Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

AN ENERGY STORAGE ASSEMBLY AND A BATTERY UNIT

APPLICANT:

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, an Indian Company at: “Chaitanya”, No.12 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006.

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present subject matter relates generally to an energy storage assembly and a battery unit. More particularly but not exclusively, the present subject matter relates to an energy storage assembly and a battery unit for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0001] Conventionally, for the supply of substantially large amount of current, the use of bare metallic conductors is preferred. More particularly, in the automobile industry and power distribution sector, bare metallic conductors offer various other advantages. These bare metallic conductors include, but are not limited to, a bus-duct, a bus-way and a bus-bar. The electrical bus-bar systems provide a modular approach to electrical wiring. Instead of using a standard cable wiring for every single electrical device, the electrical devices are mounted onto an adapter which is directly fitted to a current carrying bus-bar. The bus-bars enable new circuits to branch off anywhere along the route, as opposed to only allowing the main supply to be branched at one place. This modular approach is extensively used in distribution boards, automation panels, vehicles, especially electric vehicles, and other kinds of installation in an electrical enclosure.
[0002] In many electrical applications, bare metallic conductors are used in integration with a plurality of energy storage cells. Instead of having a contact across an entire surface of a terminal of energy storage cells, the bare metallic conductors have only a few points in contact. This results in the formation of air pockets between the bare metallic conductors and the terminal of energy storage cells. These air pockets inhibit the heat transfer from the energy storage cells to the bare metallic conductors. The points of contact are sufficient for conduction of electricity but are inadequate for heat dissipation from the energy storage cells to the bare metallic conductors and further outwards. Consequently, the points of contact act as bottle neck zone between the bare metallic conductors and the terminal of energy storage cells for the transfer of the heat. Therefore, effective and efficient heat dissipation to the heatsink and eventually to the ambience is also adversely affected.
[0003] Presence of various irregularity on the surface of the bare metallic conductor and cell terminals inhibits maximum utilization of surfaces for heat dissipation. These irregularities are in the form of roughness, undulations, waviness, distortions, inconsistencies in texture, cracks, crevices, cavities, fissures, angularities, slits or a combination thereof which exist on the surface of the conductor. These irregularities are usually result of manufacturing process during moulding or stretching or other processing steps which result in such irregularities on the metal. In order to eliminate the bottle neck zone, a surface welding and laser welding of the bare metallic conductor on to the cell terminals is adopted. However, such welding techniques occur generally at high temperature and high pressure which in turn damages the delicate cell terminals. These welding techniques are expensive as well as time consuming.
[0004] Maintaining uniform temperature across the cells and dissipation of heat are of paramount importance for safe operation of cells and optimum battery life. Cell heating effects the performance of battery pack. Higher cell temperature leads to faster capacity degradation and thermal runaway. Therefore, there is a need to overcome the above cited drawbacks and limitations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The details are described with reference to an embodiment of an energy storage assembly and a battery unit. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer similar features and components.
[0006] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an energy storage assembly.
[0007] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of an energy storage assembly with thermal interface material in the interspace between the cell terminal and the interface.
[0008] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of an energy storage cell.
[0009] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of an energy storage assembly with enlarged view of a cell terminal.
[0010] Figure 5 illustrates a side view of an energy storage assembly without thermal interface material in the interspace between the cell terminal and the interface.
[0011] Figure 6a illustrates a sectional view of an energy storage assembly along the A-A axis shown in the Figure 5.
[0012] Figure 6b illustrates a sectional view of an energy storage assembly along the B-B axis shown in the Figure 5.
[0013] Figure 7a illustrates a perspective of a plurality of energy storage cell.
[0014] Figure 7b illustrates a front view of energy storage cell with the cell terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present subject matter relates to an energy storage assembly. The energy storage assembly comprises at least one energy storage cell, at least one conducting member and a thermal interface material. The at least one energy storage cell is provided with at least two cell terminals. The at least one conducting member is configured to conduct a plurality of forms of an energy. The at least one conducting member is provided with at least one interface. The at least one interface is thermally and electrically coupled with at least one of the at least two cell terminals through at least one attachment. The thermal interface material is a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material. The thermal interface material is configured to be filled in a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one interface and a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one cell terminal.
[0016] The present subject matter also relates to a battery unit. The battery unit comprises a plurality of energy storage cell, at least one conducting member and a thermal interface material. The plurality of energy storage cell is provided with at least two cell terminals. The at least one conducting member is configured to conduct a plurality of forms of an energy. The at least one conducting member is provided with at least one interface. The at least one interface is thermally and electrically coupled with at least one of the at least two cell terminals through at least one attachment. The thermal interface material is a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material. The thermal interface material is configured to be filled in a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one interface and a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one cell terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] In order to overcome one or more of the above-mentioned challenges, the present invention provides an energy storage assembly and a battery unit.
[0018] The disclosed invention provides an improved energy storage assembly and a battery unit with enhanced, effective and efficient heat dissipation from the energy storage cells to the bare metallic conductors. The disclosed invention prevents thermal runway and derated performance of the energy storage cells. Further, the disclosed invention maintains safe operation of the energy storage cells and promotes battery life.
[0019] As per one embodiment of the invention relates to an energy storage assembly. The energy storage assembly comprises at least one energy storage cell, at least one conducting member and a thermal interface material. The at least one energy storage cell is provided with at least two cell terminals. The at least one conducting member is configured to conduct a plurality of forms of an energy. The at least one conducting member is provided with at least one interface. The at least one interface is thermally and electrically coupled with at least one of the at least two cell terminals through at least one attachment. The thermal interface material is a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material. The thermal interface material is configured to be filled in a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one interface and a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one cell terminal.
[0020] As per one embodiment of the invention, the thermal interface material is configured to be filled in at least one interspace between the at least one cell terminal and the at least one interface of the at least one cell terminal. The thermal interface material is configured to transmit heat from the at least one cell terminal to the at least one interface across the at least one interspace.
[0021] As per one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of irregularities on the surface of the at least one interface and the plurality of irregularities on the surface of the at least one cell terminal belongs to a group. The group comprises roughness, undulations, waviness, distortions, inconsistencies in texture, cracks, crevices, cavities, fissures, angularities, slits or a combination thereof.
[0022] As per one embodiment of the invention, the at least one conducting member is a bus-bar. The bus-bar is made up of a material selected from a group consisting of copper, nickel, aluminium, graphite, metal alloy or a combination thereof.
[0023] As per one embodiment of the invention, the at least one conducting member is coupled to a heat sink thereby dissipating the heat emitted from the at least one energy storage cell through the at least one attachment and the thermal interface material wherein the at least one attachment is a spot welded joint.
[0024] As per one embodiment of the invention, one of the at least two cell terminals is provided with a slot. The slot is configured to receive a needle of an injecting device. The needle of the injecting device is configured for an insertion of the thermal interface material in between the at least one cell terminal and the at least one interface. The thermal interface material is in a liquid or a semi-solid state during the insertion.
[0025] As per one embodiment of the invention, the thermal interface material is selected from a group comprising thermal pastes, thermal adhesives, thermal gap fillers or a combination thereof.
[0026] As per one embodiment of the invention, the thermal interface material is in a solid state. The thermal interface material is selected from a group comprising thermal pads, thermal tape, phase-change material (PCM), metal thermal interface material or a combination thereof.
[0027] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a battery unit. The battery unit comprises a plurality of energy storage cell, at least one conducting member and a thermal interface material. The plurality of energy storage cell is provided with at least two cell terminals. The at least one conducting member is configured to conduct a plurality of forms of an energy. The at least one conducting member is provided with at least one interface. The at least one interface is thermally and electrically coupled with at least one of the at least two cell terminals through at least one attachment. The thermal interface material is a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material. The thermal interface material is configured to be filled in a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one interface and a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one cell terminal.
[0028] As per another embodiment of the invention, the thermal interface material is configured to be filled in at least one interspace between the at least one cell terminal and the at least one interface of the at least one conducting member. The thermal interface material is configured to transmit the heat from the at least one cell terminal to the at least one interface across the at least one interspace.
[0029] As per another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of irregularities on the surface of the at least one interface and the plurality of irregularities on the surface of the at least one cell terminal belongs to a group comprising roughness, undulations, waviness, distortions, inconsistencies in texture, cracks, crevices, cavities, fissures, angularities, slits or a combination thereof.
[0030] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to an embodiment of an energy storage assembly, along with the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosed invention is not limited to the present embodiments.
[0031] The embodiments shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 are taken together for discussion. Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an energy storage assembly (100). Figure 2 illustrates a side view of an energy storage assembly (100) with thermal interface material (103) in the interspace (104) between the cell terminal (101T) and the interface (102I). In this embodiment shown in the figures, a bus-bar is used as the conducting member (102). However, the disclosed invention is not limited to bus-bars only. The disclosed invention can also be worked along with other bare metallic conductors like a bus-duct and a bus-way.
[0032] One embodiment of the invention relates to an energy storage assembly (100). The energy storage assembly (100) functions as an energy accumulator which accepts energy, stores energy, and releases energy as needed. The energy storage assembly (100) comprises at least one energy storage cell (101), at least one conducting member (102), and a thermal interface material (103).
[0033] The at least one energy storage cell (101) is provided with at least two cell terminals (101T, shown in Fig. 7b). In a preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention, the at least one energy storage cell (101) is an electro-chemical cell e.g., lithium-ion cells. Lithium-ion cells are eco-friendly, lightweight and compact, and have high energy density, low maintenance. Additionally, Lithium-ion cells have more charge cycles and low self-discharge rate.
The at least one conducting member (102) is configured to conduct a plurality of forms of energy. The plurality of forms of energy includes, but not limited, an electrical energy and a thermal energy.
[0034] The at least one conducting member (102) is provided with at least one interface (102I). The at least one interface (102I) is thermally and electrically coupled with at least one of the at least two cell terminals (101T, shown in Fig. 7b) through at least one attachment (102A, shown in Fig. 7b). The at least one attachment (102A, shown in Fig. 7b) is sufficient enough for the passage of electrical energy. However, the at least one attachment (102A, shown in Fig. 7b) is not adequate for the dissipation of thermal energy owing to the limited cross-sectional area of the at least one attachment (102A, shown in Fig. 7b). This results in bottle neck zone between the at least two cell terminals (101T, shown in Fig. 7b) and the at least one interface (102I) hindering the transfer of the heat.
[0035] The thermal interface material (103) is a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material. Thus, the thermal interface material (103) only allows the passage of heat across it while resisting the movement of the electricity.
[0036] The thermal interface material (103) is configured to be filled in a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one interface (102I) and a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one cell terminals (101T, shown in Fig. 7b). The irregularities decrease the contacting area for thermal coupling between the surface of the at least one interface (102I) and the surface of the at least one cell terminals (101T, shown in Fig. 7b). Therefore, the thermal interface material (103) increases the contacting area for thermal coupling by filling in the irregularities. Consequently, effective and enhanced dissipation of the heat from the one of the at least two cell terminals (101T, shown in Fig. 7b) to the at least one interface (102I) is achieved.
[0037] In the energy storage assembly (100), the plurality of irregularities on the surface of the at least one interface (102I) and the plurality of irregularities on the surface of the at least one cell terminal (101T, shown in Fig. 7b) belongs to a group. The group comprises roughness, undulations, waviness, distortions, inconsistencies in texture, cracks, crevices, cavities, fissures, angularities, slits or a combination thereof. These irregularities can be formed due to imperfect manufacturing processes or due to wear and tear of the at least one conducting member (102). Even when manufacturing of the at least one conducting member (102) involves considering finishing for smoothness of the surface, there can still be irregularities at the micro level invisible to the naked eye but may cause disadvantages as explained above.
[0038] In the energy storage assembly (100), the thermal interface material (103) is configured to be filled in at least one interspace (104, shown in Fig. 3) between the at least one cell terminal (101T, shown in Fig. 7b) and the at least one interface (102I). The at least one interspace (104, shown in Fig. 3) are the air gaps between the at least one cell terminal (101T, shown in Fig. 7b) and the at least one interface (102I). These air gaps tend to form as the at least one attachment (102A, shown in Fig. 7b) do not encompass over an entire surface of the at least one cell terminal (101T, shown in Fig. 7b) and the at least one interface (102I). The at least one interspace (104, shown in Fig. 3) is electrically and thermally insulating in nature. Therefore, the at least one interspace (104, shown in Fig. 3) also hinders the dissipation of the heat if the at least one interspace (104) are not filled with the thermal interface material (103).
[0039] To eliminate these air gaps, the at least one interspace (104, shown in Fig. 3) is filled with the thermal interface material (103). The thermal interface material (103) transmits the heat from the at least one cell terminal (101T, shown in Fig. 7b) to the at least one interface (102I) across the at least one interspace (104, shown in Fig. 3). As a result, effective and enhanced dissipation of the heat from the one of the at least two cell terminals (101T, shown in Fig. 7b) to the at least one interface (102I) is achieved.
[0040] The embodiments shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 are taken together for discussion. Figure 3 illustrates a side view of an energy storage cell (101). Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of an energy storage assembly (100) with enlarged view of a cell terminal (101T).
[0041] The at least one conducting member (102) can be a bus-bar in one embodiment. The bus-bar is made up of a material selected from a group consisting of copper, nickel, aluminium, graphite, metal alloy or a combination thereof. The bus-bar functions as the electricity distribution medium from the energy source to the various electrical devices which are powered by the energy source. Bus-bars can carry substantial amount of the current. Bus-bars offer faster assembly, space-optimization, reliable electrical performance, structural integrity, low impedance and interference, and excellent heat dissipation. Therefore, the bus-bar is a preferred alternative to cable distribution in high current transmission applications such as vehicles. However, the present invention is not limited to energy storage assembly (100) for a vehicle.
[0042] If, the thermal interface material (103) is in a solid state then the thermal interface material (103) is selected from a group. The group comprises thermal pads, thermal tape, phase-change material (PCM), metal thermal interface material or a combination thereof.
[0043] Thermal pads are manufactured and used in a solid state. Thermal pads are mostly made of silicone or silicone-like material and are often soft in order to conform to the bonded surfaces with the application of force. Thermal pads are easy to apply and provide thicker bond lines to accommodate non-flat interfaces.
[0044] Similar to the thermal pads, the thermal tapes have solid but flexible form. The thermal tapes adhere to the bonded surfaces and require no curing time.
[0045] Phase-change material (PCM) also have solid form when applied between bonded surface. PCM changes to a half-liquid consistency to fill in the gaps, after achieving a melting point.
[0046] Metal thermal interface materials offer substantially higher bulk thermal conductivity as well as the lowest thermal interface resistance. Relatively soft and compliant indium alloys, as well as sintered silver are used as metal thermal interface materials.
[0047] The embodiments shown in Figure 5, Figure 6a and Figure 6b are taken together for discussion. Figure 5 illustrates a side view of an energy storage assembly (100) without thermal interface material (103) in the interspace (104) between the cell terminal (101T) and the interface (102I). Figure 6a illustrates a sectional view of an energy storage assembly (100) along the A-A axis shown in the figure 5. Figure 6b illustrates a sectional view of an energy storage assembly (100) along the B-B axis shown in the figure 5.
[0048] Another embodiment of the invention pertains to a battery unit (not shown). The battery unit also functions as an energy accumulator which accepts energy, stores energy, and releases energy as needed. However, the battery unit (not shown) is a combination of a plurality of energy storage cells (101). The battery unit (not shown) further comprises at least one conducting member (102), and a thermal interface material (103).
[0049] The plurality of energy storage cells (101) is provided with at least two cell terminals (101T). In a preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention, the plurality of energy storage cells (101) is an electro-chemical cell e.g., lithium-ion cells. Lithium-ion cells are eco-friendly, lightweight and compact and have high energy density and low maintenance. Additionally, Lithium-ion cells have more charge cycles and low self-discharge rate.
[0050] The at least one conducting member (102) is configured to conduct a plurality of forms of energy. The plurality of forms of energy includes, but not limited, an electrical energy and a thermal energy.
[0051] The at least one conducting member (102) is provided with at least one interface (102I). The at least one interface (102I) is thermally and electrically coupled with at least one of the at least two cell terminals (101T) through at least one attachment (102A, shown in Fig. 7b). The at least one attachment (102A, shown in Fig. 7b) is sufficient enough for the passage of electrical energy. However, the at least one attachment (102A, shown in Fig. 7b) is not adequate for the dissipation of thermal energy owing to the limited cross-sectional area of the at least one attachment (102A, shown in Fig. 7b). This results in bottle neck zone between the at least two cell terminals (101T) and the at least one interface (102I) hindering the transfer of the heat.
[0052] The thermal interface material (103) is a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material. Thus, the thermal interface material (103) only allows the passage of heat across it while resisting the movement of the electricity.
[0053] The thermal interface material (103) is configured to be filled in a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one interface (102I) and a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one cell terminals (101T). The irregularities decrease the contacting area for thermal coupling between the surface of the at least one interface (102I) and the surface of the at least one cell terminals (101T). Therefore, the thermal interface material (103) increases the contacting area for thermal coupling by filling in the irregularities. Consequently, effective and enhanced dissipation of the heat from the one of the at least two cell terminals (101T) to the at least one interface (102I) is achieved.
[0054] The at least one cell terminals (101T), shown in Figure 5, extends as a planar structure and then extends upwards to form the at least one attachment (102A). The at least one attachment (102A) can also be in the form of spot-welded joints on the at least one cell terminals (101T). The gap between the at least one cell terminals (101T) and the at least one interface (102I) forms the at least one interspace (104). This at least one interspace (104) receives the thermal interface material (103) to thermally couple the at least one cell terminals (101T) to the at least one interface (102I).
[0055] In the battery unit (not shown), the plurality of irregularities on the surface of the at least one interface (102I) and the plurality of irregularities on the surface of the at least one cell terminal (101T) belongs to a group. The group comprises roughness, undulations, waviness, distortions, inconsistencies in texture, cracks, crevices, cavities, fissures, angularities, slits or a combination thereof.
[0056] In the battery unit (not shown), the thermal interface material (103) is configured to be filled in at least one interspace (104, shown in Fig. 3) between the at least one cell terminal (101T) and the at least one interface (102I). The at least one interspace (104, shown in Fig. 3) are the air gaps between the at least one cell terminal (101T) and the at least one interface (102I). These air gaps tend to form as the at least one attachment (102A, shown in Fig. 7b) do not encompass over an entire surface of the at least one cell terminal (101T) and the at least one interface (102I). The at least one interspace (104, shown in Fig. 3) is electrically and thermally insulating in nature. Therefore, the at least one interspace (104, shown in Fig. 3) also hinders the dissipation of the heat if the at least one interspace (104) is not filled with the thermal interface material (103).
[0057] To eliminate these air gaps, the at least one interspace (104, shown in Fig. 3) is filled with the thermal interface material (103). The thermal interface material (103) transmits the heat from the at least one cell terminal (101T) to the at least one interface (102I) across the at least one interspace (104, shown in Fig. 3). As a result, effective and enhanced dissipation of the heat from the one of the at least two cell terminals (101T) to the at least one interface (102I) is achieved.
[0058] The embodiments shown in Figure 7a and Figure 7b are taken together for discussion. Figure 7a illustrates a perspective of a plurality of energy storage cell (101). Figure 7b illustrates a front view of energy storage cell (101) with the cell terminal (101T).
[0059] The at least one conducting member (102, shown in Fig. 1) is coupled to a heat sink (not shown). As a result, the heat emitted from the at least one energy storage cell (101) is dissipated through the at least one attachment (102A) and the thermal interface material (103, shown in Fig. 2). The heat sink (not shown) can be a casing. The casing is provided with fins for dissipating the heat to the air medium. In an alternate embodiment, the casing is provided with a plurality of conduits for channelizing liquid coolant for heat dissipation. The liquid coolant is thermally conductive and electrically insulating in nature.
[0060] The at least one attachment (102A) is a spot welded joint. Spot welding joints do not require welding over an entire surface of the at least one cell terminal (101T). This prevents any damage to the at least one cell terminal (101T) from the welding process at higher temperature and pressure. This also reduces the production cost and time taken in manufacturing. This is because the surface welding is expensive and time consuming compared to the spot welding.
[0061] The thermal interface material (103, shown in Fig. 2) can be in liquid or semi-liquid state. The thermal interface material (103, shown in Fig. 2) is selected from a group comprising thermal pastes, thermal adhesives, thermal gap fillers or a combination thereof.
[0062] Thermal pastes provide a thin bond line and therefore a very small thermal resistance. Thermal pastes have no mechanical strength and require an external mechanical fixation mechanism. Since thermal pastes do not cure, they are typically only used where the material can be contained, or in thin applications where the viscosity of the paste will allow it to stay in position during use.
[0063] Thermal adhesives also provide a very thin bond line, but provide additional mechanical strength to the bond after curing. The thermal gap fillers provide thicker bond lines than the thermal paste. The thermal gap fillers cure with time but still allow an easy disassembly due to limited adhesiveness.
[0064] One of the at least two cell terminals (101T) is provided with a slot (101S). The slot (101S) is configured to receive a needle (not shown) of an injecting device (not shown). The needle (not shown) of the injecting device (not shown) is configured for an insertion of the thermal interface material (103, shown in Fig. 2) in between the at least one cell terminal (101T) and the at least one interface (102I, shown in Fig. 2). The thermal interface material (103, shown in Fig. 2) being in a liquid or a semi-solid state during the insertion.
[0065] The presently disclosed invention therefore has multiple advantages. The present invention reduces thermal contact resistance between the at least one cell terminal (101T) and the at least one interface (102I). This results in efficient heat dissipation to the at least one conducting member (102) and effective cooling of the at least one energy storage cell (101). Thus, the present invention contributes to even heat distribution which is critical for high energy batteries. The thermal interface material (103) enables the use of spot welding as the at least one attachment (102A). This prevents any damage to the at least one cell terminal (101T) from the welding process at higher temperature and pressure. This also reduces the production cost and time taken in manufacturing in addition to significantly reducing risk due to damage.
[0066] The present disclosed invention relates to an energy storage assembly (100) and a battery unit for a vehicle. However, the disclosed invention is not limited to vehicular applications. The present invention can also be worked upon with the power distribution boards, automation panels, and in an electrical enclosure. For example, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “they” can include plural referents unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. Further, when introducing elements/components/etc. of the assembly/system described and/or illustrated herein, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there is one or more of the element(s)/component(s)/etc. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional element(s)/component(s)/etc. other than the listed element(s)/component(s)/etc.
[0067] This written description uses examples to provide details on the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
[0068] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 Energy storage assembly
101
101S
101T At least one Energy storage cell
Slot
At least two cell terminals
102
102A
102I At least one conducting member
At least one attachment
At least one Interface
103
104 Thermal interface material
At least one Interspace
, Claims:We Claim:
1. An energy storage assembly (100), the energy storage assembly (100) comprising:
at least one energy storage cell (101), the at least one energy storage cell (101) being provided with at least two cell terminals (101T);
at least one conducting member (102), the at least one conducting member (102) being configured to conduct a plurality of forms of an energy, the at least one conducting member (102) being provided with at least one interface (102I), the at least one interface (102I) being thermally and electrically coupled with at least one of the at least two cell terminals (101T) through at least one attachment (102A); and
a thermal interface material (103), the thermal interface material (103) being a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material, the thermal interface material (103) being configured to be filled in a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one interface (102I) and a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one cell terminal (101T).
2. The energy storage assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermal interface material (103) being configured to be filled in at least one interspace (104) between the at least one cell terminal (101T) and the at least one interface (102I) of the at least one conducting member (102), and the thermal interface material (103) being configured to transmit heat from the at least one cell terminal (101T) to the at least one interface (102I) across the at least one interspace (104).
3. The energy storage assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of irregularities on the surface of the at least one interface (102I) and the plurality of irregularities on the surface of the at least one cell terminal (101T) belonging to a group comprising roughness, undulations, waviness, distortions, inconsistencies in texture, cracks, crevices, cavities, fissures, angularities, slits or a combination thereof.
4. The energy storage assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one conducting member (102) being a bus-bar, the bus-bar being made up of a material selected from a group consisting of copper, nickel, aluminium, graphite, metal alloy or a combination thereof.
5. The energy storage assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one conducting member (102) being coupled to a heat sink thereby dissipating the heat emitted from the at least one energy storage cell (101) through the at least one attachment (102A) and the thermal interface material (103), the at least one attachment (102A) being a spot welded joint.
6. The energy storage assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the at least two cell terminals (101T) being provided with a slot (101S), the slot (101S) being configured to receive a needle of an injecting device, the needle of the injecting device being configured for an insertion of the thermal interface material (103) in between the at least one cell terminal (101T) and the at least one interface (102I), the thermal interface material (103) being in a liquid or a semi-solid state during the insertion.
7. The energy storage assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the thermal interface material (103) being selected from a group comprising thermal pastes, thermal adhesives, thermal gap fillers or a combination thereof.
8. The energy storage assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermal interface material (103) being in a solid state and the thermal interface material (103) being selected from a group comprising thermal pads, thermal tape, phase-change material (PCM), metal thermal interface material or a combination thereof.
9. A battery unit, the battery unit comprising:
a plurality of energy storage cells (101), the plurality of energy storage cells (101) being provided with at least two cell terminals (101T);
at least one conducting member (102), the at least one conducting member (102) being configured to conduct a plurality of forms of energy, the at least one conducting member (102) being provided with at least one interface (102I), the at least one interface (102I) being thermally and electrically coupled with at least one of the at least two cell terminals (101T) through at least one attachment (102A); and
a thermal interface material (103), the thermal interface material (103) being a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material, the thermal interface material (103) being configured to be filled in a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one interface (102I) and a plurality of irregularities on a surface of the at least one cell terminals (101T).
10. The battery unit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the thermal interface material (103) being configured to be filled in at least one interspace (104) between the at least one cell terminal (101T) and the at least one interface (102I) of the at least one conducting member (102), and the thermal interface material (103) being configured to transmit heat from the at least one cell terminal (101T) to the at least one interface (102I) across the at least one interspace (104).
11. The battery unit as claimed in claim 10, the plurality of irregularities on the surface of the at least one interface (102I) and the plurality of irregularities on the surface of the at least one cell terminal (101T) belonging to a group comprising roughness, undulations, waviness, distortions, inconsistencies in texture, cracks, crevices, cavities, fissures, angularities, slits or a combination thereof.

Dated this 10th day of August, 2023

(Digitally Signed)
Sudarshan Singh Shekhawat
IN/PA-1611
Agent for the Applicant