JP7566044B2 - Battery with locking element and vehicle with receptacle for placing the battery - Patents.com - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is based on a battery according to the preamble of the independent claim. The subject of the invention is also a vehicle and a method for manufacturing the same.

According to the prior art, it is known that a battery module may be comprised of a number of individual battery cells, which may be electrically connected in series and/or parallel to each other such that the respective battery cells are interconnected to form a battery module.

Furthermore, such battery modules are interconnected to form a battery or an entire battery system.

Here, in particular, the battery cells are configured as lithium-ion battery cells. With such lithium-ion battery cells, a relatively high energy density can be achieved, allowing a more compact design style of the battery. Such batteries can therefore be configured to be portable and can be used in particular for applications in vehicles, such as electric bicycles, such as e-bikes, and light electric vehicles (LeVs). This brings several advantages, such as, for example, the ability to quickly exchange an empty battery for a fully charged battery at an exchange station, or to charge the battery more comfortably at home overnight, in particular when there is no dedicated garage for the vehicle.

A battery with the features of the independent claims offers the advantage, on the one hand, that the battery can be mounted relatively robustly during operation, for example in a vehicle, so that it is less susceptible to vibrations or mechanical shocks, and, on the other hand, that the battery can be removed easily and relatively quickly, and that it can be installed easily and relatively quickly.

For this purpose, a battery is provided that comprises a plurality of battery cells, where the battery cells are in particular configured as lithium-ion battery cells. Furthermore, the battery cells are electrically connected to one another in series and/or in parallel. For this purpose, the battery cells can have, for example, a positive voltage tap and a negative voltage tap, which are electrically connected to one another in series and/or in parallel by cell connectors. Such a conductive interconnection allows the plurality of battery cells to have at least one positive full voltage tap and at least one negative full voltage tap, where the plurality of battery cells can be in electrical contact, for example to tap off a full voltage or to charge the battery cells.

The battery further comprises a housing element in which the battery cells are accommodated. In particular, the housing element has a cylindrical shape. Naturally, the housing element can also have a cubic shape.

Here, the battery housing element has a first electrical connection of the battery on the first end face. Here, in particular, the first electrical connection is a positive connection of the battery.

Here, the battery housing element has a second electrical connection of the battery on the first end face. Here, in particular, the second electrical connection is a negative terminal connection of the battery.

In this regard, it should be noted that, for example, a first electrical connection of the battery is electrically connected to at least one positive full voltage tap, and, for example, a second electrical connection of the battery is electrically connected to at least one negative full voltage tap.

Here, the battery housing element has a locking element on the second end face, where in particular the second end face is different from the first end face.

When the locking element is disposed in the first position, the first connection portion of the battery and the second connection portion of the battery are disposed in electrical and mechanical contact with the first connection portion of the receptacle and the second connection portion of the receptacle.

When the locking element is disposed in the second position, the first connection portion of the battery and the second connection portion of the battery are disposed so as to be electrically and mechanically separable from the first connection portion of the receptacle and the second connection portion of the receptacle.

The measures recited in the dependent claims enable advantageous developments and improvements of the device recited in the independent claims.

A particular advantage of the embodiment of the battery according to the invention is that the first connection of the battery and the second connection of the battery can form both the mechanical fixation of the battery and the electrical contact of the battery. In particular, the first connection of the battery and the second connection of the battery are formed of a metallic material selected from among aluminum, copper, and nickel. Here, electrical contact means that the battery is electrically connected to the receptacle, so that a voltage can be tapped, for example, from a plurality of battery cells.

Here, mechanical contact means that the battery is mechanically fixed to the receptacle, and is prevented from, for example, falling out of the receptacle. Therefore, the battery can be mechanically protected.

Here, the housing element may in particular have an interior space in which the battery cells are completely accommodated. Here, the interior space may be sealed off from the surroundings.

When the locking element is placed in the first position, the first battery connection portion and the second battery connection portion preferably protrude laterally outward relative to the housing element. This allows a stable mechanical fixation to be achieved.

In this respect, it should be noted that the locking element is preferably a mechanical locking element that can be mechanically placed in the first position and in the second position. However, it is also possible that the locking element is an electrical locking element.

Here, it is particularly advantageous when the locking element is configured as a carrying handle for the battery. This allows the battery to be carried. In this respect, it should be noted that the carrying handle or the locking element is used in particular for removing the battery from the receptacle and for installing it in the receptacle. Furthermore, it should also be noted that when the locking element is configured as a carrying handle, the invention is limited to batteries that can be carried, usually using human hands. Such batteries usually have a weight of less than 50 kg, preferably less than 25 kg, in particular less than 15 kg.

When the locking element is arranged in the first position, it is preferably accommodated in a recess arranged in the second end face of the housing element. This provides the advantage that the locking element is protected from external influences during operation of the battery. Thus, in particular in a locking element configured as a carrying handle, the carrying handle can be protected against unintentional contact during operation of the battery, in particular when arranged in the second position. This is advantageous for reliable battery accommodation, in particular when the battery is arranged in a vehicle such as an e-bike or a light electric vehicle. In turn, this means that when accommodated in the receptacle during operation, the carrying handle is integrated flat into the recess and thus at the same time a minimal installation space can be realized.

In this regard, it should be noted that in order to remove the battery from the receptacle, the carrying handle or locking element may be removed from the recess and placed in a second position. This mechanically and electrically isolates the battery from the receptacle. The battery may be easily removed without resistance. In this regard, it should be noted further that in order to install the battery in the receptacle, the carrying handle or locking element may be placed in the recess and placed in a second position. This mechanically and electrically isolates the battery from the receptacle. The battery may therefore be easily installed.

It is preferred that the housing element of the battery further has at least one retaining element on the second end face. Here, when the locking element is arranged in the first position, the at least one retaining element is arranged in mechanical contact with the retaining connection of the receptacle. Furthermore, when the locking element is arranged in the second position, the at least one retaining element is arranged in mechanical separation from the retaining connection of the receptacle. It should therefore be noted in this respect that the battery can further include at least one retaining element in addition to the first connection of the battery and the second connection of the battery. This allows for an improved mechanical fixation of the battery. Preferably, the battery has two such retaining elements, and the two retaining elements as well as the first and second connections of the battery are arranged symmetrically around the circumference of the second end face, for example at intervals of 90 degrees each, in order to ensure an efficient mechanical fixation.

It is preferable that the first connection portion of the battery and/or the second connection portion of the battery includes at least one electrical connection portion. Here, the at least one electrical connection portion is configured to be connected to at least one electrical connection portion of the receptacle. Here, in particular, when the locking element is arranged in the first position, the at least one electrical connection portion is configured to contact the at least one electrical connection portion of the receptacle. Here, in particular, when the locking element is arranged in the second position, the at least one electrical connection portion is configured to be separated from the at least one electrical connection portion.

It is also preferred that the battery housing element has at least one electrical connection of the battery on the second end surface, where when the locking element is placed in the first position, the at least one electrical connection of the battery is arranged to contact the electrical connection of the receptacle, and where when the locking element is placed in the second position, the at least one electrical connection of the battery is arranged separate from the electrical connection of the receptacle.

In this respect, it is therefore noted that the battery further comprises at least one electrical connection in addition to the first battery connection and the second battery connection, whereby the battery can be electrically connected to the receptacle, and thus, in particular, a battery management system (BMS), for example, which can communicate with the vehicle via a CAN bus.

Advantageously, the first end surface and the second end surface are arranged opposite each other, which allows the battery to be easily placed in the receptacle.

Advantageously, the first end surface and the second end surface are arranged perpendicular to each other, which allows the battery to be easily placed in the receptacle.

The first battery connection and the second battery connection are preferably electrically insulated from each other. The first battery connection and the second battery connection are preferably insulated from the battery housing element.

The subject of the present invention is also a vehicle equipped with a receptacle. In particular, the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle such as an electric vehicle (motorcycle) or an electric scooter (light electric vehicle). Here, the receptacle is configured to accommodate the above-mentioned battery. The receptacle has a first connection portion configured to be in electrical and mechanical contact with a first connection portion of the battery. The receptacle has a second connection portion configured to be in electrical and mechanical contact with a second connection portion of the battery.

This allows the receptacle to provide reliable electrical contact of the battery with the vehicle. Additionally, it provides stable mechanical fixation of the battery within the vehicle during operation.

It is preferred that the vehicle receptacle includes a spring damper element. This allows the battery to be positioned in the receptacle in a particularly safe manner. In particular, the battery's own weight can be used to cause a defined deformation of the spring damper element, thereby allowing the battery to be positioned in the receptacle in a defined manner.

The subject of the present invention is also a vehicle in which a battery according to the present invention is disposed in a receptacle.

The subject of the invention is also a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned vehicle with the above-mentioned battery, in which the battery is placed in a receptacle of the vehicle, between which the locking element is placed in the second position, and then the locking element is placed in the first position, so that a reliable mechanical and electrical connection can be formed.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and described in more detail below.

1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a battery according to the present invention; 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the functional operation of a battery according to the present invention; FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a battery according to the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a battery 1 according to the invention in a perspective view. The battery 1 is configured in particular as a lithium-ion battery cell and comprises a number of battery cells electrically connected to one another in series and/or parallel. Here, the battery cells are accommodated in a housing element 2 of the battery 1. The battery cells are not visible in Figure 1.

The housing element 2 of the battery 1 has, at the first end face 31, a first electrical connection 41 of the battery 1 and a second electrical connection 42 of the battery 1. The first connection 41 of the battery 1 here is a positive voltage tap of the battery 1 and the second connection 42 of the battery 1 here is a negative voltage tap of the battery 1. In particular, the housing element 2 has a cylindrical shape. Of course, the housing element 2 can also have a cubic shape.

The housing element 2 of the battery 1 has a locking element 5 on the second end face 32. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the locking element 5 is configured as a carrying handle 50. Here, the housing element 2 has a recess 8 arranged on the second end face 32. When the locking element 5 or the carrying handle 50 is arranged in the first position, the locking element 5 or the carrying handle 50 may be accommodated in the recess 8.

Figure 1 shows the arrangement of the locking element 5 in a first position, where the first connection 41 of the battery 1 and the second connection 42 of the battery 1 are arranged to be in electrical and mechanical contact with the first connection 61 of the receptacle 7 (not visible in Figure 1) and the second connection 62 of the receptacle 7 (not visible in Figure 1).

Here, the first end face 31 and the second end face 32 are arranged opposite each other.

Furthermore, the first connection portion 41 of the battery 1 and/or the second connection portion 42 of the battery 1 has an electrical connection portion 9. Here, the electrical connection portion 9 is configured to be connected to the electrical connection portion 10 of the receptacle 7.

In this respect, it is further noted that the battery 1 can also additionally have at least one electrical connection 9 of the battery 1. The function of the electrical connection 9 is similar to the first connection 31 or the second connection 32. The only difference is that only electrical and mechanical contact is thereby formed.

In this respect, it is further noted that the battery 1 can also have a retaining element whose function is similar to the first connection 31 or the second connection 32. The only difference is that only a mechanical contact is thereby formed.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the functional operation of battery 1 according to the present invention.

Here, you can see the first connection part 41 of the battery 1 located on the first end surface 31, and the second connection part 42 of the battery 1 located on the first end surface 31.

First, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing in solid lines the arrangement of the first connection portion 41 of the battery 1 and the second connection portion of the battery 1 when the locking element 5 is arranged in a first position so as to be in electrical and mechanical contact with the first connection portion 61 of the receptacle 7 and the second connection portion 62 of the receptacle 7.

2 shows in dashed lines the arrangement of the locking element 5 in the second position, where the first connection portion 41 of the battery 1 and the second connection portion 42 of the battery 1 are electrically and mechanically separated from the first connection portion 61 of the receptacle 7 (not visible in FIG. 2) and the second connection portion 62 of the receptacle 7 (not visible in FIG. 2), respectively.

Figure 3 is a plan view of an embodiment of a battery 1 according to the present invention.

Here, the locking element 5 or carrying handle 50 is visible. Here, the locking element 5 or carrying handle 50 is placed in the first position and is located in the recess 8.

Unlike the embodiment of the battery 1 shown in FIG. 1, in the embodiment of the battery 1 shown in FIG. 3, the locking element 5 or carrying handle 50 is configured symmetrically. In particular, the axis of the carrying handle 50 extends on the axis of symmetry of the second end face 32.

Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a vehicle 100 according to the present invention.

Here, the vehicle 100 includes a receptacle 7. Here, the receptacle 7 is configured to receive the battery 1 described in connection with Figures 1-3.

Here, the receptacle 7 of the vehicle 100 includes a first connection portion 61 and a second connection portion 62. Here, the first connection portion 61 is configured to be in electrical and mechanical contact with the first connection portion 41 of the battery 1. Here, the second connection portion 62 is configured to be in electrical and mechanical contact with the second connection portion 42 of the battery 1. In this regard, it should be noted that when the locking element 5 is placed in the first position as shown in FIG. 4, the first connection portion 41 of the battery 1 is in electrical and mechanical contact with the first connection portion 61 of the receptacle 7, and the second connection portion 42 of the battery 1 is in electrical and mechanical contact with the second connection portion 62 of the receptacle 7.

Furthermore, the receptacle 7 also includes an electrical connection 10 of the receptacle 7, which can be connected to the electrical connection 9 of the first connection 41 of the battery 1 and the electrical connection 9 of the second connection 42 of the battery 1, respectively.

Furthermore, the receptacle 7 of the vehicle 100 also includes a spring damper element 11.

In this regard, it should be noted that, unlike the illustration in FIG. 4, the receptacle 7 may be configured so that the entire battery 1 can be accommodated therein.

Claims (11)

A battery comprising a plurality of battery cells, in particular lithium ion battery cells,
the plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other in series and/or parallel and housed in a housing element (2) of the battery (1);
The housing element (2) of the battery (1) has, at a first end face (31), a first electrical connection (41) of the battery (1) and a second electrical connection (42) of the battery (1);
The housing element (2) of the battery (1) has a locking element (5) on a second end face (32),
When the locking element (5) is arranged in a first position, the first electrical connection (41) of the battery (1) and the second electrical connection (42) of the battery (1) are arranged to be in electrical and mechanical contact with a first connection (61) of a receptacle (7) and a second connection (62) of the receptacle (7);
When the locking element (5) is disposed in a second position, the first electrical connection portion (41) of the battery (1) and the second electrical connection portion (42) of the battery (1) are disposed electrically and mechanically separated from the first connection portion (61) of the receptacle (7) and the second connection portion (62) of the receptacle (7);
the locking element (5) is accommodated in a recess (8) arranged in the second end face (32) of the housing element (2) when arranged in the first position;
A battery characterized by: A battery comprising a plurality of battery cells, in particular lithium ion battery cells,
the plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other in series and/or parallel and housed in a housing element (2) of the battery (1);
The housing element (2) of the battery (1) has, at a first end face (31), a first electrical connection (41) of the battery (1) and a second electrical connection (42) of the battery (1);
The housing element (2) of the battery (1) has a locking element (5) on a second end face (32),
When the locking element (5) is arranged in a first position, the first electrical connection (41) of the battery (1) and the second electrical connection (42) of the battery (1) are arranged to be in electrical and mechanical contact with a first connection (61) of a receptacle (7) and a second connection (62) of the receptacle (7);
When the locking element (5) is disposed in a second position, the first electrical connection portion (41) of the battery (1) and the second electrical connection portion (42) of the battery (1) are disposed electrically and mechanically separated from the first connection portion (61) of the receptacle (7) and the second connection portion (62) of the receptacle (7);
The housing element (2) of the battery (1) further comprises at least one retaining element on the second end face (32),
When the locking element (5) is arranged in the first position, the at least one retaining element is arranged to be in mechanical contact with a retaining connection of the receptacle (7);
When the locking element (5) is arranged in the second position, the at least one retaining element is arranged mechanically separated from the retaining connection of the receptacle (7).
A battery characterized by: A battery comprising a plurality of battery cells, in particular lithium ion battery cells,
the plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other in series and/or parallel and housed in a housing element (2) of the battery (1);
The housing element (2) of the battery (1) has, at a first end face (31), a first electrical connection (41) of the battery (1) and a second electrical connection (42) of the battery (1);
The housing element (2) of the battery (1) has a locking element (5) on a second end face (32),
When the locking element (5) is arranged in a first position, the first electrical connection (41) of the battery (1) and the second electrical connection (42) of the battery (1) are arranged to be in electrical and mechanical contact with a first connection (61) of a receptacle (7) and a second connection (62) of the receptacle (7);
When the locking element (5) is disposed in a second position, the first electrical connection portion (41) of the battery (1) and the second electrical connection portion (42) of the battery (1) are disposed electrically and mechanically separated from the first connection portion (61) of the receptacle (7) and the second connection portion (62) of the receptacle (7);
The battery is characterized in that the first end surface (31) and the second end surface (32) are arranged opposite to each other. 4. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking element (5) is configured as a carrying handle (50) for the battery (1). 5. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical connection (41) of the battery (1) and/or the second electrical connection (42) of the battery (1) comprises at least one electrical connection (9), the electrical connection (9) being configured to be connected to at least one electrical connection (10) of the receptacle (7). the housing element (2) of the battery (1) has at least one electrical connection (9) of the battery (1) on the second end face (32);
when the locking element (5) is arranged in the first position, the at least one electrical connection (9) of the battery (1) is arranged to contact an electrical connection (10) of the receptacle (7);
When the locking element (5) is arranged in a second position, the at least one electrical connection (9) of the battery (1) is arranged separately from the electrical connection (10) of the receptacle (7).
5. The battery according to claim 1 . 3. The battery according to claim 1 , wherein the first end face (31) and the second end face (32) are arranged perpendicular to each other. A vehicle comprising a receptacle (7) configured to accommodate a battery (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , the vehicle comprising a first connection portion (61) configured to be in electrical and mechanical contact with the first electrical connection portion (41) of the battery (1) and a second connection portion (62) configured to be in electrical and mechanical contact with the second electrical connection portion (42) of the battery (1). 9. A vehicle as claimed in claim 8 , characterized in that the receptacle (7) of the vehicle (100) comprises a spring-damper element (11). 10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that in the receptacle (7) a battery (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 is arranged. A method for manufacturing a vehicle (100) according to claim 10 , comprising the steps of:
A battery (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is disposed in the receptacle (7) of the vehicle (100),
Meanwhile, placing the locking element (5) in the second position, and then placing the locking element (5) in the first position.
A method comprising:

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