Device for making rapid connections and disconnections between high voltage battery modules and other motor vehicle systems

• US 8,795,876 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Issued: 08/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EMatrix Energy Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: ALTe Powertrain Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Thomas, John D., Thai-Tang, Nam-Huan, Harrison, Albert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): SIDDIQUEE, MUHAMMAD S
• Application Number:
  US12/889,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20110070475A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,411 Days
• Field of Search: 294/28, 429/120, 429/121, 429/99, 429/159, 180/65.1, 180/65.21, 180/65.29
• US Class Current: 429/159
• 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 58/26 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/27 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/65 Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/656 characterised by the type of heat-exchange fluid
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• 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 50/249 specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A battery module for a vehicle comprises a first portion adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and a second portion mounted to a battery box. A first pair of high voltage electrical connectors is mounted to the first portion and a second pair of high voltage electrical connectors are mounted to the second portion. The first pair of high voltage electrical connectors are configured to mate with the second pair of high voltage electrical connectors. Additionally, a first general electrical connector is mounted to the first portion of the battery box and a second general electrical connector is mounted to the second portion of the battery box. The first general electrical connector is configured to mate with the second general electrical connector.

Claims

1. A method of connecting a battery module to a vehicle comprising:

aligning a first portion of the battery module and a second portion of the battery module such that a first locator on the first portion of the battery module is aligned with a corresponding second locator on the second portion of the battery module;

moving the second portion of the battery module toward the first portion of the battery module; and

applying pressure to the second portion of the battery module for

securing the second portion of the battery module to the first portion of the battery module by;

mating a first pair of high voltage electrical connectors with a second pair of high voltage electrical connectors, and

mating a first general electrical connector with a second general electrical connector, wherein the applying pressure to the second portion of the battery module

step further comprises;

applying pressure until a first pair of fluid connectors mate with a second pair of fluid connectors; and

activating a solenoid actuator operably connected to the second pair of fluid connectors for

releasing a mechanical lock associated with the second pair of fluid connectors when pressure is applied to the second portion of the battery module for

mating the first pair of fluid connectors with the second pair of fluid connectors;

further comprising the step of

connecting the solenoid actuator to an actuator link;

movably-arranging the actuator link within an actuator guide for effecting translating movement of the actuator link to a pair of sliding sleeves arranged on the second pair of fluid connectors relative to a main body of the second pair of fluid connectors for executing the activating step; and

releasing the mechanical lock.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the activating the solenoid actuator step occurs upon

contacting the second pair of high voltage electrical connectors with the first pair of high voltage electrical connectors.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

utilizing a proximity sensor for

indicating that the first pair of fluid connectors and the second pair of fluid connectors are fully engaged with one another for

de-activating the solenoid actuator.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

arranging the solenoid actuator within the second portion of the battery module.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein after the step of mating the first pair of high voltage electrical connectors with the second pair of high voltage connectors and before the step of activating the solenoid actuator, further comprising the step of:

sending a signal to the solenoid actuator to actuate the second pair of fluid connectors.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

arranging the mechanical lock within the main body of the second pair of fluid connectors, wherein the lock includes a pair of spring-loaded ball bearings arranged within the main body of the second pair of fluid connectors.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of:

deactivating the solenoid actuator for causing the spring-loaded ball bearings to engage a groove formed by the first pair of fluid connectors.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of:

actuating the solenoid actuator for causing the spring-loaded ball bearings to disengage a groove formed by the first pair of fluid connectors.