Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a battery pack. More particularly, the present invention relates to an arrangement of heat dissipating units on the battery pack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Conventionally, a vehicle, particularly an electric or hybrid vehicle, is provided with one or more rechargeable battery packs having a fixed/removable/swappable type of construction. Generally, fast chargers are used to speedily charge the battery packs in the fixed battery pack type of construction. Such battery packs emit considerable heat during running state of the vehicle. Also, considerable heat is generated during charging state of the vehicle, when the vehicle is in a static condition. Further, in a scenario, where battery packs are arranged parallel to each other in a vehicle, charging of such multiple battery packs leads to heat being discharged in a narrow space between the battery packs, which can rapidly increase the temperature of battery packs as well as components of the vehicle in close proximity of the battery packs.
[003] Conventionally, the battery packs are either air cooled or liquid cooled. In an air cooled battery pack, in a running state of the vehicle, the battery pack is cooled by a natural flow of air channelized by heat dissipating units such as fins. Such fins are oriented horizontally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Such horizontally oriented fins are parallel to the direction of air flow of the running vehicle and efficiently cools the battery pack in running state of the vehicle. However, such horizontally oriented fins are ineffective in cooling the battery pack in a charging state of the vehicle. In the charging state of the vehicle, when the vehicle is not moving, no air is channelized through the horizontally oriented fins and the direction of air flow is substantially perpendicular to the horizontally oriented fins as per principles of natural convection, thereby increasing the temperature of the battery pack, which is undesirable. Owing to increase in the temperature of the battery pack, the battery pack can be damaged which negatively affects durability and reliability of the battery packs as well as increase the serviceability/maintainability costs associated with the battery pack. The liquid cooled battery packs occupy more space in the vehicle to store coolant and also require a separate leakproof casing surrounding the battery pack which might leak in case of unforeseen accidents. Also, the liquid cooled battery packs are expensive than the air-cooled batteries and increase the total part count of the vehicle, which is undesirable.
[004] In view of the foregoing, there is a need felt to overcome at least the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In one aspect of the present invention, a battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells, a first casing and a second casing. The first casing and the second casing are adapted to be removably fastened to each other. The first casing includes a first inner surface and a first outer surface. The first outer surface is opposite the first inner surface. The second casing includes a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second outer surface is opposite the second inner surface. The first inner surface and the second inner surface are adapted to define an enclosure for housing the plurality of battery cells. The first outer surface has one or more first heat dissipating units. The second outer surface has one or more second heat dissipating units. The orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units is different from the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units. In an embodiment, the orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the battery pack and the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the battery pack.
[006] In another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a head pipe, a main frame and at least one battery pack. The at least one battery pack is mounted on the main frame of the vehicle such that the longitudinal axis of the at least one battery pack is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Each of the at least one battery pack comprises a first casing and a second casing. The first casing and the second casing are adapted to be removably fastened to each other. The first casing includes a first inner surface and a first outer surface. The first outer surface is opposite the first inner surface. The second casing includes a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second outer surface is opposite the second inner surface. The first inner surface and the second inner surface are adapted to define an enclosure for housing the plurality of battery cells. The first outer surface has one or more first heat dissipating units. The second outer surface has one or more second heat dissipating units. The orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units is different from the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units.
[007] In an embodiment, the orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating heat units is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the battery pack and the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the battery pack.
[008] In an embodiment, the main frame comprises a left main frame and a right main frame and at least one battery pack comprises at least one left battery pack and the at least one right battery pack. The at least one left battery pack is mounted on the left main frame of the vehicle and the at least one right battery pack is mounted on the right main frame of the vehicle. The orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the battery pack/vehicle and the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the battery pack/vehicle. The one or more first heat dissipating units of the at least one left battery pack and the one or more first heat dissipating units of the at least one right battery pack face each other. The one or more second heat dissipating units of the at least one left battery pack face outward in left direction of the vehicle and the one or more second heat dissipating units of the at least one right battery pack face outward in right direction of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[009] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a battery pack, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a partially exploded view of a battery pack, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a first casing and a second casing of the battery pack, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a first casing of a battery pack, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a second casing of a battery pack, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle having a left battery pack and a right battery pack, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[010] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[011] One object of the present invention is to efficiently cool the battery pack in moving state as well as charging state of the vehicle. Another object of the present invention is to increase the reliability of the battery pack and the vehicle on which such one or more battery packs are mounted. Yet another object of the present invention is to decrease cost associated with serviceability of the battery pack and the vehicle on which such one or more battery packs are mounted. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack which is simple to manufacture. These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become more apparent from description in conjunction with drawings as follows.
[012] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a battery pack 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates a partially exploded view of a battery pack 100, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 illustrates a first casing 102 and a second casing 104 of the battery pack 100, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the first casing 102 of a battery pack 100, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a second casing 104 of a battery pack 100, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.
[013] The battery pack 100 shown in the present invention is an air cooled battery pack and comprises a plurality of battery cells (not shown) which may be configured in a series, parallel, or a combination of both to deliver the desired voltage, capacity, or power density. The plurality of battery cells are enclosed in a first casing 102 and a second casing 104 which are adapted to be fastened to each other. In a non-limiting example, the first casing 102 has a first set of mounting holes and the second casing has a second set of mounting holes. During assembly, the first set of mounting holes and the second set of mounting holes are aligned with each other and fastened with one or more fasteners such as, not being limited to, nuts, bolts, screws and the likes. In a non-limiting example, the first casing 102 and second casing 104 are attached to each other using snap fitting mechanisms. In a non-limiting example, the first casing 102 and the second casing 104 can be fastened to each other using permanent attachment means such as welding, rivets etc.
[014] The first casing 102 comprises a first inner surface (not shown) and a first outer surface 102b. The first outer surface 102b is opposite the first inner surface. The second casing 104 comprises a second inner surface 104a and a second outer surface 104b. The second outer surface 104b is opposite the second inner surface 104a. The first inner surface of the first casing 102 and the second inner surface 104a of the second casing 104 are adapted to define an enclosure 106 for housing the plurality of battery cells. The first outer surface 102b of the first casing 102 has one or more first heat dissipating units 108. The second outer surface 104b of the second casing 104 has one or more second heat dissipating units 110. The orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 is different from the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units 110.
[015] In an embodiment, the orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A-A of the battery pack 100 and the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units 110 are parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the battery pack 100.
[016] In an embodiment, the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 and the one or more second heat dissipating units 110 are fins. The fins are slender extensions or protrusions that are provided on the outer surfaces of the first casing 102 and the second casing 104. In another embodiment, one or more first heat dissipating units 108 and the one or more second heat dissipating units 110 are micro-channel heat exchangers. However, this should not be construed as limiting and other now known or later developed heat dissipating units which are capable of being provided on battery packs in different orientations are well within the scope of the present invention. The heat dissipating units 108, 110 can be of different shapes and configurations such as, not being limited to, circular, semi-circular, rectangular, trapezoidal and U-shape. The shape and size of the heat dissipating units 108, 110 may vary depending on the application and the nature of the heat transfer problem.
[017] In an embodiment, the batter pack 100 is rectangular in shape. However, other regular as well as non-regular shapes of the battery packs 100 are also within the scope of the present invention. In a non-limiting example, the battery pack 100 is square in shape. In a non-limiting example, the battery pack 100 is trapezoidal in shape.
[018] In an embodiment, the heat dissipating units 108, 110 are formed integrally with the outer surface 102b of the first casing 102 and the outer surface 104b of the second casing 104.
[019] In an embodiment, the heat dissipating units 108, 110 are fastened to the outer surface 102b of the first casing 102 and the outer surface 104b of the second casing 104.
[020] In an embodiment, the first casing 102 and second casing 104 is made of various materials such as metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites, depending on the operating conditions and the desired properties of the battery pack 100.
[021] In an embodiment, the first and second heat dissipating units 108, 110 may be constant area straight heat dissipating units or variable area heat dissipating units.
[022] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle 10 having a left battery pack 100a and a right battery pack 100b, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.
[023] Arrows provided in the top right corner depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes a front direction, an arrow R indicates a rearward direction, an arrow Lt denotes a left direction of the saddle type vehicle and an arrow Rt denotes a right direction of the vehicle. Further, a longitudinal axis B-B refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, defining a vehicle longitudinal direction. The term “vehicle” in the present invention relates to saddle type vehicles having one or more battery packs such as, not being limited to, scooters and motorcycles. The construction and working of different type of saddle type vehicles are already known in the art and have not been discussed in detail for the sake of brevity. Only those elements/components of the saddle type vehicle are discussed which are relevant for understanding placement of one or more battery packs in the vehicle.
[024] As shown, the vehicle 10 comprises a head pipe, a left main frame 14, a right main frame 16, a left battery pack 100a and a right battery pack 100b. However, this should not be construed as limiting and there can more than one left battery packs 100a mounted on left main frame 14 of the vehicle 10. Similarly, there can be more than one right battery packs 100b mounted on the right main frame 16 of the vehicle 10. Each of the left battery packs 100a and the right battery packs 100b has the same construction as the battery pack 100 disclosed in Figure 1-5 with same reference numerals. The at least one left battery pack 100a and at least one right battery pack 100b are arranged such that longitudinal axis A-A of the at least one left battery pack 100a and the at least one right battery pack 100b are parallel to a longitudinal axis B-B of the vehicle 10. Further, the at least one left battery pack 100a and the at least one right battery pack 100b are arranged such that the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 of the at least one left battery pack 100a and the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 of the at least one right battery pack 100b face each other. The one or more second heat dissipating units 110 of at least one left battery pack 100a face outward in left direction of the vehicle 10 and one or more second heat dissipating units 100b of the at least one right battery pack 10 face outward in right direction of the vehicle 10.
[025] In an embodiment, for maximum cooling efficiency of the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 and the one or more second heat dissipating units 110 of the at least one left battery pack 100a and at least one right battery pack 100b, the orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B-B of the vehicle and the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units 110 is parallel to the longitudinal axis B-B of the vehicle 10. The one or more second heat dissipating units 110 help dissipate heat in the moving state of the vehicle 10 when the direction of air flow is horizontal i.e., parallel to the longitudinal axis B-B of the vehicle 10. The one or more first heat dissipating units 108 help dissipate heat in static state or non-moving state of the vehicle 10 when the vehicle is charging and direction of air flow is vertical as per natural convection i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B-B of the vehicle 10. However, this orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 and the one or more second heat dissipating units 110 should not be construed as limiting and other orientations of the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 and one or more second heat dissipating units 110 are well within the scope of the present invention.
[026] In an embodiment, the battery pack(s) 100a, 100b comprises one or more mounting means such as, not being limited to, mounting holes. During mounting of the battery packs 100a, 100b one or more mounting holes are aligned with one or more mounting holes provided either on the left main frame 14 and right main frame 16 of the vehicle 10 or brackets attached to the left main frame 14 and right main frame 16 and fastened with one or more fasteners such as, not being limited to, nuts, bolts, screws and the likes.
[027] Also, although not shown in Figures, the vehicle 10 can comprises only one battery pack 100. The battery pack is mounted on the vehicle 10 either on the left main frame 14 or the right main frame 16 such that the longitudinal axis of the battery pack 100 is parallel to the longitudinal axis B-B of the vehicle 10. The construction of the battery pack 100 is same as disclosed in Figure 1-5 of the present invention. Further, the battery pack 100 is arranged such the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 face in an inward direction of the vehicle 10 and the one or more second heat dissipating units 110 face in an outward direction of the vehicle 10.
[028] In an embodiment, for maximum cooling efficiency of the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 and the one or more second heat dissipating units 110 of the one or more battery packs 100, the orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B-B of the vehicle and the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating 110 units is parallel to the longitudinal axis B-B of the vehicle. The one or more second heat dissipating units 110 help dissipate heat in the moving state of the vehicle 10 when the direction of air flow is horizontal i.e., parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10. The one or more first heat dissipating units 108 help dissipate heat in static state of the vehicle (when the vehicle is charging) when the direction of air flow is vertical as per natural convection i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B-B of the vehicle 10. However, this orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 and the one or more second heat dissipating units 110 should not be construed as limiting and other orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units 108 and one or more second heat dissipating units 110 are well within the scope of the present invention.
[029] The claimed features of the present invention as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed features enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the problem of efficiently cooling the battery pack both in moving state as well as charging state is solved by the present invention.
[030] In the present invention, the one or more first heat dissipating units are provided to cool the vehicle in charging state of the vehicle and the one or more second heat dissipating units are provided to cool the vehicle in moving state of the vehicle.
[031] In the present invention, in one non-limiting example, the one or more first heat dissipating units are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and the one or more second heat dissipating units are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In such a non-limiting example, the one or more first heat dissipating units help dissipate heat in static state of the vehicle when the direction of air flow is vertical as per natural convection i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and parallel to the orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units . The one or more second heat dissipating units help dissipate heat in the moving state of the vehicle when the direction of air flow is horizontal i.e., parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and parallel to the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units.
[032] In the present invention, when the battery pack is mounted on the vehicle, the durability/reliability of the battery pack is increased owing to circulation of air around the battery pack ensuring its operation at optimum condition throughout the life cycle. The air circulation around the battery pack restricts overheating and ensures faster heat dissipation restricting the heat transfer to the adjacent exterior body parts and other electrical parts of the vehicle. As a result, cost associated with serviceability of the battery pack and exterior body parts in close proximity of the battery pack is decreased.
[033] The battery pack of the present invention is simple to manufacture and provides efficient cooling of battery pack without increasing the part count of the vehicle.
[034] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
 
Reference Numerals
10- vehicle
12- head pipe
13- main frame
14- left main frame
16-right main frame
100-battery pack
100a- left battery pack
100b- right battery pack
102a- first inner surface
102b-first outer surface
104- second casing
104a-second inner surface
104b-second outer surface
106- enclosure
108- first heat dissipating units
110- second heat dissipating units
A-A- longitudinal axis of the battery pack
B-B- longitudinal axis of the vehicle
, Claims:
1. A battery pack (100) comprising:
a plurality of battery cells;
a first casing (102) and a second casing (104) adapted to be fastened to each other, the first casing (102) comprising a first inner surface and a first outer surface (102b) opposite the first inner surface and the second casing (104) comprising a second inner surface (104a) and a second outer surface (104b) opposite the second inner surface (104a), the first inner surface and the second inner surface (104a) being adapted to define an enclosure (106) for housing the plurality of battery cells, the first outer surface (102b) having one or more first heat dissipating units (108) and the second outer surface (104b) having one or more second heat dissipating units (108) wherein orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units (108) being different from the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units (110) .

2. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units (108) being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A-A of the battery pack (100) and the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units (110) being parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the battery pack (100).

3. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more first heat dissipating units (108) and the one or more second heat dissipating units (110) being fins.

4. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery pack (100) being rectangular in shape.

5. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery pack (100) being an air-cooled battery pack.

6. A vehicle (10) comprising:
a head pipe (12);
a main frame extending rearwardly from the head pipe;
at least one battery pack (100) mounted on the main frame (13) such that a longitudinal axis (B-B) of the at least one battery pack (100) being parallel to a longitudinal axis B-B of the vehicle (10); the battery pack (100) having a first casing (102) and a second casing (104) adapted to be fastened to each other, the first casing (102) comprising a first inner surface and a first outer surface (102b) opposite the first inner surface and the second casing (104) comprising a second inner surface (104a) and a second outer surface (104b) opposite the second inner surface (104a), the first inner surface and the second inner surface (104a) being adapted to define an enclosure (106) for housing a plurality of battery cells, the first outer surface (102b) having one or more first heat dissipating units (108) and the second outer surface (104b) having one or more second heat dissipating units (110) wherein orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units (108) being different from the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units (110).

7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the main frame (13) comprises a left main frame (14) and a right main frame (16) and at least one battery pack comprises at least one left battery pack (100a) mounted on the left main frame (14) and the at least one right battery pack (100b) mounted on the right main frame (16), the orientation of the one or more first heat dissipating units (108) being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis B-B of the vehicle (10) and the orientation of the one or more second heat dissipating units (110) being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (10) and wherein the one or more first heat dissipating units (108) of the at least one left battery pack (100a) and the one or more first heat dissipating units (100) of the at least one right battery (100b) pack face each other.
8. The vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more second heat dissipating units (110) of the at least one left battery pack (100a) face outward in left direction of the vehicle (10) and the one or more second heat dissipating units (110) of the at least one right battery pack (100b) face outward in right direction of the vehicle (10).

9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one left battery pack (100a) and the at least one right battery pack (100b) being rectangular in shape.

10. The vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more first heat dissipating units (108) and the one or more second heat dissipating units (110) being fins.

11. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one left battery pack (100a) and the at least one right battery pack (100b) being an air-cooled battery pack.