Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] Present invention generally relates to a battery assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cell holder in the battery assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In the automotive industry, lead-acid batteries have been the conventional choice for starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI) application for both Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) and starter motor variant vehicles. However, these batteries have significant limitations in terms of low energy density, limited cycle life and cumbersome physical dimensions. In addition, the bulkiness and weight of these batteries pose challenges by occupying a substantial volume within the structure of a vehicle. Specifically, given the substantial size and weight of the lead-acid batteries, they provide significantly lower energy density and has a lower cycle life. Hence, these lead-acid batteries not only contribute to reduced efficiency and performance but also limit design flexibility and hinder the overall potential for innovation in vehicle construction and operation.
[003] To overcome these limitations, the existing lead-acid batteries are replaced with the lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries provide higher energy density and higher cycle life, enabling greater power output and enhanced performance with a reduced footprint. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries utilize lesser number of cells, leading to reduced overall weight and volume of the battery assembly, providing an efficient and compact energy solution for modern vehicles.
[004] Consequently, the adoption of lithium-ion batteries necessitates the development of a robust cell holder within the battery assembly. It is a necessity that any cell holder should offer protection against external impacts and ensure secure and streamlined assembly within the limited space available in the vehicle. Moreover, conventional cell holders are not retrofittable and require adjustments for each new cell configuration. This necessitates a requirement for modification of the cell holder as per requirement for each new cell configuration. Additionally, creating sufficient space between electronic components and the battery assembly housing requires additional parts, thereby increasing part count. Moreover, the use of large cell holders for accommodating battery cells leads to complex assembly process. Furthermore, it is necessary that the cell holder should allow for easy and efficient assembly, promoting a simplified integration process and facilitating maintenance and repair of the battery assembly.
[005] In view of the above, there is a need for a battery assembly, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards a battery assembly. The battery assembly has one or more battery cells disposed in a housing. The battery assembly further has one or more cell holders. Each of the one or more cells holders is configured to secure the one or more battery cells, each cell holder having a polygonal profile. Each cell holder has a plurality of recesses provided on at least a first pair of adjacent edges and a plurality of protrusions on at least a second pair of adjacent edges. Herein, the recesses on each cell holder are configured to receive the protrusions of an adjacent cell holder, thereby being capable of forming a set of cell holders for supporting the one or more battery cells.
[007] In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the one or battery cells has a first end and a second end. One of the one or more cell holders is provided on the first end of each of the one or more battery cells, and one of the one or more cell holders is provided on the second end of each of the one or more battery cells.
[008] In a further embodiment of the present invention, each cell holder is symmetric to the adjacent cell holder.
[009] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the battery assembly has a first cell holder, a second cell holder, a third cell holder and a fourth cell holder. Herein, the plurality of protrusions on a first edge of the first cell holder is configured to detachably receive the plurality of recess provided on the second cell holder. Herein, the plurality of protrusions on a second edge of the first cell holder is configured to detachably receive the plurality of recess provided on the third cell holder. Herein, the fourth cell holder is detachably attached to the second cell holder and the third cell holder, thereby forming the set of cell holders for supporting one or more battery cells, the set of cells holders is detachable.
[010] In a further embodiment of the present invention, each cell holder has a square profile.
[011] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of recesses and the plurality of protrusions on the one or more cell holders have a trapezium profile, thereby allowing the plurality of protrusions to be slide-fit in the plurality of recesses.
[012] In a further embodiment of the present invention, each cell holder has a plurality of support members extending outwardly from the cell holder. Each support member provided at each vertex of the cell holder.
[013] In a further embodiment of the present invention, each cell holder has an inner face and an outer face. The inner face is configured to receive one of the one or more battery cells and the plurality of support members provided on the outer face of the cell holder.
[014] In a further embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of support members is configured to receive a support plate through one or more brace members. The support plate is configured to support a battery management system of the battery assembly.
[015] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the support plate has one or more holder members. The one or more holder members is configured to secure one or more wires of the battery assembly.
[016] In a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the one or more battery cells has a cylindrical shape. Herein, each of the one or more cell holders has a circular slot for receiving each of the one or more battery cells.
[017] In another aspect, the present invention is directed towards a cell holder. The cell holder has a polygonal profile. The cell holder has a plurality of recesses provided on at least a first pair of adjacent edges of the cell holder. The cell holder further has a plurality of protrusions on at least a second pair of adjacent edges of the cell holder. Herein, the recesses on each cell holder are configured to receive the protrusions of an adjacent cell holder, thereby being capable of forming a set of cell holders for supporting the one or more battery cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[018] 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 assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2A and Figure 2B illustrates a perspective view of a cell holder in the battery assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3A and Figure 3B illustrates a front view of the cell holder and a rear view of the cell holder respectively in the battery assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a top view of a support plate in the battery assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[019] The present invention generally relates to a battery assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cell holder in the battery assembly.
[020] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a battery assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the present embodiment, the battery assembly 100 includes one or more battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110 and one or more cell holders 200. In an embodiment, the one or more battery cells has a cylindrical shape and are also known as cylindrical battery cells. A cylindrical battery cell is a kind of can-type battery in which an electrode assembly is embedded in a metal can. The metal can may be made of a lightweight conductive metal such as aluminium, stainless steel or alloys thereof. Each of the one or battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110 comprises a first end and a second end. In an example, the first end is a positive terminal of the battery cell 104 and the second end is the negative terminal of the battery cell 104. In an embodiment, one or more battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110 are disposed horizontally such that the one or more battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110 having alternating polarity face in the same direction. For example, the one or more battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110 may all be arranged horizontally such that one of the battery cell with positive terminal and another battery cell with negative terminal face in one direction so that the arrangement of the one or more battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110 have a square profile when viewed from sideways. In an embodiment, the battery assembly 100 includes at least four battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110. In another embodiment, at least four battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110 in the battery assembly 100 is 4 Series 1 Parallel (4S1P) configuration.
[021] Further, the one or more cell holders 200 are components for accommodating and mounting the one or more battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110 as bundle unit that forms the battery assembly 100. That is, one of the one or more cell holders 200 is provided on the first terminal end of each of the one or more battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110 and one of the one or more cell holders 200 is provided on the second terminal end of each of the one or more battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110. In an embodiment, the one or more cell holders 200 is made of polycarbonate material.
[022] The cell holder 200 has a polygonal profile. In an embodiment, the cell holder 200 has a square profile. Each of the cell holder 200 includes a plurality of recesses 206 (shown in Figure 2A) and the plurality of protrusions 204 (shown in Figure 2A) having a trapezium profile. This allows the plurality of protrusions 204 to be slide-fit in the plurality of recesses 206. The battery assembly 100 further comprises a support plate 112. The support plate 112 is configured to support a Battery Management System (BMS) 102 of the battery assembly 100. The battery assembly 100 is disposed in a housing (not shown). In an embodiment, the housing is made of polyamide or nylon (PA66-GF30) material.
[023] Referring to Figure 2A in conjunction with Figure 1, each of the cell holder 200 comprises a plurality of recesses 206 provided on at least a pair of adjacent edges of the cell holder 200 and a plurality of protrusions 204 on another pair of adjacent edges of the cell holder 200. In an embodiment, the battery assembly 100 comprises a first cell holder 200a, a second cell holder 200b, a third cell holder 200c and a fourth cell holder 200d. Each cell holder 200a, 200b, 200c and 200d are symmetric to the adjacent cell holder. For example, the cell holder 200a comprises a plurality of recesses 206 provided on at least a first pair of adjacent edges 210a, 210b of the cell holder 200 and a plurality of protrusions 204 on at least a second pair of adjacent edges 212a, 212b of the cell holder 200a. The recesses 206 on each cell holder are configured to receive the protrusions 204 of an adjacent cell holder, thereby being capable of forming a set of cell holders for supporting the one or more battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110. Further, each of the one or more cell holders 200 have a circular slot 208 for receiving each of the one or more battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110. Each cell holder 200 comprises a plurality of support members 202 extending outwardly from the cell holder 200. Each support member 202 is provided at each vertex of the cell holder 200. For example, the cell holder 200b having a square profile has four support member 202 at each vertex of the cell holder 200b. Each cell holder 200 have an inner face and an outer face. The inner face is configured to receive one of the one or more battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110 and the plurality of support members 202 being provided on the outer face of the cell holder 200.
[024] For example, the cell holder 200a is placed on a first end of the battery cell 106. Similarly, the cell holder 200b is placed on a first end of the battery cell 104, the cell holder 200c is placed on a first end of the battery cell 110 and the cell holder 200d is placed on a first end of the battery cell 108. In addition, the plurality of protrusions 204 on a first edge 212a of the first cell holder 200a are configured to detachably receive the plurality of recesses 206 provided on the second cell holder 200b. Similarly, the plurality of protrusions 204 on a second edge 212b of the first cell holder 200a being configured to detachably receive the plurality of recess 206 provided on the third cell holder 200c. Similarly, the fourth cell holder 200d being detachably attached to the second cell holder 200b and the third cell holder 200c, thereby being capable of forming a detachable the set of cell holders for supporting one or more battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110, the set of cells holders being detachable. In addition, such a slide-fit mechanism of the adjacent cell holders provides a set of cell holders that ensure insulation or spacing for the battery cells by preventing the contact of the battery cells with any live parts. Further, in the set of cell holders, the protrusion 204 on the cell holder 200 provided on an end of the set of cell holders would also ensure sufficient spacing between the battery cells 104, 106, 108, 110 and any other parts in the vicinity.
[025] Figure 2B illustrates a front view of the cell holder in the battery assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The plurality of recesses 206 are provided on a first pair of adjacent edges 210a, 210b of the cell holder 200a. The plurality of protrusions 204 are provided on a pair of adjacent edges of the cell holder 200c.
[026] Figure 3A and Figure 3B illustrates a front view of the cell holder 200 and a rear view of the cell holder 200 respectively in the battery assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 3A, the plurality of support members 202 extend outwardly from each of the cell holder 200. Each support member 202 is provided at each vertex of the cell holder 200. In an embodiment, the support member 202 has a square profile. As illustrated in Figure 3B, the plurality of protrusions 204 are provided on a pair of adjacent edges of the cell holder 200b. Further, a plurality of recesses 206 are provided on a pair of adjacent edges of the cell holder 200d.
[027] Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the support plate in the battery assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 4 in conjunction with Figure 1 and Figure 2A, at least one of the plurality of support members 202 is configured to receive the support plate 112 through one or more brace members 114a, 114b. The support plate 112 is configured to support the battery management system 102 of the battery assembly 100. Further, the support plate 112 comprises one or more holder members 116. The one or more holder members 116 is configured to secure one or more wires of the battery assembly 100. The support plate 112 is mounted on to the battery assembly 100 via a plurality of fasteners 118.
[028] Advantageously, the present invention provides a versatile configuration of the cell holders, which allows for a battery assembly that can be modulated or configured as required. This eliminates the need for different cell holders when the configuration of the battery cells in the battery assembly changes, as the cell holders can be assembled as a set of cell holders easily as per the configuration of the battery cells. The present invention simplifies the assembly process and reduces the assembly time of the cell holders by providing a slide-fit or snap-fit mechanism of the adjacent cell holders. As a result, the present invention is also cost effective.
[029] Further, the present invention provides insulation or spacing for the battery cells by preventing the contact of the battery cells with any live parts, effectively eliminating the potential hazard in the battery assembly. Additionally, the cell holder protects the battery cell from external damage thus protecting the battery assembly. Moreover, the cell holders are mounted without the use of fasteners ensuing easy assembly and disassembly.
[030] 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.

List of Reference Numerals
100: Battery Assembly
102: Battery Management System
104, 106, 108, 110: Battery Cells
112: Support Plate
114a, 114b: Brace Members
116: Holder Members
118: Plurality of fasteners
200: Cell Holder
200a, 200b, 200c, 220d: Plurality of Cell Holders
202: Support Members
204: Protrusions
206: Recesses
208: Circular Slot
210a, 210b: First pair of adjacent edges
212a, 212b: Second pair of adjacent edges
, C , C , Claims:1. A battery assembly (100), comprising:
one or more battery cells (104, 106, 108, 110) being disposed in a housing; and
one or more cell holders (200), each of the one or more cells holders configured to secure the one or more battery cells (104, 106, 108, 110), each cell holder (200) having a polygonal profile, each cell holder (200) comprising a plurality of recesses (206) provided on at least a first pair of adjacent edges (210a, 210b) and a plurality of protrusions (204) on at least a second pair of adjacent edges (212a, 212b), wherein the recesses (206) on each cell holder are configured to receive the protrusions (204) of an adjacent cell holder, thereby being capable of forming a set of cell holders for supporting the one or more battery cells (104, 106, 108, 110).

2. The battery assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or battery cells (104, 106, 108, 110) comprising a first end and a second end, one of the one or more cell holders (200) is provided on the first end of each of the one or more battery cells (104, 106, 108, 110), and one of the one or more cell holders (200) is provided on the second end of each of the one or more battery cells (104, 106, 108, 110).

3. The battery assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each cell holder (200) is symmetric to the adjacent cell holder.

4. The battery assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery assembly (100) comprising a first cell holder (200a), a second cell holder (200b), a third cell holder (200c), and a fourth cell holder (200d), wherein the plurality of protrusions (204) on a first edge (212a) of the first cell holder (200a) being configured to detachably receive the plurality of recess (206) provided on the second cell holder (200b), and wherein the plurality of protrusions (204) on a second edge (212b) of the first cell holder (200a) being configured to detachably receive the plurality of recess (206) provided on the third cell holder (200c), and wherein the fourth cell holder (200d) being detachably attached to the second cell holder (200b) and the third cell holder (200c), thereby forming the set of cell holders for supporting one or more battery cells (104, 106, 108, 110), the set of cells holders being detachable.

5. The battery assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each cell holder (200) having a square profile.

6. The battery assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of recesses (206) and the plurality of protrusions (204) on the one or more cell holders (200) have a trapezium profile, thereby allowing the plurality of protrusions (204) to be slide-fit in the plurality of recesses (206).

7. The battery assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each cell holder (200) comprises a plurality of support members (202) extending outwardly from the cell holder (200), each support member (202) being provided at each vertex of the cell holder (200).

8. The battery assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein each cell holder (200) comprising an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being configured to receive one of the one or more battery cells (104, 106, 108, 110) and the plurality of support members (202) being provided on the outer face of the cell holder (200).

9. The battery assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of support members (202) is configured to receive a support plate (112) through one or more brace members (114a, 114b), the support plate (112) being configured to support a battery management system (102) of the battery assembly (100).
10. The battery assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the support plate (112) comprises one or more holder members (116), the one or more holder members (116) being configured to secure one or more wires of the battery assembly (100).

11. The battery assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more battery cells (104, 106, 108, 110) has a cylindrical shape, and wherein each of the one or more cell holders (200) having a circular slot (208) for receiving each of the one or more battery cells (104, 106, 108, 110).

12. A cell holder (200), the cell holder (200) having a polygonal profile, the cell holder (200) comprising:
a plurality of recesses (206) provided on at least a first pair of adjacent edges (210a, 210b) of the cell holder (200); and
a plurality of protrusions (204) on at least a second pair of adjacent edges (212a, 212b) of the cell holder (200), wherein the recesses (206) on each cell holder are configured to receive the protrusions (204) of an adjacent cell holder, thereby being capable of forming a set of cell holders for supporting the one or more battery cells (104, 106, 108, 110).