THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) & The Patents Rules 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (SECTION 10 and Rule 13)

1. Title of the Invention:

A SUPPORT MEMBER AND A BATTERY PACK WITH THE SAME

2. Applicants: a. Name: Bosch Limited

Nationality: INDIA

Address: Post Box No 3000, Hosur Road, Adugodi, Bangalore

- 560030, Karnataka, India b. Name: Robert Bosch GmbH Nationality: GERMANY

Address: Stuttgart, Feuerbach, Germany

Complete Specification:

The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed: Field of the invention:

[0001] The present invention relates to a support member and a battery pack employing the support member.

Background of the invention:

[0002] A patent literature US2018212214 discloses battery module, power tool, and electronic apparatus. A battery module includes a plurality of flat or square type batteries that each have a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a holder that has an opening, and retains the batteries in such a manner that the positive terminal and the negative terminal are positioned toward the opening, and that the principal surfaces of the batteries face each other; a cover that is disposed over the opening; a circuit board that is disposed over the cover; and a plurality of connection members that are disposed between the cover and the circuit board to electrically connect the positive terminal and negative terminal. Some of the connection members retain a peripheral portion of the circuit board.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:

[0003] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawing,

[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a support member for a pouch cell based battery pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a different views of the support member, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:

[0006] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a support member for a pouch cell based battery pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The support member 110 comprises a surface to support plurality of the pouch cells 104 and located at a base of an enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100, characterized in that, the support member 110 comprises at least one feature selected from a group comprising, a first feature, a second feature and a third feature. The first feature comprises a plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the surface of the support member 110. The plurality of projection 120 positions the plurality of pouch cells 104 within the enclosure 102. The second feature comprises a plurality of primary groove 112 on the surface separated by partitions 114. The plurality of primary grooves 112 are provided between the two opposite ends across the surface. The partitions 114 comprises free end to seat the plurality of pouch cells 104. The third feature comprises a secondary groove 118 on a free end of each of the partition 114. In other words, the free end protrudes inside the enclosure 102. The secondary groove 118 is aligned between every pair of opposite projections 120, i.e. one projection 120 at one end and one projection 120 at other end. The surface of the support member 110 faces towards the inside of the enclosure 102 and is the part on which the first feature, the second feature and the third feature are provisioned.

[0007] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the support member 110 is provided with the first feature, or the second feature or the third feature or combination of the at least two of the first feature, the second feature and the third feature. Specifically, in an embodiment the support member 110 comprises the surface to support plurality of the pouch cells 104 and located at the base of the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100, characterized in that, the support member 110 comprises the plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the surface of the support member 110. Optionally, the support member 110 is provided with the plurality of primary groove 112 on the surface and separated by partitions 114 or/and the secondary groove 118 on the free end of each of the partition 114.

[0008] In another embodiment, the support member 110 comprises the surface to support plurality of the pouch cells 104 and located at the base of the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100, characterized in that, the support member 110 comprises the plurality of primary groove 112 on the surface and separated by partitions 114. Optionally, the support member 110 comprises the plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the surface of the support member 110 and/or the secondary groove 118 on the free end of each of the partition 114.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, the support member 110 comprises the surface to support plurality of the pouch cells 104 and located at the base of the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100, characterized in that, the support member 110 comprises the secondary groove 118 on the free end of each of the partition 114. Optionally, the support member 110 comprises the plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the surface of the support member 110 and/or the plurality of primary groove 112 on the surface and separated by partitions 114.

[0010] According to the present invention, the battery pack 100 is shown without the lid or cover, but the same must not be understood in limiting manner. The Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of the enclosure 102 and the support member 110. The enclosure 102 is open at one side where the stacked pouch cells 104 are visible with respective positive tabs 106 and negative tabs 108. Furthermore, a detailed view of the support member 110 and the dampener 116 is illustrated for clarity in understanding. The support member 110 comprises the plurality of projections 120 on two opposite ends of the surface.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support member 110 comprises plurality of partitions 114 separating plurality of primary grooves 112. The plurality of primary grooves 112 accommodates an extended foil of each of the plurality of pouch cells 104. Further, each of the partitions 114 comprises, secondary grooves 118 aligned and extended between every pair of the opposite projections 120.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each projection 120 of the plurality of projection 120 comprises a tapered edge/profile 122 (shown in doted circle). The tapered edges 122 of the opposite projections 120 are designed to face each other. Further, the pair of opposite projections 120 with tapered edges 122 accommodates pouch cells 104 with varying dimension of length/height and width within a predetermined range. The support member 110 also comprises an insert molded sleeves (not shown) for fastening to the columnar protrusion 124 (or a sloted ridge) provided on the internal surface of the enclosure 102. The columnar protrusion 124 is covered with the dampening sleeve (not numbered) to protect the edges of the pouch cells 104 from being damaged or ruptured or dented.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the secondary groove 118 is insertable with the dampener 116. The dampener 116 comprises a T-shaped flexible structure with a head 126 and a pine or corrugated surface/body 128.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support member 110 is any one of integrally formed with a back panel of the enclosure 102, and removably positioned on the back panel of the enclosure 102. The back panel is the part which closes the enclosure 102.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the batery pack 100 is provided. The batery pack 100 comprises the enclosure 102 and plurality of pouch cells 104 stacked inside the enclosure 102. The batery pack 100 also comprises the holder member to hold tabs/terminals of plurality of pouch cells 104 inside the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100, characterized in that, the batery pack 100 comprises the support member 110 to support plurality of pouch cells 104 at the base of the enclosure 102. The plurality of pouch cells 104 are held between the holder member and the support member 110. The support member 110 comprises at least one feature selected from a group comprising, the first feature, the second feature and the third feature. The first feature comprises the plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the surface of the support member 110. The plurality of projection 120 positions the plurality of pouch cells 104 within the enclosure 102. The second feature comprises the plurality of primary groove 112 on the surface separated by partitions 114. The third feature comprises the secondary groove 118 on the free end of each of the partition 114.

[0016] According to the present invention, the battery pack 100 is provided with either the first feature or the second feature or the third feature or combination of at least two of the first feature, the second feature and the third feature. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 100 comprises the enclosure 102 and plurality of pouch cells 104 stacked inside the enclosure 102. The battery pack 100 also comprises the holder member to hold tabs/terminals of plurality of pouch cells 104 inside the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100, characterized in that, the battery pack 100 comprises the support member 110 to support plurality of pouch cells 104 at the base of the enclosure 102. The plurality of pouch cells 104 are held between the holder member and the support member 110. The support member 110 comprises the plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the surface of the support member 110. Optionally, the support member 110 comprises the plurality of primary groove 112 on the surface separated by partitions 114 and/or the secondary groove 118 on the free end of each of the partition 114.

[0017] In another embodiment, the battery pack 100 comprises the enclosure 102 and plurality of pouch cells 104 stacked inside the enclosure 102. The battery pack 100 also comprises the holder member to hold tabs/terminals of plurality of pouch cells 104 inside the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100, characterized in that, the battery pack 100 comprises the support member 110 to support plurality of pouch cells 104 at the base of the enclosure 102. The plurality of pouch cells 104 are held between the holder member and the support member 110. The support member 110 comprises the plurality of primary groove 112 on the surface separated by partitions 114. Optionally, the battery pack 100 comprises the plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the surface of the support member 110 and/or the secondary groove 118 on the free end of each of the partition 114.

[0018] In yet another embodiment, the battery pack 100 comprises the enclosure 102 and plurality of pouch cells 104 stacked inside the enclosure 102. The battery pack 100 also comprises the holder member to hold tabs/terminals of plurality of pouch cells 104 inside the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100, characterized in that, the battery pack 100 comprises the support member 110 to support plurality of pouch cells 104 at the base of the enclosure 102. The plurality of pouch cells 104 are held between the holder member and the support member 110. The support member 110 comprises the secondary groove 118 in the free end of each of the partition 114. Optionally, the support member 110 comprises the plurality of projection 120 provided on two opposite ends of and perpendicular to the surface of the support member 110 and/or the plurality of primary groove 112 on the surface separated by partitions 114.

[0019] The battery pack 100 also comprises a cover which is positioned over the holder member. The cover comprises Battery Management System (BMS) controller in connection with the components and circuits provided on the Printed Circuit Board mounted over the holder member. The cover of the battery pack 100 is not shown for the simplicity of understanding and the same must not be understood in limiting manner.

[0020] According to the present invention, in the battery pack 100, each projection 120 of the plurality of projection 120 on the support member 110 comprises the tapered edge 122. The tapered edges 122 of opposite projections 120 are designed to face each other. Further, the pair of opposite projections 120 with tapered edges 122 accommodates pouch cells 104 with varying dimension within the predetermined range. Further, the support member 110 comprises insert molded sleeves for mounting to respective slot provided on the columnar protrusion 124 on the internal surface of the enclosure 102 of the battery pack 100. [0021] Fig. 2 illustrates a different views of the support member, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A first side view 200, a cur-section view 204 and a second side view 210 are shown. In the first side view 200, the plurality of projections 120 are shown extending from and perpendicular to the surface of the support member 110. The support member 110 is shown to be integrally formed (can be removably fixed) with the back panel of the enclosure 102. A sealing member 202 is given to provide adequate air and water proof design to the battery pack 100.

[0022] In the cut-section view 204, the plurality of projections 120 are not visible, instead the plurality of primary grooves 112, the partitions 114 and the plurality of secondary grooves 118 are shown. Further, the plurality of pouch cells 104 are shown in stacked and assembled state. The plurality of secondary grooves 118 are all press-fit by respective dampener 116. A shoulder 212 of the pouch cells 104 rests on the dampener 116. As can be seen clearly, the shoulders 212 of the pouch cells 104 abuts the head 126 of the dampener 116. Further, each of the pouch cell 104 is separated by a pad 206. Thus, a single dampener 116 cushions or abuts shoulders 212 of two pouch cells 104. The pouch cells 104 on the extreme ends are supported by dampener 116 on only one shoulder 212 or both shoulders 212. The free end of the partition 114 are designed in a manner to seat the pouch cells 104 with or without the dampener 116.

[0023] Furthermore, the extended foil 208 of each of the pouch cells 104 are accommodated in the respective primary groove 112. The primary groove 112 enables channelization of discharge gases from the pouch cells 104 through the space 214 available in the primary groove 112. The secondary groove 118 is also designed with internal surface to lock the inserted dampener 116. The length of the dampener 116 is as per the length of the secondary groove 118. [0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the battery pack 100, the dampener 116 is provided for the support member 110. The dampener 116 comprises the body 128, and the head 126 integrally formed along the length of the body 128. The head 126 is broader than the body 128. The body 128 comprises flexible structure having columnar profile with pine or corrugated surface.

[0025] According to the present invention, a modular support member 110 is disclosed to accommodate the extended foils 208 of the pouch cells 104. The support member 110 is of plastic or other suitable material which is resistant to electricity and heat. The tapered edges 122 of the projections 120 accommodates the width variations and height variations of the pouch cell 104 along with providing dampening effect against any vibrations. The dampener 116 is defined with pine structure to enable press fit placement onto the secondary grooves 118. The dampener 116 absorbs the vibrations and provides the cushioning effect to pouch cells 104. The insert molded sleeves enables effective torque distribution from the tightening screws. The dampener 116 is made of but not limited to materials comprising Polyurethane (PU)/ Silicone rubber / Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE: Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) + Polypropylene (PP)).

[0026] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.