Warehouse for conditioning electrochemical cells and method for conditioning electrochemical cells

Abstract

A warehouse (10) for conditioning process of electrochemical cells (100), comprises a containment structure (12) inside which there are housed: at least one formation station (15) configured to receive at least one cell tray (11) containing electrochemical cells (100); at least one formation module (20), operative in the formation station (15), configured to be coupled to a cell tray (11) and to implement an at least partial formation cycle of electrochemical cells (100) contained in the cell tray (11); at least one aging station (16) configured to receive at least one cell tray (11) containing electrochemical cells (100); a transport system (19) to transfer cell trays (11) containing electrochemical cells (100) within the containment structure (12), wherein the transport system (19) is active at least between the formation station (15) and the aging station (16).

Description

[0001] Warehouse for conditioning electrochemical cells and method for conditioning electrochemical cells DESCRIPTION

[0002] The present invention refers to a warehouse for conditioning electrochemical cells and a method for conditioning electrochemical cells.

[0003] The present invention is particularly suitable to produce secondary batteries, preferably rechargeable lithium batteries. Although in the present description, reference will be made specifically to lithium electrochemical cells, the teachings of the present invention also apply to the case of other secondary electrochemical cells wherein one of the cell construction processes comprises an aging process.

[0004] In the production of lithium electrochemical cells, after mechanical assembly operations of the electrochemical cells, the electrochemical cells must be subjected to conditioning operations (otherwise known as finishing) to make them electrically active and stable.

[0005] A first of these conditioning operations involves subjecting the electrochemical cells to electrical processes that determine electrochemical phenomena internal to the electrochemical cells such that the anodes are covered by the so-called "Solid Electrolyte Interphase" (SEI). This process is known in the technical field by the term of "formation" of electrochemical cells.

[0006] The electrochemical cell formation processes typically involve a succession of charging / discharging cycles of the electrochemical cells by applying currents of 0.1 -0.2 C for predetermined times (on the order of 10-24 hours). The magnitude "C" indicates a current value expressed in amperes numerically equal to the cell capacity in Ah (e.g. for a cell capacity of 2 Ah, the magnitude C is 2 A). The currents actually applied, the charging / discharging times and the number of repetitions of the various charging / discharging cycles depend on the type of battery and each battery manufacturer has developed its own "recipe" that allows to best form the electrode surface layer SEI to maximise battery performance. In fact, only if the formation process is performed properly will the electrode surface layer SEI be deposited on the electrodes of the battery, which optimizes the properties of the battery in terms of charging capacity and uniformity of charging / discharging cycles.

[0007] Subsequently to the formation process, the conditioning operations continue by subjecting the formed electrochemical cells to electrically passive aging processes, carried out in special resting stations (aging stations) for times of the order of tens or hundreds of hours, in which the cells are allowed to "rest" to allow them to stabilize at specially controlled temperatures.

[0008] In the Applicant's experience, the formation of the electrochemical cells is performed in a formation plant in which cell trays, each containing a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in a matrix pattern, are positioned in respective formation chambers.

[0009] In the Applicant's experience, in the formation plants the formation chambers are arranged in cabinets, known by the term "rack". Inside each formation chamber a contacting group is placed, configured to enter into electrical contact with each electrochemical cell of the cell tray. The contacting group is mounted inside the formation chamber on a vertically movable frame so that it can be lowered on the tray, positioned below it, and come into contact with the electrochemical cells housed in the cell tray. A plurality of contacting groups, typically the contacting groups of the formation chambers of a rack shelf, are connected via a plurality of electrical cables to the electronics necessary to implement the charging / discharging cycles of the electrochemical cells.

[0010] In the Applicant’s experience, the aging process of electrochemical cells is performed in an aging plant in which trays for electrochemical cells, each containing a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in a matrix pattern, are placed in respective aging chambers.

[0011] In the Applicant’s experience, in aging plants, the aging chambers are arranged in cabinets, known as "racks", which may comprise a very large number of levels in which a plurality of aging chambers are arranged side by side on each level. The racks are open at their side walls to allow the trays to be inserted and removed from the aging chambers.

[0012] In the Applicant's experience, at the end of the formation process, the cell trays are taken from the formation racks and brought into the aging racks. Usually, the formation racks and aging racks are placed in different warehouses.

[0013] The Applicant has observed that in the event that a relatively limited number of secondary batteries must be conditioned, it would be necessary to provide at least one formation rack and a plurality of aging racks and it would also be necessary to provide a transport system for the cell trays from the formation rack to the aging racks.

[0014] The Applicant has observed that such a conditioning plant, despite its small size, requires a careful design of the spaces and the transport system. In addition, such a conditioning plant requires an installation space that has a non-negligible footprint on the ground.

[0015] The Applicant also observed that, should the production needs change and it become necessary to increase the production capacity of the plant, it would be necessary to redesign at least in part the entire plant to provide further formation racks and aging racks, an additional transport system and, in some cases, it would be necessary to disassemble the original plant to reassemble the new plant.

[0016] The Applicant has therefore felt the need to make available a plant for conditioning process of electrochemical cells that requires a relatively small footprint on the ground and that is easily reconfigurable in the event of an increase in production capacity.

[0017] The Applicant has perceived that if a formation rack and an aging rack were integrated into a single structure, essentially "stand alone", integrating in this single structure the functions necessary to manage the various steps of the formation and aging processes, the ground footprint of this single structure could be contained and the plant would be easily expandable in terms of production capacity simply by installing further structures of this type without having to redesign the entire plant.

[0018] The Applicant has found that such a structure could be realized from a warehouse having a containment structure inside which a plurality of formation chambers and aging chambers are arranged, wherein said warehouse comprises a transfer station that acts as an interface between the warehouse itself and the rest of the plant to receive cell trays containing electrochemical cells to be subjected to the conditioning process and deliver trays of electrochemical cells subjected to the conditioning process, and a transport system inside the warehouse capable of transporting cell trays between the transfer station, the formation chambers and the aging chambers.

[0019] The present invention therefore concerns, in a first aspect thereof, a warehouse for conditioning process of electrochemical cells. Preferably, the warehouse comprises a containment structure.

[0020] Preferably, at least one formation station configured to receive at least one cell tray containing electrochemical cells is present inside the warehouse.

[0021] Preferably, inside the warehouse there is at least one formation module, operative in said at least one formation station, and configured to be coupled to a cell tray and to implement an at least partial formation cycle of electrochemical cells contained in said cell tray.

[0022] Preferably, at least one aging station configured to receive at least one cell tray containing electrochemical cells is present inside the warehouse.

[0023] Preferably, inside the warehouse there is a transport system for transferring cell trays containing electrochemical cells inside said containment structure.

[0024] Preferably, said transport system is active at least between said at least one formation station and said at least one aging station.

[0025] The Applicant has verified that the containment structure defines a structure within which all or most of the devices necessary to carry out formation and aging processes on the electrochemical cells are present.

[0026] The present invention concerns, in a second aspect thereof, a method for implementing a conditioning process on electrochemical cells.

[0027] Preferably, it is provided a warehouse according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0028] Preferably, it is provided to transfer a cell tray containing electrochemical cells from the transfer station to the formation station to perform at least partial formation of the electrochemical cells.

[0029] Preferably, it is subsequently provided to move said cell tray inside the containment structure to transfer said cell tray to the aging station to implement an aging process.

[0030] Preferably, subsequently it is provided to transfer said cell tray from the aging station and extract said cell tray from the containment structure.

[0031] "Conditioning" of an electrochemical cell means a process that subjects the electrochemical cell to a formation process and an aging process. An "electrochemical cell" is defined as an assembly consisting of at least one anode, one cathode, a possible dielectric material separator interposed between the anode and cathode, and an electrolyte. A battery comprises at least one electrochemical cell.

[0032] By "formation" is meant a process in which an electrochemical cell is subjected to charging / discharging / recharging cycles. The currents applied during charging / discharging / recharging cycles, measured in Amperes, are numerically of a lower order of magnitude than the number expressing the total capacity in Ah of the electrochemical cell. For example, when an electrochemical cell has a capacity of 1 Ah, the maximum currents applied are about 0.1 - 0.2 amperes. The charging / discharging / recharging cycles are implemented for such a time (e.g. 12- 24 hours) to reach maximum voltage, minimum voltage, and then return the electrochemical cell to a known state of charge, typically 80%.

[0033] "Aging" refers to a maturing or consolidation process following an electrochemical cell formation process. In an aging process, electrochemical cells which have already undergone a formation process are kept at relatively high temperatures in order to make the electrochemical cell voltage more stable and precise. The aging process favours the consolidation and reorganisation of the SEI electrode surface layer formed during the formation process. An aging process can last for a period of 8-12 days.

[0034] A "bidirectional converter" is a supply device capable of supplying electrical energy to a user device and extracting energy from it, enabling a bidirectional exchange of energy between the user device and the power supply device. In a bidirectional power supply the direction of the flow of electrical energy is directed in a controlled manner from the power supply device towards the user device or from the user device towards the power supply device; the possibility that the flow of energy is simultaneously directed from the power supply device towards the user device and from the user device towards the power supply device is never provided.

[0035] "Drawer" means any supporting structure capable of supporting a body and inserted into a housing compartment, not necessarily closed on the sides and not necessarily slidable on guides or the like to be extracted from a housing compartment. Therefore, a drawer inserted in a station of the warehouse is understood as a supporting structure (configured to support for example a formation module or part of a formation module) inserted in a station of the warehouse.

[0036] By "thermally conditioning" a physical entity (such as for example a cell tray, a formation module, a liquid) is meant subjecting that physical entity to a thermal heating or cooling action.

[0037] The present invention may have at least one of the preferred features described below. Such features may be present individually or in combination with each other, unless expressly stated otherwise, both in the warehouse and in the method which are the subject matter of the present invention.

[0038] Preferably, there is provided at least one transfer station configured to interface between an internal volume of said containment structure and an environment external to said internal volume of said containment structure.

[0039] Preferably, said transfer station is configured to receive cell trays from said external environment and to deliver cell trays from said internal volume to said external volume.

[0040] Preferably, said transport system is also active in said transfer station.

[0041] The transfer station inside the containment structure acts as an interface with supplying and pick-up systems to the cell tray warehouse and the transport system allows to manage the logistics of transporting the cell trays inside the warehouse.

[0042] Preferably, the warehouse is part of a battery production plant comprising a plurality of cell trays each containing electrochemical cells.

[0043] Preferably, the containment structure comprises a frame and a plurality of possibly removable walls delimiting an internal volume of the warehouse.

[0044] Preferably, a plurality of transfer stations may be provided, wherein some transfer stations are configured to receive cell trays and other transfer stations are configured to extract cell trays from the warehouse.

[0045] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a single transfer station is used both to receive cell trays and to extract cell trays from the warehouse.

[0046] Preferably, it is provided to implement in the formation station an at least partial formation of electrochemical cells contained in a first cell tray while in the aging station an aging process of electrochemical cells contained in a second cell tray is implemented.

[0047] Preferably, the warehouse comprises a number F of formation stations and a number A of aging stations, wherein A is greater than F.

[0048] Preferably, said at least one formation station is physically distinct from said at least one aging station.

[0049] Preferably, said at least one formation station is physically distinct from said at least one transfer station.

[0050] Preferably, said at least one aging station is physically distinct from said at least one transfer station.

[0051] Preferably, it is provided to transfer a cell tray from the formation station to the aging station when the electrochemical cells contained in the cell tray have completed the formation process in the formation station.

[0052] Preferably, such transfer is implemented by the transport system picking up the cell tray from the formation station and positioning the cell tray in the aging station.

[0053] The Applicant has noted that the time taken to perform a formation process is less than the time taken to perform an aging process.

[0054] The Applicant has found that in order to optimise the volume occupied by the warehouse it would be preferable to occupy the largest number of formation and ageing stations at the same time.

[0055] By providing a number of aging stations greater than the number of formation stations, it is therefore possible to occupy many stations of the warehouse at the same time, since the residence time of the cell trays in the formation stations is less than the residence time of the cell trays in the aging stations.

[0056] Preferably, the number A of aging stations is directly proportional to the ratio between the time required to complete a formation process and the time required to complete an aging process.

[0057] Preferably, the number A of aging stations is calculated as the number F of formation stations multiplied by the ratio between the time required to complete a formation process and the time required to complete an aging process. Preferably, the number F is the integer that over or under approximates the result of the calculation set out above.

[0058] Preferably, the number F of formation stations is greater than or equal to 4 times the number A of aging stations and less than or equal to 32 times the number A of aging stations. For example, the number A of aging stations is 16 times the number F of formation stations.

[0059] Preferably, a respective first drawer is arranged in said at least one formation station.

[0060] Preferably, a respective first drawer is arranged in each formation station.

[0061] Preferably, only one first drawer is placed in each formation station.

[0062] Preferably, each first drawer houses a respective plurality of formation modules.

[0063] Preferably, each first drawer is reachable by said transport system for receiving and delivering cell trays.

[0064] Preferably, transferring a cell tray containing electrochemical cells to the formation station comprises associating said cell tray with a formation module housed in the first drawer arranged in the formation station.

[0065] Preferably, it is provided to transfer a cell tray containing electrochemical cells from the transfer station to the formation station before performing at least partial formation of said electrochemical cells.

[0066] Preferably, each formation module comprises a contacting group configured to provide an electrical contact for each of said electrochemical cells housed in a cell tray.

[0067] Preferably, said contacting group comprises a plurality of electrical contacts configured to enter into electrical contact relationship with poles of the electrochemical cells.

[0068] Preferably, each formation module comprises at least one bidirectional converter in electrical connection with said contacting group.

[0069] Preferably, each formation module comprises a bidirectional converter for each electrochemical cell present in a cell tray. Each bidirectional converter is configured to directly supply electrical energy to an electrochemical cell, for example at a voltage of 4.2 Volts.

[0070] For supplying the bidirectional converters of the formation modules, a power supply unit comprising a plurality of electrical converters is preferably provided.

[0071] Preferably, such electrical converters are configured to change input voltage values from an electrical power source external to the containment structure to usable input voltage values to the bidirectional converters of the formation modules.

[0072] The electrical converters can be AC / DC or DC / DC converters or both types depending on the electrical conversion diagram to be implemented.

[0073] Preferably, each formation module comprises a control unit configured to control the operation of said at least one bidirectional power supply.

[0074] Preferably, each formation module comprises a support frame on which said at least one bidirectional converter, said control unit and said contacting group are mounted.

[0075] Preferably, associating said cell tray with a formation module comprises contacting the electrochemical cells contained in the cell tray with said contacting group.

[0076] Preferably, each first drawer comprises a number B of formation modules, where B is an integer comprised between 4 and 12, for example equal to 8.

[0077] Preferably, each formation station comprises at least one electrical connector electrically connectable to said electrical power source external to said containment structure.

[0078] Preferably, each bidirectional converter of each formation module placed in a formation station is electrically connected to said electrical connector.

[0079] Said electrical converters may be placed upstream of said electrical connectors of the formation stations at a position placed between said external electrical power source and said electrical connectors of the formation stations or in combination they may be placed downstream of said electrical connectors of the formation stations at a position placed between said electrical connectors and said bidirectional converters of the formation modules. Preferably, said formation stations are arranged one on top of the other in at least one column of formation stations.

[0080] Preferably, said transfer station is placed below said formation stations.

[0081] Preferably, a plurality of columns of formation stations are present.

[0082] The Applicant has observed that the maintenance of the formation modules is particularly expensive, since the formation modules consist of complex components and subject to high wear due to the electrical powers transmitted to the electrochemical cells to be formed. It is therefore necessary to provide for frequent maintenance of the formation modules.

[0083] The Applicant has found that the provision of formation modules in which each formation module comprises a support frame on which said at least one bidirectional power supply, said control unit and said contacting group are mounted makes their maintenance easier since by accessing the support frame it is possible to access all the functional components of the formation module and also the contacting group.

[0084] The Applicant has noted that these drawers can also be used to simultaneously connect all the formation modules to the electrical connector present in the formation station. In this way it is possible to reduce the number of electrical connectors present in each formation station up to even one single electrical connector.

[0085] For this purpose, preferably each drawer comprises at least one electrical plug configured to connect electrically with the electrical connector of a respective formation station.

[0086] Preferably, said electrical plug electrically connects, preferably permanently, the electrical connector with the bidirectional converters of the formation modules mounted in the drawer.

[0087] The Applicant has perceived that if the components subject to maintenance and whose access is particularly expensive, such as for example the formation modules, were made movable within the warehouse, these components could be brought if necessary into easily reachable positions in order to be able to perform the relative maintenance operations without the need to have to interrupt the functionality of the entire warehouse so that these components to be maintained can be accessed.

[0088] The Applicant has found that by making the first drawers movable inside the warehouse it is possible to move an entire first drawer and the formation modules arranged on it to bring the first drawer into a position easily reachable to maintenance operators. This allows not to limit the warehouse in height while maintaining and even simplifying and speeding up the possibility of maintenance of the formation modules. In addition, avoiding having to intervene inside the formation station to carry out the maintenance of the formation modules, it is possible to continue using the formation modules of the first drawers not subjected to maintenance, avoiding having to completely interrupt the formation process of the electrochemical cells.

[0089] Therefore, preferably, said first drawer is movable within said warehouse integrally with said plurality of formation modules between said at least one formation station and a service station.

[0090] The service station can be placed in an area, within the warehouse containment structure, easily reachable by maintenance operators.

[0091] Preferably, in case of maintenance, it is provided to move a first drawer integrally with the plurality of formation modules associated with it between a respective formation station and the service station.

[0092] Preferably, at the end of the maintenance operations, it is provided to move the first drawer integrally with the plurality of formation modules associated with it between the service station and the respective formation station.

[0093] Preferably, a respective second drawer configured to house a plurality of cell drawers is arranged in said at least one aging station.

[0094] Preferably, a respective second drawer is arranged in each aging station.

[0095] Preferably, only one second drawer is placed in each aging station.

[0096] Preferably, said second drawer is reachable by said transport system for receiving and delivering cell trays.

[0097] Preferably, transferring a cell tray containing electrochemical cells from the formation station to the aging station comprises inserting said cell tray into said second drawer. Preferably, each first drawer is configured to house a number B of formation modules.

[0098] Preferably, each second drawer is configured to house a number C of cell trays.

[0099] Preferably, said number B of formation modules is equal to said number C of cell trays.

[0100] Preferably, said aging stations are arranged one on top of the other in at least one column of formation stations.

[0101] Preferably, said transfer station is placed below said aging stations.

[0102] Preferably, there are a plurality of columns of aging stations.

[0103] Preferably, the aging stations are arranged above or below the formation stations and are vertically aligned with the formation stations.

[0104] Preferably, said transport system is completely contained within the internal volume of the supporting structure.

[0105] Preferably, said transport system comprises a lift configured to receive and transport at least one cell tray in the internal volume of the containment structure.

[0106] Preferably, said transport system comprises vertical guides to which the lift is slidably connected.

[0107] Preferably, said vertical guides extend vertically inside the containment structure in such a way that the lift can reach all the formation stations and all the aging stations.

[0108] Preferably, said transport system comprises a horizontal guide.

[0109] Preferably, the lift is horizontally movable along the horizontal guide.

[0110] When a cell tray is placed at the transfer station to begin a formation process, the lift is positioned at the transfer station and the cell tray is positioned thereon.

[0111] The lift, possibly moving along the horizontal guide, is then lifted along the vertical guides to reach the level of the assigned formation station. The lift, possibly moving along the horizontal guide, inserts the cell tray into the formation station placing it in contact relationship with a contacting group of a formation module. When the formation has been completed, the lift is brought back at the formation module to which the cell tray is hooked and picks up the cell tray by removing it from the formation module. The lift, possibly moving along the horizontal guide, is then lifted along the vertical guides to reach the level of the assigned aging station. The lift, possibly moving along the horizontal guide, inserts the cell tray into the aging station by placing it on the relative second drawer.

[0112] When the aging process has been completed, the lift is brought back at the aging station and picks up the cell tray by removing it from the second drawer. The lift, possibly moving along the horizontal guide, is then lowered along the vertical guides to reach the level of the transfer station to allow the cell tray to be extracted from the warehouse.

[0113] The vertical guides, the horizontal guide and the lift can be chosen as a function of the required movement and positioning precision.

[0114] The Applicant has noted that in aging plants, the temperature at which the electrochemical cells must be placed can vary with time.

[0115] In fact, the Applicant has observed that the aging process of an electrochemical cell takes tens and even hundreds of hours and that, during the passage of this time, it is often necessary for the electrochemical cell to remain at different temperatures. For example, a distinction is frequently made between a roomtemperature aging process, RT aging, which is typically carried out at temperatures between 23 and 26 °C for a total duration of more than 10 days, and a high-temperature aging process, HT aging, which is typically carried out at temperatures between 45 and 60 °C for a total duration of about 24 hours.

[0116] The Applicant has also noted that, depending on the formation "recipe" to be implemented, it may be necessary to ensure that the electrochemical cells remain at predetermined temperatures or predetermined temperature ranges at predetermined steps of the formation process.

[0117] For these purposes, the Applicant has perceived that the formation warehouse could be used as an incubator for the electrochemical cells.

[0118] The Applicant has therefore found that the warehouse could be equipped with a thermal conditioning system.

[0119] Therefore, preferably the warehouse comprises a thermal conditioning system configured to thermally condition cell trays placed in the aging station.

[0120] Preferably, the thermal conditioning system is further configured to thermally condition cell trays placed in the formation station.

[0121] Preferably, said thermal conditioning system is configured to thermally condition at least at a first formation temperature the cell trays placed in the formation station.

[0122] Preferably, said thermal conditioning system is configured to thermally condition at least at a first aging temperature and at least at a second aging temperature, different from the first aging temperature, the cell trays placed in the aging station.

[0123] Preferably, it is provided to thermally condition each cell tray placed in one aging station independently of other cell trays placed in a different aging station.

[0124] The Applicant has found that in this way the cell trays (and with them the electrochemical cells contained therein) of each aging station can be maintained at a temperature not necessarily equal to the temperature at which the cell trays of any other aging station are maintained within the warehouse.

[0125] In this regard, it is preferably provided to thermally condition each cell tray placed in a respective aging station at a first temperature for a first period of time.

[0126] Preferably, it is provided to thermally condition each cell tray placed in a respective aging station at a second temperature different from said first temperature for a second period of time subsequent to said first period of time.

[0127] In this way, it is possible to set conditioning temperatures that vary over time for each cell tray, allowing any aging "recipe" to be implemented in terms of temperatures and temperature application times.

[0128] Preferably, thermally conditioning a tray at a first temperature and thermally conditioning a tray at a second temperature is implemented without moving the cell trays from the respective aging stations.

[0129] The Applicant has found that in this way it is not necessary to transfer the cell tray between the aging stations within the warehouse to carry out the aging process, further simplifying the logistics of the aging process.

[0130] Similarly, it is preferably provided to thermally condition the cell trays placed in a respective formation station. In this way it is possible to set conditioning temperatures that vary over time for the cell trays, allowing any formation "recipe" to be implemented in terms of temperatures and temperature application times.

[0131] Preferably, the thermal conditioning system comprises a warehouse thermal conditioning circuit.

[0132] Preferably, the warehouse thermal conditioning circuit is placed in fluid connection with a fluid heater or in combination with a fluid cooler.

[0133] The fluid heater can be inside the warehouse containment structure or outside the warehouse containment structure.

[0134] Similarly, the fluid cooler may be inside the warehouse containment structure or outside the warehouse containment structure.

[0135] Preferably, a conditioning liquid circulates within the warehouse thermal conditioning circuit.

[0136] Preferably, the conditioning liquid is optionally demineralised, osmotised or distilled water.

[0137] Preferably, said thermal conditioning system is configured to thermally and selectively associate said fluid heater and said fluid cooler with said cell trays.

[0138] Preferably, said warehouse thermal conditioning circuit does not act on said transfer station.

[0139] Preferably, when a cell tray is inserted in a respective aging station, it is provided to hydraulically connect said warehouse thermal conditioning circuit with a cell tray thermal conditioning circuit.

[0140] Preferably, during the movement of a cell tray operated by the transport system, the cell tray thermal conditioning circuit is not hydraulically connected with said warehouse thermal conditioning circuit.

[0141] The Applicant has perceived that the thermal conditioning system could also be used to cool (or if necessary heat) the formation modules.

[0142] In this regard, preferably said thermal conditioning system further comprises a formation module thermal conditioning circuit for each formation module. Preferably, said formation module thermal conditioning circuit is placed in fluid connection with said warehouse thermal conditioning circuit at least when said formation module is in use to implement a formation process.

[0143] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings and provided by way of indicative and non-limiting example, in which:

[0144] Figures 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views of a warehouse for conditioning process of electrochemical cells in accordance with the present invention;

[0145] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the interior of the warehouse of Figure 1 ;

[0146] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a first drawer used in the warehouse of Figure 1 ;

[0147] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a second drawer used in the warehouse of Figure 1 ;

[0148] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of some components of the store of Figure 1 ;

[0149] Figure 7 is a schematic representation of additional components of the warehouse of Figure 1 ; and

[0150] Figures 8 to 10 are schematic representations of a thermal conditioning system, and some of its components, of the warehouse of Figure 1 .

[0151] The representations in the appended figures must not be understood in scale, do not necessarily respect the proportions between the various parts and must be understood as diagrams.

[0152] With initial reference to Figure 1 , a warehouse for conditioning electrochemical cells in accordance with the present invention is indicated with 10.

[0153] The warehouse 10 is arranged to receive cell trays 1 1 containing electrochemical cells 100 (schematized in Figure 10) and to subject the electrochemical cells 100 to a formation and aging process. The electrochemical cells 100 are lithium-ion secondary electrochemical cells.

[0154] Each cell tray 1 1 has a generally box-like shape, and comprises a plurality of housings for containing, preferably separated from each other, a plurality of electrochemical cells 100.

[0155] The warehouse 10 comprises a containment structure 12 having a plurality of walls 13 and a frame. The walls 13 are removably fixed to the frame. The frame has a substantially shelf-like structure. The containment structure 12 is substantially box-like and encloses an internal volume 14 of the warehouse 10. In Figures 1 and 2, parts of the walls 13 placed in the front and rear position have been partially removed to show part of the internal volume 14 of the warehouse 10. In Figure 3 the walls 13 have not been represented.

[0156] The warehouse 10 is a structurally independent structure placed within a conditioning plant. In other words, the warehouse 10 is a cabinet. A plurality of warehouses 10 may be provided within a conditioning plant.

[0157] The containment structure 12 is arranged to be mounted or rested on a floor of a warehouse or the like of an electrochemical cell conditioning plant.

[0158] The warehouse 10 comprises at least one formation station 15 and at least one aging station 16. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the warehouse 10 comprises a plurality of formation stations 15 and a plurality of aging stations 16, schematized in Figures 1 and 2.

[0159] The warehouse 10 comprises a transfer station 17 to which the cell trays 1 1 containing the electrochemical cells 100 to be subjected to the formation and aging process, are conferred, preferably one at a time. The transfer station 17 comprises an opening 18 to allow the cell trays 1 1 to enter the transfer station 17 and exit the transfer station 17. The transfer station 17 is placed in a lower portion of the warehouse 10 at a transport level that is elevated with respect to the floor level (i.e. the level at which the floor of a plant in which the warehouse 10 is mounted is placed). As schematically illustrated in Figure 1 , the warehouse 10 comprises a single transfer station 17.

[0160] The warehouse 10 further comprises a transport system 19 configured to transport the cell trays 1 1 within the warehouse 10 between the formation stations 15, the aging stations 16 and the transfer station 17. The formation stations 15 are placed, inside the warehouse 10, and in particular in the internal volume 14, above the transfer station 17, as schematically illustrated in Figure 1. Each formation station 15 is defined by a respective housing space within the store 10. Each formation station 15 is closed to the outside of the store by walls 13. Each formation station 15 is open towards the internal volume 14 to allow the cell trays 1 1 to be inserted and extracted. The formation stations 15 are placed one on top of the other along a first column of formation stations 15 and a plurality of columns of formation stations 15 are preferably provided. As schematically illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a space not occupied by the formation stations 15 is provided in the warehouse 10 between the columns of formation stations 15. This space can be used to accommodate at least part of the transport system 19.

[0161] The aging stations 16 are placed, inside the warehouse 10, and in particular in the internal volume 14, above the transfer station 17, as schematically illustrated in Figure 1. The aging stations 16 are also placed above the formation stations

[0162] 15. Each aging station 16 is defined by a respective housing space within the warehouse 10. Each aging station 16 is closed to the outside of the warehouse by walls 13. Each aging station 16 is open towards the internal volume 14 to allow insertion and removal of cell trays 1 1 . The aging stations 16 are placed one on top of the other along a first column of aging stations 16 and a plurality of columns of aging stations 16 are preferably provided. As schematically illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, there is a space in the warehouse 10 between the columns of the aging stations 16 not occupied by the aging stations 16. This space can be used to accommodate at least part of the transport system 19. The columns of aging stations 16 are aligned with the columns of formation stations 15.

[0163] The number F of formation stations 15 is less than the number A of aging stations

[0164] 16. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the number A of aging stations 16 is sixteen times the number F of formation stations 15. More generally, given a number F of formation stations 15, the number A of aging stations 16 is chosen such that, by occupying all aging stations with a number X of electrochemical cells 100, in the time necessary to complete the aging process of such X electrochemical cells 100, formation processes on a same number X of electrochemical cells 100 (occupying all the formation stations 15) can be completed in the formation stations F 15.

[0165] In the formation stations 15 there are a plurality of formation modules 20. Figure 7 schematically represents a formation module 20. Each formation module 20 has the function of at least partially forming the electrochemical cells 100 present in a cell tray 1 1. For this purpose, each formation module 20 is configured to supply electrical energy and preferably receive electrical energy from the electrochemical cells 100 in accordance with a formation recipe that establishes times, voltages, current intensities that the formation module 20 must supply and receive from the electrochemical cells 100.

[0166] Each formation module 20 comprises a contacting group 22 (schematically illustrated in Figures 7) configured to contact electrical poles of the electrochemical cells 100 placed in a cell tray 1 1. The contacting group 22 comprises a plurality of electrical contacts 22a configured to enter into electrical contact relationship with poles of the electrochemical cells 100.

[0167] Each formation module 20 further comprises at least one bidirectional converter 23 (schematized in Figure 6) which is placed in electrical connection with the contacting group 22. Each bidirectional converter 23 is configured to deliver in output the voltage and current necessary to implement the formation recipe. Preferably, the bidirectional converter 23 is the last stage of a current conversion which, starting from a current, for example alternating, supplied at the plant level, supplies a current with voltage and intensity directly deliverable to the electrochemical cells. By way of example, the bidirectional converter 23 can be a bidirectional DC / DC power supply, which for example receives an input current with a voltage comprised between 12 Volts and 48 Volts and delivers a current with a voltage comprised between 2 and 8 Volts, for example of about 4.2 Volts. By way of example, each bidirectional converter 23 may be sized to deliver a maximum current substantially comprised between 0.05 C and 0.4 C, where C indicates a current value expressed in Amperes numerically equal to the capacity in Ah of an electrochemical cell 100. The number of bidirectional converters 23 of each formation module 20 depends on the number of electrochemical cells 100 which must be formed by the formation module 20 and on the electrical sizing of the bidirectional converter 23. Preferably a plurality of bidirectional converters 23 is provided for each formation module 20. For example, a bidirectional converter 23 may be provided for each electrochemical cell 100 of a cell tray 1 1 .

[0168] Each formation module 20 can comprise at least one control unit 24 (schematized in Figure 6), for example a microprocessor unit, configured to control the operation of the plurality of bidirectional power supplies 23 so as to generate for each electrochemical cell a respective voltage or modulated current, suitable for operating the formation process. The bidirectional power supplies 23 and the control unit 24 are mounted on electronic boards and realize at least in part the electrical / electronic components, suitable for carrying out an at least partial formation cycle of an electrochemical cell 100. When a cell tray 1 1 is brought into a formation station 15 by the transport system 19, the contacting group 22 of a formation module 20 is pushed against the cell tray 1 1 so as to contact the poles of the electrochemical cells 100 contained in the cell tray 1 1 .

[0169] Each formation module 20 comprises a containment frame 21 containing and integrating the bidirectional converters 23, the contacting group 22 and possibly the control unit 24. The contacting group 22 is not movable with respect to the bidirectional converters 23.

[0170] In each formation station 15 there is arranged a respective first drawer 25 on which a plurality of formation modules 20 are arranged, as schematically illustrated in Figure 4. Each first drawer 25 is substantially made up of a supporting structure 26 for the formation modules 20 and possibly a guide structure 27 for positioning the cell trays 11 in a suitable position to receive the contacting group 22 of the formation module 20. As depicted in Figure 4, each formation module 20 is configured to mate with a respective cell tray 1 1 . In each formation station 15 there is preferably only one first drawer 25.

[0171] To supply with electrical power the formation modules 20, the warehouse 10 comprises a power supply unit 28. The power supply unit 28 comprises a plurality of electrical converters 29, preferably of a bidirectional type, each of which is configured to change input voltage values from an electrical source 30 external to the warehouse 10 into voltage values usable in input to the bidirectional power supplies 23 of the formation modules 20.

[0172] The electrical converters 29 can be AC / DC or DC / DC converters or both types depending on the electrical conversion scheme to be implemented. The electrical converters 29 can be placed, alternatively or in combination, in appropriate electrical cabinets of the warehouse 10, in each first drawer 25, in each formation module 20.

[0173] In each aging station 16 there is arranged a respective second drawer 32 configured to receive a plurality of cell trays 1 1 to be subjected to the aging process, as schematically illustrated in Figure 5. Each second drawer 32 is substantially made of a supporting structure 33 for the cell trays 11 . In each aging station 16 there is preferably only one second drawer 32.

[0174] Each first drawer 25 of the formation stations 15 is configured to house a number B of formation modules 20. Each second drawer 32 of the aging stations 16 is configured to house a number C of cell trays 1 1 . The number B of formation modules 20 housed in a first drawer 25 is equal to the number C of cell trays 1 1 housed in a second drawer 32.

[0175] The transport system 19 is configured to allow the cell trays 1 1 to reach the first drawers 25 and to insert and extract cell trays 1 1 from the first drawers 25. The transport system 19 is configured to allow the cell trays 1 1 to reach the second drawers 32 and to insert and extract cell trays 1 1 from the second drawers 32.

[0176] The transport system 19 comprises a lift 34 schematized in Figure 3. The lift 34 comprises a platform 34a on which a cell tray 1 1 is supported and retained during its movement within the warehouse 10. The lift 34 is connected to vertical guides 35 that extend vertically inside the warehouse 10 and reach in height all the aging stations 16 and the formation stations 15. The platform 34a is slidable in a horizontal direction along the lift 34. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the platform 34a has dimensions substantially equal to the dimensions of a cell tray 1 1. The vertical guides 35 extend from the transfer station 17. The vertical guides 35 define a vertical transport path for the lift 34 and are placed in the space between the columns of formation stations 15 and the columns of aging stations 16, so that the lift 34 carrying a respective cell tray 11 can move within the warehouse 10 without interfering with the formation stations 15 and the aging stations 16. In some embodiments where there are a plurality of columns of formation stations 15 and aging stations 16 arranged side by side between them within the warehouse 10, the lift 34 may slide horizontally along a horizontal guide 36. The horizontal guide 36 extends between the vertical guides 35. In this way, the lift 34 can reach any first drawer 25 and any second drawer 32. When placed in the transfer station 17, the lift 34 is directly reachable by an operator through the opening 18 in order to load and unload a cell tray 100 from the lift 34.

[0177] As schematically illustrated in Figure 2, the warehouse 10 comprises at least one service station 37 placed at a maintenance level below the formation stations 15. The service station 37 has the function of allowing maintenance of the formation modules 20. In this regard, each first drawer 25 is made movable within the warehouse 10 to be able to move, together with the formation modules 20, between the respective formation station 15 and the service station 37. The lift 34 of the transport system 19 can be used to move the first drawers 25 inside the warehouse 10. When a first drawer 25 is to be moved in the service station 37, the formation modules 20 of said first drawer 25 can be electrically disconnected from the power supply unit 28.

[0178] For this purpose, in each formation station 15 there is provided at least one quickcoupling electrical connector 39 placed in electrical connection with the external electrical power source 30. Each first drawer 25 comprises at least one electrical plug 38 configured to electrically connect with the quick-coupling electrical connector 39. The electrical plug 38 electrically connects the quick-coupling electrical connector 39 with the bidirectional converters 23 of the formation modules 20 placed on the first drawer 25. The electrical converters 29, depending on the placement position chosen, can be placed upstream of the electrical plug 38 or downstream of the electrical plug 38 (as in the example illustrated in Figure 6).

[0179] In some embodiments, the second drawers 32 are also made movable within the warehouse 10 to be able to move between the respective aging stations 16 and the service station 37 so as to be able to perform maintenance on the second drawers 32.

[0180] As schematized in Figure 8, the warehouse 10 comprises a thermal conditioning system 40. The thermal conditioning system 40 is preferably a liquid conditioning system, wherein a conditioning liquid is heated or cooled to act as a heating or cooling agent. Such conditioning liquid may for example be demineralised, osmotised or distilled water. The thermal conditioning system 40 has the function of thermally conditioning at least the electrochemical cells 100 during the aging process, in such a way as to place the electrochemical cells 100 at predetermined and controlled temperatures.

[0181] The thermal conditioning system 40 comprises a warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 . The thermal conditioning system 40 further comprises a fluid heater 42 and a fluid cooler 43.

[0182] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the fluid heater 42 and the fluid cooler 43 are illustrated positioned within the warehouse 10. In other embodiments, the fluid heater 42 and the fluid cooler 43 may be external to the warehouse 10. The fluid heater 42 and the fluid cooler 43 may be any device capable of heating and cooling the conditioning liquid of the thermal conditioning system 40. The fluid heater 42 and the fluid cooler 43 may be a single device or physically separate devices.

[0183] The warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 has the function of bringing conditioning liquid to each aging station 16 of the warehouse 10. For this purpose, the warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 comprises a first set of hydraulic piping 44 and a second set of hydraulic piping 45. The first set of hydraulic piping 44 comprises delivery ducts 46 connecting the fluid heater 42 with each aging station 16 and carrying hot conditioning liquid from the fluid heater 42 to the aging stations 16. The first set of hydraulic piping 44 also comprises return ducts 47 connecting the fluid heater 42 with each aging station 16 and returning fluid from the aging stations 16 to the fluid heater 42. Likewise, the second set of hydraulic piping 45 comprises delivery ducts 48 connecting the fluid cooler 43 with each aging station 16 and carrying cold conditioning fluid from the fluid cooler 43 to the aging stations 16. The second set of hydraulic piping 45 also comprises return ducts 49 connecting the fluid cooler 43 with each aging station 16 and returning conditioning fluid from the aging stations 16 to the fluid cooler 43, as schematized in Figure 8.

[0184] The thermal conditioning system 40 may also have the function of thermally conditioning the electrochemical cells 100 during the formation process, in such a way as to place the electrochemical cells 100 at predetermined and controlled temperatures. In this case, the warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 is connected at the formation stations 15 in the same manner as described above in relation to the aging stations 16.

[0185] The warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 further comprises delivery hydraulic connectors 50 and return hydraulic connectors 51 placed at each aging station 16 (and optionally at each formation station 15 when the thermal conditioning of the cell trays 1 1 in the formation stations 15 is provided) to be able to connect with the cell trays 11 present in the aging stations 16 (and optionally present in the formation stations 15 when provided). The delivery hydraulic connectors 50 and the return hydraulic connectors 51 are placed on the delivery and return ducts of the first set of hydraulic piping 44 and the second set of hydraulic piping 45. The delivery hydraulic connectors 50 and the return hydraulic connectors 51 are quick-coupling electrical connectors, i.e. hydraulic connectors that can be connected to further hydraulic connectors and disconnected from said further hydraulic connectors without the need to use clamping tools. Note that the transfer station 17 is not served by the thermal conditioning system 40. As schematized in Figure 10, each cell tray 1 1 comprises a tray thermal conditioning circuit 52. The tray thermal conditioning circuit 52 is preferably integrated into the cell tray 1 1 . The tray thermal conditioning circuit 52 comprises a delivery hydraulic connector 53 and a return hydraulic connector 54 configured respectively to be hydraulically connected with the delivery hydraulic connectors 50 and the return hydraulic connectors 51 of the warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41. The delivery hydraulic connectors 53 and the return hydraulic connectors 54 are quick-coupling electrical connectors, i.e. hydraulic connectors that can be connected to the delivery hydraulic connectors 50 and the return hydraulic connectors 51 of the warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 without the need to use clamping tools.

[0186] The thermal conditioning system 40 may also be active on the formation modules 20 placed in the first drawers 25 to cool the formation modules 20 when in use.

[0187] In this regard, as schematically illustrated in Figure 9, the warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 comprises a third set of hydraulic piping 55 connected with the fluid cooler 43. The third set of hydraulic piping 55 comprises delivery conduits 56 connecting the fluid cooler 43 with each formation station 15 and carrying cold conditioning liquid from the fluid cooler 43 to the formation stations 15. The third set of hydraulic piping 55 further comprises return conduits 57 connecting the fluid cooler 43 with each formation station 15 and returning conditioning liquid from the formation stations 15 to the fluid cooler 43, as schematized in Figure 9. In some embodiments, the third set of hydraulic piping may coincide with the second set of hydraulic piping 45. In this case, the second set of hydraulic piping connect the fluid cooler 43 with both the aging stations 16 and the formation stations 15.

[0188] The warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 further comprises delivery hydraulic connectors 58 and return hydraulic connectors 59 placed at each formation station 15 to be able to connect with the formation modules present in the formation stations 15. The delivery hydraulic connectors 58 and the return hydraulic connectors 59 are placed on the delivery and return ducts of the third set of hydraulic piping 55. The delivery hydraulic connectors 58 and the return hydraulic connectors 59 are quick-coupling electrical connectors, i.e. hydraulic connectors that can be connected to further hydraulic connectors and disconnected from said further hydraulic connectors without the need to use clamping tools. As schematized in Figure 7, each formation module 20 comprises a formation module thermal conditioning circuit 60. The formation module thermal conditioning circuit 60 is preferably integrated into the formation module 20. The formation module thermal conditioning circuit 60 may comprise a heat exchanger (e.g. a coil). The formation module thermal conditioning circuit 60 comprises a hydraulic delivery connector 61 and a hydraulic return connector 62.

[0189] In one embodiment, the formation module thermal conditioning circuit 60 is supplied with conditioning fluid that first travels through the tray thermal conditioning circuit 52 of the cell tray 1 1 contacted by the formation module 20. In this embodiment, the delivery hydraulic connector 61 is configured to be hydraulically connected with the return hydraulic connector 54 of the tray thermal conditioning circuit 52. The hydraulic return connector 62 is configured to be hydraulically connected with one of the hydraulic return connectors 59 of the set of return ducts 57 of the third set of hydraulic piping 55. The delivery hydraulic connector 53 of the tray thermal conditioning circuit 52 is configured to be hydraulically connected with the delivery hydraulic connector 58 of the set of return ducts 56 of the third set of hydraulic piping 55. The delivery hydraulic connectors 61 and the return hydraulic connectors 62 are quick-coupling electrical connectors.

[0190] In a different embodiment, the delivery hydraulic connector 61 and the return hydraulic connector 62 are respectively configured to be hydraulically connected with the delivery hydraulic connectors 58 and the return hydraulic connectors 59 of the third set of hydraulic piping 55. The delivery hydraulic connectors 61 and the return hydraulic connectors 62 are quick-coupling electrical connectors, i.e. hydraulic connectors that can be connected to the delivery hydraulic connectors 58 and the return hydraulic connectors 59 of the third set of hydraulic piping 55 without the need to use clamping tools.

[0191] In use, a cell tray 11 reaches the transfer station 17 where it is picked up by the transport system 19. In particular, the cell tray 1 1 is placed on or inserted into the lift 34. The cell tray 1 1 is brought at a formation station 15 and inserted into the respective first drawer 25. During this operation, the cell tray 1 1 is coupled to a formation module 20 present in the first drawer 25. The contacting group 22 of the formation module 20 is electrically coupled to the electrochemical cells 100 of the cell tray 1 1. If provided, the tray thermal conditioning circuit 52 is hydraulically connected to the warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 . The formation module 20 is then activated and the electrochemical cells 100 are subjected to the formation process. During the formation process, cold conditioning liquid is sent to the formation module thermal conditioning circuit 60. Optionally, depending on the step of the on-going formation process and depending on the hydraulic scheme, hot conditioning liquid or cold conditioning liquid is sent to the tray thermal conditioning circuit 52.

[0192] At the end of the formation process, or in any case at partial completion of the formation process (if necessary to implement a particular formation recipe), the cell tray 1 1 is extracted from the first drawer 25. During this operation, the cell tray 1 1 is decoupled from the formation module 20 present in the first drawer 25. The contacting group 22 of the formation module 20 is disconnected from the electrochemical cells 100 of the cell tray 1 1 . During the extraction of the cell tray 11 from the first drawer 25 the tray thermal conditioning circuit 52 (if previously connected) is hydraulically disconnected from the warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 .

[0193] The transport system 19 carries the cell tray 1 1 at an aging station 16. This operation is carried out by the lift 34 which supports and transports the cell tray 11 through the platform 34a. When the cell tray 1 1 reaches the aging station 16, the cell tray is inserted into the respective second drawer 32. During this operation, the tray thermal conditioning circuit 52 is hydraulically connected to the warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 .

[0194] Depending on the step of the on-going aging process, hot conditioning liquid or cold conditioning liquid is sent to the tray thermal conditioning circuit 52. The cell tray 1 1 and the electrochemical cells 100 contained therein are then thermally conditioned to the desired temperature. When the aging process is completed, the cell tray 1 1 is extracted from the second drawer 32. During this operation, the tray thermal conditioning circuit 52 is hydraulically disconnected from the warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 .

[0195] The transport system 19 then carries the cell tray 1 1 to the transfer station 17. This operation is carried out by the lift 34 which supports and transports the cell tray 11 . When the cell tray 1 1 reaches the transfer station 17, the cell tray 1 1 is extracted from the warehouse 10.

[0196] Note that during the formation process carried out on some cell trays 1 1 , other cell trays 1 1 may be subjected to the aging process. The hydraulic connections between the cell tray 1 1 and the warehouse thermal conditioning circuit 41 are implemented without the intervention of any operator thanks to the quick-coupling connections.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Warehouse (10) for conditioning process of electrochemical cells (100), comprising a containment structure (12) inside which there are housed: at least one formation station (15) configured to receive at least one cell tray (1 1 ) containing electrochemical cells (100); at least one formation module (20), operative in said at least one formation station (15), configured to be coupled to a cell tray (11 ) and to implement at least a partial formation cycle of electrochemical cells (100) contained in said cell tray (1 1 ); at least one aging station (16) configured to receive at least one cell tray (1 1 ) containing electrochemical cells (100); a transport system (19) configured to transfer cell trays (1 1 ) containing electrochemical cells (100) within said containment structure (12), wherein said transport system (19) is at least active between said at least one formation station (15) and said at least one aging station (16).

2. Warehouse (10) according to claim 1 comprising at least one transfer station (17) configured to interface between an internal volume (14) of said containment structure (12) and an environment external to said internal volume (14) of said containment structure (12) and to receive cell trays (100) from said external environment and to deliver cell trays from said internal volume to said external volume; said transport system also being active in said transfer station (17).

3. Warehouse (10) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a number F of formation stations (15) and a number A of aging stations (16), wherein A is greater than F.

4. Warehouse (10) according to claim 3, wherein the number A of aging stations (16) is greater than or equal to 4 times the number F of formation stations (15) and less than or equal to 32 times the number F of formation stations (15).

5. Warehouse (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in said at least one formation station (15) there is arranged a respective first drawer (25) housing a respective plurality of formation modules (20), said first drawer (25) being reachable from said transport system (19) for receiving and delivering cell trays (1 1 ).

6. Warehouse (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein insaid at least one aging station (16) there is arranged a respective second drawer (32) configured to house a plurality of cell drawers (1 1 ), said second drawer (32) being reachable from said transport system (19) for receiving and delivering cell trays (1 1 ).

7. Warehouse (10) according to claims 5 and 6, wherein said first drawer (25) is configured to house a number B of formation modules (20) and wherein said second drawer (32) is configured to house a number C of cell trays (1 1 ); said number B of formation modules (20) being equal to said number C of cell trays (1 1 ).

8. Warehouse (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each formation module (20) comprises a contacting group (22) configured to provide an electrical contact for each of said electrochemical cells (100) housed in a cell tray (1 1 ); at least one bidirectional converter (23) in electrical connection with said contacting group (22).

9. Warehouse (10) according to claim 5 and 8, comprising a power supply unit (28) comprises a plurality of electrical converters (29) configured to change voltage values in input from an electrical source external to the containment structure (12) into voltage values usable in input to said bidirectional converters (23) of the formation modules (20).

10. Warehouse (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a thermal conditioning system (40) configured to thermally condition cell trays (1 1 ) placed in the aging station (16) and optionally cell trays (1 1 ) placed in the formation station (15).

11. Warehouse (10) according to claim 10, wherein said thermal conditioning system (40) is configured to thermally condition at least at a first formation temperature the cell trays (1 1 ) placed in the formation station (15), and to thermally condition at least at a first aging temperature and at least at a second aging temperature the cell trays (1 1 ) placed in the aging station (16).

12. Warehouse (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said transport system (19) comprises a lift (34) configured to receive and transport at least one cell tray (1 1 ) and vertical guides (35) to which said lift (34) is slidingly connected; said vertical guides (35) developing vertically within the containmentstructure (12) and reaching in elevation said at least one formation station (15) and said at least one aging station (16).

13. Warehouse (10) according to claim 5, wherein said first drawer (25) is movable within said warehouse integrally with said plurality of formation modules (20) between said at least one formation station (15) and a service station (37).

14. Method for implementing a conditioning process on electrochemical cells (100) comprising: providing a warehouse (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; transferring a cell tray (1 1 ) containing electrochemical cells (100) to the formation station (15) to perform at least partial formation of the electrochemical cells (100); subsequently moving said cell tray (11 ) inside the containment structure (12) to transfer said cell tray (1 1 ) from the formation station (15) to the aging station (16) to implement an aging process; subsequently transferring said cell tray (1 1 ) from the aging station (16) and extracting said cell tray (1 1 ) from the containment structure (12).

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein transferring a cell tray (1 1 ) containing electrochemical cells (100) to the formation station (15) comprises associating said cell tray (1 1 ) with a formation module (20) housed in a first drawer (25) of the formation station (15).

16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, comprising implementing in the formation station (15) an at least partial formation of electrochemical cells (100) contained in a first cell tray (1 1 ) while in the aging station (16) an aging process of electrochemical cells (100) contained in a second cell tray (11 ) is implemented.

Images