Integrated battery unit with cooling and protection expedients for electric vehicles
First Claim
1. A fan box interposed between a set of battery cells within a battery pack of an electric vehicle, the fan box comprising:
- at least two side panels that define an interior portion of the fan box and are disposed against the set of battery cells of the battery pack in contact therewith,wherein the fan box is confined within the battery pack without protruding from an opening aligned with a side of the electric vehicle; and
one or more fans mounted in the fan box and configured to draw-in air from the opening into the interior portion of the fan box and towards at least one battery cell within each of the battery cells by way of the at least two side panels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods of and apparatus for removing heat generated by cells of a battery pack. The methods and apparatus may employ one or more fan modules disposed between or next to cells of the battery pack, or one or more fans directly mounted to the battery pack or battery pack case housing the cells. Further, a motor controller isolation system operates to electrically isolate the motor controller of the electric vehicle when the battery pack is being charged. The motor controller isolation system may be integrated with the integrated battery pack and thermal and ventilation system. The integrated system, or “integrated battery unit (IBU),” is preferably manufactured in a manner that requires no, modifications to the electric vehicle in which the IBU is installed.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A fan box interposed between a set of battery cells within a battery pack of an electric vehicle, the fan box comprising:
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at least two side panels that define an interior portion of the fan box and are disposed against the set of battery cells of the battery pack in contact therewith, wherein the fan box is confined within the battery pack without protruding from an opening aligned with a side of the electric vehicle; and one or more fans mounted in the fan box and configured to draw-in air from the opening into the interior portion of the fan box and towards at least one battery cell within each of the battery cells by way of the at least two side panels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for cooling battery cells housed in a battery compartment of an electric vehicle, the method comprising:
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mounting a fan box within the battery compartment without exceeding a battery compartment protection zone such that at least two side panels of the fan box are disposed against the battery cells of the battery compartment in contact therewith and define an interior portion of the fan box, wherein the fan box is confined within the battery compartment without protruding from an opening aligned with a side of the electric vehicle; and using one or more fans mounted in the fan box to draw-in air from the opening into the interior portion of the fan box and towards at least one battery cell within each of the battery cells by way of the at least two side panels. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification