System for holding electrochemical accumulator modules. Handling equipment incorporating at least one such system.

Abstract

System for holding electrochemical accumulator modules. Handling equipment incorporating at least one such system. The invention relates to a system for holding a battery module (M) comprising: - a plurality of electrochemical accumulators (A1, A2…A42) arranged to form a matrix; - where appropriate, at least one rigid casing (10) comprising a lateral envelope (11) surrounding the matrix; the system (20) comprising at least two clamping jaws (21, 22) each comprising: - a support plate (23, 24), - at least one inflatable cushion (25, 26) supported and fixed to the support plate, and which, in at least one inflated state, is adapted to come into contact by matching at least part of the external shape of the matrix or where appropriate of the rigid casing of the module and thus clamp it with the other cushion also in at least one inflated state. Figure for the abstract: fig.4

Description

Title of the invention: System for holding electrochemical accumulator modules. Handling equipment integrating at least one such system. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrochemical accumulators, and more particularly metal-ion accumulators.

[0002] The invention aims mainly to propose a reliable and simple solution for maintaining, in particular for handling purposes, a battery module, in particular when it is being assembled or, conversely, out of use and / or at the end of its life.

[0003] Although described with reference to a Lithium-ion accumulator, the invention applies to any metal-ion electrochemical accumulator, i.e. also sodium-ion, Magnesium-ion, Aluminum-ion accumulators, etc., or more generally to any electrochemical accumulator, in particular NiCd, Pb, NiMH accumulators, etc.

[0004] Also, the invention applies to all accumulator geometries.

[0005] Finally, although described with reference to a problem of processing modules of used and / or end-of-life batteries, with a view to their recycling, the invention can also be implemented for the maintenance of new battery modules or matrices constituting them, during their initial assembly and / or during their integration into a final structure, for which they are intended, in particular in a motor vehicle.

[0006] A battery module or pack according to the invention may be on-board or stationary. For example, the fields of electric and hybrid transport and grid-connected storage systems may be envisaged within the scope of the invention. Prior art

[0007] As illustrated schematically in Figures 1 and 2, a lithium-ion battery or accumulator usually comprises at least one electrochemical cell consisting of an electrolyte constituent 1 between a positive electrode or cathode 2 and a negative electrode or anode 3, a current collector 4 connected to the cathode 2, a current collector 5 connected to the anode 3 and finally, a packaging 6 arranged to contain the electrochemical cell with sealing while being crossed by a part of the current collectors 4, 5.

[0008] The architecture of conventional lithium-ion batteries comprises an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. Several types of conventional architecture geometry are known:

[0009] - a cylindrical geometry as disclosed in the US patent application 2006 / 0121348,

[0010] - a prismatic geometry as disclosed in US patents 7348098, US 7338733;

[0011] - a stacking geometry as disclosed in US patent applications 2008 / 060189, US 2008 / 0057392.

[0012] These different types of geometry are also described in publication [1].

[0013] The electrolyte component 1 may be in solid, liquid or gel form. In this In the latter form, the constituent may comprise a polymer, ceramic or microporous composite separator soaked with organic or ionic liquid electrolyte(s) that allows the movement of the Lithium ion from the cathode to the anode for charging and vice versa for discharging, thereby generating the current. The electrolyte generally consists of a mixture of organic, non-aqueous solvents and lithium salts, as well as additives to improve performance, such as the formation and growth of electrode / electrolyte interfaces (SEI), limitation of side reactions, etc.Electrolytes can be composed of binary or ternary mixture based on cyclic carbonates (ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate), linear or branched (dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, methyl ethyl carbonate, dimethoxyethane) in various proportions in which one or more lithium salts are dissolved, such as LiPF6, LiCF3SO3, LiFSI, LiTDI, LiDFOB, LiBF4, LiC104, etc.

[0014] The positive electrode or cathode 2 is made of lithium cation insertion materials which are generally composite, such as lithium iron phosphate LiFePO4, lithium cobalt oxide LiCoO2, lithium manganese oxide, possibly substituted, LiMn2O4 or transition metal oxide, such as lamellar materials for example, a material based on LiNixMnyCozO2 with x+y+z = 1, such as LiNio.33Mno,33 Co033O2 or LiNio.8Mno.iCoo.i02, or a material based on nickel cobalt aluminum oxide type LiNixCoyAlzO2 with x+y+z = 1, such as LiNio.xCo0 15Al().05O2.

[0015] The negative electrode or anode 3 is very often made of graphite carbon or Li4TiO5O12 (titanate material), possibly also based on silicon or a composite formed from silicon. This negative electrode, like the positive electrode, may also contain electronically conductive additives as well as polymer additives which give it mechanical properties and electrochemical performances appropriate to the lithium-ion battery application or to its implementation method.

[0016] The anode and the cathode made of lithium insertion material can be deposited continuously using a standard technique in the form of an active layer on a metal sheet or foil constituting a current collector.

[0017] The current collector 4 connected to the positive electrode is generally made of aluminum.

[0018] The current collector 5 connected to the negative electrode is generally made of copper, nickel-plated copper or aluminum. More specifically, aluminum is used for the current collectors common to positive and negative electrodes of titanate Li4Ti50i2. Copper is rather for the negative electrodes of graphite (Cgr), silicon (Si) or silicon composite (Si-C).

[0019] A lithium-ion battery or accumulator can obviously comprise a plurality of electrochemical cells which are stacked on top of each other.

[0020] Traditionally, a Li-ion battery or accumulator uses a pair of materials at the anode and cathode allowing it to operate at a high voltage level, typically between 1.5 and 4.2 Volts.

[0021] Depending on the type of application targeted, the aim is to produce either a thin and flexible lithium-ion accumulator or a rigid accumulator: the packaging is then either flexible or rigid and in the latter case constitutes a sort of case.

[0022] Flexible packaging is usually manufactured from a multi-layer composite material, consisting of a stack of aluminum layers covered by one or more polymer films laminated by bonding.

[0023] Rigid packaging is used when the intended applications are restrictive where a long service life is required, for example with much higher pressures to be supported and a stricter required level of sealing, typically less than 10 8mbar.l / s, or in environments with high constraints such as the aeronautical or space sector.

[0024] Rigid packaging (battery cases) is usually made from a metallic material, typically an aluminum alloy or stainless steel or a rigid polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

[0025] Rigid Li-ion battery packaging cases can be cylindrical, electrochemical cells of the batteries are wound by winding in a cylindrical geometry around a cylindrical mandrel. They can also be prismatic in shape by flattened winding.

[0026] One of the types of rigid cylindrical shaped case, usually manufactured for a high capacity Li-ion accumulator, is illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0027] A rigid prismatic shaped case is also shown in [Fig.4].

[0028] The housing 6 comprises a cylindrical side casing 7, a base 8 at one end, a cover 9 at the other end, the base 8 and the cover 9 being assembled to the casing 7. The cover 9 supports the current output poles or terminals 4, 5. One of the output terminals (poles), for example the negative terminal 5 is welded to the cover 9 while the other output terminal, for example the terminal positive terminal 4, passes through the cover 9 with the interposition of a seal not shown which electrically insulates the positive terminal 4 from the cover.

[0029] Another possible configuration is that one of the output terminals (poles), for example the positive terminal 4 is connected to the electrochemical beam F of the accumulator by the tab forming a collector 40 and projects and passes through the cover 9 with the interposition of a seal not shown which electrically insulates the positive terminal 4 from the cover. The other output terminal, for example the negative terminal 5, is constituted by the bottom and therefore the lateral envelope of the housing 6 which is electrically connected.

[0030] The widely manufactured rigid case type also consists of a stamped cup and a cover, welded together on their periphery. On the other hand, current collectors include a bushing with a part projecting on the top of the case and which forms a terminal also called the exposed pole of the battery.

[0031] A battery pack P is made up of a variable number of accumulators which can reach several thousand which are electrically connected in series or in parallel with each other and generally by connection bars, usually called busbars.

[0032] Reference may be made to publication [2] for the constitution of modules and battery packs.

[0033] For reasons of compactness, a mechanical integration of accumulators of cylindrical geometry with rigid casing 6 within a module or a battery pack widely retained is that illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0034] In this integration, the accumulators A1, A2...A42 are arranged parallel to each other in contact with each other by their housing 6 and in a staggered manner, forming a matrix which extends in the Z direction. A staggered arrangement allows for high energy density.

[0035] A pre-assembly of this matrix can most often be achieved by gluing the accumulators A1, A2...A42 to each other. The matrix comprising the accumulators forms a rigid assembly. Other arrangements than staggered are possible, for example an arrangement of the accumulators in rows aligned along X and Y. The accumulators A1-A42 illustrated have casings 6 of cylindrical format, typically of format 18650, 21700, 26650, 4680.

[0036] As shown in [Fig.6], a housing module M comprises a peripheral rigid housing 10, comprising a lateral casing 11 which surrounds the accumulator matrix A1-A42, a bottom not shown which can be removable or formed integrally with the lateral casing 11 and a removable cover not shown which closes the housing.

[0037] The housing 10 is a support structure and also a protection structure for the accumulators A1-A42.

[0038] The lateral envelope 11 is for example an envelope of transverse section rec tangular or square with four side walls 111,112, 113, 114 which can be assembled together or formed into a single piece.

[0039] The ends of the boxes 6 which integrate the positive 4 and negative 5 output terminals are inside the module box 10 and the electrical links and connections can be made at least partly within the box 10.

[0040] Typically, the positive 4 and negative 5 output terminals of the accumulators A1-A42 of the module M can be connected to each other, in particular by means of busbars preferably in the form of foils, in order to electrically connect the different accumulators in series and / or parallel in groups, inside the housing 10.

[0041] To compensate for the dimensional tolerances during manufacturing and assembly that may be encountered in a module, mechanical wedging and / or clamping devices have been developed to ensure wedging and / or clamping in the three directions X, Y, Z and thereby prevent the displacement of the cylindrical format accumulators of the matrix within a battery module or battery pack.

[0042] We can cite patent US 10714713B2 which discloses a system for wedging prismatic accumulators within a module by means of a pressurized fluid which can be adjusted during the aging of the module, the fluid being able to be contained in different forms of membrane arranged at different positions within the module housing.

[0043] The problems of processing modules or battery packs that are no longer in use and / or at the end of their life, in particular the dismantling and / or recycling of their materials of interest, are increasingly pressing.

[0044] During existing treatment processes, it is necessary to ensure the correct mechanical maintenance of the battery modules, in particular for handling or dismantling purposes, and this to limit the risks linked to their danger (electrochemical instabilities, electrical problems) in order to carry out the processes with the greatest safety.

[0045] However, the modules to be treated may have complex geometries, a wide variety of geometries and / or dimensions for the same type of module. In particular, due to shocks and / or electrochemical aging undergone during their life, the modules may have alterations and / or mechanical deformations which may be significant.

[0046] The different battery module maintenance systems can be classified into two categories, for the processes of their treatment once they are out of use and / or at the end of their life.

[0047] The first category consists of systems with mechanical contacts with the modules.

[0048] These may be vices whose jaws provide plane-plane supports. Such vices have the major disadvantages that the jaws are specific to each type of module and that it can be problematic to achieve the expected tightening due to surface irregularities or other defects.

[0049] Mechanical contact can also be achieved by screws or pivoting lever clamps which do not allow effective tightening on large contact surfaces, which is almost systematic for all types of battery modules.

[0050] The second category consists of carrying out the maintenance by means of suction / vacuum depression. It turns out that in practice the maintenance can be difficult due to the variety of surface types which can exist on the modules and / or have been generated during the life of the modules, such as growths, areas devoid of materials, surfaces degraded and / or polluted by organic or non-organic materials, such as dirt or other...

[0051] Furthermore, among all the proposed solutions, none really allows for possible handling regardless of the geometry and / or dimensions of the accumulator matrices and the associated battery modules.

[0052] There is therefore a need to improve solutions for maintaining battery modules, preferably for handling purposes, in particular when out of use and / or at the end of their life in order to process them, in particular dismantling and / or recycling their materials of interest.

[0053] The aim of the invention is to meet at least part of this need. Statement of the invention

[0054] To this end, the invention relates, in one of its aspects, to a system for holding a battery module (M) comprising:

[0055] - a plurality of electrochemical accumulators arranged to form a matrix;

[0056] - where appropriate, at least one rigid housing comprising a side casing surrounding the matrix;

[0057] the system comprising at least two clamping jaws each comprising:

[0058] - a support plate,

[0059] - at least one inflatable cushion supported and fixed to the support plate, and which, in at least one inflated state, is adapted to come into contact by matching at least part of the external shape of the matrix or where appropriate of the rigid housing of the module and thus tighten it with the other cushion also in at least one inflated state.

[0060] According to an advantageous embodiment, the system comprises means for adapting the inflated state of the cushions according to the mechanical deformations of the matrix or, where appropriate, of the rigid casing of the module so as to keep it tight. In other words, if the module kept tight between the two jaws deforms, for For example, in the event of degassing of one or more of the matrix accumulators, the amount of fluid in the airbags increases or decreases to ensure a constant holding force on the module.

[0061] According to another advantageous embodiment, at least one of the support plates is fixed.

[0062] According to this embodiment, advantageously, the support plates are arranged at a fixed distance from each other at least during inflation of the cushions. Thus, it is possible to define a fixed distance sufficient to allow positioning of the clamping jaws around the module to be clamped, only the pressure of the fluid in the cushions being controlled to ensure the desired clamping.

[0063] Preferably, the cushion inflation fluid is chosen from a gas, a mixture of gases, a liquid or a mixture of liquids, a gel or a mixture of compressible gels. The gas may be chosen from compressed air, argon, nitrogen, krypton, carbon dioxide (CO2), a gas marketed under the name Argonite® or Inergène®, or a mixture thereof. The liquid may be chosen from water, an oil, ethylene glycol, or a mixture thereof.

[0064] According to an alternative embodiment, the inflatable cushions each comprise a deformable envelope whose constituent material of the cushions is chosen from a polyamide (PA), a rubber. As other constituent material, it is also possible to envisage assemblies of neoprene with thin layers of aramids, flexible plastic or rubber materials and, more generally, any material capable of withstanding significant pressure and having good mechanical properties.

[0065] Advantageously, the material of the airbags has one and / or other of the following advantageous characteristics:

[0066] - flexible to be easily deformable and adapt to possible irregularities of surface of the outer shape to be clamped,

[0067] - mechanically resistant,

[0068] - electrical insulator in the event that at least part of the battery module is still under electrical voltage,

[0069] - a contact surface having a roughness to provide grip mechanical with the module to be tightened.

[0070] Generally speaking, the choice of the material of the cushions can be made according to the expected deformability and according to the properties and / or geometries of the matrices or module housings to be mechanically held. For example, this choice can be made if the accumulator housing is made of plastic and / or electrically conductive material and / or with protruding parts which induce a risk of tearing of the cushions...

[0071] Thus, according to an advantageous embodiment variant, the deformable envelope is coated with a thermal protection layer and / or a mechanical bonding layer with part of the external shape of the matrix or, where appropriate, the rigid casing of the module. This can be a polyamide fabric envelope coated with a layer of rubber or a Kevlar® envelope coated with a layer of aluminum.

[0072] According to an advantageous embodiment, the inflation fluid is an inerting fluid suitable for inerting the accumulators, at least one of the inflatable cushions being provided with a safety valve suitable for opening in the event of an undesired electrochemical reaction, within the accumulator matrix so as to release the inerting fluid from the cushion in its inflated state so that it is expelled towards the matrix of the module.

[0073] Thus, in the event of undesired reactivity of one and / or other of the accumulators of the module, for example a fire, the valve of the cushion opens to release the fluid which is contained and participate in the inerting of the battery module. The expulsion of this inerting fluid makes it possible to provide an action as close as possible to the module.

[0074] The triggering of the opening of the airbag valve(s) can be done:

[0075] - either passively: the valve can consist of a disc-type operculum of rupture or in a thermal pellet whose actuation is physically carried out when it reaches a threshold temperature;

[0076] - either actively, under the action of an operator or an automation by example by control with a monitoring device. The valve can thus be opened in the event of a sudden rise in temperature and / or electrical voltage of at least one accumulator in the matrix.

[0077] This method of inerting by expulsion of appropriate fluid from the interior of at least one cushion in the inflated state can advantageously complement other external inerting actions, such as a fixed automatic water extinguishing installation, also called a sprinkler or inerting by an independent CO2 circuit, etc.

[0078] The inerting fluid can be a dielectric oil, argon, nitrogen, CO2, a gas marketed under the name Argonite® or Inergène®...

[0079] According to another embodiment, the system comprises at least one compression spring arranged in contact with the support plate of the clamping jaw on the side opposite the cushion, the spring(s) being adapted to increase the clamping of the module achieved by the cushions in their inflated state.

[0080] Thus, the invention essentially consists of producing a system for holding a battery module using at least two cushion clamping jaws which, once inflated, clamp the accumulator matrix or the module casing.

[0081] Ultimately, the invention provides numerous advantages, including: - a simple, effective and quick support system to set up around a battery module whatever its external shape and the specific surfaces such as the protrusions it presents; - a system that can instantly adapt to any initial external shape of the battery module and also in the event of a change in shape and / or deformation during operations carried out on the held module. Indeed, the quantity of fluid in the airbags can be increased or decreased to maintain a constant clamping force on the battery module to be immobilized; - no need to position a battery module in a particular way before tightening due to the inflation of the cushions which adapts de facto; - a system that can be implemented, in particular as a robot end effector, for the purpose of handling battery modules, advantageously in a process of assembling batteries before their first operation or disassembling them at the end of their life. Indeed, the system according to the invention is universal for all battery modules and makes it possible to avoid changing tools specific to a type of battery module; - a system particularly suited to the recycling / treatment process of end-of-line and / or end-of-series battery modules, in particular for effective and adaptive maintenance during dismantling operations, and / or drilling and / or any other mechanical operation on the module parts.

[0082] For application to a Li-ion battery module or pack, each accumulator is a Li-ion accumulator in which: - the negative electrode(s) material is chosen from the group comprising graphite, lithium, titanate oxide Li4TiO5Oi2; - the positive electrode material(s) is chosen from the group comprising LiFePO4, LiCoO2, LiNio^lklnii^Coii^Ch.

[0083] The invention also relates to a robot end effector, intended for handling battery modules, comprising at least one holding system as described previously.

[0084] The invention also relates to the use of a robot effector or a holding system as described above, for handling battery modules, during their assembly process before they are put into operation or during processing operations, such as disassembly, drilling or any other mechanical operation once the modules are out of use and / or at the end of their life.

[0085] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of examples of implementations of the invention given as illustrative and not limiting with reference to the following figures. Brief description of the drawings

[0086] [Fig. 1] [Fig.l] is an exploded perspective schematic view showing the various elements of a lithium-ion accumulator.

[0087] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a front view showing a lithium-ion battery with its flexible packaging according to the state of the art.

[0088] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a lithium-ion accumulator according to state of the art with its rigid packaging consisting of a cylindrical shaped box.

[0089] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a lithium-ion accumulator according to state of the art with its rigid packaging consisting of a prismatic shaped box.

[0090] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a plurality of lithium-ion batteries ion of cylindrical geometry preassembled together according to the state of the art, forming a matrix intended for a battery module or a battery pack.

[0091] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a front view of a battery module according to the state of the art comprising a matrix of cylindrical accumulators according to [Fig.5] and a housing housing the matrix.

[0092] [Fig.7A], [Fig.7B] Figures 7A and 7B are schematic top views showing a first example of a system for holding a battery pack module with a pair of clamping jaws according to the invention in a configuration respectively unheld and held by the cushions in an inflated state.

[0093] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] illustrates a holding system with a pair of clamping jaws at angled plates according to the invention in a maintained configuration of a battery pack module of the same shape as that of figures 7A and 7B.

[0094] [Fig.9A], [Fig.9B] Figures 9A and 9B are schematic top views showing the same holding system as that of [Fig.8] but implemented to clamp a more complex shaped battery pack module, in a configuration respectively unheld and held by the cushions in an inflated state.

[0095] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a schematic top view of another example of a holding system comprising two pairs of clamping jaws according to the invention.

[0096] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a schematic top view of another example of a holding system comprising two pairs of clamping jaws according to the invention.

[0097] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a schematic top view of another example of a holding system comprising three pairs of clamping jaws according to the invention.

[0098] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a schematic top view of another example of a holding system comprising three pairs of clamping jaws according to the invention.

[0099] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is a schematic top view of another example of a holding system comprising two pairs of clamping jaws according to the invention.

[0100] [Fig. 15A], [Fig.15B] Figures 15A and 15B are schematic top views showing the first example of a holding system with a pair of clamping jaws according to the invention of a battery pack module of standard shape, in a configuration respectively not held and held by the cushions in an inflated state.

[0101] [Fig. 16] [Fig. 16] is a schematic top view of another example of a holding system with three clamping jaws, two of which are identical at right angles, according to the invention.

[0102] [Fig. 17] [Fig. 17] is a schematic top view of another example of a holding system with three clamping jaws, two of which are identical flat, according to the invention.

[0103] [Fig. 18] [Fig. 18] is a top view illustrating an advantageous variant embodiment of a holding system coupled to a pair of springs. Detailed description

[0104] Figures 1 to 6 relate to different examples of Li-ion accumulators, flexible packaging and rigid accumulator cases as well as an accumulator matrix for a battery pack module according to the state of the art.

[0105] These figures 1 to 6 have already been commented on in the preamble and are therefore not commented on further below.

[0106] For the sake of clarity, the same references designating the same elements according to the state of the art and according to the invention are used for all figures 1 to 18.

[0107] Figures 7A and 7B show an example of a system for maintaining a module M of a Li-ion accumulator battery pack.

[0108] The accumulators not illustrated may be in cylindrical format cases, typically in 18650, 21700 or prismatic format or in flexible packaging.

[0109] The accumulators can be arranged in a staggered pattern, being in contact with each other by their casing. This arrangement forms a matrix of accumulators which can be pre-assembled, in particular by bonding the accumulators together. Arrangements other than staggered are possible, for example an arrangement of the accumulators in rows aligned along X and Y.

[0110] The module M may comprise a peripheral rigid casing comprising a lateral envelope which surrounds the accumulator matrix as illustrated in [Fig.6], a bottom which may be removable or formed integrally with the lateral envelope and a removable cover 13 which closes the casing.

[0111] The ends of the battery boxes which incorporate the positive and negative output terminals may be inside the rigid module box and the electrical connections and links may be made at least partly within this case.

[0112] Typically, the positive and negative output terminals of the accumulators A1-A42 of the module M can be connected to each other, in particular by means of busbars preferably in the form of foils, in order to electrically connect the different accumulators in series and / or parallel in groups, inside the housing.

[0113] As illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, the module M with or without a rigid casing generally has a right parallelepiped shape.

[0114] In order to be able to manipulate such a module M in a simple and efficient manner, the inventors have proposed a holding system 20 with at least one pair of clamping jaws 21, 22 whose clamping force is ensured by inflating cushions to a constant pressure.

[0115] More specifically, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, each of the clamping jaws 21, 22 comprises a support plate 23, 24 and at least one airbag 25, 26 supported and fixed to the support plate.

[0116] In the deflated state of the cushions 25, 26, the holding system 20 can be easily positioned around the module M without it being necessary to dismantle all or part of the latter ([Fig.7A]).

[0117] In at least one inflated state of the cushions 25, 26, the latter come into contact by matching at least part of the external shape of the matrix or, where appropriate, of the rigid casing of the module M ([Fig.7B]). The module M is thus clamped between the two cushions 25, 26 inflated under the same constant pressure.

[0118] The cushions 25, 26 can be fixed for example by gluing or by Velcro type fasteners to the support plates 23, 24.

[0119] The inflatable cushions 25, 26 may each consist of a deformable envelope whose constituent material of the cushions is chosen from a polyamide (PA), a rubber. The constituent material is advantageously chosen according to the geometries and / or the materials of the external shape of the module.

[0120] If it is desired to improve the thermal and / or grip properties of the cushions, the inflatable envelopes can be coated with a thermal protection layer and / or a mechanical grip layer with part of the external shape of the matrix or, where appropriate, the rigid casing of the module. For example, an inflatable envelope can be based on polyamide fiber fabrics and be coated with a layer of rubber and / or a layer of aluminum.

[0121] The holding system 20 can adapt to the wide variety of geometries and complex geometries that can be encountered in a battery module M.

[0122] For this purpose, the number of clamping jaws, the shape of the support plates, the inflation pressure, the shape that the inflatable cushions can take can be varied to best match the external shape of a module with or without a peri-housing. spherical and which can have many parts to disassemble: unlike manufacturing, there is no series and uniformity of formats.

[0123] Thus, in the example of figures 7A, 7B, the support plates 23, 24 are of planar shape on either side of the module M.

[0124] [Fig.8] shows the same holding system 20 with an alternative with support plates 23, 24 shaped at right angles and arranged at the two opposite corners of the module. The jaws 21, 22 thus clamp a module M of a shape which may be identical to that of figures 7A and 7B but with the cushions 25, 26 which, in the inflated state, fit the protrusions Z1, Z2 of the corners to guarantee optimal clamping.

[0125] Figures 9A, 9B also show an alternative with support plates 23, 24 shaped at right angles and arranged at the two opposite corners of a module of a complex shape, with the cushions 25, 26, which in the inflated state fit over the protrusions Z3, Z4, Z5 of the module to guarantee optimal tightening.

[0126] [Fig. 10] shows a holding system 20 with two pairs of jaws 21.1, 22.1; 22.2, 22.2 as according to [Fig. 8], which has therefore been duplicated to clamp the battery module M at the four corners. This duplication and more generally the multiplication of the pairs of jaws 21, 22 can be implemented for heavier battery modules M and / or with a more complex external shape and / or in anticipation of the deformations that the module M may undergo during operations, in particular recycling, when it is held clamped.

[0127] For the same module shape, like that of [Fig. 10], it is possible to envisage clamping jaws with support plate 23, 24 of different shapes such as flat shapes, as shown in [Fig. 11].

[0128] For the same module shape, like that of [Fig. 10], it is also possible to envisage more numerous clamping jaws and reduced shapes, in particular cushions 25, 26, as shown in [Fig. 12] or in [Fig. 13], with three pairs of jaws 21.1, 22.1; 21.2, 22.2; 21.3, 22.3 arranged on either side of either the longitudinal edges or the lateral edges of the module M.

[0129] Depending on the intended clamping points, jaws can be fitted with plates 23, 24 at right angles, one of which has a longer branch, as shown in [Fig. 14].

[0130] The initial shape of the cushions 25, 26 before inflation can also be preformed in particular to best fit the reliefs of the module as illustrated in Figures 15A and 15B. Thus, in this configuration of Figures 15A and 15B, the shape of the cushions comprises several juxtaposed tubes, of smaller dimensions to better adapt to the shape of the module M to be tightened.

[0131] The inventors carried out sizing calculations for standard M battery modules.

[0132] Initially, they analyzed that the pressure applied by the cushions 25, 26 should not be too great otherwise the rigid casing 10 of a standard module would deform, and as a corollary, risk an internal short circuit or even an explosion of at least one accumulator in the module matrix.

[0133] The holding pressure is determined as a function of the surface area of ​​the module M that one seeks to maintain if necessary for handling purposes.

[0134] For a battery module M with dimensions equal to 10X10cm, the inventors believe that a pressure of 0.2 to 0.5 bars of inflation per cushion should be sufficient to tighten the module but this value could be scalable depending on the application.

[0135] The coefficient of friction of the cushions must also be determined to understand the tightening. The gravitational force of the module and the materials in contact will thus be selection criteria. In fact, the inventors believe that a coefficient of static friction between cushions and the external surface of the module should be greater than 0.5.

[0136] The illustrated examples show holding systems with clamping jaws 21, 22 implemented in pairs.

[0137] A holding system according to the invention may comprise an odd number of clamping jaws, in particular three clamping jaws, distributed non-symmetrically around a module to be clamped.

[0138] An example of a three-jaw clamping system is illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 with two identical jaws 22.1, 22.2, respectively square or flat, clamping one edge of a module and a larger jaw 21 clamping the opposite edge of the module.

[0139] [Fig. 18] illustrates an advantageous variant according to which on the rear face of the support plates 23, 24, that is to say on the face opposite to that to which the cushions 25, 26 are fixed, one or more compression springs 27, 28 are arranged. These springs 27, 28 can increase the clamping force by the cushion jaws 25, 26 and also the adaptation of the latter to the external shape of the module to be held.

[0140] A holding system 20 which has just been described is particularly suitable for holding battery modules M, or even for handling them once clamped, for processing operations once the modules are out of use and / or at the end of their life. These operations may be disassembly, drilling or any other handling.

[0141] The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described; in particular, it is possible to combine characteristics of the illustrated examples within non-illustrated variants.

[0142] Other variants and improvements may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0143] If in the illustrated examples, the accumulators are arranged in a staggered pattern within the matrix, any other arrangement of the accumulators in contact within the matrix can be envisaged within the scope of the invention. For example, the accumulators can be aligned along two axes.

[0144] If in the examples illustrated, the lateral envelope 11 of the peripheral housing 10 has a square cross-section, a rectangular cross-section can be envisaged. List of cited references:

[0145] [1]: Diekmann, J., Rothermel, S., Nowak, S., & Kwade, “Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries: The LithoRec Process” A. (2018). The LithoRec Way, pages 33-38.

[0146] [2]: Harper, G., Sommerville, R., Kendrick, E., Driscoll, L., Slater, P., Stolkin, R.,... & Anderson, P, “Recycling lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles”. Nature, (2019). 575(7781), pages 75-86.

Claims

Claims

1. System for holding a battery module (M) comprising: - a plurality of electrochemical accumulators (A1, A2...A42) arranged to form a matrix; - where appropriate, at least one rigid housing (10) comprising a lateral envelope (11) surrounding the matrix; the system (20) comprising at least two clamping jaws (21, 22) each comprising: - a support plate (23, 24), - at least one inflatable cushion (25, 26) supported and fixed to the support plate, and which, in at least one inflated state, is adapted to come into contact by matching at least part of the external shape of the matrix or where appropriate of the rigid housing of the module and thus clamp it with the other cushion also in at least one inflated state.

2. Holding system according to claim 1, comprising means for adapting the inflated state of the cushions according to the mechanical deformations of the matrix or, where appropriate, of the rigid casing of the module so as to keep it tight.

3. A holding system according to claim 1 or 2, at least one of the support plates being fixed.

4. A holding system according to claim 3, the support plates being arranged at a fixed distance from each other at least when the cushions are inflated.

5. Support system according to one of the preceding claims, the inflation fluid of the cushions being chosen from a gas, a mixture of gases, a liquid or a mixture of liquids, a gel or a mixture of compressible gels.

6. Support system according to one of the preceding claims, the inflatable cushions each comprising a deformable envelope whose constituent material of the cushions is chosen from a polyamide (PA), a rubber.

7. Holding system according to claim 6, the deformable envelope being coated with a thermal protection layer and / or a mechanical bonding layer with the part of the outer shape of the matrix or where applicable the rigid housing of the module.

8. A holding system according to one of the preceding claims, the inflation fluid being an inerting fluid suitable for inerting the accumulators, at least one of the inflatable cushions being provided with a safety valve suitable for opening in the event of an undesired electrochemical reaction, within the accumulator matrix so as to release the inerting fluid from the cushion in its inflated state so that it is expelled towards the matrix of the module.

9. Holding system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one compression spring arranged in contact with the support plate of the clamping jaw on the side opposite the cushion, the spring(s) being adapted to increase the clamping of the module produced by the cushions in their inflated state.

10. Robot end effector, intended for handling battery modules, comprising at least one holding system according to one of the preceding claims.

11. Use of a robot effector according to claim 10 or of a holding system according to one of claims 1 to 9, for handling battery modules, during their assembly process before they are put into operation or during processing operations, such as disassembly, drilling once the modules are out of use and / or at the end of their life.

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