0001] The present invention relates to energy storage system and, more
particularly, to the energy storage system having a battery unit.
BACKGROUND
5 [0002] Rechargeable batteries are of growing significance in various fields and
applications where electrical power is required. Over the years, the rechargeable
batteries have undergone various developments and evolutions, to make them more
effective, and efficient. Right from electric vehicles, to household applications,
rechargeable batteries are found all around us. When used in an automotive
10 application, the rechargeable batteries are typically carried by the frame of the vehicle.
Further, the rechargeable batteries are electrically coupled to a power generating
motor, e.g., a motor that provides requisite traction power to the ground engaging
members, e.g., the wheels.
[0003] Generally, the rechargeable batteries are contained within a casing
15 composed of a sturdy, often a sturdy non-conducting material. As such, the casing
containing the rechargeable batteries is connected to the frame of the vehicle.
However, due to vibration developed within the frame during operation of the vehicle,
the rechargeable batteries within the casing vibrate thereby causing a rattling noise,
which is undesirable.
20 SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a
simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This
Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject
matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed
25 subject matter.
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[0005] In one aspect of the invention, an energy storage system includes at least
one energy storage unit, and a casing unit. The energy storage system configured to
store an energy. The at least one the energy storage unit having an outer wall structure.
The outer wall structure is defined by a first upstanding wall, a second upstanding
5 wall, a third upstanding wall, a fourth upstanding wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall.
A corner portion defined by joining portion of atleast two said walls. Atleast one antirattle member disposed on the corner portion of the outer wall structure and extends
along a height of the energy storage unit. The casing unit configured to store the energy
storage unit. The casing unit has atleast one vertical groove that extends along a height
10 of the casing unit. The vertical groove adapted to receive the anti-rattle member of the
energy storage unit.
[0006] One advantage of the present invention is an anti-rattle member disposed
on the corner portion of the outer wall structure of the energy storage unit and a vertical
grooves provided on casing unit. The vertical groove adapted to receive the anti-rattle
15 member of the energy storage unit, this enable easy assembly of the energy storage
unit into the casing unit, moreover placement and removal of the energy storage unit
into the casing unit, for replacement, maintenance or repair purposes, is easy, quick
and less cumbersome, while also ensuring that misalignment of the energy storage unit
in the casing unit is substantially precluded.
20 [0007] In an embodiment, the anti-rattle member having at least one holding
provision, and at least one a soft material member. The holding provision adapted to
hold from the outside, the soft material member.
[0008] One advantage of the present invention is the soft material member acts
as shock absorbers during impact, thereby reducing damage to the energy storage unit
25 and also minimizes the chances of potential hazard such as fire etc. Further, the antirattle member reduces and/or eliminates the rattling of the energy storage unit with
respect to the casing unit.
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[0009] In an embodiment, the casing unit having a first side cover, and a second
side cover. The first side cover, and the second side cover are joined together along a
joining edge.
[00010] One advantage of the present invention is the casing unit is made of two
5 piece a first side cover, and a second side cover. The first side cover, and the second
side cover are joined together along a joining edge. This ease the manufacturing
process and reduce the maintenance cost of the casing unit in case of damage.
[00011] In an embodiment, the holding provision is a hollow slide rails type
structure with a through hole extending along the length of the holding provision.
10 [00012] In an embodiment, the soft material member comprises a shaped portion
and a protruding portion. The protruding portion extends from an inner surface of the
shaped portion.
[00013] In an embodiment, the through hole adapted to receive the protruding
portion of the soft material member.
15 [00014] One advantage of the present invention is the holding provision is a
hollow slide rails type structure and the soft material member having a protruding
portion, this enable easy assembly of the soft material member on the holding
provision.
[00015] In an embodiment, the casing unit adapted to receive a first energy
20 storage unit, and a second energy storage unit.
[00016] One advantage of the present invention is plurality of the energy storage
unit can be stored into the casing unit.
[00017] In an embodiment, the casing unit is made of a non-metallic material.
[00018] One advantage of the present invention is the casing unit is made of a
25 non-metallic material, this reduce the weight and cost of the part.
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[00019] In an embodiment, the vertical groove and the shaped portion have a
circular shaped portion.
[00020] One advantage of the present invention is the vertical groove and the
shaped portion have a circular shaped portion, this enable maximum contact area
5 between each other and easily absorb any shock OR impact.
[00021] In an embodiment, the first side cover has a four first vertical grooves,
that disposed along the length of the first side cover similarly the second side cover
has a four second vertical grooves, that disposed along the length of the second side
cover.
10 [00022] One advantage of the present invention is four first vertical grooves
provided on the first side cover similarly another four first vertical grooves provided
on the second side cover, this avoids any misalignment of the energy storage unit in
the casing unit while assembly, moreover enable quick and easy assembly
disassembly.
15 [00023] In an embodiment, the first energy storage unit and the second energy
storage unit are positioned in the casing unit such that a weight of the first energy
storage unit is shared by each of the first side cover and the second side cover, similarly
a weight of the second energy storage unit is shared by each of the first side cover and
the second side cover.
20 [00024] In an embodiment, the first energy storage unit and the second energy
storage unit are placed into the casing unit in such a way that the soft material member
slide and guide the first energy storage unit and the second energy storage unit into
the first vertical grooves of the first side cover and the second vertical grooves of the
second side cover.
25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00025] The invention itself, together with further features and attended
advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed
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description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more
embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only
wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[00026] Figure 1 illustrates a view of an energy storage system, according to an
5 embodiment of the present invention;
[00027] Figures 2 illustrates a view of a battery pack and a casing unit of the
energy storage system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00028] Figures 3 illustrates a top view of a battery pack and a casing unit of the
energy storage system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
10 [00029] Figures 4 illustrates a view of a battery pack of the energy storage system,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00030] Figures 5 illustrates a view of a battery pack of the energy storage system,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00031] Figures 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate different views of a soft material member
15 of the battery pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[00032] Figure 7a, 7b, and 7c illustrate detailed views of the assembly sequence
of the soft material member assembled to the battery pack of the energy storage
system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00033] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as
20 being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only
exemplary in nature.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00034] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative forms, an embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the
drawings and will be described here below. It should be understood, however that it
5 is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the
contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative
falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.
[00035] The term “comprises”, comprising, or any other variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, structure or method that
10 comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or
steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to
such setup or structure or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system
or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints,
preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or
15 apparatus.
[00036] For better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made
to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying Figures and description here
below, further, in the following Figures, the same reference numerals are used to
identify the same components in various views.
20 [00037] Referring to Figure 1, an energy storage system (100), according to an
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The energy storage system (100)
referred to herein, embodies a battery storage system of a two wheeled vehicle.
Alternatively, the energy storage system (100) may embody any other energy storage
system that may be used in vehicles such as scooters, motorcycles, three-wheeled
25 vehicles, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) etc., or may be used in applications such as
generators etc. without limiting the scope of the invention.
[00038] The energy storage system (100) comprises a plurality of energy storage
unit (200), and a casing unit (300). The casing unit (300) is configured to receive, and
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store each of the plurality of energy storage unit (200). The energy storage unit (200)
configured to store an energy. In the illustrated example, the plurality of energy
storage unit (200) include a first energy storage unit (200a), and a second energy
storage unit (200b). In other examples, the plurality of energy storage unit (200) may
5 include fewer or more number of energy storage unit, such as the first energy storage
unit (200a) or the second energy storage unit (200b), without limiting the scope of the
invention. The energy storage unit (200) may be embodied as battery cells. The first
energy storage unit (200a) may be the first battery pack (200a) (herein after
alternatively referred to as the first battery pack (200a)), and the second energy storage
10 unit (200b) may be the second battery pack (200b) (herein after alternatively referred
to as the second battery pack (200b)).
[00039] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, each of the plurality of energy storage unit
(200) are stored perpendicular to the casing unit (300). The casing unit (300) has
atleast one a vertical groove (302, 304) that extends along a height of the casing unit
15 (300). In an example, the casing unit (300) may be composed of a durable, nonmetallic material. In alternative embodiment, the casing unit (300) may be composed
of any suitable material. The casing unit (300) includes a first side cover (300a), and
a second side cover (300b). The first side cover (300a), and the second side cover
(300b) are joined along a joining edge (350).
20 [00040] The first side cover (300a) comprises at least one first vertical groove
(302). The at least one first vertical groove (302) extends along the height of the first
side cover (300a). In the illustrated example, the first side cover (300a) comprises four
first vertical grooves (302). The four first vertical grooves (302) are disposed along
the length of the first side cover (300a). In the illustrated example, the first vertical
25 grooves (302) are circular shaped. Alternatively, the first vertical grooves (302) may
have any geometric shape, including, but not limited to, rectangular, square,
trapezoidal etc. The second side cover (300b) comprises at least one second vertical
groove (304). The at least one second vertical groove (304) extends along the height
of the second side cover (300b). In the illustrated example, the second side cover
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(300a) comprises four second vertical grooves (304). The four second vertical grooves
(304) are disposed along the length of the second side cover (300b). In the illustrated
example, the second vertical grooves (304) are circular shaped. Alternatively, the
second vertical grooves (304) may have any geometric shape, including, but not
5 limited to, rectangular, square, trapezoidal etc., without limiting the scope of the
invention.
[00041] Further, the second battery pack (200b) is positioned in the casing unit
(300) such that a weight of the second battery pack (200b) is shared by each of the
first side cover (300a) and the second side cover (300b). In an embodiment, the second
10 battery pack (200b) is positioned in the casing unit (300) such that the weight of the
second battery pack (200b) is applied on each of the first side cover (300a) and the
second side cover (300b).
[00042] Owing to such placement and positioning of the first battery pack (200a)
and the second battery pack (200b), a proper and balanced distribution of weight is
15 achieved. Therefore, since each of the first side cover (300a) and the second side cover
(300b) carry the weight of the first battery pack (200a) and the second battery pack
(200b), any possibility of damage to the casing unit (300) is precluded.
[00043] Referring now to Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, since the second battery pack
(200b) is similar to the first battery pack (200a), only the second battery pack (200b)
20 is explained in detail herein. However, the description is equally applicable to first
battery pack (200a), without any limitations. The second battery pack (200b)
comprises an outer wall structure (201). The outer wall structure (201) is defined by a
first upstanding wall (202b), a second upstanding wall (204b), a third upstanding wall
(206b), and a fourth upstanding wall (208b). In addition, the second battery pack
25 (200b) includes a bottom wall (210b), and a top wall (212b), shown in Figures 4 and
5. A corner portion defined by joining portion of atleast two walls. The first upstanding
wall (202b), the second upstanding wall (204b), the third upstanding wall (206b), the
fourth upstanding wall (208b), the bottom wall (210b), and the top wall (212b) are
~ 10 ~
joined together to form a cavity, wherein fuel cells or battery sells are arranged therein
in a predetermined alignment and arrangement to form the second battery pack (200b).
[00044] The second battery pack (200b) comprises an anti-rattle member (250).
The anti-rattle member (250) is configured to reduce and/or eliminate rattling between
5 the second battery pack (200b) and inner surface of the casing unit (300). The antirattle member (250) disposed on the corner portion of the outer wall structure (201)
and extends along a height of the energy storage unit (200), more specifically the antirattle member (250) comprises at least one holding provision (252) and at least one
soft material member (254) and the holding provision (252) is disposed on the outer
10 wall structure (201). In the illustrated example, the anti-rattle member (250) comprises
four holding provision (252) disposed on the outer wall structure (201). In the
illustrated example, the holding provision (252) embodies hollow slide rails (herein
after alternatively referred to as hollow slide rails (252)) (as shown in Figure 7a). The
hollow slide rails (252) comprises a through hole (253) extending along the length of
15 the holding provision (252). The soft material member (254) are disposed on the
holding provision (252). In the illustrated example, the anti-rattle member (250)
comprises four soft material member (254). The soft material member (254) are
configured to make contact with the inner surface of the casing unit (300).
[00045] The soft material member (254) can be made of any suitable material,
20 such as foam, felt, rubber, PA6 material, glass reinforced fiber etc., without
limitations. Each of the soft material member (254) comprises a protruding portion
(256) and a shaped portion (258). In the illustrated example, the shaped portion (258)
is circular in shape. Alternatively, the shaped portion (258) may have any geometrical
shape such as triangular, trapezoidal, rectangular etc., without limiting the scope of
25 the invention. The shapes of the shaped portion (258) and the grooves provided on the
casing unit (300) are complement to one another. The shapes are selected such that
when the second battery pack (200b) is inserted into the casing unit (300), the soft
material member (254) assist in sliding/gliding the second battery pack (200b) into the
first vertical grooves (302) and the second vertical grooves (304) of the casing unit
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(300). The protruding portion (256) extends from an inner surface (255) of the shaped
portion (258). The protruding portion (256) extends along at least portion of the
shaped portion (258). More particularly, length of protruding portion (256) is shorter
than length of the shaped portion (258). This is so selected so as to insert a plurality
5 of fastening members (259) during assembly of the soft material member (254) to the
holding provision (252).
[00046] During assembly of the second battery pack (200b) (as shown in Figures
7a to 7c), the soft material member (254) is inserted and slid along the holding
provision (252). More particularly, the protruding portion (256) of the soft material
10 member (254) is inserted into the through hole (253) of the holding provision (252)
and the soft material member (254) is slid along the length of the holding provision
(252). Thereafter as shown in Figures 7b and 7c, the fastening members (259) are
inserted into the through hole (253) from the top through the top wall (212b) and from
the bottom through the bottom wall (210) to secure the soft material member (254) to
15 the holding provision (252).
[00047] During assembly of the second battery pack (200b) into the casing unit
(300) as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the soft material member (254) of the second
battery pack (200b) slide and guide the second battery pack (200b) into the first
vertical grooves (302) of the first side cover (300a) and the second vertical grooves
20 (304) of the second side cover (300b), thereby facilitating easy assembly of the second
battery pack (200b) into the casing unit (300).
[00048] Similarly, the first battery pack (200a) also comprises anti-rattling
structure having soft material member which facilitate in easy assembly of first battery
pack within the casing unit (300), without limiting the scope of the invention.
25 [00049] The present invention discloses the second battery pack (200b)
comprising the anti-rattle member (250) having soft material member (254) and the
holding provision (252). The holding provision (252) secure the soft material member
(254) to the outer wall structure (201) of the second battery pack (200b). The soft
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material member (254) of the second battery pack (200b) and the first vertical grooves
(302), the second vertical grooves (304) provided on the casing unit (300) facilitate in
easy assembly of the second battery pack (200b) within the casing unit (300). More
particularly, the soft material member (254) slide/guide along the first vertical grooves
5 (302) and the second vertical grooves (304), thereby assisting in easy assembly. The
soft material member (254) acts as shock absorbers during impact conditions of a
vehicle comprising the energy storage system (100), thereby reducing damage to the
second battery pack (200b) and also minimizes the chances of potential hazard such
as fire etc. Further, the anti-rattle member (250) reduces and/or eliminates the rattling
10 of the second battery pack (200b) with respect to the casing unit (300). Furthermore,
the soft material member (254) of the second battery pack (200b), and the first vertical
grooves (302) and the second vertical grooves (304) of the casing unit (300) are
designed such that placement and removal of the second battery pack (200b) into the
casing unit (300), for replacement, maintenance or repair purposes, is easy, quick and
15 less cumbersome, while also ensuring that misalignment or misplacement of the
second and first battery pack (200b, 200a) in the casing unit (300) is substantially
precluded.
[00050] While few embodiments of the present invention have been described
above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments
20 and modifications may be appropriately made thereto within the spirit and scope of
the invention.
[00051] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular
features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be
made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without
25 departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the
nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the
foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention
and not as a limitation.

We Claim:

1. An energy storage system (100) comprising:
at least one energy storage unit (200) configured to store energy, the at
least one energy storage unit (200) comprises an outer wall structure (201), the
5 outer wall structure (201) defined by a first upstanding wall (202b), a second
upstanding wall (204b), a third upstanding wall (206b), a fourth upstanding wall
(208b), a bottom wall (210b), and a top wall (212b), a corner portion defined by
joining portions of at least two said walls, at least one anti-rattle member (250)
disposed on the corner portion of the outer wall structure (201) and extends along
10 a height of the energy storage unit (200), and
a casing unit (300) configured to accommodate the at least one energy
storage unit (200), the casing unit (300) comprises at least one a vertical groove
(302, 304) that extends along a height of the casing unit (300),
wherein the vertical groove (302, 304) adapted to receive the anti-rattle member
15 (250) of the energy storage unit (200).
2. The energy storage system (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the antirattle member (250) comprises at least one holding provision (252) and at least
one soft material member (254), the holding provision (252) adapted to hold
20 from the outside, the soft material member (254).
3. The energy storage system (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the casing
unit (300) comprises a first side cover (300a), and a second side cover (300b),
the first side cover (300a), and the second side cover (300b) are joined together
25 along a joining edge (350).
4. The energy storage system (100) as claimed in the claim 2, wherein the holding
provision (252) is a hollow slide rails type structure with a through hole (253)
extending along the length of the holding provision (252).
30
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5. The energy storage system (100) as claimed in the claim 2, wherein the soft
material member (254) comprises a shaped portion (258) and a protruding
portion (256), the protruding portion (256) extends from an inner surface (255)
of the shaped portion (258).
5
6. The energy storage system (100) as claimed in the claim 4 & claim 5, wherein
the through hole (253) adapted to receive the protruding portion (256) of the soft
material member (254).
10 7. The energy storage system (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the casing
unit (300) adapted to receive a first energy storage unit (200a), and a second
energy storage unit (200b).
8. The energy storage system (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the casing
15 unit (300) is made of a non-metallic material.
9. The energy storage system (100) as claimed in the claim 1 & claim 5, wherein
the vertical groove (302, 304) and the shaped portion (258) have a circular
shaped portion.
20
10. The energy storage system (100) as claimed in the claim 1 & claim 3, wherein
the first side cover (300a) comprises four first vertical grooves (302) disposed
along the length of the first side cover (300a) and the second side cover (300b)
comprises four second vertical grooves (304) disposed along the length of the
25 second side cover (300b).
11. The energy storage system (100) as claimed in the claim 1, claim 3 & claim 7,
wherein the first energy storage unit (200a) and the second energy storage unit
(200b) are positioned in the casing unit (300) such that a weight of the first
30 energy storage unit (200a) is shared by each of the first side cover (300a) and
the second side cover (300b) and a weight of the second energy storage unit
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(200b) is shared by each of the first side cover (300a) and the second side cover
(300b).
12. The energy storage system (100) as claimed in the claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 &
5 claim 7, wherein the first energy storage unit (200a) and the second energy
storage unit (200b) are placed into the casing unit (300) in such a way that the
soft material member (254) slide and guide the first energy storage unit (200a)
and the second energy storage unit (200b) into the first vertical grooves (302) of
the first side cover (300a) and the second vertical grooves (304) of the second
10 side cover (300b).