DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to cooling plates of battery pack assemblies.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
A conventional cooling plate of a battery pack assembly includes battery modules, and a cooling plate which is mounted on the battery modules. The cooling plate includes an inlet spout and an outlet spout that facilitates transfer of a coolant fluid through hoses connected thereto. However, as has been conventionally observed, once the battery pack is assembled in the vehicle, there remains only a limited space available between the cooling plate and the vehicle-under-body. As a result, removal of the coolant hoses from the cooling plate becomes difficult, especially during maintenance of the vehicle.
Moreover, during servicing of the battery pack, the coolant can probably spill on to the electric connectors of the battery pack. The cause of the spillage lies in the location of inlet spout and the outlet spout i.e., directly above the connectors. In the case of ingress of the coolant into the battery pack or in the connectors, a short circuit event could take place that may even damage the connectors or the battery pack.
There is, therefore, felt a need of a cooling plate for a battery pack assembly that alleviates the above-mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooling plate for a battery pack assembly.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooling plate that can offer an ease of access to perform dismantling of coolant hoses from the cooling plate.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooling plate that minimizes risk of short circuit hazard.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a proper draining of spilled coolant on the cooling plate, avoid stagnation of the coolant on the top of cooling plate and thus avoid corrosion of the cooling plate.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is reinforcing of the extended cooling plate by providing a dummy channel which acts as a barrier and stiffener element.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooling plate that offers ease of serviceability.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a cooling plate for a battery pack assembly. The assembly includes a battery frame defining an operative front edge, a plurality of battery modules and electric connectors mounted on the battery frame in electric connection with the battery modules. The cooling plate comprises a top plate and bottom plate affixed to said top plate. An inlet spout is configured on the top plate. The inlet spout is configured to receive a coolant. At least one flow channel is configured on the top plate in fluid communication with the inlet spout to receive the coolant therefrom to facilitate cooling of the battery modules. An outlet spout is configured on the top plate. The outlet spout is configured to fluidly communicate with the flow channel to receive the coolant therefrom, and further configured to discharge the coolant from the cooling plate.
The top plate is provided with a lip extending beyond the operative front edge of the frame and exterior to the frame. The lip is spaced apart from the inlet spout and the outlet spout to prevent spillage of the coolant from the inlet spout and the outlet spout on to the electric connectors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A cooling plate, of the present disclosure, for a battery pack assembly will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figures 1-5 show various views of a first conventional configuration of a cooling plate with coolant inlet & outlet spouts & interface of a battery pack assembly;
Figures 6 and 8 show various views of a second conventional configuration of a cooling plate of a battery pack assembly;
Figure 9 shows an isometric view of a cooling plate of the present disclosure mounted on the battery pack assembly;
Figure 10 shows a top view of the cooling plate of Figure 9;
Figure 11 shows a close-up view of spouts of the cooling plate of Figure 9;
Figure 12 shows a front view of the cooling plate of Figure 9; and
Figure 13 shows a cut section view of the spouts and a lip of the cooling plate of Figure 9.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING
100’, 100” – cooling plate of the prior art
200’ – battery module with frame assembly of the prior art
110’, 110” – inlet spout of the prior art
120’, 120” – outlet spout of the prior art
150’ – coolant hose of the prior art
160’ – vehicle under body of the prior art
210’ – connectors of the prior art
100 – cooling plate
105 – flow channel
110 – inlet spout
120 – outlet spout
125 – lip
130 – stiffener
140 – flow path for coolant fluid
200 – battery module
210 – connectors
1000 – arrangement
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on", or “connected to” another element, it may be directly on or connected to the other element.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third, etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” "above," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Figures 1-5 show a conventional cooling plate (100’) mounted on a battery pack assembly (200’) in an operative vertical direction (V). The cooling plate (100’) includes an inlet spout (110’) and an outlet spout (120’) that facilitates transfer of a coolant through a plurality of coolant hoses (150’) which are attached to the spouts (110’, 120’) for circulation of coolant. During servicing, the coolant hose (150’) is removed from the cooling plate (100’). As can be seen from Figure 4, the orientation of the spouts (110’, 120’) is in an operative vertical direction (V). The removal/dismantling of the coolant hose (150’) in the operative vertical direction (V), however, becomes difficult due to a limited access available between the cooling plate (100’) and a vehicle-under-body (160’) as observed in Figure 5.
Figures 6-8 show another conventional cooling plate (100”) mounted on a battery pack module and frame assembly (200’). The cooling plate (100”) is configured with an inlet spout (110”) and an outlet spout (120”) for transfer of a coolant fluid through a plurality of coolant hoses . During servicing of the cooling plate (100”) or due to spillage, the coolant can ingress in to the connectors (210’) of the battery pack module and frame assembly (200’) because of the inlet spout (110”) and the outlet spout (120”) being located directly above the connectors (210’). Subsequently, this may cause a short circuit event of the connectors, and/or even cause damage to other components of the battery pack.
A cooling plate (100), of the present disclosure, for a battery pack assembly will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 9 through Figure 13.
The battery pack assembly includes a battery frame defining an operative front edge, a plurality of battery modules (200), and electric connectors (210) mounted on the battery frame in electric connection with the battery modules (200).
The cooling plate (100) comprises a top plate and a bottom plate affixed to the top plate. An inlet spout (110) is configured on the top plate. The inlet spout (110) is configured to receive a coolant. At least one flow channel (105) is configured on the top plate in fluid communication with the inlet spout (110) to receive the coolant therefrom to facilitate cooling of the battery modules (200). The coolant is circulated along the flow channel (105) to enable the coolant to absorb heat from the battery modules (200) as it flows. An outlet spout (120) is configured on the top plate. The outlet spout (120) is configured to fluidly communicate with the flow channel (105) to receive the coolant that has absorbed heat from the flow channel (105). The outlet spout (120) is further configured to discharge the coolant from the cooling plate (100).
The top plate is provided with a lip (125) extending beyond the operative front edge (F) of the frame and exterior to the frame. The lip (125) is spaced apart from the inlet spout (110) and the outlet spout (120) to prevent spillage of the coolant from the inlet spout (110) and the outlet spout (120) on to the electric connectors (210). Thus, the electric connectors (210) of the battery pack assembly is protected against damage due to fluid contact.
In an embodiment, the lip (125) is configured integral to the top plate of the cooling plate (100).
In another embodiment, the lip (125) is spaced apart from the spouts (110, 120) at an offset distance (D) in an operative longitudinal direction (L). The offset distance (D) helps in covering the connectors (210), thereby avoiding contact of coolant fluid with the connectors (210). Thus, any probability of a short circuit event is avoided, and subsequent damage to the electric connectors of the battery module and its components is also prevented.
In yet another embodiment, the lip (125) is spaced apart from the spouts (110, 120) at an offset distance (D) ranging from 60 to 70 mm.
In a further embodiment, the top plate includes at least one stiffener (130) configured on the top plate in between the lip (125) and the spouts. The stiffener (130) is configured to increase the stiffness of the cooling plate (100), thus reducing excessive vibrations exerted on the cooling plate (100) during motion of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the stiffener (130) is defined by a panel (not shown in figures) having a plurality of bends configured thereon. The bends increase the stiffness of the cooling plate (100) as well as efficient routing of the coolant fluid spilled thereon.
In another embodiment, a flow path (140) is defined on the top plate by the stiffener (130) and the flow channel (105) to redirect the flow of the spilled coolant to the flow channel (105).
In another embodiment, a flange (not shown in figures) is configured on the cooling plate (100) to divert the coolant flow away from the connectors (210).
In yet another embodiment, the lip (125) is configured at an inclined angle ranging from 1° to 2° from an operative vertical axis (V).
In an embodiment, the flow channel (105) is embossed on the top plate.
Moreover, the present disclosure offers ease of access while dismantling the coolant hose from the cooling plate (100) having the spouts (110, 120). As the inlet spout (110) and the outlet spout (120) have an orientation towards the operative front side (F) of the cooling plate (100), ease of access is facilitated for the operator while carrying out the dismantling operation of the components of the cooling plate (100) or the battery pack assembly, as can be observed from Figures 11-13.
The present disclosure further envisages a vehicle provided with a battery pack that includes a battery frame defining an operative front edge (F), a plurality of battery modules (200), electric connectors (210) mounted on the battery frame in electric connection with the battery modules (200), and a cooling plate (100) configured to be mounted on the battery frame.
The cooling plate (100) comprises a top plate and a bottom plate affixed to the top plate. An inlet spout (110) is configured on the top plate. The inlet spout (110) is configured to receive a coolant. At least one flow channel (105) is configured on the top plate in fluid communication with the inlet spout (110) to receive the coolant therefrom to facilitate cooling of the battery modules (200). The coolant is circulated along the flow channel (105) to enable the coolant to absorb heat from the battery modules (200) as it flows. An outlet spout (120) is configured on the top plate. The outlet spout (120) is configured to fluidly communicate with the flow channel (105) to receive the coolant which has absorbed heat from the flow channel (105). The outlet spout (120) is further configured to discharge the coolant from the cooling plate.
The top plate is provided with a lip (125) extending beyond the operative front edge of the frame and exterior to the frame. The lip (125) is spaced apart from the inlet spout (110) and the outlet spout (120) to prevent spillage of the coolant from the inlet spout (110) and the outlet spout (120) on to the electric connectors (210). Thus, the electric connectors (210) of the battery pack assembly is protected against damage due to fluid contact.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a cooling plate for a battery pack assembly, that:
• prevents spillage of the coolant from inlet spout and outlet spout of the cooling plate on to electric connectors of the battery pack assembly;
• offers an ease of access to perform dismantling of coolant hoses from the cooling plate;
• minimizes risk of short circuit hazard;
• offers a flow path for draining the coolant spilled on the top; and
• offers ease of serviceability.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, or step, or group of elements, or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, or step, or group of elements, or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A cooling plate (100) for a battery pack assembly which includes a battery frame defining an operative front edge, a plurality of battery modules (200) and electric connectors (210) mounted on the battery frame in electric connection with the battery modules (200), said cooling plate (100) comprising:
• a top plate;
• a bottom plate affixed to said top plate;
• an inlet spout (110) configured on said top plate, said inlet spout (110) configured to receive a coolant;
• at least one flow channel (105) configured on said top plate, in fluid communication with said inlet spout (110) to receive the coolant therefrom to facilitate cooling of the battery modules (200); and
• an outlet spout (120) configured on said top plate, said outlet spout (120) configured to fluidly communicate with said flow channel (105) to receive the coolant therefrom, and said outlet spout (120) configured to discharge the coolant from said cooling plate (100);
characterized in that, said top plate is provided with a lip (125) extending beyond the operative front edge of the frame and exterior to the frame, said lip (125) being spaced apart from said inlet spout (110) and said outlet spout (120) to prevent spillage of the coolant from the inlet spout (110) and the outlet spout (120) on to the electric connectors (210).
2. The cooling plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lip (125) is configured integral to the top plate.
3. The cooling plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lip (125) is spaced apart from said spouts at an offset distance (D).
4. The cooling plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lip (125) is spaced apart from said spouts at an offset distance (D) ranging from 60 to 70 mm.
5. The cooling plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top plate includes at least one stiffener (130) configured thereon between said lip (125) and said spouts, said stiffener (130) being configured to increase the stiffness of said cooling plate (100).
6. The cooling plate (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said stiffener (130) is defined by a panel having a plurality of bends configured thereon.
7. The cooling plate (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein a flow path (140) is defined on said top plate by said stiffener (130) and said flow channel (105) to redirect the flow of the spilled coolant to said flow channel (105).
8. The cooling plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lip (125) is configured at an inclined angle ranging from 1° to 2° from an operative vertical axis (V).
9. The cooling plate (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flow channel (105) is embossed on said top plate.
10. A vehicle provided with a battery pack including a battery frame defining an operative front edge, a plurality of battery modules (200), electric connectors (210) mounted on the battery frame in electric connection with the battery modules (200), and a cooling plate (100) configured to be mounted on said battery frame, said cooling plate (100) comprising:
• a top plate;
• a bottom plate affixed to said top plate;
• an inlet spout (110) configured on said top plate, said inlet spout (110) configured to receive a coolant;
• at least one flow channel (105) configured on said top plate, in fluid communication with said inlet spout (110) to receive the coolant therefrom to facilitate cooling of the battery modules (200); and
• an outlet spout (120) configured on said top plate, said outlet spout (120) configured to fluidly communicate with said flow channel (105) to receive the coolant therefrom, and said outlet spout (120) configured to discharge the coolant from said cooling plate (100);
characterized in that, said top plate is provided with a lip (125) extending beyond the operative front edge of the frame and exterior to the frame, said lip (125) being spaced apart from said inlet spout (110) and said outlet spout (120) to prevent spillage of the coolant from the inlet spout (110) and the outlet spout (120) on to the electric connectors (210).

Dated this 24th day of May, 2024

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
OF R. K. DEWAN & CO.
AUTHORIZED AGENT OF APPLICANT

TO,
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS
THE PATENT OFFICE, AT MUMBAI