Battery system, housing and vehicle including battery system

• US 9,472,791 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2012
• Issued: 10/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Ojeda, Peter A., Leonard, Michael W., Gamache, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): EBNER, KATY MEYER
• Application Number:
  US13/571,220
• Publication Number:
  US 20130037336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,531 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.5, 429/99, 429/100, 429/148
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: B60K 2001/0422 Arrangement under the front seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0466 from above
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/23 Ridable golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/91 Electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/12 Construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• 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 50/278 Organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/502 Interconnectors for connecting terminals of adjacent batteries; Interconnectors for connecting cells outside a battery casing
• 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: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A battery system for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The battery system includes a tray having a plurality of battery receptacles. A plurality of batteries are also provided, each battery in the plurality of batteries being received in a battery receptacle. A conductive layer in electrical communication with the plurality of batteries and a terminal for electrically coupling to a vehicle are also provided in the battery system. A cover interlocks with the tray. The cover carries a computer and a diagnostic identification system for the plurality of batteries. A housing for a battery system and a vehicle including a battery system are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A battery system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a tray having a plurality of battery receptacles;

an area of clearance provided below the tray;

a plurality of batteries, each battery in the plurality of batteries received in a battery receptacle from the plurality of receptacles;

a one-piece conductive layer in electrical communication with each battery of the plurality of batteries and a terminal for electrically coupling to a vehicle, wherein the conductive layer includes coupling elements interspersed on the conductive layer and connected for a desired battery configuration so as to make all electrical contacts with the plurality of batteries; and

a cover which interlocks with the tray above or within the area of clearance, the cover having a leg which extends and couples to the tray, the cover carrying a computer, electrical access to the terminal, and a diagnostic identification system for the plurality of batteries;

wherein the tray has a side surface which defines the area of clearance below the tray, and the leg couples to the side surface.

2. The battery system of claim 1, further comprising a service panel on the cover having the terminal for electrically coupling the battery system to the vehicle and the diagnostic identification system.

3. The battery system of claim 1, further comprising a port for a fluid delivery system for the plurality of batteries of the battery system.

4. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the conductive layer is a wiring harness.

5. The conductive layer of claim 4, wherein the wiring harness comprises a single rigid connective structure having the plurality of coupling elements.

6. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the cover extends over a surface of the batteries.

7. The battery system of claim 1, wherein at least one battery receptacle has a respective aperture.

8. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the batteries are lead-acid batteries.

9. A vehicle having the battery system of claim 1.

10. The battery system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of batteries comprises more than two batteries.

11. A housing for a battery system comprising:

a tray having a plurality of receptacles sized to carry batteries, an area of clearance below the tray, wherein each receptacle from the plurality of receptacles has an aperture in the receptacle in direct communication with the area of clearance below the tray; and

a cover which interlocks with the tray above or within the area of clearance, the cover having a leg which extends and couples to the tray;

wherein the tray has a side surface which defines the area of clearance below the tray, and the leg couples to the side surface.

12. The battery system of claim 11, wherein the cover comprises a vehicle seat.

13. The housing of claim 11, wherein the tray has a frame and feet extending from the frame to form the area of clearance.

14. The housing of claim 11, wherein the leg has a flange which couples to a receptor on the tray.

15. The housing of claim 11, wherein the cover is coupled to the tray by a snap-fit arrangement.

16. The housing of claim 11, further comprising a service panel.