Electronic subassembly for vehicle battery

The pre-positioned electronic subassembly on a support allows for safe and efficient assembly of vehicle battery components outside the high-voltage environment, addressing safety and dexterity issues in traditional assembly methods.

FR3162923A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-12-05PLASTIC OMNIUM CLEAN ENERGY SYST RES
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2024005559
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-05-29
Publication Date
2025-12-05

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Abstract

Electronic subassembly (120) for a vehicle battery, configured to form a connection between battery modules and electrical components of the vehicle, the subassembly (120) includes a support (20) for pre-positioning each of the components, configured to be placed, with the pre-positioned components, in a compartment of a battery housing comprising the battery modules. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2a
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Description

Title of the invention: Electronic subassembly for vehicle battery

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic subassembly for a vehicle battery. The invention also relates to a battery capable of receiving such a subassembly and to a vehicle comprising such a battery. Finally, the invention relates to a method for assembling the subassembly within the battery.

[0002] A vehicle battery, particularly for an electric, hybrid, or hydrogen vehicle, generally comprises a casing housing a plurality of modules, each containing battery cells that supply electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. The energy supplied powers the vehicle's electrical components, such as an electric motor, an internal combustion engine for starting, a vehicle control unit, electrical accessories, or components that maintain the stability of the electrical system under various vehicle operating conditions. The battery's functions are controlled by the battery electronics, or battery electronic system, which forms a connection between the battery modules and the electrical components and is configured to ensure safe and efficient battery operation.

[0003] The battery's electronic system comprises a plurality of electronic components for managing the modules, such as an electronic board for controlling the battery modules (for example, a board called a BMS for "battery management system"), sensors, and a junction box. The electronic system also includes electrical components such as cables and switches, connecting the electronic components to each other or to the battery modules, or connecting the modules to the external battery, namely electrical components to be powered. Generally, the electronic system is integrated inside the battery casing, on either side of the battery modules. Such assembly is generally carried out by an operator, piece by piece, under high voltage.In high-voltage conditions, operator safety is crucial, and therefore it is necessary for the operator to wear specialized gloves, which are often bulky and inhibit the operator's dexterity in handling small components and making cable connections.

[0004] The present invention aims in particular to facilitate the assembly of the battery while ensuring the safety of operators.

[0005] To this end, the invention proposes an electronic subassembly for a vehicle battery, configured to form a connection between battery modules and electrical components of the vehicle, the subassembly comprising components, including: - an electronic board for controlling the battery modules, and - a plurality of electrical cables connected to one or more of the other components, the subassembly comprising a pre-positioning support for each of the components, configured to be brought, with the pre-positioned components, into a compartment of a battery housing comprising the battery modules.

[0006] The invention therefore proposes a subassembly comprising a support on which battery components are pre-positioned, advantageously an electronic control board for the modules and electrical cables, enabling the battery to function. Since the positioning of the components on the support is done before the support is mounted in the battery casing, the positioning steps can be carried out before any electrical connection to the battery modules, and therefore without being in a high-voltage environment. Thanks to the invention, it is therefore possible to carry out electronic assembly in a de-energized environment, or at least not under high voltage, which allows the operator to perform a number of steps without having to provide the safety measures required for a high-voltage environment.In particular, unlike the piece-by-piece assembly carried out directly in the battery case in the prior art, the wearing of bulky gloves is no longer required to handle the components, so operators can assemble the components more easily and quickly, especially the thinnest and most difficult-to-handle components.

[0007] The term "pre-positioned" means that the components are positioned on the support in advance, before the support is inserted into the battery housing. Furthermore, preferably in this description, the term "pre-positioned" also means that no electrical connection is established between the components and the battery modules during pre-positioning, this connection being established after pre-positioning.

[0008] It is further understood that the battery for which the electronic subassembly is used is preferably a high-voltage battery, in particular a battery of approximately 400V (volts) for electric, hybrid, or hydrogen vehicles. For example, the battery comprises eight modules in series, each supplying 48V (volts), each module potentially comprising twelve cells.

[0009] It is also understood that by providing a pre-positioning support, one avoids having to mount the components directly onto a battery case base, or onto a battery cooling plate, or even onto complex, bulky, and heavy rails known in the prior art. Consequently, one avoids A battery enclosure with complex mounting structures for assembling the electronic system is recommended. These mounting structures are provided on the bracket, which is easier to attach to the battery enclosure. Furthermore, with the proposed bracket, the operator is not restricted to handling components within the confined space of the battery enclosure. Because the pre-positioning is done outside the enclosure, the operator has greater freedom of movement. The assembly of the electronic system is therefore greatly simplified. In addition to assembly, maintenance of the electronic system is also facilitated, as a technician can remove the bracket and work on the de-energized sub-assembly to perform repairs or checks.

[0010] The term "electronic board for battery module control" refers to a "printed circuit board" or PCB. The electronic board can be a plate that holds and electrically connects a set of electronic components together.

[0011] Furthermore, "electrical cables" means high-voltage cables and / or low-voltage cables. Such electrical cables can be configured to connect components to each other or to battery modules, or to connect the modules to the outside of the battery. "High-voltage cables" means cables designed to carry high levels of electrical voltage, for example, voltages above 60V. Generally, such cables are in the form of a strip, for example, a busbar. "Low-voltage cables" means cables designed to carry voltage levels relatively lower than those of high-voltage cables, for example, voltages below 60V. Generally, such cables are in the form of small-gauge electrical wires, for example, single wires or pairs or bundles of such wires.Thanks to the subassembly proposed by the invention, not only are electronic components such as the circuit board easily and securely positioned on the support, but the electrical cables are also pre-positioned and advantageously connected to the pre-positioned components. Thus, after mounting the subassembly in the battery casing, an operator simply needs to connect the cables to the ends of the support, linking a free end of the pre-positioned cables to one or more battery modules. The electrical connection of the electronic subassembly to the modules can therefore be made with a simple action. Thus, thanks to the invention, the operator can complete the assembly of the battery's electronic system with simple steps.

[0012] The electronic subassembly may further include one or more of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination:

[0013] - The support is configured to be removably placed in the housing of the battery. Thus, when an operator detects a malfunction, they can easily Remove the battery housing subassembly, i.e., remove the bracket, and possibly disconnect the power to replace the component causing the detected malfunction. To replace the faulty component, the operator can remove bulky gloves to handle the component with greater dexterity and in a more comfortable working space. Furthermore, the removable bracket mounting can also be advantageous for battery maintenance.

[0014] - The electronic control board includes at least one management system battery, called BMS (for "battery management system" in English), for the management of a battery module, preferably a central BMS called master and / or 'n' BMS called slaves configured to be connected each to a battery module, 'n' being a natural integer.

[0015] Such a battery management system, or "BMS," is a set of electronic devices designed to monitor, control, and protect battery modules, and more specifically, battery cells. The main functions of a BMS include monitoring the voltage, current, and temperature of the cells. The BMS ensures that the cells remain uniformly charged, which extends battery life and guarantees optimal performance. Furthermore, the BMS can implement safety functions such as protection against overcharging, overvoltage, overcurrent, and excessive temperature, which helps prevent damage and ensures safe battery operation. Thanks to the proposed invention, the BMS can therefore be pre-positioned on the support before being mounted in the battery case.This simplifies the physical installation of the BMS, and also allows the electrical cables to be correctly positioned to ensure optimal battery performance.

[0016] Preferably, the battery management system comprises a master BMS and / or 'n' slave BMSs, each configured to be connected to a battery module, 'n' being a natural number, and to the master BMS. The master BMS is advantageously configured to control the slave BMSs, which in turn are configured to manage the modules. It is understood that it is particularly advantageous to be able to pre-position the master BMS, the 'n' slave BMSs on the support, as well as the electrical cables connected to these BMSs. It is particularly convenient that an operator can assemble these elements without being in a high-voltage environment. For example, 'n' equals eight. With eight slave BMSs, the battery can have eight battery modules. Advantageously, one module can supply 48V (volts), so that the total battery voltage reaches approximately 400V.In an advantageous configuration, each module comprises twelve stacked 4v cells.

[0017] - The support includes means for snapping each BMS, for example in the form of a wall extending substantially perpendicularly to the support and comprising a snap-on lug for the BMS against the wall and / or a guide rail for a pin of the BMS against the wall.

[0018] The positioning of the BMS is critical within a battery; it is often necessary to ensure that the BMS is properly insulated to prevent short circuits. Thanks to the proposed support, and in particular the snap-fit ​​means formed within the support, pre-positioning the BMS is made easier, and the operator's tasks are reduced and simplified. It is clear that such snap-fit ​​means would be much more difficult to implement if the BMS were assembled directly in the battery, which is generally made of a metallic material. It is also clear that when a wall is provided to receive the BMS, this wall effectively ensures its insulation. Furthermore, the snap-fit ​​means allow for easy and removable mounting of the BMS, which can be advantageous for the maintenance department.

[0019] - The support includes holes and / or pre-positioning recesses for the components.

[0020] Thus, the invention provides predefined shapes for receiving the components to be mounted on the support, which greatly simplifies the operations to be performed by the operator and would be much more complex to incorporate directly into the battery housing. Furthermore, for manual assembly, the holes and / or indentations allow for the creation of identical electronic subassemblies, eliminating human-caused positioning inaccuracies. Advantageously, the indentations or holes define cavities or protrusions with a shape complementary to the shape of the component portion received in the indentation.

[0021] Advantageously, the support may also include openwork parts to ensure a reinforcement function of the support while allowing air to pass under one or more of the pre-positioned components, particularly under a junction box if it is pre-positioned on the support, to allow natural convection to regulate the average temperature of the components.

[0022] - The subassembly includes, among the components pre-positioned on the support a junction box to transfer electrical energy to the vehicle's electrical components, the junction box being connected to the electronic board.

[0023] Generally, the junction box, or "jbox," serves to form a connection interface between the electrical components of the vehicle to be powered and the battery cells; more specifically, here, the junction box connects the electrical components to the electronic control board of the modules, preferably a BMS. Thus, thanks to the invention, the junction box is pre-positioned on the support so that the entire assembly of the electronic system, from the electrical cables connecting to the modules or from the BMS, to the junction box connecting the components to be powered, can be carried out with the power off. Operators are therefore particularly free to organize, or even simplify, the routing of electrical cables within the battery's electronic system.

[0024] - The components pre-positioned on the support also include a sensor pressure and / or an electronic or electromechanical relay type switch and / or a current sensor.

[0025] Advantageously, the pressure sensor measures the pressure inside the battery. By pre-positioning the sensor on the support, it is advantageously kept away from the modules, particularly the cells. It is especially important for this sensor to be located away from the modules to avoid being affected by the high-temperature gases escaping from the cells, as these gases could damage it. Furthermore, pre-positioning the sensor further reduces handling that is generally performed under high voltage. Similarly, an electronic or electromechanical relay-type switch and / or a current sensor are kept away from the modules to prevent them from being affected by the high-temperature gases escaping from the cells.

[0026] Preferably, the electronic and electromechanical relays are configured to control the flow of electric current in the battery. These relays are advantageously mounted on the support to centralize the management system and also to prevent these relays from being affected by hot gases from the modules.

[0027] - The components pre-positioned on the support also include a pyroelectric switch, configured to cut an electrical connection in case of detection of a malfunction in the battery.

[0028] Advantageously, the pyroelectric switch, also called a "pyrofuse," is configured to isolate the vehicle's battery in an emergency (for example, in the event of an accident), more specifically to interrupt the high-voltage circuit that supplies the vehicle's electrical components. Preferably, the pyroelectric switch is a mechanically actuated fuse triggered by an explosive charge and is arranged to rapidly interrupt the current, for example, by cutting a high-voltage cable, particularly a busbar type cable. Furthermore, the pre-positioning of the pyroelectric switch further reduces the need for handling that is generally carried out under high voltage.

[0029] - The support includes a housing for receiving the switch pyroelectric and delimiting a gas evacuation cavity, the housing having a gas evacuation orifice in a direction distinct from or even opposite to the electronic board.

[0030] The pyrotechnic switch may release gases when activated. The pyroelectric switch housing advantageously includes a vent to allow these gases to escape. Preferably, the vent is located in a direction opposite to the electronic board so that other components are not affected by these gases.

[0031] - The support includes at least one pre-positioning rod for a component, Preferably a threaded rod. For example, the rod consists of an insert molded into the support. Here again, it is suggested that the support incorporate as many functions as possible to facilitate assembly. It should be noted that integrating such a threaded rod is very easy to implement when the support is made of plastic.

[0032] - The support includes means for fixing it in the housing compartment of battery. For example, the support has openings for a threaded rod protruding from the compartment. Preferably, the fastening means are configured to ensure removable attachment, which is very useful for allowing maintenance without high voltage.

[0033] - The support is made of an electrically insulating material.

[0034] Preferably, the support is made of plastic, preferably a flame-resistant plastic material, for example, according to the safety standard known as "UL 94" for the flammability of plastic materials. Using a plastic support is innovative in the field of batteries and particularly advantageous. Not only can the battery weight be reduced, but plastic materials are also less expensive and very easy to mold into a desired shape, thus allowing for easy pre-positioning of components, especially when holes and / or indentations are formed in the support. Furthermore, the invention proposes mounting the electronic system on a plastic part rather than on a metal part, which is less electrically insulating.

[0035] Advantageously, the support is in the form of a plate having a substantially rectangular elongated portion, comprising three protruding portions distributed along its length, the protruding portions being adapted to carry BMS and the elongated portion being adapted to carry the junction box when the latter is provided.

[0036] The invention also relates to a vehicle battery comprising a housing having a first compartment housing battery modules and a second compartment housing an electronic sub-assembly as described above.

[0037] Consequently, the electronic subassembly occupies a distinct space within the battery and is therefore separate from the modules. Such an arrangement thus makes it possible to report the support in the battery case, preferably in a removable manner, without having to disassemble the modules mounted in the case.

[0038] - Preferably, the housing further comprises a third compartment housing battery modules, the first compartment and the third compartment being superimposed in a vertical direction.

[0039] Preferably, the second compartment is at the same height as the first compartment and the third compartment is below the first compartment, so that the subassembly is easily accessible from the top of the battery, which is simpler for maintenance.

[0040] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a battery as defined above. By "vehicle" is meant any vehicle, whether land-based such as a motor vehicle (car, motorcycle, truck, bus, train, machine, in particular construction equipment, etc.), marine such as a ship, aerial such as an aircraft or amphibious such as a submarine.

[0041] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a vehicle battery comprising a housing having a first compartment containing battery modules and a second compartment, the method comprising the following steps: a) assembling components on a support in a de-energized environment so as to form an electronic subassembly as described above, b) inserting and securing the support in the second compartment in a high-voltage environment; and c) connection of the modules and the electronic sub-assembly. Brief description of the figures

[0042] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0043] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of the interior of a battery according to the invention.

[0044] [Fig.2a] is a perspective view of an electronic subassembly for the battery of the [Fig. 1].

[0045] [Fig.2b] is a perspective view of a support for the electronic subassembly of the [Fig.2a].

[0046] [Fig.3a] is an enlarged view and from a slightly different angle of [Fig.1], illustrating the electronic subassembly.

[0047] [Fig.3b] is an enlarged view and from a slightly different angle of [Fig.3a].

[0048] [Fig.4] is an enlarged view of the support of [Fig.2b], incorporating a switch pyroelectric.

[0049] [Fig.5] is a diagram comprising the steps of a battery assembly process of [Fig.1]. Detailed description

[0050] Figure 1 shows a battery 1, particularly suitable for a vehicle. The battery 1 comprises a housing 10 forming a housing for receiving a plurality of battery modules 110 and also an electronic sub-assembly 120.

[0051] As shown in [Fig. 1], the housing 10 has a first compartment 11 housing the modules 110 and a second compartment 12 housing the electronic sub-assembly 120. Preferably, the first 11 and the second 12 compartments are separated by a rim formed perpendicular to a lower plate carrying the modules 110 and the electronic assembly 120. However, it could be envisaged that the two compartments 11, 12 have a more extensive separating wall, or even no separating rim.

[0052] Preferably, the housing 10 further comprises a third compartment 13, partially visible in [Fig. 1]. This third compartment is configured to house additional battery modules 110. Advantageously, the first compartment 11 and the third compartment 13 are superimposed along the vertical direction Z.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 1], the first compartment 11 comprises four modules 110. Preferably, the third compartment 13 also comprises four modules 110. Thus, battery 1 comprises eight battery modules 110 which are advantageously distributed over two levels. Each module 110 comprises battery cells (not visible), for example, twelve prismatic cells of 4v each, so that each module delivers a voltage of 48v. Thus, battery 1 is a high-voltage battery, of approximately 400v (volts), suitable for electric, hybrid, or hydrogen vehicles. This battery is configured to supply electrical power to the vehicle's electrical components, for example, one or more electric motors, a vehicle control unit, or electrical accessories such as headlights, a display, a radio, among others. Of course, battery 1 is not limited to the one shown in [Fig.[l], it is particularly possible not to include a third compartment 13 or even to provide a fourth compartment. It is also possible to consider a battery 1 with modules 110 of a different number. However, for the invention which will be described in more detail below, the battery comprises at least the first compartment 11 and the second compartment 12. Preferably, the two compartments 11, 12 are aligned with each other in a horizontal direction, that is to say they extend in the same principal plane (X, Y).

[0054] The electronic sub-assembly 120 provided in the second compartment 12 is advantageously arranged between the modules 110 and connectors 15, or input and / or output sockets 15, to which the electrical components of the vehicle are connected. Indeed, the electronic subassembly 120 includes components that manage the modules 110 in order to convert the chemical energy of the cells in the modules 110 into electrical energy to be supplied to the electrical components. For this purpose, the housing includes an outer wall with connectors 15. In this example, the wall on which the connectors 15 are located extends vertically, substantially along the (Y, Z) plane. Advantageously, this wall delimits the compartment 12 so as to be as close as possible to the electronic subassembly 120.

[0055] Among the components pre-positioned on the electronic subassembly 120 are an electronic board 30 for controlling the battery modules 110 and a plurality 60 of electrical cables configured to connect the components to each other or to the battery modules, or to connect the modules to the outside of the battery.Examples 601 to 609 of cables 60 are described below. In [Fig.2a], the electronic board 30 actually comprises several electronic boards 321, 322 described below, enabling the control of the modules 110. It is understood that the electronic board 30, or rather each electronic board 321, 322, corresponds to a printed circuit board, or PCB for "printed circuit board", integrating a plurality of electronic components soldered onto the printed circuit board in order to create a so-called complex electronic circuit.

[0056] The electronic subassembly 120 alone is shown in [Fig. 2a]. The electronic subassembly 120 includes a support 20 on which the components are pre-positioned. In particular, the support 20 is configured to be inserted, with the pre-positioned components, into the second compartment 12. By providing such a pre-positioning support 20, it is possible to mount the components onto the support 20 outside the battery housing 10, before inserting the support 20 into the second compartment 12. Being outside the housing 10, the assembly of the electronic subassembly 120 can be carried out in a non-high-voltage environment. Thus, an operator does not need to wear generally cumbersome protective gloves to handle the components, making assembly easier, more skillful, and safer.

[0057] Advantageously, the support 20 includes fastening means 21 in the second compartment 12. These fastening means 21 include, for example, openings for the passage of a threaded rod protruding from the bottom of the second compartment 12. Preferably, the fastening means are configured to provide removable attachment of the support 20, which is very useful for enabling maintenance outside of a high-voltage environment. Indeed, in the event of maintenance or a detected malfunction, an operator simply needs to remove the support 20 and place it in a de-energized environment. Furthermore, by placing the support 20 outside the housing 10, the operator has greater freedom of movement. to skillfully manipulate the electronic subassembly without the constraint of the limited space of battery 1. In addition, the fact that the components are pre-positioned is more interesting, because the positioning of the components is not affected by the removal of the support 20.

[0058] As shown in [Fig. 2b], the support 20 has holes and / or recesses 22 for pre-positioning the components. Thus, the arrangement of the components is predefined on the support 20; an operator simply inserts the components into their corresponding holes or recesses 22. Furthermore, since the assembly is done manually, the holes and / or recesses 22 allow for identical electronic subassemblies 120, advantageously eliminating positioning errors, particularly those caused by human error. It should be noted that the recesses 22 can be recesses for receiving clips for inserting electrical cables, such as the clip 23 illustrated in [Fig. 3b].

[0059] As can be seen in [Fig. 2a], the electronic board 30 includes at least one battery management system 32, called a BMS (for "battery management system"), for managing a battery module. Preferably, and as can be seen, the management system 32 comprises a central BMS, called a master BMS 321, and 'n' slave BMS 322, here eight slave BMS, each configured to be connected to a battery module 110. The master BMS 321 is advantageously configured to control each of the slave BMS 322, which in turn are each configured to manage a module 110. Preferably, a slave BMS 322 is connected to a module 110, in particular by means of the electrical cables 60, more specifically cables 607, 609 visible in [Fig. 3b].These electrical cables are pre-positioned on the support 20, notably by presenting a free end which can be connected to the module 110 by a simple action when the pre-assembled support is inserted into the housing 10. The management system 32 is not limited to the number of slave BMS 322 described, in fact it can include 'n' slave BMS, 'n' being a natural integer that can be equal to eight or different from eight.

[0060] For pre-positioning the control system 32, the support 20 includes means for snapping each BMS, master BMS 321 and / or slave BMS 322. As can be seen in [Fig. 2b] or [Fig. 3b], for each slave BMS 322, the means comprise a wall 24 extending substantially perpendicularly from the support 20. This wall 24 is provided with a snap-in lug 244 arranged to lock the BMS 322 in position. Combined here, as seen in [Fig. 3b], the wall 24 includes guide rails 248 with which the slave BMS 322 can cooperate, in particular by means of a pin 249 provided for this purpose. Furthermore, the bracket 20 includes pre-positioning rods 26, these rods 26 being useful for mounting the master BMS 321. The bracket 20 allows for pre advantageously position other electrical cables 60, in particular cables 603, 606, 608 visible on [Fig.3a] or 3b for the connection between the master BMS 321 and each slave BMS 322. The support 20 also allows pre-positioning of high voltage electrical cables 60, for example two busbar type cables 605, 605' ([Fig.3a]), allowing the first and last of the series modules 110 to be connected to the electronic system, and thus capable of withstanding a voltage of 400v.

[0061] Furthermore, among the pre-positioned components, there is also a junction box 40 for transferring electrical energy to the vehicle's electrical components ([Fig. 2a]), the junction box 40 being connected to the electronic board 30, for example by means of cables 601, 602 (Figures 3a, 3b). Advantageously, the support 20 is in the form of a plate having a substantially rectangular elongated portion 27, comprising three projecting portions 27a, 27b, 27c distributed along its length, the outer projecting portions 27a, 27c being adapted to carry the slave BMS 322, the inner projecting portion 27b being adapted to carry the master BMS 321, and the elongated portion 27 being adapted to carry the junction box 40, as shown in Figures 2a, 2b.

[0062] Among other pre-positioned components, there is also a pyroelectric switch 50, configured to break an electrical connection in the event of a malfunction detected in the battery 1. The pyroelectric switch 50 is configured to isolate the battery from the vehicle in an emergency. Advantageously, the support 20 includes a housing 28 for receiving the pyroelectric switch 50 (Figures 2b, 4). The housing 28 defines a gas venting cavity and has at least one gas vent 29 in a direction distinct from, or even opposite to, the electronic board 30, here opposite the BMS 321, 322. Thus, in the event of gas release from the switch 50, the released gases are directed away from the electronic board 30, in particular away from the BMS 321, 322.

[0063] The support 20 may further include a pressure sensor and / or an electronic or electromechanical relay-type switch and / or a current sensor, schematically represented by the general reference 55 in [Fig. 2a]. It is understood that when these or other additional components are provided, the support 20 includes means for receiving these components, in particular by means of holes and / or recesses 22 formed in the body of the support 20, preferably molded, or by means of pre-positioning rods 26 fixed or pre-formed on the support 20, preferably overmolded.

[0064] Advantageously, the support 20 is made of an electrically insulating material. Preferably, the support 20 is made of plastic. Plastic materials are less expensive and more easily formed into a desired shape, thus making it easier to form the receiving and fastening means of the different components. In addition, the plastic materials are quite light, which also makes it possible to obtain a lightweight electronic sub-assembly 120 for transport and which has very little impact on the overall weight of the battery 1.

[0065] Thus, with the electronic sub-assembly 120 described above, it is possible to mount the electronic system of the battery 1 more easily and safely in a de-energized environment before bringing this sub-assembly 120 back into the housing 10 of the battery 1 to put it in an energized environment.

[0066] Figure 5 illustrates the steps of a battery assembly process 500 for battery 1, process 500 comprising the following steps:

[0067] a) assembly 510 of electronic components on the support 20 in a de-energized environment so as to form the electronic subassembly 120 as described above,

[0068] b) insertion and fixing 520 of the support 20 in the second compartment 12 in a high-voltage environment; and

[0069] c) connection 530 of modules 110 and electronic sub-assembly 120.

[0070] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will be obvious to a person skilled in the art. List of references

[0071] 1: Battery 10: Battery case 11: first compartment 12: second compartment 13: third compartment 15: Input and / or output connectors or sockets 20: support 22: orifices and / or impressions 24: wall 26: Pre-positioning rods 27: elongated portion 27a, 27b, 27c: salient portions

[0072] 28: Housing for receiving the pyroelectric switch 50 29: orifice 30: Electronic control board 32: Management system, called BMS 40: Junction box 50: Pyroelectric switch 55: pressure sensor and / or a switch and / or a current sensor 60: electrical cable modules electronic subassembly snap-on lug guide rails pawn B MS master BMS slaves assembly process step 20: Assembling the components onto the support step of inserting and securing the support 20 in the second compartment 12 step of connecting modules 110 and electronic sub-assembly 120 601 to 609: electrical cables

Claims

Demands

1. Electronic subassembly (120) for a vehicle battery (1), configured to form a connection between battery modules (110) and electrical components of the vehicle, the subassembly (120) comprising components including: - an electronic board (30) for controlling the battery modules (110), and - a plurality of electrical cables (60) connected to one or more of the other components, the subassembly (120) being characterized in that it includes a support (20) for pre-positioning each of the components, configured to be brought, with the pre-positioned components, into a compartment (12) of a battery housing (10) comprising the battery modules (110).

2. Subassembly (120) according to the preceding claim, wherein the electronic control board (30) includes at least one battery management system (32), called BMS (for "battery management system"), for managing a battery module (110), preferably a central master BMS (321) and / or 'n' slave BMSs (322) configured to be connected each to a battery module (110), 'n' being a natural number.

3. Subassembly (120) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support (20) includes snap-on means (24, 244) for each BMS, for example in the form of a wall (24) extending substantially perpendicularly to the support (20) and including a snap-on lug (244) of the BMS against the wall (24) and / or a guide rail (248) of a pin (249) of the BMS against the wall (24).

4. Subassembly (120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (20) includes holes and / or indentations (22) for pre-positioning the components.

5. Subassembly (120) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising, among the components pre-positioned on the support (20), a junction box (40) for transferring electrical energy to the electrical components of the vehicle, the junction box being connected to the electronic board (30).

6. Subassembly (120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the components pre-positioned on the support (20) also include a pressure sensor and / or an electronic or electromechanical relay type switch and / or a current sensor (55).

7. Subassembly (120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the components pre-positioned on the support (20) also include a pyroelectric switch (50), configured to cut off an electrical connection in the event of detection of a malfunction in the battery (1).

8. Subassembly (120) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support (20) includes a housing (28) for receiving the pyroelectric switch (50) and defining a gas evacuation cavity, the housing having a gas evacuation orifice (29) in a direction distinct from or even opposite to the electronic board (30).

9. Subassembly (120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (20) comprises at least one pre-positioning rod (26) of a component, preferably a threaded rod.

10. Subassembly (120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (20) includes means for fixing in the battery case compartment.

11. Subassembly (120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (20) is made of an electrically insulating material.

12. Vehicle battery (1) comprising a housing (10) having a first compartment (11) housing battery modules (110) and a second compartment (12) housing an electronic subassembly (120) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. Battery (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the housing (10) further comprises a third compartment (13) housing battery modules (110), the first compartment (11) and the third compartment (13) being superimposed in a vertical direction.

14. Vehicle comprising a battery (1) according to claim 12 or

15. 13. Method of assembling (500) a vehicle battery comprising a housing (10) having a first compartment (11) housing battery modules (110) and a second compartment (12), the process (500) comprising the following steps: a. assembly (510) of components on a support (20) in a de-energized environment so as to form an electronic subassembly (120) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, b. insertion (520) and fixing of the support (20) in the second compartment (12) in a high-voltage environment; and c. connection (530) of the modules (110) and the electronic sub-assembly (120).

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