MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A BATTERY PACK

• US 20110262801A1
• Filed: 04/23/2010
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Schwab, Leo F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,557,436 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/163
• 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: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/345 Gastight metal hydride accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/242 adapted for protecting batteries against vibrations, collision impact or swelling
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/244 Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A mounting arrangement for a battery pack in a vehicle including the battery pack and a vehicle body, the battery pack including a housing having a hollow interior and a battery assembly disposed in the hollow interior of the housing, wherein the battery assembly includes at least one battery cell and a plurality of rails coupled thereto, and the vehicle body including support rails and a compartment formed therein to receive the battery pack therein, wherein the compartment of the vehicle body supports the housing and the support rails support the rails of the battery assembly to divide a vertical load of the battery pack.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising:

a housing having a hollow interior; and

a battery assembly disposed in the hollow interior of the housing, the battery assembly including at least one battery cell and a rail coupled thereto, wherein the housing and the rail of the battery assembly are supported to divide a vertical load of the battery pack.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one indentation formed therein to receive an isolator therein.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one raised portion formed therein to receive and at least partially support the battery assembly thereon.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the housing includes a rib formed adjacent the at least one raised portion to form a shoulder, wherein the shoulder transfers a shear load of the battery assembly from the at least one raised portion to a tray assembly of the battery assembly.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a liner having an inner surface and an insulating layer disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface of the liner.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the rail is coupled to the battery assembly substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the battery assembly.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the rail extends laterally outwardly in opposing directions from the battery assembly.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the rail cooperates with support rails of a vehicle to support at least a portion of the vertical load of the battery pack.

9. A battery pack comprising:

a housing including a first housing portion cooperating with a second housing portion to form a hollow container, the first housing portion including a liner having an inner surface, wherein the liner includes at least one indentation formed therein; and

a battery assembly disposed in the hollow container, the battery assembly including at least one battery cell and a plurality of rails coupled thereto, wherein the rails extend laterally outwardly in opposing directions from the battery assembly, and wherein the first housing portion and the rails of the battery assembly are supported by a vehicle body to divide a vertical load of the battery pack.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of the liner includes an insulating layer disposed thereon.

11. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the vehicle body includes at least one reinforcing member formed thereon.

12. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein an isolator is disposed between the liner and the vehicle body.

13. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the indentation includes at least one raised portion to receive and at least partially support the battery assembly thereon.

14. The battery pack according to claim 13, wherein the first housing portion includes a rib formed adjacent the at least one raised portion to form a shoulder, wherein the shoulder transfers a shear load of the battery assembly from the at least one raised portion to a tray assembly of the battery assembly.

15. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the rails are coupled to the battery assembly substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the battery assembly.

16. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the rails cooperate with support rails of the vehicle body to support at least a portion of the vertical load of the battery pack.

17. A mounting arrangement for a battery pack in a vehicle comprising:

a battery pack including a housing having a hollow interior and a battery assembly disposed in the hollow interior of the housing, the housing including a liner having an inner surface and an insulating layer disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface of the liner, wherein the liner includes at least one indentation formed therein, and wherein the battery assembly includes at least one battery cell and a rail coupled thereto substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof and extending laterally outwardly in opposing directions therefrom; and

a vehicle body including a compartment having a plurality of support rails and at least one reinforcing member formed thereon, wherein the compartment receives the battery pack therein, and wherein the compartment including the at least one reinforcing member supports the housing of the battery pack and the support rails support the rail of the battery assembly to divide a vertical load of the battery pack.

18. The mounting arrangement according to claim 17, wherein an isolator is disposed between the liner and the vehicle body.

19. The mounting arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the indentation includes at least one raised portion to receive and at least partially support the battery assembly thereon.

20. The mounting arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the liner includes a rib formed adjacent the at least one raised portion to form a shoulder, wherein the shoulder transfers a shear load of the battery assembly from the at least one raised portion to a tray assembly of the battery assembly.