Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to battery modules.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
A cell-to-pack battery includes individual battery cells integrated directly into a battery frame. The modules or cells are conventionally fused permanently onto to a carrier plate of the battery frame with the help of structural adhesives such as UV-cured acrylics or methyl methacrylate adhesives. However, permanently fusing the modules or cells results in dismantling of the entire battery pack in the case of defect or damage of even one module or one cell.
There is therefore felt a need for a battery module holding mechanism that alleviates the aforementioned 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 battery module holding mechanism.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery module holding mechanism which allows ease in attachment, detachment and reattachment of battery modules onto a battery frame.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery module holding mechanism which has a simple and cost-effective configuration.
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 battery module holding mechanism for a cell-to-pack battery having a battery frame, a cooling plate attached to the battery frame, and a plurality of battery modules configured to be fitted in the battery frame.
The mechanism comprises a layer of thermal interface material applied on an operative top surface of the cooling plate. The mechanism further comprises an interface plate configured to be stacked on the layer of thermal interface material. The interface plate is configured to facilitate detachment and reattachment of the module to the battery frame. A layer of thermally conductive adhesive is applied on an operative top surface of the interface plate to facilitate securely attach the battery modules to the interface plate.
In an embodiment, the thickness of the thermal interface material layer ranges between 0.5mm to 0.8mm.
In another embodiment, the interface plate is defined by a flat sheet having a U-shaped rib extending from a periphery thereof. A free arm of the rib is configured to extend at an operative outwards direction at an angle ranging between 50°-75°.
In another embodiment, the interface plate is of aluminium.
In yet another embodiment, the thickness of the interface plate ranges between 0.2mm to 0.4mm.
In still another embodiment, the thickness of the thermally conductive adhesive layer ranges between 0.5mm to 0.8mm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A battery module holding mechanism, of the present disclosure, for a cell-to-pack battery will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a battery pack with the mechanism of the present disclosure provided therein;
Figure 2 illustrates a close-up view of the mechanism of Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of an interface plate of the mechanism of Figure 2;
Figure 4 illustrates a close-up cross-sectional view of the interface plate of Figure 3; and
Figure 5 illustrates a close-up cross-sectional view of multiple interface plate stacked on top of each other.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
10 battery
15 battery frame
20 bottom plate
25 cooling plate
30 top cover
35 lean module cover
37 lean module bolt
40 battery module
110 thermal interface material layer
115 interface plate
116 flat sheet
118 rib
119 arm
119A trough
120 layer of thermally conductive adhesive
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”, “includes” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
A battery module holding mechanism, of the present disclosure, for a cell-to-pack battery (10) will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 5.
The battery (10) has a battery frame (15), a bottom plate (20) and a cooling plate (25) attached to the bottom region of the battery frame (15), and a top cover (30) and a lean module cover (35) attached to the top region of the battery frame (15). A plurality of battery modules (40) is configured to be fitted in the battery frame (15).
The battery module holding mechanism (hereinafter referred to as ‘the mechanism’) is configured to alleviate the drawbacks of a conventional module integration technique wherein the battery modules (40) were directly glued to the cooling plate (25), and which caused the entire pack of battery modules (40) to be replaced in case of damage of even one module (40).
The mechanism comprises a layer of thermal interface material (110) applied on an operative top surface of the cooling plate (25). The mechanism further comprises an interface plate (115) configured to be stacked on the layer of thermal interface material (110). The interface plate (115) is configured to facilitate detachment and reattachment of the module (40) to the battery frame (15). A layer of thermally conductive adhesive (120) is applied on an operative top surface of the interface plate (115) to facilitate securely attach the battery modules (40) to the interface plate (115). The layer of thermally conductive adhesive (120) is configured to securely receive the battery modules (40) thereon. The mechanism ensures that the battery modules (40) are not directly attached to the cooling plate (25), and therefore are not bonded therewith. Consequently, any defective or damaged module can be easily removed from the battery pack without having the need to remove the entire pack of battery modules (40).
In an embodiment, the thickness of the layer of thermal interface material (110) ranges between 0.5mm to 0.8mm.
In an embodiment, the interface plate (115) is defined by a flat sheet (116) having a U-shaped rib (118) extending from a periphery thereof. A free arm (119) of the rib (118) is configured to extend at an operative outwards direction at an angle ranging between 50°-75°, thereby defining a trough (119A) (as shown in Figure 4). The rib (118) is configured to receive and collect the adhesive (120) that may ooze out at a higher temperature. The rib (118) and the arm (119) also help in stacking of interface plates (115) on top of each other (as shown in Figure 5), during inventory stage. In another embodiment, the interface plate (115) is of aluminium.
In one embodiment, the thickness of the interface plate (115) ranges between 0.2mm to 0.4mm.
In another embodiment, the thickness of the layer of thermally conductive adhesive (120) ranges between 0.5mm to 0.8mm.
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 ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described hereinabove has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a battery module holding mechanism for a cell-to-pack battery, which:
• allows ease in attachment, detachment and reattachment of battery modules onto a battery frame; and
• has a simple and cost-effective configuration.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal 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.
Any discussion of materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
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 battery module holding mechanism for a cell-to-pack battery (10) having a battery frame (15), a cooling plate (25) attached to the battery frame (15), and a plurality of battery modules (40) configured to be fitted in the battery frame (15), said holding mechanism comprising:
• a layer of thermal interface material (110) applied on an operative top surface of the cooling plate (25);
• an interface plate (115) configured to be stacked on said layer of thermal interface material (110), said interface plate (115) configured to facilitate detachment and reattachment of the module (40) to the battery frame (15); and
• a layer of thermally conductive adhesive (120) applied on an operative top surface of said interface plate (115) to facilitate securely attach the battery modules (40) to said interface plate (115).
2. The holding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said layer of thermal interface material (110) ranges between 0.5mm to 0.8mm.
3. The holding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interface plate (115) is defined by a flat sheet (116) having a U-shaped rib (118) extending from a periphery thereof, wherein a free arm (119) of said rib (118) is configured to extend at an operative outwards direction at an angle ranging between 50°-75°.
4. The holding mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein said interface plate (115) is of aluminum.
5. The holding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said interface plate (115) ranges between 0.2mm to 0.4mm.
6. The holding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said layer of thermally conductive adhesive (120) ranges between 0.5mm to 0.8mm.

Dated this 29th day of April, 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