Split panel array plate assemblies for electrified vehicle battery packs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019393457-A1
Application number	US-201816016729-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 25, 2018
Priority date	Jun 25, 2018
Publication date	Dec 26, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

This disclosure details battery assemblies for use within electrified vehicle battery packs. An exemplary battery assembly includes a grouping of battery cells and an array plate assembly contacting a portion of the battery assembly. The array plate assembly may embody a split panel design that includes an outer panel and an inner panel that are arranged to nest together. One or both of the outer panel and the inner panel may include an embossing pattern. Among various other advantages, the split panel design increases the stiffness of the array plate assembly without significantly increasing the overall package depth of the array plate assembly or the battery assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A battery assembly, comprising:
a grouping of battery cells; and an array plate assembly in contact with a portion of the grouping of battery cells, wherein the array plate assembly includes an outer panel and an inner panel that nest together.

2 . The battery assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the grouping of battery cells includes a plurality of battery cells held within a plurality of array frames.

3 . The battery assembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein the array plate assembly is received against at least one of the plurality of battery cells or at least one of the plurality of array frames.

4 . The battery assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the array plate assembly is positioned at a longitudinal extent of the grouping of battery cells.

5 . The battery assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the array plate assembly is positioned along a side of the grouping of battery cells.

6 . The battery assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the inner panel is positioned between the grouping of battery cells and the outer panel.

7 . The battery assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the outer panel or the inner panel includes an embossing pattern.

8 . The battery assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein each of the outer panel and the inner panel includes an embossing pattern, and a first plurality of ribbed sections of the embossing pattern of the inner panel nest within a first plurality of ribbed sections of the embossing pattern of the outer panel.

9 . The battery assembly as recited in claim 8 , wherein a second plurality of ribbed sections of the embossing pattern of the outer panel nest within a second plurality of ribbed sections of the embossing pattern of the inner panel.

10 . The battery assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the outer panel includes a first mounting leg and the inner panel includes a second mounting leg that nests with the first mounting leg.

11 . The battery assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein the first mounting leg includes a first opening and the second mounting leg includes a second opening that aligns with the first opening.

12 . The battery assembly as recited in claim 11 , comprising a fastener that extends through the first opening and the second opening.

13 . The battery assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein each of the outer panel and the inner panel includes a plurality of aligned mounting openings.

14 . A battery pack comprising the battery assembly of claim 1 .

15 . An electrified vehicle comprising the battery pack of claim 14 .

16 . A method, comprising:
positioning an array plate assembly against a grouping of battery cells of a battery assembly, wherein the array plate assembly includes a split panel design that includes an outer panel and an inner panel that are arranged to nest with one another.

17 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein positioning the array plate assembly includes:
positioning the array plate assembly at a longitudinal extent of the grouping of battery cells; or positioning the array plate assembly along a side of the grouping of battery cells; or positioning the array plate assembly at the longitudinal extent and positioning a second array plate assembly along the side.

18 . The method as recited in claim 16 , comprising:
inserting a fastener through the outer panel and the inner panel and into an array frame of the grouping of battery cells.

19 . The method as recited in claim 16 , comprising:
inserting a fastener through nested mounting legs of the outer panel and the inner panel and then into a structure of an enclosure assembly that houses the battery assembly.

20 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the outer panel, the inner panel, or both include an embossing pattern that is configured to stiffen the array plate assembly without increasing an overall package depth of the battery assembly.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Paramasivam Saravanan
• Subramanian Rajaram
• Veeramurthy Mallikarjun
• Boddakayala Bhaskara
• Pfeiffer David J

Classifications

• H01M10/647

  Prismatic or flat cells, e.g. pouch cells · CPC title

• H01M2220/20

  Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane · CPC title

• H01M10/625

  Vehicles · CPC title

• H01M10/6555

  arranged between the cells · CPC title

• B60L50/64 Primary

  Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles · CPC title