automotive electric battery module

Abstract

The invention relates to a module (10) for an electric battery of a motor vehicle, comprising a juxtaposition of cells (12) oriented parallel to each other in an axial direction A, said module (10) comprising electrical connection means capable of connecting together one, called the first, of the cells (12) with at least one other of the cells (12), these electrical connection means comprising: - a connection panel (14), - a first electrically conductive connection element, comprising an elastically deformable female member, fixed to one of said first cell (12) and said panel (14) and, - a second connection element (20), comprising at least one male member (22) capable of being plugged into the female member (18) in a connection direction (B) to establish an electrical connection between said first (16) and second (20) elements, fixed to the other of said first cell (12) and said panel (14).Figure for abstract: Figure 9.

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle electric battery module Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an electric battery module for a motor vehicle, a battery cell kit used in the manufacture of such a module, and a method of manufacturing such a battery module. Technical background

[0002] It is widely known in the state of the art to propose motor vehicle batteries consisting of an assembly of battery modules, themselves formed of an assembly of battery cells electrically connected to each other in series or parallel arrangements or in combinations of these two arrangements. The battery resulting from the assembly of the modules and the cells within these modules has cumulative voltage and amperage characteristics capable of powering a motor vehicle electric motor.

[0003] More particularly, a motor vehicle battery module generally results from an assembly of prismatically shaped cells, juxtaposed to one another and connected in series or in parallel within the same container consisting of casings assembled to one another, which forms the envelope of the module.

[0004] In the majority of current battery modules, the connections of the battery cells are made by welding their terminations, or by screwing them with connection tabs. These two types of connection pose numerous problems during module maintenance operations, or its recycling. Indeed, in both cases, it is necessary to be able to dismantle either defective battery cells to replace them, or to dismantle them entirely for recycling purposes.

[0005] In both cases, the separation of connections is a long process, which complicates the operations of recycling the modules or their punctual replacement.

[0006] Furthermore, soldered connections are an obstacle to recycling battery modules to give them a second life, because their disassembly involves the destruction of their terminations.

[0007] Document WO2012 / 096844 describes a motor vehicle battery module in which prismatic cells are arranged side by side in housings formed in a holding rack. The cells are connected to each other via an interconnection element resting on an upper face of the rack, whose series-connected contacts are arranged in contact with the terminations of the battery cells. This type of assembly involves prior disassembly of the element interconnection to be able to extract one of the cells from the holding rack, and therefore does not allow individual extraction of specific cells without removing the entire interconnection element.

[0008] There is therefore a real need for an electric battery module for a motor vehicle allowing rapid extraction and replacement of the cells that compose it. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention meets this need by proposing an electric battery module for a motor vehicle in which the cells are connected to each other by simple plugging.

[0010] For this purpose, the invention proposes an electric battery module, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a juxtaposition of cells oriented parallel to an axial direction A, said module comprising electrical connection means capable of connecting together one, called the first, of the cells with at least one other of the cells, characterized in that the electrical connection means comprise:

[0011] - a connection panel,

[0012] - a first electrically conductive connection element, comprising a elastically deformable female member, fixed to one of said first cell and said panel and,

[0013] - a second connection element, comprising at least one male member capable of be plugged into the female member in a connection direction by deforming it to establish an electrical connection between said first and second elements, fixed to the other of said first cell and said panel.

[0014] The battery module according to the invention is particularly advantageous in that it can be obtained by a very simple assembly of cells which are simply plugged into the connection panel, which allows a considerable saving of time during the assembly of the battery module. In addition, this design advantageously allows rapid extraction of the cells, in groups or individually, allowing in particular the replacement of defective individual cells without causing destruction of the battery module. Finally, the disassembly of the battery cells which are simply plugged into the connection panel does not cause damage to their terminations, and allows their reuse, as is often the case for motor vehicle battery cells, in stationary energy storage units.

[0015] According to other characteristics of the invention:

[0016] - the other of the cells is a neighboring cell of the first cell,

[0017] - two of said connection elements which are fixed to said panel comprise in in addition to each a connecting member to a terminal of the battery module,

[0018] - each cell has at least one terminal oriented in the direction of connection, and: • the connection element fixed to the cell comprises a first end comprising the corresponding male or female member and a second opposite end which is fixed and connected to said terminal of the cell, • the connection element fixed to the panel comprises a first end comprising the corresponding female or male member and a second end which is shaped into another identical female or male member or into one of the connecting members,

[0019] - the first connection element is fixed to the cell and the second element of connection is fixed to the panel,

[0020] - the connection means further comprise a spacer interposed between the cell and the panel, said spacer comprising: • a first support face capable of bearing on the cell, in said connection direction, • means of indexing the spacer in relation to the cell, • means for holding the first connection element in a housing complementary to the spacer, and • a second support face capable of bearing on a first face of the panel in said connection direction,

[0021] - the panel and the spacer further comprise means for indexing the position of the spacer relative to the panel,

[0022] - the means for indexing the spacer relative to the panel comprise bores of the panel and the spacer which are arranged opposite each other, which open respectively into the first face of the panel and into the second support face of the spacer, and which are capable of receiving complementary pins allowing the positioning of the spacers relative to the panel,

[0023] - the first connection element consists of a first cut plate and stamped or folded capable of being in contact with a face of the cell comprising its terminal, said first connection element comprising: • at the first end, a claw comprising two jaws elastically deformable in a transverse direction, forming the female member, the first end of the second connection element forming the male member is capable of being inserted into and held pinched by said jaws, • at the second end, a hole formed in the plate, and capable of cooperating with the terminal of the cell,

[0024] - each bit comprises: • a first wing which extends perpendicular to the plate, • a second wing, joined to the first wing, which is curved towards the inside of the jaws.

[0025] - the second connection element consists of a second cut plate and stamped or folded which is capable of being fitted into a complementary housing opening into the first face of the panel, said second connection element comprising at least: • at the first end, a first tab extending substantially axially from the second plate and forming the male member, capable of being inserted between said jaws, • at the second end, another first tab forming another of the male members or a second tab of transverse orientation, capable of being inserted or welded to one end of one of the terminals of the battery module, • a third tab, extending substantially axially from the second plate and passing through the panel, said tab being flush with a second face of the panel,

[0026] - the spacer comprises, at the right of the jaws of the first connection element, a slot allowing the passage of the first leg of the second connection element,

[0027] - the spacer comprises, at the right of the second end of each first element connection, an opening allowing the passage of a tool for fixing said second end of the first connection element to the terminal of the cell,

[0028] - each terminal of the cell is shaped in the form of a threaded rod passing through drilling the second end of the first connecting element, said rod being fixed to the plate by a nut,

[0029] - each cell has two terminals arranged on its face, the indexing means of the spacer relative to the cell being obtained by the means of maintaining the first connection elements associated with the two terminals in the complementary housings of the spacer and the cooperation of said two first connection elements with said two terminals,

[0030] - the panel comprises a network of communicating grooves opening into its second face and an electrical control harness connected to the third legs, said harness being housed in said network,

[0031] - the module comprises a frame bordering the panel and topped with a cover, the panel, frame and cover delimiting a container of battery cells,

[0032] - an outer side face of the frame receives a connector connected to the harness electrical and a control computer box connected to said connector,

[0033] - said panel forms a substantially flat base for said container,

[0034] - said cells are prismatic and in contact with each other and / or in contact of said frame by a plane-to-plane contact without play.

[0035] The invention also relates to a battery cell kit which can be used directly with a connection panel according to the invention for the constitution of the battery module described above, this kit comprising one of the battery cells and at least one male or female connection element fixed to said terminal of said cell and capable of establishing an electrical connection between said cell and a similar cell of the module.

[0036] According to a characteristic of the kit, the kit further comprises the spacer, fixed to the cell.

[0037] The invention finally relates to a method of assembling a battery module of the type described above, characterized in that it comprises at least the steps of:

[0038] - i) providing a determined number of cells,

[0039] - ii) fixing and connecting at least one first connection element to each of the cell terminals,

[0040] - iii) fixing second connection elements to the panel,

[0041] - iv) arranging the battery cells on the panel according to the connection direction so as to connect all the cells to the second connection elements.

[0042] According to another characteristic of the method, during step i) prismatic cells are provided having lateral flanks parallel to the axial direction and during step iv) their axial direction is made to coincide with a vertical connection direction and the cells are arranged on the panel by lowering them by gravity, juxtaposing them so that they are in contact with each other by their lateral flanks. Brief description of the figures

[0043] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0044] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a first exploded perspective view of a battery cell kit comprising first connection elements and a spacer according to the invention;

[0045] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a second exploded perspective view of the cell kit of battery of [Fig.l];

[0046] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the assembly of the cell kit of battery of [Fig.l];

[0047] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of the battery cell kit of [Fig.l];

[0048] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a second connection element for an electric battery module according to the invention;

[0049] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a second connection element for an electric battery module according to the invention;

[0050] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the second connection element and a terminal of the battery module;

[0051] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is an exploded perspective view of a connection panel, second connection elements, terminals, and indexing pins for a battery module according to the invention;

[0052] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is an exploded perspective view illustrating the plugging of the cells on the connection panel;

[0053] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of one of the cells plugged into the connection panel;

[0054] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a sectional view of one of the cells plugged into the connection panel;

[0055] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a perspective view of the cells plugged into the connection panel, and of an electrical harness arranged opposite a network of communicating grooves of the connection panel;

[0056] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a perspective view illustrating the electrical harness received in the network of communicating grooves of the connection panel;

[0057] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is a perspective detail view illustrating the connection of the electrical harness with a third leg of a second connection element;

[0058] [Fig. 15] [Fig. 15] is an exploded perspective view of the cells plugged into the connection panel and a lower closure plate of the connection panel;

[0059] [Fig. 16] [Fig. 16] is an exploded perspective view of the cells plugged into the connection panel, a frame and a cover of the battery module according to the invention;

[0060] [Fig. 17] [Fig. 17] is a perspective view of the battery module according to the invention shown assembled;

[0061] [Fig. 18] [Fig. 18] is a block diagram illustrating the steps of a method of assembling a battery module according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0062] In the following description, identical reference numerals designate identical parts or parts having similar functions.

[0063]

[0064] Figures 16 and 17 show an electric battery module 10 for a motor vehicle produced in accordance with the invention. The battery module 10 and its constituents will be described with reference to the directions of the trihedron "X", "Y", "Z", where "X" designates the transverse direction, "Y" designates the longitudinal direction and "Z" designates the vertical direction.

[0065] In a known manner, as illustrated more particularly in [Fig. 16], the module 10 comprises a juxtaposition of cells 12 oriented parallel to each other in an axial direction A which is here parallel to the vertical direction Z. This configuration is not limiting of the invention and the cells 12 could be oriented parallel to each other in an axial direction and which would be other than parallel to the vertical direction Z.

[0066] In a known manner, the module 10 comprises electrical connection means capable of connecting together one, called the first, of the cells 12 with at least one other of the cells 12.

[0067] Numerous electrical connection means are known from the state of the art, such as welding or screwing connection means. All of these means have the disadvantage of requiring time-consuming, or even destructive, operations on the cells 12 when it is a question of replacing all of these cells 12 or extracting some of them to replace them individually.

[0068] For this purpose, the electrical connection means according to the invention comprise, as generally illustrated in Figures 9 to 11:

[0069] - a connection panel 14,

[0070] - a first electrically conductive connection element 16, comprising a female organ 18, better visible [Fig.4], elastically deformable, fixed to the first cell 12 or panel 14 and,

[0071] - a second connection element 20, comprising at least one male member 22 able to be plugged into the female member 18 in a connection direction B by deforming it to establish an electrical connection between the first and second elements 16, 20, fixed to the other of the cells 12 or panel 14.

[0072] Generally speaking, the invention is applicable to all types of cells, regardless of their shape. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in [Fig. 1], the invention applies to prismatic cells 12 oriented in the axial direction A and comprising an axial end face 24 carrying two positive and negative terminals 26 projecting from this face 24. The direction B in which the cells 12 are here intended to be plugged in corresponds to the vertical direction Z.

[0073] It will be understood that this arrangement is not limiting of the invention and that the invention is applicable to non-prismatic cells, for example cylindrical cells or cells of any shape, oriented parallel to each other in a direction different from the vertical direction Z (for example the transverse direction X), not necessarily comprising an axial end face carrying terminal(s), or comprising terminals on different faces, without limitation of the invention.

[0074] In the remainder of this description, prismatic cells 12 of substantially parallelepipedal shape will be considered, oriented parallel to each other in a direction A which is parallel to the direction Z and which are plugged into the panel 14 in a connection direction B which is also parallel to the direction Z, without this characteristic being limiting of the invention.

[0075] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the other cell which is connected to the first cell 12 is a cell neighboring the first cell 12. This characteristic is obviously not limiting of the invention, and it will be understood that the electrical connection established between the first connection element 16 and the second connection element 18 could extend between two non-neighboring cells 12 separated by a space and / or by another cell or another member of the battery module 12.

[0076] However, for the sake of optimizing the volume occupied by the cells 12 in the battery module, the battery module 10 which is the subject of the present description comprises neighboring cells 12 which, as has been seen, are prismatic and are in contact with each other by their lateral faces 13 and 15 according to a plane-to-plane contact without play, as shown in [Fig.9].

[0077] In the preferred embodiment of the invention which has been shown in the figures, the first connection element 16, comprising the elastically deformable female member 18 is fixed to the cell 12 and the second connection element 20, comprising the male member 22 complementary to the female member 18 and capable of being plugged into this female member 18, is fixed to the panel 14. It will be understood that this configuration is not limiting of the invention and that by a simple mechanical inversion the female members 18 could be carried by the panel 14 and the male members 22 could be carried by the cells 12.

[0078] In this configuration, two of the connection elements which are fixed to the panel 14, that is to say two of the second connection elements 20, each further comprise a connecting member to a terminal 28 of the battery module 10. The connecting member of the second connection element 20 could be specific to the connection with the terminal 28 of the battery module 10. For example, the connecting member with the terminal 28 of the battery module 10 could be made of a braid welded to the second connection element 20. However, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the connecting member is part of the second connection element 20 and preferably consists of a male member 22 similar to the male member 22 generally intended to be complementary to the female member 18 of the first connection element 16. To establish the connection, the terminal 26 of the battery module 10 comprises at one of its ends 30 a female member 32 which is complementary to this male member 22, and which will be described later in the remainder of this description.

[0079] The first and second connection elements 16, 20 will now be described in more detail.

[0080] As we have seen, each cell 12 comprises at least one terminal 26 oriented in the connection direction B.

[0081] In the embodiment shown in the figures as can be seen in figures 1 and 2, each prismatic cell 12 has on its end face 24 the two positive and negative terminals 26. The first connection element 16 has a first end 34 comprising the female member 18 and a second opposite end 36 which is fixed and connected to the corresponding terminal 26 of the cell 12. 14. Each terminal 26 of the cell 12 is shaped in the form of a threaded rod, which extends for example, but in a non-limiting manner of the invention, in the axial direction A in which the cells 12 are oriented parallel to each other.

[0082] More particularly, the first connection element 16 consists of a first plate, cut and stamped or folded, which is capable of being in contact with a face of the cell comprising the corresponding terminal 26, that is to say with the face 24 from which the terminals 26 extend.

[0083] At the first end 34 of the first connection element 16, the latter comprises a claw 18, forming the female member 18, which comprises two jaws 38 elastically deformable in the transverse direction X. It will be understood that this arrangement is not limiting of the invention and that the female member could take another form such as for example a female socket capable of receiving a complementary cylindrical male member.

[0084] As illustrated in more detail by the first connection element 16 shown on the right of [Fig.l], each jaw 38 comprises a first wing 40 which extends perpendicularly to the plate 16 and a second wing 42, joined to the first wing 40, which is curved towards the inside of the jaws 38. The elasticity of the metallic material of the first wings 40 allows the separation of the second wings 42 when the second connection element 20 is introduced between the jaws 38.

[0085] At the second end 36 of the first connection element 16, the latter comprises a hole 43 formed in the plate 16, which is capable of cooperating with the terminal 26 of the cell 12.

[0086] The battery cell 12 and its first connection elements 16 fixed to the terminals 26 of the cell 12 form the simplest expression of a battery cell kit that can be used directly with the panel 14 to establish an electrical connection between the cell 12 and a similar cell 12 of the module 10.

[0087] As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the connection element 20 fixed to the panel 14, for its part, comprises a first end comprising the corresponding male member 22 and a second end which is shaped into another identical male member 22 or into one of the connecting members allowing the connection to the terminal 28 of the module. In the present case, each connecting member allowing the connection to the terminal 28 of the module being configured in the form of a male member 22 identical to that allowing the connection to the female members 18, the connection element 20 therefore comprises in any event two identical male members 22.

[0088] More particularly, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the second connection element 20 consists of a second cut and stamped or folded plate which is capable of being fitted into the panel 14. Each second plate 20 is in particular capable of being fitted into a complementary housing 48 which opens into a first face 50 of the panel 14.

[0089] As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, each second connection element 20 comprises at least, at its first end 44, a first tab 22 extending substantially axially from the second plate and forming the male member 22 capable of being inserted between the jaws 38 of the first connection element 16. The first tab 22 is inserted into the jaws 38 of the first connection element 16 and is held pinched there, so that it ensures a reliable electrical connection between the first connection element 16 and the second connection element 20.

[0090] At its second end 46, as illustrated in [Fig.5], the connection element 20 may comprise another first leg 22 forming another of the male members 22. In this case, the connection element allows the connection between two cells 12.

[0091] Alternatively, at its second end 46, as illustrated in [Fig. 6], the second connection element 20 may comprise a second transversely oriented tab 22 forming a connecting member allowing connection to the terminal 28 of the module 10. Without this being limiting of the invention, it has been seen previously that in the embodiment shown here, the connecting member is identical to the male member 22, and therefore to a tab 22. In this alternative, the two tabs 22 may also extend from one end to the other of the connection element 20 to form only one tab, as shown in [Fig. 6].

[0092] As illustrated in [Fig.7], this tab 22 is capable of being inserted or welded to the end 30 of one of the terminals 28 of the battery module 10. In particular, the end 30 may include a slot 32 forming a female member which is complementary to the tab 22.

[0093] Advantageously, as illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 10, 11 and 14, the second connection element 20 comprises a third tab 52 extending substantially axially from the second plate 22 and passing through the panel 14. This third tab 52 is flush with a second face 54 of the panel 14. It is therefore possible by means of this third tab 52, which is electrically connected to each of the terminals of the cells 12, to carry out a voltage measurement at the terminals of these cells 12, and more generally, as will be seen in the remainder of this description, to measure the voltage at various points of the juxtaposition of cells and therefore to check the state of the module 10.

[0094] To allow rapid mounting of the battery cell kit 47 on the panel 14 in order to establish electrical connections between the cells 12, the cell kit 47 further comprises a spacer 56 fixed to the cell 12. This spacer 56 allows, on the one hand, the maintenance of the first connection elements 16 and, on the other hand, the positioning of the cell 12 relative to the panel 14.

[0095] More particularly, the spacer 56 is part of the connection means and is intended to be between the cell 12 and the panel 14. It comprises firstly, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first bearing face 58 capable of bearing on the cell 12, in the connection direction B. It comprises secondly a second bearing face 60 capable of bearing on the first face 50 of the panel 14 in said connection direction B, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0096] It also comprises means for holding each connection element 16 in a complementary housing 62 of the spacer 56. For example, in the present case, the spacer 56 is made of a plastic material, it comprises two housings 62 complementary to the first connection elements 16. In particular, the first connection elements 16 can be snapped into these housings 62 so as to be firmly immobilized relative to the spacer 56.

[0097] To allow the connection of the first connection elements 16 to the second connection elements 20, as illustrated in [Fig.l], the spacer 56 comprises, at the right of each pair of jaws 38 fixed to the first end 34 of the first connection element 16, a slot 64 allowing the passage of the first tab of the second connection element 20 inside the housing 62 of the spacer 56, to be able to reach the jaws 38.

[0098] Furthermore, the spacer 56 comprises, at the right of the second end 36 of each first connection element 16, an opening 66 allowing the passage of a tool 68 for fixing said second end 36 of the first connection element to the terminal of the cell.

[0099] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the terminals 26 of each cell 12 are shaped in the form of threaded rods, and the second end 36 of the first connection element 16 comprises, as has been seen, a bore 43 intended to cooperate with the strip 26. In this way, each terminal in the form of threaded rods passes through the bore 43 of the second end 36 of the first connection element 16, and the threaded rod is fixed to the plate 16 by a nut 70. The tool 68 can therefore be a simple tubular key.

[0100] Finally, the spacer 56 comprises indexing means relative to the cell 12.

[0101] To this end, the invention advantageously takes advantage of the fact that each cell 12 comprises two terminals 26 arranged on the same face 24, the means for indexing the spacer 56 relative to the cell 12 are obtained by the means for holding the first connection elements 16, that is to say the cooperation of the housings 62 with the first connection elements 16, and the cooperation of said first connection elements 16 with the terminals 26. Thus, the spacer 56 is immobilized relative to the first connection elements 16, since they are received in the housings 62, and these first connection elements 16 are immobilized relative to the terminals 26 by means of the nuts 70.It will be understood that this configuration is not limiting of the invention and that the indexing of the spacer 56 could be ensured by other means, for example tabs extending from the spacer 56 in the direction A and cooperating with the walls 13 or 15 of the cells 12.

[0102] It has been seen that the role of the spacer 56 was to facilitate the positioning of the cell 12 relative to the panel 14. The positioning of the spacer 56 being, as has been seen, ensured in a univocal manner relative to the cell 12, it is also important to ensure in a univocal manner the positioning of the spacer 56 relative to the panel 14 to guarantee the positioning of the cell 12 relative to the panel 14.

[0103] For this purpose, the panel 14 and the spacer 56 comprise means for indexing the position of the spacer 56 relative to the panel 14. These indexing means can take any form known from the state of the art. However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, these comprise, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 8, 9, and 11, bores 72 in the panel 14 and bores 74 formed in the face of the spacer which are arranged opposite each other, which open respectively into the first face 50 of the panel 14 and into the second bearing face 60 of the spacer 56, and which are capable of receiving complementary pins 76 which are received in the two bores 72, 74. The pins 76 thus allow the positioning of the spacers 56 relative to the panel 14.

[0104] In the figures, bores 72 and 74 of the same diameter are shown. This configuration makes it possible to use pins 76 of a single diameter not requiring any particular positioning. However, it will be understood that the bores 72 and 74 can be of different diameters, with pins 76 having two sections of different diameters.

[0105] As seen previously, the second connection elements 20 comprise third legs 52 which open into the face 54 of the panel 14, and which allow a measurement of the voltage at the terminals of the cells 12. Advantageously, the measurement of the voltage and the control can be entrusted to an electrical system making it possible to control all of the cells 12. For this purpose, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15, the second face 54 of the panel 14 comprises a network of communicating grooves 78 which open into this second face 54 and an electrical control harness 80 which is connected to the third legs 52, as shown in [Fig. 14]. The harness 80 is housed in the network of grooves 78. The harness 80 is connected to a connector 82.

[0106] As illustrated in Figures 16 and 17, to enable the protection of the cells 12, the module 10 comprises a frame 84 bordering the panel 14 and which is topped with a cover 86. The panel 14, the frame 84 and the cover 86 delimit a container for the battery cells 12. The panel 14 thus forms a substantially flat base of the container. Advantageously, the cover 86 is crossed by the connection terminals 28 of the module 10 previously described. As illustrated in [Fig. 15], the connector 82 of the harness 80 is for example applied to an external lateral face 88 of the frame 84. This same external lateral face 88 receives a housing 90 of a control computer connected to the connector 82. Said computer is possibly configured to balance the cells in series during electrical charging and discharging of said cells, in particular with a view to balancing their voltage level regardless of the state of charge.Alternatively or cumulatively, it is configured to measure voltages and / or temperatures. It is also called BMS according to the English acronym for “Battery Management System”.

[0107] Finally, it will be noted that the beam 80 can be protected by the addition of a protective plate 92 which is applied under the second face of the panel 14.

[0108] In this configuration, the battery module 10 according to the invention can be assembled in a very simple manner according to a method comprising, firstly, a step i) consisting of providing a determined number of cells 12. Then follows a step ii) during which at least one first connection element 16 is fixed and connected to each of the terminals 26 of the cells 12, if necessary by means of the spacer 56. Then the second connection elements 20 are fixed to the panel 14 during a step iii). Finally, during a step iv), the battery cells 10 are arranged on the panel 14 in the connection direction B so as to connect all the cells 12 to the second connection elements.

[0109] This method makes perfect sense when implemented with prismatic cells 12. Indeed, by providing prismatic cells 12 having lateral flanks 13, 15 parallel to the axial direction A and, during step iv), by making their axial direction A coincide with a vertical connection direction Z, the cells 12 can be arranged on the panel 14 by simply lowering them by gravity under the effect of their weight and by guiding them relative to each other by juxtaposing them so that they are in contact with each other by their lateral flanks 13, 15. The same contact of the cells 12 between their lateral flanks 13, 15 also makes it possible to guide them in the event of extraction of individual cells 12.

[0110] The invention therefore makes it possible to considerably rationalize the assembly of a battery module 10 and to allow the disassembly and / or replacement of its cells 12 individually with reduced intervention times.

Claims

Claims

1. Electric battery module (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a juxtaposition of cells (12) oriented parallel to each other in an axial direction A, said module (10) comprising electrical connection means capable of connecting together one, called the first, of the cells (12) with at least one other of the cells (12), characterized in that the electrical connection means comprise: - a connection panel (14), - a first electrically conductive connection element (16), comprising an elastically deformable female member (18), fixed to one of said first cell (12) and said panel (14) and, - a second connection element (20), comprising at least one male member (22) capable of being plugged into the female member (18) in a connection direction (B) by deforming it to establish an electrical connection between said first (16) and second (20) elements,attached to the other of said first cell (12) and said panel (14).,

2. Battery module (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the other of the cells (12) is a cell adjacent to the first cell (12).

3. Battery module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two of said connection elements (16, 20) which are fixed to said panel (14) each further comprise a member for connection to a terminal (28) of the battery module (10).

4. Electric battery module (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each cell (10) comprises at least one terminal (26) oriented in the connection direction (B), and in that: - the connection element (16) fixed to the cell (12) comprises a first end (34) comprising the corresponding male or female member and a second opposite end which is fixed and connected to said terminal of the cell, - the connection element fixed to the panel comprises a first end (44) comprising the corresponding female or male member (18) and a second end (36) which is shaped in another female or male organ (18) identical or in one of the connecting organs.

5. Electric battery module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connection element (16) is fixed to the cell (12) and in that the second connection element (20) is fixed to the panel (14).

6. Electric battery module (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connection means further comprise a spacer (56) interposed between the cell (12) and the panel (14), said spacer (56) comprising: - a first bearing face (58) capable of bearing on the cell (12), in said connection direction (B), - means for indexing the spacer (56) relative to the cell (12), - means for holding the first connection element (16) in a housing (62) complementary to the spacer (56), and - a second bearing face (60) capable of bearing on a first face (50) of the panel (14) in said connection direction (B).

7. Battery module (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the panel (14) and the spacer (56) further comprise means for indexing the position of the spacer (56) relative to the panel (14).

8. Battery module (10) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the first connection element (16) consists of a first cut and stamped or folded plate capable of being in contact with a face (24) of the cell (12) comprising its terminal (26), said first connection element (16) comprising: - at the first end (34), a claw comprising two jaws (38) elastically deformable in a transverse direction (X), forming the female member (18), the first end (44) of the second connection element (20) forming the male member (22) is capable of being inserted into and held pinched by said jaws (38), - at the second end (36), a bore (43) formed in the plate, and capable of cooperating with the terminal (26) of the cell (12).

9. Battery module (10) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the second connection element (20) is consisting of a second cut and stamped or folded plate which is capable of being fitted into a complementary housing (48) opening into the first face (50) of the panel (14), said second connection element (20) comprising at least: - at the first end (44), a first tab extending substantially axially from the second plate and forming the male member (22) capable of being inserted between said jaws, - at the second end, another first tab forming another of the male members (22) or a second transversely oriented tab capable of being inserted or welded to one end (30) of one of the terminals (28) of the battery module, - a third tab (52), extending substantially axially from the second plate (22) and passing through the panel (14), said tab (52) being flush with a second face (54) of the panel (14).

10. Battery module (10) according to claims 8 and 9 taken in combination, characterized in that the spacer (56) comprises, at right angles to the jaws (38) of the first connection element (16), a slot (64) allowing the passage of the first tab (22) of the second connection element (20).

11. Battery module (10) according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the spacer (56) comprises, at the right of the second end (36) of each first connection element (16), an opening (66) allowing the passage of a tool (68) for fixing said second end (36) of the first connection element (16) to the terminal (26) of the cell (12).

12. Battery module (10) according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that each cell (12) comprises two terminals (26) arranged on the same face (24), the means for indexing the spacer (56) relative to the cell (10) being obtained by the means for holding the first connection elements (16) associated with the two terminals (26) in the housings (62) complementary to the spacer (56) and the cooperation of said two first connection elements (16) with said two terminals (26).

13. Battery module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a frame (84) bordering the panel (14) and topped with a cover (86), the panel (14), the frame (84) and the cover (86) delimiting a container for the battery cells (12).

14. Battery module (10) according to one of claims 9 to 12 taken in combination with claim 13, characterized in that the panel (14) comprises a network of communicating grooves (78) opening into its second face (54) and an electrical control harness (80) connected to the third legs (52), said harness being housed in said network, and in that an external lateral face (88) of the frame receives a connector (82) connected to said electrical harness (80) and a housing (90) of a control computer connected to said connector (82).

15. Battery cell kit (47) for a battery module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising one of the battery cells (12) and at least one male (22) or female (18) connection element fixed to said terminal (26) of said cell (12) and capable of establishing an electrical connection between said cell (12) and a similar cell (12) of the module (10).

16. Method for assembling a battery module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises at least the steps of: - i) providing a determined number of cells (12), - ii) fixing and connecting at least one first connection element (16) to each of the terminals (26) of the cells, - iii) fixing second connection elements (20) to the panel (14), - iv) arranging the battery cells (12) on the panel (14) in the connection direction (B) so as to connect all the cells (10) to the second connection elements (20).

17. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that during step i), prismatic cells (12) are provided having lateral flanks (13, 15) parallel to the axial direction (A), in that during step iv), their axial direction (A) is made to coincide with a vertical connection direction (Z) and the cells (12) are arranged on the panel (14) by lowering them by gravity and juxtaposing them so that they are in contact with each other by their lateral flanks (13, 15) in a plane-on-plane contact without play.

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