CN117644781A - Traction battery pack support system and method of securing a battery pack to an motorized vehicle - Google Patents
Traction battery pack support system and method of securing a battery pack to an motorized vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN117644781A CN117644781A CN202311106336.1A CN202311106336A CN117644781A CN 117644781 A CN117644781 A CN 117644781A CN 202311106336 A CN202311106336 A CN 202311106336A CN 117644781 A CN117644781 A CN 117644781A
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- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- battery pack
- body portion
- support system
- pack
- vehicle
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- HBBGRARXTFLTSG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium ion Chemical compound [Li+] HBBGRARXTFLTSG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001416 lithium ion Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052987 metal hydride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N nickel Substances [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- -1 nickel metal hydride Chemical class 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)
- Arrangement Or Mounting Of Propulsion Units For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a "traction battery pack support system and method of securing a battery pack to an motorized vehicle". A battery pack support system includes a rocker assembly having a body portion and a pack portion. The pack portion is fixed to the body portion to connect the battery pack to the vehicle. The pack portion is configured to compress a plurality of battery cells within the battery pack.
Description
Cross Reference to Related Applications
The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 63/403445 filed on month 2 9 of 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to a support system for securing a traction battery to an motorized vehicle.
Background
The traction battery pack of an motorized vehicle may include a battery cell stack arranged in one or more cell stacks. The housing accommodates the cell stack. The traction battery pack may be secured to an underbody of the motorized vehicle.
Disclosure of Invention
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system comprising: a rocker assembly having a body portion and a bundle portion secured to the body portion to connect a battery pack to a vehicle, the bundle portion configured to compress a plurality of battery cells within the battery pack.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system wherein the pack portion is positioned vertically below the body portion.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system that further includes a cover for the battery pack that includes a portion extending laterally outward from a centerline of the vehicle and captured between the pack and body portions.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system wherein the cover has a hat-shaped cross section.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system wherein the pack portion is at least partially received within the cover.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system wherein the plurality of battery cells are at least partially received within the cover.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system wherein the rocker assembly is a driver side rocker assembly, the body portion is a driver side body portion, and the pack portion is a driver side pack portion, and the battery pack support system further comprises a passenger side rocker assembly having a passenger side body portion and a passenger side pack portion.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system that further includes a floor of the battery pack that is directly secured to the driver side body portion and the passenger side body portion.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system that further includes a vehicle cross member that spans from the driver-side body portion to the passenger-side body portion.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system wherein the pack portion is stamped steel.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system wherein the vertical height of the body portion is no more than twenty-five millimeters.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system wherein an outer side of the body portion and an outer side of the pack portion are aligned.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery pack support system wherein the pack portion is inboard of the body portion.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method of securing a battery pack to a vehicle, the method comprising: securing a restraint portion of a rocker assembly to a body portion of the rocker assembly to connect a battery restraint to a vehicle; and compressing a plurality of battery cells using the pack portion.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method further comprising clamping a portion of the lid of the battery pack between the pack strand portion and the body portion during the securing.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method wherein the bundle portion is at least partially received within the cover after the securing.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method wherein the plurality of battery cells are at least partially received within the cover.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method wherein the outer side of the bundle portion is aligned with the outer side of the body portion.
In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method wherein the bundle portion is inside the body portion.
Embodiments, examples, and alternatives of the foregoing paragraphs, claims, or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be employed separately or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless such features are incompatible.
Drawings
Various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
fig. 1 shows a side view of an electrically powered vehicle.
Fig. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a battery pack of the motorized vehicle of fig. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the battery pack at line 3-3 in fig. 2 moved to an installed position under the underbody of the vehicle of fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the battery pack of fig. 2 after being moved to an installed position under the underbody of the vehicle of fig. 1.
Fig. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure as the battery pack is moved to an installed position under the underbody of a vehicle.
Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the battery pack of fig. 5 after being moved to an installed position under the underbody of the vehicle.
Detailed Description
The present disclosure describes in detail an exemplary mounting system for securing a battery pack to an underbody of an electric vehicle.
Referring to fig. 1, an motorized vehicle 10 includes a battery pack 14, a motor 18, and wheels 22. The battery pack 14 powers an electric motor 18 that converts electrical power to mechanical power to drive wheels 22.
In the exemplary embodiment, battery pack 14 is secured to underbody 26 of electric vehicle 10. In other examples, the battery pack 14 may be located elsewhere on the motorized vehicle 10.
The motorized vehicle 10 is a pure electric vehicle. In other examples, the motorized vehicle 10 is a hybrid electric vehicle that selectively uses torque provided by an internal combustion engine (in place of or in addition to an electric motor) to drive wheels. In general, the motorized vehicle 10 may be any type of vehicle having a battery pack.
Referring now to fig. 2, the battery pack 14 includes a plurality of cell stacks 30 held within a housing assembly 34. In the exemplary embodiment, housing assembly 34 includes a housing cover 38 and a housing tray 42. The housing cover 38 may be secured to the housing tray 42 to provide an interior region 44 that accommodates the cell stack 30. For example, the housing cover 38 may be secured to the housing tray 42 using mechanical fasteners (not shown).
Each of the cell stacks 30 includes a plurality of battery cells 50 (or simply "cells") and at least one divider 52 distributed along a respective cell stack axis a. The battery cells 50 are stacked side-by-side with respect to each along a respective cell stack axis a. The battery cell 50 stores and supplies electric power. Although a particular number of cell stacks 30 and cells 50 are shown in the various figures of the present disclosure, the battery pack 14 may include any number of cell stacks 30, each having any number of individual cells 50.
In one embodiment, the battery cell 50 is a lithium ion pouch cell. However, battery cells having other geometries (cylindrical, prismatic, etc.), other chemistries (nickel metal hydride, lead acid, etc.), or both, may alternatively be used within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary battery cell 50 may include tab terminals extending from the battery cell housing. For example, an aluminum film may provide the housing.
Referring now to fig. 3 and 4 and with continued reference to fig. 1 and 2, mounting the battery pack 14 to the vehicle 10 may involve moving the battery pack 14 vertically upward to a mounting position below the vehicle 10. For purposes of this disclosure, vertical and horizontal are reference to the ground and the normal orientation of the vehicle 10 during operation.
In mounting or "decorating" the battery pack 14 to the vehicle 10, it may be desirable to maintain a particular gap between the battery pack 14 and the structure of the vehicle 10. The exemplary battery pack 14 is secured to the vehicle 10 by a support system that helps maintain these clearances.
In the exemplary embodiment, the support system includes a pair of rocker assemblies 60, each having a plurality of sections. In this example, rocker assemblies 60 each include a body portion 64 and a toe-in portion 68. The main body portion 64 is a portion of the frame of the vehicle 10 and is a structural member of the vehicle 10. The body portion 64 is installed when the vehicle 10 is in a body-in-white (BIW) phase. The pack portion 68 is part of the battery pack 14. The bundling portion 68 extends along opposite outer sides of the battery pack 14. When the battery pack 14 is installed, the outer sides of the body portion 64 are aligned with the corresponding outer sides of the pack portion 68.
During installation, the battery pack 14 is moved in the direction D to the installation position of fig. 4. The body portion 64 and the bundle portion 68 are then secured together to attach the battery pack 14 to the vehicle 10. When installed, the bundle portion 68 is positioned vertically below the body portion 64. Various mechanical fasteners 70 may be utilized to secure the body portion 64 to the binder portion 68.
In this example, the housing tray 42 is an assembly that includes a bundling portion 68 and a bottom plate 72. A plurality of mechanical fasteners 76 secure the base plate 72 directly to the binder portion 68. The cell stack 30 rests on the bottom plate 72. In some examples, the heat exchange plate 80 and the layer of thermal interface material 84 may be vertically sandwiched between the battery pack 30 and the base plate 72, or the base plate 72 may be identical to the heat exchange plate 80.
In the exemplary battery pack 14, the housing cover 38 has a hat-shaped cross section. When the battery pack 14 is installed, a portion of the battery pack 14 is horizontally received between the body portions 64. Some of the housing cover 38 is vertically captured between the body portion 64 and the harness portion 68. The portion of the housing cover 38 that is captured vertically between the main body portion 64 and the toe-in portion 68 extends laterally outward from the centerline of the vehicle 10 and generally corresponds to the "rim" of the hat-shaped cross-section.
The bundle portion 68 is partially received vertically within the housing cover 38. Portions of the battery cells 50 may also be at least partially received within the housing cover 38. The bundling portion 68 compresses the battery cells 50 along the axis a of the cell stack 30. In this example, the bundling portion 68 is stamped steel, but other materials may be used, including metallic and non-metallic materials.
Within the vehicle 10, at least one vehicle cross member 88 spans from the driver-side body portion 64 to the passenger-side body portion 64. In addition to being secured to the vehicle 10 via attachment of the body portion 64 to the bundle portion 68, the example battery pack 14 is also attached to at least one vehicle cross member 88 by at least one mechanical fastener 90.
The height H of the example body portion 64 is no more than twenty-five millimeters. This may facilitate maintaining a desired clearance when the battery pack 14 is moved to the installed position. The rocker assembly 60 having both the body portion 64 and the toe-in portion 68 provides design flexibility and also facilitates maintaining a desired gap.
In one example, a nineteen millimeter clearance may be required between the battery pack 14 and the vehicle 10 in the horizontal direction until the battery pack 14 is vertically within twenty-five millimeters of the installed position. This may permit the locator/alignment pin to engage and align the battery pack 14 relative to the vehicle 10 when the battery pack 14 is secured to the vehicle 10. For example, the length of the locator/alignment pin may be 35 millimeters. Further, the locator/alignment pin may include a tapered top such that the locator/alignment pin engages and controls the position of the battery pack 14 relative to the vehicle 10 after the locator/alignment pin engages 25 millimeters. Longer locator/alignment pins (such as 100 mm long dowel pins) may be more difficult to maintain and maintain tolerances than shorter locator/alignment pins. Once the battery pack 14 is vertically within twenty-five millimeters of the installed position, the desired clearance between the battery pack 14 and the vehicle 10 in the horizontal direction may be reduced from nineteen millimeters to six millimeters. The body portion 64, being about twenty-five millimeters high, may help maintain these clearances during installation.
The method of securing the battery pack 14 to the vehicle 10 includes securing the pack portion 68 to the body portion 64 to attach the battery pack 14 to the vehicle 10. The pack portion 68 compresses the cells 50 of the cell stack 30. In one example, the method includes clamping a portion of the housing cover 38 between the body portion 64 and the harness portion 68 during securing.
Referring to fig. 5 and 6, in another example, a rocker assembly 160 may be used to help maintain a desired gap. As with rocker assemblies 60, rocker assemblies 160 each include a body portion 164 and a toe-in portion 168. The main body portion 164 is a portion of a frame of the vehicle and is a structural member of the vehicle. The body portion 164 may be installed when the vehicle is in a body-in-white (BIW) phase. The pack portion 168 is part of the battery pack 14. The bundle portion 68 extends along opposite outer sides of the battery pack 114. When the battery pack 114 has been installed, the pack portion 168 is inside the body portion 164. The binder portion 168 is directly secured to the body portion 164. The pack portion 168 compresses the battery cells of the battery pack 113.
The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection afforded the present disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.
Claims (15)
1. A battery pack support system, comprising:
a rocker assembly having a body portion and a bundle portion secured to the body portion to connect a battery pack to a vehicle, the bundle portion configured to compress a plurality of battery cells within the battery pack.
2. The battery pack support system of claim 1, wherein the pack portion is positioned vertically below the body portion.
3. The battery pack support system of claim 1, further comprising a cover of the battery pack, the cover comprising a portion extending laterally outward from a centerline of the vehicle and captured between the pack portion and the body portion, and optionally wherein the cover has a hat-shaped cross section.
4. The battery pack support system of claim 3, wherein the pack portion is at least partially received within the cover, the plurality of battery cells is at least partially received within the cover, or both.
5. The battery pack support system of claim 1, wherein the rocker assembly is a driver side rocker assembly, the body portion is a driver side body portion, and the pack portion is a driver side pack portion, and the battery pack support system further comprises a passenger side rocker assembly having a passenger side body portion and a passenger side pack portion, and optionally, the battery pack support system further comprises a floor of the battery pack directly secured to the driver side body portion and the passenger side body portion.
6. The battery pack support system of claim 5, further comprising a vehicle cross member spanning from the driver side body portion to the passenger side body portion.
7. The battery pack support system of claim 1, wherein the pack portion is stamped steel.
8. The battery pack support system of claim 1, wherein the vertical height of the body portion is no more than twenty-five millimeters.
9. The battery pack support system of claim 1, wherein an outer side of the body portion and an outer side of the pack portion are aligned.
10. The battery pack support system of claim 1, wherein the pack portion is inboard of the body portion.
11. A method of securing a battery pack to a vehicle, comprising:
securing a restraint portion of a rocker assembly to a body portion of the rocker assembly to connect a battery restraint to a vehicle; and
the pack portion is used to compress a plurality of battery cells.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising clamping a portion of a cover of the battery pack between the pack and body portions during the securing.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the bundle portion is at least partially received within the cover after the securing, the plurality of battery cells is at least partially received within the cover, or both.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein an outer side of the bundle portion is aligned with an outer side of the body portion.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the bundling portion is inside the body portion.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US63/403,445 | 2022-09-02 | ||
| US18/163,931 | 2023-02-03 | ||
| US18/163,931 US20240075799A1 (en) | 2022-09-02 | 2023-02-03 | Traction battery pack support system and method of securing a battery pack to an electrified vehicle |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN117644781A true CN117644781A (en) | 2024-03-05 |
Family
ID=90045685
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202311106336.1A Pending CN117644781A (en) | 2022-09-02 | 2023-08-30 | Traction battery pack support system and method of securing a battery pack to an motorized vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN117644781A (en) |
-
2023
- 2023-08-30 CN CN202311106336.1A patent/CN117644781A/en active Pending
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