IMPROVED BATTERY PACK MOUNTING SYSTEM

Description

GENERAL DIRECTORATE FOR THE PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY ITALIAN PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BOOK VI INVENTION APPLICATION NUMBER 102024000006592 Filing Date 03 / 25 / 2024 Publication Date 09 / 25 / 2025 IPC Rankings Title IMPROVED BATTERY PACK MOUNTING SYSTEM IMPROVED BATTERY PACK MOUNTING SYSTEM DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fastening system for a battery pack. The present invention finds its preferred, though not exclusive, application in the vehicular field. Reference to this application will be made for illustrative purposes below. STATE OF THE ART OF THE INVENTION Vehicles are increasingly electrified to reduce their polluting emissions. Consequently, vehicles are increasingly equipped with batteries to store electrical energy for vehicle operation. Consequently, such batteries are contained in one or more battery packs in order to protect the batteries from the external environment, in particular from contaminants, fluids such as rain and temperature variations. However, due to the vibrations a vehicle is subjected to, the batteries may move. This movement is dangerous because it could lead to electrolytic fluid leaks or damage to the wires, or even damage the batteries themselves. Consequently, it is common to secure batteries inside the pack they are contained in. This attachment is usually achieved using bolts that are tightened between the battery and the pack. However, the load on the bolts is usually excessive, which can lead to various problems. Excessive load stresses can damage the batteries, resulting in improper operation or fluid leakage. Additionally, excessive loads could lead to failure of the fastening system, resulting in the release of the batteries inside the battery pack. Consequently, there is a need to avoid the above-mentioned problems related to the fastening of batteries in vehicle battery packs. An object of the present invention is to meet the above-mentioned needs in an economical and optimized manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned object is achieved by means of a fastening system, a battery pack and a vehicle as claimed in the attached set of claims which are an integral part of this specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, an embodiment is described below. - 2 preferred, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings: • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle comprising a battery pack equipped with a fastening system according to the invention; • Figure 2 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a battery pack equipped with a fastening system according to the invention; • Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fastening system according to the invention; and • Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a fastening system according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 depicts a vehicle 1, such as a heavy vehicle, such as a truck as shown, extending along a longitudinal axis A, a transverse axis B, and a vertical axis C. Vehicle 1 specifically comprises a battery pack 2 configured to contain at least one electric battery (not shown) to enable operation of the vehicle. It is specified that the described arrangement of the battery pack 2, its number and its shape are purely exemplary to discuss the following described invention. In detail, referring to Figure 2, the battery pack 2 comprises a plurality of walls 2a, 2b, 2c connected to each other to define a space 3 to house the aforementioned electric battery or batteries 4. The battery pack 2 extends along a longitudinal axis A', a transverse axis B' and a vertical axis C'. Depending on the layout of the vehicle 1, the aforementioned longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes A', B', C' of the battery pack 2 may or may not coincide with the longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes A, B, C of the vehicle 1. In detail, the battery pack 2 comprises a plurality of lateral walls 2a, a roof 2b and a base 2c connected to each other to define the aforementioned space 3. In the described embodiment the walls 2a, 2b, 2c define a parallelepiped shape. In the described embodiment, the battery pack 2 defines a space 3 configured to house a pair of electric batteries 4 placed adjacent to each other along the longitudinal axis A' of the battery pack so that their shorter sides face each other. The battery pack 2 further comprises a fastening system 7 configured to secure the at least one battery 4 - 4 to one of the walls 2a, 2b, 2c, to provide a compressive load between the at least one battery 4 to the above-mentioned wall 2a, 2b, 2c. In detail, the fastening system 7 comprises at least one cover 5 coupled to at least one battery 4 and a lever 8 configured to be fixed between the cover 5 and another wall 2a, 2b, 2c of the battery pack 2 in order to provide the compression load described above. In the embodiment described, the batteries 4 are fixed to the base 2c by means of the fixing system 7. The fixing system comprises a cover 5 for each battery 4 and a plurality of levers 8 fixed between the side walls 2b and the cover 5 to provide a compressive load between the cover 5 and the base 2c. Referring to Figure 3, an exemplary fastening system 7 for a battery 4 is described. The cover 5 is shaped to fit an upper portion of the battery 4 and comprises a main portion 5a and a plurality of flanges 5b extending from the main portions 5a and defining at least one hole 6 to house a lever 8 as described below. In the embodiment described, the main portion 5a has a substantially quadrangular shape and the flanges 5b extend from opposite sides of this quadrangular shape. In detail, a pair of flanges 5b are - 5 extends from the longitudinal sides of the quadrangular shape of the main portion 5a. In particular, each flange 5b is provided with a single hole 6 and, more preferably, as shown, the flanges 5b are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis A'. The flanges 5b therefore extend along the transverse axis B' from the battery 4 towards the side walls 2b. In particular, the flanges 5b extend thereby defining a transverse empty space with respect to the side walls 2b. Preferably, the cover 5 is made as a single piece, at least for each battery, and is made of polymer / plastic material. Each lever 8 is substantially L-shaped, therefore it comprises a first longer portion 8', a second shorter portion 8'' and a third portion 8''' connecting the first and second portions 8', 8'' to each other. In detail, the lever 8 is L-shaped, so the first and second portions 8', 8'' are inclined relative to each other and, in particular, perpendicular to each other. The third portion 8''' may preferably be curved. Preferably, the first, second, and third portions 8', 8'', 8''' are made as a single element. The lever 8 is preferably made of metal. According to the above-described shape and arrangement of batteries 4 and cover 5, during use the second portion 8'' extends along a transverse axis B', while the first portion 8' extends along a vertical axis C'. In particular, the first portion 8' is fixed to the respective wall, i.e. one of the side walls 8b, through a resealable fixed connection 9. In detail, the resealable fixed connection 9 comprises a nut 11 that can be screwed onto the first portion 8'. Consequently, the side walls 8b define a hole (not visible in the drawings) configured to allow the passage of the first portion 8' through the side wall 8b and the nut 11 mates with the external space 3 of the first portion 8'. The resealable fixed connection 9 further comprises a spacer 12 housed around the first portion 8' within the space 3 and configured to cooperate, during use, in contact between the side wall 8b and a shoulder 13 fixedly supported by the first portion 8'' at a preset position. The shoulder 13 is formed adjacent to the third portion 8'''. Conversely, the second portion 8'' is fixed to the cover 5 through a length-compensatable connection 15. In detail, the length-compensatable connection 15 is configured to vary its extension along the vertical axis C. In detail, the length-compensated connection 15 comprises a nut 17 configured to be screwed onto the first portion 8' and elastic means 16 operatively interposed between the nut 17 and the battery 4, specifically the cover 5. In particular, the elastic means 16 are housed around the first portion 8' and included vertically between the nut 17 and the cover 5. Preferably, the elastic means 16 comprise a helical spring. According to the above arrangement, the first portion 8' is shaped to pass through openings 6 of flanges 5b and the elastic means 16 are configured to impart a force between the flanges 5b and the nut 17 as a function of their compression due to the fact that the nut 17 is screwed onto the first portion 8'. The resealable fixed connection 9 and the length-compensatable connection 15 may further comprise a washer 18 configured to prevent the respective nut screws 11, 17 from unscrewing. The operation of the embodiment of the invention as described above is as follows. The user can screw / unscrew the nut screws 11, 12, respectively on the first and second portions 8', 8'' to lock / unlock the batteries 4 inside the battery pack 2. In particular, excessive loads are avoided by the elastic means 16 of the length-compensatable connection 15. In light of the foregoing, the advantages of a drainage system, a battery pack and a vehicle according to the invention are evident. Thanks to the proposed fastening system, any excessive stress is compensated by the length-compensatable connection, thus avoiding the disadvantages related to such stresses. Furthermore, the supplied mounting system can be set up quickly and requires a small number of components, while providing stable and compact attachment of the batteries inside the battery pack. In particular, the fastening system is particularly versatile, since the number of levers and the shape of the lid can allow the use of electric batteries with different shapes. It is clear that modifications may be made to the described drainage system, the battery pack and the vehicle that do not extend beyond the scope of protection defined by the claims. The shape of the battery pack and the number and shape of the batteries can vary. Similarly, the fastening systems—9—can be of any shape and number. The type of lever connections can be made in any equivalent way.

Claims

1 .- Fixing system (7) for battery pack (2) comprising a plurality of walls (2a, 2b, 2c) connected to each other to define a space (3) to house at least one electric battery (4), said space (3) extending along a longitudinal, transverse, vertical axis (A', B', C'), said fixing system (7) comprises a lever (8) equipped with a first portion (8'), a second portion (8'') and a third portion (8''') connecting the first and second portions (8', 8'') to each other, the fixing system (7) comprising a releasable fixed connection (9) to connect said second portion to one of said walls (2a, 2b, 2c) and a connection of compensable length (15) to fix said first portion (8') to said at least one electric battery (4).

2. - Fixing system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second portions (8', 8'') are inclined with respect to each other.

3. - Fixing system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second portions (8', 8'') are perpendicular to each other.

4. - Fixing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said lever (8) is made in a single piece.

5. - Fastening system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first portion (8') extends along said vertical axis (C'), said second portion (8'') extends along said transverse axis (B').

6. - Fastening system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said releasable fixed connection (9) comprises a threaded connection.

7. - Fastening system according to claim 6, wherein said releasable fixed connection (9) comprises a nut (11) configured to be screwed onto said second portion (8'').

8. - Fixing system according to claim 7, further comprising a space (12) housed around said second portion (8'') and operatively interposed between said one of said walls (2a, 2b, 2c) and a shoulder (13) fixedly supported by said second portion (8''').

9. - A fastening system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said length-compensable connection (15) comprises a nut (17) configured to be screwed onto said first portion (8') and elastic means (16) operatively interposed between said element (5) and said nut (17).

10. - A fastening system according to claim 9, wherein said elastic means (16) comprise a helical spring housed around said first portion (8').

11. - A fastening system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a cover (5) coupled to said battery (4), said fastening system (7) being operatively interposed between said one of said plurality of walls (2a, 2b, 2c) and said cover (5). 12.- Fixing system according to claim 11, wherein said cover (5) comprises a main portion (5a) in contact with said battery (4) and at least one flange (5b), said lever (8) being operatively interposed between said flange (5b) and said one of said plurality of walls (2a, 2b, 2c). 13.- Battery pack according to claim 12, wherein said flange (15b) extends along said transverse axis (B') from said main portion (5a) towards said one of said plurality of walls (2a, 2b, 2c). 14.- Battery pack assembly for a vehicle (1) comprising a battery pack (2) having a plurality of walls (2a, 2b, 2c) connected to define a space for housing at least one electric battery (4), said battery pack assembly further comprising a fastening system (7) according to any of the preceding claims configured to secure said battery (4) - 13 configured to connect said battery (4) to one of said plurality of walls (2a, 2b, 2c).

15. - Vehicle (1) comprising a battery pack assembly according to claim 14.