VEHICLE ELECTRIC BATTERY WITH A RIGID SPACING COMPONENT

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric battery (1), comprising a plurality of electrical charge cells (2); at least a first printed circuit board (41) in which a plurality of notches (45) are formed, each notch defining an elastically deformable tab (46) and an electrical connection element (43) being disposed on each tab; characterized in that it comprises a rigid cell spacing element (3), the rigid spacing element defining a plurality of compartments (32) each receiving one of the cells and each being arranged to maintain the cell it receives vis-à-vis the first printed circuit board so that one of the contact terminals of this cell is located opposite one of the first electrical connection elements, each compartment extending over a height substantially identical to the height of the cell it receives to come to the level of the first printed circuit board.Figure for the abridged version: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY COMPRISING A RIGID SPACER

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electric vehicle batteries. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of assembling an electric battery.

[0002] Electric batteries, particularly in the case of electric vehicles, generally consist of an assembly of electrical load cells, also called accumulators. When interconnected, in series or in parallel, these accumulators make it possible to deliver electrical power, for example intended to electrically power the vehicle's equipment or its engine.

[0003] In order to interconnect the cells, it is known to use two printed circuit boards arranged on either side of the cells, each being provided with electrical connection elements each soldered with a contact terminal of one of the cells. This solution is however not satisfactory, insofar as it requires a large number of soldering operations and prevents the battery from being dismantled, for example to replace used cells as part of a maintenance or reconditioning operation of the battery.

[0004] Furthermore, in the context of reconditioning a battery, it is known to use a spacer, or "spacer" in English, in order to hold the cells together and to form a block that is easily handled during assembly of the battery. This spacer is generally in the form of one or more plates provided with through passages whose dimensions correspond substantially to those of the cells. Each cell is thus engaged in one of the passages. However, this type of spacer has several drawbacks in the context of reconditioning or maintenance of a battery. On the one hand, its thickness does not allow it to withstand mechanical deformations or twists, for example caused by an impact or a fall of the battery.Therefore, it is possible that the parallelism of the arrangement of the cells in the battery is not maintained, which could generate a contact break between the cells and the printed circuit boards. On the other hand, the outer surfaces of the cells remain exposed to the external environment, which poses sealing and safety problems, especially when some of the cells have a degraded insulating protective film.

[0005] There is thus a need for a battery that is simple to assemble, repair and recondition, and whose design makes it possible to guarantee a parallel arrangement of the cells with each other and to offer a solution for mechanical and sealed protection of each of the cells and electrical insulation of the cells with each other. The invention fits into this context and aims to meet this need.

[0006] For these purposes, the invention relates to an electric battery comprising: a. a plurality of electrical charge cells, each cell having end faces located on opposite sides of the cell, each end face being provided with a contact terminal; b. at least one first printed circuit board arranged in line with the end faces located on one of the sides of the cells, the printed circuit board being provided with a plurality of first electrical connection elements;

[0007] The invention is characterized in that the first printed circuit board comprises a main portion in which a plurality of notches are formed, each notch defining a tab elastically deformable relative to the main portion, each first electrical connection element being arranged on one of the tabs of the first printed circuit board;and in that it comprises a rigid spacing member arranged to keep the cells at a distance from each other, the rigid spacing member defining a plurality of compartments each receiving one of the cells and each being arranged to hold the cell that it receives opposite the first printed circuit board so that one of the contact terminals of this cell is located opposite one of the first electrical connection elements, each compartment extending over a height substantially identical to the height of the cell that it receives to come to the level of the first printed circuit board. ;

[0008] It is thus understood that the formation, by means of the notches, of elastically deformable tabs makes it possible to maintain contact between the first electrical connection elements of the first printed circuit board and the contact terminals of the cells without requiring contact elements specifically designed to withstand the vibrations and shocks that the battery could undergo. In other words, the interconnection of the cells with each other can be carried out without soldering, by means of simple and standard contact elements, which makes it possible to simplify the design of the battery, to reduce its cost and to allow the replacement of one or more cells when they are worn. Furthermore, a rigid spacing member is used which covers each of the cells, so that the risk that a shock or a fall suffered by the battery will cause misalignment of the cells with respect to the electrical connection elements is greatly reduced.Furthermore, each compartment and the first printed circuit board together define a protective environment for the cell contained in this compartment, which limits the risk of humidity penetrating into this environment and avoids the risk of electrical contact between cells, even if these cells have an insulating protective film. degraded.

[0009] The term "electrical load cell" means an elementary device, for example electrochemical, for storing electricity, which can be discharged and charged. Each cell may be of the lithium type, for example of the lithium-ion type or of the lithium-polymer type. Each cell may for example be of a generally cylindrical shape, the contact terminals being provided on each end face delimiting the cylinder, one of these terminals being a so-called positive terminal and the other being a negative terminal.

[0010] The term "first printed circuit board" means a printed circuit board, or PCB (from the English Printed Circuit Board), provided with electrical tracks interconnecting the connection elements. It may be provided that all the cells of the battery are interconnected in series or in parallel by means of the first printed circuit board or that the cells are interconnected, by means of the first printed circuit board, to form groups of cells interconnected in series or in parallel, the groups being interconnected to each other in series or in parallel by means of the first printed circuit board.

[0011] In the invention, the spacing member may be arranged to hold the cells in a linear or matrix arrangement, one next to the other. Where appropriate, the first connection elements are distributed on the first printed circuit board in an arrangement corresponding to that of the cells. Provision may be made for the rigid spacing member to come into direct contact with the first printed circuit board, or provision may be made for there to be clearance between the rigid spacing member and the first printed circuit board, or provision may also be made for an intermediate element, such as a seal, to be inserted between the rigid spacing member and the first printed circuit board. The spacing member may be formed by a single, monolithic part, or by an assembly of at least two parts, in particular identical parts.Where appropriate, each part may comprise male and female positioning elements, each male element of one part being intended to cooperate with a female element of the other part when these parts are assembled, so that the parts adopt a predetermined relative positioning. In particular, it may be provided that the male and female elements of said parts are arranged so that the compartments of said parts are aligned and / or the peripheral surfaces of said parts are continuous when said parts are assembled. For example, the male and female elements may be lugs and orifices provided in surfaces of said parts intended to come against each other when said parts are assembled.

[0012] Preferably, the spacer member may be made from a plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic, a resin or a silicone, for example by injection, by additive manufacturing or by subtractive manufacturing. Preferably, said material may advantageously exhibit high resistance to flammability tests. The material may, for example, comply with the UL94 standard and the VO combustion test of this standard. Alternatively or cumulatively, said material may advantageously exhibit thermal conduction characteristics allowing homogeneous diffusion and / or dispersion of the heat dissipated by each of the cells, which makes it possible to avoid thermal runaway of a cell and increase the lifespan of the battery.

[0013] Advantageously, the first printed circuit board is arranged relative to the cells so that each cell creates a mechanical force, on each tab, directed towards the outside of the battery, and each tab of the first printed circuit board forms a spring having a return force directed towards the inside of the battery. Where appropriate, each notch of the first printed circuit board may have a U shape. The tab defined by each notch is thus connected to the main portion of the first printed circuit board by only one of its edges. If desired, the notches may be made by cutting out the main portion of the first printed circuit board, prior to assembling the battery.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, each first connection element is provided with a bump made of an electrically conductive material coming into contact with the contact terminal of one of the cells. This bump can for example be made by depositing the molten electrically conductive material, for example tin, at a termination of an electrical track located on the tab. This embodiment makes it possible to facilitate contact between the electrical track and the contact terminal in the case where the contact terminal is flat.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the contact terminal of each cell intended to come into contact with one of the first connection elements projects from the end face of the cell. In this case, the first connection element may be planar.

[0016] Advantageously, the battery comprises a second printed circuit board arranged in line with the end faces located on the other side of the cells, the second printed circuit board being provided with a plurality of second electrical connection elements. Where appropriate, each compartment of the rigid spacer member is arranged to hold the cell that it receives opposite the second printed circuit board so that the other of the contact terminals of this cell is located opposite one of the second electrical connection elements, each compartment extending to come level with the second printed circuit board. The spacer member is thus sandwiched between the first and second printed circuit boards, each compartment thus defining a sensitive environment. possibly closed.

[0017] Preferably, the second printed circuit board comprises a main portion in which a plurality of notches are formed, each notch defining a tab elastically deformable relative to the main portion, each second electrical connection element being arranged on one of the tabs of the second printed circuit board.

[0018] Advantageously, the battery comprises a fastening system arranged to hold the first printed circuit board to the second printed circuit board by exerting a force on each of the first and second printed circuit boards directed towards the other of the first and second printed circuit boards. The printed circuit boards are thus placed under stress, so that the cells create a mechanical force on the tabs.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the fixing system comprises at least a first and a second pressure plate, the first, respectively the second, pressure plate being supported on the first, respectively the second printed circuit board. Where appropriate, the fixing system comprises at least one clamping member connecting the first pressure plate to the second pressure plate and arranged to exert a force on each of the first and second pressure plates directed towards the other of the first and second pressure plates. Preferably, each pressure plate comes to completely cover the printed circuit board against which it is supported.

[0020] For example, it may be provided that each clamping member comprises a connecting rod passing through orifices provided in the spacing member, in the first and second printed circuit boards and in the first and second pressure plates, these orifices being aligned during assembly of the battery. Each connecting rod may then be provided, at each of these ends, with a nut pressing on one of the connecting plates to exert a force directed towards the other of the pressure plates. Each plate then exerts a uniform force on the printed circuit board against which it is pressing, which makes the contact between this printed circuit board and each cell more reliable and reduces the risk of misalignment of the cells.

[0021] Alternatively, it may be provided that the fixing system is without a pressure plate, the clamping members directly connecting the first printed circuit board to the second printed circuit board being arranged to exert a force on each of the first and second printed circuit boards directed towards the other of the first and second printed circuit boards. For example, the nuts mounted on the ends of the connecting rods may press directly on the printed circuit boards.

[0022] As a further variant, it may be provided that the fixing system comprises a housing to which the first and second printed circuit boards are fixed. Where appropriate, the housing may comprise protrusions, each arranged opposite an area of ​​the main portion of the first and / or second printed circuit boards located in line with the tabs, so as to exert a force on this first and / or second printed circuit board directed towards the inside of the battery.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the battery comprises a sealing member arranged between the rigid spacing member and the first printed circuit board. The sealing member is advantageously arranged to form a substantially sealed barrier between the interior of the battery, and in particular the compartments of the rigid spacing member, and the external environment of the battery. For example, the sealing member may comprise a first seal arranged on the periphery of a surface of the rigid spacing member coming to the level of the first printed circuit board, the first seal thus being constrained between said surface and the first printed circuit board. It may advantageously be provided that the sealing member comprises a second seal arranged on the periphery of a surface of the rigid spacing member coming to the level of the second printed circuit board.

[0024] Alternatively, it may be provided that the rigid spacing member defines a receptacle in which the first printed circuit board and / or the first pressure plate is housed, the receptacle possibly being provided on its periphery with a seal. As a further alternative, it may be provided that the first pressure plate forms a hood or a cover covering the first printed circuit board, the first pressure plate being provided with a rim covering a portion of a peripheral surface of the rigid spacing member, the rim possibly being equipped on its periphery with a seal. These different embodiments also make it possible to define a substantially sealed barrier between the interior of the battery and the external environment of the battery.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, each compartment of the rigid spacer member is arranged to leave an air gap between an inner surface of this compartment and an outer surface of the cell that it receives. This air gap makes it easier to insert a cell into the compartment and improves the thermal insulation of the cell within its compartment. For example, each compartment may be of substantially cylindrical shape to match the shape of the cell that it receives while maintaining a clearance between the wall of this compartment and the outer surface of this cell. Preferably, the diameter of the compartment may be substantially greater than the diameter of the cell.

[0026] Advantageously, it may be provided that each compartment is equipped with one or several contact pads, projecting radially from the wall of the compartment. Where appropriate, the space in the compartment defined by this or these contact pads will have a section whose dimensions correspond substantially to those of the cell received by the compartment. This minimizes the contact surface between the compartment and the cell while ensuring that the cell is held in the compartment.

[0027] Advantageously, the rigid spacing member comprises at least one member for positioning the first printed circuit board. Where appropriate, the first printed circuit board may comprise a complementary member cooperating with the positioning member to define a predetermined position of the first printed circuit board with respect to the rigid spacing member. For example, the positioning member may comprise at least one pin projecting from a surface of the rigid spacing member coming to the level of the first printed circuit board and the first printed circuit board may comprise an orifice, forming the complementary member, the orifice of the first printed circuit board being crossed by the pin of the rigid spacing member when the first printed circuit board adopts said predetermined position.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, the battery comprises a printed circuit board supporting a system for controlling the electrical load cells of the battery, the control system being equipped with a connection harness provided with a connector intended to cooperate with external electronic equipment, and the rigid spacer member comprises a recess into which said connection harness extends.

[0029] The control system, also called a battery management system or BMS (from the English Battery Management System) is for example capable of performing one or more of the following functions, namely a function of monitoring the state of the electric load cells, a function of controlling the discharge of all or part of the electric load cells, a function of controlling the charge of all or part of the electric load cells and a function of balancing the charge of the electric load cells.

[0030] Advantageously, the printed circuit board supporting the control system may be a third printed circuit board, arranged transversely with respect to the first and second printed circuit boards. For example, it may be provided that one, or even each, of the first and second printed circuit boards comprises a “card edge” type connector and that the third printed circuit board comprises a connection portion inserted into said card edge connector.

[0031] If desired, one or each of the first and second printed circuit boards may include a cutout formed in line with said recess. the rigid spacing member and forming a passage through which said connection bundle extends. Where appropriate, said cutout may include a protrusion partially delimiting said passage and forming a member for holding the connection bundle in this passage.

[0032] Advantageously, the rigid spacing member comprises at least one element for holding the printed circuit board supporting the control system. For example, the rigid spacing member may comprise at least one lug for holding said printed circuit board, each lug projecting from a peripheral surface of the rigid spacing member.

[0033] Advantageously, the battery comprises a housing arranged to receive the plurality of cells, the first printed circuit board and the rigid spacing member, the housing comprising a means of assembly to an element of a vehicle, in particular to a chassis of an electric vehicle or to a frame of a bicycle.

[0034] The present invention is now described using examples which are solely illustrative and in no way limitative of the scope of the invention, and from the attached illustrations, in which:

[0035] [Fig.l] represents, schematically and partially, an exploded view of a battery according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0036] [Fig.2] represents, schematically and partially, a sectional view of a portion of the battery of [Fig.l]; and

[0037] [Fig.3] represents, schematically and partially, a sectional view of a battery according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0038] In the following description, elements which are identical, by structure or by function, appearing in different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.

[0039] [Fig.l] shows an exploded view of an electric battery 1 of an electric vehicle according to a first embodiment of the invention. [Fig.2] also shows a sectional view of a portion of the battery 1 when it is assembled.

[0040] The battery 1 comprises a plurality of electrical charge cells 2, each cell 2 being a lithium-ion type accumulator of cylindrical shape and having an upper end face 21 and a lower end face 22 each provided with a flat contact terminal 23.

[0041] The battery 1 comprises a first printed circuit board 41, arranged above the cells 2, on the side of the upper end faces 21, and a second printed circuit board 42, arranged below the cells 2, on the side of the lower end faces 22.

[0042] Each printed circuit board 41 and 42 comprises a plurality of electrical connection elements 43. Each printed circuit board 41 and 42 comprises a main portion 44, in which U-shaped notches 45 have been cut. Each of the notches 45 defines a tab 46, connected to the main portion by only one of its edges. Each tab 46 is thus elastically deformable relative to the main portion 44 and forms a spring having a restoring force bringing the tab 46 back towards the main portion 44 when a force is exerted on this tab 46.

[0043] In the example of [Fig.l] and [Fig.2], each electrical connection element 43 is formed on one of the tabs 46 of the printed circuit boards 41 and 42, and for this purpose comprises a tin bump 47 arranged at the level of a termination of an electrical track extending over this tab 46.

[0044] In order to maintain the cells 2 in a matrix arrangement and to facilitate the assembly of the battery, the battery 1 comprises a rigid spacing member 3, formed of two identical parts 31.

[0045] The rigid spacing member 3, once the two parts 31 are assembled, forms a rigid and solid part, defined by a peripheral surface 31a, an upper surface 31b and a lower surface 31c.

[0046] Compartments 32 are formed in this member 3 by being distributed in a matrix manner. Each compartment 32 is thus intended to receive one of the cells 2. It will be noted that the distribution of the electrical connection elements 43 on the cards 41 and 42 is thus identical to that of the compartments 32. Each compartment 32 thus keeps the cell 2 that it receives at a distance from the other adjacent cells and positions this cell 2 so that each of its terminals 23 are located opposite a connection element 43 of one and the other of the cards 41 and 42, and more precisely opposite the boss 47 of this element 43.

[0047] It will be noted that the dimensions of the rigid spacing member 3 are substantially identical to those of the cards 41 and 42, while its thickness, between the upper 31b and lower 31c surfaces, is substantially identical to the height of the cells 2. In this way, each compartment 32 extends over a height substantially identical to the height of the cell 2 that it receives, the upper surface 31b thus coming to the level of the card 41 and the lower surface 31c coming to the level of the card 42. In a variant not shown, it will be possible to provide for the rigid spacing member to be arranged so that its peripheral surface generally matches the shape of the assembly of cells arranged in the compartments, so as to reduce the quantity of material necessary for its manufacture.

[0048] The thickness and rigidity of the member 3 thus makes it possible to perform a mechanical protection function for the cells 2 which guarantees that the cells 2 are held in position with respect to the connection elements 43, including in the event of an impact or fall suffered by the battery. Furthermore, each cell 2 is housed in a protective environment, defined by the compartment 32 which houses it and which is generally closed by the cards 41 and 42, so that the risk of humidity penetrating into this environment is limited and the electrical insulation of the cells 2 between them is ensured.

[0049] In addition to these functions, the rigid spacer member 3 is made of a flame-retardant or phase-change material, which has high resistance to flammability tests and allows homogeneous dispersion of the heat dissipated by each of the cells 2, which makes it possible to avoid thermal runaway of a cell and to increase the lifespan of the battery.

[0050] Furthermore, each compartment 32 of the rigid spacing member 3 is of substantially cylindrical shape to match the shape of the cell 2 that it receives, the diameter of this compartment 32 being however greater than that of this cell 2 so as to maintain a clearance between the wall of this compartment and the outer surface of this cell. This clearance thus forms an air gap separating this wall of the compartment from the outer surface of the cell.

[0051] As shown in [Fig.2], each compartment 32 is equipped with several contact pads 32a, each projecting radially from the wall of the compartment and distributed over the entire periphery of this wall and over the entire height of the compartment. If the diameter of the compartment 32 allows, among other things, easy insertion of the cell 2, these pads 32a make it possible to maintain the cell 2 in this compartment 32 while minimizing the contact surface.

[0052] In the example described, the peripheral surface 31a of the rigid spacing member 3 is smooth. It may advantageously be provided that this peripheral surface 31a has a profile matching the shape of the compartments 32, so as to limit the quantity of material used for its manufacture.

[0053] In order to assemble the battery 1 and to bring the connector elements 43 of the cards 41 and 42 into contact with the terminals 23 of the cells 2, the battery 1 comprises a first pressure plate 51, bearing on the first card 41, opposite the member 3, and a second pressure plate 52, bearing on the second card 42, opposite the member 3. The dimensions of the pressure plates 51 and 52 are substantially identical to those of the printed circuit cards 41 and 42, so that each pressure plate completely covers the printed circuit card against which it is bearing.

[0054] It will be noted that the spacer member 3, the printed circuit boards 41 and 42 and the pressure plates 51 and 52 are each provided with a plurality of holes 53, each hole 53 of the spacer member 3 being intended to be aligned with a hole 53 of the board 41, the board 42, the plate 51 and the plate 52 when the battery is assembled.

[0055] The battery 1 also comprises a plurality of connecting rods 54 (shown only in [Fig.2]), each rod being threaded at its ends. Each rod 54 is thus inserted, once the different elements of the battery 1 are assembled, into an alignment of orifices 53 and a clamping element 55, of the washer and nut type in the example described, is screwed onto each threaded end of this rod 54.

[0056] This clamping element 55 thus presses on one of the connecting plates 51, 52 and then exerts a force directed towards the other of the pressure plates. Each plate also exerts a homogeneous force on the printed circuit board against which it is pressing. Consequently, the first and second printed circuit boards 41 and 42 are clamped towards each other by means of generating a force on the tabs 46 towards the inside of the battery. This force thus holds the cells 2 in position between the first and second printed circuit boards 41 and 42. In return, each of the cells 2 exerts, at its upper end face 21, respectively lower end face 22, a force on the tab 46 of the first printed circuit board 41, respectively of the second printed circuit board 42, opposite which it is arranged.Each tab 46 is thus elastically deformed by one of the cells 2 by being pushed towards the outside of the battery 1.

[0057] The force created by the cell 2 on each tab 46 being oriented towards the outside of the battery 1, the return force of the spring formed by this tab 46 is therefore exerted towards the inside of the battery 1, which maintains contact between the bump of the connection element 43 located on this tab 46 and the flat contact terminal of the cell 2. Therefore, it is guaranteed that the contact between the connection element 43 and the contact terminal can be maintained. In addition, the assembly of the battery 1 as well as the replacement of the cells 2 when they are worn, can be carried out simply and quickly, without any brazing or welding operation.

[0058] It may advantageously be provided that the rigid spacing member 3 comprises, on its upper 31b and lower 31c surfaces, members for positioning the printed circuit boards 41 and 42, or even pressure plates 51 and 52. These positioning members, which may for example be pins intended to be inserted into aligned orifices of a pair of printed circuit board and pressure plate, make it possible in particular to obtain correct relative positioning of the different elements of the battery 1, which ensures for example adequate alignment of the orifices 53.

[0059] The battery 1 also comprises a third printed circuit board 6 supporting a control system 61 of the battery 1, also called BMS.

[0060] Each of the first and second printed circuit boards 41 and 42 comprises a card edge connector 62, while the third printed circuit board 6 comprises two opposite connection portions 63 each of which is inserted into one of the card edge connectors 62. The third board 6 thus extends transversely opposite the first and second cards 41 and 42, and parallel to the peripheral surface 31a of the rigid spacing member 3. It may be provided as a variant that the card edge connectors are supported by the third printed circuit card 61 and that each of the first and second printed circuit cards 41 and 42 comprises a connection portion inserted into one of the card edge connectors, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0061] The BMS 61 is capable of performing functions of monitoring the state of the cells 2, controlling the charging and discharging of the cells 2 and balancing the charge of the cells 2.

[0062] For this purpose, each of the first and second printed circuit boards 41 and 42 comprises a network of electrical tracks (not shown), interconnecting the electrical connection elements 43 with each other, and therefore the cells 2 with each other, with the connectors 62, and therefore with the third printed circuit board 6 and the BMS 61.

[0063] In order to prevent the mechanical holding of the third printed circuit board 6 from being carried out by the connectors 62, which could weaken them, it may be provided that the rigid spacing member 3 comprises, on its peripheral surface 31a, elements for holding the third printed circuit board 6, such as lugs and / or clips.

[0064] As shown in [Fig.l], the rigid spacer member 3 comprises a recess 31d formed in its peripheral wall, in line with the area at which the third printed circuit board extends. Furthermore, each of the first and second printed circuit boards 41 and 42 comprises a cutout 48 coming in line with this recess 31d when the battery 1 is assembled.

[0065] When the battery 1 is assembled, a connection harness intended to connect the battery 1 to external electronic equipment can be connected to a connector provided on the third printed circuit board 6 and arranged on the side of the recess 31. The connection harness can then extend into the recess 31 and pass into the passage defined by the cutout 48 of one of the first and second printed circuit boards 41 and 42, the cutout then making it possible, thanks to its profile, to hold this harness in this passage. This facilitates the assembly of the battery while limiting the risk of the connection harness being torn off.

[0066] [Fig. 3] describes a sectional view of a battery 10 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0067] The example of [Fig.3] is identical to that described in [Fig.1] and [Fig.2] except for the overall shape of the rigid spacer member 3.

[0068] In the example of [Fig. 3], the rigid spacer member 3 has rims 33 around the periphery of its upper 31b and lower 31c surfaces, which define receptacles 34 in which the first and second circuit boards are housed. printed 41 and 42.

[0069] Seals 7 are arranged around the perimeter of the upper 31b and lower 31c surfaces, against the edges 33.

[0070] When assembling the battery 1, and tightening the clamping elements 55, the pressure plates 51 then compress the seals 7 against the upper 31b and lower 31c surfaces of the rigid spacer member 3, the seals 7 thus forming barriers ensuring the sealing of the compartments 32. The pressure plates 51 then penetrate completely into the receptacles 34, without protruding from the edges 33.

[0071] The preceding description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives it has set itself, and in particular by proposing a battery whose printed circuit board has notches defining elastically deformable tabs receiving the electrical connection elements intended to be in contact with the contact terminals of the cells and which integrates one or more electrical preheating tracks passing at the level of these tabs. It is thus understood that the formation of these elastically deformable tabs makes it possible to make contacts between the connection elements and the contact terminals thanks to connection elements not specifically designed for this purpose, making it possible to assemble the battery and change the cells simply and quickly, the contacts being nonetheless resistant to vibrations.Furthermore, the use of a rigid spacer whose thickness is substantially identical to the height of the cells makes it possible to define compartments for these cells which extend up to the level of the printed circuit board. Therefore, the rigid spacer makes it possible to protect the cells, to isolate them electrically, and to maintain their parallelism in the event of shock or the battery being dropped, so as to ensure contact with the electrical connection elements.

[0072] In any event, the invention cannot be limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, and extends in particular to any equivalent means and to any technically effective combination of these means. In particular, it may be provided that the spacing member is a single monolithic part. It may be provided for other fixing methods than that described, and in particular to screw the clamping members directly onto the printed circuit boards, without using connecting plates, or even to use a housing provided with plating means, such as ribs, which exert, during assembly, a force on the boards oriented towards the inside of the battery. It may also be provided to arrange the BMS on the first and / or on the second printed circuit board, in order to avoid using a third printed circuit board.Other methods of sealing the battery may also be provided, in particular by arranging gaskets or other sealing members directly between the rigid spacer member and the first and second printed circuit boards.

Claims

1.

2.

3. Claims Electric battery (1, 10), comprising: a. a plurality of electrical load cells (2), each cell having end faces (21, 22) located on opposite sides of the cell, each end face being provided with a contact terminal (23); b. at least one first printed circuit board (41) arranged in line with the end faces located on one of the sides of the cells, the printed circuit board being provided with a plurality of first electrical connection elements (43); characterized in that the first printed circuit board comprises a main portion (44) in which a plurality of notches (45) are formed, each notch defining a tab (46) elastically deformable relative to the main portion, each first electrical connection element being arranged on one of the tabs of the first printed circuit board; and in that it comprises a rigid spacing member (3) arranged to keep the cells at a distance from each other, the rigid spacing member defining a plurality of compartments (32) each receiving one of the cells and each being arranged to hold the cell that it receives opposite the first printed circuit board so that one of the contact terminals of this cell is located opposite one of the first electrical connection elements, each compartment extending over a height substantially identical to the height of the cell that it receives to come to the level of the first printed circuit board. Battery (1, 10) according to the preceding claim, in which the first printed circuit board (41) is arranged relative to the cells (2) so that each cell creates a mechanical force on each tab (46) directed towards the outside of the battery, and in which each tab of the first printed circuit board forms a spring having a restoring force directed towards the inside of the battery. Battery (1, 10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a second printed circuit board (42) arranged at the end faces (22) located on the other side of the cells (2), the second printed circuit board being provided with a plurality of second electrical connection elements (43), and in that each compartment (32) of the rigid spacing member (3) is arranged to hold the cell that it receives opposite the second printed circuit board so that the other of the contact terminals of this cell is located opposite one of the second electrical connection elements, each compartment extending to come to the level of the second printed circuit board.

4. Battery (1, 10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a fixing system (51, 52) arranged to hold the first printed circuit board (41) to the second printed circuit board (42) by exerting a force on each of the first and second printed circuit boards directed towards the other of the first and second printed circuit boards.

5. Battery (1, 10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixing system comprises at least a first and a second pressure plate (51, 52), the first, respectively the second, pressure plate being supported on the first, respectively the second printed circuit board (41, 42), and in that the fixing system comprises at least one clamping member (54, 55) connecting the first pressure plate to the second pressure plate and arranged to exert a force on each of the first and second pressure plates directed towards the other of the first and second pressure plates.

6. Battery (1, 10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a sealing member (7) arranged between the rigid spacing member (3) and the first printed circuit board (41).

7. Battery (1, 10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each compartment (32) of the rigid spacing member (3) is arranged to leave an air gap between an inner surface of this compartment and an outer surface of the cell (2) which it receives.

8. Battery (1, 10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rigid spacing member (3) comprises at least one member for positioning the first printed circuit board (41).

9. Battery (1, 10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a printed circuit board (6) supporting a control system (61) of the electrical load cells (2) of the battery, the control system being equipped with a connection harness provided with a connector intended to cooperate with external electronic equipment, and in that the rigid spacing member (3) comprises a recess (31d) in which said connection harness extends.

10. Battery (1, 10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rigid spacing member (3) comprises at least one element for holding the printed circuit board (6) supporting the control system (61).

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