LAYERED BATTERY MODULE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY

• US 20150072174A1
• Filed: 03/31/2014
• Published: 03/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: DeKeuster, Richard M., Soleski, Edward J., Mack, Robert J., Houchin-Miller, Gary P., Cash, Stephen D., Johnson, Jack L., Winders, Lisa L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,711,778 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/7
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/02 to electric heating circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/14 to electric lighting circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/10 DC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/34 Cabin temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/26 Transition between different drive modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/20 Inrush current reduction, i.e. avoiding high currents when connecting the battery
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/12 Recording operating variables ; Monitoring of operating variables
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• 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 58/15 : Preventing overcharging
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 : having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/24 : for controlling the temperature of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 : by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 : for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/033 : characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries for propulsion puposes B60K1/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06; testing of charge state G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3835 : involving only voltage measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 : Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 : Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 47/325 : by switching regulator
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0413 : Large-sized flat cells or batteries for motive or stationary systems with plate-like electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/058 : Construction or manufacture
• 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 10/4257 : Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 : for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 : for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6551 : Surfaces specially adapted for heat dissipation or radiation, e.g. fins or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4271 : Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 : Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/103 : Fuse
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 : Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 : Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/661 : Metal or alloys, e.g. alloy coatings H01M4/669 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/665 : Composites
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/20 : Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders structural combination of accumulators with charging apparatus H01M10/46
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 : adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/264 : for cells or batteries, e.g. straps, tie rods or peripheral frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 : Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/287 : Fixing of circuit boards to lids or covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/291 : characterised by their shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/30 : Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/308 : Detachable arrangements, e.g. detachable vent plugs or plug systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/342 : Non-re-sealable arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/35 : Gas exhaust passages comprising elongated, tortuous or labyrinth-shaped exhaust passages
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/358 : External gas exhaust passages located on the battery cover or case
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/367 : Internal gas exhaust passages forming part of the battery cover or case; Double cover vent systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/50 : Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/502 : Interconnectors for connecting terminals of adjacent batteries; Interconnectors for connecting cells outside a battery casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/507 : comprising an arrangement of two or more busbars within a container structure, e.g. busbar modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/528 : Fixed electrical connections, i.e. not intended for disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/529 : Intercell connections through partitions, e.g. in a battery casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/543 : Terminals
• 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: H01M 50/571 : Methods or arrangements for affording protection against corrosion; Selection of materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/572 : Means for preventing undesired use or discharge
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/583 : in response to current, e.g. fuses
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/597 : Protection against reversal of polarity
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/716 : Coupling device provided on the PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/18 : for batteries; for accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0218 : by printed shielding conductors, ground planes or power plane H05K1/0236 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0262 : Arrangements for regulating voltages or for using plural voltages
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0263 : High current adaptations, e.g. printed high current conductors or using auxiliary non-printed means; Fine and coarse circuit patterns on one circuit board H05K1/0293 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0298 : Multilayer circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/18 : Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components H05K1/0201, H05K1/023, H05K1/0243, and H05K1/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0715 : provided by an outer layer of PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09327 : Special sequence of power, ground and signal layers in multilayer PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10492 : Electrically connected to another device mounted components directly electrically connected to each other H05K2201/1053
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/1053 : Mounted components directly electrically connected to each other, i.e. not via the PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10545 : Related components mounted on both sides of the PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/32 : electrically connecting electric components or wires to printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 : Electric battery cell making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4911 : including sealing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49114 : including adhesively bonding

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a battery module for use in a vehicle is presented. The method may include disposing battery cells into a lower housing and disposing a lid assembly over the battery cells. The lid assembly may include a lid and bus bar interconnects disposed on the lid. The method may also include disposing a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly onto the lid assembly and electrically coupling portions of the lid assembly, portions of the PCB assembly, and the battery cells to each other.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a battery module for use in a vehicle, comprising:

disposing a plurality of battery cells into a lower housing;

disposing a lid assembly over the plurality of battery cells in the lower housing, wherein the lid assembly comprises a lid and a plurality of bus bar interconnects disposed on the lid;

disposing a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly onto the lid assembly; and

electrically coupling portions of the lid assembly, portions of the PCB assembly, and the plurality of battery cells to each other.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising disposing the plurality of battery cells into a plurality of slots formed in the lower housing.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising disposing the plurality of battery cells into the plurality of slots via pick-and-place machinery.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

disposing an adapter onto a first terminal on each of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the adapter is configured to transition an electrical connection from a first material to a second material; and

disposing the lid assembly over the adapter on the first terminal to electrically couple the first terminal made of the first material to one of the plurality of bus bar interconnects made of the second material.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising electrically coupling the plurality of battery cells together by coupling each of the plurality of bus bar interconnects to battery terminals of two adjacent battery cells of the plurality of battery cells.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising assembling the lid assembly, wherein assembling the lid assembly comprises mounting the plurality of bus bar interconnects onto the lid.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein assembling the lid assembly comprises coupling a vent guide to the lid, wherein the vent guide is configured to direct gases vented from the plurality of battery cells out of the battery module.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising coupling the lid to the lower housing via an attachment feature on the lid configured to interface with a feature on the lower housing.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising coupling a plurality of voltage sense connection tabs onto a PCB to form the PCB assembly, and disposing the PCB assembly over the lid assembly such that each of the plurality of voltage sense connection tabs contacts a corresponding one of the plurality of bus bar interconnects of the lid assembly.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the PCB assembly comprises a PCB and a high current interconnect mounted onto the PCB.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising:

disposing an upward facing blade component on the lid assembly;

disposing the PCB assembly onto the lid assembly such that the upward facing blade component is disposed in a first pocket of the high current interconnect; and

disposing a downward facing blade component onto the PCB assembly such that the downward facing blade component is disposed in a second pocket of the high current interconnect, wherein the first and second pockets face opposite each other.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein electrically coupling portions of the lid assembly, portions of the PCB assembly, and the plurality of battery cells to each other comprises laser welding each of the plurality of bus bar interconnects to a terminal of a corresponding one of the plurality of battery cells and laser welding voltage sense connection tabs of the PCB assembly onto the bus bar interconnects.

13. The method of claim 1, comprising coupling a cover to the lower housing to hermetically seal the battery module.

14. A battery module comprising:

a lower housing;

a plurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled together to produce a voltage;

a lid assembly disposed over the battery cells and coupled to the lower housing, wherein the lid assembly comprises a lid and a plurality of bus bar interconnects mounted on the lid;

a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly disposed on and coupled to the lid assembly, wherein the PCB assembly comprises a PCB; and

a cover disposed over and coupled to the lower housing to hermetically seal the battery module.

15. The battery module of claim 14, wherein the plurality of bus bar interconnects are each electrically coupled between terminals of adjacent battery cells of the plurality of battery cells to produce the voltage across the plurality of battery cells.

16. The battery module of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells comprises a first terminal made of a first material and a second terminal made of a second material, and wherein each of the plurality of bus bar interconnects is configured to electrically couple adjacent battery cells of the plurality of battery cells and to facilitate a transition from the first material to the second material.

17. The battery module of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells comprises a first terminal made of a first material and a second terminal made of a second material, and wherein the battery module comprises a plurality of adapters coupled to the corresponding first terminals on the plurality of battery cells, wherein the adapters are configured to facilitate a transition from the first material to the second material.

18. The battery module of claim 14, wherein the lid assembly further comprises a vent guide configured to route gases vented from the plurality of battery cells out of the battery module.

19. The battery module of claim 14, wherein the PCB assembly comprises a high current interconnect for mechanically and electrically coupling an upward facing bladed component disposed beneath the PCB with a downward facing bladed component disposed above the PCB.

20. The battery module of claim 14, wherein the PCB assembly comprises a voltage sense connection tab mounted to the PCB and configured to electrically couple one of the plurality of bus bar interconnects with a voltage lead on the PCB.

21. The battery module of claim 14, wherein the PCB comprises a multi-layered PCB comprising:

circuitry disposed on at least one internal layer of the multi-layered PCB;

a first external ground cage layer as a first external layer of the multi-layered PCB; and

a second external ground cage layer as a second external layer of the multi-layered PCB.

22. A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly for use in a vehicle battery module, comprising:

a PCB configured to be layered over a plurality of battery cells in the vehicle battery module, wherein the PCB comprises;

a distributed power layer;

a distributed ground layer;

one or more signal layers disposed between the distributed power layer and the distributed ground layer, wherein all circuit signals are routed on the one or more signal layers;

a first external ground cage layer disposed on a side of the distributed power layer opposite the one or more signal layers; and

a second external ground cage layer disposed on a side of the distributed ground layer opposite the one or more signal layers;

wherein the first and second external ground cage layers are configured to shield the circuit signals routed throughout the PCB from electrical noise from the plurality of battery cells.

23. The PCB assembly of claim 22, wherein the PCB comprises circuitry including a power component disposed on an outer surface of the one or more signal layers facing the distributed power layer, and a ground component disposed on an outer surface of the one or more signal layers facing the distributed ground layer.

24. A battery module comprising:

a multi-layered printed circuit board (PCB) comprising;

circuitry disposed on at least one internal layer of the multi-layered PCB;

a first external ground cage layer forming a first external layer of the multi-layered PCB; and

a second external ground cage layer forming a second external layer of the multi-layered PCB;

wherein the first and second external ground cage layers are configured to shield the circuitry from electrical noise.

25. The battery module of claim 24, wherein the multi-layered PCB is not disposed within a separate housing disposed in the battery module.