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EP-4738564-A1 - A BATTERY PACK AND A VEHICLE

EP4738564A1EP 4738564 A1EP4738564 A1EP 4738564A1EP-4738564-A1

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a battery pack (4) comprising a battery pack layer (6), the battery pack layer (6) comprising: - a base plate (8), comprising a first support surface (10) facing away from the base plate (8) in a first direction (d1) along a third axis (z), and further comprising a second support surface (12) facing away from the base plate (8) in a second direction (d2) which is opposite to the first direction (d1), - a first battery stack layer (14), arranged on the first support surface (10), - a second battery stack layer (16), arranged on the second support surface (12), - a frame arrangement (18), mechanically connected to the base plate (8), and enclosing the first and second battery stack layers (14, 16). The disclosure also relates to a vehicle (2).

Inventors

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

Assignees

  • Volvo Truck Corporation

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20241105

Claims (15)

  1. A battery pack (4), having a first extension along a first axis (x), a second extension along a second axis (y), and a third extension along a third axis (z), wherein the first, second, and third axes (x,y,z) are perpendicular, the battery pack (4) comprising a battery pack layer (6), the battery pack layer (6) comprising: - a base plate (8), comprising a first support surface (10) facing away from the base plate (8) in a first direction (d1) along the third axis (z), and further comprising a second support surface (12) facing away from the base plate (8) in a second direction (d2) which is opposite to the first direction (d1), - a first battery stack layer (14), arranged on the first support surface (10), - a second battery stack layer (16), arranged on the second support surface (12), - a frame arrangement (18), mechanically connected to the base plate (8), and enclosing the first and second battery stack layers (14, 16), as seen in a sectional plane which is perpendicular to the third axis (z), wherein the first battery stack layer (14) and the second battery stack layer (16) each comprise: - a plurality of cell stacks (20), each comprising a plurality of battery cells (22) stacked together, and wherein the frame arrangement (18) comprises: - a pair of side walls (24) extending along the first axis (x), wherein the plurality of cell stacks (20) are located between the pair of side walls (24) along the second axis (y), - a pair of end members (25), extending along the second axis (y), and mechanically connecting the pair of side walls (24), and wherein the plurality of cell stacks (20) are located between the pair of end members (25).
  2. The battery pack (4) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells (22) of the respective battery cell stack are stacked along the second axis (y), and wherein the plurality of cell stacks (20) are arranged along the first axis (x).
  3. The battery pack (4) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the battery pack layer further comprises a crossbeam member (26) extending along the second axis (y) and mechanically connecting the pair of side walls (24), and wherein the crossbeam member (26) is located between adjacent cell stacks (20).
  4. The battery pack (4) of claim 3, wherein the crossbeam member (26") is attached to the base plate (8) via at least one first fastener (29).
  5. The battery pack (4) of claim 4, wherein the crossbeam member (26") is arranged on one of the first support surface (10) and the second support surface (12), wherein the battery pack (4) is configured such that the at least one first fastener (29) attaching the crossbeam member (26") to the base plate (8) has been inserted from the other one of the first support surface (10) and the second support surface (12).
  6. The battery pack (4) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the battery pack layer comprises a clamping member (28) configured to clamp at least one of the battery cells (22), wherein the clamping member (28) is mechanically connected to the frame arrangement (18) the at least one battery cell (22) is enclosed by, and/or mechanically connected to the base plate (8) the at least one battery cell (22) is arranged on, such that the clamping member (28) applies a clamping force through the at least one battery cell (22) towards the base plate (8) the at least one battery cell (22) is arranged on.
  7. The battery pack (4) of claim 6, when also being dependent on any one of claims 3-5, wherein the clamping member (28) is configured to clamp at least one of the battery cells (22) located in at least one of the adjacent cell stacks (20) the crossbeam member (26) is located between, and wherein the clamping member (28) is mechanically connected to the crossbeam member (26), such as via a second fastener (30).
  8. The battery pack (4) of claim 7, wherein the clamping member (28) extends along the first axis (x) such that the clamping member (28) and the crossbeam member (26) form a T-shape, as seen in a sectional plane which is perpendicular to the second axis (y), wherein at least one of the battery cells (22) in each of the adjacent cell stacks (20) the crossbeam member (26) is located between are clamped by the clamping member (28).
  9. The battery pack (4) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate (8) is a cooling plate (8) comprising at least one coolant conduit (82) for coolant.
  10. The battery pack (4) of any of the preceding claims, comprising at least two of the battery layers (6) stacked on top of each other along the third axis (z).
  11. The battery pack (4) of claim 10, wherein the at least two of the battery layers (6) stacked on top of each other along the third axis (z) are mechanically connected to one another via the frame arrangements (18).
  12. The battery pack (4) of claim 11, wherein at least two adjacently stacked battery layers (6) of the at least two battery layers (6) stacked on top of each other along the third axis (z) are mechanically connected to each other by one or more third fasteners (36).
  13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein at least one third fastener (36) of the one or more third fasteners (36) is provided in complementary holes (361, 362) of the frame arrangements (18) of the at least two adjacently stacked battery layers (6), wherein one of the complementary holes (361) in one of the frame arrangements has a fastener opening (3611) which is accessible from a side face (181) of the frame arrangement (18) which is directed away from the frame arrangement (18) in a direction along the first axis (x) or in a direction along the second axis (y).
  14. The battery pack according to claim 13, wherein the fastener opening (3611) is provided in a recess (182) on the side face (181).
  15. A vehicle comprising the battery pack (4) according to any of claims 1-14.

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 prismatic battery cells or 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 first extension along a first axis, a second extension along a second axis, and a third extension along a third axis, wherein the first, second, and third axes are perpendicular. The battery pack comprises a battery pack layer, the battery pack layer comprises: a base plate, comprising a first support surface facing away from the base plate in a first direction along the third axis, and further comprising a second support surface facing away from the base plate in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction,a first battery stack layer, arranged on the first support surface,a second battery stack layer, arranged on the second support surface,a frame arrangement, mechanically connected to the base plate, and enclosing the first and second battery stack layers, as seen in a sectional plane which is perpendicular to the third axis, wherein the first battery stack layer and the second battery stack layer each comprise: a plurality of cell stacks, each comprising a plurality of battery cells stacked together, and wherein the frame arrangement comprises:a pair of side walls extending along the first axis, wherein the plurality of cell stacks are located between the pair of side walls along the second axis,a pair of end members, extending along the second axis, and mechanically connecting the pair of side walls, and wherein the plurality of cell stacks are located between the pair of end members. 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 a space efficient and robust packaging of battery cells is achieved along the third axis by arranging the battery cells on opposite sides of the base plate while also protecting the battery cells by the enclosing frame arrangement. The frame arrangement may be configured to provide structural support for the battery cells along the second axis and/or the first axis. Additionally, or alternatively, the frame arrangement may be used for stacking a plurality of battery layers on top of each other along the third axis. Hence, by the battery pack configuration as disclosed herein, a flexible and modular configuration may be achieved. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the plurality of battery cells of the respective battery cell stack are stacked along the second axis, and the plurality of cell stacks are arranged along the first axis. A technical benefit may include that any swelling forces from the respective battery cell stack may be accommodated by the same structural component(s) for each battery cell stack, i.e. by the pair of side walls. This may imply a more rigid battery pack configuration, e.g., allowing the battery pack to be longer along the first axis without negatively affecting the rigidity of the battery pack too much. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the battery cells may comprise prismatic battery cells. Additionally, or alternatively, the battery cells may comprise cylindrical battery cells. The prismatic battery cell may comprise a top surface, a bottom surface and four intermediate side surfaces connecting the top surface and the bottom surface. The prismatic battery cell may be box shaped. The use of prismatic battery cells stacked in battery cell stacks may result in a battery pack configuration with high energy density. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the pair of side walls are welded to the base plate. A technical benefit may include a robust and cost-effective configuration. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the battery pack layer further comprises a crossbeam member extending along the second axis and mechanically connecting the pair of side wall