System for providing structural integrity of a battery module

• US 9,608,245 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2014
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: DeKeuster, Richard M., Mack, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cantelmo, Gregg
• Application Number:
  US14/501,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20160093850A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• 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 2001/0411 Arrangement in the front part of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• 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: B60Y 2306/01 Reducing damages in case of crash, e.g. by improving battery protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2410/10 Housings
• 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 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/00 Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• 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 50/271 Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/505 comprising a single busbar
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A battery module includes a housing configured to receive a plurality of electrochemical cells, a skeletal frame coupled with the housing, and a framework disposed proximate to the skeletal frame. Moreover, the framework is substantially aligned with the skeletal frame and configured to transfer a force applied to the framework to the skeletal frame.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of electrochemical cells positioned in the housing, each electrochemical cell of the plurality of electrochemical cells having a respective terminal end at which at least one terminal is located;

a skeletal frame coupled with the housing at the terminal ends of the plurality of electrochemical cells; and

a framework disposed proximate to the skeletal frame such that the skeletal frame is positioned between the terminal ends of the electrochemical cells and the framework, wherein the framework is substantially aligned with the skeletal frame and configured to transfer a force applied to the framework to the skeletal frame, and wherein the framework is formed from a material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the skeletal frame.

2. The battery module of claim 1 comprising a panel coupled to the housing, wherein the framework is integrally formed in the panel.

3. The battery module of claim 1 comprising a front cover disposed proximate to the framework, wherein the front cover is configured to enclose the framework within the battery module.

4. The battery module of claim 1 comprising a carrier having a plurality of bus bars integrated thereon, the carrier being configured to position the plurality of bus bars over the terminal ends of the plurality of electrochemical cells to facilitate electrical connection between the plurality of electrochemical cells, wherein the framework is integrally formed with the carrier.

5. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the framework is positioned within a gap formed between the skeletal frame and a front side of the housing.

6. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the framework is formed from an elastomer, a polymer, a metal, or a combination thereof.

7. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the framework is configured to deform while enclosed within the housing.

8. The battery module of claim 1 comprising a cage configured to surround the housing, wherein the cage is configured to block the housing from external forces.

9. The battery module of claim 8, wherein the cage is configured to couple to the housing and aligned to transfer force to the skeletal frame.

10. The battery module of claim 8, wherein the cage comprises a crush assembly configured to deform when acted upon by a sufficient force, such that the energy from the sufficient force is substantially isolated from the housing.

11. The battery module of claim 2 comprising a housing lip extending beyond a front side of the housing and configured to couple to the panel.

12. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the skeletal frame is configured to provide structural support to the plurality of electrochemical cells.