Battery pack of electric vehicle, electric vehicle chassis and method for replacing battery modules

• US 10,044,012 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2017
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
• Inventors: Sham, Wellen
• Primary Examiner(s): Walters, John D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Triggs, James J
• Application Number:
  US15/585,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20170282867A1
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0438 Arrangement under the floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0472 from below
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/91 Electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/2036 the subunits being side panels, sills or pillars B62D21/157 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/244 Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/249 specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/264 for cells or batteries, e.g. straps, tie rods or peripheral frames
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations

Abstract

Provided are systems and methods for configuring battery packs in electric vehicles. A battery pack may include a plurality of battery modules, a support part, and at least one opening provided on the support part. The support part may be provided with a bottom for supporting the plurality of battery modules, sides, a top, and an accommodation space formed by the bottom, the sides, and the top for accommodating the plurality of battery modules. The opening provided on the bottom of the support part may enable the plurality of battery modules to be passed through the at least one opening and be detachably mounted to the bottom of the support part so as to be supported by the bottom.

Claims

1. A method for replacing a battery module in an electric vehicle, the method comprising:

identifying a first battery module from among a plurality of battery modules in a battery pack, wherein the battery pack is located within the electric vehicle and comprises;

the plurality of battery modules;

a support part for supporting the plurality of battery modules, wherein at least one opening provided on either a bottom or a side of the support part such that at least one of the plurality battery modules is facilitated to be able to pass through the at least one opening and be detachably mounted to either the bottom or the side of the support part;

a layer mounted above the top of the support part to cover the plurality of battery modules; and

a protector sheet mounted below the bottom of the support part to cover the plurality of battery modules;

detaching the first battery module from the bottom of the support part;

removing the first battery module from the support part by passing the first battery module through the at least one opening;

inserting a second battery module into the support part by passing the second battery module through the at least one opening; and

mounting the second battery module to the bottom of the support part.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second battery module has a higher electrical potential energy than the first battery module.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

removing a protector sheet from below the bottom of the support part.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

removing fasteners that are configured to mount the first battery module to the bottom of the support part.