SE545744C2

SE545744C2 - A cell carrier for a battery pack

Info

Publication number: SE545744C2
Application number: SE2150774A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Csaba Dobi; Rodyn Gilharry
Original assignee: Northvolt Ab
Priority date: 2021-04-13
Filing date: 2021-06-16
Publication date: 2023-12-27
Also published as: SE2150774A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cell carrier (14; 24, 28; 44) for supporting at least one battery stack (13; 33) comprising a plurality of battery cells (11). The cell carrier is further provided with at least one spacer (15; 25) arranged to a first side of the carrier plate (16; 26; 46), the first side configured to face a first battery stack of the at least one battery stack (13; 33) and each spacer (15: 25) is configured to be positioned between adjacent battery cells (11) to provide a predetermined gap (17) when mounted to a first battery stack of the at least one battery stack (13; 33). The invention also relates to a battery array comprising at least two cell carriers, a battery assembly comprising a plurality of battery arrays, and a vehicle comprising a battery assembly.

Description

A CELL CARRIER FOR A BATTERY PACK TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the field of battery packs or battery modules, and more particular to battery packs or battery modules for electric applications. BACKGROUND Battery packs for electric applications have been used for an extended period of time, and there has always been a challenge to optimize the construction based on energy density, weight and volume. Traditionally, a battery pack comprises a plurality of interconnected battery modules, wherein each battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells. However, the weight and volume required to integrate a large number of battery cells using battery modules into a battery pack is a disadvantage when optimizing the construction.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved construction requiring less weight and volume when integrating battery cells into a large scale battery pack. SUMMARY An object of the present disclosure is to provide structural details of a battery pack which seeks to mitigate, alleviate, or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination and to provide a battery pack.

This object is obtained by a cell carrier for supporting at least one battery stack comprising a plurality of battery cells. The cell carrier comprises at least one spacer arranged to a first side of the carrier plate, wherein the first side is configured to face a first battery stack of the at least one battery stack. Each spacer is configured to be positioned between adjacent battery cells to provide a predetermined gap when mounted to the first battery stack of the at least one battery stack.

An advantage with the cell carrier is to improve the cell to pack assembly process and provide a structural connection to the chassis or pack frame.

According to an aspect, a battery assembly comprising a frame with a plurality of compartments, each compartment being configured to receive a battery array. Each battery array comprises at 2 least one battery stack comprising a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of cell carriers mounted to opposing sides of each battery stack.

An advantage with the battery assembly is that the weight of the battery assembly, i.e. battery pack or battery module, is reduced, and the cost for manufacturing is reduced.

Further aspects and advantages may be obtained by a skilled person from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of the example embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the example embodiments.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example embodiment of a one-dimensional battery array; Figure 2 is an exploded top view of an example embodiment of two-dimensional battery array; Figure 3 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a two-dimensional battery array; Figure 4a is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a one-dimensional battery array; Figure 4b is an alternative example embodiment of a cell carrier; Figure 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a battery pack; Figure 6a is an exploded perspective view of an example embodiment of a battery pack; Figure 6b is a perspective view of the assembled example embodiment of Figure 6a; Figure 7a is a perspective view of a battery array suitable to be mounted in the battery pack of Figures 6a and 6b; Figure 7b is a enlarge portion of Figure 7a; Figure 8 is a first cross-sectional view of the battery pack of figure 6b; Figure 9 is a second cross-sectional view of the battery pack of figure 6b; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a cooling plate suitable to be mounted to the battery pack of Figures 6a and 6b;Figures 11a and 11b illustrate an alternative example embodiment of a battery cell assembly with integrated end caps; Figure 12 illustrate a battery module with battery cells of figures 11a and 11b; Figures 13a and 13b illustrate an example embodiment of a first end cap; Figures 14a and 14b illustrates an example embodiment of a first endplate; Figure 15 illustrates an example embodiment of a second endplate; Figures 16a-16d illustrate steps of assembling a battery module of figure 12; and Figure 17 illustrates an example embodiment of how to interconnect the parts of the battery module of figure Figures 18a and 18b illustrate an example embodiment of a second end cap; Figure 19 illustrates an example embodiment of how to mechanically interconnect two adjacent battery cell assemblies of figures 11a and 11b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The apparatus disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forth herein.

Like numbers in the drawings refer to like elements throughout.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects ofthe disclosure only, and is not intended to limit the invention. 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.

Some of the example embodiments presented herein are directed towards battery assemblies, i.e. battery packs or battery modules, with cell carriers. The battery assemblies comprises battery cells, which may be prismatic cells (in particular lithium-ion secondary battery cells) and the example embodiments of the battery packs and battery modules may be used for electric vehicles.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example embodiment of a one-dimensional battery array 10 comprising six battery cells 11 and five insulation pads 12, i.e. separators, arranged in a battery stack 13. The battery stack has a length "L" and a depth "D". The battery array 10 further comprises two cell carriers 14, each intended to be mounted to opposing sides 4 of the battery stack 13. Each cell carrier 14 comprises a carrier plate 16 having a width "W" corresponding to the length "L" of the battery stack 13 and a height "H" corresponding to the depth "D" of each battery cell On a first side of each cell carrier 14, five spacers 15 are provided in the shape of protrusions extending along the height "H" of the cell carrier, each spacer being configured to provide a predetermined gap 17 between adjacent battery cells 11 when mounted to the battery stack 13. Each insulation pad 12 is configured to be as wide as the height "H" of the cell carriers 14, and to fill out the gap between adjacent battery cells 11 when the cell carriers are mounted to the cell stack Figure 2 is an exploded top view of an example embodiment of two-dimensional battery array 20 comprising two battery stacks 13, as previously described in connection with figure 1, and a first type of cell carrier 24 (similar to the cell carrier 14 previously disclosed) and a second type of cell carrier 28 configured to support two battery stacks 13. The first type of cell carrier 24 comprises a carrier plate 15, five spacers 15 and fastening means 21 in the shape of holes for fastening means, e.g. screws, bolts etc. The second type of cell carriers 28 comprises a carrier plate 26 with five spacers 25 attached to opposing sides (i.e. a first side and a second side) of the carrier plate and fastening means 22 at each end of the cell carrier in the lengthwise direction. ln this embodiment, insulation pads 12 are used as cell separators which may be precompressed in the cell stack before the cell carriers 24 and 28 are mounted to the battery stacks Figure 3 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a two-dimensional battery array 30 similar to the two-dimensional battery array in figure 2. However, in this example no insulation pads are used and the cell separator 32 is provided by a potting material, e.g. liquid foam, epoxy, PU, silicone etc., dispensing the void created between the battery cells 11 when the cell carriers 24 and 28 are mounted to the battery cells 11. Thus, battery stacks 33 are created in situ when filling the void.

Figure 4a is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a one-dimensional battery array 40 comprising the battery stack 13 (as previously described in connection with figure 1) and two cell carriers 44. Each cell carrier 44 comprises in this example a carrier plate 46 provided with two openings 47 to reduce the weight and amount of material, as well as the cost for manufacture. However, any number of openings or cut-outs may be implemented to achieve the same functionality. Each cell carrier 44 further comprises five spacers 15 arranged to a first side of the carrier plate lt should be noted that the cell carriers are bonded to the battery stack when mounted, which provides a flexible option in terms of tolerances compensation and safety. Furthermore, the front and rear side of the cell 11 provide the most surface area to distribute the load and act as shear planes. They are also dimensionally stable.

Figure 4b illustrates an alternative configuration of a cell carrier 48 suitable to be mounted to the battery stack in figure 4a. The cell carrier 48 comprises five spacers 15 having a length L1 corresponding to the depth D of the battery stack and being arranged to a first side of a narrow carrier plate 49. ln this embodiment a height, H1, of the carrier plate 49 is less than the length L1 of the spacers.

Figure 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a battery pack 50 comprising a frame 51 with a plurality of compartments by means of internal walls 54 and 55. For instance one compartment 53 may be used for electronic control systems, such as a power box, and some compartments may be configured to receive a battery array as previously disclosed. The frame 51 may be a part of an application, such as a car or other type of vehicle (not shown). ln this example battery arrays as described in connection with figures 2 or 3 may be used. The battery arrays are bolted into the frame using screws 52 via the fastening means 21 and 22 to secure the battery cells 11 to the frame 51, and foam dispensing (or any other type of potting material) may be used to fill the space 56 between each battery array and the frame and the walls. lt should be noted that cell carriers provide smaller sub-assemblies, act as a load transfer interface between the frame and cells, and provide controlled cell spacing.

An example embodiment of a battery pack will now be described in connection with figures 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8 9 and 10. This is a modular design in which battery cells 11 are preassembled onto cell carriers (as previously described) to form 2-dimensional cell arrays. The cell carriers form the main interface between the battery pack and the battery cells.

The cell carriers assist in:- insulate the cell electrically from the frame of the battery pack - insulate the cell thermally from the frame of the battery pack - provide a structural connection to the battery pack via bonding - provide additional mounting points for cooling plate, cover lid, LV harness, etc. - create an intermediate assembly step to improve cycle time The cell carriers can be made from insulated metal, plastic or syntactic foam depending on level of structural performance and cost requirements. A separate compartment may be provided for housing components for electrical management.

Figure 6a is an exploded perspective view of an example embodiment of a battery pack 60 comprising a plurality of battery cells 11, between which a separator (cell insulation) 12 is provided. Cell carriers 68, 69 are provided to arrange the battery cells into cell arrays, as illustrated below. The cell arrays are placed in a frame 64 and a cooling plate 61 is placed under the frame 64 in thermal contact with the battery arrays. The cooling plate is provided with an inlet 62 and two outlets 63, but other types of configurations may be implemented.

Thermal Runaway, TR, pads 65 are provided on top ofthe battery cells under the pack cover 66, which provided with vent channels and TR gases escape vents 67, e.g. burst disks. I\/|ounting points for securing the cell arrays are provided in the cell carriers 68, Figure 6b is a perspective view of the assembled example embodiment of the battery packin Figure 6a.

Figure 7a is a perspective view of a battery array 70 suitable to be mounted in the battery pack 60 of Figures 6a and 6b. Cell carriers 68 are mounted to the sides of the cell array 70, and a material used for reducing noise, vibration, and harshness, NVH material 71, is provided on the outside of the cell carrier 68. The NVH material is intended to be compressed between battery frame and cell array 70 when mounted.

The cell carrier 69 is mounted in the middle between the two stacks of battery cells 11. Cell insulation 12 is provided on the outside of the battery cell at the open side of each stack to electrically isolate the battery cell from the frame when mounted. Figure 7b is a enlarge portion 7 of the cell array 70 of Figure 7a, in which it is illustrated how the cell 11 is bonded to three surfaces 72 of the cell carrier Figure 8 is a first cross-sectional view of the battery pack 60 of figure 6b, illustrating a cell 11 being bonded to a first cell carrier 68 and a second cell carrier 69. A frame 64 is arranged to the first cell carrier 68 and a flange 81 on the frame 64 bonds directly to the cell 11. The cooling plate 61 is positioned under the battery cell 11 via a thermally conductive adhesive 85 that bonds the cooling plate 61 to the cells The first cell carrier is bolted 84 to the frame 64 and the cell 11 is bonded 83 to the cell carrier 68. A TR pad gap filler 82 is provided between the battery cell 11 and the gas channel and TR gases escape vent 67, which are integrated in the pack cover Figure 9 is a second cross-sectional view of the battery pack 60 of figure 6b illustrating TR gas route. The battery pack 60 is in this example provided with gas channels stamped into the pack cover 66 to route the exhaust gases outside the battery pack in a thermal event. Vent valves/burst disks 67 are provided and in the event of a cell Thermal Runaway, the TR pad captures any ejected debris and electrolyte 91 to minimize propagation to neighboring cells. The gas is routed via the gas channels, as indicated by 92 to a vent valve/burst disk 67 to the surrounding space.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a cooling plate 61 suitable to be mounted to the battery pack 60 of Figures 6a and 6b with one inlet 62 and two outlets 63. By having multiple cooling loops 100 for the battery pack 60, the cooling performance can be optimized to reduce the temperature difference AT between battery cells. ln this example six cooling loops 100, one for each battery array 70, is provided.

The flow area of each inlet and outlet loop can be tailored to keep the flow constant in each cooling loop. Outlet loops can be combined into one loop if necessary by looping the return flow around the perimeter of the cooling plate 61. The described example embodiment of the battery pack 60 has the following advantages: 0 A cell carrier insulate the battery cell from the battery frame by surrounding it on all sides on both corners.0 The cell carrier allows for the cells to be pre-assembled in stacks. The level of assembly is flexible and can include the sub-assembly of busbars and insulation pads between cells. 0 The cell insulation can be installed as pads or dispensed as potting material. 0 The insulation between the cell stacks and frame may be dispensed as either a liquid foam or potting material. 0 By bolting the cell carriers directly to the frame, it allows for the assembly sequence to be flexible and no longer requires the cooling plate to be pre-installed to the frame to form a 'tub'. lt also gives better control of build tolerances.

Figures 11a-b to figure 17 illustrate an alternative example embodiment of a battery module having similar functionalities as described above in connection with the battery pack in figures 1- Figures 11a and 11b illustrate an example embodiment of a battery cell assembly 100 comprising a battery cell 11 and end caps 103 and 104 made from an electrically insulating material, e.g. plastic material. The battery cell 11 is provided with two terminals 101 and 102 and may be provided with a thermal runaway, TR, cell Wrap 108. Further, the battery cell assembly 100 comprises a compression pad 105 and in this example two adhesive strings 106 to securely attached the side of the battery cell assembly 100 to an adjacent battery cell assembly or an endplate (as illustrated below). lt should be noted that the position of the adhesive may vary dependent on the application and manufacturing requirements.

The compression pads 105 is used in-between battery cells when mounted in the battery module to compensate for cell swelling and provide some support to the battery cell. The end caps 103 and 104 have a rigid structure and do not only insulate electrically and thermally but acts as a compression limiter to prevent over-compression of the compression pad during cell assembly (pre-compression). The aim is to obtain uniform cell pre-compression and having a hard stop in the end caps 103 and 104 provide this.

A first end cap 103 may be provided with protrusions 107 to improve the assembly process as described in connection with figure 17, and a second end cap 104 is substantially a mirror image of the first end cap 103. A more detailed description of the first end cap 103 will be provided in 9 connection with figures 13a and 13b, and a more detailed description of the second end cap 104 will be provided in connection with figures 18a and 18b.

Figure 12 illustrates a battery module 120 with a cell stack of battery cell assemblies 100 of figures 11a and 11b. The battery module comprises a cover 121, a busbar assembly 129, the cell stack 122 and a frame 123. The frame 123 comprises a front plate assembly 124a, side plates 125 and a rear assembly 127, and optionally a middle beam 128. An optional bottom plate (not shown) and the cover 121 may be configured to enclose the battery cell assemblies as illustrated in connection with figure 16a-16d. The battery cell assembly 100 is a structural part of the battery module and the end caps assist in connecting the cell side walls to the frame and to a neighboring cell. The end caps aid in assembly of the battery module by splitting the bonded interfaces to a sub-assembly level and providing some gap control during adhesive compression.

Figures 13a and 13b illustrate two side views of the first end cap 103 having a first side wall 131, a second side wall 132 and a top wall 133. The first end cap 103 is provided with adhesives 134 on the inside of the first and second side walls 131, 132, and an adhesive 137 on the inside of the top wall 133, to bond the end cap to three sides of the battery cell when mounted. Furthermore, the first side wall is provided with an adhesive 135 on an outside to bond to an adjacent battery cell, and the second side wall is provided with an adhesive 136 to bond to the side plates when mounted. Please note that there may also be one or more protrusions 107 on the outside of the second side wall.

Figures 18a and 18b illustrate two side views of the second end cap 104a 104b having a first side wall 181, a second side wall 182 and a top wall 183. The end cap 104a, 104b is provided with adhesives 184 on the inside of the first and second side walls 181, 182, and an adhesive 187 on the inside ofthe top wall 183, to bond the end cap to three sides ofthe battery cell when mounted. Furthermore, the first side wall is also provided with an adhesive 185 on an outside to bond to an adjacent battery cell, and the second side wall is optionally provided with an adhesive 186 to bond to the middle beam if mounted. Please note that there may also be a lip 188a and 188b respectively provided on the second wall 182, which is configured to mechanically interlock with a mating end cap of an adjacent battery cell arranged to the side as illustrated in Figure 18b and Figure Figures 14a and 14b illustrates an example embodiment of a front plate assembly 124a comprising a first corrugated plate 140 and a flat plate 141. The first corrugated plate and the second flat140 are preferably made from steel and welded together.

Figure 15 illustrates an example embodiment of a rear assembly 127 comprising a rear plate assembly 124b which may be identical to the front plate assembly 124a, spacers 126 bonded to the second flat plate of the rear plate assembly 124b, compression pads 196 positioned between spacers 126 and adhesive strings 106 to bond to cell stack 122. Figures 16a-16d illustrate steps of assembling a battery module of figure ln figure 16a, the middle beam 128 is attached to the front plate assembly 124a, e.g. by welding, or bolted to the front plate assembly 124a using bolts 160 as illustrated. Battery cell assemblies 100 are thereafter mounted and adhesive strings are bonded to front plate 124a or adjacent battery cell assembly 100 and the adhesive on the outside of the end caps will be bonded to the middle beam 128/front plate 124a or middle beam 128/adjacent battery cell assembly 100. The middle beam is optional, but will provide a more rigid structure of the battery module when included. ln figure 16b, the rear assembly 127 is bolted to the middle beam 128 using bolts 161 and the adhesive on the rear assembly 127 will bond to the last battery cell assemblies 100 on the battery stack. ln figure 16c, side plates 125 are bonded to end caps, and may be positioned using the protrusions 107 provided in the end cap 103 to guide the side plates 125 and to provide additional means to secure the side plates 125 to the battery cell assemblies 100, as illustrated in Figure 17. However, the main functionality ofthe protrusions are to help hold the side plates in position after compression of the adhesive by 'heat staking' the plastic pillars and deforming them. ln figure 16d, the cover 121 is secured to the frame using rivet tabs 163, as well as bolted to middle beam using bolts 162 if a middle beam is provided in the frame. Furthermore, adhesive may be provided to bond the cover to the top surface of the end caps on the battery cell assemblies, the front plate assembly and the rear assembly. 11 Optionally, a bottom plate (not shown) may be provided to further increase the structural design.

Figure 17 i||ustrates an example embodiment of how to interconnect the parts of the battery module of figure 12. I\/|etal tabs 171 may be integrated in the side plate 125, and folded to secure the cover 121. The side plate 125 may be welded to the front plate assembly 124a, as indicated by 170, and the protrusions 107 may be deformed (heat staked plastic pins) to maintain adhesive compression as it cures.

The end caps will create cell carriers similar to what is disclosed in connection with figures 1-when several battery cell assemblies are bonded together, as can be seen in figure 16b.

Figure 19 i||ustrates an example embodiment of how to mechanically interconnect two adjacent battery cell assemblies described in connection with figures 11a and 11b. The battery module 120 is positioned up-side down and the enlarged portion in Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical interconnection between the battery cell assemblies 100-1 and 100- The battery cell assembly 100-1 is provided with a second end cap 104a with a first tab 188a, and the battery cell assembly 100-2 is provided with a second end cap 104b with second tab 188b configured to mechanically interlock the second tab 188b to the first tab 188a. Preferably, the end caps are made from plastic material suitable for ultrasonic welding and the tabs 188a and 188b are ultrasonic welded together to lock geometry while adhesive cures to establish a firm connection between the two battery cell assemblies. Optionally a middle beam 128, or a cooling plate, is positioned between the end caps and adhesives (indicated by reference numerals 190) may be provided to further improve structural integrity. This disclosure relates to a cell carrier for supporting at least one battery stack comprising a plurality of battery cells. The cell carrier comprises at least one spacer arranged to a first side of the carrier plate, wherein the first side configured to face a first battery stack ofthe at least one battery stack. Each spacer is configured to be positioned between adjacent battery cells to provide a predetermined gap when mounted to the first battery stack of the at least one battery stack. Thus, a spacer is provided to be inserted between adjacent battery cells in the battery stack. When the battery stack comprises six battery cells, the cell carrier comprises five spacers (i.e. one less than the number of battery cells in the stack). The carrier plate also has a thickness to give the carrier plate structural integrity when the at least one protrusion is arranged on the carrier plate. 12 According to some aspects, the ca rrier plate has a width corresponding to a length of the battery stack and a height corresponding to a depth of each battery cell in the battery stack.

According to some aspects, each spacer comprises at least one protrusion, each protrusion having a thickness corresponding to the predetermined gap. Furthermore, the length of the protrusion is advantageously long enough to provide stability to the battery cell when mounted and as an example be approximately halfthe height of the battery cell.

According to some aspects, each spacer comprises a single protrusion extending along the length of the cell carrier. According to another aspect, each spacer comprises several protrusions arranged in the same direction providing the predetermined gap along the length of the cell carrier.

According to some aspects, the cell carrier further comprises fastening means, which may be used to secure a battery array provided with cell carriers to a battery pack.

According to some aspects, the cell carrier is further provided with at least one cell spacer arranged to a second side, opposite to the first side, of the carrier plate and configured to provide a predetermined gap between adjacent battery cells when mounted to a second battery stack of the at least one battery stack.

According to some aspects, the carrier plate is provided with one or more openings to reduce the weight and manufacturing costs.

According to some aspects, the cell carrier comprises an electrically insulated material configured to provide electric isolation between adjacent cells when mounted to the at least one battery stack.

According to some aspects, the cell carrier comprises an insulating coating, e.g. a plastic outer layer, to provide electrical insulation, wherein the cell carrier is made from a solid plastic material with insulating properties.

This disclosure also relates to a battery array comprises at least one battery stack comprising a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of cell carriers mounted to opposing sides of each battery stack. 13 According to some aspects, the battery stack further comprises a separator arranged between each battery cell and configured to fill out the space between the cell carriers arranged on opposing sides of the battery stack. The separator is made from an electrically insulated material, e.g. insulation pads, and may be inserted between each battery cell before the cell carriers are mounted to the battery stack. Alternatively, the separator is introduced by liquid foam dispensing after the cell carriers are mounted to the battery stack.

This disclosure also relates to a battery assembly comprising a frame with a plurality of compartments, each compartment being configured to receive a battery array, which may be bolted into the frame using screws. According to some aspects, the battery assembly is a battery pack or a battery module.

This disclosure further relates to a vehicle comprising a battery assembly, wherein the frame in the battery assembly may be an integrated part of the vehicle.

The description of the example embodiments provided herein have been presented for purposes of illustration. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit example embodiments to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various alternatives to the provided embodiments. The examples discussed herein were chosen and described in order to explain the principles and the nature of various example embodiments and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the example embodiments in various manners and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The features of the embodiments described herein may be combined in all possible combinations of apparatus, modules and systems. lt should be appreciated that the example embodiments presented herein may be practiced in any combination with each other. lt should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. lt should further be noted that any |ll reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, and that severa means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware. 14 ln the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments. However, many variations and modifications can be made to these embodiments. Accordingly, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the embodiments being defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A cell carrier (14; 24, 28; 44) for supporting at least one battery stack (13,' 33) comprising a plurality of battery cells (11), characterized in that the cell carrier is provided with at least one spacer (15, 25) arranged to a first side of a carrier plate (16,' 26; 46), wherein the first side is configured to face a first battery stack of the at least one battery stack (13,' 33), and each spacer (15: 25) is configured to be positioned between adjacent battery cells (11) to provide a predetermined gap (17) when mounted to the first battery stack of the at least one battery stack (13,' 33), wherein each spacer (15, 25) comprises at least one protrusion, each protrusion having a thickness corresponding to the predetermined gap (17).

2. The cell carrier according to claim 1, wherein each spacer (15, 25) comprises a single protrusion.

3. The cell carrier according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the cell carrier (24, 28) further comprises fastening means (21, 22).

4. The cell carrier according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the cell carrier (28) is further provided with at least one cell spacer (25) arranged to a second side, opposite to the first side, of the carrier plate (26) and configured to provide a predetermined gap (17) between adjacent battery cells (11) when mounted to a second battery stack of the at least one battery stack (13,' 33).

5. The cell carrier according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the carrier plate (46) is provided with one or more openings (47).

6. The cell carrier according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the cell carrier comprises an electrically insulated material configured to provide electric isolation between adjacent cells when mounted to the at least one battery stack (13; 33).

7. The cell carrier according to claim 6, wherein the cell carrier comprises a plastic outer layer to provide electrical insulation, wherein the cell carrier is made from a solid plastic material with insulating properties.

8. The cell carrier according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the cell carrier comprises a carrier plate (16; 26; 46) having a width (W) corresponding to a length (L) of the battery stack (13; 33) and a height (H) corresponding to a depth (D) of each battery cell (11) in the battery stack (13; 33).

9. The cell carrier according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the cell carrier (14; 24, 28; 44) is made from a single piece. .m ...Wi A-w :wvﬁ Mm ..\.\.«' f u- ny: »Wo \.~~.-~») sn-H-Ã +-\ iﬂ v\1\ * š-WÅ šw -~ “i “år +{~.- vxl *w lqë- ' n; EQAJP? v ~- l: i ~ . r- un e, ~ ~ »z mh., Fru-unc:- :w nu. :- : w. lwwr in 'ë-É* f mn .l *f v c* JR) fïq 'ÉÜ 'lä f vw v :-'.~\ f: if få w. lida “film Éwm *MN i* f M4 ^}'.~\ 'fl m r lmr~§É+w f f: š~^z++ vx v ..~\.i.\.:w_.\.i~¿\..< _ .._.._._, _n.- _ _ .SJ ~.x_._-.v .n . w _.1c\.._.s_, x .:.§ su: .y _,~:<\.._. . .~ _ . 10%. A battery array (10; 20; 30; 40) comprises at least one battery stack (13; 33) comprising a plurality of battery cells (11) and a plurality of cell carriers (14; 24, 28; 44) according to any one of claims l-g-šiåš, mounted to opposing sides of each battery stack (13; 33). lglšè. The battery array according to claim lQâw, wherein the battery stack (13) further comprises a separator (12; 105) arranged between each battery cell (11) and configured to fill out the space between the cell carriers (14; 24, 28; 44). A battery assembly (50; 120) comprising a frame (51) with a plurality of compartments, each compartment being configured to receive a battery array (10; 20; 30; 40) according to claim lg; or 1 gta.lššß. The battery assembly according to claim lgå, wherein the battery assembly is a battery pack (50) or a battery module (120) lffiêš. A vehicle comprising a battery assembly according to claim.