BATTERY PACK RETENTION ASSEMBLY AND RETENTION METHOD

• US 20160133895A1
• Filed: 11/06/2014
• Published: 05/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Subramanian, Rajaram, Gunther, Tom M., Paramasivam, Saravanan, Droste, Steve, Gunna, Rohit
• Granted Patent: US 9,853,262 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/289 characterised by spacing elements or positioning means within frames, racks or packs spacing elements inside cells other than separators, membranes or diaphragms H01M50/471
• 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

An exemplary assembly includes an extrusion providing a channel that receives a portion of a battery cell frame. The extrusion is securable to a support to secure the battery cell frame relative to the support.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:

an extrusion providing a channel that receives a portion of a battery cell frame, the extrusion securable to a support to secure the battery cell frame relative to the support.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel slideably receives the portion.

3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a snap-fit feature that includes a ridge receivable within a groove, the extrusion engaging the portion using the snap-fit feature when the channel receives the portion.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the extrusion extends longitudinally along a first axis, and the channel and the groove extend along a second axis aligned with the first axis.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion is a foot extending laterally from other portions of the frame, wherein the channel comprises an upper retention flange and a lower retention flange extending from a wall, the upper retention flange positioned against an upwardly facing surface of the foot when the channel receives the foot, the lower retention flange positioned against an downwardly facing surface of the foot when the channel receives the foot.

6. The assembly of claim 5, including a securement flange extending from the wall opposite the upper retention flange and the lower retention flange.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the securement flange includes an aperture to receive a mechanical fastener that secures the extrusion to the structure.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the extrusion is a metallic material.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an end cap, wherein the extrusion extends longitudinally along an axis from a first end portion to an opposing second end portion, the end cap secured to the first end portion to limit movement along the axis of the extrusion relative to the portion.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the extrusion has a “

C”

shaped cross-sectional profile.

11. An assembly, comprising:

a plurality of battery cells along an axis;

a plurality of frames holding one or more of the plurality of battery cells, each frame including a first foot extending outwardly from the axis on a first lateral side and a second foot extending outwardly from the axis on an opposite, second lateral side;

a first extrusion having a first channel that receives the first feet of the plurality of frames; and

a second extrusion having a second channel that receives the second feet of the plurality of frames.

12. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a snap-fit feature that includes a ridge receivable within a groove, the first extrusion engaging the first feet using the snap-fit feature when the channel of the first extrusion receives the first feet.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the first extrusion slideably engages the first feet and the second extrusion slideably engages the second feet.

14. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising an end cap, wherein the first extrusion extends longitudinally along an axis from a first end portion to an opposing second end portion, the end cap secured to the first end portion to limit movement along the axis of the first extrusion relative to the first feet.

15. A method of securing portions of a battery pack, comprising:

slidably engaging a portion of a battery cell frame within a channel of an extrusion; and

securing the extrusion to a support to secure the battery cell frame.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the battery cell frame extends about the perimeter of at least one battery cell.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the portion is a foot extending laterally outward from the remaining portions of the battery support frame.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the extrusion engages a portion of a plurality of other battery cell frames.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising using the extrusion to limit both upward and downward movement of the battery cell frame.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising snap-fitting the extrusion to the battery cell frame.