Description:Technical Field of Invention
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a battery pack assembly including an energy storage device. More specifically, it relates to a thermal management system for the energy storage device.
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Background
[0002] A vehicle with two or four wheels may be propelled by any of a number of propulsion means. The most common types of such propulsion means are an internal combustion engine, which generates power for propulsion by combusting a hydrocarbon-based fuel in a combustion chamber and produces exhaust gases 10 which increases pollution in the environment. Another method is to have a rechargeable electric power storage unit, including plurality of rechargeable battery cell, in the vehicle, which powers one or more electric motors which drive the wheel. A battery cell has been proposed as a clean, efficient, and environmentally responsible power source for electric vehicles and various other applications. One 15 type of battery cell is known as the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery cells.
[0003] Historically, the application of electric powertrains in vehicles has been limited by the power capacity of the existing energy storage devices to power the electric motor for extended periods of time. Li-ion cells are currently the most used energy storage device cells in the automotive and other industries due to their high 20 charge capacity and energy density. Compared to other existing energy storage device cells, the Li-ion cell provides a higher range of operation for the vehicle due to its high charge capacity.
[0004] However, such energy storage devices comprising Li-ion cells generate a lot of heat while charging or discharging. Appropriate heat dissipation methods also 25 have to be arranged for the energy storage device to dissipate the heat from the battery cells, as heating of the cells can damage the cells, and generally affects the life and longevity of the cells in the energy storage device eventually leading to thermal runaway of the energy storage devices. In existing energy storage device packs, it is usually very difficult to replace a single cell as the packaging of the cells 30
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is done by taking into consideration various factors, including but not limited to electrical connections, heat dissipation mechanisms, and external cooling mechanisms. In addition, overheating in a Li-ion cell beyond a certain temperature range can lead to a failure of the Li-ion energy storage device known as thermal runaway. Li-ion thermal runaway occurs when heat generated by a cell exceeds the 5 amount of heat being dissipated, which causes a chain reaction in the form of propagating thermal runaway in surrounding Li-ion cells and energy storage devices. In order to prevent any mishaps, energy storage device management systems are designed to resist charging when the temperature of the energy storage device is higher than a threshold limit. Also, during operation of a vehicle when an 10 energy storage device is discharging, the energy storage device tends to heat up, and the energy storage device management systems are generally configured to restrict the power output of the energy storage device at that moment, to prevent further temperature rise. [0005] Heating in the cells also affects the performance of the cells of the energy 15 storage device. In electric vehicles, the range of the vehicle generally depends upon the charge carrying capacity of the plurality of cells that are part of the energy storage device. The charge carrying capacity is affected by the repeated heating and cooling. Also as mentioned above, the charging time is lengthened because of the temperature of the energy storage device. This is further affected by the ambient air 20 temperature, as traditional cooling systems used in motor vehicles, such as a radiator and fan, cannot cool the energy storage device below the ambient temperature.
[0006] Typically, in the existing energy storage devices, the heat dissipation system within the energy storage device is primarily configured to draw heat from the 25 terminals of the individual cells. However, the heat from the cell body is not drawn out. The cells are usually placed in a cell holder, and further packaged with one or more phase changing materials (PCMs), which act as heat exchangers between the cell body and the cooling system. However, this system is not effective, especially for high usage and fast charging requirements in vehicles. The time taken to 30 withdraw the heat is too long. The charging time of electric vehicles is affected
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primarily by the capacity of the charger, and also the cooling system for the cells. In the present systems, it usually takes a long time to cool the cells first, and then the charging starts, because the protective measures in the energy storage devices prevent charging otherwise. Active cooling systems for energy storage devices are required for electric vehicles where a fast-charging system is installed, as faster 5 cooling of the cells will reduce the effective charging time of the energy storage vehicle. In places where the ambient temperature of the environment is usually high, cooling the cells below the threshold temperature becomes difficult, increasing the risk of a thermal runaway, and therefore affecting charging time. [0007] Since the existing cooling systems are configured to withdraw heat from the 10 terminals of the cells, a heat gradient develops between the cell body and the terminals. Even with active cooling systems, the heat dissipation from the body of the cells takes a long time. Further, the use of active cooling systems in vehicles is generally not considered because such a cooling system generally consumes some power in order to function, which may reduce the range of the vehicle. This 15 compromises the charging duration of the vehicle, therefore restricting the use of the vehicle beyond its range that the user may have started with.
[0008] In view of the above, there is a need for an efficient thermal management system for an energy storage device, such as a battery pack, for an electric vehicle which can obviate the abovementioned problems. 20
Summary of the Invention
[0009] This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described below, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by 25 reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
[00010] In an aspect, the present disclosure discloses an improved and simple battery pack assembly which can be used in a vehicle, such as a two-wheeler vehicle, a three-wheeler vehicle, a four-wheeler vehicle, and various other applications. 30
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[00011] In an embodiment, the battery pack assembly includes a plurality of cells, a holding unit configured for accommodating and holding the plurality of cells, and one or more temperature regulating plate units configured with the holding unit. Each of the temperature regulating plate units comprises at least one canal configured on an inner surface of the temperature regulating plate units to circulate 5 a fluid,
along a predetermined flow pattern, for regulating temperature of the plurality of cells. The predetermined flow patterns include at least one of a meander pattern, a serpentine pattern, and a zig zag pattern.
[00012] Each of the one or more temperature regulating plate units comprises at least one outer cover plate member and at least one inner cover plate member 10 configured with the outer cover plate member. The outer cover plate member comprises the at least one canal on the inner surface of the outer cover plate member. The canal is an open canal. The inner cover plate member is configured with the inner surface of the outer cover plate member to cover the at least one canal from the inner side. 15
[00013] In an embodiment, the at least one canal on the inner surface is a groove formed on the inner surface of the outer cover plate member. The groove extends from the inner surface of the outer cover plate member towards an outer surface of the outer cover plate member.
[00014] In an embodiment, the at least one canal comprises a plurality of straight 20 portions and a plurality of bend portions. Each of the plurality of bend portions is connected between two adjacent straight portions of the plurality of straight portions.
[00015] In an embodiment, the plurality of straight portions and the plurality of bend portions are arranged to maintain a temperature difference between fluid 25 portions of the fluid flowing through adjacent straight portions of the plurality of straight portions.
[00016] In an embodiment, the at least one canal comprises one or more patterns including at least one of a meander pattern, a serpentine pattern, and a zig zag pattern. 30
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[00017] In an embodiment, the one or more temperature regulating plate units comprises a first temperature regulating plate unit and a second temperature regulating plate unit. The first temperature regulating plate unit and the second temperature regulating plate units are configured on two opposite sides of the holding unit. The one or more temperature regulating plate units are made of a 5 thermal conductive material to facilitate heat exchange between the plurality of cells, the one or more temperature regulating plate units and the fluid.
[00018] In an embodiment, each of the first temperature regulating plate unit and the second temperature regulating plate unit comprises an inlet port to receive the fluid in the respective canal, and an outlet port to release the fluid from the 10 respective canal. The inlet port and the outlet port of the first temperature regulating plate unit and the second temperature regulating plate can be configured on opposite sides of the battery pack assembly to enable flow the fluid in the canal of the first temperature regulating plate unit in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the fluid in the canal of the second temperature regulating plate unit. 15
[00019] In an embodiment, the holding unit comprises a base portion, a top portion and two opposite side portions coupled between the base portion and the top portion.
Brief Description of Drawings 20
[00020] 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. 25
[00021] Figure 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a battery pack assembly with counterflow of a fluid on opposite sides of the battery pack assembly, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
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[00022] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a temperature regulating plate unit, with inlet and outlet
ports on opposite side ends, of the battery pack assembly of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[00023] Figure 3 illustrates an inner side view of an outer cover plate member of the temperature regulating plate unit of Figure 2, in accordance with an embodiment 5 of the present invention.
[00024] Figure 4 illustrates a side view of a battery pack assembly, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[00025] Figure 5 illustrates an inner side view of an outer cover plate member of the battery pack assembly of Figure 4, in accordance with another embodiment of 10 the present invention.
[00026] Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the battery pack assembly with counterflow of a fluid on opposite sides of the battery pack assembly, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[00027] Figure 7 illustrates a side perspective view of a battery pack assembly with 15 flow a fluid in same direction on opposite sides of the battery pack assembly, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[00028] Figure 8 illustrates an inner side view of an outer cover plate member, with inlet and outlet ports on same side end, of the battery pack assembly of Figure 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 20
[00029] Figure 9 illustrates an inner side view of an outer cover plate member of the battery pack assembly of Figure 7, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description
[00030] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to 25 provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the techniques described herein can be practised without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects. 30
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[00031] The present subject matter is further described with reference to the 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 5 principles, aspects and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00032] Further, various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense, and would in no way be construed as limiting the present disclosure. All joinder references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, 10 connected, etc.) are only used to aid the reader’s understanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position orientation, or use of the system and/or methods disclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references, if any, are to be construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected to each other. 15
[00033] Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken 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, particularly as to the order, or 20 preference, of any element, embodiment, variation, and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.
[00034] It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/ figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed, or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in 25 accordance with a particular application. The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosed invention is not limited to the present embodiments.
[00035] Embodiments of the present disclosure explained herein relate to an improved, simple and efficient battery pack assembly. The discloses battery pack 30 assembly can overcome drawbacks of the conventional battery pack assembly by
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regulating temperature of cells/ battery cells of in a certain temperature range in which the cells can perform efficiently. [00036] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a
battery pack assembly with an improved, simple and efficient thermal management unit which can regulate temperature of the cells with a desired/predetermined temperature range to 5 avoid over hearing or over cooling of the cells, thereby improving performance and durability of the battery pack assembly.
[00037] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery pack assembly with a thermal management unit that maximizes efficient heating and/or cooling of the battery cells with minimum delta temperatures. Desirably, the 10 thermal management unit maintains uniform surface temperatures over the battery cells and efficiently transfers heat away from the battery cells.
[00038] Referring to Figure 1 to Figure 3, in accordance with an embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a battery pack assembly 100 that can be used in a vehicle as a power source for operating the vehicle and/or different components of 15 the vehicle. For instance, the vehicle can be an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and vehicle with internal combustion engine. In addition, the vehicle can be a two-wheeler vehicle, a three-wheeler vehicle, a four-wheeler vehicle. The battery pack assembly 100 in various other applications, for example the battery pack assembly 100 can be used for supplying electrical energy to one or more electrical and/or 20 electronic appliance. The battery pack assembly 100 includes a holding unit 102 that is configured for accommodating and holding a plurality of cells 106 (shown in FIG. 6). The plurality of cells 106 can be arranged together to form a battery pack. The plurality of cells 106 are rechargeable cells, for instance, the plurality of cells 106 can be lithium-ion cells. Li-ion cells have high charge capacity and 25 density. Compared to other existing energy storage device cells, the Li-ion cell provides a higher range of operation for the vehicle due to its high charge capacity. In addition, the holding unit 102 includes a base portion 102a, a top portion 102b and two opposite side portions 102c coupled between the base portion 102a and the top portion 102b on two opposite sides of the holding unit 102. The plurality of 30 cells 106 can be arranged within the holding unit 102 in rows and columns, which
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are further electrically connected using one or more metallic interconnectors (not shown), in a plurality of series and parallel connections. In addition, the Additionally, the base portion 102a and/or the top portion 102b can support mounting of the various electrical and electronic connectors which connect the battery pack assembly 100 with the various electrical loads of the vehicle, and the 5 various other electronic controllers in the vehicle. [00039] Further, the battery pack assembly 100 includes more temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) configured on two opposite sides of the holding unit 102. The temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) are configured such that side end portion of the temperature regulating plate units (104-10 1, 104-2) abuts with corresponding side ends of the base portion 102a, top portion 102b and the two opposite side portions 102c of the holding unit 102, thereby defining an enclosure to enclose the plurality of cells 106 and cover the cells 106 from outside. Each of the temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) comprises at least one canal 108 configured on an inner surface 109 of the 15 temperature regulating plate units 104-1, 104-2 to circulate a fluid for regulating temperature of the plurality of cells 106.
[00040] In an embodiment, the one or more temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) includes a first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 and a second temperature regulating plate unit 104-2. Both, the first temperature regulating plate 20 unit 104-1 and the second temperature regulating plate unit 104-2 are configured on two opposite sides of the holding unit 102. The temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) are made of a thermal conductive material to facilitate heat exchange between the plurality of cells 106, the one or more temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) and the fluid circulating though the canals 108 in the 25 temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2). The temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) also act as side covers for the cells 106.
[00041] In an embodiment, each of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 and the second temperature regulating plate unit 104-2 includes at least one outer cover plate member 110, and at least one inner cover plate member 112 configured 30 with the inner surface 109 of the outer cover plate member 110. The canal 108 is
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provided on the inner surface 109 of the outer cover plate member 110. In an embodiment, each canal 108 can be a groove formed on the inner surface 109 of the corresponding outer cover plate member 110. The groove extends from the inner surface 109 of the outer cover plate member 110 towards an outer surface of the outer cover plate member 110. The canal 108 is an open canal 108. The inner cover 5 plate member 112 is configured with the inner surface 109 of the outer cover plate member 110 to cover the canal 108 from the inner side. The inner cover plate member 112 covers the canal 108 formed on the inner surface 109 and prevent leakage of the stream of fluid from the canal 108. Since, the canals 108 are provided on the inner surface of the outer cover plate member 110, the fluid may flow more 10 closely with the cells. Decreasing the distance between the cells and the fluid can facilitate faster heat dissipation and thus lesser time may be required to maintain temperature of the battery cells 106. [00042] In an embodiment, the fluid is circulated,
along a predetermined flow pattern, for regulating temperature of the plurality of cells. The predetermined flow 15 patterns include at least one of a meander pattern, a serpentine pattern, and a zig zag pattern.
[00043] In an embodiment, each canal 108 comprises a plurality of straight portions 108a and a plurality of bend portions 108b. Each of the plurality of bend portions 108b is connected between two adjacent straight portions 108a of the 20 plurality of straight portions 108a. Thus, the canal 108 is a continuous canal extended over the outer cover plate member 110.
[00044] In an embodiment, the plurality of straight portions 108a and the plurality of bend portions 108b are arranged to maintain a temperature difference between fluid portions of the fluid flowing through adjacent straight portions 108a of the 25 plurality of straight portions 108a. For instance, the plurality of straight portions 108a and the plurality of bend portions 108b can be arranged such that a temperature of the fluid flowing through a straight portion of the plurality of straight portions can be greater or lower than the temperature of fluid flowing the two adjacent straight portions. This will help to heat or cool the battery cells 106 uniformly across 30
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the battery pack assembly 100 or to maintain uniform temperature across the plurality of battery cells 106. [00045] In an embodiment, the fluid circulated through the canals 108 can be a coolant to cool the battery cells 108 or a hot fluid to heat the cells 106 based on the requirements. For instance, the stream of fluid flows through the canals 108 of the 5 first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 and the second temperature regulating plate unit 104-2 extract the heat from the cells 108 for cooling the cell to maintain temperature of the cells 106 within predetermined temperature range in which the cells can perform efficiently during charging and/or discharging of the cells 106.
[00046] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9, 10 each canal 108 of the respective outer cover plate member 110 can include one or more patterns including at least one of a meander pattern, a serpentine pattern, and a zig zag pattern. Pattern of the canal 108 can be selected based on requirements of cooling or heating of the cells 106.
[00047] In an embodiment, each of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-15 1 and the second temperature regulating plate unit 104-2 includes an inlet port 116 to receive the fluid in the respective canal 108, and an outlet port 118 to release the fluid from the respective canal 108.
[00048] In an embodiment, as show in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the inlet port 116 and the outlet port 118 of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 are configured 20 on opposite side end of the corresponding outer cover plate member 110 or the battery pack assembly 100. Similarly, the inlet port 116 and the outlet port 118 of the second temperature regulating plate 104-2 can be configured on opposite side ends of corresponding outer cover plate member 110 or the battery pack assembly 100. In another words, the inlet port 116 and the outlet port 118 of the first 25 temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 and the second temperature regulating plate 104-2 are configured on opposite sides of the battery pack assembly 100. This enables flow the fluid in the canal 108 of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the fluid in the canal 108 of the second temperature regulating plate unit 104-2. This help in maintaining 30
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uniform surface temperatures over the battery cells 106 and efficiently transfers heat away from the battery cells. [00049] For instance, the inlet port 116 of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 is configured close to the
base portion 102a on one side end of the respective outer cover plate member 110 and the outlet port 118 of the first temperature 5 regulating plate unit 104-1 is configured close to the top portion 102b on other side, that is opposite to side end of the inlet port 116, of the outer cover plate member 110. Whereas, the inlet port 116 of the second temperature regulating plate unit 104-2 is configured close to the top portion 102b on one side end of the respective outer cover plate member 110 and the outlet port 118 of the first temperature 10 regulating plate unit 104-1 is configured close to the base portion 102a on other side end, that is opposite to side of the inlet port 116, of the outer cover plate member 110. Such arrangement of the inlet port 116 and outlet port 118 enables flow of the fluids in cannels 108 of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 and the second temperature regulating plate unit 104-2 in counter flow directions to enable 15 uniform cooling or heating of the cells 106 across the battery pack assembly 100 or to maintain uniform temperature of the cells 106 across the battery pack assembly 100.
[00050] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the fluid in the canal 108 of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 flow in a direction opposite to the direction 20 of flow of the fluid in the canal 108 of the second temperature regulating plate unit 104-2.
[00051] In an embodiment, as show in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the inlet port 116 and the outlet port 118 of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 can be configured on same side end of the corresponding outer cover plate member 110 or the battery 25 pack assembly 100. Similarly, the inlet port 116 and the outlet port 118 of the second temperature regulating plate 104-2 can be configured on same side ends of corresponding outer cover plate member 110 or the battery pack assembly 100. In another words, the inlet port 116 and the outlet port 118 of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 and the second temperature regulating plate 104-2 can 30 be configured on same sides of the battery pack assembly 100. The inlet port 116
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and the outlet port 118 are arranged such that flow of the fluid in the canal 108 of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1is in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the fluid in the canal 108 of the second temperature regulating plate unit 104-2. For instance, the inlet port 116 of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 is configured close to the top portion 102b and the outlet port 118 5 of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 is configured close to the
base portion 102a on same side end of the corresponding outer cover plate member 110. Whereas the inlet port 116 of the second temperature regulating plate unit 104-2 is configured close to the base portion 102a and the outlet port 118 of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 is configured close to the top portion 102b 10 on same side end of the corresponding outer cover plate member 110. Such arrangement of the inlet port 116 and outlet port 118 enables flow of the fluids in cannels 108 of the first temperature regulating plate unit 104-1 and the second temperature regulating plate unit 104-2 in counter flow directions to enable uniform cooling or heating of the cells 106 across the battery pack assembly 100 or to 15 maintain uniform temperature of the cells 106 across the battery pack assembly 100. [00052] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of cells 106 can be arranged within the holding unit 102 and the first and second temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) in multiple rows and/or columns. The stream of fluid flows in the canals 108 exchanges heat between the first and second temperature regulating 20 plate units (104-1, 104-2) and the fluid for dissipating heat of the cells. The plurality of cells 106 can be further electrically connected using one or more metallic interconnectors, in a plurality of series and parallel connections to get the desired current and voltage output ratings of the battery pack assembly 100 as a whole. The cells 106 can be lithium-ion cells which have a higher charge storing capacity. The 25 arrangement of the canals 108 for circulating coolant or hot fluid around the cells 106 facilitates cooling or heating of the cells 106 to maintain temperature of the cells in within the predefined range during charging and discharging of the cells 106, this increase performance and durability of the cells. The inlet ports 116 and the outlet ports 118 of the first and second temperature regulating plate units (104-30 1, 104-2) are configured to be connected to one or more cooling mechanisms. In an
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embodiment of the present invention, the cooling mechanism can be an active cooling mechanism comprising a flow pump for the suppling a coolant, and a cooling means. The coolant flows out of the outlet ports 118 of the canals 108, after cooling the cells 106, flows to the cooling means where the coolant is further cooled, and suppled back into the inlet ports 116 for circulating into the canals 108. 5 The flow pump maintains a flow pressure of the liquid coolant throughout the canals 108 for efficient cooling of the cells 108. The cooling means on the other hand is configured to cool down the liquid coolant which is coming out of the outlet ports 118. The cooling means can comprise a radiation means and/or a refrigeration means. A radiator can only lower the temperature of the coolant to the ambient 10 temperature of the atmosphere. In situations where the ambient temperature of the atmosphere is itself high, the cooling may not be effective enough with a radiator-based system. In such cases, the refrigeration system can be activated for cooling the coolant fluid in order to reduce the temperature of the coolant fluid below the ambient temperature of the atmosphere. 15 [00053] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack assembly 100 is suitable for use in a two wheeled vehicle, or any kind of vehicle, without any risk of leakage or spillage of liquid coolant during normal operations due to the packaging of the coolant canals 108 within the battery pack assembly 100 as given in any of the embodiments of the present invention described in this application. Further, the 20 arrangement of the canals 108 and the inlet ports 116 and the outlet ports 118 enable efficient heat dissipation from the cells, thereby improving performance a d durability of the cells.
[00054] In light of the above-mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed method and system, the claimed steps as 25 discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the above-mentioned solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed steps clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the system itself as the claimed steps provide a technical solution to a technical problem. , C , Claims:We claim:
1. A battery pack assembly (100), the battery pack assembly (100) comprising:
a plurality of cells (106);
a holding unit (102) configured for accommodating and holding the plurality of cells (106); and 5
one or more temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) configured with the holding unit (102), each of the one or more temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) comprises at least one canal (108) configured on an inner surface (109) of the temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) to circulate a fluid along a predetermined flow pattern for 10 regulating temperature of the plurality of cells (106).
2. The battery pack assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) comprises:
at least one outer cover plate member (110), the at least one outer 15 cover plate member (110) comprising the at least one canal (108) on the inner surface (109) of the outer cover plate member (110), wherein the canal (108) is an open canal (108); and
at least one inner cover plate member (112) configured with the inner surface (109) of the outer cover plate member (110) to cover the at least one 20 canal (108) from the inner side.
3. The battery pack assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one canal (108) is a groove formed on the inner surface (109) of the outer cover plate member (110), wherein the groove extends from the inner surface (109) 25 of the outer cover plate member (110) towards an outer surface of the outer cover plate member (110).
4. The battery pack assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one canal (108) comprises a plurality of straight portions (108a) and a plurality of 30 bend portions (108b), each of the plurality of bend portions (108b) is connected
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between two adjacent straight portions (108a) of the plurality of straight portions (108a).
5. The battery pack assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of straight portions (108a) and the plurality of bend portions (108b) are arranged 5 to maintain a temperature difference between fluid portions of the fluid flowing through adjacent straight portions (108a) of the plurality of straight portions (108a).
6. The battery pack assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, said predetermined flow patterns including at least one of a meander pattern, a serpentine pattern, and a 10 zig zag pattern.
7. The battery pack assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) comprises a first temperature regulating plate unit (104-1) and a second temperature regulating plate unit 15 (104-2), the first temperature regulating plate unit (104-1) and the second temperature regulating plate unit (104-2) being configured on two opposite sides of the holding unit (102), and wherein the one or more temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) are made of a thermal conductive material to facilitate heat exchange between the plurality of cells, the one or more 20 temperature regulating plate units (104-1, 104-2) and the fluid.
8. The battery pack assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the first temperature regulating plate unit (104-1) and the second temperature regulating plate unit (104-2) comprises an inlet port (116) to receive the fluid in the 25 respective canal (108), and an outlet port (118) to release the fluid from the respective canal (108).
9. The battery pack assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inlet port (116) and the outlet port (118) of the first temperature regulating plate unit (104-30 1) and the second temperature regulating plate (104-2) are configured on opposite side ends of the battery pack assembly (100) to enable flow the fluid
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in the canal (108) of the first temperature regulating plate unit (104-1) circulate in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the fluid in the canal (108) of the second temperature regulating plate unit (104-2).
10.The battery pack assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding unit 5 (102)comprises a base portion (102a), a top portion (102b) and two oppositeside portions (102c) coupled between the base portion (102a) and the topportion (102b).