Battery pack with integral cooling and bussing devices

• US 7,531,270 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2007
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EnerDel, Inc. (Ener1, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EnerDel, Inc. (Ener1, Inc.)
• Inventors: Silk, Bruce J., Fattig, Robert N., Buck, Derrick Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuan; Dah-Wei D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Laios; Maria J
• Application Number:
  US11/748,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20080090137A1
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 429/120, 429/99, 429/100, 429/123, 429151-154, 29730-731, 296231-6235
• US Class Current: 429/120
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0481 Compression means other than compression means for stacks of electrodes and separators
• 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 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/615 Heating or keeping warm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/647 Prismatic or flat cells, e.g. pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6551 Surfaces specially adapted for heat dissipation or radiation, e.g. fins or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6555 arranged between the cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/656 characterised by the type of heat-exchange fluid
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6571 Resistive heaters arrangements for heating the battery by its resistance to the internal current H01M10/637
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/658 by thermal insulation or shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/211 adapted for pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/227 Organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/242 adapted for protecting batteries against vibrations, collision impact or swelling
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/264 for cells or batteries, e.g. straps, tie rods or peripheral frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/291 characterised by their shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/293 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/503 characterised by the shape of the interconnectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/522 Inorganic material
• 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: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 : Electric battery cell making

Abstract

A battery module of the present invention is adaptable to be utilized in various configurations including and not limited to an overlapping battery cell packaging configuration and a vertical stack battery cell packaging configuration used in an automotive vehicle. The battery module has a plurality of battery heatsink assemblies with the cells disposed therebetween. A plurality of rods extend through the each heatsink assemblies to secure the heatsink assemblies and the cell with one another to form the battery module.

Claims

1. A battery assembly for a vehicle having a device for introducing fluid therein thereby affecting temperature of said battery assembly, said battery assembly presenting at least one battery pack comprising:

a plurality of prismatic cells having side edges;

a plurality of heat transfer elements extending between said prismatic cells with each heat transfer element presenting terminal ends and thermal transfer edges with at least one of said thermal transfer edges of extending beyond said edges of said prismatic cell with said heat transfer elements and said prismatic cells being removeably interconnected with one another thereby applying pressure to said prismatic cells; and

a mechanical connection between said prismatic cells and said heat transfer elements defined by a first bend extending from one of said side edges of each said prismatic cell and a second bend extending from said side edge of each said prismatic cell extending in an opposite direction from said first bend with said first bend of each of said prismatic cells engaging one of said terminal ends of one of said heat transfer elements and said second bend of each of said prismatic cells engaging said terminal end of another said heat transfer element with each said first bends connecting with one another and each said second bends connecting with one another.

2. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mechanical connection is further defined by said first bend presenting a negative terminal of said prismatic cell and said second bend presenting a positive terminal of said prismatic cell with said prismatic cell being a lithium ion cell.

3. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein each said heat transfer element is further defined by a heat sink assembly having a plate formed from at least one of thermally conductive materials with said plate defining said thermal transfer edges and said terminal ends.

4. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein each said plate defines a cut out portion and a spacer engaging said cut out portions.

5. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 4 including brackets each disposed in each of said cut out portions with one of said brackets including at least one stud extending therefrom and the other of said brackets includes at least one concave portion to receive a sensor for sensing temperature of said prismatic cells.

6. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 5 including a pair of terminal plates engaging said heat transfer elements with said prismatic cells disposed therebetween to form said battery pack.

7. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 6 including a power circuit buss connected to each of said negative terminals and said positive terminals and extending to a positive extremity and a negative extremity.

8. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 7 including a plurality of segments connected to said studs extending from said brackets for forcing said power circuit buss to said positive terminals and said negative terminals.

9. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 8 including a housing having a first portion for supporting said battery packs and a second portion for enclosing said battery packs.

10. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said housing and said brackets are formed from a polymeric material.

11. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said plates includes a plurality of holes and a plurality of rods extending therethrough to interconnect said heat sink assembly with said prismatic cells disposed between said plates thereby applying pressure to said prismatic cells and retaining said prismatic cells between said plates.

12. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second bends presents an L-shaped configuration defining an angle of at least ninety degrees and at least one of circular openings and semi-circular openings defined therein to receive said at least one stud extending from said bracket as said prismatic cells are assembled with said spacers.

13. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said terminal edges of each said plate presents a corrugated configuration.

14. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said terminal edges of each said plate presents a hook.

15. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said terminal edges of each said plate presents a plurality of tabs bent beyond said plate thereby forming a plurality of U-shaped gates.

16. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said terminal edges of each said plate presents a plurality of holes formed therein.

17. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said battery assembly includes at least one member connecting said battery packs with one another with said at least one member presenting a stress relief element for reducing stress of said battery packs as the vehicle is in motion.

18. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a foam disposed inside said housing and covering said battery packs to expose said at least one of said terminal edges of said heat transfer elements beyond said foam and exposed by said housing to receive at least one of cooling fluid and heating fluid thereby heating and cooling said prismatic cells.

19. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 1 including at least one of a current sensor, a power contractor, a pair of power bus bars each connected to said battery packs, a battery electronic controller, a power contractor, a short circuit protection, a pre-charge circuit.

20. A method of forming a battery assembly having a plurality of battery packs for a vehicle having a device for introducing fluid therein thereby affecting temperature of the battery assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

placing a plurality of prismatic cells having side edges between a plurality of heat transfer elements extending between the prismatic cells with each heat transfer element presenting terminal edges and terminal sides with at least one of the terminal edges extending beyond the edges of the cell;

removably connecting the heat transfer elements and the prismatic cells with one another to at least increase and decrease the size of the battery pack and to apply pressure to the prismatic cells; and

forming a mechanical connection between the prismatic cells and the heat transfer elements by extending a first bend from one of the side edges of each prismatic cell and extending a second bend from another side edge of each prismatic cell in an opposite direction from the first bend;

engaging the first bend of each prismatic cell with one of the terminal ends of one of the heat transfer elements and engaging the second bend of each prismatic cell with the terminal end of another heat transfer element.

21. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of forming each heat transfer element in the shape of a plate from at least one of heat insulating material and heat absorbing material with the plate defining the terminal edges and the terminal sides.

22. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of forming a cut out portions at each terminal end of the plate.

23. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of connecting a bracket to each cut out portion.

24. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of extending a pair of studs from one of the brackets.

25. A method as set froth in claim 20 including the step of forming at least one concave portion in another of the brackets to receive a sensor for sensing temperature of the prismatic cells.

26. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the step of extending each of the first and second bends is further defined by forming the first and second bends in an L-shaped configuration to define an angle of at least ninety degrees and forming at least one of circular openings and semi-circular openings in each of the first and second bends to receive at least one stud extending from the bracket.

27. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of forming a plurality of holes in each heat transfer element to insert a plurality of rods therethrough to interconnect the heat transfer element with the prismatic cells disposed between the heat transfer element to apply pressure to the prismatic cells and to retain the prismatic cells between the heat transfer element.

28. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of forming at least one of the terminal edges of each heat transfer element in at least one corrugated, hooked, tabbed, planar configurations.

29. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of connecting at least one member to the battery packs with said at least one member presenting a stress relief element to reduce stress of the battery packs as the vehicle is in motion.

30. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of connecting a pair of terminal plates to engage the heat transfer element with the prismatic cells disposed therebetween to form the battery pack.

31. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of connecting a circuit bus to each of the negative terminals and the positive terminals and extending to a positive extremity and a negative extremity.

32. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of connecting a plurality of segments to the studs extending from the brackets to force the circuit bus to the positive terminals and the negative terminals.

33. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of forming a housing having a first portion to support at least one of the battery packs and a second portion to enclose at least one of the battery packs.

34. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of injecting a foam inside the housing and covering the battery packs to expose at least one of the terminal edges of the heat transfer elements beyond the foam and exposed by the housing to receive at least one of cooling fluid and heating fluid thereby heating and cooling the prismatic cells.

35. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of connecting to the battery pack at least one of a current sensor, a power contractor, a pair of power bus bars each connected to said battery packs, a battery electronic controller, a power contractor, a short circuit protection, a pre-charge circuit.

36. A battery assembly for a vehicle having a device for introducing fluid therein thereby affecting temperature of said battery assembly, said battery assembly comprising:

a pair of battery packs each having a plurality of prismatic cells having side edges and a plurality of spacers extending between said prismatic cells with each spacer presenting terminal edges and terminal sides with at least one of said terminal edges of said spacers extending beyond said edges of said prismatic cells with said spacers and said prismatic cells being removeably and mechanically interconnected with one another thereby applying pressure to said prismatic cells;

a mechanical connection defined by a first bend presenting a negative terminal of said prismatic cell and a second bend presenting a positive terminal of said prismatic cell with said prismatic cell being a lithium ion cell, each said spacer is further defined by a plate from at least one of heat insulating material and heat absorbing material with said plate defining said terminal edges and said terminal sides, each terminal end of said spacer is further defined by a cut out portion and a bracket engaging said cut out portion, one of said brackets including at least one stud extending therefrom and the other of said brackets including at least one concave portion to receive a sensor for sensing temperature of said prismatic cells; and

at least one member connecting said battery packs with one another with said at least one member presenting a stress relief element for reducing stress of said battery packs as the vehicle is in motion.

37. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 36 wherein said at least one member is further defined by an electrical bussing member connecting said battery packs with one another with said at least one member presenting said stress relief element for reducing stress of said battery packs as the vehicle is in motion.

38. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 36 wherein said at least one member presents a flat member including said stressed relief element disposed therein.

39. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 38 including at least two of said flat members.

40. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 39 wherein said flat member is formed from at least one of metallic and non metallic materials.

41. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 36 wherein each of said first and second bends presents an L-shaped configuration defining an angle of at least ninety degrees and at least one of circular openings and semi-circular openings defined therein to receive said at least one stud extending from said bracket as said prismatic cells are assembled with said spacers.

42. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 36 wherein each of said spacers includes a plurality of holes and a plurality of rods extending therethrough to interconnect said spacers with said prismatic cells disposed between said spacer thereby applying pressure to said prismatic cells and retaining said prismatic cells between said spacers.

43. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 36 including a circuit bus connected to each of said negative terminals and said positive terminals and extending to a positive extremity and a negative extremity.

44. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 36 including a housing having a first portion for supporting said battery packs and a second portion for enclosing said battery packs and a foam disposed inside said housing and covering said battery packs to expose said at least one of said terminal edges of said spacers beyond said foam and exposed by said housing to receive at least one of cooling fluid and heating fluid thereby heating and cooling said prismatic cells.

45. A battery assembly as set forth in claim 36 including at least one of a current sensor, a power contractor, a pair of power bus bars each connected to said battery packs, a battery electronic controller, a power contractor, a short circuit protection, a pre-charge circuit.

46. A battery assembly for a vehicle having a device for introducing fluid therein thereby affecting temperature of said battery assembly, said battery assembly comprising:

at least one battery pack;

a plurality of prismatic lithium cells of said at least one battery pack, each prismatic lithium cell having side edges and first and second bends presents an L-shaped configuration defining an angle of at least ninety degrees and extending from said side edges in opposite directions and at least one of circular openings and semi-circular openings defined in each of said first and second bends;

a plurality of spacers extending between said prismatic lithium cells with each spacer presenting terminal ends and terminal edges with at least one of said terminal edges of said spacers extending beyond said side edges of said prismatic lithium cell with said spacers and said prismatic lithium cells being removable interconnected with one another thereby applying pressure to said prismatic lithium cells;

each said spacer defined by a plate from at least one of heat insulating material and heat absorbing material with said plate defining said terminal edges and said terminal sides wherein at least one of said terminal edges of said spacer presents a corrugated configuration wherein at least one of said terminal edges of said spacer presents a hook;

a cut out portion defined in each terminal end of said spacer;

a pair bracket engaging said cut out portions of each said spacer wherein one of said brackets includes at least one stud extending therefrom and the other of said brackets includes at least one concave portion to receive a sensor for sensing temperature of said prismatic lithium cells;

each of said spacers includes a plurality of holes and a plurality of rods extending therethrough to interconnect said spacers with said prismatic cells disposed between said spacer thereby applying pressure to said prismatic cells and retaining said prismatic cells between said spacers;

at least one stud extending from at least one of said brackets to engage said at least one of said receive said at least one of circular openings and semi-circular openings defined in each of said first and second bends as said prismatic lithium cells are assembled with said spacers whereby one of said bends extending from one of said side edges of each said prismatic lithium cell and another bend extending from another side edge of each said prismatic lithium cell in an opposite direction with said bend of each of said prismatic lithium cells engaging one of said terminal ends of one of said spacers and said another bends of each of said prismatic lithium cells engaging terminal end of another said spacer;

at least one member connecting said battery packs with one another with said at least one member presenting a stress relief element for reducing stress of said battery packs as the vehicle is in motion;

a pair of terminal plates engaging said spacers with said prismatic cells disposed therebetween to form said battery pack;

a circuit bus connected to each of said negative terminals and said positive terminals and extending to a positive extremity and a negative extremity;

a plurality of segments connected to said studs extending from said brackets for forcing said circuit bus to said positive terminals and said negative terminals;

a housing formed from a polymeric material, said housing having a first portion for supporting said battery packs and a second portion for enclosing said battery packs;

a foam disposed inside said housing and covering said battery packs to expose said at least one of said terminal edges of said spacers beyond said foam and exposed by said housing to receive at least one of cooling fluid and heating fluid thereby heating and cooling said prismatic cells; and

at least one of a current sensor, a power contractor, a pair of power bus bars each connected to said battery packs, a battery electronic controller, a power contractor, a short circuit protection, a pre-charge circuit presenting operative communication with one another and said prismatic cells and said spacers.