Battery system

• US 6,399,239 B2
• Filed: 01/18/1999
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Andrew, Michael G., Daley, James T., Bolstad, James J., Lenz, James A., Dougherty, Thomas J., Mrotek, Edward N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brouillette, Gabrielle
• Assistant Examiner(s): Crepeau, Jonathan
• Application Number:
  US09/232,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20010007727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 429/96, 429/97, 429/99, 429/100, 429/121, 429/123, 429/178, 429/179
• US Class Current: 429/100
• 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: B60R 16/04 Arrangement of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/06 Lead-acid accumulators semi-lead accumulators H01M10/20
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• 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: H01M 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/50 Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery system includes a battery with a pair of terminals extending from one side of the battery case, and a tray-like battery holder. The terminals have hollow sockets inserted therein which are engaged by posts extending from conductive plugs that extend through an end wall of the holder. A threaded connection is formed in the plug and opens to the outside of the holder. Alignment posts are formed in the holder to be disposed within cylindrical wells in the bottom of the battery case and ensure proper alignment of the battery in the holder. A hinged latch is formed in the holder and engages a projection on the battery case. When in place in the holder, the battery case rests on resilient pads located on a floor of the holder.

Claims

1. A battery system comprising a battery and a battery holder wherein:

the battery has a case with extensions protruding outwardly from an end wall in which are disposed terminals that include hollow sockets;

the holder has a releasable latch that engages with a protection on the battery case; and

the holder has conductive plugs for connection to wires and which include posts that are received in the sockets when the battery is inserted into the holder.

2. The battery system of claim 1 wherein the holder is a tray, the plugs extend through one end wall of the tray, and the latch is formed in an opposite end wall or the tray.

3. The battery system of claim 2 wherein the holder has a floor together with resilient pads mounted on the floor and supporting the battery case in the holder.

4. The battery system of claim 3 wherein the sockets are oriented with their longitudinal axes generally parallel to the end wall of the battery case and the posts extend normal to the floor of the tray.

5. The battery system of claim 2 wherein the plugs each have a threaded hole opening to the outside of the tray.

6. The battery system of claim 1 wherein the sockets are insert molded into the terminals.

7. A battery system comprising a battery and a battery holder wherein:

the battery has a case with terminal extensions in one or more sides of the case, each terminal extension mounting a terminal with a hollow socket;

the holder is in the form of a tray with a floor and upright sides, and terminal plugs are mounted in one or more sides of the tray and include posts that are received in the sockets; and

a latch which is mounted on the tray and releasably engages the battery case.

8. The battery system of claim 7 wherein the case is coupled to the holder when the latch is in a first position and the case is removable from the holder when the latch is in a second position.

9. The battery system of claim 8 wherein the latch is a living hinge.

10. The battery system of claim 8 wherein the latch is integral with the holder.

11. A battery holder for a battery having a terminal exterior to the battery housing and having a hollow socket in the terminal, said holder comprising:

a tray with a floor and upright sides; and

a conductive plug extending through one side of the tray, said plug having a post interior of the tray to receive the socket and a connection opening outside the tray for receiving a conductor wherein the axis of the post is perpendicular to the opening,

wherein another side of the tray has a latch to engage the battery housing.

12. The battery holder of claim 11 wherein the connection opening is threaded.

13. The battery holder of claim 11 further comprising resilient pads oil the floor upon which the battery can rest.

14. A battery having a battery case with a pair of terminal extensions protruding outwardly from a wall of the battery case in which are disposed terminals having hollow sockets, wherein the terminal extensions open to the outside of the battery case and toward the bottom of the battery case and to the outside of the battery case and toward the top of the battery case.

15. The battery of claim 14, wherein the sockets open to the top and the bottom of the battery case.

16. A battery having a battery case with a pair of terminal extensions protruding outwardly from a wall of the battery case in which are disposed terminals having hollow sockets, wherein the sockets open to the outside of the battery case and toward the top of the battery case and to the outside of the battery case and toward the bottom of the battery case.

17. The battery of claim 16 wherein the terminal extensions open to the bottom of the battery case.

18. The battery of claim 16 wherein the terminal extensions open to the top of the battery case.

19. A battery system comprising:

a battery including a case, at least one battery cell contained in the case, and a terminal integrally connected to at least one battery cell, the case including au extension protruding perpendicularly outwardly from an end wall of the case, the terminal including a hollow socket, the terminal being disposed in the extension such that the hollow socket opens generally parallel to the end wall of the case; and

a battery holder including a conductive plug for connection to a wire, the plug including a post configured for insertion in the socket when the battery is placed into the holder.

20. The battery system of claim 19 wherein:

the holder has a releasable latch that engages with a projection on the battery case.

21. The battery system of claim 20 wherein:

the holder is a tray,

the plugs extend through one end wall of the tray, and

the latch is formed in an opposite end wall of the tray.

22. A battery system comprising:

a battery including a case, at least one battery cell contained in the case, and a terminal exterior to the battery case, the terminal including a hollow socket; and

a battery holder including a tray and a conductive plug, the tray having a floor and side walls extending upwardly from the floor, the plug extending through one side of the tray, the plug including a connection opening outside the tray for receiving a conductor, the plug including a post interior to the side walls of the tray to receive the socket when the battery is placed in the holder, the axis of the post being perpendicular to the floor of the tray.

23. The battery system of claim 22 wherein:

the axis of the post is perpendicular to the connection opening.

24. The battery system of claim 23 wherein:

the connection opening is a threaded opening.

25. The battery system of claim 22 wherein:

another side of the tray has a latch to engage the battery case.

26. A battery for use with the electrical system of a vehicle comprising:

a battery case including;

an extension protruding from the case;

at least one battery cell in the case;

a terminal having a socket nested at least partially in the extension and integrally connected to the at least one battery cell;

a battery tray Including a latch selectively configurable between a first position for retaining the battery case and a second position for releasing the battery case and also including a mounting interface configured to engage the socket of the terminal.

27. The battery of claim 26 wherein:

the socket opens to the bottom of the case.

28. The battery of claim 27 wherein:

the socket opens to the top of the case.

29. The battery of claim 26 wherein the extension is perpendicular to an end wall of the case.

30. The battery of claim 29 wherein the socket opens parallel to the end wall of the case.

31. The battery of claim 30 wherein the mounting interface is a vertical post.

32. The battery of claim 31 wherein the socket is configured to receive the post.

33. The battery of claim 32 wherein the socket is follow.