Unified connection array for battery module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018090735-A1
Application number	US-201715712117-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 21, 2017
Priority date	Sep 23, 2016
Publication date	Mar 29, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A flexible connector a battery system and a method for assembling in a battery assembly. The apparatus can include a plurality of pads that are secured to a central spine. The flexible connector may be a single piece connector. The flexible connector can include monitors that are mounted to the flexible connector to gather data regarding battery cells.

First claim

1 . A flexible connector for use in an electrical system, the flexible connector comprising:
a central spine that includes a plurality of wires; a first arm extending substantially perpendicular from the central spine, at least a first wire of the plurality of wires disposed on the first arm; a first pad attached to the first arm, a length of the first pad being greater than a width of the first arm; the first pad being substantially parallel to the central spine a first monitor attached to the first pad, the first wire being attached to the first monitor; wherein the width of the first arm is substantially greater than a thickness of the connector.

2 . The flexible connector of claim 1 , wherein the flexible connector is formed of a polyimide film.

3 . The flexible connector of claim 1 , wherein the first arm extends from a first side of the central spine, the flexible connector further comprising a second arm and a second pad attached to the second arm, second arm extending from a second side of the central spine, wherein the second side is opposite of the first side.

4 . The flexible connector of claim 2 , wherein the first arm is substantially parallel to the second arm.

5 . The flexible connector of claim 2 , wherein the first arm is substantially aligned with the second arm.

6 . The flexible connector of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of interior pads and a plurality of spaced pads, wherein at least one wire passes through at least one of the plurality of interior pads to one of the plurality of spaced pads.

7 . The flexible connector of claim 1 , further comprising a first circuit board attached to the first pad, the first circuit board including a plurality of apertures and the first pad including a plurality of apertures that align with the plurality of apertures of the first circuit board.

8 . The flexible connector of claim 1 , wherein the first monitor is a thermistor.

9 . A flexible connector used in a battery monitoring system, the flexible connector comprising:
a central spine including a plurality of electrical connectors; the central spine including a spine end portion configured to attach to the battery monitoring system; a plurality of pads spaced from the central spine, at least one of the plurality of electrical connectors extending to the plurality of pads; a plurality of monitors associated with the plurality of pads, the plurality of monitors being connected to the plurality of electrical connectors; wherein a width of one of the plurality of pads is substantially greater than a thickness of the flexible connector.

10 . The flexible connector of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of monitors includes at least one thermistor.

11 . The flexible connector of claim 9 , further comprising at least one circuit board electrically connected to one of the plurality of pads, the circuit board being configured to relay information through the flexible connector.

12 . The flexible connector of claim 11 , wherein the circuit board is configured to balance voltage through the flexible connector such that the voltage at a first pad is substantially similar to a voltage at a second pad.

13 . A method of assembly of a battery component, comprising:
providing a cover assembly including:
providing a cover with a lower surface and an opposite upper surface;
placing a flexible connector along the lower surface of the cover, such that an upper surface of the flexible connector is adjacent to the lower surface of the cover and a lower surface of the flexible connector is opposite of the upper surface of the flexible connector;
placing a plurality of busbars adjacent to the lower surface of the flexible connector such that an upper surface of the plurality of busbars contacts the lower surface of the flexible connector;
securing the plurality of busbars to a portion of the cover;
attaching the cover assembly to a battery module.

14 . The method of assembly according to claim 13 , wherein prior to attaching the cover assembly to the battery module the cover assembly is flipped such that lower surface of the cover faces the batter module, and wherein the flexible connector and the plurality of busbars remain within the cover.

15 . The method of assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the lower surface of the cover includes a plurality of extensions, and wherein the plurality of extensions are positioned through a portion of the flexible connector and at least one of the plurality of busbars.

16 . The method of assembly according to claim 15 , wherein at least one securement clip is attached to at least one of the plurality of extensions such that the at least one securement clip is located adjacent to a lower surface of the at least one of the plurality of busbars.

17 . The method of assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the cover assembly is secured to the battery module using a plurality of removable securement devices, wherein at least one of the removable securement devices extends through an aperture in the cover and also through an aperture in at least one of the plurality of busbars.

18 . The method of assembly according to claim 13 , further comprising attaching a battery monitoring system to the cover assembly and connecting the flexible connector to the battery monitoring system.

19 . The method of assembly according to claim 18 , wherein a portion of the flexible connector extends around a side surface of the cover and connects to the battery monitoring system.

20 . The method of assembly according to claim 19 , wherein flexible connector comprises a central spine including a spine end portion configured to attach to the battery monitoring system, the central spine extending around a side surface of the cover and connecting to the battery monitoring system.

Assignees

• Artisan Vehicle Systems Inc

Inventors

• Huff Brian R
• Kasaba Michael E
• Hickey Kyle

Classifications

• G01R31/3644

  Constructional arrangements · CPC title

• H05K2201/10272

  Busbars, i.e. thick metal bars mounted on the printed circuit board [PCB] as high-current conductors · CPC title

• H05K3/365

  by abutting, i.e. without alloying process · CPC title

• H05K2203/167

  Using mechanical means for positioning, alignment or registration, e.g. using rod-in-hole alignment · CPC title

• H05K2201/10409

  Screws · CPC title