BUSS BAR FOR BATTERIES

• US 20100015519A1
• Filed: 08/07/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clarios Advanced Solutions GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions, LLC. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Houchin-Miller, Gary P., Wood, Steven J., Trester, Dale B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,114,540 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/160
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/503 characterised by the shape of the interconnectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/505 comprising a single busbar
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/516 by welding, soldering or brazing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/569 Constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals battery terminal connectors with integrated measuring arrangements G01R31/364
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A buss bar for connecting electrochemical cells together includes a conductive member having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body between the first end and second end. The body includes a stress relief region configured to dampen vibrational forces received by the buss bar. The buss bar also includes a voltage sense terminal coupled to the conductive member.

Claims

1. A buss bar for connecting electrochemical cells together comprising:

a conductive member having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body between the first end and second end, the body comprising a stress relief region configured to dampen vibrational forces received by the buss bar; and

a voltage sense terminal coupled to the conductive member.

2. The buss bar of claim 1, further comprising a cover coupled to the conductive member to at least partially electrically insulate the buss bar.

3. The buss bar of claim 2, wherein the cover substantially envelops edges of the conductive member and at least a portion of a face of the conductive member.

4. The buss bar of claim 3, wherein the cover comprises a first end and a second end and defines at least one aperture on each of the first end and second end.

5. The buss bar of claim 1, wherein the stress relief region comprises a reduced cross-section.

6. The buss bar of claim 1, wherein the stress relief region comprises an arch feature to help improve the flexibility of the buss bar.

7. The buss bar of claim 6, wherein the arch feature is at least one of at least partially V-shaped, at least partially U-shaped, and at least partially C-shaped

8. The buss bar of claim 1, wherein the conductive member is constructed of a substantially rigid material of substantially uniform composition.

9. The buss bar of claim 1, wherein the voltage sense terminal includes a wire crimp and is coupled to the conductive member by at least one of a riveting and a welding operation.

10. The buss bar of claim 1, wherein the voltage sense terminal comprises a flexible bulge received by an aperture defined by the conductive member in order to couple the voltage sense terminal to the conductive member.

11. A buss bar for connecting electrochemical cells together comprising:

a conductive member having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body between the first end and second end, the body comprising a stress relief region configured to allow the conductive member to flex so that the conductive member resists decoupling from connected electrochemical cells; and

a cover provided in contact with the conductive member to at least partially electrically insulate the buss bar.

12. The buss bar of claim 11, further comprising a voltage sense terminal provided on the conductive member.

13. The buss bar of claim 12, wherein the voltage sense terminal includes a wire crimp and is coupled to the conductive member by at least one of a riveting and a welding operation.

14. The buss bar of claim 12, wherein the voltage sense terminal comprises a flexible bulge received by an aperture defined by the conductive member in order to couple the voltage sense terminal to the conductive member.

15. The buss bar of claim 11, wherein the cover substantially envelopes edges of the conductive member and at least a portion of a face of the conductive member.

16. The buss bar of claim 15, wherein the cover comprises a first end and a second end and defines at least one aperture on each of the first end and second end.

17. The buss bar of claim 11, wherein the stress relief region comprises a reduced cross-section.

18. The buss bar of claim 11, wherein the stress relief region comprises an arch feature to help improve the flexure of the buss bar, wherein the arch feature is at least one of at least partially V-shaped, at least partially U-shaped, and at least partially C-shaped.

19. A battery system that includes a stress-relieving buss bar comprising:

a conductive member electrically coupled to a terminal of a first battery and a terminal of a second battery, the conductive member comprising a stress relief feature configured to reduce the tendency of the conductive member to decouple from the terminals of the first battery and second battery; and

a voltage sense terminal provided on the conductive member.

20. The buss bar of claim 19, wherein the voltage sense terminal includes a wire crimp and is coupled to the conductive member by at least one of a rivet, a welding operation, and a flexible bulge received by an aperture defined by the conductive member.

21. The buss bar of claim 19, further comprising a cover coupled to the conductive member to at least partially electrically insulate the buss bar.

22. The buss bar of claim 21, wherein the cover substantially envelops edges of the conductive member and at least a portion of a face of the conductive member and wherein the cover defines at least one aperture on each of a first end and a second end of the cover.

23. The buss bar of claim 19, wherein the stress relief feature is configured to dampen vibrational forces and comprises a reduced cross-section.

24. The buss bar of claim 19, wherein the stress relief feature is at least one of at least partially V-shaped, at least partially U-shaped, and at least partially C-shaped.