BATTERY MODULE

• US 20130252032A1
• Filed: 03/22/2012
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP Korea Ltd. (TE Connectivity Limited), Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Zhao, Weiping, Park, Young Geun
• Granted Patent: US 8,940,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/7
• 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 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/308 Detachable arrangements, e.g. detachable vent plugs or plug systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/503 characterised by the shape of the interconnectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/519 comprising printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/55 on the same side of the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/553 Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery module includes battery cells arranged side-by-side in a stacked configuration, the battery cells having positive and negative cell terminals. Buss bars are electrically connected to corresponding cell terminals to electrically connect adjacent battery cells. A battery cover coupled to the battery cells. A module controller is held by the battery cover and is electrically connected to the buss bars to monitor a voltage of the corresponding buss bar.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising:

battery cells arranged side-by-side in a stacked configuration, the battery cells having positive and negative cell terminals;

buss bars electrically connected to corresponding cell terminals to electrically connect adjacent battery cells;

a battery cover coupled to the battery cells; and

a module controller held by the battery cover, the module controller being electrically connected to the buss bars to monitor a voltage of the corresponding buss bar.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the module controller is electrically connected to the buss bars without wired connections therebetween.

3. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the module controller includes a circuit board and voltage signal contacts extending therefrom, the voltage signal contacts being terminated to corresponding buss bars.

4. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the buss bars include voltage signal pins extending therefrom, the module controller includes a circuit board and voltage signal contacts extending therefrom, the voltage signal contacts being directly coupled to corresponding voltage signal pins.

5. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the module controller includes a circuit board and voltage signal contacts extending therefrom, the voltage signal contacts having rings received over threaded studs of the positive cell terminals to directly couple the voltage signal contacts to the positive cell terminals.

6. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the buss bars include voltage signal pins extending therefrom, the module controller includes a circuit board and voltage signal contacts extending therefrom, each voltage signal contact having forks with a gap therebetween, the voltage signal pins being received in corresponding gaps and engaged by corresponding forks to electrically connect the voltage signal pins and the voltage signal contacts.

7. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the battery cover includes a housing mounted directly to tops of the battery cells and a lid coupled to the housing, the housing having a slot with the module controller received in the slot, the lid covering the slot, module controller and buss bars.

8. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the battery cover includes a housing mounted directly to tops of the battery cells and a lid coupled to the housing, the housing and lid surrounding the module controller.

9. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the module controller includes a circuit board and voltage signal contacts extending therefrom, the voltage signal contacts being terminated to corresponding buss bars, the battery cover including a housing mounted directly to tops of the battery cells and a lid coupled to the housing, the housing and lid surrounding the circuit board, the voltage signal contacts and the buss bars.

10. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the battery cells have gas pressure valves, the battery cover having a gas vent manifold sealed to the gas pressure valves of the battery cells, the gas vent manifold configured to vent gas exhausted through the gas pressure valves.

11. The battery module of claim 10, wherein the gas vent manifold comprises a tunnel, each of the gas pressure valves being open to the tunnel.

12. The battery module of claim 10, wherein vent seals surround the gas pressure valves to seal the battery cover to the battery cells.

13. The battery module of claim 10, wherein the battery cover includes a housing having a top and a bottom, the module controller being arranged along the top, the bottom resting on the battery cells, the housing including a tunnel routed below the module controller, the tunnel being opened to the gas pressure valves.

14. The battery module of claim 10, wherein the battery includes a tunnel defining the gas vent manifold, the tunnel being open at opposite ends of the battery cover, end caps being coupled to ends.

15. A battery module comprising:

battery cells arranged side-by-side in a stacked configuration, the battery cells having positive and negative cell terminals, the battery cells having gas pressure valves;

buss bars electrically connected to corresponding cell terminals to electrically connect adjacent battery cells; and

a battery cover coupled to the battery cells, the battery cover holding a module controller that is electrically connected to the buss bars to monitor a voltage of the corresponding buss bar, the battery cover having a gas vent manifold sealed to the gas pressure valves of the battery cells, the gas vent manifold configured to vent gas exhausted through the gas pressure valves.

16. The battery module of claim 15, wherein the module controller is electrically connected to the buss bars without wired connections therebetween.

17. The battery module of claim 15, wherein the module controller includes a circuit board and voltage signal contacts extending therefrom, the voltage signal contacts being terminated to corresponding buss bars.

18. The battery module of claim 15, wherein the battery cover includes a housing mounted directly to tops of the battery cells and a lid coupled to the housing, the housing having a slot with the module controller received in the slot, the lid covering the slot, module controller and buss bars.

19. The battery module of claim 15, wherein the gas vent manifold comprises a tunnel, each of the gas pressure valves being open to the tunnel.

20. The battery module of claim 15, wherein the battery cover includes a housing having a top and a bottom, the module controller being arranged along the top, the bottom resting on the battery cells, the housing including a tunnel routed below the module controller, the tunnel being opened to the gas pressure valves.