SWAPPABLE, CONFIGURABLE AND STRUCTURAL BATTERY PACK FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• US 20130177795A1
• Filed: 01/11/2013
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tata Technologies, Pte. Ltd. (Tata Technologies Ltd. (India))
• Original Assignee: Tata Technologies, Pte. Ltd. (Tata Technologies Ltd. (India))
• Inventors: JONES, Anthony, POWER, Kevin, DONATO, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,461,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/99
• 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: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/227 Organic material
• 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 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49115 including coating or impregnating

Abstract

An apparatus for swappable battery packaging for electric vehicle, the apparatus is contributing for dual purpose of protecting the batteries and providing contribution to the overall structural performance of the vehicle. The apparatus offer self repairable battery packing system to even a novice user thereof, offering each of replacement or recharging operations.

Claims

1. An apparatus for battery packaging for an electric vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of battery modules, each of the battery module having a first electrical receptacle at bottom thereof;

a housing commensurating with geometry of the battery module, the housing is adapted to compactly accommodate the plurality of battery modules;

an internal base surface of the housing covered with an electro-mechanical insulator and a pair of bus bar mounted thereon, the electro-mechanical insulator is adapted to extend electrical contacts to the first electrical receptacle of each of the battery modules;

a plurality of interlocking blocks affixed at an outer surface of at least one face of the housing, each interlocking block having a hole on the surface thereof;

a plurality of locator pins disposed on an adjoining vertical surface of the vehicle, each of the locator pin is adapted to mechanically secure the corresponding interlocking block;

a slidable ratchet beneath the interlocking blocks comprising plurality of alternately placed slidable depressions to lock the interlocking blocks there within; and

a second electrical receptacle extending from at least one surface of the housing for establishing an electrical connection with the corresponding electrical contact of the vehicle.

2. The apparatus for battery packaging according to claim 1, further comprises an interlocking bar fixed to the structural part of the vehicle body adapted to secure the housing using ratcheting mechanism.

3. The apparatus for battery packaging according to claim 1, further comprises a lid for the housing attached using screw to secure the complete assembly.

4. The apparatus for battery packaging according to claim 1, further comprises a plurality of cooling ports to cool the interior ambient of the housing.

5. The apparatus for battery packaging according to claim 1, wherein the electro-mechanical insulator is manufactured from synthetic rubber.

6. The apparatus for battery packaging according to claim 1, wherein the housing is fabricated from molded reinforced plastic.

7. A method for swappable battery package for an electric vehicle, the battery package disposed within a housing , the method comprises:

a) configuring a plurality of battery modules within the housing;

b) coating an internal base surface of the housing with an electro-mechanical insulator and a pair of bus bar mounted thereon;

c) affixing a plurality of interlocking blocks at an outer surface of at least one face of the housing, each block having a hole on a surface thereof;

d) disposing a plurality of locator pins on an adjoining vertical surface of the vehicle,

e) disposing a slidable ratchet beneath the interlocking blocks comprising plurality of alternately placed slidable depressions to lock the interlocking blocks there within; and

f) disposing a second electrical receptacle extending there from at least one surface of the housing for establishing an electrical connection with corresponding electrical contacts of the vehicle.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the electro-mechanical insulator is adapted to extend an electrical contact to a first electrical receptacle of each of the battery module.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein each of the locator pin is adapted to mechanically secure the corresponding interlocking block.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the housing is fabricated from molded reinforced plastic.