Device for housing electrochemical cells to form a battery module

Abstract

A receiving device (15) for n electrochemical cells (6') to form a battery module, each of the n electrochemical cells (6') comprising two electrodes (7) extending inside (8') of said electrochemical cell (6') and extending outside (9') of said cell (6') respectively by means of two opposing conductive tabs (12), characterized in that it comprises two parallel sets (18, 19) of n clips (20), the n clips (20a) of one of said two sets (18) extending respectively opposite the n clips (20b) of the other of said two sets (19), in order to be able to receive the electrochemical cells (6') in parallel so that the two opposing tabs (12a, 12b) of each cell respectively engage in two opposite clips,and in that the n clamps (20a) of one of said sets (18) are alternately electrically connected two by two from the second clamp, while the n clamps (20b) of the other of said sets (19) are alternately electrically connected two by two from the first clamp in order to be able to electrically couple said n electrochemical cells (6') in series. Figure of the abstract: Figure 5a,

Description

Title of the invention: Device for receiving electrochemical cells to form a battery module

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for receiving electrochemical cells to form an accumulator battery module as well as to a method for recovering electrochemical cells from a motor vehicle battery module.

[0002] Consumers are increasingly attracted to hybrid or electric vehicles, particularly for the environmental advantages they offer compared to traditional vehicles running solely on thermal engines.

[0003] Electric or hybrid vehicle storage batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, offer very good performance for vehicle movement in terms of charging power and energy density. However, their charging capacity degrades over time, reaching around 60 to 70% in 10 years, which means they can no longer efficiently power the vehicle. It is then necessary to replace them.

[0004] Used batteries are then most often recycled. To do this, they are collected and then dismantled to recover each component and thus send them to appropriate recycling channels, taking into account the materials they are made of. Used batteries can also be reused. Indeed, although they are no longer usable for mobility applications, they can still be used for stationary applications, for example for the storage of photovoltaic or wind energy, or to regulate the electricity network between off-peak and peak hours.

[0005] To be reused, electric batteries are generally dismantled down to the module; a module being a set of electrochemical cells welded together and capable of providing an electric current. However, it is impossible to dismantle the interior of a module to be able to recover the electrochemical cells independently of each other without destroying them.

[0006] There is therefore a need to recover the electrochemical cells of accumulator battery modules.

[0007] For this purpose, a device is proposed for receiving n electrochemical cells to form a battery module, each of the n electrochemical cells comprising two faces opposite one another and two conductive tabs extending respectively from said two faces opposite one another. The device comprises two parallel sets of n clamps, the n clamps of one of said two sets extending respectively opposite the n clamps of the other of said two sets, to be able to receive the electrochemical cells in parallel so that the two opposite tabs of each cell respectively engage in two opposite clamps. And the n clamps of one of said sets are alternately electrically connected two by two from the second clamp while the n clamps of the other of said sets are alternately electrically connected two by two from the first clamp to be able to electrically couple said n electrochemical cells in series.

[0008] Thus, one of the characteristics of the invention lies in the implementation of a device capable of receiving electrochemical cells to produce a new battery module.

[0009] Indeed, the function of the clamps is to grip the tabs, or connection plates, of the electrochemical cells to hold them in the receiving device and to make electrical contact between the cells. The gripping surface of the clamps is chosen and adapted so that they can grip tabs whatever their size. It is therefore not necessary to modify the structure of the electrochemical cells for their use in this device.

[0010] In addition, the placement of the cells in the device and the bringing of the cells into contact are facilitated by the use of clamps matched to each other, which makes it possible to reduce the intervention time and consequently, to reduce the implementation costs.

[0011] Advantageously, each clamp comprises two symmetrical branches articulated relative to each other around a pivot connection, so as to define a pair of jaws and a pair of drive ends opposite said pair of jaws relative to said pivot connection.

[0012] The pair of jaws is also sized to grip tabs of any size.

[0013] Preferably, the jaws of the pair of jaws are substantially flat so as to obtain optimal contact between the pair of jaws and the tab and consequently, obtain good electrical contact between the two.

[0014] Advantageously, each of said n clamps comprises an elastic member mounted between its drive ends to forcefully drive them opposite each other around said pivot connection.

[0015] The elastic member can be of any shape. Preferably, the elastic member is a helical spring.

[0016] Advantageously, for each of said sets of n clamps, the n clamps are adapted to be controlled by a control assembly.

[0017] Advantageously, the control assembly comprises a rod passing through the pair of drive ends of each of the n clamps, the rod comprising a plurality of pairs of fingers adapted to cooperate with the pair of drive ends of each of the n clamps by forming a ramp to bring the ends of the pairs of drive ends closer together. Thus, the drive ends respectively have two facing orifices through which the rod passes. The fingers will then cooperate with the external surface of the drive ends around the orifices.

[0018] By cooperating with the pair of ends of each of the clamps, the plurality of pairs of fingers will thus make it possible to bring the ends of the pair of ends closer together and thus separate the jaws of the pair of jaws. Conversely, the spring will exert a restoring force on the ends of the pair of ends to separate the ends of the pair of ends and thus bring the jaws of the pair of jaws closer together. Thus, this cooperation allows the jaws of the pair of jaws of each of the clamps to be opened and closed simultaneously to grip the tabs.

[0019] For example, the plurality of pairs of fingers will in particular cooperate with the pair of drive ends of each of the n clamps when the rod is driven in rotation.

[0020] Preferably, the rod also passes through the elastic member in addition to the pairs of drive ends to improve the compactness of the control assembly.

[0021] Advantageously, the opposite surfaces of the pair of drive ends of each of the n clamps have a concave surface and the pair of fingers cooperates with the concave surface by forming a ramp. Preferably, the opposite surfaces of the pair of drive ends have a parabolic cylindrical surface.

[0022] In this way, when the pair of jaws of each of the clamps is closed, thanks to the elastic members which respectively forcefully drive the drive ends opposite one another, the pair of fingers then comes into contact in the hollow of the concave surface. When the surfaces are parabolic cylindrical, the fingers come into contact along the generatrix corresponding to the optimum of the surface as will be explained in more detail in the remainder of the description.

[0023] Thus, when the rod is driven in rotation, then the pair of fingers is driven in movement around the rod and moves in support of the concave surface and cooperates with it by exerting a force at the edge of the orifice on the concave surface. By pressing on the edges, the driving ends will then move closer to each other, compressing the elastic member, and thus allow the pair of jaws to open.

[0024] Advantageously, for each of said sets of n clamps, one clamp out of two starting from the first clamp is adapted to be controlled by a first member of control such as the control assembly described above, while every second clamp from the second clamp is adapted to be controlled by a second control member such as the control assembly described above.

[0025] This configuration makes it possible to separate each set of n clamps into two rows in the case where the clamps are too bulky. Indeed, the clamps described above can be bulky and it is then not possible to install them all side by side on the same control assembly while having a reasonable and space-saving device size. By placing them in two rows, this makes it possible to limit the size of the clamps.

[0026] Advantageously, an electrically conductive plate is arranged between the jaws of the pair of jaws of each clamp, said conductive plate being connected to the pivot connection. Preferably, each jaw is equipped with a plate connected to the pivot connection. And each of the tabs is then pinched between the two plates of the two jaws.

[0027] In this case, the rest of the clamps such as the pair of jaws and the pair of ends can be made of an insulating material.

[0028] Advantageously, the device comprises jumpers made of an electrically conductive material, each having two axes, each of the axes forming a pivot and cooperating with the pivot connection of two contiguous clamps to electrically connect them together.

[0029] Another object of the invention is a method for recovering n electrochemical cells of a motor vehicle battery module, each of the n electrochemical cells comprising two electrodes extending inside said electrochemical cell and extending outside said cell, the extensions of the electrodes of the n electrochemical cells being alternately electrically welded two by two from the second extension, the opposite extensions of the n electrochemical cells being alternately electrically welded two by two from the first extension to be able to electrically couple said n electrochemical cells in series. The recovery method comprises: - cut, for each of the n cells, the extensions of the electrodes, at the level of a pre-cut zone, to release two tabs extending from opposite faces of each cell; - install each cell in a receiving device as described above.

[0030] This method has the advantage of being able to recover the electrochemical cells without destroying the two extensions with a view to their reuse, in particular thanks to the pre-cut area which allows for an easy and localized cutting area for the operator or the machine which will operate it.

[0031] The extensions have a predetermined thickness to allow the passage optimal flow of current despite the pre-cut area which roughly halves the section of the extensions. Consequently, after cutting, the tabs thus released would theoretically double the section and consequently double the flow of current.

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of several particular embodiments of the invention, given for informational purposes but not as a limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0033] [Fig.l] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view of a battery module according to the prior art;

[0034] [Fig.2] is a partial schematic view of a detail element of the object of the [Fig.l] of the prior art;

[0035] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of the assembly of two elements of [Fig.2] according to the prior art;

[0036] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of the assembly of two elements of [Fig.2] according to the invention;

[0037] [Fig.5a] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view of a device reception according to the invention;

[0038] [Fig.5b] is a schematic top view of the object of [Fig.5a];

[0039] [Fig.6] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view of a detail element of the object of [Fig.5a];

[0040] [Fig.7] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view of another element of detail of the object in [Fig.5a];

[0041] [Fig.8] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view of a device reception according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0042] [Fig.l] shows a battery module 1 usually used for powering motor vehicles. This module 1 firstly comprises a casing 2 provided with a cover 3 to protect the interior of the module 1. The casing 2 and the cover 3 extend longitudinally and together form a substantially parallelepipedal element. They are made from insulating materials usually used in motor vehicles, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or its acronym ABS. The cover 3 has two opposite ends and also two orifices 4 at one of these ends.

[0043] These holes 4 allow the passage of the two poles 5 of the battery: a negative pole and a positive pole to thus connect the battery to the electrical circuit of the motor vehicle.

[0044] The module 1 also comprises, in accordance with the example presented here, ten electrochemical cells 6. Each electrochemical cell 6 can deliver a voltage of a maximum of 5 V. Therefore, several cells electrically connected together in series are required for the delivered voltage to be sufficient to power a motor vehicle. In this case, a voltage of a maximum of 50 V is obtained. However, the number of cells is not limited to ten since depending on the desired maximum voltage there may be more or less.

[0045] [Fig. 2] shows a part of an electrochemical cell 6. The electrochemical cell 6 extends longitudinally between two ends and comprises two electrodes, only one 7 of which is shown here. Furthermore, the electrochemical cell 6 is filled with a liquid electrolyte which extends between the two electrodes 7 for carrying out electrolysis (not shown in the figure).

[0046] One end of the electrochemical cell 6 is shown here, and the electrode 7 located inside is adapted to be connected to the outside via a connection plate. This connection plate has a portion 8 which extends inside the cell 6 to be connected to the electrode 7, and a free portion 9 which extends outside the cell 6, forming an extension. The portion 8 and the free portion 9 of the cell are made of a single piece which passes through an insulator 10 made of polymer to seal the cell and thus guarantee its watertightness.

[0047] The extensions 9 of the cells are generally oversized in that they have a surface area much greater than what is necessary for the intensity of the circulating current to be sufficient for the operation of the battery. The electrochemical cells 6 are well known to those skilled in the art, their principle will therefore not be detailed here.

[0048] Before their installation in the battery module 1, the cells 6 are connected together by welding at the extension 9 of the electrodes. With reference to [Fig. 3], the extensions 9 of the electrodes are welded to a metal comb 11 to thus ensure electrical contact between each cell. For this, the extensions of the electrodes are bent back. The metal comb 11 can be made of a metal or a conductive alloy. Preferably, the comb 11 is made of copper.

[0049] In order to be able to mount them in series, the extensions 9 of the electrodes of the ten electrochemical cells are alternately welded two by two from the second extension, while the opposite extensions 9 of the same ten electrochemical cells are alternately welded two by two from the first extension. However, a completely different assembly is possible, thanks to the subject of the invention. For example, the module will have an electrical architecture with two electrochemical cells in parallel and the groups of two cells in parallel will be mounted five times in series, i.e. ten electrochemical cells in total.

[0050] The electrochemical cells 6 used in electric batteries have a life cycle of approximately 1000 charges / discharges. However, when the cells have completed approximately 700 cycles, they are no longer powerful enough to efficiently power the vehicle. The battery module is therefore replaced and then reused using a recovery process in accordance with the invention.

[0051] First of all, with reference to [Fig.4], the recovery method comprises a first step consisting of cutting, for each electrochemical cell 6', the extension of the electrodes 9' to separate the welded part 13 from the rest of the cell. The cutting thus makes it possible to release two opposite tabs 12 from each cell.

[0052] To facilitate the cutting of the extensions 9' of the cells 6', a pre-cut zone 14 is produced at the level of the extensions 9'. The pre-cut zone is produced by punching and it consists of orifices passing entirely through the thickness of the extensions 9' and being aligned and distributed regularly over the entire width of the extensions 9'.

[0053] Thus, when the pre-cut area 14 is folded, the entire thickness of the extensions 9' will work harden. However, if the pre-cut area had been a groove, only the bottom of the groove would work harden, which would weaken the pre-cut area.

[0054] The cutting at this zone 14 is carried out automatically by a robot or by an operator using a cutter 37. Preferably, the cutter is made of an insulating material such as ceramic or an electrically neutral material.

[0055] The section of the connection plate and consequently of the extension 9', is chosen to be able to carry a maximum quantity of current despite the perforations of the pre-cut area which by nature reduce the quantity of conductor. Also, after cutting, an even greater quantity of current will be able to pass through the tab.

[0056] Then, the recovery method comprises a step consisting of installing each cell 6' in a receiving device 15 according to the invention and described below. The receiving device 15 is adapted to form a storage battery module capable of being used in particular for stationary applications. This is the case, for example, for the storage of photovoltaic or wind energy. Also, such storage battery modules can advantageously be used to accumulate the energy of power plants during off-peak periods and to be able to restore it during peak periods.

[0057] With reference to [Fig.5a], the receiving device 15 firstly comprises a casing 16 for protecting the interior of the device 15. The casing 16 being adapted to be covered by a cover not shown in [Fig.5a]. The casing 16 and the cover are of a substantially parallelepipedal general shape and they extend longitudinally. They are made of insulating materials usually used in batteries such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

[0058] The cover (not shown) has two opposite ends and also two holes at one of its ends. These holes allow the passage of the two 17 poles of the battery: a negative pole and a positive pole to connect the battery to the electrical circuit.

[0059] The receiving device 15 comprises two parallel sets 18, 19 of ten identical clamps 20. The ten clamps 20a of one 18 of said two sets extend respectively opposite the ten clamps 20b of the other 19 of said two sets, to be able to receive in parallel the ten electrochemical cells 6' so that the two opposite tabs 12a, 12b of the connection plates of each cell respectively engage in two opposite clamps.

[0060] Obviously, there are as many 6' electrochemical cells as there are pairs of clamps opposite each other. The number of cells is not limited to ten since depending on the desired maximum voltage there may be more or less. Similarly, the number of cells may be different from the number of cells in the module from which they come.

[0061] With reference to [Fig.5b], it can be seen that the clamps 20 allow the electrochemical cells 6' to be electrically coupled in series. Also, other electrical architectures can also be implemented. For example, all the electrochemical cells can be in parallel. In this case, the arrangement of the clamps is adapted.

[0062] For this, the ten clamps 20a of the set 18 are alternately electrically connected two by two from the second clamp 20al and up to the penultimate one, while the ten clamps 20b of the other set 19 are alternately electrically connected two by two from the first clamp 20b 1 and up to the last one, to be able to electrically couple in series the ten electrochemical cells 6'. The electric current will therefore circulate according to a circuit 40 shown in thick lines in [Fig.5b].

[0063] With reference to [Fig.6], a clamp will be described in detail. All the clamps 20 are made in an identical manner.

[0064] Thus, a clamp 20 comprises two parallel branches 21a, 21b articulated one on the other around a pivot connection 22, defining a pair of jaws 23 and a pair of drive ends 24 opposite said pair of jaws 23 relative to said pivot connection 22.

[0065] However, the clamps are not limited to this single embodiment. According to another embodiment, the branches can be crossed at the pivot connection (not shown in the figures).

[0066] The clamp may be made of a conductive metallic material or an insulating material. Preferably, the clamp is made of a polymer material, for example ABS. Thus, to ensure electrical conduction, the clamp 20 may comprise two electrically conductive metal plates 25 such as copper. These plates 25 are arranged between the jaws 23 of the pair of jaws of each branch 21a, 21b and they are connected to the pivot connection 22.

[0067] Consequently, the tabs of the electrochemical cells can engage between the two plates 25. The current delivered by a cell will then pass through the conductive plates 25 and then circulate at the pivot connection.

[0068] Advantageously, each of the ten clamps comprises an elastic member 26 mounted between the drive ends of each of said pairs to drive them with forces opposite to each other.

[0069] The elastic member 26 will then cooperate with the drive ends 24 in the opening and closing of the clamps 20. In fact, when the ends of the pair of ends 24 are brought closer to each other, forces are exerted on the elastic member 26 so as to compress it, and thus the jaws 23 of the pair of jaws move away from each other and the clamp 20 opens.

[0070] Conversely, when the ends of the pair of ends 24 are released, the elastic member 26 relaxes and the ends 24 are then moved apart from each other, while the jaws 23 of the pair of jaws move closer to each other to be able to pinch.

[0071] However, the opening of the clamps is not limited to this single embodiment. According to another embodiment, when the branches are crossed at the pivot connection, the jaws are spread apart when no stress is exerted on the elastic member and vice versa (not shown in the figures).

[0072] Advantageously, the opening and closing of the ten clamps 20, for each of the two sets 18, 19, is controlled by a control assembly 27 shown in [Fig.7],

[0073] Thus, the control assembly 27 will be described with reference to [Fig.7] and [Fig.6]. It comprises a rod 28 passing through the pair of drive ends 24 of each of the ten clamps 20. The rod passes through the ends of the pair of ends 24 via orifices 4L. The orifices 41 are provided in the center of each end of the pair of ends 24 and in the hollow, each defining an edge 42 and a border extending around each of them. The orifices 41 of the two ends of each of the pairs are opposite each other.

[0074] Advantageously, the rod 28 passes through the orifices 41 and the elastic member 26 as shown in [Fig.7]. The elastic member 26 consisting of a helical spring is installed between the two ends of each of the pairs of ends 24.

[0075] The rod comprises a plurality of pairs of fingers 29 adapted to cooperate with the pair of drive ends 24 of each of the ten clamps 20 by forming a ramp to be able to bring the ends of each of the pairs of drive ends 24 closer to each other. The fingers 29 of each of the pairs of fingers extend projecting from the rod 28 and are diametrically opposed. According to one embodiment, the pair of fingers 29 is formed of a pin passing through the rod 28 of part by part.

[0076] By means of this mechanism, the clamps can be opened and closed by exerting force on the ends of the pairs of drive ends, either by means of the pair of fingers to open the clamps or by means of the elastic member to close the clamps.

[0077] Indeed, the plurality of pairs of fingers 29 will make it possible to bring the ends of the pair of ends together by exerting a force on them and thus make it possible to separate the jaws of the pair of jaws.

[0078] Conversely, the spring will exert a restoring force on the ends of the pair of ends to move the ends of the pair of ends apart and thus bring the jaws of the pair of jaws closer together.

[0079] However, the opening of the clamps is not limited to this single embodiment. According to another embodiment, when the branches are crossed at the pivot connection, then the plurality of pairs of fingers will make it possible to bring the ends of the pair of ends closer together by exerting a force on them and thus make it possible to bring the jaws of the pair of jaws closer together. Conversely, the spring will exert a restoring force on the ends of the pair of ends to separate the ends of the pair of ends and thus separate the jaws of the pair of jaws.

[0080] With regard to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.7] and [Fig.6], the opposite surfaces 30 of the pair of drive ends 24 of each of the ten clamps 20 have a concave surface, and more precisely a parabolic cylindrical surface having an extremum. The opposite surfaces each have a generatrix, following this extremum, and extending in the direction of the branches 21a, 21b.

[0081] When the two pairs of fingers 29 extend parallel against the two opposite surfaces 30 of a pair of ends and precisely along the generatrix of the extremum, the two ends of the pairs are kept apart from each other thanks to the elastic member 26, while the jaws 23 are brought closer to each other and in position to pinch.

[0082] When the rod 28 is driven in rotation, the two pairs of fingers 29 move away from the generatrix of the extremum and are then driven in friction against the two opposite surfaces 30 in the edges of each of the orifices 41, forming a ramp, and thereby drive the two drive ends 24 towards each other while compressing the elastic member 26. Then, the jaws 23 move away from each other and allow the clamp to open.

[0083] Driving the rod 28 by a quarter turn thus allows the two drive ends 24 to be brought together as closely as possible.

[0084] The control assembly 27 also comprises a wheel 38 allowing the operator to rotate the rod 28 and thereby simultaneously drive the plurality of pairs of fingers 29. In this way, all the clamps can be ordered simultaneously.

[0085] Preferably, the wheel 38 is installed outside the receiving device 15. The latter therefore comprises an orifice allowing the rod 28 to pass through the casing 16.

[0086] However, the opening of the clamps is not limited to this single embodiment. According to another embodiment, when the branches are crossed at the pivot connection then the plurality of pairs of fingers can cooperate with the pair of drive ends to separate them from each other (not shown in the figures). Thus, when the clamp is open, the pair of fingers is installed in contact along the hollow of the concave surface.

[0087] Finally, to ensure the electrical connection between the clamps 20, the receiving device 15 also comprises a plurality of riders 31 each having two axes 32, 33, and a base 39. The two axes 32, 33 will thus cooperate with the pivot connection 22 of two contiguous clamps 20. The rider is made of an electrically conductive material, for example a metallic material such as steel.

[0088] In another embodiment, with reference to [Fig. 8], due to the size of the ten clamps 20' and to limit the size of the device 15', the ten clamps 20' of each of the two sets 18', 19' can be distributed over two superimposed rows so that one clamp 20' out of two starting from the first clamp 20' is adapted to be controlled by a first control member 34, while one clamp 20' out of two starting from the second clamp 20' is adapted to be controlled by a second control member 35. The height of the clamps is thus alternated for one clamp out of two.

[0089] The first and second control members 34, 35 are identical to the control member according to [Fig.7].

[0090] The example shown in [Fig.8] has two rows but there can be as many as necessary depending on the number of clamps and the size of the receiving device.

[0091] To raise the second row controlled by the second control member 35, the device 15 comprises spacers 36 placed on each axis 33' of the riders 31'. The spacers 36 are adapted to receive the second row of clamps 20'. The spacers 36 are made of an insulating material.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (15) for receiving n electrochemical cells (6') to form a battery module, each of the n electrochemical cells (6') comprising two faces opposite each other and two conductive tabs (12) extending respectively from said two faces opposite each other, characterized in that it comprises two parallel sets (18, 19) of n clamps (20), the n clamps (20a) of one of said two sets (18) extending respectively opposite the n clamps (20b) of the other of said two sets (19), to be able to receive the electrochemical cells (6') in parallel so that the two opposite tabs (12a, 12b) of each cell respectively engage in two opposite clamps,and in that the n clamps (20a) of one of said sets (18) are alternately electrically connected two by two from the second clamp while the n clamps (20b) of the other of said sets (19) are alternately electrically connected two by two from the first clamp in order to be able to electrically couple in series said n electrochemical cells (6').,

2. Device (15) according to claim 1, characterized in that each clamp (20) comprises two symmetrical branches (21a, 21b) articulated relative to each other around a pivot connection (22), so as to define a pair of jaws (23) and a pair of drive ends (24) opposite said pair of jaws (23) relative to said pivot connection (22).

3. Device (15) according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said n clamps (20) comprises an elastic member (26) mounted between its drive ends (24) to force them opposite each other around said pivot connection (22).

4. Device (15) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, for each of said sets (18, 19) of n clamps (20), the n clamps (20) are adapted to be controlled by a control assembly (27).

5. Device (15) according to claim 4, characterized in that the control assembly (27) comprises a rod (28) passing through the pair of drive ends (24) of each of the n clamps (20), the rod (28) comprising a plurality of pairs of fingers (29) adapted to cooperate with the pair of drive ends (24) of each of the n clamps (20) forming a ramp to bring the ends of the drive end pairs (24) closer together.

6. Device (15) according to claim 5, characterized in that the opposite surfaces (30) of the pair of drive ends (24) of each of the n clamps (20) have a concave surface and the pair of fingers (15) cooperates with the concave surface by forming a ramp.

7. Device (15') according to claims 5 or 6, characterized in that, for each of said sets (18, 19) of n clamps (20), one clamp out of two from the first clamp is adapted to be controlled by a first control member (34) according to claims 5 and 6, while one clamp out of two from the second clamp is adapted to be controlled by a second control member (35) according to claims 5 and 6.

8. Device (15) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that an electrically conductive plate (25) is arranged between the jaws of the pair of jaws (23) of each clamp, said conductive plate (25) being connected to the pivot connection (22).

9. Device (15) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that it comprises jumpers (31) in an electrically conductive material having two axes (32, 33), each of the axes forming a pivot and cooperating with the pivot connection (22) of two contiguous clamps (20) to connect them electrically.

10. Method for recovering n electrochemical cells (6') of a motor vehicle battery module, each of the n electrochemical cells (6') comprising two electrodes extending inside said electrochemical cell and extending outside said cell, the extensions (9') of the electrodes of the n electrochemical cells being alternately electrically welded two by two from the second extension, the opposite extensions of the n electrochemical cells being alternately electrically welded two by two from the first extension to be able to electrically couple said n electrochemical cells in series, characterized in that it comprises: - cutting, for each of the n cells (6'), the extensions (9') of the electrodes, at a pre-cut zone (14), to release two tabs (12) extending from the faces opposite of each cell; installing each cell (6') in a receiving device (15) according to claims 1 to 9.

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