Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter is related, in general to a battery pack, and more particularly, but not exclusively to a protection circuit for the modules disposed in a battery pack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The multifaceted application of electrical energy in day-to-day activities has yielded inevitable dependency on electrical energy sources and a corollary development of systems for generation of electrical energy as well as the storage of the generated electrical energy.
[0003] An established system for storage and utilization of electrical energy is by employment of energy storage devices such as battery packs. Conventional battery packs consist of a plurality of battery cells connected in series, parallel or a combination of series and parallel electrical connections. The configuration of the electrical connection between the plurality of battery cells is dependent on the voltage and current requirements of the assigned application. Owing to a high storage capacity of electrical energy in the battery pack, appropriate mechanisms are to be instituted in the battery pack to prevent any form of catastrophic failure in the battery pack. The propensity of damage a failure of battery pack can cause is proportional to the storage capacity of the battery pack. Consequently, in application involving high-power requirements, the voltage or current imbalances in the battery pack yields a critical safety issue.
[0004] In conventional battery packs, the battery pack is provided with a battery management system (hereinafter referred to as BMS) configured to monitor any potential cell imbalances in the battery pack. The function of the BMS is typically limited to monitoring and detection with no active mechanism provided to cope or address a failure of the battery pack.
[0005] In some operating environments employing a battery pack or other forms of energy storage packs or devices, upon detection of a potential failure or imbalance in cell voltages in the battery pack, the protection mechanism ceases functionality of the entire battery pack, leading to a standstill in the application. The unprecedented rout or halting of the battery pack functionality adversely affects associated labor, cost and time consumed in the application.
[0006] Additionally, the research and development entrusted in the field of electric mobility, presses additional pressure on the development of mechanisms to ensure safe operational environment of battery packs and other forms of energy storage devices. The sensitive nature of applications entrusted on energy storage devices such as battery packs, postulates a dire requirement of an effective diagnostic or protection mechanism which not only ensures a safe operational environment but also allows resumption of functionality of the battery pack in achieving the end operation.
[0007] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of described systems with some aspects of the present disclosure, as set forth in the remainder of the present application and with reference to the drawings.
SUMMARY
[0008] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
[0009] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure provides a battery pack with a module protection circuit configured to isolate a malfunctioning module from the other modules in the battery pack. The module protection circuit thus ensures secure operation of the battery pack in the event of cell imbalances in a module. The battery pack comprises of a plurality of cells, a plurality of modules and a protection circuit. Each module of the plurality of modules comprises of a plurality of cells. The protection circuit comprises of a plurality of electrical tracks connecting the plurality of modules in a parallel connection. The protection circuit further comprises of a plurality of fusing units disposed along each electrical track of the plurality of electrical tracks.
[00010] According to embodiments illustrated herein, each fusing unit of the plurality of fusing units is configured to disconnect the electrical track connecting the plurality of modules when a current passing through that electrical track exceeds a pre-defined threshold current.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00011] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention.
[00012] Figure 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a battery pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00013] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the battery pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00014] Figure 3 illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a protection circuit in the battery pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00015] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of one or more components of the battery pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00016] The present disclosure may be best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to the figures are simply for explanatory purposes as the methods and systems may extend beyond the described embodiments. For example, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown.
[00017] References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[00018] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with different embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather those embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[00019] The present invention is illustrated with a battery pack. However, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the present invention is not limited to a battery pack and certain features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present invention can be used in various applications such as in vehicles, electrical equipment and high-power electrical applications employing an energy storage device. The energy storage device can be a rechargeable or a non-rechargeable energy storage device. In an embodiment, the electric or hybrid vehicle comprises of a battery pack capable of drawing electric current from the battery pack. In another embodiment, the electrical equipment comprises of a battery pack capable of drawing electric current from the battery pack. In another embodiment, the battery pack is employed in any high-power application such as in a powertrain of a vehicle where the battery pack supplies electrical energy to an external load.
[00020] It is an object of the present subject matter is to provide a battery pack with a module protection circuit configured to protect the components of the battery pack against a malfunctioning module.
[00021] To this end, the battery pack comprising of a plurality of modules connected in parallel is provided with a protection circuit. The protection circuit is provided with a plurality of fusing units configured to disconnect the electrical tracks connecting the plurality of modules in the event of occurrence of any cell imbalances in a malfunctioning module. The disconnection of electrical tracks connecting the malfunctioning module to the other modules of the battery packs helps achieve isolation of the malfunctioning module from the other components of the battery pack.
[00022] It is an object of the present subject matter to provide a mechanism for isolation of malfunctioning module of the battery pack such that the functionality of the battery pack is not halted.
[00023] To this end, the battery pack is provided with a protection circuit configured to isolate a malfunctioning module of the battery so as to allow the other modules of the battery pack to resume its regimental operation without any halt. Consequently, the battery pack in accordance with the present disclosure saves on associated labour, cost and time that would have inadvertently been lost in view of halt in battery pack operation.
[00024] It is known in the art to provide a battery management system (hereinafter referred to as BMS) for the battery pack for monitoring of cell imbalances, however no effective mechanism has been developed for protection of other components of the battery pack against malfunctioning elements of the battery pack. The present subject matter addresses this exact drawback present in the prior art.
[00025] Additionally, the disclosed configuration of the battery pack allows the resumption of normal functionality of the battery pack by mere replacement of the protection circuit in the event the fusing units are embedded in the protection circuit and/or replacement of only the fusing unit when the fusing unit is mounted on the protection circuit. The disclosed configuration negates the requirement of replacing the entire battery pack for resumption of normal functionality in the dedicated application.
[00026] The disclosed subject matter addresses this exact drawback of the known art by isolating the malfunctioning module of the battery pack, allowing the battery pack to resume its normal functioning. The halt in the operation of the battery pack yields a wastage of concomitant time, money and energy which the present subject matter appositely solves.
[00027] In accordance with this configuration, the disclosed module protection circuit further prevents thermal runaways occurring in battery packs and other forms of energy storage devices. Battery packs employed in high-power applications are typically subjected to high electric current which yields localized temperature rises inside the battery pack. The localized temperature rises may propagate to adjacent locations of the battery pack resulting in thermal runaway inside the battery pack.
[00028] Owing to the above-mentioned configuration of the disclosed invention, the module protection circuit protects the battery pack from being subjected to unintentional high currents and also improves the life cycle of the battery pack in accordance with the present disclosure.
[00029] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a battery pack with a protection mechanism comprising of minimum number of components, associated weight and size of the battery pack with compact packaging of the internal components.
[00030] To this end, the protection circuit provided in the battery pack in accordance with the present disclosure is provided with electrical tracks instead of wire connections. The provision of electrical tracks connecting the cells of the modules, reduces overall weight and number of components of the battery pack which additionally reduces the cost associated with the development of the battery pack. Further, a compact layout and packaging efficiency in the battery pack is achieved.
[00031] In some applications, there is a critical requirement to achieve a desired power-to-weight ratio for achieving efficient operation. The battery pack in accordance with the present disclosure maintains a minimalist weight owing to reduced number of components, compact layout and associated weight of the components, resulting in suitability in applications requiring a high power-to-weight ratio of battery packs. Typically, in mobility related applications a high power-to-weight ratio is desired.
[00032] Further, it is an object of the present subject matter to assure ease of assembly, accessibility, serviceability and maintenance of the battery pack.
[00033] To this end, the battery pack in accordance with the present disclosure eliminates the employment of cumbersome wiring connections with electrical tracks to effectuate the object of accessibility of the components of the battery pack for ease of serviceability, maintenance and assembly of the battery pack. Further, the associated manufacturing and assembly time of the battery pack is also reduced in accordance with the present disclosure.
[00034] Further, the disclosed subject matter disclosing a module protection circuit for a battery pack can be easily implemented in traditional battery pack and energy storage pack configuration and layout without significant manufacturing deviations. The disclosed subject matter enables modified versions of existing battery packs with minimal changes in the battery pack design, electrical connections in the battery pack and even the manufacturing set-up without major revamping of the core manufacturing process.
[00035] In accordance with the configuration of the disclosed subject matter, an additional advantage of the disclosed battery pack is the flexibility to manufacture variants in forms of size of the battery pack, range of power supply and capacity of the battery pack.
[00036] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a battery pack along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiments. The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate 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 principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00037] Figure 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a battery pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00038] With reference to figure 1, 100 denotes a battery pack for supplying stored electrical energy to an external electrical load.
[00039] In an embodiment, the battery pack 100 disclosed in relation to the present subject matter includes any electrical or electronic device configured to store electrical energy and may include an energy storage pack, a plurality of battery cells, a plurality of battery modules and other forms of electrical energy storage equipment. The battery pack may be rechargeable as well as non-rechargeable. The battery pack is configured to have a charged and discharged state. In a charged state of the battery pack, the battery pack supplies the stored electrical energy to an external electrical load, an electrical or electronic equipment, electric or hybrid vehicle as and when required.
[00040] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the battery pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00041] With reference to figure 2, 100 denotes a battery pack, 202a and 202b denotes a plurality of modules, 204 denotes a protection circuit, 206 denotes a coupler, 208 denotes a plurality of thermistors, 210 denotes an external casing of the battery pack and 212 denotes one or more busbars.
[00042] In an embodiment, the battery pack (100) comprises of a plurality of modules (202a, 202b). A protection circuit (204) connects the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) in parallel connection. The protection circuit (204) is provided with a coupler (206) which establishes an electrical connection between the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) connected to the protection circuit (204) with a BMS (not shown in the figure). A plurality of thermistors (208) are disposed in the protection circuit (204) and are communicatively connected to the BMS. One or more busbars (212) are provided in the battery pack 100 to establish power connection of the plurality of modules (202a, 202b). The battery pack (100) inclusive of the plurality of modules (202a, 202b), protection circuit (204), coupler (206), plurality of thermistors (208) and one or more busbars (212) is enclosed by an external casing (210).
[00043] In an aspect, battery pack (100) comprises of a plurality of modules (202a, 202b). Each module of the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) comprises of a plurality of cells (404a, 404b). In an embodiment, the plurality of cells (404a, 404b) in each module is arranged in series connection. In an embodiment, the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) of the battery pack (100) are electrically connected in a parallel connection.
[00044] In an aspect, a protection circuit (204) is disposed on the plurality of modules (202a, 202b). The plurality of modules (202a, 202b) are connected in a parallel connection by the protection circuit (204).
[00045] In an aspect, the protection circuit comprises of a plurality of electrical tracks (408). Each electrical track of the plurality of electrical tracks (408) electrically connect the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) in a parallel connection. A parallel connection of plurality of modules (202a, 202b) of a battery pack (100) is provided to achieve a higher current output of the battery pack (100).
[00046] In an aspect, the plurality of electrical tracks (408) provided on the protection circuit (204) are provided to establish electrical connections between the plurality of cells (404a, 404b) of the plurality of modules (202a, 202b).
[00047] In an embodiment, the plurality of electrical tracks (408) of the protection circuit (204) is replaced by conducting wire connections.
[00048] In an aspect, each electrical track of the plurality of electrical tracks (408) have at least one fusing unit (406) disposed on the electrical track.
[00049] In operation, in the event of cell imbalances occurring in a malfunctioning module of the battery pack (100), the at least one fusing unit (406) disposed on the electrical track connecting the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) is configured to disconnect the electrical connection between the plurality of modules (202a, 202b). The disclosed configuration of the at least one fusing units (406) achieves isolation of the malfunctioning module from the other functioning plurality of modules (202a, 202b) of the battery pack (100).
[00050] In an embodiment, the at least one fusing unit (406) is configured to disconnect the electrical track connecting the malfunctioning module to the other plurality of modules (202a, 202b) once the current flowing through the electrical track exceeds a pre-defined threshold current.
[00051] In an aspect, the threshold current value for the at least one fusing unit (406) is defined based on the operating currents the battery pack (100) is to be subjected to in its normal course of functioning.
[00052] For example, the battery pack (100) is employed in a high-power application involving operating currents of 8A and the pre-defined threshold current for the configuration of the at least one fusing unit (406) is 10A. In the unfortunate event of cell imbalances occurring in a malfunctioning module where the operational currents in the malfunctioning module exceeds 10A, the at least one fusing unit (406) disposed on the electrical track connecting the malfunctioning module to the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) is configured to disconnect that electrical track.
[00053] The above-mentioned example is only provided in pursuit of clarity, illustration and elucidation purposes of the present subject matter and shall not be construed to limit the scope of the present subject matter to abovementioned aspects of the invention.
[00054] In an embodiment, the protection circuit (204) is a printed circuit board comprising of a circuit pattern. In an embodiment, the protection circuit (204) is a multi-layer printed circuit board. In an embodiment, the electrical tracks (408) of the protection circuit (204) are trace circuits of a printed circuit board.
[00055] In an embodiment, the protection circuit (204) is a multilayer printed circuit board having trace circuits as plurality of electrical tracks (408) connecting the positives and negatives of same row of cells of the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) in a parallel connection.
[00056] In an embodiment, the protection circuit (204) comprises of one or more layers of circuit patterns with each circuit pattern comprising of a plurality of electrical tracks (408) connecting a plurality of electronic components. The plurality of electronic components may be at least one of resistors, inductors, capacitors and diodes.
[00057] In an embodiment, at least one fusing unit (406) of the plurality of fusing units (406) is embedded in each electrical track (408) of the plurality of electrical tracks (408) connecting the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) of the battery pack (100).
[00058] In an embodiment, the at least one fusing unit (406) of the plurality of fusing units (406) is a printed circuit fuse. In an embodiment, the at least one fusing unit (406) of the plurality of fusing units (406) are electronic fuses.
[00059] In an embodiment, the at least one fusing unit (406) of the plurality of fusing units (406) are chip fuses which are disposed in each electrical track (408) of the plurality of electrical tracks (408) connecting the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) of the battery pack (100). Chip fuses employ a conducting fusing element deposited on a ceramic substrate and are configured to prevent electrical and electronic devices from being damaged due to overload of current.
[00060] In an aspect, the connection between the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) of the battery pack (100) and the BMS is established by a coupler (206) disposed on the protection circuit (204).
[00061] The coupler (206) receives electrical connections from the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) of the battery pack (100) as input and transmits the received cell parameters to the BMS as output. The coupler (206) transmits the cell parameters received from the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) through a single connection.
[00062] The BMS comprises of suitable logic, circuitry interfaces, and/or code that is configured to receive a plurality of battery pack (100) related parameters from the battery pack (100). The BMS receives a plurality of battery pack (100) related parameters which includes at least a state of charge of the battery pack (100) and a state of health of the battery pack (100). The BMS is configured to monitor the state of charge and the state of health of the battery pack (100) and thus the connection between the BMS and the battery pack (100) must be secure for efficient working of the battery pack (100).
[00063] The BMS plays a vital role in monitoring the health of the battery pack (100). The BMS is configured to monitor the voltage, charging current, temperature, state of charge, and the like of the plurality of cells, or modules of the battery pack (100) for ensuring effective working and long life of the battery pack (100).
[00064] In an aspect, a plurality of thermistors (208) are disposed in the protection circuit (204) at pre-determined locations in the protection circuit (204). The location for disposition of the plurality of thermistors (208) are determined based on analysis of localized heating areas of the protection circuit (204) to facilitate effective temperature data measurement by the plurality of thermistors (208).
[00065] In an embodiment, the plurality of thermistors (208) are communicatively connected to the BMS to ensure effective detection of localized heating in the protection circuit (204) and the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) of the battery pack (100).
[00066] In an embodiment, the coupler (206) is communicatively coupled to the plurality of thermistors (208) and is configured to receive temperature data from the plurality of thermistors (208) and transmit the same to the BMS.
[00067] In an aspect, an external casing (210) is provided to enclose the internal components of the battery pack (100) against external environment factors which may adversely affect the functioning of the battery pack (100).
[00068] In an aspect, the external casing (210) of the battery pack (100) comprises of material, the material being chosen from a combination of at least one nickel, steel, aluminium and zinc.
[00069] In an embodiment, the external casing (210) of the battery pack (100) comprises of a polypropylene material.
[00070] In an aspect, one or more busbars (212) are provided in the battery pack (100) for establishing power connection for the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) of the battery pack (100).
[00071] Figure 3 illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a protection circuit in the battery pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00072] With reference to Figure 3, 302 denotes a second set of mounting holes provided on the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) of the battery pack (100).
[00073] In an aspect, a first set of mounting holes (not shown in figure) is provided on the plurality of modules (202a, 202b).
[00074] In an aspect, the first set of mounting holes provided on the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) and the second set of mounting holes (302) provided on the protection circuit (204) ensure secure disposition of the protection circuit (204) on the plurality of modules (202a, 202b). A plurality of fastening units (not shown in figure) pas through the first set of mounting holes and the second set of mounting holes (302) to secure disposition of the protection circuit (204) on the plurality of modules (202a, 202b).
[00075] In an aspect, the first set of mounting holes and the second set of mounting holes (302) are configured to be in line to allow insertion of the fastening units through the first set of mounting holes and the second set of mounting holes (302).
[00076] In an embodiment, the first set of mounting holes are provided in predetermined locations of the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) with reference to minimal development of stress at localized areas of the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) when it is fastened to the protection circuit (204).
[00077] In an embodiment, the second set of mounting holes (302) are provided in predetermined locations of the protection circuit (204) with reference to minimal development of stress at localized areas of the protection circuit (204) when it is fastened to the plurality of modules (202a, 202b).
[00078] In an embodiment, the first set of mounting holes are provided along the periphery of the plurality of modules (202a, 202b).
[00079] In an embodiment, the second set of mounting holes (302) are provided along the periphery of the protection circuit (204).
[00080] In an embodiment, the first set of mounting holes and the second set of mounting holes (302) are of a spherical shape.
[00081] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of one or more components of the battery pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00082] With reference to figure 4, 402 denotes a power connection terminal, 404a and 404b denotes a plurality of cells, 406 denotes a plurality of fusing units, 408 denotes a plurality of electrical tracks.
[00083] In an aspect, the power connection terminal (402) of the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) are connected using one or more busbars (212).
[00084] Figure 4 is illustrated with a left-hand side (LH) and a right-hand side (RH) of the protection circuit (204) when viewed from the top.
[00085] In an embodiment, the battery pack (100) comprises of two modules 202a and 202b. The right-hand side depicted in figure 4 shows a first module (202a) of the battery pack (100) while the left-hand side shows a second module (202b) of the battery pack. The first module (202a) and the second module (202b) comprise of a plurality of cells (404a, 404b).
[00086] For illustration purposes, a cell (404a) of the plurality of cells (404a, 404b) of the first module (202a) is electrically connected to cell (404b) of the plurality of cells (404a, 404b) of the second module (202b) of the battery pack (100). The electrical connection between cell (400a) of the first module (202a) and the cell (400b) of the second module (202b) is established by an electrical track (408). A fusing unit (406) is disposed on the electrical track (408) connecting cell (404a) of the first module (202a) and cell (404b) of the second module (202b).
[00087] In an aspect, cell (404a) represents an individual row of plurality of cells of the first module (202a) and cell (404b) represents an individual row of plurality of cells of the second module (202b) of the battery pack (100). The electrical track (408) connecting cell (404a) and cell (404b) thus establishes a parallel connection between the first module (202a) and second module (202b) of the battery pack (100).
[00088] The above-mentioned example is only provided in pursuit of clarity, illustration and elucidation purposes of the present subject matter and shall not be construed to limit the scope of the present subject matter to abovementioned aspects of the invention.
[00089] The disclosed configuration of the present subject matter isolates the malfunctioning module of the battery pack (100) without any hinderance in operation being caused to the from the other modules and components of the battery pack (100) and reducing the risk of fire hazard in the battery pack (100). Owing to the disclosed configuration of the battery pack (100), thermal runaway in the battery pack (100) is not only restricted or confined but also protection is accorded to the operational environment of the battery pack (100).
[00090] A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the systems, modules, and sub-modules have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above disclosed system elements, modules, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to create other different systems or applications.
[00091] The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[00092] The disclosed claimed limitations and the disclosure provided herein provides a battery pack (100) with a protection circuit (204). The claimed invention in an aspect provides a secured operational environment of the battery pack (100). In an embodiment, the claimed invention ensures protection of a plurality of modules (202a, 202b) of a battery pack (100) from a malfunctioning module by providing a protection circuit (204) and thus alleviates the potential occurrence of thermal runaway in the battery pack (100).
[00093] In an aspect, the battery pack (100) disclosed in accordance with the present disclosure achieves a compact layout with high packaging efficiency. The disclosed battery pack (100) ease of assembly, accessibility, serviceability and maintenance of the battery pack (100) by reducing the number of components and associated weight of the components of the battery pack (100). Further, the associated manufacturing and assembly time of the battery pack (100) is also reduced.
[00094] Additionally, a coupler (206) is provided on the protection circuit (204) which receives all the electrical connections from a plurality of cells (404a, 404b) and transmits to the BMS through a single connection. The disclosed configuration further reduces the number of components and length of the wiring harness and promotes ease of assembly, accessibility and serviceability of the battery pack (100).
[00095] Thus, the disclosed battery pack (100) tries to overcome the technical problem associated with malfunctioning modules in a battery pack by providing a protection circuit (204) configured to isolate the malfunctioning module form the other components of the battery pack (100). The disclosed battery pack also provides a compact battery pack (100) layout which aids accessibility, serviceability and maintainability of the battery pack (100) to achieve a safe operational environment of the battery pack (100).
[00096] Thus, the claimed limitations overcome the aforementioned technical problems by providing a protection circuit (204) for a battery pack (100) comprising of plurality of fusing units (406) to ensure a safe and efficient operating environment for the battery pack (100).
[00097] In light of the above-mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed battery pack, the claimed steps as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed steps clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the device itself as the claimed steps provide a technical solution to a technical problem.
[00098] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with another does not imply that all such components are required, On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention,
[00099] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter and is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
[000100] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
[000101] The present disclosure may be realized in hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may be realized in a centralized fashion, in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion, where different elements may be spread across several interconnected computer systems, a computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein may be suited. A combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when loaded and executed, may control the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. The present disclosure may be realized in hardware that comprises a portion of an integrated circuit that also performs other functions.
[000102] A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the systems, modules, and sub-modules have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above disclosed system elements, modules, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to create other different systems or applications.
[000103] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the aforementioned steps and/or system modules may be suitably replaced, reordered, or removed, and additional steps and/or system modules may be inserted, depending on the needs of a particular application. In addition, the systems of the aforementioned embodiments may be implemented using a wide variety of suitable processes and system modules, and are not limited to any particular computer hardware, software, middleware, firmware, microcode, and the like. The claims can encompass embodiments for hardware and software, or a combination thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A battery pack (100), the battery pack (100) comprising of
a plurality of cells (404a, 404b);
a plurality of modules (202a, 202b), wherein each module of the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) comprising of the plurality of cells (404a, 404b);
a protection circuit (204), the protection circuit (204) comprising of
a plurality of electrical tracks (408), and
wherein the plurality of electrical tracks (408) connecting the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) in a parallel connection, and
a plurality of fusing units (406),
wherein at least one fusing unit (406) of the plurality of fusing units (406) being disposed on each electrical track (408) of the plurality of electrical tracks (408).

2. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each fusing unit (406) of the plurality of fusing units (406) being configured to disconnect the electrical track (408) connecting the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) when a current passing through that electrical track (408) exceeds a pre-defined threshold current.

3. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein each electrical track (408) of the plurality of electrical tracks (408) connecting an individual row of cells (404a, 404b) of the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) in parallel connection.

4. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of fusing units (406) being embedded in each electrical track (408) of the plurality of electrical tracks (408).

5. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of fusing units (406) being chip fuses disposed on each electrical track (408) of the plurality of electrical tracks (408).

6. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protection circuit (204) includes a coupler (206), the coupler (206) being configured to connect the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) to a battery management system.

7. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery pack (100) comprising of a plurality of thermistors (208) being disposed in pre-determined locations in the protection circuit (204).

8. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of thermistors (208) being communicatively connected to the battery management system.

9. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of busbars (212) being configured to connect the plurality of modules (202a, 202b)

10. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protection circuit (204) being mounted on the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) by a plurality of fastening units.

11. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) comprising of a first set of mounting holes for receiving the plurality of fastening units.

12. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the protection circuit (204) comprising of a second set of mounting holes (302) for receiving the plurality of fastening units.

13. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first set of mounting holes being in line with the second set of mounting holes (302).

14. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protection circuit (204) comprises of one or more layers of circuit patterns and wherein each circuit pattern of the one or more layers of circuit patterns includes a plurality of electronic components.

15. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein each circuit pattern being a printed circuit board.

16. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each module of the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) comprises of the plurality of cells (404a, 404b) being connected in series.

17. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical tracks (408) connecting the plurality of modules (202a, 202b) being wire connections.