Spacer for battery cell, and prismatic battery cell

Abstract

The invention relates to a spacer (15) intended to be positioned between a cover (6) and a terminal (2, 3) of a prismatic battery cell (1), the spacer (15) comprising a main body (60) and having a lower face (fi60) intended to come into contact with the cover (6), and an upper face (fs60) intended to come into contact with the terminal (2, 3); the spacer (15) comprising, on its lower face (fi60), a raised positioning element (67) in the form of a cross, intended to form-fittingly cooperate with a positioning element (14) delimited by the cover (6), in such a way as to prevent the cover (6) and the spacer (15) from moving in translation and rotation in relation to each other. The invention also relates to an assembly (5), and to a battery cell (1) comprising such a spacer (15).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Battery cell spacing element, and prismatic battery cell

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of prismatic electric battery cells.

[0005] More particularly, the invention relates to a spacing element for positioning the cover and a terminal of such a prismatic battery cell relatively.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] In the field of secondary batteries, and particularly batteries for electric vehicles, it is common to manufacture so-called prismatic battery cells. Their shape allows them to be easily stacked side by side, which is especially advantageous for building an electric vehicle battery. Generally, such battery cells consist of two electrodes: an anode and a cathode, which are in the form of sheets. These electrodes are then stacked to form one or more electrode stacks that make up the prismatic battery cell. A porous separator is placed between the anode and the cathode. The electrode stack is then inserted into a rigid casing that serves to protect the electrode stack and to allow the insertion of an electrolyte, which facilitates ion transport between the two electrodes.

[0008] To maximize battery cell capacity, it is known to create two stacks of electrodes designed to be inserted inside the same battery cell casing. Furthermore, the prismatic battery cell includes two terminals, located on the lid side, which are used to make electrical connections with other battery cells.

[0009] To carry the current produced by the electrode stacks to these terminals, it is known in the prior art to use a current collector for each terminal. These current collectors are electrically connected to each type of electrode. They must ensure efficient and reliable collection of the current produced by the electrodes of a given type. Therefore, there is generally one current collector dedicated to collecting the current from the anodes, and another current collector dedicated to collecting the current from the cathodes.

[0010] Once current collection is complete, it is necessary to ensure that the assembly formed by the electrodes and current collectors is securely fixed inside the casing, to limit any movement of the stack relative to the casing, under normal battery operating conditions.

[0011] Therefore, to ensure optimal performance of a prismatic battery cell, precise positioning of the stacks relative to the current collectors and the casing is essential. This positioning is a critical step in the positioning process, particularly for large-scale production.

[0012] Furthermore, to prevent short circuits between two electrodes of opposite polarity, the battery cell includes insulating elements that electrically isolate various conductive parts of the battery cell. This is particularly true of the battery cell cover, which ensures a watertight seal. A key challenge, therefore, lies in determining whether or not to electrically isolate the battery cell cover from the current collector(s) and from each terminal of the battery cell. In addition to its potential electrical insulation function, such an insulating element must also allow for gas venting and enable the relative positioning of adjacent components, while simultaneously allowing for the formation of a compact system suitable for insertion into the battery cell.Given the limited space remaining in the casing of a battery cell, the sizing of such an insulation element fulfilling all the aforementioned criteria remains imperfect.

[0013] Object of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims to provide a solution that addresses all or part of the aforementioned problems.

[0015] This goal can be achieved through the implementation of a spacing element intended to be interposed between a cover and a terminal of a prismatic battery cell, said spacing element comprising a main body and having a lower face intended to come into contact with the cover, and a upper face intended to come into contact with the terminal; the spacing element comprising on its lower face, a raised positioning element in the shape of a cross, intended to cooperate by complementarity of form with a positioning element delimited by the cover, in a manner blocking a relative translation and a relative rotation between the cover and the spacing element.

[0016] The previously described provisions allow for the design of a spacer with a positioning element that complements the shape of a positioning element for the battery cell cover. This enables the terminal to be spaced from the battery cell cover at a predetermined distance while maintaining a compact assembly. Synergistically, the cross-shaped indentation acts as a keying feature for assembling the components of the prismatic battery cell.

[0017] By "raised," we mean that the positioning element is offset from a general plane of elongation of the main body, for example by forming hollows, bumps, or protrusions. The spacer may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the cross-shaped positioning element protrudes from the main body.

[0019] In other words, the positioning element forms a cross-shaped bump.

[0020] Thus, the positioning element protrudes from an elongation plane of the main body, which facilitates its insertion into a positioning organ delimited by the battery cell cover.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cross shape of the positioning element comprises four branches all extending in an elongation plane of the spacing member, said four branches comprising two longitudinal branches extending along a longitudinal direction, and two transverse branches extending along a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0022] Thus, the cross shape of the positioning element is intended to be aligned with the axes of the prismatic shape of the battery cell.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the two longitudinal branches are substantially identical, and / or the two transverse branches are substantially identical.

[0024] Thus, it is possible to manufacture, using the same process, a spacing element intended to be placed on the anode or cathode side.

[0025] According to one embodiment, a width of the transverse branches measured substantially along the longitudinal direction is strictly greater than twice a width of the longitudinal branches measured substantially along the transverse direction.

[0026] This allows for greater resistance to rotation between the spacer and the battery cell cover, and it also provides a keying feature for positioning the cover relative to the spacer.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the spacer includes a through contact opening intended to allow the passage of a contact member through the main body of the spacer.

[0028] The spacer element thus includes means for connecting a current collector with the terminal of the battery cell by passing through the spacer element.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the transverse direction is the perpendicular bisector of a segment defined between the ends of each of the longitudinal branches, the contact opening then being arranged on the transverse direction.

[0030] Thus, the spacing element allows the battery cell terminal to be pre-positioned transversely relative to the cover. In one embodiment, the contact opening is a circular opening.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the longitudinal direction is the perpendicular bisector of a segment defined between the ends of each of the transverse branches, a center of the contact opening being offset from a center of the cross shape of the positioning element, said center of the cross shape of the positioning element corresponding to an intersection of the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction.

[0032] Thus, the position of the contact opening defines the positioning of the contact element relative to the cover and the terminal. This allows for the pre-positioning of all these elements relative to each other.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the spacing member has a thickness at the positioning element which is between 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm, and in particular substantially equal to 0.8 mm.

[0034] Thus, it is possible to offer a sufficiently compact and resistant spacing element.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the main body is made of an electrically insulating material.

[0036] Electrically insulating material means that the spacing element has an electrical resistance between 10 MOhm and 10 GOhm.

[0037] In this way, the spacer also provides electrical insulation between the battery cell terminal it contacts and the battery cell cover. This is particularly advantageous if the terminal in question is the one connected to the battery cell anode.

[0038] In one embodiment, the main body of the spacer comprises polycarbonate and glass fibers, or polyphenylene sulfide. This allows for an electrical resistance of the spacer on the order of gigaohms. This material is particularly suitable for creating a spacer on the anode side of the battery cell.

[0039] In one embodiment, the main body of the spacer comprises phenylene polysulfide and conductive fillers such as carbon or metallic particles. This allows for an electrical resistance of the spacer ranging from 500 ohms to 200 kohms. Phenylene polysulfide also exhibits excellent heat resistance. This material is particularly well-suited for cathode-side spacers, as its ohmic resistance is high enough to limit excessive current flow through the spacer, yet low enough to avoid excessive electrical insulation.According to one embodiment, the spacing member comprises on its upper face, a raised impression in the shape of a cross; said impression being intended to cooperate by complementarity of form with a counter impression delimited by the terminal, in a manner blocking a relative translation and a relative rotation between the spacing member and the terminal.

[0040] Thus, it is possible to arrange the spacing element both with the terminal and with the battery cell cover.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the positioning element is formed by a relief opposite to the imprint, so that their shape is substantially identical.

[0042] By "opposite relief" we mean that if the imprint is in the shape of a hollow, a bump or a combination of hollows and bumps, then the positioning element is respectively in the shape of a bump, a hollow or a combination of bumps and hollows.

[0043] Thus, it is possible to form two positioning guides without increasing the thickness of material of the spacing element.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the footprint 63 and the positioning element 67 form a single recess along the transverse direction Z with respect to the plane formed by the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the lower face delimits a lower contact surface, and the upper face delimits an upper contact surface, at least one contact surface chosen from the lower contact surface and the upper contact surface comprises surface asperities, said surface asperities being configured to share said at least one contact surface between direct contact portions intended to come into direct contact with the cover or the terminal, and spacing portions intended to be kept away from contact with the cover or the terminal.

[0046] Thus, the surface irregularities allow for defining a percentage of surface contact between the spacer and the cover and / or between the spacer and the terminal. This allows for adjusting the electrical insulation provided by the spacer.

[0047] According to one embodiment, a ratio of a sum of the contact areas of the direct contact portions to a total area of ​​at least one contact surface is between 0.3 and 0.9.

[0048] Such a surface area ratio makes it possible to provide the necessary and sufficient electrical insulation, which is particularly sought at the anode level.

[0049] The object of the invention can also be achieved through the implementation of an assembly for a prismatic electric battery cell comprising: a spacer as described above; and a cover intended to ensure a watertight closure of a battery cell casing, said cover comprising a positioning member cooperating with the positioning element, the spacer member being intended to be interposed between the cover and a terminal of the battery cell, maintaining a relative positioning between the cover and the terminal.

[0050] The arrangements described above make it possible to form an assembly ready to be associated with electrode assemblies to form the prismatic battery cell.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the assembly includes, among other things, a terminal intended to form a terminal of the battery cell, and intended to be electrically connected to a current collector of the battery cell, said terminal including a counter-imprint cooperating with the imprint of the spacer element to block relative translation and relative rotation with the spacer element.

[0052] The arrangements described above make it possible to propose a compact assembly comprising the terminal, the spacing element and the cover.

[0053] The object of the invention can also be achieved through the implementation of a prismatic battery cell for an electric propulsion vehicle, said battery cell comprising: a casing having a prismatic shape, the casing having a top opening and internally delimiting a casing housing; at least one electrode assembly disposed in the casing housing and comprising the successive assembly of first and second electrodes of opposite polarity and separated from each other by a porous separator film; an assembly as described above, in which the cover ensures a tight seal of the top opening of the casing; a first current collector electrically connected to the first electrodes; a second current collector electrically connected to the second electrodes; and a solid or liquid electrolyte.

[0054] The previously described provisions allow for the design of a battery cell in which the spacing element facilitates the positioning of the terminal relative to the cover, enabling the formation of a compact assembly that fits the dimensions of the battery cell casing. Summary description of the drawings

[0055] Other aspects, objectives, advantages, and features of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0056] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a spacing element according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0057] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the spacing organ of Figure 1, seen from the underside.

[0058] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a spacing element according to a particular embodiment of the invention, which has surface asperities on the underside.

[0059] Figure 4 is a schematic exploded and perspective view of an assembly according to the invention.

[0060] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a battery cell according to the invention.

[0061] Detailed description

[0062] In the figures and throughout the description, the same reference numerals represent identical or similar elements. Furthermore, the various elements are not drawn to scale to ensure clarity. Moreover, the different embodiments and variants are not mutually exclusive and can be combined.

[0063] As can be seen in figures 1 to 3, the invention relates to a spacing member 15 intended to be interposed between a cover 6 and a terminal 2, 3 of a prismatic battery cell 1.

[0064] The spacing member 15 includes first of all a main body 60 which has a lower face fi60 intended to come into contact with the cover 6, and an upper face fs60 intended to come into contact with the terminal 2, 3.

[0065] The main body 60 is generally roughly rectangular in shape and has a length L60 measured along a longitudinal direction denoted "X". The main body 60 may also have a width w60 measured along a transverse direction denoted "Y", perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The length L60 is advantageously strictly greater than the width w60. Thus, the spacer 15 is suitable for equipping a prismatic battery cell 1, as this allows for simpler positioning of the spacer 15 relative to the other elements of the battery cell, and in particular relative to terminals 2 and 3, which generally have a shape similar to that of the spacer 15. The material constituting the main body 60 is generally chosen according to the polarity of terminals 2 and 3 with which the spacer 15 is in direct contact.For example, the main body 60 may comprise an electrically insulating material. By "electrically insulating material" is meant that the spacer 15 has an electrical resistance between 10 MOhm and 10 GOhm. For example, the material of the main body 60 of the spacer 15 may comprise polycarbonate and glass fibers, or polyphenylene sulfide. Thus, it is possible to obtain an electrical resistance of the spacer 15 on the order of a gigaohm. This material is particularly suitable for making a spacer 15 on the anode side of battery cell 1. According to this variant, the spacer 15 provides electrical insulation between the terminal 2, 3 of battery cell 1 with which it is in contact, and the cover 6 of battery cell 1. This is particularly advantageous if the terminal 2, 3 in question is the terminal 2, 3 connected to the anode of battery cell 1.

[0066] However, when terminals 2 and 3 are both electrically isolated from the rest of the battery cell 1 by a resistance on the order of a gigaohm, the casing 4 of the battery cell 1 has a neutral polarity. This can lead to increased corrosion of the casing, especially if it contains aluminum. Therefore, it is advantageous to design the main body 60 of one of the spacers 15 of a battery cell 1 to include a material that allows it to exhibit an electrical resistance of the spacer 15 between 500 ohms and 200 kohms. Thus, the main body 60 of the spacer 15 can include polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and conductive fillers such as carbon or metallic particles. Furthermore, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is a material with very good heat resistance.This material is particularly suitable for making a spacing element 15 on the cathode side, the ohmic resistance being high enough to limit too much current passing at the spacing element 15, and low enough not to offer too much electrical insulation.

[0067] The presence of an electrically insulating spacer 15 on the side of a first terminal 2, and another spacer 15 having an electrical resistance between 500 Ohm and 200 kOhm on the side of a second terminal 3 makes it possible to avoid a direct connection between the two terminals 2, 3 via the cover, and also makes it possible to control the electrical currents escaping through the terminals of the battery cell.

[0068] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, and briefly in Figure 1, the spacing member 15 includes on its lower face fi60, a raised, cross-shaped positioning element 67. This positioning element 67 is designed to cooperate, by complementary shape, with a positioning member 14 delimited by the cover 6, in such a way as to block relative translation and rotation between the cover 6 and the spacing member 15.

[0069] By "raised," we mean that the positioning element 67 is offset from a general plane of elongation of the main body 60, for example, by forming hollows, bumps, or protrusions. More specifically, the cross-shaped positioning element 67 can protrude from the main body 60. In other words, the positioning element 67 can form a cross-shaped bump. Thus, the positioning element 67 has a shape that facilitates its insertion into a positioning member 14 delimited by the cover 6 of the battery cell 1.

[0070] The spacer 15 can have a thickness at the positioning element 67 of between 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm, and in particular approximately 0.8 mm. Thus, it is possible to offer a sufficiently compact and robust spacer 15.

[0071] According to the non-limiting embodiment shown in the figures, the cross shape of the positioning element 67 may comprise four branches 62, 64 all extending in a plane of elongation of the spacing member 15. These four branches comprise two longitudinal branches 62 extending along a longitudinal direction X, and two transverse branches 64 extending along a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. Thus, the cross shape of the positioning element 67 is intended to be aligned with the axes of the prismatic shape of the battery cell 1.

[0072] Moreover, the transverse direction Y can be defined as the perpendicular bisector of a segment extending between the ends of each of the longitudinal branches 62, and the longitudinal direction X can be the perpendicular bisector of a segment extending between the ends of each of the transverse branches 64. The intersection of the longitudinal direction X with the transverse direction Y thus allows us to define a center c67 of the cross shape of the positioning element 67.

[0073] Advantageously, the two longitudinal branches 62 can be substantially identical, and / or the two transverse branches 64 can be substantially identical. Thus, it is possible to manufacture, using the same process, a positioning element 67 for a spacing member 15 located on the anode or cathode side.

[0074] Furthermore, it is possible that a width L64 of the transverse branches 64, measured approximately along the longitudinal direction X, may be strictly greater than twice a width L62 of the longitudinal branches 62, measured approximately along the transverse direction Y. This provides greater resistance to rotation between the spacer 15 and the terminal 2, 3 of the battery cell 1, and it also creates a keying feature to prevent misalignment of the terminal 2, 3 with respect to the spacer 15. This allows a contact member 11 to pass through the main body.

[0075] 60 of the spacer 15, the spacer 15 may be provided with a through contact opening 65. For example, this contact opening 65 may be circular and have an opening radius r65. The spacer 15 thus includes means for connecting a current collector 10 with the terminal 2, 3 of the battery cell 1 by passing through the spacer 15. The circular shape of the contact opening 65 is thus adapted to allow the passage of a contact element 11 having a geometry of revolution about a lateral direction denoted "Z", corresponding to a direction of insertion of the electrode assemblies 50 51, 53 into a housing 4 of the battery cell 1. Such a contact element 11 may, for example, be a rivet.

[0076] The contact opening 65 can be arranged and centered on the transverse direction Y. Thus, the spacer 15 allows the terminal 2, 3 of the battery cell 1 to be pre-positioned transversely relative to the cover 6. Furthermore, it is possible for a center c65 of the contact opening 65 to be offset relative to the center c67 of the cross shape of the positioning element 67. Thus, the position of the contact opening 65 allows the positioning of the contact member 11 to be defined relative to the cover 6 and the terminal 2, 3. This allows all these elements to be pre-positioned relative to each other.

[0077] As can be seen in Figure 1, the spacer 15 may include on its upper face fs60 a raised, cross-shaped indentation 63. This indentation 63 is designed to cooperate, by complementary shape, with a counter-indentation 73 delimited by the terminals 2 and 3, in such a way as to block relative translation and rotation between the spacer 15 and the terminals 2 and 3. By "raised," it is understood that the indentation 63 is offset from a general plane of elongation of the main body 60, for example, by forming hollows, bumps, or projections. More precisely, the indentation 63 may form a recess in the main body 60. Thus, it is possible to align the spacer 15 with both the terminals 2 and 3 and the cover 6 of the battery cell 1.

[0078] This imprint 63 can advantageously be formed by a relief opposite to that of the positioning element 67, so that their shape is substantially identical. By "opposite relief," it is meant that if the imprint 63 is in the form of a hollow, then the positioning element 67 is in the form of a bump or protrusion, and vice versa.

[0079] The spacer 15 may also include a peripheral wall 61 projecting from the main body 60 on the side of the upper face fs60, and internally defining a contour for receiving the terminal 2, 3 of the battery cell 1. This peripheral wall

[0080] 61 guides the terminal 2, 3 within the spacer 15 and enables the impression 63 to cooperate with the counter impression 73. Furthermore, it is advantageous for the peripheral wall 61 to be partially or completely separated from the impression 63. This allows for dual positioning of the terminal 2, 3 with the spacer 15, while maintaining a compact spacer 15. The integration of the terminal 2, 3 with the cover 6 is thus faster and simpler.

[0081] Referring to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the lower face fi60 can define a lower contact surface si60. This lower surface si60 can be defined by the peripheral wall 61, or alternatively by the positioning element 67 (as illustrated in Figure 3). Similarly, the upper face fs60 can have an upper contact surface ss60, defined either by the peripheral wall 61 or by the recess 63.

[0082] In this case, at least one contact surface chosen from the lower contact surface si60 and the upper contact surface ss60 may include surface asperities 66. Figure 3 illustrates in particular a variant where only the lower contact surface fi60 is provided with surface asperities 66.

[0083] The surface asperities 66 are configured to share at least one contact area between direct contact portions pc66 intended to come into direct contact with the cover 6 or the terminal 2, 3, and spacer portions pe66 intended to be separated from the cover 6 or the terminal 2, 3. These surface asperities may include hollows, bumps, grooves, notches, or any other asperity that prevents contact between the spacer 15 and the cover 6 or the terminal 2, 3 at the spacer portions pe66. Thus, the surface asperities 66 define a percentage of surface contact between the spacer 15 and the cover 6 and / or between the spacer 15 and the terminal 2, 3. This allows the electrical insulation provided by the spacer 15 to be adjusted.

[0084] For example, a ratio of a sum of the contact areas of the direct contact portions pc66 to a total area of ​​at least one contact surface is between 0.3 and 0.9. Such a surface ratio makes it possible to provide the necessary and sufficient electrical insulation, which is particularly sought at the level of the anode.

[0085] The arrangements described above allow for a spacing element 15 with a positioning element 67 that is complementary in shape to a positioning element 14 of the cover 6 of the battery cell 1. This makes it possible to space the terminal 2, 3 from the cover 6 of the battery cell 1 at a predetermined distance, while maintaining a compact assembly 5. Synergistically, the cross-shaped recess 63 acts as a keying feature for arranging the components constituting the prismatic battery cell 1.

[0086] As illustrated in Figure 4, the invention also relates to an assembly 5 for a prismatic electric battery cell 1 comprising a spacer 15 as described above and a cover 6 for ensuring a watertight seal of a housing 4 of the battery cell 1. The cover 6 includes a positioning member 14 cooperating with the positioning element 67. The spacer 15 is thus configured to be interposed between the cover 6 and a terminal 2, 3 of the battery cell 1, maintaining a relative positioning between the cover 6 and the terminal 2, 3.

[0087] The assembly 5 also generally includes a terminal 2, 3 intended to form a terminal of the battery cell 1, and intended to be electrically connected to a current collector 10 of the battery cell 1. The terminal 2, 3 includes a counter-imprint 73 cooperating with the imprint 63 of the spacer 15 to block relative translation and rotation with the spacer 15. The arrangements described above make it possible to propose a compact assembly 5 comprising the terminal 2, 3, the spacer 15 and the cover 6.

[0088] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the assembly 5 comprises a first terminal 2 and a second terminal 3 of opposite polarity to the first terminal 2. Generally, the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 are two separate parts attached to the cover 6. The assembly also includes two spacers 15, one spacer 15 being interposed between each terminal 2, 3 and the cover 6.

[0089] The arrangements described above make it possible to form an assembly 5 ready to be associated with the assemblies 50 of electrodes 51, 53 to form the prismatic battery cell 1.

[0090] Finally, with reference to Figure 5, the invention also relates to a prismatic battery cell 1 for an electric propulsion vehicle.

[0091] Battery cell 1 includes a case 4 having a prismatic shape.

[0092] The housing 4 internally delimits a cell housing 9 and has a top opening 8 which provides access to this cell housing 9. The cell housing 9 can extend in the lateral direction Z.

[0093] Battery cell 1 also includes an assembly 5 as previously described, in which the cover 6 ensures a tight seal of the upper opening 8 of the case 4.

[0094] A first current collector 10 is electrically connected to the first terminal 2 and a second current collector 10 is electrically connected to the second terminal 3. The battery cell 1 may advantageously include insulating elements 13 interposed between each current collector 10 and the cover 6. The electrical insulation conferred by the insulating elements 13 prevents any short circuit between the current collectors 10 and the cover 6. The battery cell 1 also includes at least one assembly 50 of electrodes 51, 53 comprising the successive assembly of first and second electrodes 51, 53 of opposite polarity and separated from each other by a porous separator film.

[0095] The first electrode 51 may include a first metal foil in the form of a thin strip, onto which a layer of a first active material is deposited. If the first electrode 51 is a cathode, the first metal foil may be aluminum. The second electrode 53 may include a second metal foil in the form of a thin strip, onto which a layer of a second active material is deposited. If the second electrode 53 is an anode, the second metal foil may be copper.

[0096] The insulating separator(s) are arranged so that no electrical contact is possible between the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 53. The insulating separators also have a porous structure, allowing the passage of an electrolyte comprising ions responsible for the charge transfer between the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 53.

[0097] In the particular case of prismatic battery cells 1, the assemblies 50 generally comprise a stacking or winding of the layers previously described, and in particular two stackings or windings, thus forming two distinct assemblies 50 intended to be housed in a single housing 9.

[0098] The first and second electrodes 51, 53 each have a current-collecting tab 55 projecting from the assembly 50 and configured to collect an electric current from said electrode. The first current collector 10 can be electrically connected to the current-collecting tabs 55 of the first electrodes 51, and the second current collector 10 can be electrically connected to the current-collecting tabs 55 of the second electrodes 53. To facilitate current collection by the current collectors 10, it is advantageous for them to be made of the same material as the electrode with which they are electrically connected. Thus, the first current collector 10 can be made of aluminum, and the second current collector 10 can be made of copper.

[0099] Advantageously, the battery cell may include an electrically insulating side element 7 interposed between the electrode assembly 50 51, 53 and the housing 4. In this way, the electrically insulating side element 7 allows the current collection tabs 55 to be electrically isolated from the housing 4 of the battery cell 1.

[0100] Furthermore, it is generally provided that the battery cell 1 includes a contact element 11, such as a rivet, which provides an electrical connection between each terminal 2, 3, and one of the current collectors 10. The contact opening 65 is intentionally provided in the spacer elements 15 to allow the passage of such a contact element 11.

[0101] Finally, in order to allow the exchange of ions between the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 53, the battery cell 1 generally includes a solid or liquid electrolyte.

[0102] The arrangements described above make it possible to propose a battery cell 1 in which the spacer 15 makes it possible to facilitate the positioning of the terminal 2, 3 in relation to the cover 6 and to form a compact assembly 5 adjusted to the dimensions of the housing 4 of the battery cell 1.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A spacer (15) intended to be interposed between a cover (6) and a terminal (2, 3) of a prismatic battery cell (1), said spacer (15) comprising a main body (60) and having a lower face (fi60) intended to come into contact with the cover (6), and an upper face (fs60) intended to come into contact with the terminal (2, 3); the spacing member (15) comprising on its lower face (fi60), a raised cross-shaped positioning element (67) intended to cooperate by complementary shape with a positioning member (14) delimited by the cover (6), in such a way as to block a relative translation and a relative rotation between the cover (6) and the spacing member (15), the cross-shaped positioning element (67) comprising four arms (62, 64) all extending in a plane of elongation of the spacing member (15),said four branches comprising two longitudinal branches (62) extending along a longitudinal direction (X), and two transverse branches (64) extending along a transverse direction (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X), the spacer member (15) comprising a through contact opening (65) intended to allow the passage of a contact member (11) through the main body (60) of the spacer member (15), said contact opening (65) being arranged on a perpendicular bisector of a segment defined between the ends of each of the longitudinal branches (62), in the transverse direction (Y), a center (c65) of the contact opening (65) being offset with respect to a center (c67) of the cross shape of the positioning element (67),said center (c67) of the cross shape of the positioning element (67) corresponding to an intersection of a perpendicular bisector of a segment defined between the endpoints of each of the transverse branches (64) in the longitudinal direction (X), and of the perpendicular bisector of the segment defined between the endpoints of each of the longitudinal branches (62) which is the transverse direction (Y).

2. Spacing member (15) according to claim 1, wherein the cross-shaped positioning element (67) protrudes from the main body (60).

3. Spacing member (15) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the two longitudinal branches (62) are substantially identical, and / or wherein the two transverse branches (64) are substantially identical.

4. Spacing element (15) according to claim 3, wherein a width (L64) of the transverse branches (64) measured substantially along the longitudinal direction (X) is strictly greater than twice a width (L62) of the longitudinal branches (62) measured substantially along the transverse direction (Y).

5. Spacing member (15) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having a thickness at the positioning element (67) which is between 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm, and in particular substantially equal to 0.8 mm.

6. Spacing element (15) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the main body (60) is made of an electrically insulating material.

7. A spacing member (15) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising on its upper face (fs60), a raised cross-shaped imprint (63); said imprint (63) being intended to cooperate by complementarity of form with a counter imprint (73) delimited by the terminal (2, 3), in such a way as to block a relative translation and a relative rotation between the spacing member (15) and the terminal (2, 3).

8. Spacing member (15) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the positioning element (67) is formed by a relief opposite to the imprint (63), so that their shape is substantially identical.

9. A spacing element (15) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lower face (fi60) delimits a lower contact surface (si60), and wherein the upper face (fs60) delimits an upper contact surface (ss60), at least one contact surface selected from the lower contact surface (si60) and the upper contact surface (ss60) comprises surface asperities (66), said surface asperities (66) being configured to share said at least one contact surface between direct contact portions (pc66) intended to come into direct contact with the cover (6) or the terminal (2, 3), and spacing portions (pe66) intended to be kept away from contact with the cover (6) or the terminal (2, 3).

10. Spacing element (15) according to claim 9, wherein a ratio of a sum of the contact areas of the direct contact portions (pc66) to a total area of ​​at least one contact surface is between 0.3 and 0.

9.

11. Assembly (5) for prismatic electric battery cell (1) comprising: - a spacing element (15) according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and - a cover (6) intended to ensure a watertight closure of a housing (4) of the battery cell (1), said cover (6) comprising a positioning member (14) cooperating with the positioning member (67), the spacing member (15) being intended to be interposed between the cover (6) and a terminal (2, 3) of the battery cell (1), maintaining a relative positioning between the cover (6) and the terminal (2, 3).

12. Assembly (5) according to claim 11, wherein the spacer (15) is a member according to any one of claims 7 or 8, assembly (5) comprising between in addition a terminal (2, 3) intended to form a terminal of the battery cell (1 ), and intended to be electrically connected to a current collector (10) of the battery cell (1 ), said terminal (2, 3) comprising a counter-imprint (73) cooperating with the imprint (63) of the spacer element to block relative translation and relative rotation with the spacer member (15).

13. Prismatic battery cell (1) for an electric propulsion vehicle, said battery cell (1) comprising: - a housing (4) having a prismatic shape, the housing (4) having a top opening (8) and internally delimiting a housing compartment (9) - at least one assembly (50) of electrodes (51, 53) arranged in the housing (9) and comprising the successive assembly of first and second electrodes (51, 53) of opposite polarity and separated from each other by a porous separating film; - an assembly (5) according to claim 12, in which the cover (6) ensures a tight seal of the upper opening (8) of the housing (4); - a first current collector (10) electrically connected to the first electrodes (51); - a second current collector (10) electrically connected to the second electrodes (53); and - a solid or liquid electrolyte.

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