ELECTRIC BATTERY

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery (10) of electrical accumulators comprising: - at least one external terminal (13), - an external tray (12), - a stack (11) of a plurality of electrical accumulators (14) in said external tray (12), each having two electrical connection terminals (16), each terminal (16) being connected with at least one terminal (16) of another accumulator, characterized in that the electrical connection of all the terminals (16) located on the same side of the accumulators is made by a straight member (20) provided with conductive clamping members (22) cooperating with the terminals (16) of said accumulators (14), which is movable between a disconnection position of the member with the tabs (16) and the external terminal (13), and an electrical connection position with all said terminals (16) and the external terminal (13). Figure for the abstract: Figure 7.

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRIC BATTERY SET Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery of electric accumulators, in particular intended to be mounted in a motor vehicle. Technical background

[0002] There are different battery pack configurations. According to a known prior art, electric accumulators are grouped into modules, and the modules are connected to each other within the battery pack. According to another prior art known as the "cell-to-pack" format, there are no modules, and the electric accumulators are directly stacked in the battery pack via racks or "racks" in such a way as to obtain the desired onboard energy and voltage.

[0003] In the case of a traditional connection of electric batteries in a pack, the battery connectors are soldered within the pack. The connectors of several cells are soldered together according to an architecture that depends on whether a series or parallel connection is desired.

[0004] Indeed, it is known from US patent 8,486,557-B to propose a battery module comprising a plurality of battery or accumulator cells in the form of sequentially stacked plates, wherein each battery module is configured to have a structure in which two or more unit cells are stacked in a state where they are electrically connected to one another. Each module is configured to have a structure in which two or more battery cells are connected in parallel to one another in a state where the battery cells are in close contact with one another. A mechanical connection between electrode terminals of the battery cells and an electrical connection of these terminals is obtained by welding, for example, by resistance welding, laser welding, or ultrasonic welding with one or more weld points.

[0005] The battery cells are mounted in metal housings of the module in a state where they are in close contact with each other. The electrical connection between the battery cells can be made in parallel or in series.

[0006] When it is necessary to change the battery cells in such a battery to resolve a fault or to replace them, it is necessary, in order to mechanically remove them from the module, to desolder the electrode terminals of these battery cells. The presence of solder therefore makes this type of intervention more complicated. Moreover, depending on the type of electrical architecture, it is important to pay attention to the voltage present within the battery when opening it, especially in the case of a high voltage, because it remains present as long as the electrode terminals of the battery cells are not unsoldered. Summary of the invention

[0007] Also, one of the aims of the present invention is to provide a battery comprising battery elements or electrical accumulators that can be mechanically separated and electrically disconnected from each other to allow the replacement of one of them.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to ensure a safe, fast and reliable disconnection of the battery during an intervention on one of the electrical accumulators composing it.

[0009] An additional goal is to provide such a battery at a competitive cost and with an architecture that is as simple as possible.

[0010] The invention meets these objectives by proposing a battery equipped with a device allowing a mechanical link and a quick electrical connection of the terminals of the battery elements or accumulators.

[0011] These goals, as well as others that will appear subsequently, are achieved by a battery of electrical accumulators comprising:

[0012] - at least one external terminal,

[0013] - an external container,

[0014] - a longitudinally oriented stacking of a plurality of accumulators electrical stacked directly in said external tray, each accumulator having two electrical connection terminals located transversely on either side of the accumulator, each electrical connection terminal being connected with at least one electrical connection terminal of another accumulator in the stack, characterized by the fact that the electrical connection of all the electrical connection terminals of the accumulators located on the same side is made by a straight member which is provided with conductive clamping members capable of cooperating with the electrical connection terminals of said accumulators, said straight member being movable in the external tray between a disconnection position in which the conductive clamping members are not in contact with any of the electrical connection terminals and in which said conductive clamping members are not connected with the external terminal of the battery,and a connection position in which the conductive clamping elements are simultaneously in electrical contact with all said electrical connection terminals and connected to the external battery terminal.

[0015] Preferably, the electrical accumulators are in the form of plates and each electrical connection terminal is a tab. The straight element is movable in translation and rotation about itself along the longitudinal direction. This movement can be obtained by two successive movements of rotation and translation, or by a helical movement, in particular screwing.

[0016] Advantageously, the straight member is a rod having one conductive end, which is electrically connected to at least one conductive clamping means, arranged opposite the external terminal of said battery, and having the other end connected to an actuating means. The actuating means is preferably arranged outside the external container.

[0017] Preferably, at least one of the two batteries rests in a rack having two vertical uprights between which said battery is placed.

[0018] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the conductive clamping elements consist of fins extending substantially transversely from the rod which, when the rod is in the connection position, exert pressure on the corresponding tabs by bending them.

[0019] Preferably, each tab is clamped against a vertical post which is arranged against a transverse end of the electric accumulator and which is provided with a first counter-form of shorter length than that of the corresponding tab.

[0020] In this first embodiment of the invention, the ends of the fins, when the rod is in the connection position, stress the tabs to bend them against the first counter-forms.

[0021] According to a second embodiment of the invention, each tab is clamped against a vertical post which is arranged against a transverse end of the electric accumulator and which is provided with at least one wall having a second counter-form which extends opposite each tab, and the conductive clamping members are made up of fingers extending substantially transversely from the rod, each of which has an end which, when the rod is in the connection position, strains the corresponding tab to deform it in the corresponding second counter-form.

[0022] According to a third embodiment of the invention, one of the two accumulators rests between two vertical uprights arranged transversely on either side of the accumulator. In this third embodiment, one of the two accumulators is held longitudinally between two accumulators resting transversely between two vertical uprights, and the conductive clamping elements consist of pads extending substantially transversely from the rod which, when the rod is in the connection position, press on the tabs previously folded one on top of the other, two by two, on the first counter-forms.

[0023] Advantageously, in these three embodiments of the invention, the vertical uprights are the vertical uprights of a rack.

[0024] According to a first configuration of the straight member, the conductive clamping members are all electrically connected together on the straight member. This configuration is particularly suitable for connecting the accumulators in a parallel arrangement.

[0025] According to a second configuration of the straight member, two consecutive conductive clamping members are electrically connected in pairs on the straight member. This configuration is particularly suitable for connecting the accumulators in a series arrangement.

[0026] Alternatively, the electrical accumulators could be prismatic cells, blade batteries or cylindrical cells whose electrical connection terminals would be rigid.

[0027] The invention also relates to a method of connecting the tabs of the accumulators of a battery of the type described above, characterized in that it comprises at least one step of moving the straight member consisting of pivoting the straight member around the longitudinal direction and moving the straight member along the longitudinal direction in contact with the tabs.

[0028] According to a particular embodiment of this process more particularly associated with the third embodiment of the invention, the process includes, prior to the step of moving the straight member, a step of folding the tabs one on the other, two by two, on the first counter-forms. Brief description of the figures

[0029] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the reading of the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the attached drawings described briefly below.

[0030] Fig. 1 schematically represents, in top view, the end of a battery according to a first embodiment, in a disconnected position.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a conductive clamping element according to this first embodiment.

[0032] Fig.3 corresponds to Fig.1 when the conductive clamping elements come into contact with the tabs of the accumulators.

[0033] [Fig.4] schematically represents, in top view, the battery of [Fig.1] in the connected position.

[0034] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a support rack for an accumulator.

[0035] Fig. 6 schematically represents, in top view, the end of a battery according to a second embodiment, in a disconnected position.

[0036] Fig. 7 schematically represents the battery according to this second embodiment, in the connected position, in a top view.

[0037] Fig. 8 schematically represents, in top view, the end of a battery according to a third embodiment, in a disconnected position.

[0038] Figure 9 schematically represents, in top view, a battery according to this third embodiment, in the connected position.

[0039] Fig. 10 is a schematic plan view of a second configuration of a straight element associated with a series connection of the accumulators.

[0040] Fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a method of connecting the tabs of the accumulators of a battery according to the invention.

[0041] The [Fig. 12] is a block diagram illustrating a particular mode of the connection method of the [Fig. 11]. Detailed description of the invention

[0042] A battery of electrical accumulators according to the present invention comprises, in a known manner, an external tray 12. The external tray 12 is schematically represented in [Fig. 1] by a wall. At least one external terminal 13 (and preferably two) protrudes from the outside of the external tray 12.

[0043] Such a battery according to the invention is known by the English acronym "cell-to-pack" battery. It comprises the external tray 12 and a plurality of electrical accumulators 14 which are, without limiting the invention, plate-shaped. The electrical accumulators 14 are stacked longitudinally in a longitudinal direction L directly in this external tray 12.

[0044] Each electric accumulator 14 extends in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L. Each electric accumulator 14, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 9, has two electrical connection terminals 16 in the form of tabs located transversely on either side of the accumulator 14, each tab 16 being electrically connected with at least one tab 16 of another accumulator 14 of the stack 11.

[0045] In the remainder of this description, the example embodiment described here relates to plate-shaped accumulators 14 having electrical connection terminals in the form of tabs 16, but it will be understood that this configuration is not limiting of the invention and that the latter is applicable to electrical accumulators made up of prismatic cells, blade batteries or cylindrical cells whose electrical connection terminals are rigid.

[0046] In the example described here, each plate-shaped accumulator 14 rests in a rack 15 comprising two vertical uprights 18a and 18b against which the transverse ends of the accumulator are positioned. Electrical connection of all the tabs 16 located on the same side of the accumulator is necessary to obtain the total voltage required by the battery.

[0047] Conventionally, a mechanical link between the tabs 16 of the accumulators 14 and an electrical connection of these tabs 16 is obtained by welding, for example by resistance welding, by laser welding, or by ultrasonic welding with one or more weld points.

[0048] When changing the accumulators to resolve a fault or to replace them, it is necessary to unsolder the tabs 16 in order to mechanically remove them from the battery. The presence of solder joints makes this type of intervention more complicated. Furthermore, depending on the type of electrical architecture, it is important to pay attention to the voltage present within the battery when opening it, especially in the case of a high voltage, as this voltage remains present until the tabs 16 are unsoldered.

[0049] The invention remedies this drawback by proposing a mechanical link and a quick connection of the tabs 16.

[0050] For this purpose, in accordance with the invention, the electrical connection of all the tabs 16 of the accumulators 14 located on the same side is made simultaneously by a straight member 20 which is provided with conductive clamping members 22 adapted to cooperate with the tabs 16 of said accumulators 14. The straight member 20 is movable in the external tray 12 between a disconnection position, shown in figures 1, 6, and 8 in which the conductive clamping members 22 are not in contact with any of the tabs 16 and in which said conductive clamping members 22 are not connected with the external terminal 13 of the battery 10, and a connection position, shown in figures 4, 7, and 9 in which the conductive clamping members 22 are simultaneously in electrical contact with all the tabs 16 and connected with the external terminal 13 of the battery.

[0051] For this purpose the straight member 20 is mobile in translation and rotation about itself along the longitudinal direction L. Without limiting the invention, the translation and rotation movements can be independent and successive, or combined in a helical movement of the member 20, obtained for example by screwing.

[0052] More particularly, the straight member is a rod 20 having a conductive end 20a, which is electrically connected to at least one conductive clamping member 22, arranged opposite the external terminal 13 of the battery and having the other end 13b connected to an actuation means, which has not been shown here.

[0053] Advantageously, the actuation means is located outside the bin 12. Thus, it is possible to connect or disconnect the electric accumulators 14 from the outside when the bin 12 is closed. This avoids exposing an operator to electrical hazards.

[0054] The electrical connection of the conductive end to one or more conductive clamping members 22 can be made by internal conductors in the rod 20 or by the material of the rod 20, itself conductive.

[0055] According to a first configuration of the rod 20 which was shown in figures 1 to 7, the conductive clamping members 22 are all electrically connected together on the straight member 20. This configuration is particularly suitable for a parallel connection of the accumulators 14.

[0056] According to a second configuration of the rod 20 shown in [Fig. 10], two consecutive conductive clamping elements 22 are electrically connected in pairs on the straight element 20, for example by tracks 23 arranged on the rod 20, which is itself coated with electrical insulation. This configuration is particularly suitable for connecting the accumulators 14 in series.

[0057] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, one end 20a of the rod 20 is opposite the external terminal 13 of the battery. Its other end 20b is connected to an actuation means (not shown in the figures).

[0058] In this first embodiment, the conductive clamping means 22 attached to the rod 20 are made up of fins 22 in the shape of an angular sector of a circle, as illustrated more precisely in [Fig.2], which extend transversely along a direction T with respect to the longitudinal direction L. There are, obviously, as many fins 22 as there are tabs 16.

[0059] As shown in [Fig.1], in the disconnected position, the end 20a of the rod 20 is not in contact with the corresponding external terminal 13 of the battery and the fins 22 are not in contact with the tabs 16: in this position of the rod 20, the accumulators 14 are disconnected and therefore it is possible to work on either of these accumulators safely, and in particular to remove them perpendicular to the plane of [Fig.1].

[0060] By imparting a translational and rotational movement to the rod 20 by means of the actuation, the rod moves along the longitudinal direction L until it connects to the external terminal 13, and the fins 22 come into contact with the tabs 16, folding them down as shown successively in Figures 3 and 4. The translational and rotational movements can be independent or obtained by a helical movement imparted to the rod 20, in particular by screwing it into a thread (not shown) of the external tray 12.

[0061] In a simple embodiment of the invention, the tabs 16 could be only slightly bent by the fins 20 as shown in [Fig.3].

[0062] However, preferably, each vertical upright 18a, 18b of the rack 15 has a counter-form 24 against which each tab 16 is folded by an end 22a of the corresponding fin 22. Thus, [Fig.3] represents a partial folding of the tabs 16, while the final folding is obtained in [Fig.4].

[0063] In this embodiment, the counter-forms 24 are shorter along the transverse direction T than the tabs 16, so that the latter can be folded against them.

[0064] The end 22a of each fin 22 then transversely clamps the folded part of the corresponding tongue 16 against the associated counter-form 24.

[0065] The end 22a of the fin 22 has a flattened profile. This flattened part allows the fin 22 to be held stably in its clamping position with the corresponding fin 22.

[0066] In this embodiment, the tabs 16 can be made of an elastic material. It will be understood that by imparting a reverse movement to the rod 20, the rod disconnects from the external terminal 13 and the fins 22 no longer press on the corresponding tabs 16. These tabs return to a parallel position: all the accumulators 14 of the stack 11 are therefore disconnected since they are no longer electrically connected by the rod 20.

[0067] Alternatively, the tabs 16 in this embodiment can be made of a deformable material. By imparting a reverse movement to the rod 20, the rod disconnects from the external terminal 13, and the fins 22 no longer press against the corresponding tabs 16. These tabs remain bent but are disconnected since they are no longer electrically connected by the rod 20.

[0068] This configuration does not prevent the extraction of the accumulators 14.

[0069] Thus, as illustrated in [Fig. 1 1], a method for connecting the tabs 16 of the accumulators 14 of a battery 10 of the type described above comprises a single step ET1 of displacement of the straight member 20 consisting of pivoting the straight member 20 around the longitudinal direction L and moving the straight member 20 along the longitudinal direction L in contact with the tabs 16. Thus, all the tabs 16 located on the same side of the stack 11 are simultaneously connected to their respective fins 22.

[0070] According to a second embodiment which has been shown in figures 6 and 7, the vertical uprights 18a of each rack 15 are provided with at least one wall 26 having a second counter-form 28 which extends opposite each tongue 16, and the conductive clamping members are made up of fingers 22 extending substantially transversely from the rod 20, each of which has an end 22b substantially complementary to the second counter-form 28. There are as many fingers 22 as there are tongues 16.

[0071] As shown in [Fig.6], the end 20a of the rod 20, equipped with the fingers 22, is disconnected from the external terminal 13: in this so-called disconnected position, none of the fingers 22 is in relation with a tab 16.

[0072] By imparting a translational and rotational movement to the rod 20 via the actuation means, the rod advances until it connects to the external terminal 13, and the ends 22b of the fingers 22, as shown in [Fig. 7], then exert pressure on the corresponding tabs 16 to deform them within the corresponding second counter-forms 28. The tabs 16 are thus held longitudinally against the corresponding counter-forms 28.

[0073] In this embodiment, the tabs can be made of an elastic material and in this case the deformation is reversible, or they can be made of a non-elastic material, the deformation then being plastic without this being detrimental to the extraction of the accumulators 14 since the extraction is carried out in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the [Fig.7].

[0074] By imparting an inverse movement to the rod 20, it disconnects from the external terminal 13 and the fingers 22 not only no longer press on the corresponding tabs 16, but are no longer in contact with them: all the accumulators 14 of the stack 11 are therefore disconnected from the rod 20, and are therefore all disconnected from each other.

[0075] Figures 8 and 9 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this example, one battery 14 out of two rests transversely in a rack 15 between two vertical uprights 18a, 18b of this rack. One battery 14 out of two is held longitudinally between two immediately adjacent batteries 14 resting in a corresponding rack 15. The vertical uprights 18a, 18b of the rack 15 have the first counter-forms 24 of shorter length than the tabs 16. The conductive clamping elements 22 consist of studs 22 extending substantially transversely from the rod 20 which, when the rod 20 is in the connection position, press on the tabs 16 previously folded one on the other, two by two, on the first counter-forms 24. The rod 20 is provided with studs 22: there are as many studs 22 as pairs of tabs 16.

[0076] Thus, as illustrated in [Fig.12], a method of connecting the tabs 16 of the accumulators 14 of a battery 10 of the type described above is substantially analogous to the method described above, but includes prior to the step ET1 of moving the straight member 20, a step ET0 of folding the tabs 16 one on the other, two by two, on the first counter-forms 24.

[0077] As shown in [Fig.8], the end 20a of the rod 20 equipped with the studs 22 is disconnected from the external terminal 13: in this so-called disconnected position, none of the studs 22 are in relation with a tab 16.

[0078] As shown in [Fig.9], by imparting to the rod 20 by the actuation means first a translational movement, it advances until it connects to the external terminal 13, then a rotational movement on itself the studs 22 come simultaneously into contact with the tabs 16 already folded one on the other, two by two, applying them against the counter-form 24.

[0079] By imparting a reverse movement to the rod 20, it disconnects from the external terminal 13, and the pads 20 not only no longer press against the corresponding tabs 16, but are no longer in contact with them: all the accumulators 14 of the stack 11 are therefore simultaneously disconnected. The tabs 16 remain folded over each other, two by two.

[0080] In a variant of this third embodiment, the racks 15 whose vertical uprights 18a, 18b do not have counter-forms, can be removed: the corresponding accumulators 14 are then held in position by stacking all the accumulators 14.

[0081] The connection system of the invention can also be used to connect electric accumulators having electrical connection terminals other than tabs, i.e., rigid electrical connection terminals such as those used in prismatic cells, blade batteries, or cylindrical cells. In this case, the straight element may only be rotationally movable.

[0082] In this case also, the conductive clamping elements do not deform the connection terminals.

[0083] A battery 10 according to the present invention allows its accumulators 14 to be connected in a simple and efficient manner and is particularly intended to equip motor vehicles for which reduced maintenance times are required.

Claims

Demands

1. Battery (10) of electrical accumulators comprising: - at least one external terminal (13), - an external tray (12), - a longitudinally oriented stack (11) of a plurality of electrical accumulators (14) stacked directly in said external tray (12), each accumulator (14) having two electrical connection terminals (16) located transversely on either side of the accumulator (14), each electrical connection terminal (16) being connected with at least one electrical connection terminal (16) of another accumulator in the stack (11), characterized in that the electrical connection of all the electrical connection terminals (16) of the accumulators (14) located on the same side is made by a straight member (20) which is provided with conductive clamping members (22) adapted to cooperate with the electrical connection terminals (16) of said accumulators (14),said straight member (20) being movable in the external container (12) between a disconnection position in which the conductive clamping members (22) are not in contact with any of the electrical connection terminals (16) and in which said conductive clamping members (22) are not connected with the external terminal (13) of the battery (10), and a connection position in which the conductive clamping members (22) are simultaneously in electrical contact with all of said electrical connection terminals (16) and connected with the external terminal (13) of the battery.

2. Battery (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the electrical accumulators (14) are in the form of plates and each electrical connection terminal is a tab (16), - the straight member (20) is mobile in translation and rotation about itself along the longitudinal direction (L).

3. Battery (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the straight member (20) is a rod having a conductive end (20a), which is electrically connected to at least one conductive clamping member (22), is arranged opposite the external terminal (13) of said battery (10) and having the other end (20b) connected to an actuation means.

4. Battery (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the conductive clamping members (22) are constituted by fins extending substantially transversely from the rod (20) which, when the rod (20) is in the connection position, exert pressure on the corresponding tabs (16) by bending them.

5. Battery (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each tab (16) is clamped against a vertical post (18a, 18b) which is arranged against a transverse end of the electric accumulator (14) and which is provided with a first counter-form (24) of shorter length than that of the corresponding tab (16).

6. Battery (10) according to claim 5 taken in combination with claim 4, characterized in that the ends (22a) of the fins (22), when the rod (20) is in the connection position, stress the tabs (16) to bend them against the first counter-forms (24).

7. Battery (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that each tab (16) is clamped against a vertical upright (18a, 18b) which is arranged against a transverse end of the electric accumulator (14) and which is provided with at least one wall (26) having a second counter-form (28) which extends opposite each tab (16), and in that the conductive clamping members (22) are constituted by fingers extending substantially transversely from the rod (20) each of which has an end (22b) which, when the rod (20) is in the connection position, strains the corresponding tab (16) to deform it in the corresponding second counter-form (28).

8. Battery (10) according to claim 5 in combination with claim 3, characterized in that: - one of two accumulators (14) rests between two vertical supports (18a, 18b) which are arranged transversely on either side of the accumulator (14), - one of two accumulators (14) is held longitudinally between two accumulators (14) resting transversely between two vertical supports (18a, 18b), and - the conductive clamping members (22) are constituted by pads (22) extending substantially transversely from the rod (20) which, when the rod (20) is in the connection position, press on the tabs (16) previously folded one on top of the other, two by two, on the first counter-forms (24).

9. Battery (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductive clamping members (22) are all electrically connected together on the straight member (20).

10. Battery (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that two consecutive conductive clamping members (22) are electrically connected two by two on the straight member (20).

11. Battery (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical accumulators (14) are prismatic cells, blade batteries or cylindrical cells whose electrical connection terminals (16) are rigid.

12. Method of connecting the tabs (16) of the accumulators (14) of a battery (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one step (ET1) of displacement of the straight member (20) consisting of pivoting the straight member (20) around the longitudinal direction (L) and moving the straight member (20) along the longitudinal direction in contact with the tabs (16).

13. Method of connecting the tabs (16) of the accumulators (14) of a battery according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises, prior to the step (ET1) of moving the straight member, a step (ET0) of folding the tabs (16) one on the other, two by two, on the first counter-forms (24).

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