Abstract:
The invention concerns an interconnection system ( 100 ) of an energy storage assembly ( 200 ), with an electronic support for controlling ( 300 ) the health status of the energy storage assembly ( 200 ), the interconnection system ( 101 ) being characterized in that it comprises an interconnection support ( 101 ) including a conductive circuit ( 800 ) formed on electrically conductive surface, said circuit ( 800 ) forming an electrical connection between the electronic control support ( 300 ) and the pole terminals ( 500 ) of the cells to which it is connected, respectively, through connecting means and through retaining means ( 110, 120, 150 ), said retaining means ( 110, 120, 150 ) being adapted to urged into contact, on the pole terminals ( 500 ), with support means ( 510 ) so as to arrange the pole terminals ( 500 ) on the interconnection support ( 101 ) and adapted to provide a direct electrical connection of the pole terminals ( 500 ) with the conductive circuit ( 800 ). The invention is applicable in high energy storage technologies such as lithium polymer technology.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The field of the invention concerns the technologies of energy-storage assemblies. More precisely, this present invention concerns a system and a method for the interconnection of an energy-storage assembly with an electronic support for controlling its health status. 
         [0002]    The invention also concerns an energy-storage assembly that is equipped with such an interconnection system. 
       PRESENTATION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    In order to supply the necessary energy production required for most of the commercial applications of energy-storage assemblies, and particularly motor vehicle applications, a large number of technologies, called high-energy technologies, have been developed recently, such as lithium polymer technology for example. 
         [0004]    Such technologies have characteristics that necessitate improvements on the part of the manufacturers of energy-storage assemblies, and particularly in the field of optimising the performance of connections to monitor these assemblies. 
         [0005]    At present, in a typical method of operation of a high-energy storage assembly, it is well known that undesirable phenomena are engendered during the charging or the discharging of the assembly, when one of its component energy storage cells has characteristics that differ significantly from those of the other cells to which it is connected in order to produce the desired energy level. 
         [0006]    A voltage spike or an overload are examples of phenomena provoked by the presence of a defective cell. These reduce performance and reduce the life expectancy of the energy-storage assembly. 
         [0007]    According to one aspect of a conventional model of an energy-storage assembly, a programmable electronic support is incorporated into the construction in order to monitor the energy-storage cells and to protect them from these phenomena. 
         [0008]    This support firstly acquires various characteristics of the state of health of the cells via a measurement circuit cabled to the polar terminals of each energy-storage cell of the assembly. 
         [0009]    In addition, it monitors current diversion circuits connected to the cells, which divert the current around an individual cell when a preset voltage level is exceeded, in order to prevent any damage to the assembly. 
         [0010]    The partially monitored electronic diversion components generally present in this type of circuit, and more particularly the power dissipation resistances, must also be cabled to the tops of each energy-storage cell. 
         [0011]    The wired cabling system typically employed in the manufacture of conventional energy-storage assemblies is generally complicated. It also provides little flexibility for connection of the cells to the different circuits. 
         [0012]    In addition, the fitting of the cables is awkward, costly and rather time consuming. 
         [0013]    The cabling system is also very sensitive to the electromagnetic interference that propagates by conduction along the wires, and that engenders undesirable phenomena such as short circuits and electrical interference in the monitoring or control supports. 
         [0014]    In addition, the unitary electronic power dissipation components, whose role is to present a high resistance to the passage of current, thus limiting the power delivered by the energy-storage cell and increasing the generation of heat within it, have very high released energy surfacic densities. Since these densities have difficulty in recovering, they damage the cells. 
         [0015]    The invention in particular aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. 
         [0016]    One objective of this present invention is to propose a system for interconnection of the energy-storage cells of an assembly with an electronic support used to monitor the state of health of this assembly, which provides a connection that is simple, flexible, secure and reliable. 
         [0017]    Another objective of this present invention is to supply an interconnection system that has considerable freedom of geometrical configuration, especially in three dimensions, while still retaining effective precision of the connections. 
         [0018]    It is also desirable to propose an interconnection system that offers an obvious saving in terms of cost, weight and space, when creating an energy-storage assembly. 
         [0019]    Another objective of this present invention is to supply an interconnection system that moderates the impact of a defective cell on the performance of an energy-storage assembly, and that offers efficient energy dissipation in this assembly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    These aims are achieved, according to the invention, by means of a system for the interconnection of energy-storage cells, connected electrically in order to form an energy-storage assembly, together with an electronic control support, with each of the said energy-storage cells being equipped on its top with polar terminals and with the interconnection system being, characterised in that it includes an interconnection support, where said support includes a conducting circuit formed on an electrically-conducting surface, said circuit forming an electrical connection between the electronic control support and the polar terminals to which it is connected respectively by the use of connection means and by the use of retention means, said retention means firstly being designed to make contact on the polar terminals, with the use of support means, so as to place the polar terminals onto the interconnection support, and in addition, that are designed to create a direct electrical connection between the polar terminals and the conducting circuit. 
         [0021]    According to a first advantageous characteristic, the interconnection support is flexible. 
         [0022]    According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the system has a conducting circuit that is configured, for each of the energy-storage cells, to have a voltage measuring circuit at the terminals of each cell with on/off switching, indicating an energy state of the cell, and a diversion circuit for the current passing through each cell with on/off switching, according to the energy state of the cell, with the said diversion circuit being determined at least by current limiting elements. 
         [0023]    According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, these current limiting elements are energy dissipation resistances. 
         [0024]    In addition, the invention also concerns a method for the interconnection of several energy-storage cells, which are connected electrically so as to form an energy-storage assembly, together with an electronic control support, with each of the said energy-storage cells being equipped on its top with polar terminals, the method being characterised in that it implements an interconnection stage created at least by:
       the formation of a conducting circuit on an electrically-conducting area of a flexible interconnection support, deposited on the top of the said cells, with said circuit forming an electrical connection between the electronic control support and the polar terminals of each cell;   the connection to said conducting circuit of the electronic control support;   the bringing into contact of the support means of the polar terminals with the retention means of the interconnection support, so as to place the polar terminals on the interconnection support;   the direct electrical connection of the support means of the polar terminals with the retention means of the interconnection support.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0029]    The invention will be more clearly understood, and other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly, on reading the description that follows and which is provided by way of a non-limiting example, and with reference to the appended drawings which are as follows: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates a view in perspective of an energy-storage assembly equipped with the interconnection system according to the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a view in perspective of the interconnection system according to the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the assembly of a polar terminal of an individual energy-storage cell with the interconnection system of the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates a partial view, in perspective, of the assembly in series of polar terminals of energy-storage cells via the power-connection means; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates a view in perspective of a polar terminal of an individual energy-storage cell assembled to a power connection system; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates a diagram of part of the electrical circuit of the interconnection system according to the invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates a diagram of the potential-measuring points and of the power dissipation resistances of the conducting circuit of the interconnection system according to the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the connection zone of an interconnection system according to the invention with an electronic control support. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]      FIG. 1  illustrates an energy-storage assembly  200  formed from an arrangement of several individual energy-storage cells (not visible in the figure), placed in the empty interior of a rectangular case forming a hermetic enclosure  201 . 
         [0039]    In terms of its length, in  FIG. 1  this container  201  lies along the XX′ axis, and in terms of it height along the YY′ axis. 
         [0040]    The energy-storage cells each presents, at the top, two polar terminals  500  that project outside of the casing  201 , on its top face  204 , perpendicular to the YY′ axis, with this face  204  being equipped with a top lid  205  that has a rectangular central opening. 
         [0041]    We also see in  FIG. 1  an electronic control support  300  mounted in parallel, in contact with one of the lateral faces  203  of the casing  201 , perpendicular to the XX′ axis. The role of this support  300  is to provide monitoring of the state of health of the different energy-storage cells, as well as of the assembly  200 . 
         [0042]    An interconnection system  100  according to the invention is placed flat onto the top face  204  of the casing  201  so as to cover the opening in the lid  205  and, more precisely, the tops of the energy-storage cells presenting the polar terminals  500 . 
         [0043]    This interconnection system  100  includes retention means for the polar terminals  500  of each cell, means for connection to the electronic control support  300 , and an individual conducting circuit that will be described later with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0044]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the interconnection system  100  takes the form of a thin plate  101  that is substantially rectangular. 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 2 , we define a median axis OO′ lying along the interconnection system  100 . 
         [0046]    The plate  101  is extended at its end  102  close to the electronic control support  300  by a connection zone  140  which is intended, by means of an electrical termination, to connect to the electronic control support  300 . 
         [0047]    This zone  140  is formed by a rectangular area  141  whose width is less than that of the plate  101 , which is extended by an area  142  that converges toward the plate  101  as one moved away perpendicularly from axis OO′. It is terminated by a rectangular area  143  whose width is designed to receive the electrical termination. 
         [0048]    In order for the interconnection system  100  to be installed in the casing  201 , the connection zone  140  slides in a slot  202 , provided for this purpose, on the lateral face  203  of the casing  201 , which includes the monitoring means  300 , and is placed flat onto the latter in order to be connected to support  300  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0049]    The plate  101  placed flat onto the top face  204  of the casing  201 , and the connection zone  140 , thus form the two perpendicular portions of an elbow that is present at the end  102  close to the monitoring means  300 . 
         [0050]    In addition, according to one aspect of the invention, the interconnection system  100  includes a certain number of cut-outs forming the means for retention  110 ,  120  and  150  of the interconnection system  100  on the polar terminals  500  of the energy-storage cells, and fittings  130  for the reception of heating plates  400  for the energy-storage assembly  200 . 
         [0051]    The cut-outs forming means  110 ,  120  and  150  for the retention of the system  100  on the polar terminals  500  are placed in a selective manner and allow the latter to project from the top face  204  of the casing  201  of the energy-storage assembly  200 , outside of the interconnection system  100  to the exterior. 
         [0052]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, their natures differ according to whether they are located on the end  102  close to the monitoring means, the end opposite  104 , or on the central area  105  of the interconnection system  100 . 
         [0053]    Generally however, for all the cut-outs intended for the retention means  110 ,  120  and  150 , the distances between each of these, along axis OO′ and perpendicular to this axis, correspond respectively to the distance between the polar terminals  500  of an individual energy-storage cell and the width of a cell. 
         [0054]    In addition, the series of cut-outs are aligned in the direction of axis OO′, and in the direction perpendicular to this axis, which corresponds to the alignment of the energy-storage cells in the casing  201  of the assembly  200 . 
         [0055]    In addition, the cut-outs are constructed symmetrically in relation to the median axis OO′. 
         [0056]    More precisely, the retention means  110  present away from the ends of the interconnection system  100  are symmetrical in relation to the point of intersection (A) of the median axis OO′ with the median perpendicular plane (B), with the retention means  110  being located to either side of this plane (B). 
         [0057]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, they take the form of a rectangular cut-out  110  of which two opposite sides  118 ,  118 ′ are in the form of a convex circular arc, with the other two  119 ,  119 ′ being rectilinear equal and parallel along the interconnection system  100 . 
         [0058]    This cut-out  110  is divided, at the middle of its length, into two parts  111  and  117  intended to accommodate two polar terminals  500  of two different cells. 
         [0059]    One of the parts  117  is empty while the other part  111  includes a connection jumper  112  extended by a connection eyelet  115 . 
         [0060]    This jumper  112  takes the form of an elbow one of whose portions  113 , perpendicular to the median axis OO′, are connected to the interconnection support  101  at the middle of the length of the cut-out  110 , and the other portion  114  is extended at side  118 , in the form of a circular arc  115  whose opening angle  116  opens onto the inside angle of the elbow jumper  112 . 
         [0061]    In addition, at the end  104  away from the monitoring means  300 , two types of cut-out  150  and  155  are located alternately across the width of the plate  101 . More precisely, two cut-outs  150  are located on one side of axis OO′, while on the other side a cut-out  155  located close to axis OO′ is followed by a cut-out  150  toward the outside. 
         [0062]    The first type of cut-out  150 , in the form of a circular arc  154  opening onto the exterior of the plate  101 , includes a straight connection jumper  151 , perpendicular to the median axis OO′ and connected to the interconnection support  101  at its end  104 . 
         [0063]    It is extended by an eyelet  152  in the form of a circular arc whose opening angle  153  is facing the empty space of the cut-out  150 . 
         [0064]    The second type of cut-out  155  is an empty circular arc  156  opening onto the exterior of the interconnection plate  101 . 
         [0065]    At the end  102  close to the monitoring means, near the connection zone  140 , are also located, alternately, two types of cut-out  120  and  121 . More precisely, a pair of cut-outs  120  and  121  are located on each side of the axis OO′, with the cut-outs  121  being placed close to axis OO′. 
         [0066]    The first type of cut-out  120  includes a jumper  122  and an interconnection eyelet  123  as at the opposite end  104 , the only difference being that the jumper  122  is shorter at the end  102  close to the monitoring means  300 , due essentially to the narrowness of the plate  101  on this side. 
         [0067]    The second cut-out  121  is a circular one. 
         [0068]    Advantageously, the specific shape of the connection jumpers of the different cut-outs  110 ,  120  and  150  were chosen so as to obtain a maximum of length by overlapping as little as possible onto the area of the plate  101  which is intended to accommodate the conducting tracks of the circuit of the interconnection system  100 . 
         [0069]    In addition, the length of the jumpers allow them to be deformed by torsion in order to present the opening of the eyelets  115  facing the polar terminals  500  for which they are intended, as will be described later with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 . 
         [0070]    In addition, the general symmetry of the cut-outs and more particularly of the connection jumpers in relation to the median axis OO′ allows balancing of the interconnection support  101  from the viewpoint of the forces that the jumpers will generate. In fact because of their elastic behaviour, they have a tendency to distance the interconnection eyelets  115 ,  123  and  152  from the polar terminals  500  to which they are going to be connected. 
         [0071]    In an advantageous manner, the eyelets  115  of the retention means  110  present far from the ends of the system  10  have elbow jumpers  112  to have the same length as those of the eyelets  152  and  123  located at the edge of the interconnection system  100 , while still not going beyond the empty parts  117  of the plate  101  cut-out for passage of the terminals  500  of cells, and not impeding the passage of the latter, with the general orientation of the eyelets remaining symmetrical in relation to the median axis of the system  100 . 
         [0072]    In addition, the interconnection system  100  includes reception fittings  130  for the heating plates  400  of the energy storage assembly  200 . 
         [0073]    The latter  130  take the form of several thin rectangular cut-outs  131  of which two opposite sides  132  and  133  are in the form of a convex circular arc, the other two  131  and  135  being rectilinear, equal and parallel along the interconnection system  100 . They are preferably placed parallel to the median axis OO′ of the central area  105  of the interconnection system  100 . 
         [0074]    A large variety of configurations of the retention means  110 ,  120  and  150  and reception fittings  130  can be designed onto the surface of the interconnection support  101  in order to optimise their role of mechanical and electrical connection to the polar terminals  500  of the cells, but also in order to optimise the space dedicated to the conducting circuit of the interconnection system  100  or again its conditions of manufacture. 
         [0075]    In addition, the number, the area, the shape, the nature, and the orientation of the cut-outs can be the subject of many implementation variants. These are not limited to the illustrations provided in the appended figures. 
         [0076]    The assembly of the interconnection support  100  with the polar terminals  500  of the energy-storage cells of the assembly  200  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 . 
         [0077]    A polar terminal  500  of an individual cell, represented in  FIG. 3 , takes the form of a cylinder  513  whose role is to provide the electrical conduction from the interior of a cell, in which the electrochemical elements are located, to the exterior. This cylinder  513 , shown in the figure, in fact is the main shaft  513  of the polar terminal  500  located perpendicularly to the interconnection support  101 . 
         [0078]    This cylinder  513  is extended by two annular shoulders  510  and  515  of larger diameter, a bottom shoulder  515  present at the bottom end of the cylinder  513 , and a top shoulder  510  present at the top end of the cylinder  513 . 
         [0079]    By means of their internal faces  512  and  518 , these form the branches of an annular channel  520 . 
         [0080]    In addition, at the bottom end of the cylinder  513 , the bottom shoulder  515  is surmounted on its inner face  518  by a coaxial square stamping  514 , which will be used for securing the polar terminal  500  on the top of the cell. 
         [0081]    This stamping  514  is terminated by a chamfer  517  formed by a surface that converges toward the bottom shoulder  515  as one moves radially toward the exterior. This chamfer  517  will be used to facilitate the grip of the clamping tool on the polar terminal  500 . 
         [0082]    The bottom shoulder  515  is also extended, on its outer face  519 , by a second coaxial cylinder  516 , of smaller diameter, which will play the role of direct electrical connection with the electrochemical elements present inside the energy-storage cell (not illustrated in the figure). 
         [0083]    Consider a cut-out  150  located on the end  104  farthest from the monitoring means  300  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The interconnection eyelet  152  slides sideways into the channel  520  formed by the two shoulders  510  and  515 . 
         [0084]    More precisely, its opening angle  153  engages in a complementary manner around the shaft  513  at the level of the aforementioned channel  520  in order to allow to the top surface  157  of the eyelet  152  to come into contact with the bottom part  512  of the top shoulder  510  of the polar terminal  500 . 
         [0085]    The opening angle  153  of the eyelet  152  is designed to trap the eyelet  152  in position on the shaft  513 . 
         [0086]    However there is a height difference between the bottom part  511  of the top shoulder  510  of the polar terminal  500  and the top surface  157  of the interconnection eyelet  152  of the interconnection support  101 . 
         [0087]    In order to bring these into mutual contact, the altitude difference is compensated for by means of the interconnection jumper  151  which deforms by torsion. The length of the jumper  151  will be used to deal with a difference of altitude between the eyelet  152  and the support  101  while still allowing the alignment of the eyelet  152  with the polar terminal  500 . 
         [0088]    In addition, the cells connected to the interconnection system  100  by means of their polar terminals  500  are connected to each other, and more precisely connected in series, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0089]    An example of a power connection system used to electrically connect the electrochemical cells is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0090]    This system includes an electrically-conducting part  540  as well as two spring elements  550  for the connection in series of two polar terminals  500  of a pair of electrochemical cells. 
         [0091]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a polar terminal  500  of an individual cell is linked to a polar terminal  500  of the neighbouring cell (not illustrated) by a busbar  540  of substantially rectangular shape. 
         [0092]    One end  543  of the busbar  540  is positioned flat, perpendicularly to the shaft  513  of the polar terminal  500 , on the top face  511  of the top shoulder  510 . 
         [0093]    At this end  543 , the busbar  540  has a square cut-out  541 , centred on the shaft  513  of the polar terminal  500 , which will act as a locating point for the installation of a spring element  550  that firstly makes the contact between the polar terminal  500  and the busbar  540 , and secondly the contact between the polar terminal  500  and the eyelet  152 . 
         [0094]    On either side of the square cut-outs  541 , this busbar  540  also includes at this end  543  U-shaped channels  542 ,  544  lying on each longitudinal side of the busbar  540 . The channel branches are formed by the presence of a shoulder  545  with a width that is less than that of the busbar, extended by a second shoulder  546  of a width that is identical to that of the busbar  540 . 
         [0095]    The length of the opposite channels  542 ,  544  is identical, and corresponds substantially to the diameter of the polar terminal  500 . 
         [0096]    These channels  542 ,  544  will allow a part (not shown in the figure) playing the role of a contact between the polar terminal  500  and the busbar  540  to lock onto the latter  540 . 
         [0097]    This busbar  540  is preferably made of tinned copper. 
         [0098]    The spring element  550  is composed of a clip  550 . This ensures the bringing into contact of the stack composed of the interconnection eyelet  152 , the top shoulder  510  of the polar terminal  500 , the contact part, and the busbar  540 , locking onto this assembly by sliding sideways perpendicularly to the shaft  513 . It takes the form of a part of U-shaped cross-section whose two upper  551  and lower  552  branches are designed to be assembled respectively with the top face of the busbar  540  and with the interconnection eyelet  152  in contact with the bottom face  512  of the top shoulder  510 . 
         [0099]    The lower branch  552  of the spring element  550  is divided, over its length, into two identical brackets  553 ,  554 , and this division is extended, perpendicularly to the shaft  513 , on the intermediate portion of the clip  550 . 
         [0100]    The two bottom brackets  553 ,  554  make contact with the bottom face  158  of the interconnection eyelet  152 , and the top branch  551  makes contact with the top face of the busbar  540 . 
         [0101]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the eyelet  152  is put into in contact with the inner face  512  of the top shoulder  510  of the terminal  500  by means of the bottom brackets  553  and  554  of the clip  550 . 
         [0102]    In addition, the spring element  550  includes, on its top branch  551 , a square locking lug  555 , which is used to indicate the correct positioning of the device  550  on the fitting. During the sliding action, this lug  555  slips into the square cut-out  541  in the busbar  540 , and is used to prevent the clip  550  from becoming dislodged from the polar terminal  500  due to the mechanical stresses experienced by the energy-storage assembly  200 . 
         [0103]    The spring element  550  is used to apply continuous compression forces to the energy-storage cells. 
         [0104]    The nature of the power connection system between the energy-storage cells can be the subject of many implementation variants. This must not be limited to the illustration provided in the aforementioned  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 . 
         [0105]      FIGS. 6 and 7  provide the diagram electrical of the conducting printed circuit  800  formed on an electrically-conducting area of the plate  101  of the interconnection system  100 , which will be used to connect the energy-storage assembly  200  to the means  300  for monitoring its state of health. 
         [0106]    According to the invention, the interconnection support  101  includes an insulating substrate onto which a sheet of an electrically-conducting material is deposited. 
         [0107]    This sheet is treated, in a manner that is known in itself, so as to incorporate the electrical tracks of the conducting circuit  800  of the interconnection system  100 . 
         [0108]    The support  101  is preferably composed of a thin sheet of aluminium on an insulating substrate of the polyester type. 
         [0109]    The nature of the insulating substrate and that of the conducting sheet can be the subject of many implementation variants. In particular, the conducting area can be composed of a sheet of copper. 
         [0110]    In addition, according to the invention, the interconnection system  100  is flexible. As illustrated in the aforementioned figures, this allows the torsion of the connection jumpers of the retention means  110 ,  120  and  150 , and a configuration in three dimensions of the interconnection system  100 . 
         [0111]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a set of n energy-storage cells is illustrated connected in series. 
         [0112]    According to the invention, each of the cells, 1 to n, is connected respectively to a circuit  10  to n 0  configured so as to propose a voltage measuring circuit with on/off switching, indicating the energy state of an individual cell and a diversion circuit for the current passing through each cell, with on/off switching, depending on this energy state. 
         [0113]    For an individual energy-storage cell  2 , a diversion circuit  20  is connected in parallel with the cell  2 . A conductor  21  forms a current diversion path starting from a polar terminal  2   a  of the cell  2  and leads to the monitoring means  300  of the energy-storage assembly  200  in which it is connected to an on/off switching means  23 . 
         [0114]    This on/off switching means  23  is also connected to a second track  22  which forms a current return path to the other polar terminal  2   b  of the cell  2 . 
         [0115]    The on/off switching means  23  is preferably a switch. 
         [0116]    The presence of the on/off switching means  13  to n 3  allows each diversion circuit  10  to n 0  to operate independently of the other circuits connected to the other cells. 
         [0117]    In an advantageous manner, the on/off switching means  13  to n 3  are designed to electrically isolate the cell to be measured and at least one of the two cells adjacent to the cell to be measured. 
         [0118]    In a preferred manner, the on/off switching means  13  to n 3  are designed to electrically isolate the cell to be measured, and each of the two cells adjacent to the cell to be measured. 
         [0119]    Thus all or part of each diversion circuit n 0  is used as a measurement circuit for the corresponding cell, and conversely, the measurement circuit of a cell uses all or part of the diversion circuit n 0  of the adjacent cells, this being used to limit the number of conductors present on the support  101  and to rationalise the drawing and the form of the conductors present. 
         [0120]    In addition, according to the invention, each current diversion circuit n 0  includes at least electrically resistive and thermally conducting element Rn playing the role of a current limiter. 
         [0121]    This element Rn is preferably an energy dissipating resistance. 
         [0122]    Thus, referring to the figure, the on/off switching means  23  of the diversion circuit  20  varies between a conducting state and a non-conducting state, and diverts a part of the current passing through the corresponding energy-storage cell  2  to the dissipating resistances of the assembly  200  when it is in the conducting state. 
         [0123]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the routing of the diversion circuits  10  to n 0  is determined so as to connect the electrically-resistive and thermally-conducting elements Rn alternately to the positive polar terminal of an energy-storage cell and the negative terminal of the following energy-storage cell, with a view to limiting the number of conductors to be configured in the conducting area of the interconnection support  101 . 
         [0124]    This also applies to the current return tracks  12  to n 2  of the diversion circuits  10  to n 0 . 
         [0125]    In addition, with each cell  1  to n being connected in series with the other cells of the assembly  200  and to the interconnection support  101 , a voltage level is produced and can be measured by the means  300  for monitoring the state of health of the energy-storage assembly  200 . 
         [0126]    According to one aspect of the invention, voltage measuring circuits for each of the energy-storage cells  1  to n of the assembly  200  are integrated into the conducting circuit  800 . 
         [0127]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, these voltage measuring circuits are identical to the aforementioned diversion circuits  10  to n 0 . 
         [0128]    However, some of the diversion circuits  10  to n 0  are not used for voltage measurement when it is found that they are supplying a measurement that is redundant with a measurement that has already been effected. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of measurement circuits of the monitoring means  300  so as to accomplish the surveillance of all the energy-storage cells. 
         [0129]    For example, referring to the figure, for energy storage cell  1 , the conducting tracks  11  and  12  forming the diversion circuit  10  correspond to the conducting tracks forming the measurement path V 1  of this particular cell  1 . 
         [0130]    For storage cell  2 , the measurement path of this particular cell  2  corresponds to tracks  11  and  22 . 
         [0131]    Potential detection lines  11  and  22  extend on either side of the cell  2  to a voltage detection circuit present on the means  300  for monitoring the state of health of the assembly  200 . 
         [0132]    In order to perform the measurement of voltage with a certain precision, it is necessary to place not only the on/off switching means  23  controlling the diversion circuit  20  concerned in a non-conducting state, but also the means ( 13  and  33 ) for activating the adjacent diversion circuits that have conductors ( 11  and  22 ) that are common with the measurement circuit of V 2 . 
         [0133]    Likewise, in order to perform the measurement of cell  3 , it will be necessary to suppress all current in the tracks ( 22  and  31 ) and so to place the means of activation  23  and  43  in a non-conducting state. 
         [0134]    The placing of the diversion circuits in a non-conducting state has as its objective to cope with the voltage drop generated in the conducting tracks by the passage of current, which would be added to the voltage value to be measured and would falsify the measurement. 
         [0135]    An example of the different potential measurement lines of an electrical circuit  800  configure for an interconnection system  100  according to the invention is represented in  FIG. 7  for an assembly  200  of twelve energy-storage cells. 
         [0136]    Lines Vn+ and Vn− respectively represent the potentials measured at the level of the positive polar terminal  500  and of the negative polar terminal  500  of the energy-storage cells. 
         [0137]    In addition, lines CPC 1  to CPC 12  respectively represent the potentials measured at the level of the conducting tracks, that includes the power dissipation resistances of energy-storage cells  1  to  12 . 
         [0138]    Preferably, in order to effect the voltage measurements, switches  13  to n 3  are cabled between each pair of tracks (Vn, CPCn) of an individual energy-storage cell. 
         [0139]    The electrically-conducting area of the interconnection support  101  is treated with a view to presenting the aforementioned conducting printed circuit  800  with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0140]    Advantageously, the electrical contact between the conducting printed circuit  800  and the polar terminals  500  of the energy-storage cells is created, in a manner that is known in itself, by soldering/welding, brazing or glueing. 
         [0141]    More precisely, for an individual polar terminal  500  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the brazed, soldered or glued contact is established by the bringing into contact with an interconnection eyelet  152  of a cut-out  150  presenting, on its bared top area  157 , a part of the conducting circuit  800 , with the inner face  512  of the top shoulder  510  of the polar terminal  500 . 
         [0142]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the conducting tracks of each diversion/measuring circuit  10  to n 0  are configured so as to extend, from each cut-out  110 ,  120  and  150  intended to receive the polar terminals  500  of the cells, longitudinally, along the length of the interconnection support  101  to the end  102  close to the monitoring means  300 . 
         [0143]    At this end  102  they are connected to an electrical termination, which is known in itself, that includes the number of paths necessary. 
         [0144]    This electrical termination is preferably a connector  930  that is crimped or soldered onto the interconnection support  101 . 
         [0145]    It connects the conducting printed circuit  800  to a connection socket on the monitoring means  300  via a connection zone  940  that includes contacts of the stapled type. 
         [0146]    In addition, advantageously, a single and same interconnection eyelet is used to connect all the tracks coming or starting from the terminals of adjacent cells connected to each other thus creating a point of the same electrical potential. 
         [0147]    In addition, the conducting tracks determined by the presence of electrically-resistive and thermally-conducting current limiting elements Rn must have a given resistance. 
         [0148]    To this end, according to the rules for routing of the conducting tracks, we choose a track length/width pair to suit the resistivity that we seek. 
         [0149]    According to another aspect of the invention, the power dissipation resistances Rn are composed of current tracks of the conducting circuit  800  and, more precisely, of the measurement and diversion circuit of each cell  10  to n 0 , with the value of the said resistances Rn being composed of the routing resistance of the corresponding track between the terminal of the cell to be bypassed and the system to be monitored  300 . 
         [0150]    The lengths of the power dissipation resistances Rn associated with each cell, which are of constant section, are chosen so as to all be identical, whatever the positioning of the cell in relation to the interconnection system  100 . 
         [0151]    The integration into the conducting circuit  800  of resistive elements R 1  to Rn results in the dissipation of heat in the support  101  of the interconnection system  100 . 
         [0152]    According to one aspect of the invention, the layout of the resistive tracks is optimised to best cover the whole area of the interconnection support  101  in order to avoid an excessively high surface energy density and not to excessively unbalance the thermal homogeneity of the energy-storage assembly  200 . 
         [0153]    In addition, the routing section of the tracks is chosen to be constant over all of their length in order to distribute the thermal dissipation of each resistance over all of the interconnection system  100 . 
         [0154]    In addition, the dissipation resistance R 1  to Rn associated with a given cell runs in front of a maximum of adjacent cells in order to best distribute the energy dissipated in all of the cells other than the bypassed cell. 
         [0155]    The energy recovered by means of these configurations by the energy-storage cells contributes to maintaining the temperature of the energy-storage assembly  200 . The energy consumed by the heating plates for the thermal regulation of the assembly  200  is thus advantageously reduced. 
         [0156]    It is also specified that since the return tracks must have a maximum value that is less than a threshold fixed by the functioning of the system to be monitored  300 , the said return tracks are created with a section that is as large as possible and with a run that is as short and as straight as possible between the terminal of the connected cell and the system to be monitored  300 , with allowance made for the dimensions of the interconnection support  101 , in order to minimise the value of the resistance of each return track. 
         [0157]    Finally, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the interconnection system  100  is also glued or retained by the compression of a thickness of an elastic material on the tops of the cells with a view to optimising the thermal coupling. 
         [0158]    This material is preferably of the elastomer or cellular type. 
         [0159]    One implementation variant of the invention proposes to increase or reduce the thickness of the conducting area in order to obtain the best compromise regarding the section of the conducting tracks, if the conducting area of the interconnection support  101  is not sufficient to achieve the compromise between the width and length of the conductors. 
         [0160]    According to another aspect of the invention, the interconnection system  100  also includes a screen  910  to protect the conducting printed circuit  800  from electromagnetic interference. 
         [0161]    According to the invention, this screen  910  is a layer of conducting material that is separated from the conducting printed circuit  800  by a layer of insulation  900 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0162]    In a preferred execution variant, the shield layer  910  can cover the whole of the interconnection support  100 , with the exception of the retention means  110 ,  120  and  150  and the zone  940  for connecting the conducting circuit  800  to the electronic control support  300 . 
         [0163]    Returning to  FIG. 7 , this shield layer, which is at potential Vss, is connected electrically toward the end  102  close to the monitoring means  300 , to the earth plane of the latter, by means of connector  930 . 
         [0164]    Implementation variants of this present invention concern an interconnection system  100  presenting an interconnection support  101  that is of double-sided or even multi-layer structure. 
         [0165]    A non-limiting example of a multi-layer interconnection support  101  would have three conducting layers each respectively configured so as to include the conducting resistive tracks, the screen and the current return tracks. 
         [0166]    The arrangement, the nature, the number of layers can be the subject of many implementation variants. In particular, one might mention the addition of an extra layer providing a power feed for the heating resistances of the energy-storage assembly  200 . 
         [0167]    Another implementation variant proposes the presence of zones on the interconnection support that are intended for the fitting of electronic components and, more particularly components of the CMS type. 
         [0168]    In a typical operating mode of an energy-storage assembly  200  equipped with the interconnection system  100  according to the invention, the energy-storage cells, connected in series and interconnected with the interconnection system  100 , produce a load current that is delivered to an element that is consuming energy. 
         [0169]    In normal conditions, each of the diversion circuits  10  to n 0  that is tested by the monitoring means  300  remains in a non-active state so as not to interfere with the passage of current through the connected cells. 
         [0170]    In response to the measurement of a voltage in a particular energy-storage cell n that reaches a given setpoint level, the diversion circuit n 0  dedicated to this cell n is switched on and the load current bypasses the defective cell n until its voltage reduces, to be conducted the other energy-storage cells. This diversion will dissipate energy over the whole area of the interconnection system  100 . 
         [0171]    Those skilled in the art will be appreciative of an interconnection system that, in relation to the known devices of the state of the art, can be used in a simple, reliable and efficient manner for any high-energy battery technology. It is possible to mention, as non-limiting examples, the lithium polymer, nickel metal hydride, or indeed the lithium ion technologies. 
         [0172]    In addition, the interconnection system  100  according to the invention includes a flexibility that allows it to adapt its configuration to the energy-storage assembly  200  for which it is intended while still proposing a precise electrical connection. 
         [0173]    Finally, the interconnection system  100  according to the invention offers the advantage of having non-unitary power dissipation resistances R 1  to Rn which firstly allow efficient diversion of current in the presence of a defective cell, and secondly improve the thermal regulation of the energy-storage assembly  200 . 
         [0174]    Naturally, this present invention is not limited to the particular implementation methods that have just been described but extends to any variant that conforms to its spirit. In particular, this present invention is not limited to the appended drawings. The specific references illustrated in the preceding paragraphs are non-limiting examples of the invention.