U.S. patent application number 13/487994 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-27 for battery assembly and method of forming the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to EnerDel, Inc.. Invention is credited to Derrick Scott Buck, Paul Leslie Kemper, Bruce James Silk.
Application Number | 20120244415 13/487994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38471821 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120244415 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kemper; Paul Leslie ; et
al. |
September 27, 2012 |
BATTERY ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME
Abstract
A battery assembly includes a first cell and a second cell
adjacent the first cell. A first insulator and a second insulator
extend over and encapsulate first electrode and second electrode. A
shell extends over the first and second insulators thereby
encapsulating the first and second insulators. A mechanical
connection is defined between the first insulator of the first cell
and the second insulator of the second cell.
Inventors: |
Kemper; Paul Leslie;
(Frankton, IN) ; Buck; Derrick Scott; (Pendleton,
IN) ; Silk; Bruce James; (Indianapolis, IN) |
Assignee: |
EnerDel, Inc.
Indianapolis
IN
|
Family ID: |
38471821 |
Appl. No.: |
13/487994 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11713943 |
Mar 5, 2007 |
8192857 |
|
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13487994 |
|
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60779099 |
Mar 4, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
429/151 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 10/0481 20130101;
H01M 2/1077 20130101; H01M 10/0413 20130101; Y02E 60/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
429/151 |
International
Class: |
H01M 2/10 20060101
H01M002/10 |
Claims
1. A battery assembly comprising: a tray including a plurality of
overmolded electrical studs; a plurality of prismatic cells
supported by the tray, each cell of the plurality of prismatic
cells including a cell core having at least one positive electrode
and at least one negative electrode provided within a packaging
envelope, a positive terminal exposed at a first portion of the
packaging envelope, and a negative terminal exposed at a second
portion of the packaging envelope, wherein the plurality of cells
are arranged in a plurality of rows, each row including at least
two cells supported by the tray, for a first row of the plurality
of rows the at least two cells including a first cell having a
middle portion and a second cell having a middle portion, the
middle portion of the second cell and the middle portion of the
first cell being spaced-apart in a non-overlapping arrangement and
a terminal of the first cell and a terminal of the second cell
being in an overlapping arrangement; and a mechanical connection
between the first cell and the second cell, the mechanical
connection including an elongated member positioned above the
terminal of the first cell and above the terminal the second cell,
the elongated member being coupled to the plurality of overmolded
electrical studs to hold the terminal of the first cell in contact
with the terminal of the second cell.
2. A battery assembly comprising: a tray; a plurality of prismatic
cells supported by the tray, each cell of the plurality of
prismatic cells including a cell core having at least one positive
electrode and at least one negative electrode provided within a
packaging envelope, a positive terminal exposed at a first end
portion of the packaging envelope, and a negative terminal exposed
at a second end portion of the packaging envelope, wherein the
plurality of cells are arranged in a plurality of rows, each row
including at least two cells supported by the tray in an
overlapping arrangement, for a first row of the plurality of rows
the at least two cells including a first cell having a middle
portion and a second cell having a middle portion, the second cell
positioned to overlap the first end portion of the first cell, the
middle portion of the second cell and the middle portion of the
first cell being spaced-apart in a non-overlapping arrangement; and
a mechanical connection between the first cell and the second cell,
the mechanical connection including an elongated member positioned
above the first cell and the second cell, the elongated member
holding the first end portion of the first cell in contact with the
second cell.
3. The battery assembly of claim 2, wherein the second end portion
of the cell is opposite of the first end portion of the cell.
4. The battery assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least two cells
in the first row are electrically coupled in series.
5. The battery assembly of claim 2, wherein the packaging envelope
is a shell.
6. The battery assembly of claim 2, wherein the positive terminal
is positioned within the packaging envelope and is exposed through
a top opening in the packaging envelope and a bottom opening in the
packaging envelope.
7. The battery assembly of claim 2, wherein the mechanical
connection includes a vertically extending member coupled to the
tray, the first cell including an opening in the positive terminal
of the first cell configured to receive the vertically extending
member and the second cell including an opening in the negative
terminal of the second cell configured to receive the vertically
extending member, the negative terminal of the second cell
overlapping the positive terminal of the first cell.
8. The battery assembly of claim 7, wherein the opening in the
positive terminal of the first cell is an aperture and the opening
in the negative terminal of the second cell is an aperture.
9. The battery assembly of claim 7, wherein the tray is made of a
polymeric material and the mechanical connection is at least
partially captured within the tray.
10. The battery assembly of claim 2, wherein for a second row of
the plurality of rows the at least two cells includes a third cell
having a middle portion and a fourth cell having a middle portion,
the fourth cell positioned to overlap the first end portion of the
third cell, the middle portion of the fourth cell and the middle
portion of the third cell being spaced-apart in a non-overlapping
arrangement and further comprising a second mechanical connection
between the third cell and the fourth cell, the mechanical
connection including an elongated member positioned above the third
cell and the fourth cell, the elongated member holding the first
end portion of the third cell in contact with the fourth cell.
11. The battery assembly of claim 10, further comprising an
elongated member which covers a cell terminal located at a first
end of the first row and a cell terminal located at a first end of
the second row.
12. The battery assembly of claim 2, wherein the tray supports at
least one component for transmitting communications from plurality
of cells to a remote electronic controller.
13. The battery assembly of claim 2, wherein the tray has an upper
surface and the middle portion of the first cell rests on the upper
surface of the tray, the middle portion of the second cell rests on
the upper surface of the tray, and the first end portion of the
first cell is spaced apart from the upper surface of the tray.
14. A battery assembly comprising: a tray; a plurality of prismatic
cells supported by the tray, each cell of the plurality of
prismatic cells including a cell core having at least one positive
electrode and at least one negative electrode provided within a
packaging envelope, the packaging envelope having a middle portion
and a perimeter portion, a positive terminal exposed at the
perimeter portion of the packaging envelope, and a negative
terminal exposed at the perimeter portion of the packaging
envelope, wherein the plurality of prismatic cells includes a first
cell, a second cell, and a third cell, the first cell, the second
cell, and the third cell being arranged in an overlapping
arrangement wherein (i) the positive terminal of the second cell
overlaps and is electrically coupled to the negative terminal of
the first cell, (ii) the negative terminal of the second cell
overlaps and is electrically coupled to the positive terminal of
the third cell, (iii) the middle portion of the second cell being
spaced-apart in a non-overlapping arrangement from the middle
portion of the first cell, (iv) the middle portion of the second
cell being spaced-apart in a non-overlapping arrangement from the
middle portion of the third cell, and (v) the middle portion of the
first cell being spaced-apart in a non-overlapping arrangement from
the middle portion of the third cell.
15. The battery assembly of claim 14, wherein the first cell, the
second cell, and the third cell are arranged in a row with the
second cell positioned between the middle portion of the first cell
and the middle portion of the third cell.
16. The battery assembly of claim 14, wherein for each cell of the
plurality of prismatic cells the positive terminal of the cell is
positioned within the packaging envelope of the cell and is exposed
through a top opening in the packaging envelope of the cell and a
bottom opening in the packaging envelope of the cell.
17. The battery assembly of claim 14, wherein for each cell the
middle portion is between the positive terminal and the negative
terminal.
18. The battery assembly of claim 14, wherein the packaging
envelope is a shell.
19. The battery assembly of claim 14, further comprising a
mechanical connection between the first cell and the second cell,
the mechanical connection including an elongated member positioned
above the first cell and the second cell, the elongated member
holding the first cell in contact with the second cell.
20. The battery assembly of claim 19, wherein the mechanical
connection includes a vertically extending member coupled to the
tray, the second cell including an opening to receive the
vertically extending member and the first cell including an opening
to receive the vertically extending member.
21. The battery assembly of claim 20, wherein the tray is made of a
polymeric material and the mechanical connection is at least
partially captured within the tray.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/713,943, U.S. Pat. No. 8,192,857, filed
Mar. 5, 2007, titled BATTERY ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF FORMING THE
SAME, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/779,099 filed Mar. 4, 2006, the disclosures of which
are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The subject invention relates to battery packs, and more
particularly to rechargeable battery pack assembly having
electrical and mechanical components arranged to reduce overall
battery pack size and increase reliability and improve safety
characteristics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Motor vehicles, such as, for example, hybrid vehicles use
multiple propulsion systems to provide motive power. This most
commonly refers to gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, which use
gasoline (petrol) to power internal-combustion engines (ICEs), and
electric batteries to power electric motors. These hybrid vehicles
recharge their batteries by capturing kinetic energy via
regenerative braking. When cruising or idling, some of the output
of the combustion engine is fed to a generator (merely the electric
motor(s) running in generator mode), which produces electricity to
charge the batteries. This contrasts with all-electric cars which
use batteries charged by an external source such as the grid, or a
range extending trailer. Nearly all hybrid vehicles still require
gasoline as their sole fuel source though diesel and other fuels
such as ethanol or plant based oils have also seen occasional
use.
[0004] Batteries and cells are important energy storage devices
well known in the art. The batteries and cells are typically
comprised of electrodes and an ion conducting electrolyte
positioned therebetween. For example, the rechargeable lithium ion
cell, typically comprises essentially two electrodes, an anode and
a cathode, and a non-aqueous lithium ion conducting electrolyte
therebetween. The anode (negative electrode) can be a carbonaceous,
or metallic, or metal alloy electrode that is capable of
intercalating lithium ions. The cathode (positive electrode), a
lithium retentive electrode, is also capable of intercalating
lithium ions. The anode comprises any of the various materials such
as carbon (e.g., graphite, coke, carbon fiber, etc.), mixed metal
oxides (such as Li.sub.4Ti.sub.5O.sub.12 or silicon oxide), metals
(such as Si or Sn), metal alloy (such as Si/Sn alloys) which are
capable of reversibly storing lithium species, and which are bonded
to an electrically conductive current collector (e.g., copper foil)
by means of a suitable organic binder (e.g., polyvinylidine
fluoride, PVdF). The cathode comprises such materials as transition
metal oxides or chalcogenides that are bonded to an electrically
conducted current collector (e.g., aluminum foil) by a suitable
organic binder. Oxide of chalcogenide compounds include oxides,
sulfides, selenides, and tellurides of such metals as vanadium,
titanium, chromium, copper, molybdenum, niobium, iron, nickel,
cobalt, and manganese. Lithiated transition metal oxides are, at
present, the preferred positive electrode intercalation
compounds.
[0005] Examples of suitable cathode materials include LiMnO.sub.2,
LiCoO.sub.2, LiNiO.sub.2, and LiFePO.sub.4, their solid solutions
and/or their combination with other metal oxides and dopant
elements, e.g., titanium, magnesium, aluminum, boron, etc. The
electrolyte in such lithium ion cells comprises a lithium salt
dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent which may be (1) completely
liquid, (2) an immobilized liquid (e.g., gelled or entrapped in a
polymer matrix), or (3) a pure polymer. Known polymer matrices for
entrapping the electrolyte include polyacrylates, polyurethanes,
polydialkylsiloxanes, polymethacrylates, polyphosphazenes,
polyethers, polyvinylidine fluorides, polyolefins such as
polypropylene and polyethylene, and polycarbonates, and may be
polymerized in situ in the presence of the electrolyte to trap the
electrolyte therein as the polymerization occurs.
[0006] Known polymers for pure polymer electrolyte systems include
polyethylene oxide (PEO), polymethylene-polyethylene oxide (MPEO),
or polyphosphazenes (PPE). Known lithium salts for this purpose
include, for example, LiPF.sub.6, LiClO.sub.4, LiSCN, LiAlCl.sub.4,
LiBF.sub.4, LiN(CF.sub.3SO.sub.2).sub.2, LiCF.sub.3SO.sub.3,
LiC(SO.sub.2CF.sub.3).sub.3, LiO.sub.3SCF.sub.2CF.sub.3,
LiC..sub.6F.sub.5SO.sub.3, LiCF.sub.3CO.sub.2, LiBOB, LiAsF.sub.6,
and LiSbF.sub.6. Known organic solvents for the lithium salts
include, for example, both cyclic and linear carbonate esters (such
as propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate,
diethyl carbonate, and ethyl methyl carbonate), cyclic ethers,
cyclic esters, glymes, cyclic esters, formates, esters, sulfones,
nitrates, and oxazoladinones. The electrolyte is incorporated into
pores in a separator layer between the anode and the cathode. The
separator layer may be either a microporous polyolefin membrane or
a polymeric material containing a suitable ceramic or
ceramic/polymer material.
[0007] The art is replete with various designs of conventional
lithium batteries, which present a polymer soft pack batteries that
uses prismatic or cylindrical cans or rectangular boxes as a
package for the battery cells as seen by reference to the U.S. Pat.
No. 5,639,571 to Waters, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,935 to Van
Lerberghe; U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,743 to Guerin et al. and the United
States Patent Publication Nos. 2002/0045096 to Sandberg et al.;
20050123828 to Oogami et al.; 20050271934 to Kiger et al.; and
20040115519 to Lee et al. disclose other designs of battery
packs.
[0008] The United States Patent Publication No. 20050271934 to
Kiger et al. teaches a low-profile battery pack having an
electrolyte barrier. The pack includes a plurality of rechargeable
cylindrical cells, being arranged in end to end pairs of two cells.
A cleavage void formed by the convex geometry of the cells
accommodates at least one insulator and a first circuit board. Tabs
couple the cells to the first circuit board. A flexible substrate
couples the first circuit board to a second circuit board. The
assembly is then placed in a housing having a first compartment and
a second compartment, such that the cells are placed in the first
compartment and the second circuit board is placed in the second
compartment. Between the first and second compartments exists an
electrolyte barrier.
[0009] Due to this adjacent arrangement, the aforementioned
cleavage void is formed between the intersection line and a plane
running across the top of each cell so as to be tangent to the
convex curvature of each cell. The cleavage void is essentially a
triangular shaped space, where the triangle has two concave sides.
Alluding to the above, the insulator taught by the United States
Patent Publication No. 20050271934 to Kiger et al. is a plastic
member that has a geometric cross-section that fits within the
cleavage space. The cross sectional shape is generally triangular,
with two of the sides having concave curvatures to mate between a
pair of cylindrical cells. The insulator is a separate element and
is not an integral part of the cells. The insulator taught by the
United States Patent Publication No. 20050271934 to Kiger et al. is
specific to the cells having circular configuration.
[0010] The United States Patent Publication No. 20050123828 to
Oogami et al. teaches a unit cell, formed in a flat shape in the
presently filed embodiment, internally includes an electric power
generating element comprised of a positive electrode plate, a
negative electrode plate and a separator, all of which are stacked
in such order. The unit cell forms a secondary battery, such as a
lithium ion secondary battery, employing a gel polymer electrolyte.
With the unit cell, a laminate film with a three-layer structure is
used as an outer sheath and formed in three layers that include an
aluminum foil interposed between resin films each made of polyamide
resin.
[0011] Alluding to the above, the unit cell has the positive
electrode tab and the negative electrode tab as tabs forming output
terminals extending in a direction perpendicular to the stack
direction. The positive electrode tab and the negative electrode
tab are extracted outside an outer sheath. Formed in the positive
electrode tab and the negative electrode tab, respectively, are
holes, to which insulator pins, each having a surface subjected to
insulation treatment, are inserted. The unit cells are alternately
stacked such that the electrode tabs have positive and negative
polarities alternately arranged in the stack direction, i.e., the
positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab are
alternately stacked. The electrically conductive washers and the
insulation washes are alternately set through the insulator pins
such that the positive electrode tabs and the negative electrode
tabs are sandwiched. In particular, the insulation washer is
interposed between the positive electrode tab and the negative
electrode tab layered thereon, and the electrically conductive
washer is interposed between the negative electrode tab and the
positive electrode tab layered thereon.
[0012] The insulation washer is placed on the positive electrode
tab and the electrically conductive washer is placed on the
negative electrode tab. Incidentally, although the electrically
conductive washer and the insulation washer are located on the
positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab of the unit
cell remaining in the uppermost layer, respectively, in dependence
on a sequence in which the electrode tabs are arranged, it doesn't
matter if these component parts are dispensed with depending on
circumstances. Similar to the unsulator taught by the United States
Patent Publication No. 20050271934 to Kiger et al., the insulator
of the United States Patent Publication Nos. 20050123828 to Oogami
et al. present a separate element, which is not an integral part of
the cells.
[0013] The United States Patent Publication Nos. 20050123828 to
Oogami et al. and 20050271934 to Kiger et al. present several
disadvantages such as failure to provide a battery assembly with
self-locating mechanical elements aimed to increase structural
integrity of the battery assembly required while individual cells
of the battery assembly are transported between various locations
and do not reduce the weight of the battery assembly.
[0014] But even to the extend of being effective in certain
respects, there is a constant need in the area of the battery art
for an improved design of a battery pack having effective packaging
characteristics, structural integrity thereby eliminating problems
associated with current designs of prior art battery packs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] A battery assembly of the present invention is adaptable to
be utilized in various configurations including and not limited to
an overlapping battery cell packaging configuration and a vertical
stack battery cell packaging configuration. The battery assembly
includes a first cell and a second cell adjacent the first cell.
Each first and second cells have a first electrode adjacent a first
current collector and a second electrode of the charge opposite
from the first electrode and adjacent a second current
collector.
[0016] A separator layer is positioned between the first and second
electrodes with the first and second electrodes conducting
electrolyte therebetween. A first insulator and a second insulator
extend over and encapsulate the first electrode and the second
electrode. A shell extends over the first and second insulators
thereby encapsulating the first and second insulators. The shell
terminates into a negative terminal and a positive terminal opposed
the negative terminal.
[0017] A plurality of contacts, spaced from one another, are
defined in each of the positive and negative terminals. The first
and second cells present a mechanical connection defined
therebetween. The mechanical connection presents a boss integral
with and extending outwardly from the first insulator of the first
cell through one of the contacts and beyond the shell of the first
cell to mechanically engage a seat defined by the second insulator
of the second cell as a tie rod or stud extends transversely
through each contact thereby preventing relative movement between
the first and second cells.
[0018] An advantage of the present invention is to provide a
battery assembly presenting a self-locating mechanical connection
that increases structural integrity of the battery assembly
required while individual cells of the battery assembly are
transported between various locations.
[0019] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a
battery assembly having efficient packaging characteristics.
[0020] Still another advantage of the present invention is to
provide a battery assembly that reduces the weight by eliminating
connecting hardware such as electrical studs and the like.
[0021] Still another advantage of the present invention is to
provide a battery assembly that reduces manufacturing costs due to
simplified assembly pattern.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of adjacent battery cells
supported by a tray and interconnected with a tie nut or stud;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vertical stack battery cell
packaging embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a fragmental and cross sectional view of the
adjacent battery cells showing the inventive mechanical connection
defined by self-locating features presented between two adjacent
battery cells;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective and cross sectional view of
the battery cells shown in FIG. 3 illustrating a boss and a seat of
the inventive mechanical connection of each cell of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vertical stack battery
cell packaging embodiment of the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an overlapping battery cell
packaging embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate
like or corresponding parts, a battery assembly or a battery pack
of the present invention is generally shown at 10. Preferably, the
battery pack 10 includes four rows, generally indicated at 12, of
battery cells (the cell), generally indicated at 14, connected with
and extending along each row 12 in overlapping relationship. Each
row 12 includes five stacks of the cells 14. Each stack of the
cells 14 are interconnected with one another in the pattern known
to those skilled in the battery art and extend along each row 12 in
overlapping relationship with one another. The battery pack 10 is
supported by and connected to a tray 16 formed from a polymeric
material. A battery pack 10 of the present invention is adaptable
to be utilized in various configurations including and not limited
to an overlapping battery cell packaging configuration, as
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6, a vertical stack battery cell
packaging configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5.
[0030] Each cell 14 includes a plurality of battery components (not
shown) co-acting between one and the other conducting electrolyte
therebetween as known to those skilled in a lithium battery art. A
first electrode is adjacent a first current collector and a second
electrode of charge opposite from the first electrode is adjacent a
second current collector. A separator layer is positioned between
the first and second electrodes with the first and second
electrodes conducting electrolyte therebetween.
[0031] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, each battery cell
14 presents at least one positive terminal lip 20 and at least one
negative terminal lip 22. Three electrical contacts are provided
for each polar contact to divide the current carrying capacity and
to provide auxiliary paths for current flow in the event that one
or more contacts 24, as shown in FIG. 4, would develop high
resistance or electrically open. Each contact 24 is further defined
by an aperture or opening 25 defined in each terminal lip 20 and 22
includes extending therethrough to provide the means to guide the
cells 14 over electrical studs or tie rods 26. The contacts 24 are
also provided with an electrical insulator (to be discussed as the
description of the present invention proceeds) that extends outside
the cell case or shell. The insulators are designed to ensure that
the cells 14, when stacked or overlapped, are mechanically
interlocked to provide structural integrity.
[0032] The stud or the tie rod 26 extends through each opening 24
at each of the terminal lips 20 and 22 and is secured by a nut 28
in a vertical stack as shown in FIG. 2. A cover strip 30 extends
along each of the upper negative terminal lip 22 and positive
terminal lip 20 and between each nut 28 to distribute pressure
generated by mechanical connection of the tie rod 26 and the nut
28. The positive and negative electrical contacts of the cell are
exposed on both sides of the cell 14.
[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, each cell 14 includes a
shell 32 packaging shell formed from a sheet of packaging material,
such as aluminum, which is placed under the aforementioned cell
components including an individual cell busbar or tab and cell
terminal 34 and a remaining part of the packaging shell is folded
over the battery core to form the aforementioned shell 32.
Preferably, the shell 30 defines a vent (not shown) designed to
function as an escape port or outlet for releasing any gas
concentrated in the shell 32 due to overcharging or other
conditions of the cell 14. Those skilled in the lithium battery art
will appreciate that the shell 30 may also be fabricated from any
other suitable materials without limiting functional
characteristics of the present invention.
[0034] As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first or upper
insulator 36 and a second or lower insulator 38, both formed from a
polymeric material, extend over and encapsulate the first electrode
tab and the second electrode tab. The shell 32 extends over the
first and second insulators 36 and 38 thereby encapsulating the
first and second insulators 36 and 38. The shell 32 terminates into
a negative terminal and a positive terminal opposed the negative
terminal, i.e. the positive terminal lip 20 and at least one
negative terminal lip 22, respectively. A plurality of the contacts
24 spaced from one another are defined in each of the positive and
negative terminal lips 20 and 22.
[0035] The cells 14 present a mechanical connection defined
therebetween and used in all of the packaging configurations as
described above. A boss 44 is homogeneously integral with and
extends outwardly from the upper insulator 36 surrounding the
contacts 24. In particular, the boss 44 of the first insulator 36
of one of the cells 14 extends through one of the contacts defined
by the contacts 24 and beyond the shell 32 of the first cell to
mechanically engage a seat or nest 46 defined by the second
insulator 38 of the adjacent cell 14 as the tie rod or stud 26
extends transversely through each contact 24 thereby preventing
relative movement between the cells 14 to form the vertical stack
or overlapping set of the cells 14. The outer diameter of the boss
44 is smaller the inner diameter of the nest 46 to allow male and
female type of engagement between adjacent cells 14. Alternatively,
the second insulator 38 may also include a boss (not shown)
homogeneously integral with and extending outwardly from the second
insulator 38 and beyond the opening 42 of the shell 32 surrounding
the contacts 24. As such, the boss 44 of one cell 14 will
frictionally engage the boss of another cell 14.
[0036] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tray 16 utilizes
over-molded conductive traces or mono-block busbars 49 or lines
connected to each stud 26 thereby transmitting a bussing power and
communications from the electrical string of battery cells 14 to a
remote electronic controller (not shown). Various connecting
patterns such as Zig-Zag, U-shaped, and S-shaped are utilized to
conduct operative communication between individual stacks and cells
14 are not intended to limit the present invention. Multiple
electrical contacts are used to connect bussing via connectors
located on the controller.
[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, as the battery assembly 10
is formed, the individual cells 14 are placed over the studs 26 at
every other cell position on the tray 16. An electrically
conductive disk 50 is then placed over each stud 26 until resting
on each cell contact surface. Preferably, the electrically
conductive disk 50 is formed from copper. The remaining cells 14
are then placed over the studs 14 in the un-occupied positions of
the tray 16, overlapping the previously placed cells 14. The nut 28
is applied to each stud 26 and is torqued to apply communications
from an electrical string of battery cells 14 to a remote
electronic controller (not shown). The cells 14 are placed over the
studs 26 at every cell position on the tray 16.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 5, an electrically insulating disk
52, formed from a polymeric material, is placed over the remaining
studs 26, opposite polarity of where the electrically conductive
disks 50 were placed. One additional cell 14 is then placed over
the studs 26 at each position on the tray 16 along with the
conductive and insulating disks 50 and 52 as previously described.
This process is repeated until the proper number of cells 14 and
the conductive and insulating disks 50 and 52 have been placed onto
all cell positions of the tray 16. The nut 28 applies compression
and thus creates a solid cell stack. Alternatively, foam or other
polymeric material may be introduced by injection or the like into
voids or clearances defined between adjacent or stacked cells 14 as
the stack is formed to add to structural integrity of the stack to
form an encapsulated stack.
[0039] The novelty of the present inventive concept provides
numerous advantages over prior art design. The battery assembly
design presenting the aforementioned mechanical and electrical
interlocking interface features provides the means for safe
handling of individual charged cells 14 that may be vertically
stacked or overlapped in multiple cell; series or parallel,
configurations, as illustrated in Figures. Another novel feature of
the present design presents an innovative cell design, which is
incorporated into a low profile, low mass, and efficient space
configuration for packaging multiple cells 14 in series or parallel
configurations. Alluding to the above, the cell terminal 34, yet
sub-flush of the cell shell nearly eliminate the risk of short
circuiting during manufacturing or any means of individual cell
transport. The inventive battery assembly provides an efficient
manufacturing process directed to reduce the need for costly
sophisticated assembly equipment thereby promoting labor efficient
and cost effective packaging configurations and reductions in pack
mass.
[0040] The inventive concept of the present invention provides
other advantages over the prior art. One of these advantages
provides a battery assembly presenting a self-locating mechanical
connection that increases structural integrity of the battery
assembly required while individual cells of the battery assembly
are transported between various locations. Still another advantage
of the present invention is to provide a battery assembly having
efficient packaging characteristics. Still another advantage of the
present invention is to provide a battery assembly that reduces the
weight by eliminating connecting hardware such as electrical studs
and the like. Still another advantage of the present invention is
to provide a battery assembly that reduces manufacturing costs due
to simplified assembly pattern
[0041] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
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