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EP-4736266-A1 - DEVICE FOR ACCOMMODATING ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS IN ORDER TO FORM A BATTERY MODULE

EP4736266A1EP 4736266 A1EP4736266 A1EP 4736266A1EP-4736266-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (15) for accommodating n electrochemical cells (6') in order to form a battery module, each of the n electrochemical cells (6') comprising two electrodes (7) extending inside (8') the electrochemical cell (6') and extending to the outside (9') of the cell (6'), respectively, by two conductive tabs (12) opposite one another, characterised in that it comprises two parallel sets (18, 19) of n clamps (20), the n clamps (20a) of one of the two sets (18) extending respectively facing the n clamps (20b) of the other one of the two sets (19), in order to be able to receive in parallel the electrochemical cells (6') such that the two opposite tabs (12a, 12b) of each cell respectively engage in two facing clamps, and in that the n clamps (20a) of one of the sets (18) are alternately electrically connected in pairs from the second clamp while the n clamps (20b) of the other one of the sets (19) are alternately electrically connected in pairs from the first clamp in order to be able to electrically couple the n electrochemical cells (6') in series.

Inventors

  • LERAY, DAVID
  • MIR, Caroline

Assignees

  • AMPERE s.a.s.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240626

Claims (10)

  1. [Claim 1] A device (15) for receiving n electrochemical cells (6') to form a battery module, each of the n electrochemical cells (6') comprising two faces opposite each other and two conductive tabs (12) extending respectively from said two faces opposite each other, characterized in that it comprises two parallel sets (18, 19) of n clamps (20), the n clamps (20a) of one of said two sets (18) extending respectively opposite the n clamps (20b) of the other of said two sets (19), in order to be able to receive the electrochemical cells (6') in parallel so that the two opposite tabs (12a, 12b) of each cell respectively engage in two opposite clamps, and in that the n clamps (20a) of one of said sets (18) are alternately electrically connected two by two from the second clamp while the n clamps (20b) of the other of said sets (19) are alternately electrically connected two by two from the first clamp to be able to electrically couple in series said n electrochemical cells (6').
  2. [Claim 2] Device (15) according to claim 1, characterized in that each clamp (20) comprises two symmetrical branches (21a, 21b) articulated relative to each other around a pivot connection (22), so as to define a pair of jaws (23) and a pair of drive ends (24) opposite said pair of jaws (23) relative to said pivot connection (22).
  3. [Claim 3] Device (15) according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said n clamps (20) comprises an elastic member (26) mounted between its drive ends (24) to force them opposite each other around said pivot connection (22).
  4. [Claim 4] Device (15) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, for each of said sets (18, 19) of n clamps (20), the n clamps (20) are adapted to be controlled by a control assembly (27).
  5. [Claim 5] Device (15) according to claim 4, characterized in that the control assembly (27) comprises a rod (28) passing through the pair of drive ends (24) of each of the n clamps (20), the rod (28) comprising a plurality of pairs of fingers (29) adapted to cooperate with the pair of drive ends (24) of each of the n clamps (20) by forming a ramp to bring the ends of the pairs of drive ends (24) closer together.
  6. [Claim 6] Device (15) according to claim 5, characterized in that the opposite surfaces (30) of the pair of drive ends (24) of each of the n clamps (20) have a concave surface and the pair of fingers (15) cooperates with the concave surface by forming a ramp.
  7. [Claim 7] Device (15') according to claims 5 or 6, characterized in that, for each of said sets (18, 19) of n clamps (20), one clamp out of two starting from the first clamp is adapted to be controlled by a first control member (34) according to claims 5 and 6, while one clamp out of two starting from the second clamp is adapted to be controlled by a second control member (35) according to claims 5 and 6.
  8. [Claim 8] Device (15) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that an electrically conductive plate (25) is arranged between the jaws of the pair of jaws (23) of each clamp, said conductive plate (25) being connected to the pivot connection (22).
  9. [Claim 9] Device (15) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that it comprises riders (31) in an electrically conductive material having two axes (32, 33), each of the axes forming a pivot and cooperating with the pivot connection (22) of two contiguous clamps (20) to connect them electrically.
  10. [Claim 10] Method for recovering n electrochemical cells (6') of a motor vehicle battery module, each of the n electrochemical cells (6') comprising two electrodes extending inside said electrochemical cell and extending outside said cell, the extensions (9') of the electrodes of the n electrochemical cells being alternately electrically welded two by two from the second extension, the opposite extensions of the n electrochemical cells being alternately electrically welded two by two from the first extension in order to be able to electrically couple said n electrochemical cells in series, characterized in that it comprises: cutting, for each of the n cells (6'), the extensions (9') of the electrodes, at a pre-cut zone (14), to release two tabs (12) extending from the opposite faces of each cell; installing each cell (6') in a reception device (15) according to claims 1 to 9.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for accommodating electrochemical cells to form a battery module [0001] The present invention relates to a device for receiving electrochemical cells to form an accumulator battery module as well as to a method for recovering electrochemical cells from a motor vehicle battery module. [0002] Consumers are increasingly attracted to hybrid or electric vehicles, particularly for the environmental advantages they offer compared to traditional vehicles running on purely thermal engines. [0003] Electric or hybrid vehicle storage batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, have very good performance for vehicle movement in terms of charging power and energy density. However, their charging capacity degrades over time to reach approximately 60 to 70% in 10 years, which no longer allows them to efficiently power the vehicle. It is then necessary to replace them. [0004] Used batteries are then most often recycled. To do this, they are collected and then dismantled to be able to recover each component and thus send them to appropriate recycling channels, given the materials they are made of. Used batteries can also be reused. Indeed, although they are no longer usable for mobility applications, they can still be used for stationary applications, for example for the storage of photovoltaic or wind energy, or to regulate the electricity network between off-peak and peak hours. [0005] To be reused, electric batteries are generally dismantled down to the module; a module being a set of electrochemical cells welded together and capable of providing an electric current. However, it is impossible to dismantle the inside of a module to be able to recover the electrochemical cells independently of each other without destroying them. [0006] There is therefore a need to recover the electrochemical cells of accumulator battery modules. [0007] For this purpose, a device is proposed for receiving n electrochemical cells to form a battery module, each of the n electrochemical cells comprising two faces opposite each other and two conductive tabs extending respectively from said two faces opposite each other. The device comprises two parallel sets of n clamps, the n clamps of one of said two sets extending respectively opposite the n clamps of the other of said two sets, to be able to receive the electrochemical cells in parallel so that the two opposite tabs of each cell respectively engage in two opposite clamps. And the n clamps of one of said sets are alternately electrically connected two by two from the second clamp while the n clamps of the other of said sets are alternately electrically connected two by two. from the first clamp to be able to electrically couple in series said n electrochemical cells. [0008] Thus, one of the characteristics of the invention lies in the implementation of a device capable of receiving electrochemical cells to produce a new battery module. [0009] Indeed, the function of the clamps is to grip the tabs, or connection plates, of the electrochemical cells in a vice to hold them in the host device and to make electrical contact between the cells. The gripping surface of the clamps is chosen and adapted so that they can grip tabs regardless of their size. It is therefore not necessary to modify the structure of the electrochemical cells for their use in this device. [0010] In addition, the placement of the cells in the device and the contacting of the cells are facilitated by the use of clamps matched to each other, which makes it possible to reduce the intervention time and consequently to reduce the implementation costs. [0011] Advantageously, each clamp comprises two symmetrical branches articulated relative to each other around a pivot connection, so as to define a pair of jaws and a pair of drive ends opposite said pair of jaws relative to said pivot connection. [0012] The pair of jaws is also sized to grip tabs of any size. [0013] Preferably, the jaws of the pair of jaws are substantially flat so as to obtain optimal contact between the pair of jaws and the tab and consequently, obtain good electrical contact between the two. [0014] Advantageously, each of said n clamps comprises an elastic member mounted between its drive ends to force them opposite each other around said pivot connection. [0015] The elastic member may be of any shape. Preferably, the elastic member is a helical spring. [0016] Advantageously, for each of said sets of n clamps, the n clamps are adapted to be controlled by a control assembly. [0017] Advantageously, the control assembly comprises a rod passing through the pair of drive ends of each of the n clamps, the rod comprising a plurality of pairs of fingers adapted to cooperate with the pair of drive ends of each of the n clamps by forming a ramp to bring the ends of the pairs of drive ends closer together. Thus, the drive ends respectively have two facing orifices through which the rod passes. The fingers will then cooperate with the exte