CN221041418U

CN221041418U - Non-crank started auxiliary lithium ion battery

Info

Publication number: CN221041418U
Application number: CN202322269310.0U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 埃里克·M·米切卢蒂; 尼克·E·埃里森
Original assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
Current assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
Priority date: 2022-03-11
Filing date: 2023-03-10
Publication date: 2024-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-10
Also published as: CN219626798U

Abstract

A battery is described that includes a housing, a cover, a monitoring connector, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The housing forms a volume for receiving at least one of one or more battery cells electrically coupled to the monitoring connector and to one or both of the first and second terminals. The cover is coupled to the housing. The cover and the housing enclose the one or more battery cells. In addition, the lid includes a top surface, a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall. The first wall, the second wall, and the third wall extend from the top surface. The first terminal is located between the first wall and the second wall, and the second terminal is located between the second wall and the third wall. The first terminal and the second terminal are arranged to provide electrical power and are physically isolated from each other at least by the second wall.

Description

Non-crank started auxiliary lithium ion battery

The disclosure is a divisional application of an utility model patent application of which the application date is 2023, 3, 10, national application number is 202320514224.9 and the utility model name is 'auxiliary lithium ion battery started by a non-crank'.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to energy storage devices (e.g., batteries), and in particular, to auxiliary batteries.

Background

Batteries are an important component of many devices, including motor vehicles. Historically, motor vehicles have been equipped with a single battery, such as a lead-acid battery, for starting the vehicle's motor and powering other systems of the vehicle (e.g., a charging system, run-time operation, lighting, accessories, etc.). Recently, electric vehicles and hybrid gasoline/electric vehicles (collectively referred to herein as electric vehicles or EVs) rely on one or more lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries to provide energy to power the electric motor (and thereby move the wheels of the vehicle) and also power other systems of the vehicle. This arrangement can result in a single point of failure, wherein failure of the lead acid battery or Li-ion battery used to provide locomotive energy can result in failure of all other vehicle systems. As a result, the driver may not be able to use the emergency alert system, the active hazard lights, the location information system, the system providing vehicle health status information, etc.

Disclosure of utility model

Some embodiments advantageously provide a battery (e.g., a non-crank started Li-ion battery). The battery may be used as an auxiliary power supply to maintain the non-motor crank start function (and non-locomotive power supply function) of the vehicle when the main battery is not operating. In some embodiments, the auxiliary battery is referred to as a non-crank started battery.

According to one aspect, a battery is described that includes a housing, a cover, a monitoring connector, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The housing forms a volume for receiving at least one of one or more battery cells electrically coupled to the monitoring connector and to one or both of the first and second terminals. The cover is coupled to the housing. The cover and the housing enclose the one or more battery cells. In addition, the lid includes a top surface, a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall. The first wall, the second wall, and the third wall extend from the top surface. The first terminal is located between the first wall and the second wall, and the second terminal is located between the second wall and the third wall. The first terminal and the second terminal are arranged to provide electrical power and are physically isolated from each other at least by the second wall.

In some embodiments, the first terminal and the second terminal may be electrically coupled to and arranged to provide power to a first portion of the circuit.

In some other embodiments, the first terminal and the second terminal may be electrically coupled to the second portion of the circuit and arranged to further provide power to the second portion of the circuit.

In some embodiments, the first terminal and the second terminal may be electrically coupled to another battery corresponding to one of the first portion and the second portion of the circuit.

In some embodiments, the first and second terminals are arranged to provide power to one or both of the first and second portions of the circuit when the other battery fails to provide power greater than a predetermined threshold.

In some other embodiments, the battery further includes a switch electrically coupled to one or both of the first terminal and the second terminal.

In some embodiments, the switch is arranged to perform one of the following actions: one or both of the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically coupled and decoupled from one or both of the first portion and the second portion of the circuit.

In some other embodiments, the switch is arranged to receive a signal that triggers the switch to perform one of the following actions: one or both of the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically coupled and electrically decoupled from one or both of the first portion and the second portion of the circuit.

In some embodiments, the cover and the housing surrounding the one or more battery cells form a vent space, the vent space being surrounded by the cover, the housing and the one or more battery cells, the cover comprising a vent in fluid communication with the vent space, and the vent being arranged to release fluid contained in the vent space from the vent space, the fluid being released based on a fluid parameter and a fluid parameter threshold.

In some other embodiments, the vent is located between the third wall and the monitoring connector.

Drawings

A more complete understanding of the embodiments described herein, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example battery constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is another diagram of an example battery constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example implementation option for an example battery in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 4 is a diagram of yet another example implementation option for an example battery in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus (and/or apparatus components) related to a battery (e.g., a non-crank-activated Li-ion battery). Accordingly, the devices and device components are represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

As used herein, relational terms, such as "first" and "second," "top" and "bottom," and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the concepts described herein. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," and/or "having," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the embodiments described herein, the connection terms "communicate with … …" and the like may be used to denote electrical or data communications, which may be implemented by, for example, physical contact, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signaling, infrared signaling, or optical signaling. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various components may interoperate and that modifications and variations of the implementation of electrical and data communications are possible.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, there is shown in fig. 1 and 2 a battery 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the battery 10 is a Li-ion battery. The battery 10 includes a housing 12 in which one or more battery cells 14 (e.g., li-ion battery cells) are disposed. The battery cells 14 may be electrically interconnected (not shown), such as via a conductive bus bar system that electrically interconnects the battery cells 14 in electrical series, electrical parallel, or a combination of electrical series and electrical parallel, depending on the desired voltage and current requirements. In some embodiments, the battery cell(s) 14 are referred to as battery cells.

A Battery Monitoring System (BMS) 16 may be included. In some embodiments, the BMS may be configured to perform one or more battery management functions (such as measuring certain battery parameters, e.g., voltage) and provide data to an external system. The BMS16 may include a monitoring connector 18 that enables external connection to the vehicle's data bus or to some other communication device. In some embodiments, the monitoring connector 18 may be integral with the housing 12, such as in a cover 20 of the housing 12. The battery 10 also includes terminals, such as a negative terminal 22a and a positive terminal 22b (collectively terminals 22), to provide points of contact for electrically connecting the battery 10 to a vehicle to provide auxiliary power to the vehicle. Terminals 22 are arranged to protrude through housing 12, such as through cover 20. Terminals 22 may be electrically connected to bus bars inside housing 12 and/or directly to battery cells 14 (not shown). In some other embodiments, the lid 20 and the housing 12 are integrated together (e.g., coupled, sealed to each other). In some other embodiments, the cover 20 and the housing 12 are a single unitary structure (e.g., a single molded piece).

In some embodiments, the housing 12 includes one or more vents 24. In some other embodiments, one or more vents 24 are included in the lid 20. The one or more vents 24 may be arranged to allow ventilation from one or more battery cells 14 (e.g., li-ion battery cells). For example, the lid 20 and the housing 12 may be arranged to enclose one or more battery cells 14 (i.e., battery cells), which may form a ventilation space enclosed by the lid 20, the housing 12, and the one or more battery cells 14. In some embodiments, the vent 24 is in fluid communication with the vent space, and the vent 24 is arranged to release fluid contained in the vent space from the vent space, the fluid being released based on the fluid parameter and the fluid parameter threshold. For example, the gas contained in the plenum may experience a pressure increase (e.g., exceeding a pressure threshold). The vent 24 may be arranged to release at least some of the gas contained in the vent space to the outside of the cell 10.

In some other embodiments, the terminals 22 are separated using walls 30. Wall 30 may extend from top surface 21 (of lid 20 or housing 12). For example, the terminal 22a may be located between the first wall 30a and the second wall 30 b. The terminal 22b may be located between the second wall 30b and the third wall 30c (walls 30a, 30b, and 30c are collectively referred to as "walls 30"). The walls 30 may be beneficial at least because the terminals may be positioned closer to each other (e.g., as compared to conventional batteries) so that the battery 10 (e.g., auxiliary battery) may be installed in several locations within the vehicle where conductors coupled to the terminals may need to be closer to each other than in conventional systems while minimizing the likelihood of inadvertently shorting the terminals 22.

Further, the monitoring connector 18 may be on the other end (as compared to the terminal 22) to provide a predetermined distance from the terminal 22 and avoid interfering with the connection to the data bus of the vehicle. The monitoring connector 18 may further enable opening and/or closing of a connection for triggering one or more switches associated with the battery 10.

In some embodiments, the battery 10 may be arranged to provide a number of power capacities and physical sizes, and to operate with various parameters and parameter ranges. It should also be noted that some embodiments of the battery 10 may be sized to provide various capacities. For example, in some embodiments, the power capacity of battery 10 may be in the range of 25Ah to 75 Ah. However, it should be noted that this range is merely an example, and it is contemplated that embodiments of the battery 10 may be arranged to provide a capacity of less than 25Ah or a capacity of greater than 75 Ah. The power capacity scaling may be accomplished, for example, by using higher or lower power capacity battery cells 14 in the housing 12 and/or by using fewer or more battery cells 14 in the housing 12. In some embodiments, battery 10 may be incorporated as a non-crank-started battery as part of an EV or another type of vehicle that requires an auxiliary power source. Other electrical parameters of the battery 10 may be adjusted/regulated by using battery cells 14 (e.g., li-ion battery cells) that, in combination, have desired operating characteristics, such as voltage, charge capacity/rate, discharge rate, etc. Thermal properties may be managed based on the characteristics of the battery cells 14, the use of heat sinks and/or thermal energy discharge plates inside or outside the housing 12, and the like.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of an example implementation option (e.g., a direct coupling architecture) of an example battery 10 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. More specifically, a dual battery system 40 is shown that includes a battery 10, another battery 42 (e.g., a main battery, a crank-start battery, etc.). The dual battery system 40 may further include a load element 44 (which may include one or more electrical loads), an electric machine 48 (which may be, for example, a starter (S) electric machine, such as for starting an engine), and/or an alternator (a), such as for providing power, charging one or both of the battery 10 and/or the battery 42 when the engine is running. In some embodiments, battery 10 is a Li-ion battery and battery 42 is a lead-acid battery. However, the battery 10 is not limited thereto and may be any other type of battery. Further, the battery 42 is not limited to a lead-acid battery, and may be a Li-ion battery or any other type of battery. The battery 42 may be arranged and/or configured (or similarly arranged and/or configured) as the battery 10 (e.g., as shown in one or both of fig. 1 and 2).

In some other embodiments, the battery 10 may be connected to one or more portions of the circuit. For example, the battery 10 (and/or the battery 42) may be directly coupled to the alternator 46 and/or the electric machine 48 contained in the first portion 52 of the electrical circuit. Further, the battery 10 may be directly coupled to the load element 44 and the battery 42 (e.g., a second type of battery belonging to a different technology) such as contained in the second portion 54. Although first portion 54 is shown as including electric machine 48 and alternator 46, and second portion 54 is shown as including battery 42 and load element 44, first portion 52 and second portion 54 are not limited thereto and may include any other combination of elements.

In some embodiments, in one or more embodiments, the battery 10, the battery 42, the load element 44, the alternator 46, and the electric machine 48 are electrically connected in parallel. Other electrical connections are also possible.

Further, the battery 10 may include a switch 50 arranged to couple and/or decouple the battery 10 from other components of the dual battery system 40. For example, the switch 50 may be in an off state (e.g., decoupled), in which the battery 10 is not electrically connected to other components (e.g., circuitry) of the dual battery system 40. Placing the switch 50 in the off state may electrically isolate the battery 10 from the circuit when the starter motor is operating (e.g., commanded to start the engine) and/or when the alternator 46 is providing a predetermined voltage to other circuit elements, such as the battery 42. The switch 50 may be in a closed state (e.g., coupled) in which the battery 10 may power the load element 44 (e.g., hazard warning light), such as when the battery 42 fails, is absent or is not providing a predetermined voltage, power, current, etc. Closing switch 50 may also charge battery 10. The switch 50 may also be arranged to receive a signal triggering the switch 50 to close or open the switch 50. The signal may correspond to an indication that the motor 48, the alternator 46, and/or the engine are operating. The signal may correspond to an indication of other events, such as a manual input (e.g., by a driver of a vehicle including dual battery system 40) requesting that battery 10 be coupled/uncoupled from the circuit.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of yet another example implementation option for an example battery 10 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. More specifically, another dual battery system 60 (which may be referred to as a switch-coupled architecture) is shown that includes a switch 62. The dual battery system 60 may further include a generator 64 (a Belt Starter Generator (BSG)) and/or a motor 66 (e.g., a starter motor) coupled to the switch 62 and/or the switch 50 and/or the battery 10. The battery 42 may be arranged to be coupled to a load element 44 (e.g., a system load, hazard lights, location information system, global positioning system, etc.). The battery 10 may also be arranged to be coupled to the load element 44, such as by closing the switch 62.

Closing switch 62 may allow battery 10 to power load element 44 (e.g., when battery 42 fails, is absent, is unable to provide a voltage, current, power that exceeds a circuit parameter threshold) and/or to become an auxiliary power source. Opening switch 62 disconnects battery 42 from battery 10, generator 64, and motor 66. The switch 50 may be opened or closed to couple/decouple the battery 10 from other circuit elements. In some embodiments, the switch 62 may be integrated as part of the battery 10, 42, and in other embodiments, the switch may be implemented separately. In one or more embodiments, the switches 50, 62 allow the battery 10 (and/or the battery 42) to provide power to the first portion 72 and the second portion 74 of the circuit. Although first portion 72 is shown as including battery 10, generator 64, and motor 66, and second portion 74 is shown as including battery 42 and load element 44, first portion 72 and second portion 74 are not limited thereto and may include any other combination of elements.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the vehicle may include a battery 10 (e.g., a non-crank-activated auxiliary lithium ion battery) that may be coupled (e.g., via terminal 22) to a load element 44 (e.g., an emergency alert system, an active hazard warning light, a location information system, a system providing vehicle health status information, an infotainment system, etc.). The vehicle may also include a battery 42 (e.g., a main battery, such as a lead-acid battery, or another lithium ion battery) that may be coupled to the load element 44 and/or other elements, such as an electric motor (e.g., to move the wheels of the vehicle, or to start an engine to move the wheels).

Further, the battery 10 may be arranged to provide power to the load element 44 at least under certain conditions. For example, when the main battery 42 of a vehicle (e.g., EV) has lost charge and/or the main battery 42 is being replaced, defective, absent, etc. (i.e., the battery 42 is unable to provide power to the load element 44), the battery 10 may be arranged to provide power to at least the load element 44. That is, the load element 44 may be powered by the battery 10 (e.g., via the terminal 22 and/or the switch 50) even when other power sources, such as the battery 42, are not capable of powering the load element 44. In another example, the vehicle is powered by an internal combustion engine and includes a battery 10 and a battery 42 (e.g., a lead-acid battery arranged to crank the engine to start the engine). The battery 42 may be arranged to provide power to a load element 44 (e.g., hazard lights, security systems, radios, infotainment systems, etc.). However, when the battery 42 is being replaced, defective, or unable to provide power to operate the load element 44, the battery 10 may be arranged to provide power to the load element 44. That is, the battery 10 may be arranged to provide auxiliary power, such as power that is not crank-started.

According to one aspect, a battery 10 is described. The battery 10 includes a housing 12, a cover 20, a monitoring connector 18, a first terminal 22a, and a second terminal 22b. The housing 12 forms a volume for housing at least one of the one or more battery cells 14 electrically coupled to the monitoring connector 18 and to one or both of the first and second terminals 22a, 22b. The cover 20 is coupled to the housing 12. Further, the cover 20 and the housing 12 enclose one or more battery cells 14. The lid includes a top surface 21, a first wall 30a, a second wall 30b, and a third wall 30c. The first wall 30a, the second wall 30b, and the third wall 30c extend from the top surface 21. The first terminal 22a is located between the first wall 30a and the second wall 30b, and the second terminal 22b is located between the second wall 30b and the third wall 30c. The first terminal 22a and the second terminal 22b are arranged to provide electrical power and are physically isolated from each other at least by the second wall 30 b.

In some embodiments, the first terminal 22a and the second terminal 22b may be electrically coupled to and arranged to provide power to a first portion of the circuit.

In some other embodiments, the first terminal 22a and the second terminal 22b may be electrically coupled to the second portion of the circuit and arranged to further provide power to the second portion of the circuit.

In some embodiments, the first terminal 22a and the second terminal 22b may be electrically coupled to another battery 42 corresponding to one of the first portion and the second portion of the circuit.

In some other embodiments, the first and second terminals 22a, 22b are arranged to provide power to one or both of the first and second portions of the circuit when the other battery 42 fails to provide power greater than a predetermined threshold.

In some embodiments, the battery 10 further includes a switch 50 electrically coupled to one or both of the first terminal 22a and the second terminal 22 b.

In some other embodiments, the switch 50 is arranged to perform one of the following actions: one or both of the first terminal 22a and the second terminal 22b are electrically coupled and decoupled from one or both of the first portion and the second portion of the circuit.

In some embodiments, the switch 50 is arranged to receive a signal that triggers the switch 50 to perform one of the following actions: one or both of the first terminal 22a and the second terminal 22b are electrically coupled and decoupled from one or both of the first portion and the second portion of the circuit.

In some other embodiments, the cover 20 and the housing 12 of the battery cell 14 surrounding the one or more batteries form a ventilation space that is surrounded by the cover 20, the housing 12, and the one or more battery cells 14. The cover 20 comprises a vent 24 in fluid communication with the vent space, and the vent 24 is arranged to release fluid contained in the vent space from the vent space. The fluid is released based on the fluid parameter and the fluid parameter threshold.

In some embodiments, the vent 24 is located between the third wall 30c and the monitoring connector 18.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are not limited to what has been particularly shown and/or described hereinabove. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A battery (10) comprising a housing (12), a cover (20), a monitoring connector (18), a first terminal (22 a) and a second terminal (22 b), the cover (20) being coupled to the housing (12), the cover (20) and the housing (12) enclosing one or more battery cells (14) electrically coupled to the monitoring connector (18) and to one or both of the first and second terminals (22 a,22 b), the cover comprising a top surface (21) and one or more walls (30), the one or more walls (30) extending from the top surface (21), one of the one or more walls (30) being located between the first and second terminals (22 a,22 b), the first and second terminals (22 a,22 b) being physically isolated from each other by at least one of the walls (21) and one or both of the first and second terminals (22 a,22 b):

Is electrically couplable to a first portion of an electrical circuit and is arranged to provide electrical power to the first portion of the electrical circuit;

Is electrically couplable to a second portion of the electrical circuit and is arranged to provide electrical power to the second portion of the electrical circuit; and

Can be electrically coupled to another battery (42) corresponding to one of the first and second portions of the circuit.

2. The battery (10) of claim 1, wherein the one or more walls (30) include a first wall (30 a), a second wall (30 b), and a third wall (30 c).

3. The battery (10) of claim 2, wherein the first terminal (22 a) is located between the first and second walls (30 a,30 b).

4. The battery (10) of claim 2, wherein the second terminal (22 b) is located between the second and third walls (30 b,30 c).

5. The battery (10) of claim 1, wherein the first and second terminals (22 a,22 b) are arranged to provide power to one or both of the first and second portions of the circuit when the other battery (42) fails to provide power greater than a predetermined threshold.

6. The battery (10) of claim 1, wherein the battery (10) further comprises a switch (50) electrically coupled to one or both of the first and second terminals (22 a,22 b).

7. The battery (10) of claim 6, wherein the switch (50) is arranged to perform one of the following actions: one or both of the first and second terminals (22 a,22 b) are electrically coupled and decoupled from one or both of the first and second portions of the circuit.

8. The battery (10) of claim 7, wherein the switch (50) is arranged to receive a signal, the signal triggering the switch (50) to perform one of the following actions: one or both of the first and second terminals (22 a,22 b) are electrically coupled and decoupled from one or both of the first and second portions of the circuit.

9. The battery of claim 1, wherein the cover (20) and the housing (12) surrounding the one or more battery cells (14) form a ventilation space, the ventilation space being surrounded by the cover (20), the housing (12) and the one or more battery cells (14), the cover (20) comprising a vent (24) in fluid communication with the ventilation space, and the vent (24) being arranged to release fluid contained in the ventilation space from the ventilation space, the fluid being released based on a fluid parameter and a fluid parameter threshold.

10. The battery of claim 9, wherein the vent (24) is located between the second terminal (22 b) and the monitoring connector (18).