Module for battery and/or other vehicle components

• US 20030047366A1
• Filed: 07/10/2002
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Di lulio, Dale S., Dougherty, Thomas J., Smith, Nels R., Andrew, Michael G., Andersen, Glenn W., Hansen, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US10/192,250
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047366A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/68.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/27 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/04 Arrangement of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/615 Heating or keeping warm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• 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 10/6562 with free flow by convection only
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6566 Means within the gas flow to guide the flow around one or more cells, e.g. manifolds, baffles or other barriers H01M10/6565 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6567 Liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6568 characterised by flow circuits, e.g. loops, located externally to the cells or cell casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/658 by thermal insulation or shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/663 the system being an air-conditioner or an engine
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/224 Metals
• 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 50/278 : Organic 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

Abstract

A module for use in a vehicle includes a first compartment for containing a battery and a second compartment contiguous to the first compartment for containing a liquid. The second compartment is configured to route the liquid between the second compartment and a vehicle subsystem.

Claims

1. A module for use in a vehicle comprising:

a first compartment for containing a battery; and

a second compartment contiguous to the first compartment for containing a liquid and configured for routing the liquid between the second compartment and a vehicle subsystem.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises at least one of radiator fluid, braking fluid, windshield washer fluid, and power steering fluid.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein the vehicle subsystem is a radiator.

4. The module of claim 1, wherein the vehicle subsystem is a windshield washer.

5. The module of claim 2, wherein the second compartment is configured to contain a pressurized liquid.

6. The module of claim 5, wherein the liquid provides for the transfer of heat between the first compartment and the second compartment.

7. The module of claim 6, further comprising a cover and a base, wherein the base comprises the first compartment and the second compartment.

8. The module of claim 7, wherein the cover includes a door coupled to the first compartment and selectively positionable between an opened position and a closed position relative to the base.

9. The module of claim 7, wherein the cover includes an aperture for introducing the liquid into the second compartment.

10. The module of claim 7, further comprising a harness for routing utilities.

11. The module of claim 7, wherein the second compartment includes at least one reinforcing element to provide strength to the second compartment.

12. The module of claim 11, wherein the second compartment includes a plurality of baffles arranged to form a plurality of cells.

13. The module of claim 12, wherein a plurality of the baffles having a cutout to allow liquid to flow between the plurality of cells.

14. The module of claim 7, wherein the first compartment includes a locking mechanism for retaining the battery.

15. The module of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a battery tray.

16. The module of claim 7, further comprising a third compartment contiguous to at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment for containing a second liquid and for routing the second liquid to a vehicle subsystem.

17. The module of claim 16, wherein the first compartment is provided intermediate the second compartment and the third compartment.

18. The module of claim 16, wherein the second compartment is provided intermediate the first compartment and the third compartment.

19. A heat exchange system for a vehicle battery comprising:

a first compartment for containing the vehicle battery;

a second compartment for containing a first fluid and coupled to the first compartment;

a third compartment for containing a second fluid and coupled to at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment;

wherein at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid provides for heat transfer between the first compartment and at least one of the second compartment and the third compartment.

20. The heat exchange system of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid is a liquid.

21. The heat exchange system of claim 20, wherein the liquid includes at least one of a windshield washer fluid, a braking fluid, a power steering fluid, and a radiator fluid.

22. The heat exchange system of claim 19, further comprising a cover coupled to the first compartment, the second compartment, and the third compartment.

23. The heat exchange system of claim 22, further comprising a vent in at least one of the first compartment and the cover.

24. The heat exchange system of claim 22, wherein the cover includes a battery cover segment and a fluid compartment segment, the battery cover segment coupled to the fluid compartment segment by a hinge.

25. The heat exchange system of claim 24, wherein the fluid compartment segment is relatively permanently attached to the second compartment and the third compartment.

26. The heat exchange system of claim 19, wherein the second compartment is configured to transfer heat from the second compartment to the vehicle battery.

27. The heat exchange system of claim 19, wherein the second compartment provides a heat sink for the vehicle battery.

28. A system for a vehicle battery comprising:

a base comprising;

means for containing the battery; and

means for containing a liquid coupled to the means for containing a battery; and

covering means coupled to the base.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the liquid is a pressurized liquid.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the means for containing a liquid includes a reinforcing means.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the means for containing a liquid is configured for routing the liquid to a vehicle subsystem.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the vehicle subsystem is at least one of a radiator and a windshield washer mechanism.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein the means for containing the battery and the means for containing a liquid are integrally molded as a single piece.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein the covering means includes a first cover portion and a second cover portion, the first cover portion positioned adjacent to the means for containing a battery.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the first cover portion is coupled with a hinge to one of the second cover portion and the means for containing a battery.

36. The system of claim 28, wherein the means for containing a battery includes a battery tray having at least one hold-down for securing the vehicle battery.

37. The system of claim 28, further comprising filling means for introducing the liquid into the means for containing a liquid.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the filling means comprises at least one of an aperture, a tube, and a funnel.

39. The system of claim 28, wherein at least one of the covering means and the means for containing a battery includes a vent.

40. The system of claim 28, further comprising means for containing a gas contiguous to at least one of the means for containing a battery and the means for containing a liquid.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the means for containing a gas may be used as a vacuum assist for a vehicle system.

42. The system of claim 28, further comprising means for containing a second liquid coupled to at least one of the means for containing a battery and the means for containing a liquid.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein heat is transferred between the means for containing a battery and at least one of the means for containing a liquid and the means for containing a second liquid.

44. A battery module comprising:

a battery container for containing a vehicle battery; and

a plurality of compartments, each of the compartments adapted to contain a liquid;

wherein at least one of the plurality of compartments is immediately adjacent to the battery container.

45. The battery module of claim 44, wherein heat is transferred between the battery container and at least one of the plurality of compartments.

46. The battery module of claim 44, wherein the battery container and plurality of compartments are integrally formed as a single piece.

47. The battery module of claim 46, wherein the battery container and plurality of compartments comprise a polymeric material.

48. The battery module of claim 44, wherein the plurality of compartments include a first compartment for containing a first liquid and a second compartment for containing a second liquid.

49. The battery module of claim 48, wherein at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment includes a plurality of baffles.

50. The battery module of claim 48, wherein the first liquid comprises a radiator fluid and the second liquid comprises a washer fluid.

51. The battery module of claim 44, wherein two of the plurality of compartments are immediately adjacent to the battery container.

52. The battery module of claim 44, further comprising a cover provided over the battery container and the plurality of compartments.

53. The battery module of claim 52, wherein the cover includes a first cover portion and a second cover portion, the first cover portion being movable between a first position and a second position and coupled to at least one of the second cover portion and the battery container by a hinge.

54. The battery module of claim 52, further comprising a vent formed in at least one of the battery container and the first cover portion, whereby the vent provides thermal management of the battery.

55. The battery module of claim 52, wherein the cover includes an aperture for providing liquid into one of the compartments.

56. The battery module of claim 44, further comprising means for transferring liquid between at least one of the compartments and a vehicle system.

57. The battery module of claim 44, wherein the means for transferring liquid comprises at least one of an opening, a return tube, and a pump.

58. The battery module of claim 44, further comprising a wire harness coupled to the battery container.