VEHICLE BATTERY MODULE

• US 20100112425A1
• Filed: 10/22/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Infineon Technologies Americas Corp. (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Original Assignee: Infineon Technologies Americas Corp. (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Inventors: Dunn, Randy B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,224,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/99
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/103 prismatic or rectangular H01M50/109, H01M50/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/519 comprising printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/526 having a layered structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The vehicle battery module includes cut rubber tubing attached to tops of voltaic cells. Tabs from the cells pass through seating apertures in a printed circuit board. The rubber tubing atop each cell buffers contact between the circuit board (PCB) and the cell'"'"'s top edge. Solder joints secure electromechanical connection of the tabs to the printed circuit board. A strain relief bend in the tabs provides robust mechanical connection between the cells and printed circuit board. Printed circuits on the board allow the cells to be electrically connected in various configurations. Terminal and connectors on the printed circuit board provide connection to a load and monitoring device. A vehicle battery pack is comprised of a plurality of vehicle battery modules.

Claims

1. A vehicle battery module, comprising:

a plurality of substantially rectangular, planar voltaic cells arranged in parallel relation to each other, the cells having a top portion and a top edge;

positive and negative voltaic cell tabs extending from the top portion of each of the cells, the cell tabs having a stress-relieving, bent shape;

a flexible nonconductive tubular member attached to the top edge of each of the cells, the tubular members being spaced to leave gaps to expose the extending positive and negative cell tabs;

a printed circuit board attached to the top portion of the planar voltaic cells, the printed circuit board having seating apertures receiving the positive and the negative cell tabs, the positive and the negative cell tabs being seated in the seating apertures of the printed circuit board, each of the cell tabs being electromechanically bonded to a respective one of the seating apertures, thereby forming electrical nodes on the circuit board at the cell tab locations;

at least one printed circuit defined on the printed circuit board, the at least one circuit interconnecting the electrical nodes to achieve a desired electrical configuration of the voltaic cells;

a positive module terminal and a negative module terminal disposed on the circuit board, the positive and negative module terminals delivering electrical power from the battery module; and

a housing enclosing the cells.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein said tubular members and said bottom housing member are made from plastic.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein all of said housing is made from plastic.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein said printed circuit board is made from a material selected from the group consisting of fiberglass and polymer, the printed circuit board having copper traces and a solder mask protective coating.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein further comprising retaining hardware selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts, and rivets.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising means for connecting the battery module to a monitoring device.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein said housing covers said circuit board, said positive and negative terminals extending through said housing.