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EP-4738539-A1 - A BATTERY PACK AND A VEHICLE

EP4738539A1EP 4738539 A1EP4738539 A1EP 4738539A1EP-4738539-A1

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a battery pack (1), wherein the battery pack (1) comprises a plurality of battery layers (11-14) arranged on top of each other in the height direction (H), and wherein each battery layer (11-14) of at least two adjacent battery layers of the plurality of battery layers (11-14) comprises: - a plurality of battery cells (2) arranged in battery cell rows, - a base plate member (4) with a support surface (41), and - a frame arrangement (5) mechanically connected to the base plate member (4). The disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising a battery pack (1).

Inventors

  • ROUT, Dhirendra
  • IRANNEZHAD, Mike
  • Jonsson, Kasper

Assignees

  • Volvo Truck Corporation

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20241105

Claims (15)

  1. A battery pack (1), the battery pack (1) having a longitudinal extension in a longitudinal direction (L), a width extension in a width direction (W) and a height extension in a height direction (H), wherein the battery pack (1) comprises a plurality of battery layers (11-14) arranged on top of each other in the height direction (H), and wherein each battery layer (11-14) of at least two adjacent battery layers of the plurality of battery layers (11-14) comprises: - a plurality of battery cells (2) arranged in battery cell rows which extend in the longitudinal direction (L) from a first outer end (21) of the battery cell rows to a second outer end (22) of the battery cell rows, - a base plate member (4) with a support surface (41) facing upwardly in the height direction (H), wherein the plurality of battery cells (2) is supported by the support surface (41), - a frame arrangement (5) mechanically connected to the base plate member (4), wherein the frame arrangement (5) encloses the plurality of battery cells (2), as seen in a sectional plane which is perpendicular to the height direction (H), and wherein the frame arrangement (5) and the battery cell rows are adapted such that a side space (S) is formed which extends in the longitudinal direction (L) from the first outer end (21) of the battery cell rows to a first side wall (51) of the frame arrangement (5), and wherein the at least two adjacent battery layers of the plurality of battery layers (11-14) are configured such that the side spaces (S) together form a common open side space (S1) which extends in the height direction (H) between the battery layers (11-14).
  2. The battery pack (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells are cylindrical battery cells.
  3. The battery pack (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, for each battery layer (11-14) of the at least two adjacent battery layers, the side space (S) further extends in the width direction (W) between a first longitudinally extending wall (52) and a second longitudinally extending wall (53) of the frame arrangement (5).
  4. The battery pack (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one battery layer (11-14) of the at least two adjacent battery layers further comprises at least one cooling member (3) with a coolant path for coolant, wherein the at least one cooling member (3) extends in the longitudinal direction (L) and is provided in-between two adjacent battery cell rows.
  5. The battery pack (1) according to claim 4, wherein at least one battery layer of the at least two adjacent battery layers further comprises a cooling manifold (30) fluidly connected to the at least one cooling member (3), wherein the cooling manifold (30) is provided in the side space (S) between the first outer end (21) of the battery cell rows and the first side wall (51).
  6. The battery pack (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one elongated media (6) for providing a fluid or electric connection with at least one battery layer, wherein the at least one elongated media (6) is provided in the common open side space (S1), and wherein the at least one elongated media (6) extends in the common open side space (S1) between the side spaces (S) of the at least two adjacent battery layers (11-12; 13-14).
  7. The battery pack (1) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one elongated media is any one of one or more electric cables, one or more data communication cables, one or more coolant conduits, or one or more venting conduits (6).
  8. The battery pack (1) according to any one of claims 6-7, wherein the at least one elongated media (6) is mechanically connected to a portion (141; 121) of one of the battery layers (14; 12) such that a fluid or electric connection of the at least one elongated media (6) is achieved with the battery layer, and wherein the at least one elongated media (6) is routed such that it extends out through an opening (62) of the battery pack (1) which is provided in another battery layer (13; 11).
  9. The battery pack (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery pack (1) is configured such that the at least two adjacent battery layers are mechanically connected to each other via the frame arrangements (5) of the two adjacent battery layers.
  10. The battery pack (1) according to claim 9, wherein the frame arrangements (5) of the at least two adjacent battery layers (11-14) are mechanically connected to each other by one or more fasteners (F1).
  11. The battery pack (1) according to claim 10, wherein at least one fastener of the one or more fasteners (F1) is provided in complementary holes (H1, H2) of the frame arrangements (5) of the at least two adjacent battery layers, wherein one of the complementary holes (H1) in one of the frame arrangements has a fastener opening (H11) which is accessible from a side face (531) of the frame arrangement (5) which is directed away from the frame arrangement (5) in the width direction (W) or the longitudinal direction (L).
  12. The battery pack (1) according to claim 11, wherein the fastener opening (H11) is provided in a recess (5311) on the side face (531).
  13. The battery pack (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate member (4) comprises an integrated venting conduit (42) with at least one first venting opening (421) on the support surface (41) for at least one battery cell (2) and with at least one second venting opening (422) which is provided at the side space (S).
  14. The battery pack (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of battery cells (2) are oriented such that electrical terminals (23) thereof are facing upwardly in the height direction (H).
  15. A vehicle (100) comprising the battery pack (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The disclosure relates generally to energy storage systems. In particular aspects, the disclosure relates to a battery pack and a vehicle. The disclosure can be applied to heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and construction equipment, among other vehicle types. Although the disclosure may be described with respect to a particular vehicle, the disclosure is not restricted to any particular vehicle. BACKGROUND A battery pack typically comprises a plurality of battery cells, i.e., electrochemical battery cells, which are electrically connected in series and/or in parallel. The battery pack may comprise one or more separate battery cell stacks, or battery modules. The battery cells may be cylindrical battery cells. Due to the electrification trend, such as for vehicles, there is an ongoing strive to develop improved technology relating to battery packs, such as to provide cost-effective configurations which are reliable, robust and/or space efficient. SUMMARY According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack has a longitudinal extension in a longitudinal direction, a width extension in a width direction and a height extension in a height direction. The battery pack comprises a plurality of battery layers arranged on top of each other in the height direction, and each battery layer of at least two adjacent battery layers of the plurality of battery layers comprises: a plurality of battery cells arranged in battery cell rows which extend in the longitudinal direction from a first outer end of the battery cell rows to a second outer end of the battery cell rows,a base plate member with a support surface facing upwardly in the height direction, wherein the plurality of battery cells is supported by the support surface,a frame arrangement mechanically connected to the base plate member, wherein the frame arrangement encloses the plurality of battery cells, as seen in a sectional plane which is perpendicular to the height direction, and wherein the frame arrangement and the battery cell rows are adapted such that a side space is formed which extends in the longitudinal direction from the first outer end of the battery cell rows to a first side wall of the frame arrangement, and wherein the at least two adjacent battery layers of the plurality of battery layers are configured such that the side spaces together form a common open side space which extends in the height direction between the battery layers. The first aspect of the disclosure may seek to provide a cost-effective battery pack configuration which is reliable, robust and/or space efficient. A technical benefit may include that by configuring the battery pack with a common open side space which is enclosed by the frame arrangements, the battery cells will be well protected while also ensuring improved packaging of the battery cells in a space-efficient manner. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the plurality of battery cells of each battery layer of the at least two adjacent battery layers of the plurality of battery layers are arranged in parallel battery cell rows which extend in the longitudinal direction from the first outer end of the battery cell rows to the second outer end of the battery cell rows. A technical benefit may include improved packaging of the battery cells in the longitudinal direction. In some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the plurality of battery cells of each battery layer of the at least two adjacent battery layers of the plurality of battery layers are arranged in parallel battery cell rows which extend in the width direction, and wherein the battery cell rows are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction from the first outer end of the battery cell rows to the second outer end of the battery cell rows. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the plurality of battery cells are cylindrical battery cells. A technical benefit may include improved packaging of cylindrical battery cells in a space-efficient manner. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, for each battery layer of the at least two adjacent battery layers, the side space further extends in the width direction between a first longitudinally extending wall and a second longitudinally extending wall of the frame arrangement. A technical benefit may include that the battery cells at the first outer end are more easily accessible from the common open side space. A technical benefit may additionally or alternatively include that a larger common open side space is provided, e.g., resulting in more available space for auxiliary components. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, at least one battery layer of the at least two adjacent battery layers further comprises at least one cooling member with a coolant path for coolant, wherein th