Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter relates to a battery pack, more particularly, a design of a low voltage battery module of the battery pack.
BACKGROUND
[002] In general, a battery pack comprises of a plurality of battery modules. 5 Further each of the plurality of battery modules are formed of individual cell modules. The battery pack is primarily of two types, i.e., high voltage and low voltage capacity.
[003] In general, a high voltage battery is a battery which is rated above 60Volts. However, a high voltage battery is extremely dangerous and handling as well as 10 assembly of the high voltage battery requires skilled experts to do the job. Hence, the assembly of the high voltage battery is tiresome and complex.
[004] Furthermore, the high voltage battery has high voltage terminals which are dangerous to touch. Even if a person comes in contact with the high voltage battery terminals, there are high risks that the person will experience an electrical shock, 15 that may be fatal as well.
[005] Thus, in order to avoid direct contact of a person with the high voltage terminals of the high voltage battery, alternate configurations of the manufacturing of the high voltage battery is provided. Conventionally, the high voltage battery is composed using plurality of low voltage batteries being stacked together in a series 20 or a parallel configuration. The low voltage batteries generally have a voltage rating below 60 volts.
[006] In the above configuration, the stacking of multiple low voltage batteries makes the battery pack bulky and increases weight of the battery pack. Further the use of multiple low voltage batteries increases the part count and also the electrical 25 resistance experienced by the cells during the conduction of current from one cell to another.
[007] Furthermore, the assembly time required to assembly the multiple low voltage batteries together inside the battery pack is tiresome and time consuming. Furthermore, the series and parallel configuration of the multiple low voltage 30
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batteries have to be changed as per power rating and voltage rating of the battery pack. [008] Hence, it is preferred to have a high voltage battery pack without increasing the part count, weight and overall assembly time of the high voltage battery and also provide a shock proof assembly of the high voltage battery. 5
SUMMARY
[009] The present subject matter provides a battery pack comprising a first cell module and a second cell module being connected in series by a bus bar for forming a high voltage battery module which in turn forms a high voltage battery pack 10 without increasing part count and weight of the battery pack.
[010] As per an aspect of the present invention, a battery pack comprising a battery module. The battery module comprising a first cell module and a second cell module. The first cell module and the second cell module being connected in a series configuration through a bus bar. The bus bar is configured to connect the first cell 15 module and the second cell module to form the battery module and the battery module is a high voltage battery module.
[011] As per an embodiment, the first cell module and the second cell module being of low voltage configuration.
[012] As per another embodiment, the first cell module comprising a first 20 positive terminal and a first negative terminal. The first positive terminal and the first negative terminal being disposed on one of a first surface and a second surface of the first cell module. The first surface and the second surface being opposite to each other.
[013] As per another embodiment, the second cell module comprising a second 25 positive terminal and a second negative terminal. The second positive terminal and the second negative terminal being disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface of the first cell module and the second cell module.
[014] As per another embodiment, the first positive terminal on the first cell module is electrically connected to the second negative terminal of the second cell 30 module through the bus bar.
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[015] As per another embodiment, the first negative terminal of the first cell module is electrically connected to the second positive terminal of the second cell module through the bus bar.
[016] As per another embodiment, the bus bar is connected through a plurality if mounting points and the bus bar is fastened through one or more fasteners. 5
[017] As per another embodiment, the bus bar is coated with an insulation material and the insulation material being one of a dielectric, plastic and a rubber material.
[018] As per another embodiment, the bus bar having a length of 50-100mm, a width of 5-10mm, and a thickness of 0.1-1.5mm. 10
[019] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPT ION OF THE DRAWINGS 15
[020] The present invention is described with reference to figures. This invention is implementable in two-wheeled, three wheeled and four wheeled vehicles and any other electrical appliances using a battery pack. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference features and components. Further, the inventive features of the invention are outlined in the appended claims. 20
[021] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a battery pack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[022] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a battery module of the battery pack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[023] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the battery module, in accordance 25 with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[024] Figures 4a and 4b illustrates a top view of a first cell module and a second cell module of the battery module, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[025] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a bus bar, in accordance with an 30 embodiment of the present subject matter.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[026] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are 5 used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims. 10
[027] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting 15 principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[028] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, 20 whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims. 25
[029] Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, 30 particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation
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and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification. [030] Hence it is an object of the present invention to provide a battery pack which is of high voltage value by connecting a plurality of low voltage cell modules without increasing pack size and also to overcome other related problems known in 5 the art as explained in the background problem.
[031] It is also an object of the present invention to reduce overall part count and weight of the battery pack.
[032] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a shock proof assembly procedure of the high voltage battery pack. 10
[033] It is also an object of the present invention to reduce electrical resistance produced in the high voltage battery pack due to multiple low voltage battery packs being stacked together.
[034] It is also an object of the present invention to provide ease of assembly and also reduce overall assembly time of the battery pack. 15
[035] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[036] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a battery pack (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A battery pack (100) comprising a lid (102), a plurality of side covers (106) and a connector unit (104). 20 In one embodiment, the battery pack (100) is a high voltage battery pack with a voltage rating above 60Volts. The battery pack (100) is composed of a battery module (200) (as shown in figure 2), and a battery management system (not shown). The battery management system is disposed in the lid (102) of the battery pack (100), and the battery module (200) is covered on all sides and disposed inside the plurality 25 of side covers (106) of the battery pack (100). The connector (104) is configured to connect the battery pack (100) to an electric motor (not shown) and other electrical power equipment.
[037] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a battery module (200) of the battery pack (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. 30 The battery module (200) comprising a first side (202a) and a second side (202b). In
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one embodiment, the first side (202a) is a top side, and the first side (202a) is configured to face towards the lid (102). In another embodiment, the second side (202b) is a bottom side, and the second side (202b) is configured to face opposite to the first side (202a) and the lid (102) of the battery pack (100). The battery module (200) is composed of a plurality of cells (210) and the plurality of cells (210) (as 5 shown in figure 3) are electrically connected in a series and a parallel configuration with each other. [038] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the battery module (200), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The battery module (200) comprising the plurality of cells (210) disposed between one or more cell 10 holders (208a, 208b). The one or more cell holders (208a, 208b) comprising a plurality of slots for disposition of the plurality of cells (210) in each of the plurality of slots. The plurality of cells (210) is further connected with one or more interconnectors (203a, 203b) for establishing electrical connection between each of the plurality of cells (210). In one embodiment, the plurality of cells (210) being one 15 of a cylindrical cell, a lithium ion cell, a lead acid cell, prismatic cell etc. In another embodiment, the one or more interconnectors (203a, 203b) being disposed on the first side (202a) of the plurality of cells (210) of the battery module (200). In another embodiment, the one or more interconnectors (203a, 203b) being disposed on the second side (202b) of the plurality of cells (210) of the battery module (200). The 20 battery module (200) is divided into a first cell module (300) and a second cell module (302) (as shown in figures 4a and 4b). The plurality of cells (210) is divided into the first cell module (300) and the second cell module (302). The first cell module (300) and the second cell module (302) each have low voltage rating and cumulatively form a high voltage rating battery module (200). The first cell module 25 (300) and the second cell module (302) being electrically connected to each other using a bus bar (206).
[039] Figures 4a and 4b illustrates a top view of a first cell module (300) and a second cell module (302) of the battery module (200), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The plurality of cells (210) is divided 30 laterally along a lateral axis (A-A’) into the first cell module (300) and the second
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cell module (302). The each of the first cell module (300) and the second cell module (302) being rated at 50V and together the individual voltage rating of the battery module (200) becomes 100V in one exemplary embodiment. The each of the first cell module (300) and the second cell module (302) having a voltage rating in the range of 25-50V. The first cell module (300) and the second cell module (302) is 5 electrically connected through the bus bar (206). The first cell module (300) comprising a first positive terminal (300a) and a first negative terminal (300b). The first positive terminal (300a) and the first negative terminal (300b) being disposed on one of a first surface (306) and a second surface (308) of the first cell module and the second cell module (302). The first surface (306) and the second surface (308) 10 being opposite to each other, and the first surface (306) and the second surface (308) being configured to align with the first side (202a) and the second side (202b) of the battery module (200). [040] The second cell module (302) comprising a second positive terminal (302a) and a second negative terminal (302b). The second positive terminal (302a) 15 and the second negative terminal (302b) being disposed on one of the first surface (306) and the second surface (308) of the first cell module (300) and the second cell module (302). The first surface (306) and the second surface (308) being common to the first cell module (300) and the second cell module (302). In one embodiment, the first positive terminal (300a) of the first cell module (300) being electrically 20 connected to the second negative terminal (302b) of the second cell module (302) through the bus bar (206) in a series connection. In another embodiment, the first negative terminal (300b) of the first cell module (300) being electrically connected to the second positive terminal (302a) of the second cell module (302) through the bus bar (206) in the series connection. The bus bar (206) being connected through a 25 plurality of mounting points (304a, 304b). The bus bar (206) is fastened through one or more fasteners through the plurality of mounting points (304a, 304b).
[041] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a bus bar (206), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The bus bar (206) is configured to have a first end (402a) and a second end (402b). The first end (402a) and the 30 second end (402b) being connected through a middle portion (400). The first end
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(402a) and the second end (402b) is configured for mounting the bus bar (206) to the battery module (200). The middle portion (400) of the bus bar (206) is configured for transferring electrical energy from the first cell module (300) to the second cell module (302). The middle portion (400) of the bus bar (400) is coated with an insulation material for preventing direct contact of the battery module (200) with a 5 person and thereby prevent electrical shocking of the person. The insulation material being one of a dielectric, rubber and a plastic material in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the insulation material being one of a paste, a paint, and a powder coating etc. In one embodiment, the bus bar (206) having a length in a range of 50-100 mm in length, a width in the range of 5-10 mm, and a thickness in the range of 10 0.1-1.5mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the dimensions of the bus bar (206) is length of 100mm, a width of 10mm and a thickness of 1.5mm. In one embodiment, the voltage rating of each of the plurality of cells (210) is between 0-5V, and in one exemplary embodiment, the voltage rating of each of the plurality of cells is 3.69V. [042] Various embodiments of the invention provides a battery pack comprising 15 a first cell module and a second cell module being connected in series by a bus bar for forming a high voltage battery module which in turn forms a high voltage battery pack without increasing part count and weight of the battery pack.
[043] The present invention is a battery pack comprising a battery module. The battery module comprising a first cell module and a second cell module. The first 20 cell module and the second cell module being connected in a series configuration through a bus bar. The bus bar is configured to connect the first cell module and the second cell module to form the battery module and the battery module is a high voltage battery module.
[044] The present claimed invention solves the technical problem of shock 25 prevention to a person during assembly of a high voltage battery and also reducing the overall weight and part count of the high voltage battery pack.
[045] Specifically, the claimed battery pack comprising a battery module with at least two low voltage cell modules which eliminates the requirement to use multiple battery packs of low voltage capacity to form a high voltage battery and thereby 30 reduces the part count of the claimed battery pack.
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[046] Additionally, the two cell modules are connected in series through the bus bar for proper circulation of electrical energy and thereby the cumulative voltage rating of the battery pack becomes of a high voltage battery without increasing the part count of the battery pack.
[047] Furthermore, the bus bar is coated with an insulation material for 5 prevention of shock to a person due to direct contact of the battery module and the bus bar during assembly of the high voltage battery pack.
[048] The present invention also provides advantages of ease of assembly of the battery pack without using additional fixtures and also the electrical resistance of the battery pack is reduced. 10
[049] In light of the above-mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed battery pack comprising at least two cell modules being connected in series through a bus and the at least two cell modules being of low voltage rating, the claimed invention as discussed above is not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed invention enable the 15 following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed invention clearly bring an improvement in the configuration and construction of the battery pack and also provides shock proof assembly process of a high voltage battery as the claimed invention provide a technical solution to a technical problem. 20
[050] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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Reference Numerals:
100 battery pack
102 lid 5
104 connector
106 plurality of side covers
200 battery module
202a first side
202b second side 10
203a, 203b one or more interconnectors
206 bus bar
208a, 208b one or more cell holders 15
210 plurality of cells
300 first cell module
302 second cell module
304a, 304b plurality of mounting points 20
300a first positive terminal
300b first negative terminal
306 first surface
302a second positive terminal
302b second negative terminal 25
308 second surface
402a first end of bus bar
402b second end of bus bar
400 middle portion of bus bar
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35 , Claims:I/We claim:
1. A battery pack (100) comprising:
a battery module (200);
said battery module (200) comprising a first cell module (300) and a second cell module (302); 5
wherein said first cell module (300) and said second cell module (302) being connected in a series configuration through a bus bar (206);
wherein said bus bar (206) being configured to connect said first cell module (300) and said second cell 10 module (302) to form said battery module (200), said battery module (200) being a high voltage battery module.
2. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first cell module (300) and said second cell module (302) being of low voltage configuration.
3. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first cell module 15 (300) comprising a first positive terminal (300a) and a first negative terminal (300b), said first positive terminal (300a) and said first negative terminal (300b) being disposed on one of a first surface (306) and a second surface (308) of said first cell module and said second cell module (302), wherein said first surface (306) and said second surface (308) being opposite 20 to each other.
4. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second cell module (302) comprising a second positive terminal (302a) and a second negative terminal (302b), said second positive terminal (302a) and said second negative terminal (302b) being disposed on one of said first surface 25 (306) and said second surface (308) of said first cell module (300) and said second cell module (302).
5. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first positive terminal (300a) of said first cell module (300) being electrically connected
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to said second negative terminal (302b) of said second cell module (302) through said bus bar (206).
6.The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first negativeterminal (300b) of said first cell module (300) being electrically connectedto said second positive terminal (302a) of said second cell module (302)5 through said bus bar (206).
7.The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bus bar (206)being connected through a plurality of mounting points (304a, 304b) andsaid bus bar (206) being fastened through one or more fasteners.
8.The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bus bar (206)10 being coated with an insulation material, said insulation material being oneof a dielectric, rubber and a plastic material.
9.The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bus bar (206)having a length of 50-100 mm in length, a width of 5-10 mm, and a thicknessof 0.1-1.5mm.