EP2828908A1 - Système de gestion thermique d'un bloc-batterie - Google Patents

Système de gestion thermique d'un bloc-batterie

Info

Publication number
EP2828908A1
EP2828908A1 EP12788578.8A EP12788578A EP2828908A1 EP 2828908 A1 EP2828908 A1 EP 2828908A1 EP 12788578 A EP12788578 A EP 12788578A EP 2828908 A1 EP2828908 A1 EP 2828908A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cell
battery pack
cells
fluid flow
reception slots
Prior art date
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.)
Ceased
Application number
EP12788578.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Joachim Rief
Tobias ZELLER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Husqvarna AB
Original Assignee
Husqvarna AB
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from PCT/EP2012/054846 external-priority patent/WO2013139371A1/fr
Priority claimed from PCT/EP2012/054847 external-priority patent/WO2013139372A1/fr
Application filed by Husqvarna AB filed Critical Husqvarna AB
Priority to EP12788578.8A priority Critical patent/EP2828908A1/fr
Priority claimed from PCT/EP2012/073444 external-priority patent/WO2013139409A1/fr
Publication of EP2828908A1 publication Critical patent/EP2828908A1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/65—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
    • H01M10/656—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells characterised by the type of heat-exchange fluid
    • H01M10/6561—Gases
    • H01M10/6563—Gases with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/61—Types of temperature control
    • H01M10/613—Cooling or keeping cold
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/62—Heating or cooling; Temperature control specially adapted for specific applications
    • H01M10/623—Portable devices, e.g. mobile telephones, cameras or pacemakers
    • H01M10/6235—Power tools
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/64—Heating or cooling; Temperature control characterised by the shape of the cells
    • H01M10/643—Cylindrical cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/65—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
    • H01M10/655—Solid structures for heat exchange or heat conduction
    • H01M10/6556—Solid parts with flow channel passages or pipes for heat exchange
    • H01M10/6557—Solid parts with flow channel passages or pipes for heat exchange arranged between the cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/204—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
    • H01M50/207—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells characterised by their shape
    • H01M50/213—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells characterised by their shape adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/256—Carrying devices, e.g. belts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2220/00—Batteries for particular applications
    • H01M2220/30—Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Definitions

  • Example embodiments generally relate to battery pack technology and, more particularly, relate to mechanisms for thermal management within a battery pack.
  • Property maintenance tasks are commonly performed using various tools and/or machines that are configured for the performance of corresponding specific tasks. Certain tasks, like cutting trees, trimming vegetation, blowing debris and the like, are typically performed by hand-held tools or power equipment.
  • the hand-held power equipment may often be powered by gas or electric motors.
  • gas powered motors were often preferred by operators that desired, or required, a great deal of mobility. Accordingly, many walk-behind or ride-on outdoor power equipment devices, such as lawn mowers, are often powered by gas motors because they are typically required to operate over a relatively large range.
  • the robustness of battery powered equipment has also improved and such devices have increased in popularity.
  • the batteries employed in hand-held power equipment may, in some cases, be removable and/or rechargeable assemblies of a plurality of smaller cells that are arranged together in order to achieve desired output characteristics.
  • charging and discharging battery cells causes heat production due to the internal resistance (impedance) of the cells. Therefore, when these cells are arranged together to form a battery pack, it is important to manage the thermal characteristics of the battery pack. Failure to properly manage to do can result in decreased battery performance or total failure of the battery pack.
  • the battery packs when used with handheld tools or outdoor power equipment, the battery packs may be operated in harsh or at least relatively uncontrolled conditions. Exposure to extreme temperatures, dust/debris, moisture and other conditions can present challenges for maintaining performance and/or integrity of battery packs.
  • Battery cells generate electricity via electrochemical reactions that may generate heat.
  • sealing of battery packs while useful in preventing exposure to some harsh conditions, may cause cell heat to be contained so that it builds up and is difficult to dissipate effectively. This may inadvertently create high internal temperatures that could damage cells or negatively impact cell performance.
  • Some example embodiments may provide a battery pack provided with an airflow generation unit to cool cells of the battery pack.
  • some embodiments may provide for fixation of cells within a battery pack, but further provide for efficient air flow through the battery pack.
  • the cells may be held by a cell retainer that is structured to optimize air flow through the battery pack. The operating life of devices and their batteries, when such an airflow generation unit and corresponding cell retainer are employed, may therefore be increased and the overall performance of such a device may be improved.
  • a battery pack may include a cell housing configured to retain a plurality of battery cells, and a plurality of cell reception slots within the cell housing to receive respective ones of the battery cells.
  • the cell reception slots may be configured within the cell housing to define at least one fluid flow channel extending substantially in a first direction through the cell housing.
  • the fluid flow channel may be defined at least partially by a rib connecting at least two adjacent cell reception slots to enable thermal transfer from cells disposed in the at least two adjacent cell reception slots responsive to movement of a fluid through the fluid flow channel and to inhibit a cross-flow of fluid between the at least two adjacent cell reception slots in a direction other than the first direction.
  • a battery powered, outdoor power equipment device may include a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells, a cell retainer assembly including a cell housing configured to retain the battery cells, and a plurality of cell reception slots within the cell housing to receive respective ones of the battery cells.
  • the cell reception slots may be configured within the cell housing to define at least one fluid flow channel extending substantially in a first direction through the cell housing.
  • the fluid flow channel may be defined at least partially by a rib connecting at least two adjacent cell reception slots to enable thermal tranfer from cells disposed in the at least two adjacent cell reception slots responsive to movement of a fluid through the fluid flow channel and to inhibit a cross-flow of fluid between the at least two adjacent cell reception slots in a direction other than the first direction.
  • a method of cooling a battery pack may include providing the plurality of cells.
  • the method may further include providing a cell housing configured to retain a plurality of battery cells, and forming a plurality of cell reception slots within the cell housing to receive respective ones of the battery cells.
  • the cell reception slots may be configured within the cell housing to define at least one fluid flow channel extending substantially in a first direction through the cell housing.
  • the fluid flow channel may be defined at least partially by a rib connecting at least two adjacent cell reception slots to enable thermal transfer from cells disposed in the at least two adjacent cell reception slots responsive to movement of a fluid through the fluid flow channel and to inhibit a cross-flow of fluid between the at least two adjacent cell reception slots in a direction other than the first direction.
  • Some example embodiments may improve the performance and/or the efficacy of battery powered equipment.
  • FIG. 1 A illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a battery pack according to an example embodiment
  • FIG. IB illustrates an exploded perspective view of a portion of a battery pack according to an example embodiment
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of the battery pack with a top part removed in order to reveal the inner structure of a cell retainer assembly of an example embodiment shown with battery cells disposed within cell reception slots;
  • FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of the battery pack with a top part removed in order to reveal the inner structure of the cell retainer assembly of an example embodiment shown with battery cells removed from cell reception slots;
  • FIG. 2C illustrates a top view of a battery pack with a top part removed in order to reveal the inner structure of a cell retainer assembly of an alternative example embodiment
  • FIG. 3 shows an embodiment where airflow channels are formed that have a slightly wavy shape as airflow passes through the cell housing portion according to an example embodiment
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a the battery pack incorporated into a backpack in accordance with an example embodiment
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a partially exploded view of the backpack battery pack according to an example embodiment
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a method of thermally managing a battery pack in accordance with an example embodiment.
  • operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection or interaction of components that are operably coupled to each other.
  • Some example embodiments may provide for a battery pack that can be useful in connection with battery powered tools or battery powered outdoor power equipment.
  • Outdoor power equipment that is battery powered, and battery powered tools generally, typically include battery packs that include a plurality of individual cells.
  • cells are organized and interconnected (e.g., in a series of series and/or parallel connections) to group the cells within a battery pack in a manner that achieves desired characteristics.
  • the battery pack may be inserted into an aperture of the piece of equipment it powers so that the corresponding piece of equipment (e.g., hand-held, ride-on, or walk-behind equipment) is enabled to be mobile.
  • the battery pack may be inserted into a backpack or other carrying implement that the equipment operator may wear.
  • the cells of the battery pack are often rechargeable, cylindrical shaped cells. However, cells with other shapes, and even replaceable batteries could alternatively be employed in other embodiments. Given that the batteries produce energy via electrochemical reactions that generate heat, the battery pack may tend to heat up during charging or discharging operations. In particular, when the equipment operated by the battery pack is working hard, the discharge rates may be high. High capacity cells also tend to have high internal resistances. Accordingly, since power is equal to the square of current times resistance, it is clear that a high discharge rate will cause high power dissipation, and therefore high temperatures. Likewise, fast charging of the battery pack can also produce high temperatures. Given that cells are typically designed to operate within defined temperature ranges (e.g., -10° C to +65° C), temperature increases should be maintained at relatively low levels. If heat generation is excessive, temperatures may reach extreme levels at which cell damage may occur.
  • defined temperature ranges e.g., -10° C to +65° C
  • the cells may be held in place by a cell retainer.
  • active cooling of the cells may be undertaken by forcing a cooling fluid (e.g., air) through the cell retainer (e.g., with a fan or pump) to carry heat away from the cells.
  • a cooling fluid e.g., air
  • the cells may be disposed in a pattern such that they are spaced apart from one another to form columns and rows, or some other distributed arrangements.
  • the cooling fluid is forced into one end of the cell retainer, the flow path around the cells may become very confused and turbulent due to the potential for numerous cross-flow paths between cells. This degradation of air flow may make it particularly difficult to ensure consistent cooling of cells throughout the battery pack.
  • some example embodiments may provide for a cell retainer structure that provides better and/or more evenly distributed cooling of the cells of the battery pack.
  • some example embodiments may close the spacing between selected cells so that defined fluid flow channels (e.g., airflow channels) may be created to provide a more even, consistent, predictable, and/or coherent flow of air past the cells to carry heat away from the cells. This may prevent excessively high temperatures that could cause thermal damage to cells or lead to thermal runaway.
  • Better cell cooling may also cause cells to age more slowly and to lose their charge capacities more slowly. Prevention of overheating may also improve the operator experience since high temperature protective shutdowns of equipment may be avoided.
  • FIG. 1 A illustrates one example of a top perspective view of a portion of a battery pack 10.
  • FIG. IB provides an exploded perspective of the battery pack 10.
  • the battery pack 10 includes a plurality of individual cells 20 disposed within a cell retainer assembly 30.
  • the cell retainer assembly 30 may include a plurality of cell reception slots into which the cells may be disposed and retained.
  • the cell reception slots may be configured to conform to the size and shape of the cells 20 so that the cells 20 may be fixed in place within the cell retainer assembly 30.
  • the cell retainer assembly 30 may further accommodate cell connection circuitry and/or electrodes (e.g., conductors, wires, and/or bars) that may be used to connect cells in series, parallel and/or combinations thereof to achieve the electrical characteristics desired for the battery pack 10.
  • cell connection circuitry and/or electrodes e.g., conductors, wires, and/or bars
  • Each of the cells 20 may be any suitable type of battery cell.
  • the cells 20 may be nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), nickel-cadmium (NiCd), lithium-ion (LIB), or other similar cells.
  • nominal cell voltages may range from about IV to about 4V.
  • Series connection of multiple cells may be used to increase the voltage rating of the group of connected cells, and parallel connection of multiple cells may be used to increase the power capacity of the battery pack.
  • the cell retainer assembly 30 may include a top part 32 and a bottom part 34, each of which may be molded to fit together to contain the cells 20.
  • the top part 32 and the bottom part 34 may each be separately molded such that the cells 20 may be disposed within the bottom part 34 in corresponding cell reception slots formed within the bottom part 34.
  • the top part 32 may then be snapped, screwed, welded or otherwise held in connection with the bottom part 34 in order to form the cell retainer assembly 30 in its assembled form.
  • the side walls of the cell retainer assembly 30 have a height slightly greater than the length of a cell 20. Furthermore, the top and bottom walls at least partially cover the ends of each cell 20 so that, when the top part 32 and bottom part 34 are attached together, the cells 20 are contained and held within the cell retainer assembly 30.
  • the top part 32 and bottom part 34 may each include respective electrodes for providing the series and/or parallel connection of the cells 20.
  • the top part 32 and the bottom part 34 of the cell retainer assembly 30 both include connection holes 22 through which electrical connections can be made with the cells 20 that are contained within the cell retainer assembly 30.
  • the cell retainer assembly is configured so that there is one connection hole 22 at the end of each cell retention slot so that an electrical connection can be made to the positive and negative terminals on opposing ends of each cell.
  • connection holes 22 are round and each have a diameter at least somewhat smaller than the diameter of a cell 20 so that the cells cannot move through the connection holes 22 and, in some embodiments, so that air flowing through the cell retainer assembly 30 cannot easily escape between the cell 20 and its corresponding connection holes 22.
  • the battery pack 10 includes seventy cells disposed in a common plane with the longitudinal axis of each cell parallel to the longitudinal axis of each other cell.
  • the cells have generally uniform spacing so as to create a substantially rectangular arrangement of cells.
  • groups of ten cells are electrically connected in series in each column of cells 20 along the y-direction, and groups of seven cells are electrically connected in parallel in each row of cells 20 along the x-direction.
  • the battery pack comprises ten rows of cells with nine cells in each row or, said another way, seven columns of cells with ten cells in each column.
  • the series connected columns are electrically connected to each other in parallel by electrical connectors that connect the cells in each row in parallel.
  • the cells in each column have alternating polarities and the cells in each row have uniform polarities so that one connector can at the same time connect a row of cells in parallel and pairs of cells from adjacent rows in series.
  • any desirable electrical connection may be employed and any arrangement may be employed in terms of the number of cells in the battery pack 10 and the physical and electrical organization of the cells therein.
  • multiple cell packs could be housed within a single cell retainer. The cell packs may then be connected via fuses, switches or other connectors in any desirable manner. Moreover, in some cases, some cell packs may be utilized only under certain circumstances.
  • the cell retainer assembly 30 may include at least one fan housing 40 disposed at one end of the cell retainer assembly 30.
  • the fan housing 40 may be integrally formed within the cell retainer assembly 30.
  • the cell retainer assembly 30 may be formed of the top part 32 and the bottom part 34, a top portion of the fan housing 40 may be integrally formed in the top part 32, while a bottom part of the fan housing 40 may be integrally formed in the bottom part 34.
  • a fan 42 may be disposed in each fan housing 40 that is provided in the cell retainer assembly 30.
  • the fans 42 have a square exterior and the fan housing 40 comprises a corresponding square shape slightly larger than that of the fans 42.
  • the fan housing 40 has two walls spaced apart a distance slightly larger than the width of a fan 42 so that the walls created a cradle between which a fan 42 can be placed. These walls of the fan housing 40 overlap a portion of the fan assembly to hold the fan 42 in place in the cell retainer assembly 30, but form a circle through which air can travel to and from the fan 42. In this way, assembly of the fans in the cell retainer may be made easy.
  • the fan housing 40 may include a seal, gasket, or resilient member around the perimeter so that air only flows by the fan blades and not between the fan 42 and the fan housing 40. It should be appreciated that although two fan housings and two fans are shown in FIGS. 1 A and IB, alternative embodiments may employ a single fan or more than two fans.
  • the fan housing 40 may instead be replaced with a pump housing that is integrally formed in the cell retainer assembly 30 and the fan 42 may be replaced by a pump.
  • the fan 42 may be powered from the battery pack 10 or from its own smaller electrical source (e.g., a smaller rechargeable or replaceable battery). Operation of the fan 42 may push air through cell retainer assembly 30 to cool the cells 20.
  • control circuitry may be provided for control of the fan 42.
  • the control circuitry may be in communication with a temperature sensor to initiate fan 42 operation at a predetermined threshold temperature (or secure fan 42 operation when below a particular temperature).
  • the control circuitry may further be enabled to secure operation of the fan and/or the device powered by the battery pack 10 responsive to temperatures reaching levels that are considered too high for operation of the device.
  • control circuitry may prevent device operation if, for some reason, the fan 42 fails to operate when temperatures requiring fan operation are reached.
  • the control circuitry may control the fan at least in part based on whether the battery pack 10 is being charged or discharged. For example, the control circuitry may always operate the fans while the battery pack 10 is being charged or discharged. When the operator stops charging or discharging the battery pack, the control circuitry may then run the fan for a preset amount of time thereafter and/or may communicate with a temperature sensor and operate the fan until the temperature of the battery pack falls below a threshold temperature.
  • the cell retainer assembly 30 may include an inlet air guide 50 that is disposed at an outlet of the fan 42 (or fans) to guide air into channels that are defined between some of the cells 20 as described in greater detail below.
  • the fan 42 may be configured to push air linearly through the cell retainer assembly 30 via the inlet air guide 50.
  • the fans 42 in order to keep a relatively thin profile for the battery pack 10, the fans 42 have a diameter approximately equal to the longitudinal length of a cell 20 so that the fans 42 do not significantly add thickness to the battery pack 10.
  • the inlet air guide 50 includes a diffuser that is configured so that the airflow exiting the fan is spread outward to either side of the fan to create an appropriate flow of air throughout the cell retainer assembly 30.
  • one fan or more than two fans may be used with larger or smaller diffusers in the air inlet guides 50.
  • the air may enter the cell retainer assembly 30 in a first direction (e.g., the y-direction) and be pushed past all of the cells 20 while substantially maintaining the first direction. After passing by all of the cells 20, the air may exit the cell retainer assembly 30 via outlet air guides 52 in a second direction (e.g., the x-direction) that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. However, in some embodiments, the air may exit the cell retainer assembly 30 also in the first direction. Regardless of how the air enters or exits the portion of the cell retainer assembly 30 in which the cells 20 are housed, the air within the portion of the cell retainer assembly 30 in which the cells 20 are housed may substantially maintain only one direction while passing therethrough. Moreover, the cell retainer assembly 30 may provide for the inlet, outlet and channel fluid paths to be defined entirely between two planes defined by the top and bottom of the top part 32 and bottom part 34, respectively.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of the battery pack 10 with the top part 32 removed in order to reveal the inner structure of the cell retainer assembly 30 of an example embodiment.
  • the battery pack 10 in FIG. 2A has ten cells per column and seven cells per row rows to illustrate the fact that any number of cells may be supported by example embodiments.
  • the cells 20 may be disposed within the cell retainer assembly 30 such that a longitudinal length of the cells extends substantially perpendicular to a direction of the flow of air through the cell retainer assembly 30.
  • the cells 20 may be held within the cell retainer assembly 30 in cell reception slots 60.
  • the walls of the cell reception slots 60 may be made from a material that has a high thermal conductivity (e.g., metal or thermally conductive plastic) to enable heat to be readily dissipated or transmitted away from the cells 20 so that air forced into the inlet air guide 50 may pass by the cell reception slots 60 (or portions thereof) to carry heat away from the cells 20 while the air passes to the outlet air guide 52.
  • the cell reception slots 60 are integrally formed in the cell retainer assembly 30 and are, therefore, made of the same material as the cell retainer assembly 30.
  • the cell retainer assembly 30 generally includes a plurality of ribs 62.
  • a rib 62 generally refers to material disposed between adjacent cell reception slots (i.e., between adjacent cells) to inhibit air from flowing in the space between the adjacent cells/cell reception slots.
  • the cell retainer assembly 30 includes ribs 62 between adjacent cells in each column of cells that inhibit air from flowing through the space between adjacent cells in a column. In this way, airflow channels 70 are created between adjacent cell columns, where the airflow channels 70 extend from an inlet air guide 50 to an outlet air guide 52, and where air in one airflow channel 70 is substantially prevented from flowing into another airflow channel 70.
  • orientation of the cells could be altered to where the ribs are located between adjacent parallel-connected cells to create airflow channels between adjacent columns of parallel-connected cells.
  • the ribs 62 may be disposed on substantially opposite sides (e.g., about 180° apart relative to the periphery of the cell reception slots 60 that have adjacent slots on each side) of each of the cells in a column (or row) such that the cell reception slots 60 of each respective column (or row) define a continuous wall that extends from a point where air leaves the inlet air guides 50 to a point where air enters the outlet air guides 52.
  • the cell housing portion 54 of the cell retainer assembly 30 may provide walls formed between adjacent cells (e.g., cells in a same column that are series connected to each other) by the placement of ribs 62 that are positioned 180° apart from each other relative to the circumference of the cell reception slots 60. These walls may be substantially parallel to each other extending from inlet to outlet of the cell housing portion 54. These ribs 62 combine with sidewalls of the cell reception slots 60 or the sidewalls of the cells 20 disposed therein to form continuous walls that define parallel fluid flow channels (e.g., airflow channels 70) in the cell housing portion 54 of the cell retainer assembly 30. In an example embodiment, one airflow channel 70 may be defined between each of the adjacent columns of cells.
  • the airflow channel 70 may characteristically pass substantially linearly through the cell housing portion 54 and may extend substantially parallel to each other from inlet to outlet of the cell housing portion 54. As such, the continuous walls formed may cut off any cross-flow channels that would otherwise exist to allow airflow between adjacent cells in the same column. Accordingly, the airflow channels 70 are formed between sides of adjacent cells such that air flows
  • the overall direction of flow through the cell housing portion 54 will be in a single direction and cross-flow (or just airflow in general) will be prevented between at least two adjacent cells (e.g., series connected cells or cells in the same column).
  • the single direction is a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the cells 20.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of the battery pack with a top part removed in order to reveal the inner structure of a cell retainer assembly of an example embodiment shown with battery cells disposed within cell reception slots.
  • FIG. 2B also illustrates a top view of the battery pack with a top part removed, but also shows the battery pack with the battery cells removed from cell reception slots to better illustrate the structure of the cell retainer assembly according to an example embodiment.
  • the ribs 62 at least partially define the cell reception slots 60.
  • the ribs 62 between adjacent cell reception slots 60 in each column and end ribs 63 at the end of each column extend perpendicularly from the walls of the bottom part 34 and top part 32 and function to help hold the cells 20 in place in the cell retainer assembly 30.
  • the cell reception slots 60 are otherwise open between the ribs. In this way, when a cell 20 is inserted into a cell reception slot 60, a portion of the cell sidewall is exposed to the air in the adjacent airflow channel(s) 70.
  • the cell 20 may fit tightly or closely with the adjacent ribs to that the cell sidewall combines with the adjacent ribs to define a continuous wall of the airflow channel(s) 70 and inhibits air from one airflow channel flowing into another airflow channel.
  • FIG. 2B also further illustrates holes 22 in the bottom part 34 at one end of each cell reception slot 60. As described above, these holes 22 allow each cell to electrically connect with connectors located on the outside of the cell retainer assembly 30.
  • the holes 22 may have a smaller diameter than that of a cell so that cell and the wall of the cell retainer assembly 30 come together to inhibit air flowing through the interior of the cell retainer assembly 30 from flowing through the holes 22.
  • a gasket, resilient member, or other seal 24 may be located around each hole 22 to further prevent air, moisture, or debris from leaking through the hole and contaminating the electrical connections and/or components located on the exterior of the cell retainer assembly.
  • Similar holes 22 and, in some embodiments, seals 24 are also located in the top part 32 for allowing an electrical connection to be made to the other end of the cell while isolating the electrical connection(s) and/or components from the air flowing through the interior of the cell retainer assembly.
  • embodiments of the battery pack 10 described herein may be particularly advantageous for use in dirty, dusty, or moist environments (e.g., such as those often experienced when using outdoor power equipment or construction equipment) because the intelligent design serves to control the temperature of the battery pack 10 by blowing air from the battery pack's environment through the battery pack 10, but at the same time substantially prevents the air that's blown through the battery pack 10, which may carry moisture, dust, dirt, and other debris from then environment, from contaminating many of the electrical components of the battery pack 10.
  • dirty, dusty, or moist environments e.g., such as those often experienced when using outdoor power equipment or construction equipment
  • the cell reception slots 60 may be at least partially defined by slot walls 61 that completely or substantially surround sidewalls of the cells 20.
  • the cell reception slots 60 may include walls 61 that surround radial edges of the cells 20 over substantially all of the longitudinal length of the cells 20 when the top part 32 and bottom part 34 are joined together, thereby encasing the cell.
  • the cell reception slots 60 may be positioned relative to one another such that at least some sidewall portions defining the cell reception slots 60 are in direct contact with, shared with, or essentially part of, corresponding sidewall portions of adjacent cell reception slots.
  • Such intersections between cell reception slots 60 are still referred to herein as ribs 62.
  • the ribs 62 are formed by the intersection (or direct connection) of slot walls 61.
  • the ribs 62 could be formed by the insertion of material between the slot walls 61 of adjacent cell reception slots 60 in order to prevent airflow between the cell reception slots 60 joined by the respective ribs 62.
  • the material used to form the slot walls 61 and the ribs 62 may be thermally conductive material.
  • the ribs 62 could be formed of any material sufficient to prevent cross-flows from one airflow channel to another in the area between the corresponding joined cells.
  • FIGS. 2A-2C also illustrate how, in some embodiments, the walls 51 of the inlet air guide 50 may be configured to meet with the cell 20, slot wall 61, or end rib 63 at the end of the column located halfway between the fans 42 to prevent cross-flow of air from the inlet air guide 50 of one fan to the inlet air guide 50 of another fan.
  • a wall 53 in the outlet air guide 52 may be configured to meet with the cell 20, slot wall 61, or end rib 63 at the end of the column located halfway between the outlets to prevent cross-flow of air between the two outlet channels.
  • the figures also illustrate how embodiments of the outlet air guide 52 includes two channels taking air to either side of the battery pack and how these channels expand as they get closer to the outlets on the sides of the battery pack.
  • This expansion may help to keep a uniform unobstructed airflow from the airflow channels 70 into the outlet channel and then through the outlet channel in the direction of the side outlets since the outlet channel must handle a greater volume of air as it gets closer to the side outlets due to the additional air being added by each successive airflow channel 70.
  • FIG. IB illustrates one embodiment where the ribs and other walls of the cell retainer assembly are formed by ribs and walls of the bottom part 34 meeting with corresponding ribs and walls of the top part 32 to form the complete ribs and other walls.
  • the ribs and/or other walls may extend to their full heights from either the top part 32 or the bottom part 34.
  • the airflow channels 70 may be essentially straight. However, some minor curvature may be accommodated in some example embodiments.
  • FIG. 3 shows an embodiment where airflow channels 70' are formed that have a slightly wavy shape as airflow passes through the cell housing portion 54.
  • the structure of FIG. 3 may be achieved by offsetting alternating cells in each column slightly and moving the ribs 62' to portions of the cell reception slots 60 that are not directly opposite of each other of relative to the cells 20.
  • FIG. 3 creates a wavy flow path through the cell housing portion 54.
  • cross-flow is prevented between at least two adjacent cells (e.g., series connected cells or cells in the same column), while the overall direction of flow continues to be in a single direction (e.g., a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the cells 20).
  • the prevention of cross airflow between channels that is provided by employment of the ribs between the cells may cause a lower flow resistance within the battery pack 10.
  • a lower pressure may be employed for driving the same level of flow through the battery pack 10.
  • Achieving a lower driving pressure may mean that relatively common or standard axial fans may be used in some designs, and thus a large battery pack can be cooled with relatively low cost fans.
  • some special instances may benefit from the removal of one or more ribs to allow a small amount of cross flow in certain areas. This type of modification may be used in limited circumstances to avoid significant increases in driving pressure while allowing flow to provide additional cooling to some areas that may be hot spots.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the battery pack 10 incorporated into a backpack battery 100 in accordance with an example embodiment
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a partially exploded view of the backpack battery pack 110 according to an example embodiment
  • the backpack battery 100 is a battery pack configured to be worn on the user's back during operation.
  • the backpack battery pack 110 may affixed to straps 105 or another harness that may be usable to attach the backpack battery 100 to the user's back.
  • the backpack battery pack 110 may be oriented such that an upper end 102 thereof is oriented upward and a lower end 104 thereof is oriented downward.
  • the backpack battery pack 110 may also have sidewalls 106 that extend between the upper end 102 and the lower end 104 along sides of the backpack battery pack 110.
  • the sidewalls 106 may form part of a battery pack housing 120, which may form a rigid casing or housing around the battery pack 10.
  • the battery pack 10 may be oriented such that the fans 42 are proximate to the lower end 104 of the backpack battery pack 110.
  • an inlet screen 124 through which incoming air may be drawn may also be disposed at the lower end 104 of the backpack battery pack 110.
  • the inlet screen 124 may be disposed such that it is oriented downward when the backpack battery pack 110 is worn on the user's back so that incoming air is drawn upward and the fans 42 are less exposed to the elements (e.g., rain and falling debris). Air is therefore passed through channels (e.g., airflow channels 70) that are oriented vertically when worn on the user's back.
  • the inlet and the airflow channels may both be aligned vertically, while the outlet of the air is oriented horizontally.
  • the air may be rejected out of an outlet screen 122 that may be disposed in portions of the sidewalls 106 that are proximate to the upper end 102. Since the outlet screen 122 is oriented to the side of the backpack battery pack 110, again rain, falling debris and/or other potential contaminants may be inhibited from entering the battery pack housing 120. In some cases, two outlet screens 122 may be provided such that they allow air to exit the backpack battery pack 110 in opposite directions to distribute ejected air behind and away from the user.
  • inlet screen 122 and outlet screen 124 also enables the battery pack 10 to be shielded by the user's body at least in part from debris or other environmental materials that may be stirred via operation of the equipment powered by the battery pack 10 since such equipment powered by the battery pack 10 is typically utilized in front of the user.
  • the backpack battery pack 110 may further include a start button 112 disposed at a portion of a top cover 128 of the battery pack housing 120.
  • LED lights 114 may also be provided to indicate an operational state of the backpack battery pack 110 and/or provide information about thermal properties of the backpack battery pack 110.
  • the cell retainer of the battery pack 10 may be disposed below the top cover 128 of the battery pack housing 120 and may be mated with a bottom cover 126. As such, the cell retainer may be completely enclosed between the bottom cover 126 and the top cover 128.
  • Connectors 127 may be provided at various locations in order to facilitate fixing the bottom cover 126 to the top cover 128.
  • a handle 129 may be provided at the upper end 102 of the battery pack housing 120 to enable the user to carry the backpack battery pack 110 when it is not strapped to the user's back.
  • seals may be provided proximate to the inlet screen 124 (or the outlet screen 122) between the battery pack housing 120 and the cell retainer to further inhibit the entry of air, moisture and debris between the battery pack housing 120 and cell retainer.
  • one or more fuse elements 118 may be provided between the battery pack 10 and the equipment that is powered thereby.
  • a PCB 117 may be provided with control circuitry that may be used to control the application of electrical power from the battery pack 10.
  • some embodiments may provide a battery pack including a cell housing and a plurality of cell reception slots disposed therein.
  • the cell housing may be configured to retain a plurality of battery cells.
  • the plurality of cell reception slots may be disposed within the cell housing to receive respective ones of the battery cells.
  • the cell reception slots may be disposed within the cell housing to define at least one fluid flow channel extending substantially in a first direction through the cell housing.
  • the fluid flow channel may be defined at least partially by a rib connecting at least two adjacent cell reception slots to enable heat removal from cells disposed in the at least two adjacent cell reception slots responsive to movement of a fluid through the fluid flow channel and to prevent a cross-flow of fluid between the at least two adjacent cell reception slots in a direction other than the first direction.
  • modifications or amplifications may further be employed including (1), the cell reception slots may be disposed in a same plane to hold the cells such that a longitudinal centerline of each one of the cells is parallel to a longitudinal centerline of other ones of the cells.
  • the cell reception slots may be disposed in at least two columns within the cell housing such that the cell reception slots of each cell in a same column are directly connected to each other by respective ribs to form respective sidewalls of the fluid flow channel.
  • the ribs may be formed on substantially opposite sides of the cell reception slots to form a substantially straight flowpath through the fluid flow channel or may be formed (3) less than 180 degrees away from each other on opposing sides of the cell reception slots to form a substantially wavy flowpath through the fluid flow channel.
  • none, any or all of modifications/amplifications (1) to (3) may be employed and the first direction may be substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the cell reception slots, or the first direction may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the cell reception slots.
  • the battery pack may further include a fan configured to operate to force air through the fluid flow channel.
  • the cell housing forms a portion of a cell retainer assembly, where the cell retainer assembly includes a top part forming substantially a top half of the cell retainer assembly and a bottom part forming substantially a bottom half of the cell retainer assembly.
  • the top part and bottom parts fit together to form the cell retainer assembly, and the cell retainer assembly defines the cell housing, an inlet flow guide distributing air into a plurality of fluid flow channels in the first direction and an outlet flow guide for directing air exiting from the fluid flow channels to a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
  • the cell housing forms a portion of a cell retainer assembly.
  • the cell retainer assembly may further include a fan housing integrally formed as a portion of the cell retainer assembly.
  • the battery pack may be provided in a backpack of a battery powered outdoor power equipment device.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a method of thermally managing a battery pack in accordance with an example embodiment. It should be appreciated that some embodiments of the invention may make cooling a battery pack easier when several cells or groups of cells need to be employed.
  • a method of providing cooling to a battery pack may include providing a cell housing configured to retain a plurality of battery cells at operation 200 and forming a plurality of cell reception slots disposed within the cell housing to receive respective ones of the battery cells at operation 210.
  • the cell reception slots may be disposed within the cell housing to define at least one fluid flow channel extending substantially in a first direction through the cell housing
  • the fluid flow channel may be defined at least partially by a rib connecting at least two adjacent cell reception slots to enable heat removal from cells disposed in the at least two adjacent cell reception slots responsive to movement of a fluid through the fluid flow channel and to prevent a cross-flow of fluid between the at least two adjacent cell reception slots in a direction other than the first direction.
  • the operations above may be modified or amplified, and/or additional operations may be included in the method.
  • the method may further include forcing air through the fluid flow channel via a fan at operation 220.
  • forming the plurality of cell reception slots may include forming each subsequent rib substantially 180 degrees apart from each previous rib relative to a periphery of the cell reception slots or forming each subsequent rib less than 180 degrees apart from each previous rib relative to a periphery of the cell reception slots.
  • any or all of the modifications discussed above may be provided and forming the cell reception slots may include forming the cell reception slots within a cell retainer that includes a top part forming substantially a top half of the cell retainer assembly and a bottom part forming substantially a bottom half of the cell retainer assembly.
  • the top part and bottom parts may fit together to form the cell retainer assembly.
  • the cell retainer assembly may define the cell housing, an inlet flow guide distributing air into a plurality of fluid flow channels in the first direction and an outlet flow guide for directing air exiting from the fluid flow channels to a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)

Abstract

Le bloc-batterie de l'invention peut comprendre un logement d'éléments conçu pour retenir une pluralité d'éléments de batterie, et une pluralité de fentes de réception ménagées dans le logement d'éléments pour recevoir des éléments de batterie respectifs. Les fentes de réception d'éléments peuvent être configurées dans le logement d'éléments pour délimiter au moins un canal d'écoulement de fluide s'étendant sensiblement dans une première direction à travers le logement d'éléments. Le canal d'écoulement de fluide peut être délimité au moins partiellement par une nervure reliant au moins deux fentes de réception d'éléments adjacentes pour permettre le transfert thermique depuis des éléments disposés dans lesdites au moins deux fentes de réception d'éléments adjacentes, en réaction au déplacement d'un fluide à travers le canal d'écoulement de fluide, et pour contrecarrer un écoulement transversal de fluide entre les lesdites au moins deux fentes de réception d'éléments adjacentes, dans une direction autre que la première direction.
EP12788578.8A 2012-03-19 2012-11-23 Système de gestion thermique d'un bloc-batterie Ceased EP2828908A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12788578.8A EP2828908A1 (fr) 2012-03-19 2012-11-23 Système de gestion thermique d'un bloc-batterie

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2012/054846 WO2013139371A1 (fr) 2012-03-19 2012-03-19 Système de support pour source d'énergie portée sur le dos, source d'énergie et ensemble source d'énergie portée sur le dos
PCT/EP2012/054847 WO2013139372A1 (fr) 2012-03-19 2012-03-19 Adaptateur de courant pour outils électriques sans fil
EP12788578.8A EP2828908A1 (fr) 2012-03-19 2012-11-23 Système de gestion thermique d'un bloc-batterie
PCT/EP2012/073444 WO2013139409A1 (fr) 2012-03-19 2012-11-23 Système de gestion thermique d'un bloc-batterie

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2828908A1 true EP2828908A1 (fr) 2015-01-28

Family

ID=52113096

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12788578.8A Ceased EP2828908A1 (fr) 2012-03-19 2012-11-23 Système de gestion thermique d'un bloc-batterie

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2828908A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPWO2021064950A1 (fr) * 2019-10-03 2021-04-08

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *
See also references of WO2013139409A1 *

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPWO2021064950A1 (fr) * 2019-10-03 2021-04-08
EP3823082A4 (fr) * 2019-10-03 2021-11-10 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Module de batterie, unité d'alimentation électrique et machine de travail
JP7339354B2 (ja) 2019-10-03 2023-09-05 本田技研工業株式会社 バッテリモジュール、電動パワーユニット、および作業機

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