System for electrically connecting batteries to electric vehicles

• US 7,993,155 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2009
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Original Assignee: Better Place GmbH
• Inventors: Agassi, Shai, Heichal, Yoav, Agassi, Tal
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Truc T
• Application Number:
  US12/563,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20100112843A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 439/34, 439362-374, 180/65.1
• US Class Current: 439/374
• 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 2001/0438 Arrangement under the floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0472 from below
• 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: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/244 Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
• 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 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• 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: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

The connection system is designed to facilitate electrical and data connections between the battery and the electric vehicle. The connectors are designed with alignment mechanisms to account for initial misalignment of the battery and vehicle while still ensuring positive contact between them. The alignment mechanisms also introduce compliance into the system to ensure that the mechanical components of the system are not placed under unwanted loads or stresses. The connection system houses data connectors carrying communication signals as well as power connectors carrying high voltage electricity. The data connectors are shielded to prevent interference caused by proximity to the high voltage elements. The connection system uses no mechanical latching or locking mechanisms.

Claims

1. An electrical connection system for a battery of an at least partially electric vehicle, the electrical connection system comprising:

a first electrical connector configured to permanently attach to an underside of an at least partially electric vehicle;

a second electrical connector configured to permanently attach to a battery, wherein the first and second electrical connectors are configured to be removably coupled to each other, along an axis substantially perpendicular to the underside of the at least partially electric vehicle;

wherein each of the first and second electrical connectors further comprise;

a high voltage interface for transmitting high voltage electricity between the first and second electrical connectors;

a low voltage data interface for transmitting data carried on an electrical signal between the first and second electrical connectors; and

a shielding mechanism to counteract electromagnetic effects caused by the one or more high voltage connection elements.

2. The electrical connection system of claim 1, wherein the shielding mechanism separates the data interface from the high voltage interface to protect the data interface from electromagnetic effects caused by the one or more high voltage connection elements.

3. The electrical connection system of claim 1, wherein the shielding mechanism comprises a housing that substantially covers the data interface.

4. The electrical connection system of claim 3, wherein the housing is L-shaped.

5. The electrical connection system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrical connectors further comprises a sealing mechanism positioned between the first and second electrical connectors for preventing environmental contamination when the first and second electrical connectors are coupled.

6. The electrical connection system of claim 1, wherein the high voltage interface comprises:

conductive pins; and

sockets for receiving the conductive pins, wherein the sockets have a conductive mesh sleeve for forming an electrical connection with the conductive pins.

7. The electrical connection system of claim 1, wherein the data interface comprises:

conductive pins; and

sockets for receiving the conductive pins, wherein the sockets have a conductive mesh sleeve for forming an electrical connection with the conductive pins.

8. The electrical connection system of claim 1, wherein first electrical connector further comprises:

a first coupling portion for mating with the second electrical connector;

a first mounting portion configured to permanently attach the first electrical connector to the at least partially electric vehicle; and

a first coupler for attaching the first coupling portion to the first mounting portion, the first coupler allowing relative motion between the first coupling portion and the first mounting portion.

9. The electrical connection system of claim 1, wherein high voltage electricity is between about 100 and 1000 VDC.

10. The electrical connection system of claim 1, wherein high voltage electricity is between about 200 and 800 VDC.

11. The electrical connection system of claim 1, wherein high voltage electricity is between about 350 and 450 VDC.

12. An electrical connection system for a battery of an at least partially electric vehicle, the electrical connection system comprising:

a first electrical connector configured to mount to an underside of an at least partially electric vehicle, comprising;

a first coupling portion for mating with a second coupling portion of a second electrical connector;

the second electrical connector configured to mount to a battery, comprising;

the second coupling portion for mating with the first coupling portion of the first electrical connector; and

a first coupler for compensating for misalignment between the first and second electrical connectors;

wherein the first and second coupling portions include;

a high voltage interface for transmitting high voltage electricity between the first and second coupling portions;

a data interface for transmitting data between the first and second coupling portions; and

a passive shielding mechanism surrounding the data interface to protect the data interface from electromagnetic effects caused by the high voltage electricity.

13. An electrical connection system for a battery of an at least partially electric vehicle, the electrical connection system comprising:

a first electrical connector configured to mount to an underside of an at least partially electric vehicle, comprising;

a first coupling portion for mating with a second coupling portion of a second electrical connector;

a first mounting portion for attaching the first electrical connector to the at least partially electric vehicle; and

a first coupler attaching the first coupling portion to the first mounting portion with a spring mechanism positioned between the first coupling portion and the first mounting portion, the first coupler allowing relative motion between the first coupling portion and the first mounting portion;

the second electrical connector configured to mount to a battery, comprising;

the second coupling portion for mating with the first coupling portion of the first electrical connector;

wherein the first coupler compensates for misalignment between the first and second electrical connectors; and

wherein the first and second coupling portions include;

a high voltage interface for transmitting high voltage electricity between the first and second coupling portions; and

a data interface for transmitting data between the first and second coupling portions.

14. The electrical connection system of claim 13, wherein the second electrical connector further comprises:

a second mounting portion for attaching the second electrical connector to the battery; and

a second coupler for attaching the second coupling portion to the second mounting portion, the second coupler allowing for relative motion between the second coupling portion and the second mounting portion;

wherein the second coupler further compensates for misalignment between the first and second electrical connectors.

15. The electrical connection system of claim 13, wherein the first coupler is configured to allow the first coupling portion to move in vertical and horizontal planes with respect to the first mounting portion.

16. The electrical connection system of claim 13, wherein the first coupler comprises:

a hole in the first coupling portion; and

a bolt rigidly attached to the first mounting portion and extending through the hole in the first coupling portion, the bolt having a smaller diameter than the hole.

17. The electrical connection system of claim 16, wherein the first coupler further comprises a coil spring positioned between the first coupling portion and the first mounting portion.

18. The electrical connection system of claim 17, wherein the bolt extends through the center of the coil spring.

19. The electrical connection system of claim 13, wherein

the first coupling portion further includes a pin having an outside surface;

the second coupling portion further includes a socket with an inside surface for receiving the pin; and

the pin and socket are configured to ensure lateral alignment between the first and second coupling portions.

20. The electrical connection system of claim 13, wherein the data interface comprises:

a first data interface comprising an array of multiple rows data pins; and

a second data interface comprising an array of multiple rows of sockets configured to mate with the multiple data pins.