Swappable, configurable and structural battery pack for electric vehicles

• US 9,461,284 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2013
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tata Technologies, Pte. Ltd. (Tata Technologies Ltd. (India))
• Original Assignee: Tata Technologies, Pte. Ltd. (Tata Technologies Ltd. (India))
• Inventors: Donato, John, Power, Kevin, Jones, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): EBNER, KATY MEYER
• Application Number:
  US13/739,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20130177795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/227 Organic material
• 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 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• 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 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49115 including coating or impregnating

Abstract

An apparatus for swappable battery packaging for electric vehicle, the apparatus is contributing for dual purpose of protecting the batteries and providing contribution to the overall structural performance of the vehicle. The apparatus offer self repairable battery packing system to even a novice user thereof, offering each of replacement or recharging operations.

Claims

1. An apparatus for battery packaging for an electric vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of battery modules, each of the plurality of battery modules comprising a first electrical receptacle at bottom thereof;

a housing commensurating with geometry of the plurality of battery modules, wherein the housing is adapted to compactly accommodate the plurality of battery modules;

an internal base surface of the housing covered with an electro-mechanical insulator and comprising a pair of bus bars mounted thereon, wherein the electro-mechanical insulator is adapted to extend electrical contacts to the first electrical receptacle of each of the battery modules;

a plurality of interlocking blocks affixed at an outer surface of at least one face of the housing, each interlocking block having a hole on the surface thereof;

a plurality of locator pins disposed on an adjoining vertical surface of the vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of locator pins is adapted to mechanically secure a corresponding interlocking block;

a slidable ratchet comprising a plurality of flat surfaces and a plurality of slidable depressions, wherein the slidable ratchet is disposed beneath the plurality of interlocking blocks upon engagement of each of the plurality of locator pins with a corresponding interlocking block to lock the corresponding interlocking block, wherein each of the plurality of interlocking blocks is locked between a flat surface of the plurality of flat surfaces and a corresponding locator pin; and

a second electrical receptacle extending from at least one surface of the housing for establishing an electrical connection with an electrical contact of the vehicle.

2. The apparatus for battery packaging according to claim 1, further comprising a lid for the housing attached using screws to secure the housing.

3. The apparatus for battery packaging according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cooling ports to cool the interior of the housing.

4. The apparatus for battery packaging according to claim 1, wherein the electro-mechanical insulator is manufactured from synthetic rubber.

5. The apparatus for battery packaging according to claim 1, wherein the housing is fabricated from molded reinforced plastic.

6. The apparatus for battery packaging according to claim 1, wherein the housing is fabricated from fiber glass filled polypropylene.

7. The apparatus for battery packaging according to claim 1, wherein the pair of bus bars is made of copper.