FR3147436A1 - drageoir for electrical modular assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a bezel (1) for a modular assembly of electric batteries (2), the bezel (1) comprising a support plate (12) on which a plurality of holding elements (10) project, each holding element (10) delimiting a location (11) for one of the electric batteries (2). Each holding element (10) comprises at least three contact pads (13) distributed around the periphery of the location (11), said contact pads (13) being collectively configured to allow forcible engagement of one of the electric batteries (2) between said contact pads (13), and at least one rib (14) connecting two adjacent contact pads (13), the at least one rib (14) being configured to be elastically deformed when the electric battery (2) is engaged between the contact pads (13). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

drageoir for electrical modular assembly

The technical context of the present invention is that of electric battery modules, and in particular high-current battery modules. More particularly, the invention relates to a bezel and an electric modular assembly.

In the state of the art, a modular architecture is known in which electric batteries are coupled together in a modular electric assembly, such a modular electric assembly can also be connected to an external bus allowing data to be sent to a supervisor.

In such electrical modular assemblies, the electrical batteries are held between two beadings which hold the electrical batteries at their terminal ends, i.e. at their electrical poles. This holding is particularly important because it guarantees the stability of the electrical contact between an electrical pole of each electrical battery and an electrical tab for electrically connecting two adjacent batteries. This type of known modular assembly thus makes it possible to produce a series or and/or parallel electrical assembly of the electrical batteries, in order to provide the expected electrical current at the output of the electrical modular assembly.

More particularly, we know of drageoirs which implement holding pads collaborating with the electric poles of the electric battery located opposite. A disadvantage of the known drageoirs lies in the fact that, when the electrical modular assembly is subjected to vibrations, the electric batteries are not sufficiently held between the drageoirs, leading to electrical faults and malfunctions.

Such malfunctions are of course undesirable, and even more so in the field of aviation, where such electrical risks could have catastrophic consequences on the operation of certain on-board electrical equipment, or even on the operation of the aircraft itself. Also, particularly strict electrical standards govern the development of these modular electrical assemblies.

The object of the present invention is to propose a new bezel and a new electrical modular assembly in order to respond at least in large part to the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages.

Another aim of the invention is to improve the maintenance of an electric battery by the drageoir.

Another aim of the invention is to reduce the electrical risks associated with the use of such a drageoir.

According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a bezel for a modular assembly of electric batteries, the bezel comprising a support plate on which a plurality of holding elements project, each holding element delimiting a location for one of the electric batteries, each holding element comprising a deformable clamping arrangement of the electric battery at its location, the electric battery being held without radial play at its location by a radial deformation of at least part of the clamping arrangement.

In the context of the present invention, the bezel is a mechanical element for positioning and maintaining electric batteries of the electrical modular assembly. The bezel thus forms a flange against which the electric batteries are intended to be placed, one end of the electric batteries – forming one of their electrical poles – being placed in abutment against the bezel and maintained in such a predetermined arrangement.

In the context of the present invention, the deformable clamping arrangement makes it possible to hold an electric battery in position in its location by mechanical clamping. In other words, the deformable clamping arrangement is configured to be able to be elastically deformed when the corresponding electric battery is placed in its location, and to then be maintained in such a state of deformation in order to be in contact with a portion of a peripheral contour of the electric battery. This elastic deformation makes it possible to cancel out any radial play that would not allow effective holding in a vibratory environment. The deformable clamping arrangement is located on the periphery of the location of the electric battery, so as to be placed in contact against said electric battery when it is inserted. The deformable clamping arrangement is at least partly elastically deformable.

In the context of the present invention, the support plate has any shape and dimensions. Preferably, although not limitingly, the support plate is flat. The support plate extends in a reference plane forming a support surface for the electric batteries. More particularly, one of the ends of one of the electric batteries is intended to be placed in abutment against the support plate. The electric batteries are intended to extend in a direction secant to the plane formed by the support plate, and more particularly perpendicularly.

In the context of the present invention, the holding elements of the electric batteries make it possible to delimit a plurality of locations on the support plate, each location being intended to be occupied by one of the electric batteries, and more particularly by one of its ends, in order to bring into contact – or in proximity – one of its electric poles with the support plate. In general, the holding elements are configured to allow embedding of one of the electric batteries – taken at one of its ends – in one of the holding elements. This embedding is preferably done without play, or even by partial deformation of all or part of the corresponding holding element.

Thus, the bezel according to the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to position and maintain on the support plate a plurality of electric batteries, each electric battery being held in engagement between the deformable clamping arrangements distributed around the periphery of the electric battery with which they are associated, thus reducing the risks of detachment in the event of vibrations. The invention thus makes it possible to reduce or even eliminate the radial clearances between the electric battery and its holding elements on the bezel, thus improving the performance of the bezel in a vibratory environment.

The drageoir according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

- according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each deformable clamping arrangement comprises (i) at least three contact pads distributed around the periphery of the location, said contact pads being collectively configured to allow one of the electric batteries to be held in engagement between said contact pads, and (ii) at least one rib connecting two adjacent contact pads. In the context of the present invention, the clamping element comprises the contact pads and the at least one rib. The contact pads have shapes and dimensions that allow the end of one of the electric batteries to be inserted between them, without play, so that the electric battery is engaged between said pads. In the context of the present invention, each contact pad has a cylindrical or conical shape. Each pad extends from the support plate. A directrix curve of each pad can be arbitrary, and in particular circular, elliptical or polygonal. Generally speaking, it is advantageous for each contact pad to have a bearing surface against the electric battery intended to be housed in the opposite location which is tangential or substantially tangential to said electric battery. Each rib connects two adjacent pads of the same holding element. The rib forms a wall of lesser thickness than the pads to which it is connected;

- the locations delimited by the holding elements and/or the deformable clamping arrangements are organized in several lines on the support plate, the contact pads being aligned in several lines and regularly spaced on said support plate. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to connect a large number of electric batteries to the support plate, and to facilitate a subsequent electrical connection between them. In particular, according to a first embodiment, the contact pads all form a two-dimensional network, the contact pads being aligned according to two specific dimensions intersecting one another. In this first embodiment, the contact pads are advantageously all aligned according to lines and columns, preferably perpendicular to one another. According to a second embodiment, the contact pads all form a two-dimensional network, the contact pads being distributed in a staggered manner on the support plate;

- at a free edge located at a distance from the support plate, each deformable clamping arrangement comprises a chamfer. This advantageous configuration makes it easier to install the electric batteries on the bezel and inside the locations provided for this purpose and delimited by the holding elements. In particular, in a particularly advantageous manner, for each deformable clamping arrangement of the bezel according to the first aspect of the invention, the free edge of the rib and/or the free edge of each contact pad comprises such a chamfer. By chamfer, it is understood that the free edge of the rib or of the contact pad comprises a face inclined towards the location located opposite. In the case where the given rib and/or contact pad is shared between a first holding element and a second holding element adjacent to said first holding element, then said rib and/or said contact pad comprises a first chamfer oriented towards the side of the location of the location of the first holding element and a second chamfer oriented towards the side of the location of the second holding element;

- preferably, each deformable clamping arrangement comprises four contact pads distributed around the periphery of the location for the electric battery. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to obtain an optimal grip for the electric battery intended to be placed in its location;

- generally, the contact pads are angularly regularly distributed around the corresponding location. In the case where the deformable clamping arrangements comprise four contact pads, then the contact pads of each deformable clamping arrangement are distributed in a square around the location of the electric battery. Advantageously, the contact pads are located on the outer periphery of the electric battery intended to be housed between them;

- each contact pad is hollow. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to reduce the mass of the bezel according to the first aspect of the invention. In other words, each contact pad takes the form of a hollow cylinder or a hollow cone;

– the at least one rib of each deformable clamping arrangement is deformable, such that when the electric battery is inserted into its location, an elastic deformation of the at least one rib is permitted. For this purpose, a thickness of the at least one rib is particularly small in comparison with a height or a length of said at least one rib. The length of the rib is taken between the two contact blocks that said rib connects. The height of the rib is taken perpendicular to the support plate. The thickness of the rib is taken in a direction simultaneously perpendicular to the thickness and the height. In particular, the thickness of the rib is at least less than a fifth of the height and the length, preferably less than a tenth. The rib is preferably elastically deformable when the electric battery is inserted into its housing. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to replace any defective electric battery, the rib retaining its capacity for deformation during replacement;

– the holding elements and the support plate are made of material. By made of material, it is understood that the support plate and the holding elements cannot be separated from each other without damaging the physical integrity of one or the other, that is to say without damaging or even breaking all or part of the bezel. Preferably, the bezel in accordance with the first aspect of the invention is obtained by molding;

- each deformable clamping arrangement comprises a first rib connecting two first contact pads located on a first side of the location of the electric battery and two second contact pads located on a second side of said location, the second side being located opposite the first side relative to said location. Thus, this advantageous configuration makes it possible to maintain the electric battery intended to be placed in the corresponding location between two ribs located on either side of the electric battery, diametrically opposite one another;

- a height of the contact pads and of the at least one rib, measured between the support plate and their free edge, is less than 15 mm. Preferably, the contact pads and the at least one rib of a given holding assembly all have the same height. Furthermore, the contact pads and the at least one rib of all the holding assemblies are advantageously all of the same height;

- each location has an opening arranged on the support plate. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to reduce the mass of the bezel in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The opening is preferably arranged in the center of each location in order to allow electrical contact between an electrical pole of the electric battery and an electrical connection tab placed in particular at the level of said opening. The opening is preferably located equidistant from each contact pad of a deformable clamping arrangement. The opening is preferably circular. Thus, for each deformable clamping arrangement, the opening delimits a peripheral sidewalk, such that the end of the electric battery extends both on the peripheral sidewalk and through the opening;

- advantageously, the opening of each deformable clamping arrangement has a diameter between 10 mm and 20 mm, preferably equal to 12 mm;

- the opening of each deformable clamping arrangement is through. In other words, the opening of each deformable clamping arrangement passes right through the support plate.

– the drageoir according to the first aspect of the invention is composed of a material comprising plastic, possibly supplemented by a fiberglass or carbon fiber filler to increase its rigidity.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is proposed an electrical modular assembly comprising:

- a plurality of electric batteries arranged adjacent to each other and all extending along a specific axis of elongation;

- a first bezel in accordance with the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements and a second bezel in accordance with the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements, the second bezel being placed opposite the first bezel, the electric batteries all being housed at each of their ends – along the proper elongation axis – in one of the respective locations of the first bezel and the second bezel;

- a plurality of electrical connection tabs, each electrical connection tab connecting two adjacent electrical batteries at their ends.

In the context of the present invention, the batteries are placed between the first bezel and the second bezel, such that, for each electric battery, a first end forming a first electric pole is housed in a first location of the first bezel, and a second end forming a second electric pole is housed in a first location of the second bezel.

In the context of the present invention, the electric batteries are electrically interconnected with each other, so as to be able to deliver a high electrical voltage and/or a high electrical current. For this purpose, the electrical connection tabs make it possible to interface two by two of the electric batteries, at one of their electrical poles.

Advantageously, the electrical modular assembly comprises an electronic card interfacing all the electric batteries, the electronic card being fixed securely to the first bezel or to the second bezel. The electronic card makes it possible to shape the electrical voltage and/or the electrical current generated by all the electric batteries.

More generally, the electronic card is of the type of a battery management system module of the electrical modular assembly with which it is intended to collaborate. The electronic card is used to obtain data on the operation and/or the state of health of the electrical batteries of the electrical modular assembly, and/or to manage the electrical batteries.

Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, in all their possible combinations, the various optional features set out herein.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for information purposes and without limitation with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

illustrates a three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a drageoir according to the first aspect of the invention;

illustrates a detailed view of a location of the drageoir illustrated on the for one of the electric batteries collaborating with said drageoir;

illustrates a detailed view of the drageoir illustrated on the in the locations of which the electric batteries are housed;

illustrates a schematic sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical modular assembly in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

In particular, all the variants and embodiments described can be combined with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the invention relates to a bezel 1 for a modular assembly of electric batteries 2, the bezel 1 comprising a support plate 12 on which a plurality of holding elements 10 project, each holding element 10 comprising a deformable clamping arrangement and delimiting a location 11 for one of the electric batteries 2. The deformable clamping arrangement forming each holding element 10 comprises:

- at least three contact pads 13 distributed around the periphery of the location 11, said contact pads 13 being configured collectively to allow one of the electric batteries 2 to be held engaged between said contact pads 13;

- at least one rib 14 connecting two adjacent contact pads 13.

Each holding element 10, and in particular each deformable clamping arrangement, is configured to allow non-definitive securing of an electric battery 2 associated with the bezel 1. More particularly, each holding element 10 and/or each deformable clamping arrangement is configured to allow engagement by fitting of one of the electric batteries 2 with said holding element. For this purpose, the holding element 10, and in particular each deformable clamping arrangement, is arranged on the periphery of the location 11 at which the electric battery 2 is intended to be associated.

Thus, each deformable clamping arrangement comprises several clamping devices for one of the electric batteries 2. A position and/or dimensions and/or a geometry of each clamping device forming the deformable clamping arrangement of each holding element 10 is adapted according to the type and shape of the electric batteries 2 intended to be associated with the bezel 1.

Advantageously, the clamping devices forming the holding element 10 and the deformable clamping arrangement are arranged on the periphery of the location 11 on which the electric battery 2 is intended to be placed. By periphery, it is understood that the clamping devices are configured to collaborate with a peripheral contour of each electric battery 2. This collaboration more particularly takes the form of a forceful engagement, without play, of the battery in a central position on the location 11 provided for this purpose of the bezel 1. During this forceful engagement, the electric battery 2 is fitted between all the clamping devices forming a given holding element 10. This fitting is preferably carried out without radial play between the holding devices and the peripheral contour of the corresponding electric battery 2.

For this purpose, for example, a distance between two clamping devices located opposite each other relative to the location 11 of the associated electric battery 2 is preferably less than or equal to a diameter of the electric battery 2 delimited by its peripheral contour.

As seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, each deformable clamping arrangement forming the holding element 10 comprises at least three contact pads 13 and at least one rib 14 connecting two adjacent contact pads 13.

The contact pads 13 take the form of cylindrical or conical pads 13, a guide curve of which has a closed contour, preferably circular or polygonal, for example hexagonal or octagonal. Each contact pad 13 thus has a support wall 131 facing the location 11, and therefore facing the peripheral contour of the corresponding electric battery 2. The support wall 131 forms a contact surface with a part of the peripheral contour of the corresponding electric battery 2, thus making it possible to achieve the expected clamping and holding.

The support wall 131 projects from the support plate 12 of the bezel 1, preferably perpendicularly.

To lighten the bezel 1, the contact pads 13 can be hollow, as visible in FIGURES 1 and 2.

The rib 14 forms a rectilinear wall that extends between two adjacent contact pads 13. The rib 14 projects from the support plate 12 of the bezel 1, preferably perpendicularly. The rib 14 forms a wall that is elastically deformable in a direction parallel to the support plate 12. This advantageous configuration allows, when inserting the corresponding electric battery 2 into its location 11, to allow deformation of the rib 14, so that a contact wall 141 of the rib 14 is placed in abutment, after radial deformation, against the peripheral contour of the electric battery 2.

The deformation of rib 14 is of the elastic deformation type.

For this purpose, a position and a dimension of the rib 14, and more particularly those of the contact wall 141, are such that the contact wall 141 extends tangentially to the peripheral contour of the electric battery 2 associated with the location 11 considered.

In order to facilitate the insertion of each electric battery 2 into their corresponding location 11, a free edge 16 of each rib 14 and of each contact pad 13 comprises a chamfer 161. The chamfer 161 is oriented in the direction of the corresponding location 11 of one of the electric batteries 2. More particularly, the chamfer 161 forms an inclined wall of the free edge 16 considered, in the direction of the location 11 located opposite.

The free edge 16 of a contact pad 13 or of a rib 14 is that located at a distance from the support plate 12.

Thus, it is easier and more efficient to keep an electric battery engaged in its location 11. In addition, such a bezel 1 makes it possible to be more robust and more efficient in the face of vibration behavior, so that the electric batteries 2 remain in place more than on known bezels 1. This advantageous effect is obtained in particular by the elastic deformation of the rib 14 connecting two adjacent contact pads 13.

As visible on the , the holding elements 10 formed by the deformable clamping arrangements are arranged adjacent to each other. The holding elements 10 are aligned on the support plate 12 in a first proper direction V1 and a second proper direction V2, such that the locations 11 delimited by said holding elements 10 are distributed in lines 10A and columns 10B. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to increase the density of electric batteries 2 associated with the bezel 1, and to optimize its compactness.

The bezel 1 is preferably obtained by molding. The bezel 1 is preferably formed from a plastic material.

In reference to the , there is illustrated a partial top view of a drageoir 1 as previously described and on which electric batteries 2 are inserted. Each electric battery 2 is engaged in one of the locations 11, as previously described. The also illustrates the use of electrical connection tabs 3 which make it possible to connect two by two the electrical poles 21 of two adjacent electrical batteries 2 on the bezel 1.

The electrical connection tab 3 takes the form of an electrically conductive tab that extends between the two electrical poles 21 of the electric batteries 2. For this purpose, each electrical connection tab 3 comprises a first electrical connection platform 31 and a second electrical connection platform 32. The first electrical connection platform 31 is fixed integrally, for example by welding, to the electrical pole 21 of a first electric battery 2, and the second electrical connection platform 32 is fixed integrally, for example by welding, to the electrical pole 21 of a second electric battery 2 located on a location 11 of the bezel 1 adjacent to that on which the first electric battery 2 is located. The electrical connection tabs 3 thus make it possible to produce an electrical interconnection between all the electric batteries 2 of a given electrical modular assembly, in order to form a parallel or series electrical assembly.

In reference to the , the invention also addresses an electrical modular assembly comprising:

- a plurality of electric batteries arranged adjacent to each other and all extending along a specific elongation axis O1;

- a first bezel 1 and a second bezel 1 as described above, the second bezel 1 being placed opposite the first bezel 1, the electric batteries 2 all being housed at each of their ends – along the proper elongation axis O1 – in one of the respective locations 11 of the first bezel 1 and the second bezel 1;

- a plurality of electrical connection tabs 3, each electrical connection tab 3 connecting two adjacent electrical batteries 2 at their ends.

The electrical modular assembly also includes an electronic interface 5 in order to shape an output current and/or an output voltage, resulting from the series and/or parallel connection of the electric batteries 2.

As a non-limiting example, the electrical modular assembly is of the 8S6P battery pack type.

Such an electrical modular assembly further comprises an electronic card 4 for carrying out electrical measurements on all or part of the electric batteries 2. The electronic card 4 and the electronic interface 5 together form a system for managing the electric batteries 2 of the electrical modular assembly. The electronic card 4 makes it possible in particular to check an output voltage at each 10A line of electric batteries 2 defined by the bezels 1. In the event of detection of an overvoltage, an undervoltage or a short circuit for example, the measurements carried out by the electronic card 4 make it possible to trigger safety protocols for the electrical modular assembly and/or to alert the user of an imminent breakdown or malfunction.

In order to ensure good electrical contact of the electronic card 4 with the electronic interface 5 and/or the electric batteries 2, the electronic card 4 comprises a plurality of elastic deformation members 42s, electrically conductive. The elastic deformation members 42 are in electrical contact with a printed circuit of the electronic card 4 and with all or part of the electric batteries 2. This electrical contact is established by mechanical and electrical coupling of the elastic deformation member 42, an axial movement of which, made possible by its elastic properties and its capacity to be compressed or relaxed, makes it possible to guarantee such mechanical and electrical coupling despite vibratory use of the electrical modular assembly.

The elastic deformation members 42 are preferably of the type of a conical spring housed in a recession 41 of the electronic card 4, facilitating its installation and the manufacture of said electronic card 4.

In summary, the invention relates to a bezel 1 for a modular assembly of electric batteries 2, the bezel 1 comprising a support plate 12 on which a plurality of holding elements 10 project, each holding element 10 delimiting a location 11 for one of the electric batteries 2. Each holding element 10 comprises at least three contact pads 13 distributed around the periphery of the location 11, said contact pads 13 being collectively configured to allow forcible engagement of one of the electric batteries 2 between said contact pads 13, and at least one rib 14 connecting two adjacent contact pads 13, the at least one rib 14 being configured to be elastically deformed when the electric battery 2 is engaged between the contact pads 13.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims (10)

A bezel (1) for a modular assembly of electric batteries (2), the bezel (1) comprising a support plate (12) on which a plurality of holding elements (10) project, each holding element (10) delimiting a location (11) for one of the electric batteries (2), characterized in that each holding element (10) comprises a deformable clamping arrangement for the electric battery (2) at its location (11), the electric battery (2) being held without radial play at its location (11) by a radial deformation of at least part of the clamping arrangement. Drageoir (1) according to the preceding claim, in which each clamping arrangement comprises:
- at least three contact pads (13) distributed around the periphery of the location (11), said contact pads (13) being configured collectively to allow one of the electric batteries (2) to be held engaged between said contact pads (13);
- at least one rib (14) connecting two adjacent contact pads (13). Drageoir (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the locations (11) delimited by the holding elements (10) are organized in several lines (10A) on the support plate (12), the contact pads (13) being aligned in several lines (10A) and regularly spaced on said support plate (12). A beveller (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein, at a free edge (16) located at a distance from the support plate (12), each clamping arrangement comprises a chamfer (161). Drageoir (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in which each clamping arrangement comprises four contact pads (13) distributed around the periphery of the location (11) for the electric battery (2). Drageoir (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, in which each clamping arrangement comprises a first rib (14) connecting two first contact pads (13) located on a first side of the location (11) of the electric battery (2) and two second contact pads (13) located on a second side of said location (11), the second side being located opposite the first side relative to said location (11). Drageoir (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, in which a height of the contact pads (13) and of the at least one rib (14), measured between the support plate (12) and their free edge (16) is less than 15 mm. Drageoir (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each location (11) comprises an opening (15) arranged on the support plate (12). Drageoir (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the opening (15) is a through opening. Electrical modular assembly comprising:
- a plurality of electric batteries arranged adjacent to each other and all extending along a specific elongation axis (O1);
- a first bezel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a second bezel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the second bezel (1) being placed opposite the first bezel (1), the electric batteries (2) all being housed at each of their ends – along the proper elongation axis (O1) – in one of the respective locations (11) of the first bezel (1) and the second bezel (1);
- a plurality of electrical connection tabs (3), each electrical connection tab (3) connecting two adjacent electrical batteries (2) at their ends.