The present invention relates to energy storage devices such as batteries or electrochemical cells for storing electrical energy. More specifically, the present invention relates to energy storage devices which incorporate one or more flexible buffer components for supporting and positioning one or more cells in one or more compartments configured within the energy storage devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical energy has become ubiquitous and is being employed in numerous applications, which is now synonym for clean energy and clean environment. Electrical energy is stored in energy storing devices such as batteries and/or electrochemical cells.
Numerous types of batteries are known in the art which includes lead acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, nickel cadmium batteries etc. The most used battery is the lead acid battery and has been used for more than a century.
A typical lead acid battery comprises a container, which includes one or more compartments or cells. Within each compartment or cell, a plurality of positive, and negative plates are arranged, with a separator between each positive and negative plate (hereinafter collectively referred to as compartment elements).
The compartment elements are assembled to define an element assembly. The compartments are connected electrically but are physically separated. The number of positive plates, negative plates, and separators, and the number of compartments or cells depend on the voltage of the battery to be achieved. Increasing the number of compartments or cells increases the voltage of the battery, whereas decreasing the number of compartments or cells decreases the voltage of the battery.
Depending upon the type of application or the purpose of use or market requirement, lead acid batteries are manufactured in multiple models (for example, tubular plate battery and flat plate battery) that may have different container sizes, and energy storage capacities.

For ensuring battery performance and electrical connection, the compartment elements, and the compartment assembly are securely disposed within the compartments. Partitions are formed in the container to configure the required compartment size. The compartment size and the number of compartments varies depending upon the battery capacity required. Thus, it is evident that the battery manufacturers may have to maintain a large inventory of battery containers.
Further, during large-scale manufacturing, the dimensions (length, breadth, and thickness) of the compartment elements may vary from batch to batch or even element to element. Still further, the compartment dimensions may also vary from batch-to-batch. This variation of the dimensions of the compartments, and the compartment elements is in addition to the many sizes of the compartments and elements, which is essential for realizing the end customer requirements.
The above-mentioned variations in dimensions of the compartments, and compartment plates may result in void spaces, and gaps between the compartment assembly and the compartment walls or the container walls (as the case may be).
Conventionally, gap buffers or shims are employed to fill the above-mentioned void spaces, and gaps between the compartment assembly and the compartment walls or the container walls and further fixedly secure the compartment assembly within the compartments or cells thereby preventing any movement of the compartment assembly. The gap buffers or shims of varying dimensions are required. For example, the dimensions of the gap buffers or shims may vary from model to model or even may vary from compartment to compartment.
In a typical battery manufacturing process, the gap buffers or shims may have dimensions which may vary in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm. The range being a typical range, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned range.
The battery manufacturers mandatorily are required to maintain a huge inventory of the gap buffers or shims of multiple dimensions corresponding to the battery models and compartment dimensions depending upon the production plan for a

battery manufacturers to maintain a huge stock/inventory of different dimensions. This exorbitantly increases the cost of battery manufacturing, which is a concern that needs to be addressed.
Another concern is that during the process of assembling the compartment assembly, due to availability of gap buffers or shims with multiple dimensions, gap buffers or shims of incorrect dimensions may be fitted in a wrong battery model. Such incorrect fitting of the shims or gap buffers may result in over-tight fittings of the compartment assemblies or lose fittings of the compartment assemblies. Either over-tightening or lose fitting is not preferred as this may result in damage to the battery in the form of structural damage or in the form of electrical disconnections and reduction in battery capacity.
In summary, the conventional gap buffers or shims are such that they do not fit all the battery models or battery compartments and there is a need to invest in procurement of a huge inventory of the gap buffers or shims having different dimensions, which is tedious, error prone, and not economic.
Thus, there exists an urgent need to provide alternative designs of gap buffers or shims, wherein the gap buffers or shims are such that one design fit all the battery models, thereby reducing and/or eliminating the need for procuring and maintaining of huge inventory of the gap buffers or shims with different dimension, and disadvantages associated therewith.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Some of the objects of the presently disclosed invention, of which at the minimum one object is fulfilled by at least one embodiment disclosed herein, are as follows.
An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative which overcomes at least one drawback encountered in the existing prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide gap buffers or shims which fit all the battery models.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide gap buffers or shims

Other objects and benefits of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to bind the scope of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to energy storage devices such as batteries or electrochemical cells for storing electrical energy and specifically, energy storage devices which include one or more flexible buffer components for supporting and positioning one or more cells in one or more compartments configured within the energy storage devices.
The one or more flexible buffer components or the gap buffers of the present invention comprising a first component, and a second component, wherein the second component is made of a single part or of two parts extends integrally or non-integrally from a periphery or a surface of the first component, is in form of a rib, a claw, a tab, and combinations thereof, abuts with a compartment wall of the electrical energy storage device; and the first component urges the first component towards a compartment element of the electrical energy storage device, wherein the gap buffer is positioned between the compartment wall and the compartment element surface, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for use of multiple gap buffers with multiple dimensions.
The gap buffers obviate need for maintaining stock, reduces burden of planning, reduces issues of over-tightening, or lose fitting, are easy to implement, are simple, and are time and cost efficient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The present invention will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of a gap buffer in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. IB illustrates a side view of the gap buffer of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 A illustrates a schematic diagram of a gap buffer in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the gap buffer of FIG. 2 A;
FIG. 3A illustrates a schematic diagram of a first component of a gap buffer in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3B illustrates a schematic diagram of a second component of the gap buffer of FIG. 3 A; and
FIG. 3C illustrates a schematic diagram of the gap buffer in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the gap buffer comprises the first component of FIG. 3 A and the second component of FIG. 3B.
LIST OF NUMERALS
100-Gap buffer 102 - First component 102h- Plurality of holes 104 - Second component 104a- Two parts 104al - First slanting part 104a2 - Second slanting part 104bl - First slanting part 104b2 - Second slanting part 104b-Two part 200 - Gap buffer 202 - First component 202h-Plurality of holes 204 - Second component

204a - Longitudinal strip
204b - one or more resilient members
204b 1-Body
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
All technical terms and scientific expressions used in the present invention have the same meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs, unless and otherwise specified.
As used in the present specification and the claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates 1 otherwise.
The term "comprising" as used in the present specification will be understood to mean that the list following is non-exhaustive and may or may not include any other extra suitable things, for instance one or more additional feature(s), part(s), component(s), process step(s), sub-step(s), and /or constituents) as applicable.
Further, the terms "about" and "approximately" used in combination with ranges of sizes of parts, particles, compositions of mixtures, and/or any other physical properties or characteristics, are meant to include small variations that may occur in the upper and/or lower limits of the ranges.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, a gap buffer or shim is disclosed for use in combination with a battery for electrical energy storage. The gap buffer or shim of the present invention overcomes one or more drawbacks of the conventional gap buffers or shims.
The gap buffers or shims, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, comprises a first component and a second component, wherein the first component comprises a board having a plurality of through holes configured thereon.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the first component or the board may have a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, a square, a circle, a polygon, and any other regular or irregular shape.

The shape of the first component is dictated by the geometry or shape of the compartment assembly and/or the shape or geometry of the compartment wall. The first component is designed such that the first component primarily abuts and supports the compartment assembly. The dimensions of the first component may be in congruence with the dimensions of the compartment assembly. More specifically, the dimensions (length and breadth) of the first component may be same or nearly same as that of the compartment assembly, with which the first component abuts with.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the second component either extends integrally or non-integrally from periphery or from surface of the first components. The second component may be in a form selected from the group consisting of a rib, a claw, a tab, or any combinations thereof. The second component is designed to abut with the compartment wall. The second component is designed such that the second component is flexible (have some flex) and is also having a certain strength. More specifically, the second component may in some embodiments act as a biasing member, wherein while abutting with the compartment wall, the second component which being coupled with the first component urges the first component towards the compartment element. The biasing member or the second component has resilience, which is purposefully induced with the second component and the value of resilience is chosen on basis of tightness to be achieved when the gap buffer is incorporated or placed between the compartment wall and the compartment element surface.
The combination of the first and second components is chosen such that the gap buffer or shim so configured that the same gap buffer or shim design can be employed for a wide range of gaps or voids between the compartment wall and the compartment element surface, thereby reducing and/or eliminating the need for use of multiple gap buffers or shims with multiple dimensions for catering to multiple gaps or voids for different battery models.
The present invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, particularly with reference to FIG. 1A to FIG. 3C as illustrated.

FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of a gap buffer (100) in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. IB illustrates a side view of the gap buffer (100) of FIG. 1A. In accordance with present invention the gap buffer (100) comprises a first component (102) and a second component (104), the second component (104) being in two parts (104a, 104b), each part extending integrally from a periphery of the first component (102).
The first component (102) may have a plurality of holes (102h) configured thereon. The plurality of holes (102h) may have any shape and size. Further, the plurality of holes may be configured on the first component (102) in random pattern or in a structure pattern or a combination thereof. The plurality of holes (102h) facilitates free movement of the electrolyte within the compartment rather than inhibiting the movement thereof.
Further, with respect to the second component (104), each of the parts (104a, 104b) may have three sub-parts, namely, a first slanting part (104al, 104bl) connected to and extending integrally from the periphery of the first component (102), a second slanting part (104a2, 104b2) connected to and extending from a periphery of the first slanting part (104al, 104bl), and a third horizontal/vertical part which may or may not be substantially parallel to the first component (102). The combination of the first slanting part, the second slanting part and the third horizontal or vertical part together provides the required resilience or biasing action.
In a working configuration, the gap buffer (100) is inserted in between the two surfaces such as the compartment wall, and the compartment element surface, wherein the second component may be spaced with reference to the first component by applying suitable force on the second component while holding the first component stationary. The gap or separation between the first component and the second component may be varied and further due to the biasing action, the gap buffer (100) when inserted in the gap between the two surfaces, holds the compartment element tightly in association with the compartment wall. The resilience of the second component may be designed using suitable material and

shape to obtain a tight configuration of the compartment element with respect to the compartment wall.
Though FIG. 1 A, and FIG. IB illustrates the gap buffer comprising a first slanting part, a second slanting part and a horizontal/vertical part, the number of sub-parts of the second component may be more than three or less than three. Further, the parts (104a, 104b) may be more than two. Still further, the second component may extend from the surface of the first component instead of the periphery of the first component.
FIG. 2 A illustrates a schematic diagram of a gap buffer in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the gap buffer of FIG. 2 A.
In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, the gap buffer (100) comprises the first component (102) and the second component (104), wherein the second component (104) being in two parts (104a, 104b), each part extending integrally from an operative upper surface of the first component (102) in proximity of the periphery of the first component (102).
The first component (102) may have a plurality of holes (102h) configured thereon. The plurality of holes (102h) may have any shape and size. Further, the plurality of holes may be configured on the first component (102) in random pattern or in a structure pattern or a combination thereof. The plurality of holes (102h) facilitates free movement of the electrolyte within the compartment rather than inhibiting the movement thereof.
Further, with respect to the second component (104), each of the parts (104a, 104b) may have three sub-parts, namely, a first slanting part (104al,104bl) connected to and extending integrally from the periphery of the first component (102), a second slanting part (104a2, 104b2) connected to and extending from a periphery of the first slanting part (104al, 104bl), and a third horizontal/vertical part which may or may not be substantially parallel to the first component (102). The combination of the first slanting part, the second slanting part and the third horizontal or vertical part together provides the required resilience or biasing action.

FIG. 3 A illustrates a schematic diagram of a first component (202) of a gap buffer (200) in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3B illustrates a schematic diagram of a second component (204) of the gap buffer (200) of FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C illustrates a schematic diagram of the gap buffer (200) in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the gap buffer (200) comprises the first component (202) of FIG. 3A and the second component (204) of FIG. 3B.
The gap buffer (200) comprises a first component (202), and a second component (204). The first component (202) comprises a board having a plurality of holes (202h) configured thereon. Further, the first component (202) may have one or more attachment areas or portions, wherein the attachment areas or portions may include snap fit like provisions, to which the second components (204) are secured. The coupling of the second component to the first component may be achieved in many ways and is not limited to the snap fit. In one embodiment the second component may be attached or coupled to the first component integrally or non-integrally or combinations thereof.
The second component (204) comprises a longitudinal strip (204a) from which one or more resilient members (204b) integrally extend from an operative front surface of the longitudinal strip (204a). The one or more resilient members (204b) may have a specific shape and size. More particularly, the one or more resilient members (204b) comprise a body (204b 1) having an operative top surface and an operative bottom surface. The body (204b 1) extends from the longitudinal strip (204a) in a curled-up manner (as shown in FIG. 3B) such that the operative bottom surface at the tip of the body (204bl) is substantially parallel to the first component (202). The strip (204a) may include one or more receptacles which are configured to receive the snap fit members on the first component (202), and which snap fit into the one or more receptacles. The snap fitting provision is just employed herein as an example and any other method for engaging the first and the second components may be employed.

The working of the gap buffers (200) is similar to that of the gap buffer (100) described herein above and is not repeated herein again for sake of brevity.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the gap buffers (100, 200) may have a width in the range of 100 mm to 200 mm, a length in the range of 150 mm to 350 mm, and a thickness in the range of 10 mm to 50 mm.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of through holes (102h, 202h) may have a shape selected from the group consisting of square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, circular, oval, elliptical, parallelogram, kite, and any other regular or irregular shapes.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention the gap buffer (100, 200) is made from a material that is resistant to degradation and corrosion,
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the material is selected from the group consisting of plastics, reinforced plastics, and combinations thereof.
The above description includes a few specific examples of gap buffers in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. The above are only illustrative examples and the present invention is not limited to these examples.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides several technical advances and advantages which include:
- a gap buffer which
o obviates the need for maintaining a huge stock or inventory;
o reduces burden on the battery manufacturers for planning and maintaining stock of different dimensions of gap buffers depending on the battery model;
o reduces or eliminates the issue of over-tightening or lose fitting of compartment assemblies;

o is easy to implement, ■ is simple, and o is time and cost efficient.

We claim:

1. A gap buffer (100, 200) for an electrical energy storage device, the gap buffer
(100, 200) characterized by having:
- a first component (102, 202); and
- a second component (104, 204); wherein the second component (104, 204):

• is made of a single part (204bl) or of two parts (104al, 104a2, 104bl, 104b2);
• extends integrally or non-integrally from a periphery or a surface of the first component (102, 202);
• is in form of a rib, a claw, a tab, and combinations thereof;
• abuts with a compartment wall of the electrical energy storage device; and the first component urges the first component towards a compartment element of the electrical energy storage device;
wherein the gap buffer (100, 200) is positioned between the compartment wall and the compartment element surface, thereby reducing, or eliminating the need for use of multiple gap buffers with multiple dimensions.
2. The gap buffer (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the first component (102) having:
- a plurality of holes (102h) configured thereon, the plurality of holes
(102h) being configured on the first component (102) in random pattern
or in a structure pattern or a combination thereof, wherein the plurality
of holes (102h) facilitate free movement of the electrolyte; or
wherein the first component (202) having:
- a plurality of holes (202h) configured thereon, the plurality of holes
(202h) being configured on the first component (202) in random pattern

or in a structure pattern or a combination thereof, wherein the plurality of holes (202h) facilitate free movement of the electrolyte; and
- one or more attachment areas or portions, wherein the attachment areas
or portions include snap fit provisions, to which the second components
(204) are secured.
The gap buffer (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- each of the parts (104a, 104b) having three sub-parts:
o a first slanting part (104al, 104bl) connected to and extending integrally from the periphery of the first component (102);
o a second slanting part (104a2, 104b2) connected to and extending from a periphery of the first slanting part (104al, 104bl); and
o a third part disposed at an angle with the first component (102),
wherein the combination of the first slanting part, the second slanting part and the third part together provides the required resilience or biasing action.
The gap buffer (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second component (204) comprises a longitudinal strip (204a) from which one or more resilient members (204b) integrally extend from an operative front surface of the longitudinal strip (204a).
The gap buffer (100, 200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the one or more resilient members (204b) comprising a body (204b 1) having an operative top surface and an operative bottom surface, wherein the body (204b 1) extending from the longitudinal strip (204a) in a curled-up manner such that the operative bottom surface at the tip of the body (204bl) is parallel to the first component (202)

6. The gap buffer (100, 200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the strip (204a) includes one or more receptacles configured to receive the snap fit members on the first component (202), and which snap fit into the one or more receptacles.
7. The gap buffer (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein , the first component having a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, a square, a circle, a polygon, and any other regular or irregular shape.
8. The gap buffer (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of through holes (102h, 202h) having a shape selected from the group consisting of square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, circular, oval, elliptical, parallelogram, kite, and any other regular or irregular shapes.
9. The gap buffer (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1 is made from a material that is resistant to degradation and corrosion, and the material selected from the group consisting of plastics, reinforced plastics, and combinations thereof.