DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to an energy storage device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Existing research in battery technology is directed to rechargeable batteries, such as sealed, starved electrolyte, lead/acid batteries, are commonly used as power sources in different applications, such as, vehicles and the like. However, the lead-acid batteries are heavy, bulky, and have short cycle life, short calendar life, and low turn around efficiency, resulting in limitations in applications.
[0003] Thus, in order to overcome problems associated with conventional energy storage devices including the lead-acid batteries, a lithium-ion battery provides an ideal system for high energy-density applications, improved rate capability, and safety. Further, the rechargeable energy storage devices - lithium-ion batteries exhibit one or more beneficial characteristics which makes it useable on powered devices.
[0004] First, for safety reasons, the lithium-ion battery is constructed of all solid components while still being flexible and compact. Secondly, the energy storage device including the lithium-ion battery exhibits similar conductivity characteristics to primary batteries with liquid electrolytes, i.e., deliver high power and energy density with low rates of self-discharge. Thirdly, the energy storage device as the lithium-ion battery is readily manufacturable in a manner that it is both reliable and cost-efficient. Finally, the energy storage device including the lithium-ion battery can maintain a necessary minimum level of conductivity at sub-ambient temperatures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0006] Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of an energy storage device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0007] Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective exploded view of the energy storage device, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0008] Figure 3 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of a battery module, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Figure 4 exemplarily illustrates an inner side of at least one part of the holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Figure 5 exemplarily illustrates a zoomed view of the one or more accommodating feature of the one of the parts of the holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00011] Figure 6 exemplarily illustrates a zoomed cross-sectional view of the cell connected with at least an engaging portion of the inter connector, when placed in the holder of the battery pack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00012] The energy storage device may be used in driving electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles. The energy storage device comprises one or more energy storage cells, such as, lithium-ion battery cells enclosed within a casing.
[00013] Conventionally, the cells used in the energy storage device, are non-insulated cells i.e. the top cap is the positive terminal whereas the rest of the body is the negative terminal of the cell. Therefore, in absence of insulation between the positive and negative terminals of the cells, if the conductors are attempted to be welded on the positive terminal of the cells. Then there is often a risk of welding the conductors onto the negative terminal by mistake, because of the proximity of the negative terminal with the positive terminal. Such welding mistake would lead to short circuit in the cell, and there causing cell failure and negatively impacting the entire energy storage device.
[00014] Further, since usually the energy storage device includes packs of multiple cells stacked together. These cells and other components in a pack generate heat. This heat is generated both during charging process and discharging process of the cells, i.e., heat is produced by each cell when the energy stored and when energy is consumed. Therefore, when cell failure occurs due to short circuits, the cells typically release considerable quantity of hot gases. These hot gases may impact the integrity of the other cells in the pack and may cause substantial damage to the other functional cells along with other critical components, placed in proximity of the failed cells.
[00015] Some known arts disclose about insulating such non-Insulated cells in the energy storage device. Such insulating practices involve insulation of the non-insulated cells by means of usage of plastic coating. The plastic coating separated the positive and negative terminal of each cell. In such cells, further the interconnectors are directly welded onto the positive terminal of each cell of the energy storage device.
[00016] Some other known arts disclose about using plastic sleeves between the positive and negative terminals of the cells, to make the cell insulated in nature.
[00017] However, usage of plastic coating or plastic sleeves over the cells, to distinctly separate the terminals from each other, is a complex process. Thereby, this process not only increases the time taken to make one energy storage device, but also increases overall cost of manufacturing the energy storage device.
[00018] Hence, there is a need of addressing the above circumstances and problems of the known arts.
[00019] The present subject matter has been devised in view of the above circumstances as well as solving other problems of the known art.
[00020] The present subject matter discloses in an embodiment, an energy storage device comprising a casing, and one or more energy storage module. The one or more energy storage module includes one or more cells configured to be disposed within one or more holder.
[00021] The one or more holders includes one or more parts, for example a first part and a second part. Each of the one or more part of the one or more holders includes one or more accommodating feature.
[00022] The one or more accommodating feature is dedicated for accommodating at least one end of each cell of the one or more energy storage module, ensuring that the contact between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of each cell of the one or more cells is being eliminated.
[00023] The negative terminal of each cell is provided on the outer periphery of least one end of each cell, and the positive terminal is encircled by the negative terminal.
[00024] In another embodiment, the one or more accommodating feature includes a shielded portion and an open portion. The shielded portion covers the negative terminal of each cell within the energy storage device. The open portion is an opening, that exposes the positive terminal of each cell within the energy storage device. Further, each accommodating feature of the one or more part, includes a plurality of inward protruded restrictors.
[00025] As per an aspect of the present embodiment, the open portion, the shielded portion, and the restrictors, together function as a locator for each cell and thus aid in easy assembly of the one or more cells within the holder.
[00026] As per an aspect of the present embodiment, the present subject matter aid in providing safe and secured packaging of the cells within a holder of a battery pack. This is because the accommodating feature of the holder, always ensures that, the contact between the positive and negative terminal of the cell is eliminated.
[00027] As per another aspect of the present embodiment, the accommodating feature function as a locator for each cell and thus aid in easy assembly of the cells within the holder.
[00028] As per another aspect of the present embodiment, the present subject matter aid in ease in manufacturing process of the battery pack. This is because manufacturing of the accommodating feature of the holder, is comparatively easier to manufacture, than providing the additional plastic sleeve or plastic covering over each cell of the battery pack.
[00029] Further, the present subject matter ensures that the mistake of the welding of the interconnector on the negative terminal, instead of the positive terminal is avoided. This is done because the negative terminal is at all times shielded by the covered portion of the accommodating feature of the holder. Furthermore, because of safe and secured packaging, the present subject matter provides durable battery pack.
[00030] As per another aspect of the present embodiment, the present subject matter aid in overall part reduction and weight reduction of the battery pack. This is because no additional component or no additional plastic sleeve or plastic covering, is used to separate negative and positive terminal of the cells in the battery pack.
[00031] As per another aspect of the present embodiment, the present subject matter aid in overall cost reduction of manufacturing a battery pack. This is because no additional component is used to separate negative and positive terminal of the cells in the battery pack.
[00032] Exemplary embodiments detailing features regarding the aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. 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. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “down”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom”, “exterior”, “interior” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the two wheeled vehicles with a user riding thereon. Furthermore, arrows wherever provided in the top right corner of figure(s) in the drawings depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicates rear direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, an arrow Dw denotes downward direction, an arrow RH denotes right side, and an arrow LH denotes left side. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[00033] Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of an energy storage device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Herein energy storage device 100 includes a battery pack 100. The battery pack 100 comprises of one or more energy storage module 100a, also called as a battery module 100a (shown in Figure 3) and a casing 101. The casing 101 protects the one or more battery module 100a from external factors, such as environmental factors, and prevents the one or more battery module 100a from getting damaged. The one or more battery module 100a, includes one or more cells 105 (shown in Figure 2) disposed in one or more holder 104 (shown in fig.3) to hold the cells 105 together in a pre-defined position. The holder 104 holds the individual cells 105 and the joint output of all the cells 105 are transferred to a channel through bus bars. The holder 104 also ensures maintaining the required cell 105 arrangement and adequate cell 105 spacing. The one or more cells 105 provide the electric energy to drive a vehicle (not shown).
[00034] The holder 104 is provided with one or more voltage sensing points 112 (shown in Figure 2) for one or more interconnectors 106 (shown in Figure 2) to be placed. The one or more interconnectors 106 are used to make electrical connection between the one or more cells 105 by means of the one or more voltage sensing points 112. The one or more cells 105 are welded to the interconnector 106 to form the battery module 100a. The one or more interconnectors 106 are placed above the one or more battery module 100a and the voltage sensing points 112 are provided on the battery module 100a to hold the one or more interconnectors 106 in place.
[00035] Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective exploded view of the energy storage device 100, in accordance with an embodiment. In the present embodiment, the casing 101 includes a first casing 101a, a second casing 101b, a top casing 101c, and a bottom casing 101d. The first casing 101a is configured to support a front portion of the one or more cells 105. The second casing 101b is configured to support a back portion of the one or more cells 105. The top casing 101c is configured to cover the battery module 100a from a top portion of the battery module 100a. The bottom casing 101d provides is configured to support the one or more battery modules 100a from a bottom portion. In an embodiment, the one or more casing 101 can be an aluminium casing. In the present embodiment, one or more battery module management system is detachably attached within the top casing 101c of the battery module 100a with one or more fastening means (not shown). An output port 118 and a socket 120 are provided in the top casing 101c to bring out the connection to the outside of the battery pack 100 from the battery module management system.
[00036] In the present embodiment, a base member 108 connects the one or more battery module 100a, eliminating wire connections. The base member 108 is rectangular in shape with a U-shape cut section provided at one or more sides of the rectangular base member 108. However, the base member 108 can be of any other shape based on the structural requirement of the battery pack 100. The base member 108 can be used to connect one or more battery modules 100a to form a battery pack 100.
[00037] Figure 3 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of a battery module 100a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The battery module 100a includes the holder 104. The holder 104 is provided with one or more voltage sensing points 112 (shown in Figure 2) for one or more interconnectors 106 (shown in Figure 2) to be placed. The holder 104 includes one or more parts, i.e., a first part 104a, and a second part 104b. Both the first part 104a and the second part 104b align together in parallel and hold the cells 105 (shown in Figure 2) therebetween.
[00038] Figure 4 exemplarily illustrates an inner side of at least one part (104a, 104b) of the holder 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Each of the holder 104 includes one or more accommodating feature 107 dedicated for accommodating at least one end of each cell 105 of the battery module 100a. The present subject matter aid in providing safe and secured packaging of the cells within the holder 104 of the battery pack 100. This is because the accommodating feature 107 of the holder 104, always ensures that, the contact between a positive terminal 105b (shown in Figure 5) and a negative terminal 105a (shown in Figure 5) of the cell 105 is eliminated.
[00039] In an embodiment, the accommodating feature 107 is a ring-shaped structure.
[00040] Each part (104a, 104b) of the holder 104 includes a plurality of first mounting provisions 109, and a plurality of second mounting provisions 110. The plurality of first mounting provisions 109, and the plurality of second mounting provisions 110 together aid in aligning the two parts (104a, 104b) of the holder 104 in parallel. The plurality of first mounting provisions 109, and the plurality of second mounting provisions 110 ensure tight packaging of the cells 105 within the two parts (104a, 104b) of the holder 104.
[00041] Figure 5 exemplarily illustrates a zoomed view of the one or more accommodating feature 107 of the one of the parts (104a, 104b) of the holder 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Each accommodating feature 107 includes an open portion 107a and a shielded portion 107b. At least one end of each cell 105 of the battery pack 100, includes the negative terminal 105a (shown in Figure 6) and the positive terminal 105b (shown in Figure 6). The negative terminal 105a is usually present on the outer periphery of least one end of each cell 105. The positive terminal 105b is encircled by the negative terminal 105a. The shielded portion 107b covers the negative terminal 105a of the cell. The open portion 107a acts as an opening to expose the positive terminal 105b of the cell 105. Between each accommodating feature 107 of the one of the parts (104a, 104b), a plurality of inward protruded restrictors 107c are provided. The open portion 107a, the shielded portion 107b, and the restrictors 107c, together function as a locator for each cell 105 and thus aid in easy assembly of the cells 105 within the holder 104. These restrictors 107c ensures that each cell 105 is restricted to respective accommodating feature 107 of each part (104a, 104b) of the holder 104. Thus, ensuring tight packaging of the cells 105 within the two parts (104a, 104b) of the holder 104.
[00042] Further, the present subject matter aid in ease in manufacturing process of the battery pack 100. This is because manufacturing of the accommodating feature 107 of the holder 104, is comparatively easier to manufacture, than providing the additional plastic sleeve or plastic covering over each cell 105 of the battery pack 100.
[00043] Figure 6 exemplarily illustrates a zoomed cross-sectional view of the cell 105 connected with at least an engaging portion 106a of the inter connector 106, when placed in the holder 104 of the battery pack 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The cross-sectional view illustrates that the (shown in Figure 3) sits on the top of at least a part
(104a, 104b) of the holder 104.
[00044] Further, the present subject matter aid in providing safe and secured packaging of the cells 105 within a holder 104 of a battery pack 100. This is because the accommodating feature 107 of the holder 104, always ensures that, the contact between the positive terminal 105b and negative terminal 105a of the cell 105 is eliminated.
[00045] Each engaging portion 106a of the interconnector 106 is welded on the positive terminal 105b of each cell 105, through the open portion 107a of the accommodating feature 107. The exposed negative terminal 105a of each cell 105 is always shielded by the shielded portion 107b of the accommodating feature 107. The shielded portion 107b aids in eliminated the risk of short circuiting by welding of the engaging portion 106a of the interconnector 106, on the wrong area of the cell 105. Furthermore, because of safe and secured packaging, the present subject matter provides a durable battery pack 100.
[00046] Since the shielded portion 107b of the accommodating feature 107, secures the negative terminal 105a of each cell 105 there within. This ensures that the interconnector 106 is welding on the positive terminal 105b only. Thus, eliminating the risk of short circuit.
[00047] As per another aspect of the present embodiment, the present subject matter aid in overall part reduction and weight reduction of the battery pack 100. This is because no additional component or no additional plastic sleeve or plastic covering, is used to separate the negative terminal 105a and the positive terminal 105b of the cells 105 in the battery pack 100.
[00048] As per another aspect of the present embodiment, the present subject matter aid in overall cost reduction of manufacturing a battery pack 100. This is because no additional component is used to separate the negative terminal 105a and the positive terminal 105b of the cells 105 in the battery pack 100.
[00049] Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

List of Reference numerals
100: Battery pack
100a: Battery module
101: Casing
101a: First casing
101b: Second casing
101c: Top casing
101d: Bottom casing
104: Holder
104a: A first part
104b: A second part
105: Cells
105a: Negative terminal
105b: Positive terminal
106: Interconnectors
106a: Engaging portion
107: Accommodating feature
107a: Open ring portion
107b: Covered ring portion
107c: Restrictors
108: Base member
110: Snap fitting provisions
109: Fastening provisions
112: Voltage sensing points
118: Output port
120: Socket

,CLAIMS:I/We claim:
1. An energy storage device (100) comprising:
a casing (101); and
one or more energy storage module (100a);
said one or more energy storage module (100a) includes one or more cells (105), configured to be disposed within one or more holder (104),
wherein said one or more holder (104) includes one or more parts (104a, 104b), said one or more parts (104a, 104b) of said one or more holder (104) includes one or more accommodating feature (107) dedicated for accommodating at least one end of said each cell (105) of said one or more energy storage module (100a), ensuring that the contact between a positive terminal (105b) and a negative terminal (105a) of said each cell (105) of said one or more cells (105) being eliminated.
2. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said one or more accommodating feature (107) being a ring-shaped structure.
3. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each part of said one or more parts (104a, 104b) of said holder (104) includes a plurality of first mounting provisions (109), and a plurality of second mounting provisions (110), wherein
said plurality of first mounting provisions (109) and said plurality of second mounting provisions (110) together aid in aligning said one or more parts (104a, 104b) of said holder (104) in parallel.
4. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said one or more cells (105) being electrically connected to one or more interconnectors (106), by means of one or more voltage sensing points (112) provided on said holder (104).
5. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said casing (101) includes a first casing (101a), a second casing (101b), a top casing (101c), and a bottom casing (101d), wherein,
said first casing (101a) being configured to support a front portion of said one or more cells (105), said second casing (101b) being configured to support a back portion of said one or more cells (105), said top casing (101c) being configured to cover said energy storage module (100a) from a top portion of said energy storage module (100a), and said bottom casing (100d) being configured to support said energy storage module (100a) from a bottom portion.
6. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said casing (101) being an aluminium casing.
7. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
Said one or more holder (104) includes a first part (104a), and a second part (104b), wherein
both said first part (104a) and said second part (104b) align together in parallel, and hold said one or more cells (105) there between.
8. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
at least one end of each cell (105) of said energy storage device (100), includes said positive terminal (105b) and said negative terminal (105a).
9. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said negative terminal (105a) being on the outer periphery of least one end of each cell (105) and said positive terminal (105a) being encircled by said negative terminal (105a).
10. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said one or more accommodating feature (107) includes a shielded portion (107b) and an open portion (107a).
11. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein
said shielded portion (107b) covers a negative terminal (105a) of said each cell (105) within said energy storage device (100).
12. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein
said open portion (107a) being an opening, exposing a positive terminal (105b) of said each cell (105) within said energy storage device (100).
13. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each accommodating feature (107) of said one or more parts (104a, 104b), includes a plurality of inward protruded restrictors (107c).
14. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 10 or claim 13, wherein
said open portion (107a), said shielded portion (107b), and said restrictors (107c), together function as a locator for each cell (105) and thus aid in easy assembly of the one or more cells (105) within a holder (104).
15. The energy storage device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein
each engaging portion (106a) of said interconnector (106) being welded on a positive terminal (105b) of said each cell (105) through an open portion (107a) of an accommodating feature (107).