CELL SUPPORT TRAY, SUITABLE FOR USE IN BATTERY FORMATION SYSTEMS

Abstract

Tray (1) is used to support the cells (2) of the battery, which can be used in a battery formation system, comprising a support structure (3) consisting of two main walls (4A, 4B) securely joined together by two end walls (5). One or more partitions (6) divide the space of the tray into several adjacent regions (7), configured to receive the corresponding cell arrays (200). Several partitions (8), arranged inside each of the aforementioned regions (7), define, in each region (7), several positions (9) for the cells. A system (10) for adjusting the size of the position (9) for the cells perpendicular to the cells includes a drive system (11) to move the first row (8A) of partitions (8) relative to the partitions (8) of the second row (8B), which are interleaved with the partitions of the first row. During the aforementioned relative motion, the distance between the partitions (8) of the same row (8A, 8B) is kept fixed.

Description

[0001] “A tray for supporting battery cells, usable in a system for the formation of electrical batteries”

[0002] TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention regards a tray for supporting cells of an electrical battery, usable in a system for the formation of electrical batteries, said support tray comprising:

[0005] - a support structure comprising two main walls parallel and spaced apart from each other, which are firmly connected by two end walls extending orthogonally to the two main walls, and further including one or more septa parallel to the end walls, which connect the two main walls and which divide the space defined by said main walls and by said end walls into a plurality of sectors side by side with each other, configured to receive respective cell arrays, each array comprising a plurality of battery cells oriented parallel to the main walls;

[0006] - a plurality of partitions, arranged inside each of said sectors, parallel to the main walls, so as to define, in each sector, a plurality of seats configured to receive respective battery cells, and

[0007] - a system for adjusting the size of the seats for the battery cells along a direction orthogonal to the main walls.

[0008] Known Art

[0009] A tray of the kind mentioned in the foregoing is for example known from document CN114843634A.

[0010] In the production of battery cells for electrical batteries, particularly electrical batteries for vehicles with electrical powertrain or hybrid vehicles, it is necessary to subject the cells to a “formation” process, thereby meaning a process wherein the cells are “trained” by being repeatedly subjected to loading and unloading cycles. The formation process is performed within formation chambers which are kept at a controlled temperature, generally in the range between 20°C and 60°C. The formation process of the cells consists in electrically contacting the two terminals of each battery cell with an electronic power unit, which subjects the cells to a repeated series of loading-unloading cycles. The formation process not only enables testing the manufactured cells, but is also useful to provide the cells with the necessary performances and a suitable duration of their useful life.

[0011] The battery cells are placed into the formation chamber after being arranged on one or more support trays, which are received within the formation chamber wherein the terminals of each cell contact corresponding terminals connected to the electronic power unit.

[0012] The support trays comprise a support structure wherein there are defined seats adapted to receive the cells to be formed.

[0013] The repeated loading and unloading cycles trigger, within the battery cells, chemical reactions which lead to the formation of flammable gases, i.a. of hydrogen.

[0014] For this reason, the known formation chambers are provided with a suction system for the gases produced during the formation step. Such systems generally require the presence of a suction port for each battery cell to be formed, which port is adapted to communicate with a degassing opening provided in the cell casing; this significantly complicates the general layout of the formation chamber.

[0015] Moreover, the gases produced by the chemical reactions triggered within the cells during the loading-unloading cycles may cause a swelling of the cell walls, (also known as “bulging”), which may lead to deformations of the cells themselves and to excessive stresses on the support structure of the tray.

[0016] In order to solve the problems due to the production of such gases, some known solutions envisage means to a apply a preload on the battery cells.

[0017] CN1 14843634A, already mentioned in the foregoing, describes a support tray for the formation of cells of an electrical battery, comprising a support structure and a system for adjusting the size of the seats for the cells, comprising a pantograph kinematics including a series of elements arranged to form X shapes, which are articulated with each other and may be moved between a configuration of maximum elongation and a configuration of minimum elongation. The partitions of the tray are connected to respective X-shaped elements of the pantograph, so that a configuration of maximum elongation of the pantograph corresponds to a maximum size of the seats which are adapted to receive the battery cells and which are defined between the partitions, whereas a configuration of minimum elongation of the pantograph corresponds to a minimum size of the seats which receive the battery cells. Once the cells are arranged in the tray, a peak load is applied which exerts a preload onto the cells, thereby compacting them towards a main wall of the tray.

[0018] A limit of the known solution described in the foregoing, and more generally of the solutions which have been proposed so far in the known art, consists in the impossibility of subjecting each cell in every sector of the tray to the same preload.

[0019] Object of the Invention

[0020] Therefore, the invention aims at providing a support tray of the above-mentioned type which does not exhibit the drawbacks discussed in the foregoing.

[0021] Specifically, an object of the invention consists in providing a tray for supporting electrical battery cells which has a sufficiently rigid structure to withstand the stresses due to the bulging of the cells during the formation process.

[0022] A further object of the invention consists in providing a tray for supporting electrical battery cells the structure whereof is easily and flexibly adjustable to cells having different shapes and sizes.

[0023] Finally, a further object of the invention consists in providing a support tray of the type described in the foregoing which is economical and easy to produce.

[0024] Summary of the Invention

[0025] In order to achieve one or more of the above-mentioned objects, the object of the invention is a support tray of the type mentioned at the beginning of the present description, and moreover being characterized in that the partitions of each sector of the tray comprise a first series of partitions intercalated with a second series of partitions, the adjusting system including an actuator system for relatively moving the partitions of the first series with respect to the partitions of the second series along the direction orthogonal to said main walls, while keeping the partitions of each series at a fixed distance from each other.

[0026] Thanks to said features, once the battery cells have been received in the seats defined between the partitions of each sector of the tray, said actuator system may be actuated to apply a predetermined load onto the cells, in a direction orthogonal to the main walls of the tray, thereby ensuring that each cell is substantially subjected to the same load.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the actuator system includes a first actuator for moving the partitions of the first series along the direction orthogonal to the main walls of the tray, while keeping the partitions of the first series at a fixed distance from each other, and a second actuator for moving the partitions of the second series along the direction orthogonal to the main walls, while keeping the partitions of the second series ad a fixed distance from each other.

[0028] In an example, each of said first actuator and second actuator comprises a pair of threaded rods, rotatably supported at their ends by the two main walls of the tray around axes orthogonal to the main walls, and engaged in threaded sleeves carried by the partitions of the respective series of partitions, so that a rotation of the threaded rods causes a movement of the partitions of the respective series along the direction orthogonal to the main walls, without altering the distance between the partitions, the partitions of each series having through holes passed through freely by the threaded rods of the actuator of the other series.

[0029] Preferably, the threaded rods have ends protruding towards the outside of the tray, beyond a respective main wall of the tray, which are engageable by a manual or automatic screwer.

[0030] According to a further advantageous feature of a preferred embodiment, the tray comprises a plurality of regulation cams mounted on cam-carrier shafts which are rotatably supported at their ends by the main walls, and which are configured to define a plane for supporting the battery cells, the position whereof along the vertical direction of the tray is a function of the angular position of the cam-carrier shafts.

[0031] Furthermore, the tray is preferably associated with a degassing mask, configured to be mounted on the support structure of the tray and comprising a gas manifold, a plurality of suction nozzles configured to be positioned at respective degassing holes provided on the battery cells to be formed, and at least one discharge port to put the degassing mask into fluid communication with a suction duct of a formation chamber.

[0032] Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

[0033] Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description made in the following with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example only and wherein:

[0034] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support tray according to the present invention,

[0035] - Figure 2 is a front view of the support tray of Figure 1 ,

[0036] - Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2,

[0037] - Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 2,

[0038] - Figure 5 is a top view of the support tray of Figure 1 ,

[0039] - Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line VI-VI of Figure 5,

[0040] - Figure 7 is a sectional view along VII-VII of Figure 5,

[0041] - Figure 8 is a top view of the support tray according to the present invention, in a condition filled with a plurality of battery cells,

[0042] - Figure 9 is a perspective view of a degassing mask which may be associated with the tray according to the invention.

[0043] Referring to the drawings, reference 1 generally denotes a support tray for the formation of cells 2 of an electrical battery.

[0044] The phrase “formation of battery cells” as used herein denotes a step of the manufacturing process of electrical batteries, for example as used in the automotive field, which consists in performing a repeated sequence of loading and unloading cycles on the battery cells, before they are assembled to compose the electrical battery. The formation step of the cells is essential in the production of electrical batteries, since it enables testing each cell and improving the useful life and the performance thereof.

[0045] Generally speaking, the step of cell formation is performed inside formation chambers, which are provided with at least one electronic power unit and a plurality of electrical terminals. In the formation chamber, the terminals of the battery cells contact the electrical terminals of the electronic power unit, in order to enable performing said loading and unloading cycles.

[0046] The battery cells to be tested are arranged into seats provided within support trays, which are configured to support the cells during the formation step within the formation chamber.

[0047] The support tray 1 according to the present invention comprises a support structure 3, including a first main wall 4A and a second main wall 4B parallel and spaced apart from each other, which extend along a first direction A of the support tray 1 (see Figure 1 ).

[0048] The support structure 3 moreover comprises two end walls 5, which firmly connect the two main walls 4A, 4B.

[0049] In more detail, the end walls 5 extend along a second direction B, orthogonal to the first direction A, from a first end 5A attached to the first main wall 4A to a second end 5B attached to the second main wall 4B.

[0050] The support structure 3 moreover comprises one or more septa 6 (Figure 5) extending parallel to the end wall 5 along the second direction B, which divide the space defined between the two main walls 4A, 4B and by the two end walls 5 into a plurality of sectors 7 side by side with each other.

[0051] The septa 6 firmly connect the two main walls 4A, 4B and extend from a first end 6A attached to the first main wall 4A to a second end 6B attached to the second main wall 4B.

[0052] The firm connection of the end walls 5 and of the septa 6 to the two main walls 4A, 4B may be implemented by any known technique, e.g. by means of a threaded connection or by welding.

[0053] Each sector 7 is configured to receive an array 200 of battery cells 2 (Figure 8), wherein each array 200 of battery cells 2 comprises a plurality of cells 2 parallel to the main walls 4A, 4B and side by side with each other along the second direction B.

[0054] The support tray 1 moreover comprises a plurality of preferably flat partitions 8, arranged within each sector 7 and extending parallel to the main walls 4A, 4B.

[0055] The set of the partitions 8 included within the same sector 7 defines a plurality of seats 9 configured to receive respective battery cells 2. The partitions 8 included in the same sector 7 moreover comprise a first series 8A and a second series 8B of partitions 8 intercalated with each other, so that each partition 8 of a series (8A or 8B) is interposed between two partitions of the other series (8B or 8A), with the exception of the partitions 8 at both ends of each sector 7, which are each interposed between a partition 8 of the other series 8A, 8B and a main wall 4A, 4B of the tray 1 .

[0056] Referring to Figure 3, the support tray 1 also comprises a system 10 configured to adjust the size of the seats for the battery cells 2 along the second direction B.

[0057] The system 10 for adjusting the size of the seats 9 includes, for each sector 7, an actuator system 11 , configured to move the partitions 8 belonging to the first series 8A with a relative translational movement along the direction B with respect to the partitions 8 belonging to the second series 8B.

[0058] Specifically, the actuator system 11 controls the movement of a series 8A, 8B of partitions 8 with respect to the other series 8A, 8B of partitions 8, so that a distance L between two consecutive partitions 8 of a same series 8A, 8B of partitions 8 is kept fixed.

[0059] Preferably, the actuator system 11 of the system 10 comprises a first actuator 12 configured to control the movement of the first series 8A of partitions 8 along the second direction B, and a second actuator 13 configured to control the movement of the second series 8B of partitions 8.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the first and the second actuators 12, 13 respectively comprise a pair of rods 14.

[0061] The rods 14 of the actuators 12, 13 extend along the second direction B, and are rotatably supported by the support structure 3. Specifically, the rods 14 have a first end 14A rotatably connected to the first main wall 4A and a second end 14B rotatably connected to the second main wall 4B.

[0062] Preferably, one of the ends 14A, 14B of the rods 14 comprises an axial extension 14C, which protrudes beyond the support structure 3 towards the outside the tray 1 , for the engagement by a screwer, as will be further described in the following.

[0063] By way of example only, the axial extensions 14C of the rods 14 of the first actuator 12 protrude beyond the first main wall 4A, and the axial extensions 14C of the rods 14C of the second actuator 13 protrude beyond the second main wall 4B (Figure 3).

[0064] Each of the rods 14 is rotatably supported, by the support structure 3, around a respective axis of rotation C parallel to the second direction B. The rods 14 are provided, at least on a part of their longitudinal extension, with a threaded portion.

[0065] As shown, the axial extensions 14C of the rods 14 are configured to be accessible from the outside, e.g. by a manual or automatic screwer which controls the rotation thereof around the axis C.

[0066] Referring to Figure 6, each partition 8 preferably has a quadrangular shape and comprises at least four through holes provided in the vicinity of perimetral portions of the partition 8.

[0067] The through holes of the partitions 8 include a first pair of holes 15 and a second pair of holes 16, which are respectively arranged along a first diagonal D and a second diagonal E of the partitions 8.

[0068] By way of example only, reference will now be made to a partition 8 belonging to the first series 8A of partitions 8.

[0069] In this case, the first pair of holes 15 of the partitions 8 carries internally threaded sleeves 17, configured to engage a threaded portion of the rods 14 of the first actuator 12.

[0070] On the other hand, the second pair of holes 16 is configured to enable the free passage of the rods 14 of the second actuator 13, so that the partition 8 is free with respect to the rods 14.

[0071] Correspondingly, as regards the partitions 8 belonging to the second series 8B of partitions 8, the second pair of holes 16 of the partitions 8 carries the internally threaded sleeves 17, configured to engage a threaded portion of the rods 14 of the second actuator 13.

[0072] On the other hand, the first pair of holes 15 is configured to enable the free passage of the rods 14 of the first actuator 12, so that the partition 8 is free with respect to the rods 14.

[0073] Referring to the Figures 1 to 6, there will be described the operation of the system 10 for adjusting the size of the seats 9 for the battery cells 2 along the direction B.

[0074] By acting, with a manual or automatic screwer (not shown), on the axial extensions 14C of the rods 14 belonging to one and the same actuator 12, 13, it is possible to control the rotation of said rods around the respective axis of rotation C.

[0075] For example, by acting on the axial extensions 14C protruding beyond the first main wall 4A, it is possible to control the rotation of the rods 14 of the first actuator 12 around the respective axis of rotation C. Thanks to the threaded coupling between the sleeves 17 arranged in the pair of holes 15 of the partitions 8 of the first series 8A and the external threading of the rods 14 of the first actuator 12, the first series 8A of partitions 8 is caused to rigidly translate along the second direction B.

[0076] The above described mechanism offers the advantage to enable a uniform translation of all the partitions 8 of the first series 8A, in such a way as to keep a fixed distance L between two adjacent partitions 8 of the first series 8A.

[0077] Correspondingly, by acting on the axial extensions 14C protruding beyond the second main wall 4B, it is possible to control the rotation of the rods 14 of the second actuator 13 around the respective axis of rotation C. Thanks to the threaded coupling between the sleeves 17 arranged in the pair of holes 16 of the partitions 8 of the second series 8A of partitions and the external threading of the rods 14 of the second actuator 13, the second series 8B of partitions 8 is caused to rigidly translate along the second direction B.

[0078] The mechanism described in the foregoing offers the advantage to enable a uniform and synchronous translation of all the partitions 8 of the second series 8B, so as to keep the distance L between two adjacent partitions 8 of the second series 8B fixed.

[0079] In order to define a plurality of seats 9 between the partitions 8 to receive battery cells 2 having different sizes, it is therefore possible to move both series 8A, 8B of partitions so as to obtain the necessary size of the seat 9 with respect to the second direction B (Figure 8).

[0080] By means of the mechanism described in the foregoing, the seats for the cells 2 may be initially enlarged to enable an easy positioning of the cells 2; thereafter, the mechanism may be actuated in order to exert a desired load, along the second direction B, on the cells 2, while ensuring that each cell 2 is substantially subjected to the same load.

[0081] With reference to Figures 4 and 7, the support tray 1 may comprise a plurality of regulation cams 18, arranged in each of the sectors 7 of the tray 1 .

[0082] The regulation cams 18 are mounted on cam-carrier shafts 19, which extend along the second direction B and are rotatably supported at their ends 19A by the two main walls 4A, 4B.

[0083] The partitions 8 are provided with two further through holes 20, so that the cam-carrier shafts may freely pass through the partitions 8 of the two series 8A, 8B.

[0084] The regulation cams 18 are each configured with a plurality of lobes 18A (three lobes in the present example) each having two surfaces 18X, 18Y which are substantially flat and orthogonal to each other, and which are configured to respectively provide a horizontal support plane and a side restraining plane for the battery cells 2 within the seats 9.

[0085] The geometry of the regulation cams 18 is such that the surfaces 18X and the surfaces 18Y of the lobes 18A are arranged at different radial distances with respect to the axis of rotation F of the cam-carrier shaft 19.

[0086] Therefore, by varying the angular position of the cam -carrier shafts 19 it is possible to vary the vertical position of the horizontal support planes and the position along the direction A of the side restraining planes for the battery cells 2, so as to make the size of the seats 9 for the battery cells 2 adjustable along the first direction A and along a vertical direction Z.

[0087] As a whole, therefore, the support tray 1 enables adjusting the size of the seats 9 of the battery cells 2 along three spatial dimensions. In particular, the dimension of the seats along the direction B may be adjusted by means of the adjusting system 10, and the dimension of the cells along the first direction A and along the vertical direction Z may be adjusted by means of the regulation cams 18 carried by the cam-carrier shafts 19.

[0088] A further feature of the support tray 1 according to the present invention regards the capacity thereof of withstanding structural loads during the formation step of the battery cells 2 during the formation process.

[0089] As a matter of fact, during the formation process of the battery cells 2, within the cells 2 the development of various gases takes place, i.a. of hydrogen.

[0090] Such gases, beside constituting a danger due to their high flammability, may build up within the cells 2 and cause the swelling (or “bulging”) thereof, which exerts a pressure on the partitions 8 of the tray 1 .

[0091] The formation process, moreover, requires a controlled temperature in the formation chamber, preferably comprised between 20°C and 60°C. Referring to Figure 6, each partition 8 comprises at least one reinforcing strip 21 , which is arranged on a face thereof which does not face the seats 9.

[0092] Preferably, the strips 21 extend along one of the first or the second diagonal D, E of the partitions 8, and have respective ends 21 A attached to the partitions 8 at one of the first or the second pair of holes 15, 16, for example by means of threaded connections.

[0093] The reinforcing strips 21 are configured to impart the partitions 8 a higher structural rigidity along the second direction B, so as to limit the elastic deformations due to the swelling of the cells 2 during the formation step.

[0094] As can be seen in Figure 8, in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention the facing partitions 8 of adjacent seats 9 define gaps 22 therebetween, which perform a twofold function.

[0095] First of all, the presence of the gaps 22 favours the heat exchange between the cells 2 and the environment within the formation chamber, in such a way as so favour keeping, in a simpler and more uniform way, the selected temperature for the formation step of the cells 2.

[0096] Secondly, the gaps 22 may act as a region wherein the partitions 8, under the effect of the stresses deriving from the gas production in the cells 2 during the formation step, may deform elastically.

[0097] As a matter of fact, although the partitions exhibit an improved rigidity thanks to the presence of the reinforcing strips 21 , they may still be subjected to elastic deformations.

[0098] Referring to Figure 8, each battery cell 2 comprises two electrical terminals 2A, which are configured to electrically contact respective electrical terminals of the electronic power unit, and a suction hole 2B configured to receive a respective suction port of a gas suction system of the formation chamber.

[0099] According to a further feature of the present invention, the support tray 1 may be associated with a degassing mask generally denoted with reference 23 and shown in Figure 9.

[0100] The degassing mask 23 comprises a gas manifold 24, including at least two main ducts 27 extending along the first direction A and connected to a plurality of suction ducts 28 extending parallel to the second direction B.

[0101] Preferably, the manifold 24 comprises two main ducts 27 and a suction duct 28 for each cell array 200 to be formed.

[0102] Each suction duct 28 comprises a plurality of suction nozzles 29, configured to be positioned at the respective suction holes 2B of the battery cells 2.

[0103] The gas manifold 24 moreover comprises at least a discharge port 26, configured to put the degassing mask 23 into fluid communication with a suction duct of the formation chamber.

[0104] The degassing mask 23 may be removably mounted onto the support structure 3 of the tray 1 , and may be kept in position by means of a plurality of positioning pins 25, which fit into corresponding seats provided on the support structure 3. The present example envisages four pins 25 at the vertexes of the mask, which are adapted to be received into four holes 25A (Figure 1 ) at the vertexes of the tray.

[0105] The association of the degassing mask 23 to the support structure 3 offers the advantage of avoiding, in the formation chamber, the presence of a plurality of suction ports, in the same number as the battery cells 2 to be formed; on the contrary, it is possible to vacuum the gases produced in the formation step through the discharge port 26 of the gas manifold 24, which greatly simplifies the general layout of the formation chamber.

[0106] Moreover, since the degassing mask 23 is removable from the support structure 3, the maintenance operations on the suction nozzles 29 by an operator can be made easier.

[0107] In a practical structural example, the tray 1 has a length, along the direction A, of 1630 mm, a width, along the direction B, of 890 mm, and a height, along the vertical direction Z, of 184 mm. The tray has three septa 6 which define four sectors 7, each of them having eight seats 9 defined by sixteen partitions 8, i.e. eight partitions of a first series 8A and eight partitions of a second series 8B.

[0108] Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the constructive details and the embodiments may be amply varied with respect to what has been described and illustrated herein, without departing from the extent of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tray (1 ) for supporting cells (2) of an electric battery, usable in a system for the formation of electric batteries, comprising:- a support structure (3) comprising two main walls (4A, 4B) parallel and spaced apart from each other, firmly connected by two end walls (5) extending orthogonally to the two main walls (4A, 4B), and further including one or more septa (6) parallel to the end walls (5), which connect the two main walls (4A, 4B) and which divide the space defined by said main walls (4A, 4B) and by said end walls (5) into a plurality of sectors (7) side by side with each other, configured to receive respective cell arrays (200), each array (200) comprising a plurality of battery cells (2) oriented parallel to the main walls (4A, 4B);- a plurality of partitions (8), arranged inside each of said sectors (7), parallel to the main walls (4A, 4B), so as to define, in each sector (7), a plurality of seats (9) configured to receive respective battery cells (2);- a system (10) for adjusting the size of the seats (9) for the battery cells (2) along a direction (B) orthogonal to the main walls (4A, 4B), characterized in that the partitions (8) of each sector (7) comprise a first series (8A) of partitions (8) intercalated with a second series (8B) of partitions (8), said adjusting system (10) including an actuator system (11 ) for relatively moving the partitions (8) of the first series (8A) with respect to the partitions (8) of the second series (8B) along direction (B) orthogonal to the main walls (4A, 4B), keeping the partitions (8) of each series (8A, 8B) at a fixed distance (L) from each other.

2. The tray according to claim 1 , characterized in that said actuator system (11 ) includes a first actuator (12) for moving the partitions (8) of the first series (8A) along the direction (B) orthogonal to the main walls (4A, 4B), keeping the partitions (8) of the first series (8A) a at a fixed distance (L) from each other, and a second actuator (13) for moving the partitions (8) of thesecond series (8B) along the direction (B) orthogonal to the main walls (4A, 4B), keeping the partitions (8) of the second series (8B) a at a fixed distance (L) from each other.

3. The tray according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said first actuator (12) and second actuator (13) comprises a couple of threaded rods (14) supported at their ends (14A, 14B) by the two main walls (4A, 4B) rotably around axes of rotation (C) orthogonal to the main walls (4A, 4B), engaged in threaded sleeves (17) carried by the partitions (8) of the respective series of partitions (8A, 8B), so that a rotation of the threaded rods (14) causes a movement of the partitions of the respective series (8A, 8B) along the direction (B) orthogonal to the main walls (4A, 4B) without altering the distance (L) between the partitions (8), the partitions (8) of each series (8A, 8B) having through holes (15, 16) passed through freely by the threaded rods (14) of the actuator (12, 13) of the other series (8A, 8B).

4. The tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the threaded rods (14) have ends (14C) protruding towards the outside, beyond a respective main wall (4A, 4B), which are engageable by a screwer, manual or automatic.

5. The tray according to claim 4, wherein facing partitions (8) of adjacent seats (9) define gaps (22) between each other and are configured to allow a swelling of the cells (2) during a phase of formation.

6. The tray according to claim 5, comprising a plurality off regulation cams (18) mounted on cam-carrier shafts (19) rotably supported at their ends (19A) by the main walls (4A, 4B), configured to define a plane for supporting the battery cells (2), whose position along the vertical direction (Z) of the tray is a function of the angular position of the cam -carrier shaft (19).

7. The tray according to claim 6, wherein the regulation cams (18) have a profile comprising flat peripheral portions (18X, 18Y) arranged atdifferent radial distances with respect to the axis (F) of the respective cam- carrier shaft (19).

8. The tray according to claim 6, characterized in that the cams (18) are each configured to define also a side restraining plane of a respective battery cell (2), whose position along the direction (A) parallel to the main walls (4A, 4B) of the tray is a function of the angular position of the cam- carrier shaft (19).

9. The tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each partition (8) comprises at least a reinforcing strip (21 ).

10. The tray according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a degassing mask (23) is associated to the tray (1 ), configured to be mounted on the support structure (3) of the tray (1 ), and comprising a gas collector (24), a plurality of suction nozzles (29) configured to be positioned at respective degassing holes (2B) made on the battery cells (2) to be formed, and at least a discharge port (26) to put in fluid communication the degassing mask (23) with a suction duct of a formation chamber.

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