TOOL FOR HOLDING AT LEAST ONE BATTERY MODULE WHEN REPLACING A DEFECTIVE BATTERY CELL IN A BATTERY CASE OF AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool (1) configured to hold at least one battery module (2) for the replacement of a defective battery cell (6) of a battery tray (100) of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (1000), said battery tray (100) comprising at least one side member (3) and a plurality of cross members (4) forming a plurality of housings each capable of receiving said battery module (2), said battery module (2) comprising a set of battery cells (6), characterized in that said tool (1) comprises a longitudinal portion (1a) and a plurality of portions (1b) perpendicular to said longitudinal portion, said tool (1) being capable of being positioned parallel to the side member (3) in the first direction (X) and each perpendicular portion (1b) being capable of being positioned on one of the cross members (4) in the third direction (Z). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: TOOL FOR HOLDING AT LEAST ONE BATTERY MODULE WHEN REPLACING A DEFECTIVE BATTERY CELL FROM A BATTERY TRAY BATTERY OF AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates to electric or hybrid motor vehicles, and more particularly to the battery box of these vehicles.

[0002] Known from the prior art is a patent application WO2023187090 which describes a longitudinally clamped battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle. The patent application also relates to a method of assembling such a battery. The battery comprises a housing, or battery tray, comprising a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge defining a housing, a plurality of transverse crosspieces extending from the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge and a plurality of assemblies each comprising electrochemical cells secured to each other. The crosspieces and the assemblies are arranged successively longitudinally in said housing, clamped against each other in a clamping direction perpendicular to the direction in which the battery is mounted. The clamping can be carried out in the housing or outside, then incorporated into said housing. However, a disadvantage remains.If one of the electrochemical cells is damaged, it is necessary to change the entire module because dismantling the said housing causes irreversible decompression of the battery cells.

[0003] The objective of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a means allowing the replacement of a single battery cell without damaging the other battery cells.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a tool configured to hold at least one battery module when replacing a defective battery cell in a battery tray of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a front running gear and a rear running gear whose points of contact with the ground define a base plane defined by a first longitudinal direction corresponding to straight-line driving, by a second transverse direction orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction and a third vertical direction orthogonal to the first direction and to the second direction and is oriented away from the ground, said battery tray comprising at least one side member and a plurality of cross members forming a plurality of housings each capable of receiving said battery module, said battery module comprising a set of battery cells, remarkable in that said tool comprises a longitudinal portion and a plurality of portions perpendicular to said longitudinal portion, said tool being able to be positioned parallel to the side member in the first direction and each perpendicular portion being able to be positioned on one of the cross members in the third direction.

[0005] Thanks to the invention, the tool allows the battery modules to be held in place by preventing deformation of the crosspieces, and more generally of the battery tray, when replacing a defective battery cell.

[0006] Advantageously, each crosspiece comprises an opening, said perpendicular portions being configured to fit into said openings.

[0007] The fitting of the perpendicular portion into said crosspiece facilitates the positioning of said tool on said battery tray.

[0008] Advantageously, each perpendicular portion is fixed to one of the crosspieces by at least one screw.

[0009] This configuration makes it possible to solidify the connection between the tool and the battery box. Thus, the risk of deformation of the battery box is reduced.

[0010] Advantageously, said tool is made of steel.

[0011] Steel is a strong and deformation-resistant material. It is also economical because it is inexpensive and recyclable.

[0012] Preferably, the steel is a carbon steel or a stainless steel.

[0013] These two types of steel are particularly resistant to deformation.

[0014] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for replacing a defective battery cell of a battery module of a battery tray of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle using said tool previously described, remarkable in that said method comprises the following steps: - a tool fixing step during which each perpendicular portion is fixed on one of the crosspieces in the third direction; - a step of dismantling the spar; - a step of removing the battery module comprising the defective battery cell in the second direction; - a step of mounting the spar; - a tool removal step; - a step of replacing the defective battery cell with a new battery cell; - a step of compressing the battery module comprising the new battery cell; - a step of inserting the battery module into said housing.

[0015] Advantageously, said battery module is fixed by an adhesive to said housing, said method comprising a step of cleaning the adhesive between said step of removing the battery module and said mounting step.

[0016] The presence of an adhesive to fix the battery module to the housing makes it possible to solidify the fixing of the battery module to the housing, but also to cushion any possible shock from the battery tray which could damage the battery cells.

[0017] Preferably, during the step of removing the battery module, said battery module is extracted from said housing by means of a scraper capable of detaching said battery module.

[0018] The use of a scraper avoids the need for a flammable detergent agent, the poor cleaning of which could cause the battery module to overheat or even catch fire.

[0019] Advantageously, a rope is embedded in said glue present in said housing, and during the step of removing the battery module, said rope is pulled to delaminate the glue.

[0020] Again, the use of a rope prevents the use of a flammable detergent. In addition, the rope is directly available following removal of the battery module and there is no need to bring a new tool to proceed with the detachment of the battery module.

[0021] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a battery tray of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a tool for holding a battery module according to one embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates the battery tray following removal of the side member and the battery module with a defective battery cell.

[0022] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a battery tray 100 of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle 1000 comprising a front running gear and a rear running gear whose points of contact with the ground define a base plane XY defined by a first longitudinal direction X corresponding to straight-line driving, by a second transverse direction Y orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction X and a third vertical direction Z orthogonal to the first direction X and to the second direction Y and is oriented away from the ground. The battery tray 100 comprises at least one side member 3 and a plurality of cross members 4. The side member 3 is a longitudinal structure extending along the body of said vehicle 1000. The side member 3 has the role of serving as a structural base to which other components of the vehicle 1000 are fixed. The at least one side member 3 and said plurality of crosspieces 4 form a plurality of housings. Each housing is capable of receiving a battery module 2. In [Fig.l], said battery tray 100 comprises 2 longitudinal members arranged opposite each other in the second direction Y. In addition, the battery tray 100 comprises 10 crosspieces, thus forming 8 housings. Each of the 8 housings comprises a battery module 2. Each battery module 2 comprises a plurality of battery cells 6. A tool 1 intended for holding at least one of the battery modules 2 during the replacement of a defective battery cell 6 is positioned on said battery tray 100. The tool 1 comprises a longitudinal portion 1a and a plurality of portions 1b perpendicular to said longitudinal portion 1a. In [Fig.l], said tool 1 is positioned on said battery tray 2 so that each perpendicular portion 1b is arranged on one of the crosspieces 4.Preferably, each crosspiece has an opening and said perpendicular portions 1b are intended to fit into said openings. Advantageously, each perpendicular portion 1b of said tool 1 is fixed to one of the crosspieces 4 by at least one screw. Thus, the connection between said tool 1 and said crosspieces 4 is solid, which further reduces the risks of displacement of the other battery modules 2 or of deformation of the battery tray 100. Advantageously, said tool 1 is made of steel. Steel is a material resistant to deformation. Thus, it is particularly useful in the context of the invention for securely holding the crosspieces 4 of the battery tray 2 in place. In addition, steel is inexpensive and recyclable. The use of steel therefore allows a reduction in the production costs of said tool 1. Preferably, said tool 1 is made of carbon steel or stainless steel.Carbon steel is a type of steel that consists primarily of iron and carbon. The higher the carbon content, the more resistant carbon steel is to deformation. Stainless steel is a type of steel that includes chromium. Stainless steel is heat-resistant. Battery modules 2 are susceptible to overheating, so a heat-resistant material is beneficial to prevent damage to the tool 1.

[0023] The tool 1 makes it possible to hold in position each crosspiece 4 on which said tool is positioned. Thus, it is possible to extract one of the battery modules 2, for example to replace it, without moving the other battery modules 2. For example, when a battery cell 6 is defective, it is possible to remove only said battery module comprising the defective battery cell 6 in order to replace it. To replace a defective battery cell 6 of said battery tray previously described, it is necessary to implement the following steps. During a fixing step, the tool 1 is positioned on said battery tray 2. The longitudinal portion 1a is configured to be arranged in the first direction X, above the battery tray 2 in the third direction Z. Each perpendicular portion 1b is configured to be positioned on or in one of the crosspieces 4 in the third direction Z. During a disassembly step, said at least one side member 3 is disassembled in order to open access to the battery modules 2 arranged below said tool 1. The tool 1 exerts a force on the crosspieces 4 so that the latter do not move when the side member 3 is removed. During a step of removing the battery module 2, the battery module 2 comprising the defective battery cell 6 is extracted from said battery tray 2 in the second direction Y. In [Fig. 2], the battery tray 100 is illustrated when the side member 3 is absent and said battery module 2 is removed. Consequently, the housing 5 is visible in [Fig. 2]. The tool 1 firmly maintains the compression of the other battery modules 2 between the cross members 4. During an assembly step, the side member 3 is reassembled on said battery tray 100. During a removal step of the tool 1, said tool 1 is removed from the battery tray 100.Indeed, the battery tray 100 again comprising the spar 3, then it is no longer necessary to maintain said battery modules 2. During a replacement step, the defective battery cell 6 is replaced by a new battery cell 6 in said battery module 2 having been extracted from said battery tray 100. The replacement operation is therefore implemented outside of said battery tray 100. During a compression step, the battery module having been extracted and comprising the new battery cell 6 is compressed so as to have dimensions smaller than the dimensions of said housing 5. During an insertion step, said compressed battery module 2 is introduced into said free housing 5 of said battery tray 100. Advantageously, the battery module 2 is fixed to said housing 5 by an adhesive.In this case, an intermediate cleaning step is implemented between the step of removing the battery module and the step of mounting the assembly. Preferably, when said battery module 2 is fixed to the housing 5 by an adhesive, said battery module 2 is extracted from said housing 5 by means of a scraper capable of detaching said battery module. In another embodiment, a rope is embedded in the adhesive when fixing said battery module 2 in said housing 5. Thus, to release said battery module 2, said rope is pulled in order to delaminate the rope.

Claims

Claims

1. Tool (1) configured to hold at least one battery module (2) when replacing a defective battery cell (6) of a battery tray (100) of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (1000) comprising a front running gear and a rear running gear whose points of contact with the ground define a base plane (XY) defined by a first longitudinal direction (X) corresponding to straight-line driving, by a second transverse direction (Y) orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction (X) and a third vertical direction (Z) orthogonal to the first direction (X) and to the second direction (Y) and is oriented away from the ground, said battery tray (100) comprising at least one side member (3) and a plurality of cross members (4) forming a plurality of housings (5) each capable of receiving said battery module (2), said battery module (2) comprising a set of battery cells (6),characterized in that said tool (1) comprises a longitudinal portion (la) and a plurality of portions (1b) perpendicular to said longitudinal portion, said tool (1) being able to be positioned parallel to the side member (3) in the first direction (X) and each perpendicular portion (1b) being able to be positioned on one of the cross members (4) in the third direction (Z).,

2. Tool according to claim 1 characterized in that each crosspiece (4) has an opening, said perpendicular portions (1b) being configured to fit into said openings.

3. Tool according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that each perpendicular portion (1b) is fixed to one of the crosspieces (4) by at least one

4. V lô. Tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said tool (1) is made of steel.

5. Tool according to claim 4 characterized in that the steel is a carbon steel or a stainless steel.

6. Method for replacing a defective battery cell (6) of a battery module (2) of a battery tray (100) of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle (1000) using said tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: - a step of fixing the tool (1) during which each portion per-

7.

8.

9. pendicular (1b) is fixed on one of the crosspieces (4) in the third direction (Z); - a step of dismantling the spar (3); - a step of removing the battery module (2) comprising the defective battery cell (6) in the second direction (Y); - a step of mounting the spar (3); - a step of removing the tool (1); - a step of replacing the defective battery cell (6) with a new battery cell (6); - a step of compressing the battery module (2) comprising the new battery cell (6); - a step of inserting the battery module (2) into said housing (5). Method according to claim 6 characterized in that said battery module (2) is fixed by an adhesive to said housing (5), said method comprising a step of cleaning the adhesive between said step of removing the battery module (2) and said mounting step. Method according to claim 7 characterized in that, during the step of removing the battery module (2), said battery module (2) is extracted from said housing (5) by means of a scraper capable of detaching said battery module (2). Method according to claim 7 characterized in that a rope is embedded in said glue present in said housing (5), and during the step of removing the battery module (2), said rope is pulled to delaminate the glue.

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