Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to a holder member and a battery pack employing the holder member.

Background of the invention:
[0002] A patent literature US2018212214 discloses battery module, power tool, and electronic apparatus. A battery module includes a plurality of flat or square type batteries that each have a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a holder that has an opening, and retains the batteries in such a manner that the positive terminal and the negative terminal are positioned toward the opening, and that the principal surfaces of the batteries face each other; a cover that is disposed over the opening; a circuit board that is disposed over the cover; and a plurality of connection members that are disposed between the cover and the circuit board to electrically connect the positive terminal and negative terminal. Some of the connection members retain a peripheral portion of the circuit board.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0003] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawing,
[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of holder member for a pouch cell based battery pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a dampener for the holder member, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0006] Fig. 3 illustrates a cut-section side view of the battery pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of holder member for a pouch cell based battery pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The holder member 110 comprises a first surface 116 to mount a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 128 and a second surface 118 to hold plurality of pouch cells 104 inside an enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100. The first surface 116 and the second surface 118 are on opposite sides of the holder member 110. The holder member 110 comprises two rows 124, 126 of openings 112, arranged adjacent to each other, to accommodate side-by-side tabs 106, 108 of the plurality of pouch cells 104, and each opening 112 within the row 124, 126 of openings 112 are separated by a partition 114, characterized in that, the holder member 110 comprises at least one feature selected from a group comprising, a first feature and a second feature. The first feature comprises a plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the second surface 118 of the holder member 110. The plurality of projection 120 positions the plurality of pouch cells 104 within the enclosure 102. The second feature comprises a groove 130 formed on a free end of each of the partition 114. In other words, the free end extends inside the enclosure 102. The groove 130 is aligned between every pair of opposite projections 120, i.e. one projection 120 at one end and one projection 120 at other end. The first surface 116 faces outward of the enclosure 102 and the second surface 118 faces inside of the enclosure 102.

[0008] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the tab holder 110 is provided with the first feature, or the second feature or the combination of the first feature and second feature. Specifically, in an embodiment the holder member 110 comprises the first surface 116 to mount the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 128 and the second surface 118 to hold plurality of pouch cells 104 inside the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100. The first surface 116 and the second surface 118 are on opposite sides of the holder member 110. The holder member 110 comprises two rows 124, 126 of openings 112, arranged adjacent to each other, to accommodate side-by-side tabs 106, 108 of the plurality of pouch cells 104, and each opening 112 within the row 124, 126 of openings 112 are separated by the partition 114, characterized in that, the holder member 110 comprises the plurality of projection 120 on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the second surface 118. Optionally, the holder member 110 comprises the groove 130 formed on the free end of each of the partition 114.

[0009] Similarly, in another embodiment, the holder member 110 comprises the first surface 116 to mount the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 128 and the second surface 118 to hold plurality of pouch cells 104 inside the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100. The first surface 116 and the second surface 118 are on opposite sides of the holder member 110. The holder member 110 comprises two rows 124, 126 of openings 112, arranged adjacent to each other, to accommodate side-by-side tabs 106, 108 of the plurality of pouch cells 104, and each opening 112 within the row 124, 126 of openings 112 are separated by the partition 114, characterized in that, the holder member 110 comprises the groove 130 formed on the free end of each of the partition 114. Optionally, the holder member 110 comprises the plurality of projection 120 on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the second surface 118.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the holder member 110 comprises the first surface 116 to mount the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 128 and the second surface 118 to hold plurality of pouch cells 104 inside the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100. The first surface 116 and the second surface 118 are on opposite sides of the holder member 110. The holder member 110 comprises two rows 124, 126 of openings 112, arranged adjacent to each other, to accommodate side-by-side tabs 106, 108 of the plurality of pouch cells 104, and each opening 112 within the row 124, 126 of openings 112 are separated by the partition 114, characterized in that, the holder member 110 comprises the plurality of projection 120 on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the second surface 118. The holder member 110 also comprises the groove 130 formed on the free end of each of the partition 114.

[0011] According to the present invention, the battery pack 100 is shown without the lid or cover, but the same must not be understood in limiting manner. An end of the enclosure 102 may or may not have any supporting member to hold the pouch cells 104. According to an embodiment, a dampening sleeve 308 (shown in Fig. 3) is provided for a columnar protrusion 134 between two ends of the enclosure 102. The dampening sleeve 308 protects the edge of the interfacing pouch cells 104 from being dented or rupture or damage. The Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of the enclosure 102, the holder member 110 and the PCB 128. Further, a first assembled view 138 is also provided for the same, in which a positive tab 106 and a negative tab 108 of the pouch cell 104 is shown extending out of the respective slits 136 of the PCB 128. Furthermore, an inverted holder member 110 is shown to provide clear view of the plurality of projections 120 on two opposite ends of the holder member 110 and the grooves 130.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of openings 112 is interposed with the array of partitions 114, where each of the partitions 114 comprises, grooves 130 aligned between every pair of the opposite projections 120. The groove 130 is either single and common between adjacent partitions 114 or provided independently for each partition 114 for each row of openings 112 or combination based on the design of the holder member 110.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each projection 120 of the plurality of projection 120 comprises a tapered edge 132 (shown in dotted circle). The tapered edges 132 of the opposite projections 120 are designed to face each other. Further, the pair of opposite projections 120 with tapered edges 132 accommodates pouch cells 104 with varying dimension of length/height and width within a predetermined range. The holder member 110 also comprises an insert molded sleeves 122 for fastening to the columnar protrusion 134 (or a slotted ridge) provided on the internal surface of the enclosure 102. The columnar protrusion 134 is covered with the dampening sleeve 308 to protect the edges of the pouch cells 104 from being damaged or ruptured or dented.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 100 is provided. The battery pack 100 comprises the enclosure 102 and plurality of pouch cells 104 stacked inside the enclosure 102. The battery pack 100 also comprises the holder member 110 comprising the first surface 116 to mount the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 128 and the second surface 118 to hold plurality of pouch cells 104 inside the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100. The first surface 116 and the second surface 118 are on opposite sides of the holder member 110. The holder member 110 comprises two rows 124, 126 of openings 112, arranged adjacent to each other, to accommodate side-by-side tabs 106, 108 of the plurality of pouch cells 104, and each opening 112 within the row 124, 126 of openings 112 are separated by the partition 114, characterized in that, the holder member 110 comprises at least one feature selected from the group comprising the first feature comprising the plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the second surface 118, and the second feature comprising the groove 130 formed on the free end of each of the partition 114.

[0015] According to the present invention, the battery pack 100 is provided with either the first feature or the second feature or combination of both of the first feature and the second feature. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 100 comprises the enclosure 102 and plurality of pouch cells 104 stacked inside the enclosure 102. The battery pack 100 also comprises the holder member 110 comprising the first surface 116 to mount the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 128 and the second surface 118 to hold plurality of pouch cells 104 inside the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100. The first surface 116 and the second surface 118 are on opposite sides of the holder member 110. The holder member 110 comprises two rows 124, 126 of openings 112, arranged adjacent to each other, to accommodate side-by-side tabs 106, 108 of the plurality of pouch cells 104, and each opening 112 within the row 124, 126 of openings 112 are separated by the partition 114, characterized in that, the holder member 110 comprises at least one of the plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the second surface 118. Optionally, the groove 130 is formed on the free end of each of the partition 114.

[0016] Similarly, according to another embodiment the battery pack 100 comprises the enclosure 102 and plurality of pouch cells 104 stacked inside the enclosure 102. The battery pack 100 also comprises the holder member 110 comprising the first surface 116 to mount the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 128 and the second surface 118 to hold plurality of pouch cells 104 inside the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100. The first surface 116 and the second surface 118 are on opposite sides of the holder member 110. The holder member 110 comprises two rows 124, 126 of openings 112, arranged adjacent to each other, to accommodate side-by-side tabs 106, 108 of the plurality of pouch cells 104, and each opening 112 within the row 124, 126 of openings 112 are separated by the partition 114, characterized in that, the holder member 110 comprises the groove 130 formed on the free end of each of the partition 114. Optionally, the plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the second surface 118.

[0017] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 100 comprises the enclosure 102 and plurality of pouch cells 104 stacked inside the enclosure 102. The battery pack 100 also comprises the holder member 110 comprising the first surface 116 to mount the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 128 and the second surface 118 to hold plurality of pouch cells 104 inside the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100. The first surface 116 and the second surface 118 are on opposite sides of the holder member 110. The holder member 110 comprises two rows 124, 126 of openings 112, arranged adjacent to each other, to accommodate side-by-side tabs 106, 108 of the plurality of pouch cells 104, and each opening 112 within the row 124, 126 of openings 112 are separated by the partition 114, characterized in that, the holder member 110 comprises at least one of the plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the second surface 118, and the groove 130 is formed on the free end of each of the partition 114.

[0018] The battery pack 100 also comprises a cover which is positioned over the holder member 110. The cover comprises Battery Management System (BMS) controller in connection with the components provided on the PCB 128. The cover of the battery pack 100 is not shown for the simplicity of understanding and the same must not be understood in limiting manner.

[0019] According to the present invention, in the battery pack 100, each projection 120 of the plurality of projection 120 on the holder member 110 comprises the tapered edge 132. The tapered edges 132 of opposite projections 120 are designed to face each other. Further, the pair of opposite projections 120 with tapered edges 132 accommodates pouch cells 104 with varying dimension within the predetermined range. Further, the holder member 110 comprises insert molded sleeves 122 for mounting on to respective slot provided on the columnar protrusion 134 on the internal surface of the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100.

[0020] Fig. 2 illustrates a dampener for the holder member, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The groove 130 on each of the partition 114 is insertable with the dampener 202. The dampener 202 comprises a T-shaped flexible structure with pine or corrugated surface. The groove 130 is also designed with internal surface to lock the inserted dampener 202. The length of the dampener 202 is as per the length of the groove 130. An exploded view 208 of the holder member 110 and plurality of dampeners 202 is provided. The exploded view is followed by a second assembled view 212. The plurality of openings 112 are clearly visible in the second assembled view 212 once the dampener 202 is fixed inside the grooves 130. A side view 210 of the holder member 110 is also provided with the dampeners 202 fixed in the grooves 130. The gap between the plurality of projections 120 shows the plurality of openings 112.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the battery pack 100, the dampener 202 is provided for the holder member 110. The dampener 202 comprises the body 206, and the head 204 integrally formed along the length of the columnar body 206. The head 204 is broader than the columnar body 206. The body 206 comprises flexible pine or corrugated surface.

[0022] Fig. 3 illustrates a cut-section side view of the battery pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cut-section view 302 shows a portion of top end of the battery pack 100. In the cut-section view 302, fourteen number of pouch cells 104 are shown. The number of pouch cells 104 is based on the requirement and is not limited as mentioned here. As can be seen clearly, the shoulders 304 of the pouch cells 104 abuts the head 204 of the dampener 202. Further, each of the pouch cell 104 is separated by a pad 306. The tabs 106, 108 of the pouch cells 104 pass through the openings 112, whereas the dampeners 202 are inserted and press fit inside the grooves 130, which in turn is provided on the partitions 114. A single dampener 202 cushions or abuts shoulders 304 of two pouch cells 104. The pouch cells 104 on the extreme ends are supported by dampeners 202 on only one shoulder 304 or both shoulders 304.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the exterior surface of the partition 114 is provided with tapered profile. The tapered profiles guides the positive tab/terminal 106 and negative tab/terminal 108 of the pouch cells 104 into the openings 112 of the holder member 110 during assembly. The tapered profile is provided by at least one indent on both external surfaces of the partition 114, thus each opening 112 comprises at least two indents. Alternatively, the tapered profile is provided through two indents on the external surface of the partition 114, which leads to each opening 112 having four indents. The tapered profile aids in faster assembly process of the battery pack 100.

[0024] According to the present invention, a modular holder member 110 is disclosed to accommodate the PCB 128 having voltage and temperature sensors along with other electronic circuits and components on the first surface 116 and pouch cells 104 of different width/height variants on the second surface 118 inside the enclosure 102. The PCB 128 assembled on the holder member 110 through either fasteners or heat staking method, i.e. the holder member 110 is compatible for both the fastener and heat staking method providing modularity in mounting. The PCB 128 is positioned over the holder member 110 by Poka-Yoke method. The holder member 110 is of plastic or other suitable material which is resistant to electricity and heat. The PCB 128 is mounted on the holder member 110 with cushioning design. The tapered edges 132 of the projections 120 accommodates the width variations and height variations of the pouch cell 104 along with providing dampening effect against any vibrations. The dampener 202 is defined with pine structure to enable press fit placement onto the groove 130. The dampener 202 absorbs the vibrations and provides the cushioning effect to pouch cells 104. The insert molded sleeves 122 enables effective torque distribution from the tightening screws. The dampener 202 is made of but not limited to materials comprising Polyurethane (PU)/ Silicone rubber / Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE: Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) + Polypropylene (PP)).

[0025] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.

, Claims:We claim:
1. A holder member (110) for a pouch cell (104) based battery pack (100), said holder member (110) comprises a first surface (116) to mount a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) (128) and a second surface (118) to hold plurality of said pouch cells (104) inside an enclosure (102) of said battery pack (100), said first surface (116) and said second surface (118) are on opposite sides of said holder member (110), said holder member (110) comprises two rows (124, 126) of openings (112), arranged adjacent to each other, to accommodate side-by-side tabs (106, 108) of plurality of said pouch cell (104), and each opening (112) within said row of openings (112) are separated by a partition (114), characterized in that, said holder member (110) comprises at least one of,
a plurality of projection (120) provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to said second surface (118) of said holder member (110), and
a groove (130) formed on a free end of each of said partition (114).

2. The holder member (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each projection (120) of said plurality of projection (120) comprises a tapered edge (132), wherein said tapered edges (132) of opposite projections (120) are designed to face each other.

3. The holder member (110) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pair of opposite projections (120) with tapered edges (132) accommodates pouch cells (104) with varying dimension within a predetermined range.

4. The holder member (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said groove (130) is insertable with a dampener (202), wherein said dampener (202) comprises a T-shaped flexible structure with pine or corrugated surface.

5. The holder member (110) as claimed in claim 1 comprises insert molded sleeves (122) for mounting on to said enclosure (102) of said battery pack (100).

6. A battery pack (100), said battery pack (100) comprises:
an enclosure (102);
a plurality of pouch cells (104) stacked inside said enclosure (102), and
a holder member (110), comprising a first surface (116) to mount a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) (128) and a second surface (118) to hold said plurality of pouch cells (104), said first surface (116) and said second surface (118) are on opposite sides of said holder member (110), said holder member (110) comprises two rows (124, 126) of openings (112), arranged adjacent to each other, to accommodate side-by-side tabs (106, 108) of plurality of said pouch cell (104), and each opening (112) within said row of openings (112) are separated by a partition (114), characterized in that, said holder member (110) comprises at least one of
a plurality of projection (120) provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to said second surface (118), and
a groove (130) formed on a free end of each of said partition (114).

7. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein each projection (120) of said plurality of projection (120) comprises a tapered edge (132), wherein said tapered edges (132) of opposite projections (120) are designed to face each other.

8. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said pair of opposite projections (120) with tapered edges (132) accommodates pouch cells (104) with varying dimension within a predetermined range.

9. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein a dampener (202) is provided for said holder member (110), wherein said dampener (202) comprises
a columnar body (206), and
a head (204) integrally formed along a length of said columnar body (206), said head (204) broader than said columnar body (206), wherein said columnar body (206) comprises pine or corrugated surface.

10. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said holder member (110) comprises insert molded sleeves (122) for mounting on to respective slot provided on a columnar protrusion (134) on an internal surface of said enclosure (102) of said battery pack (100).