"a tray for supporting cells of an electric battery adaptable for receiving cells having different shape and / or size"

Abstract

A tray (1) for supporting cells (2) of an electric battery comprising a support base (3) and at least two elongated blocks (5) for the retaining of battery cells (2) arranged parallel to and spaced from each other on the support base (3) and configured to receive and support therebetween a series (13) of battery cells (2) having major faces arranged along planes orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the blocks. The portions (27) of each retaining block (5) which are configured to receive respective cells (2) of the series (13) each have at least two different seats (29; 31, 33, 37, 43) which are configured to receive cells (2) having different shape and / or size.

Description

[0001] “A tray for supporting cells of an electric battery adaptable for receiving cells having different shape and / or size”

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] This invention relates to a tray for supporting cells of an electric battery of the type comprising:

[0004] - a support base,

[0005] - at least two elongated blocks for the retaining of battery cells arranged parallel to and spaced from each other on said support base and configured to receive and support therebetween a series of battery cells having major faces arranged along planes orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the blocks.

[0006] Prior art

[0007] In the production of battery cells for electric batteries, particularly electric batteries for electric traction vehicles or hybrid vehicles, it is known to subject the battery cells to a first process, so-called “formation”, which comprises arranging the cells of an electric battery within formation chambers and subjecting them to repeated charge and discharge cycles in order to test the cells produced and give the cells the necessary performance and an adequate duration of their life cycle.

[0008] Once the formation process is complete, a subsequent phase in the production of battery cells involves subjecting the cells to an “aging” process, a term used to refer to a phase in which the battery cells are placed in temperature-controlled environments for a predetermined period, for example 72 hours, during which parameters indicative of the condition of the battery cells are monitored.

[0009] An example of a parameter monitored during the cell aging phase is the so-called “Open Circuit Voltage” (OCV) by which it is possible to determine the voltage between the electrodes of the battery cell as a function of its state of charge, and possibly identify malfunctioning or defective battery cells.

[0010] During said production phases, the battery cells are generally received and supported by support trays of the type indicated above.

[0011] Generally, the support trays known in the art comprise compression means configured to exert a compressive action on the battery cells during the cell formation phase (so-called “compression trays”) configured to counteract the so-called “cake effect”, i.e. the swelling related to the tendency of the battery cells to accumulate potentially flammable gases, including hydrogen.

[0012] Support trays provided with such compression means are, however, not only very complex and expensive, but also relatively heavy as they are sized to withstand mechanical stresses resulting from the deformation of the cells during the formation phase.

[0013] For this reason, during battery cell production phases other than the formation phase, and in particular during the aging phase, during which the battery cells do not exert any stress on the structure of the tray, it is desirable to use trays having a simplified and low-cost structure.

[0014] At the same time, it is possible that the production of battery cells is differentiated so as to produce battery cells having different shape and / or size. To overcome this drawback, trays for supporting cells of an electric battery, provided with adapting means, for example adapter elements, interchangeable with each other, each defining a housing seat for battery cells having a specific shape and dimensions are known in the art.

[0015] In such solutions, the installation and replacement of such adapting means depending on the battery cells to be received is generally a long and complex process. Furthermore, they are relatively complex and expensive.

[0016] A tray according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from any of the documents CN 220 585 389 U and CN 218 317 918 U.

[0017] Object of the invention

[0018] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a support tray of the type indicated above that is free from the drawbacks discussed above.

[0019] In particular, an object of the invention is to provide a tray for supporting cells of an electric battery that has a structure that is easily adaptable, in a flexible way, to cells of different shape and size and that nevertheless is of simple and economical construction.

[0020] Summary of the invention

[0021] In order to achieve one or more of said purposes, the invention has as its object a support tray having the features of the attached claim 1 .

[0022] Thanks to these features, the support tray according to this invention allows to receive battery cells having different shape and / or size without the need for modifications or redesigns, even partial, of the tray, as well as to quickly and easily switch the type of cells to be received.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the portions of each retaining block which are configured to receive the cells of said series each have said at least two different seats arranged on a same side of the retaining block. In particular, said at least two seats arranged on a same side of each portion of each retaining block are arranged at different heights on the respective side and are both facing upwards, which allows a cell with a first type of shape and / or size to be positioned on a first seat, or, alternatively, a cell with a second type of shape and / or size on a second seat, without the need to modify the positioning of each retaining block on the support base.

[0024] According to a further advantageous feature of an embodiment, the portions of each retaining block which are configured to receive the cells of said series each have said at least two different seats arranged on opposite sides of the retaining block, and they are characterized in that the retaining blocks are removably mounted on said support base, so that they can be selectively arranged either in a first configuration in which their first sides face each other, or in a second configuration in which their second sides face each other.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the portions of each retaining block which are configured to receive the cells of said series each have at least two seats on at least one of the two opposite sides of the retaining block, said seats being configured to receive cells of different types.

[0026] Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0027] Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the attached drawings, given purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0028] - figure 1 is a perspective view of a support tray according to this invention,

[0029] - figure 2 is a perspective view of a support tray according to this invention partially disassembled, - figure 3 is a perspective view of a component of the support tray of figure 1 ,

[0030] - figure 4 is a perspective view of the detail indicated by the arrow III in figure 1

[0031] - figures 5 to 8 are perspective views of the support tray of figure 1 in different configurations of use,

[0032] - figure 9 is a sectional view along the line IX-IX of figure 1 ,

[0033] - figure 10 is a perspective view of the detail indicated by the arrow X in figure 2,

[0034] - figure 11 is a perspective view according to an alternative embodiment of the support tray according to this invention.

[0035] With reference to the figures, reference 1 indicates as a whole a tray for supporting electric battery cells 2, usable during a battery cell aging process.

[0036] “Battery cell aging” (or aging) refers to a phase in the process for producing electric batteries, for example used in the automotive sector, performed downstream of a “formation” process, known in itself.

[0037] The battery cell aging phase consists of placing the battery cells in chambers at controlled room temperature for a predetermined period of time, for example 72 hours, in order to monitor the correct functioning of the cells and their condition.

[0038] More specifically, the aging phase involves checking one or more parameters indicative of a condition of correct functioning of the battery cells, including, for example, the so-called “Open Circuit Voltage” (OCV). At this phase, it is therefore possible to measure the voltage between the electrodes of the battery cells as a function of their state of charge and, on the basis of the measurements carried out, identify any malfunctioning or defective battery cells.

[0039] The support tray 1 according to this invention comprises a support base 3 and a plurality of retaining blocks 5 mounted on the support base 3 and configured to receive and support the electric battery cells 2 during the aging phase.

[0040] The support base 3 comprises two longitudinal walls 7 parallel and spaced apart, which extend along a first direction A of the support tray 1 , and two transversal walls 9 parallel and spaced apart which rigidly connect the two longitudinal walls 7 and extend along a second direction B orthogonal to the first direction A.

[0041] More specifically, the transversal walls 9 extend from a first end 9A fixed to one of the longitudinal walls 7, up to a second end 9B fixed to the other of the two longitudinal walls 7.

[0042] Of course, the rigid connection of the longitudinal walls 7 to the transversal walls 9 can be achieved by any known technique, for example by screwing or welding.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the support base optionally comprises a partition 10 rigidly connected to central portions of the transversal walls 9 and extending parallel to the longitudinal walls 7 so as to divide the space defined by the longitudinal walls 7 and the transversal walls 9 into two sectors S placed side by side.

[0044] With particular reference to figure 1 , the retaining blocks 5 have an elongated shape and are arranged in parallel rows spaced apart from each other so as to form pairs 12 of retaining blocks 5, wherein each pair 12 is contained in a respective sector S and is configured to receive and support a respective series 13 of electric battery cells 2.

[0045] More specifically, each battery cell 2 of the same series 13 is received and supported by both retaining blocks 5 of the respective pair 12.

[0046] By way of example, this disclosure refers to series 13 of battery cells 2 with a prismatic geometry known per se, each having two major faces oriented along planes orthogonal to the direction of extension of the longitudinal walls 7.

[0047] With reference to figures 2 and 3, the support base 3 of the tray 1 also comprises a plurality of support plates 11 , each configured to support a respective retaining block 5, rigidly connected to the walls 7, 9 or to the partition 8 of the support base 3 and extending along a plane P substantially parallel to the first and second directions A, B, for the entire extension along the direction A of the longitudinal walls 7.

[0048] More specifically, retaining blocks 5 are removably connected to the respective support plates 11 of the support base 3 by means of a plurality of mutual engagement elements 15.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the mutual engagement elements 15 of the support plates 11 and the retaining blocks 5 comprise positioning pins 17 arranged on the support plates 11 and configured to engage respective positioning holes 19 obtained at a lower surface 21 of the retaining blocks 5.

[0050] In particular, the support base 3 comprises, for each retaining block 5, a respective series 16 of positioning pins 17 aligned along the first direction A.

[0051] The positioning pins 17 of the support plates 11 perform the dual function of referring in position the retaining blocks 5 during the assembly steps of the support tray 1 and preventing a relative sliding movement between the retaining blocks 5 and the support plates 11 along the plane P.

[0052] With particular reference to figures 3 and 4, each retaining block defines a first side 23 and a second side 25 parallel and opposite to the first side 23, and is mounted on the support base 3 in such a way that the sides 23, 25 are oriented parallel to the first direction A.

[0053] More specifically, the retaining blocks 5 comprise a plurality of portions 27 placed side by side (in figure 4 a single portion 27 of an isolated retaining block 5 is illustrated for clarity), each configured to receive a respective battery cell 2.

[0054] According to the invention, each portion 27 of the retaining blocks 5 comprises a plurality of housing seats 29 different from each other and having specific shape and / or size so as to receive respective types of battery cells 2 having different profiles.

[0055] In an embodiment according to this invention, the plurality of seats 29 of each portion 27 comprises at least a first seat 31 obtained at the first side 23 of the retaining block 5 and a second seat 33 on the second side 25 of the retaining block 5.

[0056] In particular, the two seats 31 , 33 arranged on the same side 23 of the portion 27 are arranged at different heights on the side 23 and are both facing upwards, which allows a cell with a first type of shape and / or size to be positioned on the seat 21 , or, alternatively, a cell with a second type of shape and / or size to be positioned on the seat 23, without the need to modify the positioning of each retaining block on the support base.

[0057] In the example illustrated in the figures, each seat 29 is delimited by surfaces 35 comprising a bearing surface 35X for the battery cells 2 extending substantially parallel to the lower surface 21 of the respective retaining block 5 and configured to vertically support the battery cells 2 when they are arranged on the support tray 1 , two lateral surfaces 35Y facing each other and substantially orthogonal to the bearing surface 35X, configured to prevent movement of the battery cells 2 along the first direction A, and a bottom surface 35Z substantially orthogonal to the surfaces 35X and 35Y and configured to prevent movement of the battery cells 2 along the first direction B.

[0058] With particular reference to figures 5 and 6, each retaining block 5 can be mounted on the support base 3 according to two different configurations, depending on the orientation of the retaining blocks 5 with respect to the support plates 11 as will be clearer in the following description.

[0059] As already mentioned, the retaining blocks 5 are removably mounted on the support plates 11 by means of the mutual engagement of the positioning pins 17 of the plates 11 and the positioning holes 19 of the blocks 3 so that the sides 23, 25 of each block are oriented parallel to the first direction A.

[0060] In particular, a first assembly configuration of the retaining blocks 5 on the support plates 11 illustrated in figure 5, provides that the blocks are arranged on the support base 3 so that the first sides 23 of them are facing towards the inside of the respective sectors S and, accordingly, the second sides are facing towards the outside of the respective sectors S.

[0061] A second assembly configuration of the retaining blocks 5 on the support plates 11 illustrated in figure 6, provides that the blocks are arranged on the support base 3 so that the second sides 25 of them are facing towards the inside of the respective sectors S.

[0062] According to a particularly advantageous feature of this invention, the retaining blocks 5 can be selectively mounted according to the first or second mounting configuration, and the two configurations are switchable therebetween by means of a rigid rotation of the blocks 5 around a third direction Z, substantially vertical, and orthogonal to the plane P by an angle equal to 180 degrees.

[0063] In particular, when the retaining blocks 5 are assembled according to the first configuration, battery cells 2 of a first type are received and supported within the first seats 31 of the respective retaining blocks 5. Similarly, when the retaining blocks 5 are assembled according to the second configuration, battery cells 2 of a second type, different from the cells 2 of the first type in shape and / or size, are received and supported within the second seats 33 of the respective retaining blocks 5.

[0064] According to an alternative embodiment of this invention, in each portion 27 of the retaining blocks 5, the plurality of seats 29 comprises on at least one of the first side 23 and the second side 25 at least two seats 31 , 37 distinct from each other as illustrated by way of non-limiting example in figure 4.

[0065] For clarity, in the following description, the seat 37 will be referred to with the term “third seat” so as to be easily distinguishable from the second seat 33 described above.

[0066] In the example illustrated, the third seat 37 is defined by a shelf 39 protruding from a surface 41 of the respective retaining block 5 and arranged at a lower geometric height than the first seat 31 .

[0067] Of course, for the seats 31 , 37 the considerations made regarding the housing seats 29 remain valid and, in particular, with regard to the fact that the seats 31 , 37 are delimited along the three directions A, B, Z by the surfaces 35X, 35Y, 3Z (in the example illustrated the surface 35Z of the third seat 37 corresponds to a portion of the surface 41 of the retaining block).

[0068] Figures 5 and 7 illustrate two modes of use of the support tray 1 in which cells of a first type are received and supported within the first seats 31 of the respective portions 27 of the blocks 5 (figure 5) and cells of a third type are received within the third seats 37 of the respective portions 27 of the blocks 5 (figure 7).

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, each portion 27 of the retaining blocks 5 comprises at least a fourth seat 43 obtained at the side 23, 25 of the respective block 5 with respect to the third seat 37.

[0070] In other words, according to the preferred embodiment, each portion 27 of the retaining blocks 5 is provided with at least two seats 31 , 37 on the first side 23 of the retaining blocks 5 and at least two seats 33, 43 on the second side 25 of the retaining blocks 5, for a total of at least four housing seats 31 , 37, 33, 43.

[0071] To sum up, with reference to figures 5 to 8,

[0072] - in figure 5 the retaining blocks 5 are mounted according to the first mounting configuration and receive and support battery cells 2A of a first type at the respective first seats 31 of the portions 27,

[0073] - in figure 6 the retaining blocks 5 are mounted according to the second mounting configuration and receive and support battery cells 2B of a second type at the respective second seats 33 of the portions 27,

[0074] - in figure 7 the retaining blocks 5 are mounted according to the first mounting configuration and receive and support battery cells 2C of a third type at the respective third seats 37 of the portions 27,

[0075] - in figure 8 the retaining blocks 5 are mounted according to the second mounting configuration and receive and support battery cells 2D of a fourth type at the respective fourth seats 43 of the portions 27.

[0076] In an embodiment of this invention illustrated in figure 9, the support base 3 comprises for each retaining block 5 at least one second series 46 of positioning pins 17 aligned with each other parallel to the direction A, spaced with respect to the first series 16 of pins 17 along the second direction B.

[0077] Advantageously, the retaining blocks 5 can be mounted on the support base 3 selectively in a first position, in which the blocks 5 are engaged with the first series 16 of pins 17, and in a second position, in which the blocks 5 are engaged with the second series 46 of pins 17.

[0078] Based on the series 16, 46 of positioning pins 17 selected for mounting the retaining blocks 5 on the support base 3, it is therefore possible to vary the distance between the retaining blocks 5 of each pair 12.

[0079] With reference to figure 3, in one or more embodiments of this invention, each retaining block 5 comprises a housing recess 47 obtained at the lower surface 21 and configured to house a respective magnet (not illustrated).

[0080] The magnets housed on the retaining blocks are configured to cooperate with the support base 3 so as to hold in position the retaining blocks 5 during use.

[0081] For example, the magnets can interact directly with the support plates 11 , if they are made of ferromagnetic metallic material, or with metal inserts arranged on the support plates 11 .

[0082] In particular, the fact of providing magnets on the retaining blocks 5 allows to attenuate or dampen any vibrations and / or stresses that could induce a relative movement between the retaining blocks 5 and the support base 3 along the Z direction with consequent disengagement of the holes 10 of the blocks 5 from the positioning pins 17.

[0083] With reference to figure 10, in one or more embodiments the support tray 1 according to this invention comprises sliding blades 48 arranged in correspondence with the longitudinal walls 7 and / or the transversal walls 9 of the support base 3.

[0084] In particular, the sliding blades 48 are arranged on a base surface 50 of the support base 3 and comprise lateral portions 52 configured to engage in a sliding way, along the first and / or second direction A, B, respective guide rails (not illustrated) obtained, for example, on a conveyor of the support trays 1 so as to move the trays 1 inside an plant for producing electric battery cells 2, for example in and out of the temperature-controlled chambers used for the aging phase of the cells 2.

[0085] Referring again to figure 10, the support tray 1 according to this invention comprises, optionally, centering holes 54 obtained on the longitudinal walls 7 and / or on the transversal walls 9 at the base surface 50 of the support base 3, and configured to be engaged by respective centering elements (not illustrated) so as to refer in position the support tray 1 with respect to a support structure of the trays (not illustrated) during use.

[0086] For example, a tray support structure may be a structure arranged within the temperature-controlled chambers to receive the trays during the aging phase of the electric battery cells 2.

[0087] The support tray 1 described above and illustrated in figures 1 to 10, refers to a tray 1 comprising two pairs 12 of retaining blocks 5 configured to receive respective series 13 of battery cells 2, each comprising sixteen cells 2.

[0088] Advantageously, the support tray 1 according to this invention may be made and configured so as to receive any number of series 13 of electric battery cells 2, each comprising any number of cells 2.

[0089] By way of a non-limiting example, figure 11 shows a support tray 100 configured to receive and support five series 13 of cells 2, each comprising sixteen battery cells 2. Of course, for the tray 100, all the considerations made with respect to the support tray 1 are still valid.

[0090] The support tray 1 , 100 according to this invention, is particularly advantageous as it allows to receive a variety of electric battery cells 2, diversified among themselves in shape and / or size, without the need to make substantial modifications to the tray 1 or to perform long and expensive processes of replacement of adapting elements specific for a given type of cell 2.

[0091] In fact, in the case in which it is necessary to replace electric battery cells 2 received on the tray 1 with a different type of battery cells 2, it is sufficient to identify on the portions 27 of the blocks 5 which of the plurality of housing seats 29 has a profile homologous to the geometry of the new battery cells 2. On the basis of the seat 29 identified, it is therefore immediate to establish / arrange the retaining blocks 5 according to the correct assembly configuration to receive the new cells 2.

[0092] The adaptability of the support tray 1 is further improved by the presence of two or more rows 16, 46 of positioning pins 17 which allow to adjust the distance along the second direction B between two retaining blocks 5 of the same pair 12.

[0093] A further advantage of the present solution is related to the fact of providing, on the walls 7, 9 of the support base 3, sliding blades 50 so as to facilitate the handling operations of the support tray 1 within the plant for producing the electric battery cells 2, in particular between one station of the plant and the next.

[0094] Of course, notwithstanding the principle of the invention, the construction details and the embodiments may be widely varied with respect to what is described and illustrated without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims that follow.

[0095] For example, the support tray 1 may comprise a single support plate 11 extending across the entire space defined by the longitudinal walls 7 and the transversal walls 9.

[0096] The seats 29 of the retaining blocks 5 may have any geometry, for example circular or semicircular so as to also receive battery cells 2 of the cylindrical type.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tray (1 ) for supporting cells (2) of an electric battery comprising:- a support base (3),- at least two elongated blocks (5) for the retaining of battery cells (2), arranged parallel to and spaced from each other on said support base (3) and configured to receive and support therebetween a series (13) of battery cells (2) having major faces arranged along planes orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the blocks (5), characterized in that each retaining block (5) comprises a plurality of portions (27), each portion being configured to receive a respective cell (2) of said series (13), and in that each portion (27) of each retaining block (5) has at least two different seats (29; 31 , 33, 37, 43), each of which is configured for a cell (2) having a respective shape and / or size, in such a way that each portion (27) of the retaining blocks (5) is adapted to receive, alternatively, cells of different shape and / or size.

2. The support tray according to claim 1 , characterized in that the portions (27) of each retaining block (5) which are configured to receive the cells (2) of said series (13) each have said at least two different seats (31 , 37; 33, 43) arranged on the same side (23, 25) of the retaining block (5).

3. The support tray according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least two seats (31 , 37; 33, 43) arranged on the same side of each portion (27) of each retaining block (5) are arranged at different heights on the respective side and are both facing upwards.

4. The support tray according to claim 1 , characterized in that the portions (27) of each retaining block (5) which are configured to receive the cells (2) of said series (13) each have said at least two different seats (31 , 33) arranged on opposite sides (23, 25) of the retaining block (5), and in that the retaining blocks (5) are removably mounted on said support base (3), so that they can be selectively arranged either in a first configuration in which their first sides (23) face each other, or in a second configuration in which their second sides (25) face each other.

5. The support tray according to claim 4, characterized in that the portions (27) of each retaining block which are configured to receive thecells (2) of said series (13) each have at least two seats (31 , 37; 33, 43) on at least one of the two opposite sides (23, 25) of the retaining block (5), said seats (29; 31 , 33, 37, 43) being configured to receive cells of different types.

6. The support tray according to claim 1 , wherein said support base (3) and said retaining blocks (5) comprise mutual engagement elements (15) configured to refer in position said retaining blocks (5) with respect to said support base (3).

7. The support tray according to claim 6, wherein said mutual engagement elements (15) comprise positioning pins (17) fixed to said support base (3) and configured to engage respective positioning holes (19) positioned on said retaining blocks (5).

8. The support tray according to claim 7, wherein said support base (3) comprises a first series (16) of positioning pins (17) aligned along the elongation direction of said retaining blocks (5) and a second series (46) of positioning pins (17) parallel to and spaced apart from the first series (16), and wherein each retaining block (5) is selectively arranged either in a first position or in a second position so that when the retaining block is arranged in the first position the positioning holes (19) of the block (5) are engaged by the positioning pins (17) of the first series (16), and when the retaining block is arranged in the second position, the positioning holes (19) of the block (5) engage the positioning pins (17) of the second series (46).

9. The support tray according to claim 1 , wherein each retaining block (5) comprises on a lower surface (21 ) thereof at least one recess (47) for housing a magnet, said magnet being configured to hold in position the retaining block (5) with respect to said support base (3).

10. The support tray according to claim 1 , characterized in that said support base (3) comprises two longitudinal walls (7) extending parallel and spaced apart from each other along a first direction (A), rigidly connected to each other by two transversal walls (9) extending along a second direction (B) orthogonal to the first direction (A), and at least one support plate (11 ) extending along a plane (P) parallel to said first and second directions (A, B).

11. The support tray according to claim 10, wherein said longitudinal walls (7) and / or said transversal walls (9) of the support base (3) comprisesliding blades (48) configured to slidably cooperate with respective guide rails of a support tray conveyor.

12. The support tray according to claim 10, wherein said longitudinal walls (7) and / or said transversal walls (9) of the support base (3) comprise centering holes (54) configured to be engaged by respective centering elements so as to refer in position the tray (1 ), during use, on a support structure.

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