Modular battery system having battery monitoring and data collection

• US 8,237,400 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2010
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Cobasys LLC (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Gamboa, Paul, Kopera, John J. C., Millon, Christopher Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US12/802,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20100301807A1
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/116, 320/117, 320/126, 320/134, 320/118, 320/119, 320/120, 320/122, 320/124, 320/125, 320/127
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/24 for controlling the temperature of 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 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/63 Control systems charging or discharging in response to temperature H01M10/44 , H01M10/443; measurement of temperature H01M10/48 , H01M10/486
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6563 with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/258 Modular batteries; Casings provided with means for assembling
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• 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 50/51 Connection only in series
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/512 Connection only in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/522 Inorganic material
• 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 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a modular battery system having at least one subsystem comprising a plurality of battery modules connected in series or parallel, wherein each subsystem preferably having a first endplate and a second endplate. The battery modules may be bound between the first and second endplates. A plurality of band members couple the first and second endplates to each other and bind the battery module between the endplates. Further, a data collection panel is in electrical communication with each of the battery modules and the data collection panel transmits status information of the modules to a master control module, which converts the electrical into a data transmission through a controller area network (CAN) bus. Status information may include module temperature, module pressure and module voltage, essentially any measurable parameter that may be conducted via an electrical signal. Depending on the needs of a given application, the battery modules may be connected in series or parallel.

Claims

1. A modular battery system comprising:

a first subsystem having a first plurality of battery modules, a first endplate and a second endplate, said first plurality of battery modules bound between said first and second endplates; and

a first interconnect plate having integrated module terminal connectors in direct electrical communication with respective terminals of each of said first plurality of battery modules in said first subsystem, said first interconnect plate, based on said direct electrical communication, transmitting status information of said first plurality of battery modules to a master control module and transferring electrical current from said first plurality of battery modules.

2. The modular battery system of claim 1, said first subsystem secured into a system housing, said system housing comprising a face plate, a back plate, a cover, a bottom, a first side panel and a second side panel and a plurality of band members coupling each of said first and second endplates to each other and binding said first plurality of battery modules of said first subsystem between the endplates.

3. The modular battery system of claim 2, wherein said first interconnect plate transfers plates electrical current from said first plurality of battery modules to a positive terminal and from a negative terminal, said modular battery system further comprising:

a second subsystem a second interconnect plate, and a second plurality of battery modules; and

a mid interconnect plate, said first and second interconnect plates transmitting status information of said first and second pluralities of battery modules, respectively, via electrical signals to said mid interconnect plate and said first and second interconnect plates transmitting said electrical signals to said master control module.

4. The modular battery system of claim 3, further comprising at least one temperature sensor integrated into each of said first and second interconnect plates, said status information comprising at least module temperature and module voltage.

5. The modular battery system of claim 4, said master control module converting said electrical signals to data signals and said master control module controlling charge cycle of said first and second pluralities of battery modules and collecting said status information.

6. The modular battery system of claim 5, further comprising a controller area network bus communication connector in data communication with said master control module, said controller area network bus communication connector adapted to relay said status information and load software parameters into said master control module.

7. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising a diode in electrical communication with said positive terminal, said diode providing power availability for discharge.

8. The modular battery system of claim 6, said system housing further comprising a ground stud electrical grounding of the system housing.

9. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising a current sensor, said current sensor detecting current flow into and out of said first and second subsystems and said current sensor in data communication with said master control module.

10. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising a fan integrated into said back plate, said fan adapted draw air into contact with said first and second subsystems for cooling, said fan actuate by said master control module.

11. The modular battery system of claim 10, further comprising at least one air grate integrated into said face plate, said fan drawing air into said housing through said air grates.

12. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising an integral temperature sensor, said integral temperature sensor in data communication with said master control module.

13. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising a diode, said diode blocks charge current and ensures the constant availability of power for discharge.

14. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising at least one relay in electrical communication with the positive terminal and at least one relay in electrical communication with the negative terminal, each of said relays in data communication with the master control module and said relays controlling charge current of each of said first and second pluralities of battery modules.

15. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising a fuse, said fuse providing short circuit protection.

16. The modular battery system of claim 6, wherein said first plurality of battery modules are connected in series and said second plurality of battery modules are connected in series.

17. The modular battery system of claim 6, wherein said first plurality of battery modules are connected in parallel and said second plurality of battery modules are connected in parallel.