate with the rail(s) such that the walls of said module are not in contact with the walls of the housing during its movement between the use position and the loading / unloading position.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for charging / discharging vehicle battery modules Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for loading / discharging vehicle battery modules. It also relates to a vehicle and a terminal incorporating such a device.

[0002] It relates to the technical field of devices allowing rapid changing of battery modules on board a vehicle. State of the art

[0003] Hybrid or electric vehicle batteries generally comprise several modules connected together so that they can together deliver the required electrical power. Many problems are currently associated with recharging these batteries. First of all, there are few charging stations in public spaces. In addition, it takes a relatively long time (up to several hours) to fully recharge the battery.

[0004] The prior art discloses solutions to the aforementioned problems. Some of these solutions consist not in recharging the batteries, but in easily replacing them. Patent document US 10232722 discloses, for example, a device for loading / unloading battery modules in which the modules are cylindrical. These cylindrical modules can roll, but without real control of their movement. In patent document US 10981465, the modules are robotized to move autonomously. However, these are more experimental devices which are particularly complex to produce and very expensive. Patent document DE102005053305 discloses another device in which the entire battery is charged / unloaded from the vehicle. Also, it is necessary to provide a relatively bulky access hatch on the vehicle, so that in practice, this solution can hardly be adapted to conventional vehicles.

[0005] The invention aims to overcome all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, one objective of the invention is to provide a device for loading / discharging battery modules which is of simple design, inexpensive and easy to install. Another objective of the invention is to provide a device for loading / discharging battery modules which is suitable for existing battery modules, with a minimum of modifications. Presentation of the invention

[0006] The solution proposed by the invention is a loading / unloading device of vehicle battery modules, said device comprising a housing delimited by walls and configured to receive several modules of a battery, which housing is provided with an access hatch and in which the modules have a capacity of movement in said housing between a position of use in which they are installed in said housing and a loading / unloading position in which they are grippable from the access hatch. And in which: - the housing comprises one or more guide rails, - each module is equipped with one or more rolling or sliding elements which cooperate with the rail(s) so that the walls of said module are not in contact with the walls of the housing when it is moved between the position of use and the loading / unloading position.

[0007] The movement of the modules is now controlled very precisely by the guide rail(s). The installation of this or these rails in a vehicle battery housing or in a battery housing of a charging station or terminal can be carried out easily. The same applies to the installation of rolling or sliding elements on existing battery modules. Furthermore, since the walls of the modules are not in contact with the walls of the housing during their movement, the friction between said modules and said housing is reduced, or even harmed. The modules can thus be moved very easily, without it being necessary to use powerful and / or bulky actuators.

[0008] Other advantageous features of the invention are listed below. Each of these features may be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable features defined above. Each of these features contributes, where appropriate, to the resolution of specific technical problems defined further in the description and in which the other features defined above do not necessarily contribute. The following features may thus be the subject, where appropriate, of one or more divisional patent applications:

[0009] According to one embodiment, each module is parallelepiped in shape and has an upper wall, a lower wall and side walls; the access hatch is shaped to the dimensions of the wall of the module with the smallest surface area.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the guide rail(s) are arranged or shaped so that the movement of the modules has at least one change of direction, so as to place the wall of the module which has the smallest surface area opposite the access hatch when said module is in the loading / unloading position.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the guide rail(s) are installed at an upper wall of the housing; the rolling or sliding elements are installed on an upper wall of each module so that the modules are suspended in said housing.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the guide rail(s) are installed at a lower wall of the housing; the rolling or sliding elements are installed on a lower wall of each module.

[0013] According to another embodiment, one or more guide rails are installed at side walls of the housing; rolling or sliding elements are installed on side walls of each module. In this embodiment, each module may also comprise one or more other rolling or sliding elements installed on an upper or lower wall of said module, which other elements are adapted to cooperate with one or more transverse rails installed at an upper or lower wall of the housing.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the device comprises a drawer accessible from the hatch and in which each module is placed in the loading / unloading position.

[0015] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle incorporating a loading / unloading device according to one of the preceding characteristics.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a chassis, said vehicle comprising one of the following characteristics: - the housing is installed above the chassis and the hatch is fitted above the chassis, or - the housing is installed at the same level as the chassis and the hatch is fitted below or above said chassis, the rails (being arranged to lower or raise the modules to the level of said hatch.

[0017] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a terminal for charging / discharging battery modules, which terminal integrates a charging / discharging device according to one of the preceding characteristics. Brief description of the figures

[0018] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of the embodiments which follow, with reference to the appended drawings, produced as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which: [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a battery. [Fig.2] is a schematic view of a battery module. [Fig.3] is a schematic view of a device according to the invention installed in a vehicle. [Fig.4A] is a schematic top view of a device according to the invention installed in a vehicle. [Fig.4B] is a schematic sectional view along AA of the device of [Fig.4A]. [Fig.4C] is a schematic sectional view along BB of the device of [Fig.4A]. [Fig.4D] is a schematic sectional view along BB of the device of [Fig.4A] according to an alternative embodiment. [Fig.5] is a schematic top view of a device according to the invention installed in a vehicle, in an alternative embodiment. [Fig. 6A] is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a device according to the invention in an alternative embodiment. [Fig. 6B] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention in an alternative embodiment. [Fig.7A] is a schematic top view of a device according to the invention installed in a vehicle, according to an alternative embodiment. [Fig.7B] is a schematic sectional view along AA of the device of [Fig.7A]. [Fig.7C] is a schematic sectional view along BB of the device of [Fig.7A]. [Fig.8A] is a schematic top view of a device according to the invention installed in a vehicle, according to an alternative embodiment. [Fig.8B] is a schematic sectional view along BB of the device of [Fig.8A]. [Fig.9] is a schematic view of an installation comprising a terminal and a vehicle in accordance with the invention. Description of the embodiments

[0019] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the possible use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc., to describe an object simply indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are mentioned and does not imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, whether in time, space, ordering or in any other way. "X and / or Y" means: X alone or Y alone or X+Y. Generally speaking, it will be appreciated that in the various accompanying drawings, the objects are arbitrarily drawn to facilitate their reading.

[0020] The device according to the invention can be used for charging and / or discharging battery modules from a vehicle or from a charging terminal or station.

[0021] By "vehicle" is meant any type of vehicle using batteries, whether this vehicle is electrically or hybridly powered: rolling vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, scooter, etc.), flying vehicle (plane, helicopter, etc.), marine vehicle (boat, jet-ski, etc.). In the remainder of the description, and for the sake of clarity and conciseness only, reference is made to a motor vehicle, in particular a car.

[0022] By “battery” is meant an electric battery of the lithium-ion type, a battery hydrogen and generally any type of battery capable of storing electrical energy for the operation of the vehicle.

[0023] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the battery 1 is made up of several interchangeable modules 10r 104 (for example from 2 to 10 modules). These modules are physically independent of each other, but, when connected together, make it possible to deliver together the electrical power required for the operation of the vehicle. According to a preferred embodiment, the modules IO1-IO4 are identical, each module 10; being parallelepiped in shape and having an upper wall 100, a lower wall 101 and side walls 102, 103. In [Fig.2], the module 10 has two end side walls 102 and two longitudinal side walls 103, said end side walls 102 having the smallest surface area. The smaller surface area could, however, be that of another wall, for example that of the upper wall 100 or the lower wall 101.For example, each module 10; has a length of between 10 cm and 50 cm, a width of between 5 cm and 30 cm and a height of between 5 cm and 20 cm. The modules are not, however, limited to these dimensions.

[0024] According to one embodiment, each module 10 has an envelope (or casing in English) allowing individual operation and notably integrating a cooling system.

[0025] In [Fig. 3], different modules IO1-IO7 are installed in a housing 2. This housing can be integrated into a vehicle V or into a charging terminal or station as explained further in the description. The vehicle V also comprises a control unit 3 adapted to regulate the electrical power (voltage and / or current) delivered to one or more components, accessories and / or actuators such as an electric drive motor of said vehicle.

[0026] The housing 2 is delimited by walls 20, its shape being complementary to the battery 1. In the case of a car V, the housing 2 is preferably located above the chassis C. It can however be located at the same level as the chassis C or below depending on the type and / or model of the vehicle V. According to a preferred embodiment making it possible to avoid any major modification of the vehicle V, this housing 2 is the one initially intended for the battery 1. According to an alternative embodiment, it can be a dedicated housing added to the vehicle V.

[0027] The housing 2 is provided with an access hatch 21 allowing the loading and unloading of the modules IO1-IO7. This hatch 21 is preferably arranged on the body of the vehicle V, on one side thereof. The hatch 21 may however be located elsewhere, for example at the front, at the rear or under the vehicle V.

[0028] This hatch 21 can be opened manually (type fuel tank access hatch or electric charging socket access hatch) or automatically, for example from a dedicated control installed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle V or by a control signal emitted remotely, for example from a terminal as explained further in the description. According to a preferred embodiment, the access hatch 21 is shaped to the dimensions of the wall 102 of the module which has the smallest surface area. The size of the hatch 21 is thus reduced to a minimum, so that it can be easily integrated into an existing commercial vehicle, in particular on one side of said vehicle.

[0029] The modules 10r 107 have a capacity to move in the housing 2 between a position of use in which they are installed in said housing and a loading / unloading position in which they can be grasped from the access hatch 21. In FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, the modules 10r 106 are in the position of use and the module 107 is in the loading / unloading position.

[0030] To ensure the movement of the modules 10r107, the housing 2 comprises one or more guide rails. This or these rails can be fixed on the internal walls of the housing 2 or on its external walls. Fixing on the external walls has the advantage of not cluttering the internal space of the housing 2.

[0031] In Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, the housing 2 comprises two longitudinal rails 22a connected to a transverse rail 22b. The longitudinal rails 22a guide the modules along the length of the housing 2. The transverse rail 22b guides the modules along the width of the housing, towards the hatch 21.

[0032] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention which applies to all the embodiments, the guide rail(s) are arranged or shaped in such a way that the movement of the modules has at least one change of direction, so as to place the wall 102 which has the smallest surface area opposite the hatch 21 when said module is in the loading / unloading position. This characteristic makes it possible to have a hatch 21 whose size is reduced to a minimum, so that it can be easily installed in a chosen area of ​​the vehicle V.

[0033] Each module 10r107 is equipped with one or more rolling or sliding elements 122 which cooperate with the rail(s) 22a, 22b so that the walls 101, 102, 103 of said module are not in contact with the walls of the housing 20 during its movement between the position of use and the loading / unloading position. The elements 122 may be in the form of wheels with fixed or multidirectional axles, rolling rollers, sliding pads, multidirectional balls, or in any other form suitable to those skilled in the art. They can be easily fixed to existing battery modules without it being necessary to modify their design.

[0034] In the embodiment of Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, the rails 22a, 22b are installed at an upper wall of the housing 2 and the elements 122 are installed on the upper walls of the IO1-IO7 modules. The modules are thus suspended in the housing 2. The elements 122 are here installed inside the rails 22a, 22b. This constructive solution is particularly compact, simple and inexpensive to implement in existing vehicles, and allows very simple guidance of the 10i-107 modules, with minimal friction.

[0035] In [Fig.4C], the housing 2 is installed above the chassis C. The hatch 21 can then be arranged without difficulty at the same level as the housing 2, that is to say above the chassis C, the physical integrity of the latter being preserved.

[0036] For unloading the modules IO1-IO7, these are first moved along the longitudinal rails 22a until they reach the transverse rail 22b. As soon as the elements 122 are engaged with the transverse rail 22b, each module is moved transversely until it reaches the hatch 21.

[0037] For loading the modules IO1-IO7, these are inserted through the hatch 21 so that their elements 122 are engaged with the transverse rail 22b. They are then moved along the transverse rail 22b until the elements 122 engage in the longitudinal rails 22a. Each module is then moved longitudinally until it reaches its position of use.

[0038] The movement of the modules 10r 107 can be carried out manually or preferably automatically. To do this, the elements 122 can be motorized so that the modules IO1-IO7 can move autonomously. According to another embodiment, the housing 2 and / or the rails 22a, 22b integrate actuators of the jack or conveyor type adapted to move the modules IO1-IO7. The automatic movement of the modules IO1-IO7 is advantageously controlled by a control unit, for example of the computer, processor, microprocessor, CPU (for Central Processing Unit) type.

[0039] In the variant of [Fig.4D], the housing 2 is installed at the same level as the chassis C. To avoid having to modify the latter, the hatch 21 is here arranged below said chassis. The rails 22a and 22b can then be connected by a ramp 22c adapted to lower the modules to the level of the hatch 21. This solution is particularly suitable for truck-type vehicles, where the chassis C is far from the ground, and where the positioning of the hatch 21 between said chassis and said ground does not generate any particular installation constraints. The ramp 22c can for example be in the form of an inclined rail. Similarly, the hatch 21 can be arranged above the chassis C, the ramp 22c being adapted to raise the modules to the level of said hatch.

[0040] In the embodiment of [Fig.5], the housing 2 comprises a single longitudinal rail 22a. This configuration is suitable for IO1-IO7 modules of reduced length, while a configuration with two or more longitudinal rails such as illustrated in [Fig.4A] is more suitable for IO1-IO7 modules which are long and require better balancing in their guidance. The longitudinal rail 22a and the transverse rail 22b may be formed by only one rail with a 90° change of direction.

[0041] In the embodiment of Figures 6A and 6B, the rails 22a, 22b are installed at a lower wall of the housing 2 and the elements 122 are installed on the lower walls of the modules IO1-IO7. This constructive solution is particularly advantageous when particular installation constraints (for example, reduced space) appear above the housing 2, but without particular constraints below said housing. A configuration similar to [Fig.5], i.e. with a single longitudinal rail 22a, is conceivable.

[0042] In the embodiment of Figures 7A, 7B and 7C, the longitudinal rails 22a are installed at the lateral walls (i.e. on the sides) of the housing 2 and the elements 122 are installed on the lateral walls of the modules IO1-IO7. This constructive solution is particularly advantageous when particular installation constraints (for example, limited space) appear above and below the housing 2. Each module 10r 107 may also comprise one or more other rolling or sliding elements 1220 installed on an upper (or lower) wall of said module. These other elements 1220 are of the aforementioned type. They make it possible to simply ensure the change of direction of the modules. They are adapted to cooperate with the transverse rail 22b which is installed at an upper (or lower) wall of the housing 2.When a module 107 reaches the transverse rail 22b, the element 1220 engages with the transverse rail 22b so that said module can be moved transversely until it reaches the hatch 21.

[0043] In the aforementioned embodiments, the transverse rail 22b can be replaced by a drawer accessible from the hatch 21 and in which each module is placed in the loading / unloading position.

[0044] The embodiment of Figures 8A and 8B is similar to that of Figures 7A, 7B and 7C, the housing 2 however being devoid of a transverse rail. The modules IO1-IO7 are thus only guided longitudinally by the rails 22a, without change of direction. In this configuration, the hatch 21 is located in the extension of the longitudinal rails 22a and is shaped to the dimensions of the wall 103 of the module 10 which has the largest surface area. One or more longitudinal rails 22a may be provided, installed at the upper or lower or lateral walls of the housing 2, which rails may complement or replace the rails installed at the lateral walls of said housing.

[0045] [Fig.9] illustrates an installation comprising a loading / unloading terminal or station B (the two terms being synonymous within the meaning of the invention). Terminal B is equipped with a loading / unloading device similar to that described previously. In [Fig.9], this loading / unloading device corresponds to that of [Fig.4A] but all the other aforementioned embodiments may be suitable. The elements of the terminal device bear the same numerical references as those of the vehicle device, but are affected by a typographical bonus “'”.

[0046] The housing 2' here comprises two zones: a first zone 2'A in which recharged modules 10iR-107R are stored and a second zone 2'B in which the discharged modules 10r 107 coming from the vehicle V are stored. These two zones can be located in the same plane of the housing 2' or at separate levels. Several other storage zones for recharged modules and / or discharged modules can be provided in the terminal B. Each zone can consist of a separate housing. The terminal B can comprise different storage zones, each associated with a specific model of module.

[0047] Rails 22'aA, 22'b allow the recharged modules 10iR-107R to be guided from terminal B to vehicle V and rails 22'aB, 22'b allow the discharged modules 10i-107 to be guided from vehicle V to terminal B.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment making it possible to simplify the design, the transverse rail 22'b is a rail forming an interface between the terminal B and the vehicle V and which is common to the two zones 2'A, 2'B. Each zone can however be provided with its own rail forming an interface between the terminal B and the vehicle V.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the transverse rail 22'b is replaced by a conveying arm or tunnel not requiring cooperation with the rolling or sliding elements 122. In the remainder of the description, reference is made only to a rail, for the sake of clarity and conciseness only.

[0050] The rail 22'b is advantageously telescopic and / or retractable so as to be adapted to be placed opposite the hatch 21 of the vehicle V. This rail 22'b can in particular retract into the terminal B from the hatch 21'. Advantageously, the rail 22'b is mounted adjustable in height and / or in length and / or in width so as to be able to adapt to the position of the hatch 21 of the vehicle V. This adjustment can be carried out manually by an operator, or preferably automatically as explained further in the description.

[0051] An operation of terminal B will now be described. Terminal B integrates all the computing resources allowing the functionalities described below to be carried out.

[0052] The vehicle V parks at the terminal B, in a dedicated location. A recognition device 4' installed on the terminal B makes it possible to detect the position of the hatch 21 of the vehicle V. The device 4' may for example consist of a camera associated with object recognition software or an optical reader. For this purpose, as shown diagrammatically in [Fig. 3], the hatch 21 is advantageously associated with a marking element 210. The latter may for example consist of an identifiable symbol or a QR-Code. An advantage of using a QR-Code is that its reading by the device 4' allows the terminal B to define the number of modules 10r 107 to be unloaded and loaded in the vehicle V, as well as the model of said modules, this information being previously stored in said QR-Code. According to another embodiment, the user of the vehicle V enters from a human-machine interface connected to the terminal B the information making it possible to define the number and model of the modules IO1-IO7 to be unloaded and loaded, and possibly the position of the hatch 21.For example, the user can enter the model of vehicle V, terminal B then interrogating a database in which the characteristics (number and model) of the modules associated with this vehicle model are recorded, and possibly the position of hatch 21.

[0053] When the position of the hatch 21 is determined by the terminal B, the rail 22'b is placed opposite said hatch which is in the open position. According to a preferred embodiment, the rail 22'b fits into the hatch 21. The rail 22'b can be placed automatically in this position, or be placed manually by an operator.

[0054] A phase of unloading the modules 10r 107 is then initiated. The first module 107 is moved along the longitudinal rails 22a until it reaches the transverse rail 22b, then is moved transversely until it reaches the hatch 21. The module 107 is taken over by the rail 22'b to be extracted from the vehicle V. It is then moved so that its elements 122 are engaged with the longitudinal rails 22'aB. Then the module 107 is moved into the recharging zone 2'B in which it is reloaded. These steps are repeated for the other modules 10r 106.

[0055] When all the modules 10r107 are extracted from the vehicle V, a loading phase of the loaded modules 10' iR- 10'7R is then initiated. A first module 10'7R is moved along the longitudinal rails 22'aA until it reaches the transverse rail 22'b. The module 10'7R is then moved until it reaches the hatch 21. The module 10' 7R is taken over by the rail 22b to be introduced into the vehicle V. As soon as its elements 122' are engaged with the transverse rail 22b, the module 10'7R is moved until said elements engage in the longitudinal rails 22a. The module 10'7R is then moved longitudinally until it reaches its position of use. These steps are repeated for the other recharged 10' iR-10'6R modules.

[0056] The unloading / loading phases can be carried out in a few minutes, so that the user of the vehicle V does not have to wait for the actual recharging of the discharged modules 10i-107, these being simply replaced by charged modules 10'iR-10'7R.

[0057] Whatever the embodiment, the rail(s) 22a, 22b, 22'aA, 22'aB, 22'b may also serve as a power bus, or bus-bar. In the case of the vehicle V, they make it possible, for example, to collect and distribute the electrical power of the modules 10r 107 in said vehicle, in particular through the unit 3. In the case of the terminal B, they make it possible, for example, to distribute the electrical power to each of the discharged modules 10r 107 for their recharging. The aforementioned rolling or sliding elements 122, 1220, 122' may then be used as electrical contacts. In an alternative embodiment, the modules are equipped with electrical contacts distinct from the rolling or sliding elements 122, 1220, 122'.

[0058] The arrangement of the various elements and / or means and / or steps of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any event, it will be understood that various modifications may be made to these elements and / or means and / or steps, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0059] Furthermore, one or more features disclosed only in one embodiment may be combined with one or more other features disclosed only in another embodiment. Similarly, one or more features disclosed only in one embodiment may be generalized to other embodiments, even if that or those features are described only in combination with other features.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for loading / unloading vehicle battery modules, said device comprising a housing (2, 2') delimited by walls (20, 20') and configured to receive several modules (10i -107, 10'ir-10'7r) of a battery (1), which housing is provided with an access hatch (21, 21'), and in which the modules (IO1-IO7, 10'ir-10'7r) have a capacity to move in said housing between a position of use in which they are installed in said housing and a loading / unloading position in which they can be grasped from the access hatch (21, 21'), characterized in that: - the housing (2, 2') comprises one or more guide rails (22a, 22b, 22'aA, 22'aB, 22'b), - the modules (IO1-IO7, 10'iR-10'7R) are interchangeable and physically independent of each other, - each module (IO1-IO7, 10'iR- 10'7R) is equipped with one or more rolling or sliding elements (122,122') which cooperate with the rail(s) (22a, 22b, 22'aA, 22'aB, 22'b) so that the walls (101, 102, 103) of said module are not in contact with the walls of the housing (2, 2') when it is moved between the position of use and the loading / unloading position, - each said module has a capacity for movement between the position of use and the loading / unloading position so that when one of the modules (107) is in the loading / unloading position the other modules (10i-106) can remain in the position of use.,

2. Device according to claim 1, in which: - each module (IO1-IO7, 10'ir-10'7r) is parallelepipedal in shape and has an upper wall (100), a lower wall (101) and side walls (102, 103), - the access hatch (21, 21') is shaped to the dimensions of the wall (102) of the module (IO1-IO7, 10'iR- 10'7R) whose surface area is the smallest.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the guide rail(s) (22a, 22b, 22'aA, 22'aB, 22'b) are arranged or shaped in such a way that the movement of the modules (IO1-IO7, 10'ir-10'7R) has at least one change of direction, so as to place the wall of the module which has the smallest surface (102) opposite of the access hatch (21,21') when said module is in the loading / unloading position.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which: - the guide rail(s) (22a, 22b, 22'aA, 22'aB, 22'b) are installed at an upper wall of the housing (2, 2'), - the rolling or sliding elements (122, 122') are installed on an upper wall of each module (10i-107, 10' iR- 10'7R) so that the modules are suspended in said housing.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which: - the guide rail(s) (22a, 22b, 22'aA, 22'aB, 22'b) are installed at a lower wall of the housing (2, 2'), - the rolling or sliding elements (122, 122') are installed on a lower wall of each module (IO1-IO7, 10'iR- 10'7R).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which: - one or more guide rails (22a, 22b, 22'aA, 22'aB, 22'b) are installed at the level of side walls of the housing (2, 2'), - rolling or sliding elements (122, 122') are installed on side walls of each module (IO1-IO7, 10'iR- 10'7R).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a drawer accessible from the hatch (21, 21') and in which each module (10r 107, 10'iR-10'7R) is placed in the loading / unloading position.

8. Vehicle characterized in that it incorporates a loading / unloading device according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8 comprising a chassis (C), said vehicle comprising one of the following characteristics: - the housing (2) is installed above the chassis (C) and the hatch (21) is arranged above the chassis, or - the housing (2) is installed at the same level as the chassis (C) and the hatch (21) is arranged below or above said chassis, the rails (22a, 22b) being arranged to lower or raise the modules (10 1-107) at the level of said hatch.

10. Terminal for charging / discharging battery modules, characterized in that it incorporates a charging / discharging device according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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