Electrical conductor device

Abstract

A current collector may include a conductive layer. The conductive layer may be configured to be electrically coupled to a first battery cell and a second battery cell with a gap region therebetween. The current collector may include an isolation layer. The isolation layer may define an aperture. The hole may form a path through the isolation layer to the gap region.

Description

[0001] introduction

[0002] Electric vehicles include battery cells that are electrically coupled together to provide power to the electric vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0003] A battery pack or battery module may include a current collector and a voltage sensing device coupled to a battery cell. The current collector may include at least one hole that passes through an isolation layer to form a path for potting material to move into the gap space between the battery cells of the battery module. The current collector may include a cell tab to electrically couple the current collector to the battery cells. For example, the current collector may include at least one tab having a geometric structure for increasing the weldable area on the terminals (e.g., edge terminals or button terminals) of the battery cells. The geometric structure may, for example, cover 80% or more of the area of ​​the terminal. The tab may include a material thickness for allowing a narrow fuse of the tab. The current collector may include a covering layer having a notch (e.g., a reduced area, a cutout) around the fuse to allow the fuse to move relative to the current collector and improve mechanical yield. The current collector may be coupled to the voltage sensing device. The voltage sensing device may be a voltage sensing harness (VSH). The voltage sensing harness may include a connector portion (e.g., a VSH tail) having at least one opening for receiving a grommet pin that couples the VSH tail to the battery module (e.g., to a busbar of the battery module). The voltage sensing harness may also include a plurality of voltage sensing regions that may minimize the DC internal resistance (DCIR) spread between the various segments of the current collector. For example, the current collector may include a plurality of segments (e.g., a "P-group"), and the voltage sensing harness may include at least one voltage sensing region for each segment. Each of the voltage sensing regions may be spaced a uniform distance from an adjacent voltage sensing region. The voltage sensing harness may remove or significantly reduce trace redundancy, such as by omitting a voltage sensing harness trace fuse or omitting a second group of trace fuses and retaining a single trace fuse.

[0004] At least one aspect relates to a device. The device may be a current collector. The current collector may include a conductive layer. The conductive layer may be configured to electrically couple to a first battery cell and a second battery cell with a gap region therebetween. The current collector may include a separator layer. The separator layer may define a hole. The hole may form a path through the separator layer to the gap region.

[0005] At least one aspect relates to a device. The device may be a current collector. The current collector may include a cover layer and a conductive layer. The cover layer may include a notch. The conductive layer may include a tab and a fuse. The tab may electrically couple the conductive layer to a battery cell. The conductive layer may be positioned relative to the cover layer such that the notch of the cover layer is positioned over at least a portion of the fuse.

[0006] At least one aspect relates to a device. The device may be a voltage sensing device. The voltage sensing device may include a plurality of voltage sensing regions. The voltage sensing device may be configured to couple with a current collector to measure the voltage of the current collector within the plurality of voltage sensing regions. The voltage sensing device may include each of the plurality of voltage sensing regions being spaced a distance from an adjacent voltage sensing region.

[0007] These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detail below. The foregoing information and the following detailed description include illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations, and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and characteristics of the protected aspects and implementations. The accompanying drawings provide illustration and further understanding of various aspects and implementations, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The foregoing information and the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings include illustrative examples and should not be considered limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers and names indicate similar elements in the various drawings. For clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

[0009] Figure 1 An exemplary electric vehicle according to some aspects is depicted.

[0010] Figure 2 Depicted are example battery packs according to some aspects.

[0011] Figure 3 Depicted are example battery modules according to some aspects.

[0012] Figure 4 Depicted is an example cross-sectional battery pack according to some aspects.

[0013] Figure 5 Depicted are exemplary current collectors according to some aspects.

[0014] Figure 6 Depicted are exemplary current collectors according to some aspects.

[0015] Figure 7 Depicted are exemplary current collectors and voltage sensing devices according to some aspects.

[0016] Figure 8 An exemplary voltage sensing apparatus according to some aspects is depicted.

[0017] Fig. 9 Depicted are exemplary voltage sensing devices and busbars according to some aspects.

[0018] Fig.10 An exemplary voltage sensing apparatus according to some aspects is depicted.

[0019] Fig.11 Depicted are exemplary voltage sensing regions of a current collector according to some aspects.

[0020] Fig.12 Depicted are exemplary voltage sensing regions of a current collector according to some aspects.

[0021] Fig.13 Depicted is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary battery cell according to some aspects.

[0022] Fig.14 Depicted is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary battery cell according to some aspects.

[0023] Fig.15 Depicted is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary battery cell according to some aspects.

[0024] Fig.16 Depicted are exemplary gap regions between battery cells according to some aspects. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Various concepts related to methods, devices and systems for batteries and current collectors for such batteries and specific implementations thereof are described in more detail below.The various concepts introduced above and discussed in more detail below can be implemented in any of numerous ways.

[0026] The present disclosure as a whole relates to a current collector assembly (CCA) for a battery module. The current collector in the CCA may include potting cutouts to improve potting material in the gap space between the battery cells of the battery module. For example, the current collector may include a plurality of cutouts to allow potting material to flow into the gap space below the S-bend region of the current collector. The current collector may include cell tabs to electrically couple the current collector to the battery cell. For example, the current collector may include cell tabs having a geometry for increasing the weldable area on the terminal (e.g., edge-type terminal or button-type terminal) of the battery cell. The geometry may, for example, cover 80% or more of the area of ​​the terminal. The current collector may include a covering layer having a notch (e.g., a reduced area, a cutout) around the fuse to allow the fuse to move relative to the current collector and improve mechanical yield. The current collector may be coupled to a voltage sensing device such as a voltage sensing harness ("VSH"). The voltage sensing harness may include a connector portion (e.g., a VSH tail) having at least one opening for receiving a grommet pin that couples the VSH tail to the battery module. The voltage sensing harness may also include multiple voltage sensing regions that may minimize DCIR spread between various sections, portions, or segments of the current collector. For example, the current collector may include multiple P-groups, and the voltage sensing harness may include at least one voltage sensing region for each P-group. Each of these voltage sensing regions may be spaced a uniform distance from an adjacent voltage sensing region. In addition, the voltage sensing harness may remove or significantly reduce trace redundancy, such as by omitting a voltage sensing harness trace fuse or omitting a second set of trace fuses and retaining a single trace fuse.

[0027] Figure 1An exemplary cross-sectional view 100 of an electric vehicle 105 with at least one battery pack 110 installed is depicted. The electric vehicle 105 may include an electric truck, an electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), an electric van, an electric car, an electric car, an electric motorcycle, an electric scooter, an electric passenger car, an electric passenger or commercial truck, a hybrid vehicle or other vehicle, such as a marine or air vehicle, an airplane, a helicopter, a submarine, a ship, or a drone, among other possibilities. The battery pack 110 may also be used as an energy storage system to power a building such as a residential or commercial building. The electric vehicle 105 may be fully electric or partially electric (e.g., a plug-in hybrid), and further, the electric vehicle 105 may be fully autonomous, partially autonomous, or unmanned. The electric vehicle 105 may also be manually operated or non-autonomous. The electric vehicle 105 (such as an electric truck or car) may include an onboard battery pack 110, a battery 115 or a battery module 115, or a battery cell 120 to power the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle 105 may include a chassis 125 (e.g., a frame, an internal frame, or a support structure). The chassis 125 may support various components of the electric vehicle 105. The chassis 125 may span a front portion 130 (e.g., a hood or lid portion), a body portion 135, and a rear portion 140 (e.g., a luggage compartment, payload, or trunk portion) of the electric vehicle 105. The battery pack 110 may be mounted or placed within the electric vehicle 105. For example, the battery pack 110 may be mounted within one or more of the front portion 130, the body portion 135, or the rear portion 140 on the chassis 125 of the electric vehicle 105. The battery pack 110 may include or be connected to at least one bus bar, such as a current collector element. For example, the first busbar 145 and the second busbar 150 may include conductive materials to connect or otherwise electrically couple the battery 115 , battery module 115 , or battery cell 120 to other electrical components of the electric vehicle 105 to provide power to various systems or components of the electric vehicle 105 .

[0028] Figure 2 An exemplary battery pack 110 is depicted. With particular reference to Figure 2, the battery pack 110 can provide power to the electric vehicle 105. The battery pack 110 may include any arrangement or network of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or electromechanical devices to power any type of vehicle, such as the electric vehicle 105. The battery pack 110 may include at least one housing 200. The housing 200 may include at least one battery module 115 or at least one battery cell 120, as well as other battery pack components. The battery module 115 may be or may include one or more groups of prismatic batteries, cylindrical batteries, pouch batteries, or other form factors of battery cells 120. The housing 200 may include a shield on or below the bottom of the battery module 115 to protect the battery module 115 and / or the battery cell 120 from external conditions, for example, when the electric vehicle 105 is traveling on rough terrain (e.g., off-road sites, ditches, rocks, etc.). The battery pack 110 may include at least one cooling line 205 that can distribute fluid through the battery pack 110 as part of a heat / temperature control or heat exchange system that can also include at least one thermal component (e.g., cold plate) 210. The thermal component 210 can be located relative to the top submodule and the bottom submodule, such as between the top submodule and the bottom submodule, among other possibilities. The battery pack 110 can include any number of thermal components 210. For example, there can be one or more thermal components 210 per battery pack 110 or per battery module 115. The at least one cooling line 205 can be coupled to, partially coupled to, or independent of the thermal component 210.

[0029] Figure 3An exemplary battery module 115 is depicted. The battery module 115 may include at least one submodule. For example, the battery module 115 may include at least one first (e.g., top) submodule 300 or at least one second (e.g., bottom) submodule 305. At least one thermal component 210 may be disposed between the top submodule 300 and the bottom submodule 305. For example, one thermal component 210 may be configured to exchange heat with one battery module 115. The thermal component 210 may be disposed or thermally coupled between the top submodule 300 and the bottom submodule 305. One thermal component 210 may also be thermally coupled to more than one battery module 115 (or more than two submodules 300, 305). The thermal components 210 shown as being adjacent to each other may be combined into a single thermal component 210 that spans the size of one or more submodules 300 or 305. The thermal component 210 may be positioned below the submodule 300 and above the submodule 305, between the submodules 300 and 305, on one or more sides of the submodules 300, 305, and other possibilities. The thermal component 210 may be disposed in a sidewall, a cross member, a structural beam, among various other components of a battery pack such as the battery pack 110 described above. The battery submodules 300, 305 may collectively form a battery module 115. In some examples, each submodule 300, 305 may be considered a complete battery module 115 rather than a submodule.

[0030] The battery modules 115 may each include a plurality of battery cells 120. The battery modules 115 may be disposed within the housing 200 of the battery pack 110. For example, the battery modules 115 may include battery cells 120 that are cylindrical cells or prismatic cells. The battery modules 115 may operate as modular units of the battery cells 120. For example, the battery modules 115 may collect current or power from the battery cells 120 included in the battery modules 115, and may provide current or power as an output of the battery pack 110. The battery pack 110 may include any number of battery modules 115. For example, the battery pack may have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, or other number of battery modules 115 disposed in the housing 200. It should also be noted that each battery module 115 may include a top submodule 300 and a bottom submodule 305, and may have a thermal component 210 between the top submodule 300 and the bottom submodule 305. The battery pack 110 may include or define a plurality of areas for positioning the battery modules 115 and / or the battery cells 120. The battery modules 115 may be square, rectangular, circular, triangular, symmetrical, or asymmetrical. In some examples, the battery modules 115 may be of different shapes, such that some battery modules 115 are rectangular, while other battery modules 115 are square, as well as other possibilities. The battery module 115 may include or define a plurality of slots, holders, or containers for a plurality of battery cells 120. It should be noted that the illustrations and descriptions herein are provided for exemplary purposes and should not be construed as limiting. For example, the battery cells 120 may be inserted into the battery pack 110 without the battery modules 300 and 305. The battery cells 120 may be arranged in the battery pack 110 in a battery cell-battery pack configuration without the modules 300 and 305, as well as other possibilities.

[0031] Especially Figure 4 As depicted, the battery module 115 may include a plurality of battery cells 120 and at least one current collector 400. The current collector 400 may include a conductive member that may electrically couple the plurality of battery cells 120 to one another. For example, the current collector 400 may electrically couple the plurality of battery cells 120 together in a series configuration, a parallel configuration, or some other configuration, such as by physically contacting one or more terminals of the plurality of battery cells 120. The battery pack 110 may include one current collector 400 for each battery module 115. For example, in particular, Figure 4 Each module 115 depicted may include a plurality of battery cells 120 and a current collector 400 to electrically couple the battery cells 120 together.

[0032] The battery cells 120 may be positioned adjacent to each other such that at least a portion of the battery cells 120 is in contact with (e.g., touching, abutting) at least one adjacent battery cell 120. The battery cells 120 may be positioned such that at least a portion of the battery cells 120 is not in contact with an adjacent battery cell 120. For example, Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Fig.16 As depicted, due to the arrangement, configuration, and shape of the battery cells, the battery cell 120 may be positioned relative to at least one adjacent battery cell 120 with a gap region 405 positioned between the adjacent battery cells 120. The gap region 405 may include a space, void, opening, or cavity positioned between adjacent battery cells 120. The battery cell 120 may be completely or partially surrounded by the gap region 405 in a radial direction. For example, if the battery cell 120 does not contact any adjacent battery cell 120, the gap region 405 may surround a radial surface of the battery cell 120 in a radial direction (e.g., excluding a top and a bottom, which may be coupled to, for example, a current collector 400 or a thermal component 210). In examples where a portion of the battery cell 120 contacts at least one adjacent battery cell 120, the gap region 405 may partially surround the battery cell 120. For example, a plurality of discrete (e.g., separate, individual) gap regions 405 may exist within the module 115, wherein each gap region 405 is separated from the other gap regions 405 because at least two battery cells are adjacent to (e.g., in contact with, touching) each other. The gap regions 405 may exist as a product of the shape, arrangement, and configuration of the battery cells 120. For example, the battery cells 120 may be cylindrical in form such that a group of a plurality (e.g., three, four, or some other number) of adjacent battery cells 120 may contact each other only along lines or edges rather than surfaces (e.g., as in the case of prismatic battery cells 120). The module 115 may include cylindrical battery cells 120, wherein the battery cells 120 are oriented in staggered rows within the module 115, such that three battery cells 120 may be arranged in a triangular orientation with a generally triangular gap region 405 positioned between the three battery cells, particularly as Fig.16 Depicted.

[0033] When the battery module 115 is assembled (e.g., when the battery cells 120 of the module 115 are positioned adjacent to each other and the current collector 400 is coupled to the battery cells), there are multiple gap areas 405. For example, the battery cell 120 can be a cylindrical battery cell 120 positioned between the current collector 400 and the thermal component 210. During the assembly of the battery module 115, the gap area 405 can be filled with a potting material 410, such as a polyurethane material, a silicon material, an epoxy material, or some other material. For example, the potting material 410 can be or include a composite polyurethane, a foamed polyurethane, or some other polyurethane material. The potting material 410 can be or include solid silicon, semi-solid silicon, a composite silicon, or some other silicon. The potting material 410 can be or include solid epoxy, foamed epoxy, or some other epoxy. For example, the potting material 410 can include a combination of polyurethane, silicon, epoxy, or some other material. For example, after the current collector 400 is positioned against the battery cells 120 (e.g., welded to the battery terminals of the battery cells 120 to electrically couple the battery cells 120 together), a viscous, semi-viscous, or liquid potting material 410 may be poured over the current collector 400. The potting material 410 may flow into the gap region 405. The potting material 410 may cure, harden, solidify, or otherwise reside within the gap region 405 to provide thermal or electrical insulation between adjacent battery cells 120 of the battery module 115.

[0034] Especially Figure 5 As depicted, the current collector 400 may include at least one conductive layer 500 and an isolation layer 535. For example, the current collector 400 may include a first conductive layer 500 and a second conductive layer 530. The first conductive layer 500 and the second conductive layer 530 may be electrically coupled together. The first conductive layer 500 may include at least one tab 505 and at least one fuse 510 for each tab 505. For example, the tab 505 may be a first tab 505 that may be coupled to a first terminal 515 of the battery cell 120. The fuse 510 may electrically couple the tab 505 to the remainder (e.g., the body) of the conductive layer 500. The fuse 510 may include a relatively thin, narrow, or elongated portion of the conductive layer 500. For example, the fuse 510 may be flexible to allow the tab 505 to be slightly bent or articulated so that the tab 505 is positioned on (e.g., positioned against, abutting, contacting, with) the battery terminal 515. Although fuse 510 is bendable or flexible, it is important that fuse 510 also resists breaking or mechanical yielding.

[0035] The conductive layer 500 may include at least one second tab 520 and at least one second fuse 545. The second tab 520 may be coupled to at least one second terminal 525 of the battery cell 120. For example, the second tab 520 of the conductive layer 500 may be coupled to the second terminal 525 of the first battery cell 120 and another second terminal 525 (e.g., a third terminal) of an adjacent battery cell 120 (e.g., a second battery cell 120). In this way, the second tab 520 may be coupled to two terminals 525 at the same time, including one terminal 525 of one battery cell 120 and another terminal 525 of another battery cell 120. The second terminal 525 of the battery cell 120 may have a polarity opposite to that of the first terminal 515. For example, the second terminal 525 may have a negative polarity, while the first terminal 515 may have a positive polarity, or vice versa. The second tab 520 may be coupled to the second fuse 545. Fuse 545 can electrically couple second tab 520 with the remainder (e.g., body) of conductive layer 500. Fuse 545 can include a relatively thin, narrow, or elongated portion of conductive layer 500. For example, fuse 545 can be flexible to allow second tab 520 to bend or articulate slightly so that second tab 520 is positioned over (e.g., positioned against, abutting, contacting) battery terminal 525. Although fuse 545 is bendable or flexible, it is important that fuse 545 also resists breaking or mechanical yielding.

[0036] Conductive layer 500 may include a material thickness. For example, the material thickness of conductive layer 500 may be greater than 125µm. The material thickness of conductive layer 500 may be 150µm, 125µm-150µm, or greater than 150µm. In the case of, for example, a thickness of 150µm, fuse 510 or fuse 545 may be narrower (e.g., have a smaller lateral width) than in examples where the material thickness is 125µm or less than 125µm. For example, a thickness of 150µm may provide sufficient material strength so that fuse 510 may include a width of 1.0mm. Fuse 510 may have a width of less than 1.2 mm, 1.0 mm-1.2 mm, or less than 1.0 mm because the material thickness of conductive layer 500 (and therefore fuse 510 of conductive layer 500) is sufficiently thick. The width of fuse 510 may be, for example, approximately 5%-80% of the width of tab 505. The width of tab 505 may allow at least two welds (e.g., paths, series, groups) to be generated to connect fuse 510 to battery terminal 515. The width of fuse 545 may be, for example, approximately 50%-95% of the width of tab 520. For example, the width of tab 520 may allow at least two welds (e.g., paths, series, groups) to be generated to connect fuse 520 to battery terminal 525.

[0037] Especially Figure 5 and Figure 6 As depicted, the first terminal 515 may include a button-type terminal. For example, the first terminal 515 may include a generally cylindrical protrusion extending from the battery cell 120. The first terminal 515 may have an area (e.g., a surface area) within which the first tab 505 may be electrically coupled to the first terminal 515. For example, the first terminal 515 may define an upper surface or area having a generally circular shape or some other shape. The first terminal 515 may include some other shape or contour. For example, the first terminal 515 may include a rectangular protrusion or recess of the battery cell 120. The first tab 505 may have a shape or contour. The shape or contour of the first tab 505 may be similar to the shape of the first terminal 515 or different from the shape of the first terminal 515. In particular, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As depicted, the first tab 505 may have a rounded shape. The first tab 505 may be positioned relative to the first terminal 515 such that the first tab 505 is positioned over a substantial portion (e.g., greater than 50%) of the area of ​​the first terminal 515. For example, the first tab 505 may be positioned relative to the first terminal 515 such that the first tab 505 is positioned over 70%-80%, 80%-90%, or greater than 90% of the area of ​​the first terminal 515. The first tab 505 may be positioned over a substantial portion of the first terminal 515 to provide a welding device (e.g., a laser welding device) with ample weldable area to weld the first tab 505 to the first terminal 515. For example, the weldable area may include an area of ​​the first tab 505 positioned over the first terminal 515 of the battery cell 120. Substantially all (e.g., greater than 95%) of the area of ​​the first tab 505 may be positioned over the first terminal 515, and the first tab 505 may be positioned over a substantial portion (e.g., 80%) of the area of ​​the first terminal 515, such that approximately (e.g., ± 10%) 80% of the area of ​​the first terminal 515 is a weldable area. For example, a laser welding device has sufficient weldable area to produce two or more weld joints that electrically couple the tab 505 and the first terminal 515, wherein the first tab 505 is positioned over a substantial portion (e.g., 80%) of the area of ​​the first terminal 515.

[0038] The second terminal 525 may include an edge-type terminal. For example, in the case of a cylindrical battery cell 120, the second terminal 525 may include a portion of the outer radial edge or edge of the battery cell 120. The second tab 520 may include some other shape or profile. For example, the second terminal 525 may include a tab, protrusion, button, or recess having a certain shape (e.g., circular, rectangular, triangular, or some other shape). The second tab 520 may include a shape or profile that corresponds at least partially to the shape or profile of the second terminal 525. For example, the second terminal 525 may include an edge-type terminal, and the second tab 520 may include an elongated rectangular shape so that the second tab 520 can be positioned over a sufficient area of ​​the second terminal 525 to provide a sufficient weldable area (e.g., an area within which a laser welder can successfully weld the second tab 520 to the second terminal 525). The second tab 520 may include a shape or contour that at least partially corresponds to the shape or contour of the terminal 525 of the first battery cell 120 and the terminal 525 of the second battery cell 120, such as when the second tab 520 is connected to the second terminals 525 of two battery cells 120 positioned adjacent to each other.

[0039] Especially Figure 5 As depicted, the conductive layer 500 may include an isolation layer 535. The isolation layer 535 may include a non-conductive layer such that electricity is not conducted by the isolation layer 535. For example, the isolation layer 535 may be positioned between two conductive layers of the current collector 400. The isolation layer 535 may be positioned between the conductive layer 500 and the battery cell 120. For example, at least a portion of the isolation layer 535 may be positioned with the conductive layer to one side of the isolation layer 535 (e.g., the upper side) and positioned with the first battery cell 120 and the second battery cell 120 to the opposite side of the isolation layer 535 (e.g., the lower side). The isolation layer may generally separate the battery cells 120 of the battery module 115 from the conductive layer 500 such that the only electrical connection between the conductive layer 500 and the battery cells 120 is via the first tab 505 or the second tab 520 and the first terminal 515 or the second terminal 525, respectively. The isolation layer 535 may cover a substantial portion (e.g., 75%, greater than 75%, or some other percentage) of the surface area of ​​the battery cell 120. For example, where the current collector 400 is located on (e.g., against, on top of, coupled to) a battery cell 120 of a battery module 115, only a small portion of the battery cell 120 may be visible through the current collector 400. Thus, the interstitial regions 405 between the battery cells 120 of the battery module 115 may also be at least partially covered by the isolation layer 535. For example, the isolation layer 535—in addition to the other layers of the current collector 400—may overlap at least a portion of the interstitial regions 405 present between adjacent battery cells 120.

[0040] The isolation layer 535 may define a hole 540. The hole 540 may include a hole, opening, space, void, or pore through the isolation layer 535. The hole 540 may form a path through the isolation layer 535. For example, a material such as a viscous, semi-viscous, liquid, or particulate material may pass through the isolation layer 535 via the hole 540. The hole 540 may be positioned on the isolation layer 535 to provide a path through the isolation layer 535 to the gap region 405. For example, the hole 540 may be positioned relative to the battery cells 120 so that the hole 540 at least partially overlaps the gap region 405 located between adjacent battery cells 120. In this way, a material (e.g., a viscous, semi-viscous, liquid, or some other material) may pass through the hole 540 of the isolation layer 535 to reach the gap region 405. The hole 540 may include a rectangular shape or contour, an arcuate shape or contour, a circular shape or contour, or some other shape or contour. For example, in particular, Figure 5 As depicted, hole 540 may have an arcuate shape. The arcuate shape may follow the contour or outline of conductive layer 530 or some other portion of current collector 400. Hole 540 may have a shape, size, and positioning so as to maintain the mechanical integrity of current collector 400 and provide a path to gap region 405. For example, hole 540 may include a shape (e.g., an arcuate, circular, rectangular, elliptical, or some other shape), size (e.g., size, length, width), and positioning (e.g., position on isolation layer 535 relative to the edge of isolation layer 535, position relative to another portion of current collector 400) selected to provide a path through isolation layer 535 to gap region 405 without compromising the integrity of isolation layer 535 or the current collector more generally. For example, hole 540 may be positioned on isolation layer 535 so as to maintain a minimum material thickness (e.g., width, wall thickness) between the edge of hole 540 and the edge of isolation layer 535. Hole 540 may include a shape or size such that the shape or size of hole 540 is set to be similar to the shape or size of gap region 405. For example, the aperture 540 may have a generally triangular shape while the gap region 405 also has a generally triangular shape (such as in the case where three cylindrical battery cells 120 are positioned adjacent to each other to form the gap region 405 ).

[0041] Because the potting material 410 is provided to the gap region 405 after the current collector 400 is positioned on the battery cells 120 (e.g., positioned against, coupled to, welded to these battery cells), the current collector 400 may hinder the flow or movement of the potting material 410 into the gap region 405. The gap region 405 may not be fully filled (e.g., only 10% filled, only 50% filled, less than 50% filled, less than 80% filled) with the potting material 410 due to the flow or movement of the potting material 410 being at least partially hindered. Therefore, the battery module 115 or the battery pack 110 may have poor or reduced thermal properties or electrical insulation properties due to the gap region 405 not being fully filled with the potting material 410. The holes 540 of the isolation layer 535 can be configured to form a path through the isolation layer 535 and into the gap region 405 to guide the potting material 410 into the gap region 405. For example, the holes 540 of the isolation layer 535 may be at least partially positioned above (e.g., at least partially overlap) the gap region 405, such that a direct flow path is created through the isolation layer 535 and into the gap region 405. Through the holes 540, a certain amount of the potting material 410 is allowed to flow or pour freely or more easily into the gap region 405 than in the absence of the holes 540. For example, without the holes 540, the current collector 400 would at least partially impede the flow or movement of the potting material 410 into the gap region 405, which may prevent the gap region 405 from being filled or substantially filled with (e.g., 80% filled or more filled with) the potting material 410. However, with the holes 540, the gap region 405 may be substantially filled (e.g., 80% filled, 90% filled, 95% filled, or greater than 95% filled) with the potting material 410, which is directed through the holes 540 of the isolation layer 535 and into the gap region 405. The holes 540 may improve potting packing density by facilitating movement (eg, flow) of the potting material 410 into the gap region 405 , which may ultimately improve module thermal runaway performance of the battery module 115 , among other benefits.

[0042] The conductive layer 500 may include at least one cover layer 600. For example, the cover layer may include a non-conductive layer (e.g., an insulating layer) positioned on (e.g., positioned against, adjacent to) the conductive layer 500. For example, the cover layer 600 may be positioned on top of the conductive layer 500. The conductive layer 500 may be at least partially positioned between the cover layer 600 and the isolation layer 535. For example, the conductive layer 500 may be at least partially positioned between the cover layer 600 and the battery cell 120.

[0043] The cover layer 600 may include at least one notch. For example, the cover layer 600 may include a notch 610. The notch 610 may be defined by an edge 605 of the cover layer 600. The notch 610 may include a cutout, a groove, a depression in the cover layer 600. For example, a boundary 630 of the notch 610 may be offset from a boundary 625 of a non-notched portion of the cover layer 600. A greater portion of an object below the cover layer 600 may be visible or accessible due to the notch 610. For example, the notch 610 may reduce the surface area of ​​the cover layer 600. The notch 610 may be strategically positioned above the fuse 510 so that the fuse 510 is not covered by the cover layer 600 when the cover layer 600 is positioned on the conductive layer 500 (e.g., positioned against, above, adjacent to, the conductive layer). For example, the conductive layer 500 can be positioned relative to the cover layer 600 such that the notch 610 of the cover layer 600 is positioned over at least a portion of the fuse 510. The cover layer 600 can cover a portion of the conductive layer 500 adjacent to the fuse 510, but can avoid covering at least a portion of the fuse 510. The portion of the fuse 510 that is not covered by the cover layer 600 can avoid contacting the cover layer 600. For example, the notch 610 can allow at least a portion of the fuse 510 and at least a portion of the tab 505 to move without the portion of the fuse 510 or the portion of the tab 505 contacting the cover layer 600. Thus, the notch 610 of the cover layer 600 can allow the fuse 510 to bend, hinge, or otherwise move with greater freedom without contacting the cover layer 600. Because the fuse 510 can bend, hinge, or otherwise move with greater freedom, the tab 505 can be more easily positioned or adjusted on the terminal 515 of the battery cell 120, which can facilitate or improve a subsequent welding operation to couple (e.g., weld) the tab 505 to the terminal 515. Because the fuse 510 can bend, hinge, or otherwise move without contacting the cover layer 600, the likelihood of damage to the fuse 510 or the cover layer 600 due to contact between the fuse 510 or the cover layer 600 can be reduced. The cover layer 600 can be positioned relative to the isolation layer 535 so that at least a portion of the recess 610 is positioned above the isolation layer 535. For example, the fuse 510 can be positioned between the isolation layer 535 and the recess 610.

[0044] The cover layer 600 may include at least one second notch 620. The notch 620 may be defined by an edge 615 of the cover layer 600. The notch 620 may include a cutout, a groove, a depression in the cover layer 600. For example, a boundary 640 of the notch 620 may be offset from a boundary 635 of a non-notched portion of the cover layer 600. A greater portion of an object beneath the cover layer 600 may be visible or accessible due to the notch 620. For example, the notch 620 may reduce the surface area of ​​the cover layer 600. The notch 620 may be strategically positioned above the fuse 545 so that the fuse 545 is not covered by the cover layer 600 if the cover layer 600 is positioned on the conductive layer 500 (e.g., positioned against, above, adjacent to the conductive layer). For example, the conductive layer 500 may be positioned relative to the cover layer 600 so that the notch 610 of the cover layer 600 is positioned above at least a portion of the fuse 545. The cover layer 600 may cover a portion of the conductive layer 500 adjacent to the fuse 545, but may avoid covering at least a portion of the fuse 545. The portion of the fuse 545 not covered by the cover layer 600 may avoid contacting the cover layer 600. For example, the notch 620 may allow at least a portion of the fuse 545 and at least a portion of the tab 520 to move without the portion of the fuse 545 or the portion of the tab 520 contacting the cover layer 600. Thus, the notch 620 of the cover layer 600 may allow the fuse 545 to bend, hinge, or otherwise move with greater freedom without contacting the cover layer 600. Because the fuse 545 may bend, hinge, or otherwise move with greater freedom, the tab 520 may be more easily positioned or adjusted on the terminal 525 of the battery cell 120, which may facilitate or improve a subsequent welding operation to couple (e.g., weld) the tab 520 to the terminal 525. Because fuse 545 can bend, hinge, or otherwise move without contacting cover layer 600, the likelihood of damage to fuse 545 or cover layer 600 due to contact between fuse 545 or cover layer 600 can be reduced. Cover layer 600 can be positioned relative to isolation layer 535 such that at least a portion of recess 620 is positioned above isolation layer 535. For example, fuse 545 can be positioned between isolation layer 535 and recess 620.

[0045] Especially Figure 7As depicted, the current collector 400 may be electrically coupled to at least one device 700. The device 700 may include a voltage sensing device 700. For example, the voltage sensing device 700 may include a voltage sensing harness (“VSH”) 700. The battery pack 110 or battery module 115 may include a first voltage sensing harness 700 and a second voltage sensing harness 700, wherein the first voltage sensing harness 700 may include a first polarity (e.g., a negative polarity) and the second voltage sensing harness 700 may include a second polarity (e.g., a positive polarity). The voltage sensing harness 700 may include a connector portion 705. The connector portion 705 may include an electrical connector 710 and at least one connector hole 715. For example, the electrical connector 710 may include a pin-type connector or some other type of connector configured to facilitate mechanical or electrical coupling of the voltage sensing harness 700 with another component (e.g., a voltage monitoring module, a controller, or some other component). The connector portion 705 may include a ribbon cable extending from the body of the voltage sensing harness 700. For example, the body 725 of the VSH may be positioned on (e.g., positioned against, adjacent to) the current collector 400, and the connector portion 705 may extend from the body 725. The body 725 of the voltage sensing harness 700 may extend across or substantially across the length (e.g., across 90% of the length) of the current collector 400. The voltage sensing harness 700 may extend over a portion (e.g., 25%) of the width of the current collector 400.

[0046] The voltage sensing harness 700 may be electrically coupled to the current collector 400. For example, the voltage sensing harness 700 may be electrically coupled to the conductive layer 500 of the current collector 400. The voltage sensing harness 700 may be electrically coupled to the conductive layer 500 to monitor the voltage, current, or some other electrical or thermal property of the conductive layer 500 or the current collector 400. For example, the voltage sensing harness 700 includes at least one voltage sensing region 720. The voltage sensing region 720 may include a region, zone, or zone of the voltage sensing harness 700. The voltage sensing harness 700 may include at least one voltage sensor or voltage sensing device within each voltage sensing region 720. For example, each voltage sensing region 720 may include a voltage sensor to measure the voltage at a portion of the current collector 400 corresponding to the voltage sensing region 720. The voltage sensor may include an electromagnetic voltage sensor, a varistor, or a voltage sensor configured to measure current.

[0047] Especially Figure 7 and Figure 8As depicted, the voltage sensing harness 700 may include a plurality of voltage sensing regions 720, each having a voltage sensor or voltage sensing device. The voltage sensing harness 700 may measure the voltage of an electrical component (i.e., a portion of the current collector 400) located adjacent to each voltage sensing region 720. For example, the voltage sensing harness 700 may be coupled to the current collector 400 to measure the voltage of the current collector 400 within each voltage sensing region 720. The voltage sensing harness 700 may include one or more wires or cables to transmit signals from the voltage sensors within the corresponding voltage sensing regions 720 to the connector 710 via the connector portion 705. For example, the voltage sensing harness 700 may provide an indication of the voltage within each of the voltage sensing regions 720 to some other controller or monitoring device via the connector portion 705 and the connector 710. In addition to or in lieu of the voltage sensor, the voltage sensing harness 700 may include at least one sensor to measure the current, temperature, resistance, or some other electrical, thermal, or physical property of the region of the current collector 400 corresponding to the voltage sensing region 720. Because the voltage sensing harness 700 may include multiple voltage sensing regions 720, the voltage sensing harness 700 may include multiple sensors within each voltage sensing region 720 to measure some property of the current collector 400 at multiple locations corresponding to each of the voltage sensing regions 720. In this way, the voltage sensing harness 700 may make or facilitate making multiple measurements over an area of ​​the current collector 400 and transmit (e.g., provide) indications of those measurements to some other device (e.g., a controller, a voltage management device) via the connector portion 705 and the connector 710.

[0048] The voltage sensing harness 700 may be coupled to the current collector 400. For example, the voltage sensing harness 700 may be mechanically coupled or electrically coupled to the current collector 400. The voltage sensing harness 700 may be welded (e.g., laser welded) to the current collector 400. For example, the voltage sensing harness 700 may be laser welded to the conductive layer 500 of the current collector 400 to mechanically and electrically couple the voltage sensing harness 700 to the current collector 400. The mechanical coupling of the voltage sensing harness 700 to the current collector 400 may prevent the voltage sensing harness 700 from being separated from the current collector 400. The mechanical coupling of the voltage sensing harness 700 to the current collector 400 may couple each of the voltage sensing regions 720 of the voltage sensing harness 700 to a corresponding region (e.g., such as Fig.11 and Fig.12The electrical connection of the voltage sensing harness 700 to the current collector 400 may facilitate (e.g., allow, permit) the measurement of the voltage of the current collector 400 within each of the voltage sensing regions 720. The voltage sensing harness 700 may be mechanically and electrically connected to the current collector 400 at or adjacent to the voltage sensing region 720 of the voltage sensing harness 700 (e.g., within five centimeters of the voltage sensing region or within some other distance). For example, each voltage sensing region 720 of the voltage sensing harness 700 may include at least one welding region 800 (e.g., point, portion, region) within which a laser welding device may direct (e.g., emit) a laser to laser weld the voltage sensing harness 700 to the current collector 400. Each voltage sensing region 720 may correspond to two or more welding regions 800 positioned on opposite sides of the voltage sensing region 720 or on opposite sides of a voltage sensing device within each voltage sensing region 720.

[0049] The voltage sensing harness 700 may include a single set of traces. For example, rather than including multiple redundant traces, the voltage sensing harness 700 may include a single set of traces (e.g., wires, cables, circuits) for each voltage sensing region 720. The voltage sensing harness 700 may include a single set of traces (e.g., wires, cables, circuits) for each section of the current collector 400 or battery module 115 (e.g., Fig.11 and Fig.12 Rather than including multiple redundant voltage sensing regions 720 for each region of the current collector 400 or battery module 115 being measured, a single voltage sensing region 720 for each region 1100 is included. Figure 8 As depicted, the voltage sensing harness 700 may include a single voltage sensing region 720 for each section or portion of the voltage sensing harness 700, rather than two or more voltage sensing regions 720 per section or portion. For example, the voltage sensing harness 700 may include a single trace fuse corresponding to the single voltage sensing region 720 per portion or section of the voltage sensing harness 700.

[0050] like Fig. 9As depicted, connector portion 705 may include cable portion 900 and non-cable portion 905. Cable portion 900 may include a portion of connector portion 705 that is made of or includes at least one cable (e.g., wire, ribbon cable, conductive member) to facilitate communication of electrical signals through connector portion 705. For example, cable portion 900 may include a plurality of wires that may transmit electrical signals from a voltage sensor of each voltage sensing region in voltage sensing region 720 to connector 710, wherein connector 710 may then be electrically coupled to some other component (e.g., voltage monitor, controller, or some other component) to further transmit the same electrical signal to the other component. Non-cable portion 905 may include a portion of connector portion 705 that does not include any wire or conductive material. Non-cable portion 905 may include a structural region of connector portion 705 to mechanically couple first cable portion 900 to second cable portion 900. The non-cable region 905 may include an insulating member or region of the connector portion 705 that may separate or electrically insulate the first cable portion 900 from the second cable portion 900. The non-cable portion 905 may be free of any wires, cables, or other conductive components.

[0051] The voltage sensing harness 700 may include a connector portion 705 defining a connector aperture 715. For example, the connector aperture 715 may include an opening, hole, aperture, void, space, or passage formed through the connector portion 705. The connector aperture 715 may be circular, oval, square, rectangular, or have some other cross-sectional shape. The connector aperture 715 may be positioned on the non-cable portion 905 of the connector portion 705. For example, the connector aperture 715 may be formed by an area or region of the connector portion 705 that does not include or require any electrical connector, wire, cable, or other conductive element. The connector aperture 715 may receive a retaining member. The connector aperture 715 may include a side, shape, or size such that the connector aperture 715 allows the retaining member to be received at least partially through the connector aperture 715. The retaining member may include a grommet pin, a plug, a press-fit connector, or some other fastener. For example, the retaining member may include a grommet pin or fastener having a shank portion and a head portion, wherein the shank portion may be received in or through the connector aperture 715 (e.g., the connector aperture 715 may include a diameter similar to the diameter of the shank portion), and the head portion may contact or abut the connector portion 705 (e.g., the non-cable portion) without passing through the connector aperture 715. The retaining member may include a non-conductive component such that electrical current cannot be conducted by the retaining member.

[0052] Especially Fig.10As depicted, the voltage sensing harness 700 may include a connector portion 705 configured to couple with the busbar 1000. The busbar 1000 may include a conductive member or structure of the battery module 115 that can conduct electricity from the collector 400 to some other component (e.g., a drive unit, an electrical connector or contactor of the vehicle 105, or some other device). The busbar 1000 may include a busbar associated with one of the plurality of battery modules 115 within the battery pack 110. For example, the busbar 1000 may electrically couple one module 115 within the battery pack 110 to another module 115. The busbar 1000 may include the busbar 145 of the vehicle 105, the busbar 150 of the vehicle 105, or some other busbar. The busbar 1000 may define a busbar hole 1005. The busbar hole 1005 may include a hole, a pit, an opening, a port, a pore, a space, a void, or other opening in the busbar 1000. The busbar aperture 1005 may be formed partially or completely through the busbar 1000. The busbar aperture may receive a retaining member. The busbar aperture 1005 may include a side, shape, or size such that the busbar aperture 1005 may allow a retaining member to be received at least partially through the busbar aperture 1005. For example, the retaining member or a portion of the retaining member may extend through the connector aperture 715 of the connector portion 705 of the voltage sensing harness 700 and then at least partially extend into the busbar aperture 1005 of the busbar 1000.

[0053] The voltage sensing harness 700 may be mechanically coupled to the busbar 1000. For example, the connector portion 705 of the voltage sensing harness 700 may be mechanically coupled to the busbar 1000 via a retaining member, but not electrically coupled. The retaining member may be received by both the busbar aperture 1005 of the busbar 1000 and the connector aperture 715 of the connector portion 705 to couple the connector portion 705 to the busbar 1000. For example, the retaining member may be received by the busbar aperture 1005 of the busbar 1000 and the connector aperture 715 of the connector portion 705, wherein the busbar aperture 1005 and the connector aperture 715 are at least partially aligned (e.g., overlapped, concentric, coaxial, or otherwise aligned). The retaining member may include a rubber pin or other fastener that may hold the connector portion 705 of the voltage sensing harness 700 against the busbar 1000. For example, when the retaining member is simultaneously engaged with the busbar hole 1005 and the connector hole 715, the connector portion 705 can be held against (e.g., touching, contacting) the busbar 1000. When the connector portion 705 is held against the busbar 1000 via the retaining member, the connector portion 705 can be prevented from being separated from the busbar 1000.

[0054] Especially Figure 11 to Figure 12 As depicted, current collector 400 may include multiple segments 1100 (eg, parallel groups or "P-groups"). Fig.11In particular, a first current collector 400 associated with one battery module 115 (eg, a first battery module 115 of a vehicle 105 ) may be depicted. Fig.12 In particular, a second current collector 400 associated with another battery module (e.g., a second battery module 115 of the vehicle 105) may be depicted. For example, the vehicle 105 may include two or more battery modules 115, each battery module including a plurality of battery cells 120 electrically coupled via a current collector 400 associated with the battery module 115. Each section 1100 of the current collector 400 may be associated with a group of battery cells 120 of the battery module 115, and a portion of the current collector 400 (e.g., select tabs 505 and tabs 520) may be associated with the same group of battery cells 120. For example, the current collector 400 may define two sections 1100, three sections 1100, four sections 1100, five sections 1100, six sections 1100, or some other number of sections. The sections 1100 may be disposed along the length of the current collector 400. The voltage sensing harness 700 may be positioned on the current collector 400 (e.g., positioned against, electrically coupled to, the current collector) such that the voltage sensing harness 700 is routed across or at least partially extends into each of the segments 1100. For example, the voltage sensing harness 700 may be coupled to the current collector 400 such that one voltage sensing region 720 of the voltage sensing harness 700 may be positioned within each of the segments 1100 of the current collector 400.

[0055] Each segment 1100 of the current collector 400 may include at least one voltage sensing region 1110. The voltage sensing region 1110 of the current collector 400 may include an area, zone, region, or location of a particular segment 1100 within which the voltage sensing harness 700 may obtain a voltage measurement or some other measurement. For example, the voltage sensing region 1110 within each segment 1100 may correspond to the voltage sensing region 720 of the voltage sensing harness 700. The voltage sensing harness 700 may be coupled to the current collector 400 such that each voltage sensing region 720 of the voltage sensing harness 700 is configured to perform a voltage measurement (e.g., measure a voltage with a voltage sensing device) within the voltage sensing region 1110 of each segment 1100. For example, each voltage sensing region 720 of the voltage sensing harness 700 may be at least partially aligned with (e.g., overlaps, contacts, abuts) one of the voltage sensing regions 1110 of the current collector 400. Each of the plurality of voltage sensing regions 720 is configured to measure the voltage within one section 1100 of the current collector 400. For example, one voltage sensing region 720 of the voltage sensing harness 700 may measure the voltage within each of the sections 1100 of the current collector 400.

[0056] Voltage sensing harness 700 may include each of a plurality of voltage sensing regions 720 spaced apart from an adjacent voltage sensing region by a distance 1105. Current collector 400 may include each of a plurality of voltage sensing regions 1110 spaced apart by a distance 1105. For example, distance 1105 may include a distance between adjacent voltage sensing regions 720, wherein distance 1105 is uniform such that each of voltage sensing regions 720 is spaced apart by a substantially equal (e.g., 95% equal) distance. Because voltage sensing regions 720 are at least partially aligned with corresponding voltage sensing regions 1110 of current collector 400, each voltage sensing region 1110 may be spaced apart from an adjacent voltage sensing region by a uniform distance 1105.

[0057] Because the voltage sensing regions 720 of the voltage sensing harness 700 and the corresponding voltage sensing regions 1110 of the current collector 400 are spaced at equidistant intervals (e.g., distance 1105) along the current collector 400, the contribution of each section 1100 of the current collector 400 (e.g., each P-group), the associated section of the battery module 115 may represent an equal contribution to the DCIR measurement of the battery module 115 or battery pack 110. The positioning of the voltage sensing regions 720 as indicated by the equidistant spacing of the distance 1105, as well as the positioning of the initial voltage sensing region 720 (which then determines where all other voltage sensing regions 720 are positioned) may cause the DCIR spread (e.g., the range of the DCIR measurement) or the error or tolerance range of the DCIR measurement of the battery module 115 or battery pack 110 to be low. For example, the voltage sensing regions 720 of the voltage sensing harness 700 may be spaced apart from adjacent voltage sensing regions 720 by a distance 1105, wherein the initial voltage sensing region 720 (e.g., particularly as shown in FIG. 1 ) may be spaced apart by a distance 1105 from adjacent voltage sensing regions 720. Fig.11 or Fig.12 The leftmost voltage sensing region 720 shown) can be positioned in a particular location within the first segment 1100 (e.g., the leftmost segment 1100) so that measurements (e.g., voltage measurements, resistance measurements, current measurements) of the first segment 1100 within this initial voltage sensing region 720 and all subsequent measurements of the subsequent segments 1100 in the voltage sensing region 720 having the positioning indicated by the distance 1105 can be accurate and without significant error. As an example, the measured DCIR spread for a battery pack 110 or battery module 115 having a voltage sensing harness 700 with voltage sensing regions 720 spaced a distance 1105 apart can be approximately 1.5%.

[0058] Fig.13 , Fig.14 and Fig.15An exemplary cross-sectional view of a battery cell 120 is depicted. The battery cell 120 has a variety of form factors, shapes, or sizes. For example, the battery cell 120 can have a cylindrical, rectangular, square, cubic, flat, pouch-shaped, elongated, or prismatic form factor. Fig.13 As depicted, for example, battery cell 120 may be cylindrical. Fig.14 As depicted, for example, battery cell 120 may be prismatic. Fig.15 As depicted, for example, the battery cell 120 may include a pouch form factor. The battery cell 120 may be assembled, for example, by inserting a wound or stacked electrode roll (e.g., a jelly roll) including an electrolyte material into at least one battery cell housing 1300. An electrolyte material, such as an ion conductive fluid or another material, may support an electrochemical reaction at the electrode to generate, store, or provide power for the battery cell by allowing ion conduction between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The battery cell 120 may include an electrolyte layer, wherein the electrolyte layer may be or include a solid electrolyte material that can conduct ions. For example, a solid electrolyte layer may conduct ions without receiving a separate liquid electrolyte material. An electrolyte material, such as an ion conductive fluid or another material, may support ion conduction between the electrodes, thereby generating or providing power for the battery cell 120. The housing 1300 may have a variety of shapes, including, for example, a cylindrical or rectangular shape. An electrical connection may be formed between the electrolyte material and components of the battery cell 120. For example, an electrical connection of the electrode to at least some of the electrolyte material may be formed at two points or areas of the battery cell 120, for example to form a first polarity terminal 515 (e.g., a positive terminal or anode terminal) and a second polarity terminal 525 (e.g., a negative terminal or cathode terminal). The polarity terminals may be made of a conductive material to carry electrical current from the battery cell 120 to an electrical load, such as a component or system of the electric vehicle 105.

[0059] For example, the battery cell 120 may include at least one lithium-ion battery cell. In a lithium-ion battery cell, lithium ions may be transferred between the positive electrode and the negative electrode during charging and discharging of the battery cell. For example, the battery cell anode may include lithium or graphite, and the battery cell cathode may include a lithium-based oxide material. An electrolyte material may be provided in the battery cell 120 to separate the anode and the cathode from each other and to facilitate the transfer of lithium ions between the anode and the cathode. It should be noted that the battery cell 120 may also take the form of a solid-state battery cell developed using a solid electrode and a solid electrolyte. The solid electrode or electrolyte may be or include an inorganic solid electrolyte material (e.g., an oxide, a sulfide, a phosphide, a ceramic), a solid polymer electrolyte material, a hybrid solid electrolyte, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the solid electrolyte layer may include a polyanion or oxide-based electrolyte material (e.g., lithium superionic conductor (LISICON), sodium superionic conductor (NASICON), perovskite with the formula ABO3 (A=Li, Ca, Sr, La and B=Al, Ti), garnet type with the formula A3B2(XO4)3 (A=Ca, Sr, Ba and X=Nb, Ta), lithium phosphorus oxynitride (Li x PO y N z In some embodiments, the solid electrolyte layer may include a glassy, ​​ceramic, and / or crystalline sulfide-based electrolyte (e.g., Li3PS4, Li7P3S 11 , Li2S-P2S5, Li2S-B2S3, SnS-P2S5, Li2S–SiS2, Li2S–P2S5, Li2S-GeS2, Li 10 GeP2S 12 ) and / or a sulfide-based lithium argyrodite (such as Li6PS5Cl) having the formula Li6PS5X (X=Cl, Br). In addition, the solid electrolyte layer may include a polymer electrolyte material (e.g., a hybrid or pseudo-solid electrolyte), such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyethylene oxide (PEO), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), etc.

[0060] The battery cell 120 may be included in a battery module 115 of a battery pack 110 to supply power to components of the electric vehicle 105. The battery cell housing 1300 may be disposed in the battery module 115, the battery pack 110, or a battery array installed in the electric vehicle 105. The housing 1300 may have any shape, such as a circular shape (e.g., particularly Fig.13 The shape of the housing 1300 may also be a prism with a polygonal base, especially as shown in FIG. Fig.14 In particular, Fig.15As shown, the housing 1300 may include a pouch factor. The housing 1300 may include other form factors, such as triangles, squares, rectangles, pentagons, and hexagons. In some embodiments, the battery pack may not include modules (e.g., no modules). For example, the battery pack may have a module-free or battery cell-battery pack configuration, in which the battery cells are directly arranged in the battery pack without being assembled into modules.

[0061] The housing 1300 of the battery cell 120 may include one or more materials or a combination thereof having various electrical or thermal conductivities. The electrically conductive and thermally conductive material for the housing 1300 of the battery cell 120 may include a metal material such as aluminum, an alloy of aluminum with copper, silicon, tin, magnesium, manganese, or zinc (e.g., aluminum 1000, 4000, or 5000 series), iron, an iron-carbon alloy (e.g., steel), silver, nickel, copper, and a copper alloy, etc. The electrically insulating and thermally conductive material for the housing 1300 of the battery cell 120 may include a ceramic material (e.g., silicon nitride, silicon carbide, titanium carbide, zirconium oxide, beryllium oxide, etc.) and a thermoplastic material (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, or nylon), etc. In the case where the housing 1300 of the battery cell 120 is prismatic (e.g., especially as Fig.14 as depicted) or cylindrical (e.g., especially as Fig.13 In the example depicted), housing 1300 may include a rigid or semi-rigid material such that housing 1300 is rigid or semi-rigid (e.g., not easily deformed or manipulated into another shape or form factor). In the example depicted), housing 1300 may include a rigid or semi-rigid material such that housing 1300 is rigid or semi-rigid (e.g., not easily deformed or manipulated into another shape or form factor). Fig.15 In the example depicted), housing 1300 may include a flexible, stretchable, or non-rigid material such that housing 1300 can be bent, deformed, manipulated into another form factor or shape.

[0062] The battery cell 120 may include at least one anode layer 1305, which may be disposed within a cavity 1310 defined by the housing 1300. The anode layer 1305 may include a first redox potential. During operation of the battery cell 120 (e.g., charging or discharging of the battery cell 120), the anode layer 1305 may receive current into the battery cell 120 and output electrons. The anode layer 1305 may include an active material. The active material may include, for example, activated carbon or a material infused with a conductive material (e.g., artificial or natural graphite or a mixture), lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O 12 ) or silicon-based materials (e.g., metallic silicon, oxides, carbides, pre-lithiated) or other lithium alloy anodes (Li-Mg, Li-Al, Li-Ag alloys, etc.) or composite anodes composed of lithium and carbon, silicon and carbon, or other compounds. The active material may include graphite carbon (e.g., with sp 2Hybrid ordered or disordered carbon), Li metal anode, or silicon-based carbon composite anode, or other lithium alloy anode (Li-Mg, Li-Al, Li-Ag alloy, etc.) or composite anode composed of lithium and carbon, silicon and carbon or other compounds. In some examples, the anode material can be formed within the collector material. For example, the electrode can include a collector (e.g., copper foil) with an in-situ formed anode (e.g., Li metal) on the surface of the collector facing the separator or solid electrolyte. In such an example, the assembled battery cell does not contain an anode active material in an uncharged state.

[0063] The battery cell 120 may include at least one cathode layer 1315 (e.g., a composite cathode layer, a compound cathode layer, a compound cathode, a composite cathode, or a cathode). The cathode layer 1315 may include a second redox potential that may be different from the first redox potential of the anode layer 1305. The cathode layer 1315 may be disposed within the cavity 1310. During discharge of the battery cell 120, the cathode layer 1315 may output current from the battery cell 120 and may receive electrons. During discharge of the battery cell 120, the cathode layer 1315 may also receive lithium ions. Conversely, during charging of the battery cell 120, the cathode layer 1315 may receive current into the battery cell 120 and may output electrons. During charging of the battery cell 120, the cathode layer 1315 may release lithium ions.

[0064] The battery cell 120 may include a layer 1320 disposed within the cavity 1310. The layer 1320 may include a solid electrolyte layer. The layer 1320 may include a separator wetted by a liquid electrolyte. The layer 1320 may include a polymer material. The layer 1320 may include a polymer separator. The layer 1320 may be disposed between the anode layer 1305 and the cathode layer 1315 to separate the anode layer 1305 from the cathode layer 1315. The polymer separator may physically separate the anode and cathode from the battery cell short circuit. The separator may be wetted with a liquid electrolyte. The liquid electrolyte may diffuse into the anode layer 1305. The liquid electrolyte may diffuse into the cathode layer 1315. The layer 1320 may facilitate the transfer of ions (e.g., Li ions) between the anode layer 1305 and the cathode layer 1315. + ions). Layer 1320 can transfer Li + Cations are transferred from anode layer 1305 to cathode layer 1315. Layer 1320 can transfer lithium ions from cathode layer 1315 to anode layer 1305 during a charging operation of battery cell 120.

[0065] The redox potential of a layer (e.g., the first redox potential of anode layer 1305 or the second redox potential of cathode layer 1315) may vary based on the chemistry of the corresponding layer or the chemistry of battery cell 120. For example, a lithium-ion battery may include LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry, LMFP (lithium iron manganese phosphate) chemistry, NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) chemistry, NCA (nickel cobalt aluminum) chemistry, OLO (overlithiated oxide) chemistry, or LCO (lithium cobalt oxide) chemistry for a cathode layer (e.g., cathode layer 1315). A lithium-ion battery may include graphite chemistry, silicon-graphite chemistry, or lithium metal chemistry for an anode layer (e.g., anode layer 1305).

[0066] For example, lithium-ion batteries may include olivine-type phosphate (LiMPO4, M = Fe and / or Co and / or Mn and / or Ni) chemistries for the cathode layer, LISICON-type or NASICON-type phosphates (Li3M2(PO4)3 and LiMPO4O x , M = Ti, V, Mn, Cr and Zr), such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP), lithium iron manganese phosphate (LMFP), layered oxides (LiMO2, M = Ni and / or Co and / or Mn and / or Fe and / or Al and / or Mg) examples, NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) chemistry, NCA (nickel cobalt aluminum) chemistry or LCO (lithium cobalt oxide) chemistry, lithium-rich layered oxides (Li 1+x M 1−x O2) (Ni, and / or Mn, and / or Co), (OLO or LMR), spinel (LiMn2O4) and high pressure spinel (LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O4), disordered rock salts, fluorophosphates Li2FePO4F (M = Fe, Co, Ni), and fluorosulfates LiMSO4F (M = Co, Ni, Mn) (e.g., cathode layer 1315). The lithium-ion battery may include a graphite chemistry, a silicon-graphite chemistry, or a lithium metal chemistry for the anode layer (e.g., anode layer 1305). For example, a cathode layer with LFP chemistry may have a 3.4 V vs. Li / Li + The redox potential of the anode layer with graphite chemistry can be 0.2 V vs. Li / Li + Redox potential.

[0067] Typically, in addition to conductive carbon materials, binders or other additives, the electrode layer may also include an anode active material or a cathode active material as a coating on the current collector (metal foil). The chemical composition of the electrode layer can affect the redox potential of the electrode layer. For example, the cathode layer (e.g., cathode layer 1315) may include a lithium transition metal oxide with a medium to high nickel content (50% to 80% or equal to 80% Ni), such as granular lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide ("LiNMC"), lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide ("LiNCA"), lithium nickel manganese cobalt aluminum oxide ("LiNMCA") or lithium metal phosphates, such as lithium iron phosphate ("LFP") and lithium iron manganese phosphate ("LMFP"). The anode layer (e.g., anode layer 1305) may include a conductive carbon material such as graphite, carbon black, carbon nanotubes, etc. The anode layer may include, for example, Super P carbon black material, Ketjen Black, acetylene black, SWCNT, MWCNT, graphite, carbon nanofibers or graphene.

[0068] The electrode layer may also include a chemical binding material (e.g., a binder). The binder may include a polymer material such as polyvinylidene fluoride ("PVDF"), polyvinyl pyrrolidone ("PVP"), styrene-butadiene or styrene-butadiene rubber ("SBR"), polytetrafluoroethylene ("PTFE"), or carboxymethyl cellulose ("CMC"). The binder material may include agar, alginate, amylose, gum arabic, carrageenan, casein, chitosan, cyclodextrin (carbonyl beta), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, gelatin, gellan gum, guar gum, karaya gum, cellulose (natural), pectin, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT-PSS), polyacrylic acid (PAA), poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyisoprene (PIpr), polyaniline (PANi), polyethylene (PE), polyimide (PI), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), starch, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), tara gum, tragacanth gum, fluoroacrylate (TRD202A), xanthan gum, or a mixture of any two or more thereof.

[0069] The current collector material (e.g., a current collector foil to which the electrode active material is laminated to form a cathode layer or an anode layer) may include a metal material. For example, the current collector material may include aluminum, copper, nickel, titanium, stainless steel, or a carbonaceous material. The current collector material may be formed as a metal foil. For example, the current collector material may be an aluminum (Al) or copper (Cu) foil. The current collector material may be a metal alloy made of Al, Cu, Ni, Fe, Ti, or a combination thereof. The current collector material may be a metal foil coated with a carbon material, such as a carbon-coated aluminum foil, a carbon-coated copper foil, or another carbon-coated foil material.

[0070] Layer 1320 may include or be made of a liquid electrolyte material. For example, layer 1320 may be or may include at least one layer of a polymer material (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, or other material) that includes pores that are wetted (e.g., saturated with, soaked with, received, filled with, or filled with a liquid electrolyte substance) by a liquid electrolyte substance to enable ions to move between electrodes. The liquid electrolyte material may include a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent. The lithium salt of the liquid electrolyte material for layer 1320 may include, for example, lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), and lithium perchlorate (LiClO4). The solvent may include, for example, dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethylene carbonate (EC), and diethyl carbonate (DEC). The liquid electrolyte does not have to be disposed near layer 1320, but the liquid electrolyte may fill the battery cell 120 in many different ways. Layer 1320 may include or be made of a solid electrolyte material, such as a ceramic electrolyte material, a polymer electrolyte material, or a glass electrolyte material, or any combination thereof.

[0071] In some embodiments, the solid electrolyte membrane may include at least one layer of solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte material of the solid electrolyte layer may include an inorganic solid electrolyte material (e.g., oxide, sulfide, phosphide, ceramic), a solid polymer electrolyte material, a hybrid solid electrolyte, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the solid electrolyte layer may include a polyanion or oxide-based electrolyte material (e.g., lithium superion conductor (LISICON), sodium superion conductor (NASICON), a perovskite with the formula ABO3 (A=Li, Ca, Sr, La and B=Al, Ti), a garnet type with the formula A3B2(XO4)3 (A=Ca, Sr, Ba and X=Nb, Ta), a lithium phosphorus oxynitride (Li x PO y N z In some embodiments, the solid electrolyte layer may include a glassy, ​​ceramic, and / or crystalline sulfide-based electrolyte (e.g., Li3PS4, Li7P3S 11, Li2S-P2S5, Li2S-B2S3, SnS-P2S5, Li2S–SiS2, Li2S–P2S5, Li2S-GeS2, Li 10 GeP2S 12 ) and / or a sulfide-based lithium argyrodite (such as Li6PS5Cl) having the formula Li6PS5X (X=Cl, Br). In addition, the solid electrolyte layer may include a polymer electrolyte material (e.g., a hybrid or pseudo-solid electrolyte), such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyethylene oxide (PEO), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), etc.

[0072] In an example where layer 1320 includes a liquid electrolyte material, layer 1320 may include a non-aqueous polar solvent. The non-aqueous polar solvent may include a carbonate, such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, or a mixture of any two or more thereof. Layer 1320 may include at least one additive. The additive may be or include vinylene carbonate, fluoroethylene carbonate, ethyl propionate, methyl propionate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, or a mixture of any two or more thereof. Layer 1320 may include a lithium salt material. For example, the lithium salt may be lithium perchlorate, lithium hexafluorophosphate, lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, lithium bis(trifluorosulfonyl)imide, or a mixture of any two or more thereof. The lithium salt may be present in layer 1320 at a concentration greater than 0 M to about 1.5 M. Once provided to the battery cell 120, the liquid electrolyte may be present and contact the battery subcomponents present in the battery cell 120. The battery subcomponents may include a cathode, an anode, a separator, a current collector, and the like.

[0073] Although operations are depicted in a particular order in the drawings, these operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, and not all of the operations shown need be performed. The actions described herein may be performed in a different order.

[0074] Now that some exemplary implementations have been described, it is apparent that the foregoing is illustrative rather than restrictive and has been presented by way of example. Specifically, although many of the examples presented herein relate to specific combinations of method actions or system elements, these actions and these elements may be combined in other ways to achieve the same purpose. The actions, elements, and features discussed in conjunction with one implementation are not intended to be excluded from similar roles in other implementations.

[0075] The words and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," "involving," "characterized by," and variations thereof herein is intended to encompass the items listed thereafter, their equivalents and additional items, and alternative implementations consisting solely of the items listed thereafter. In one implementation, the systems and methods described herein consist of one, each combination of more than one, or all of the elements, acts, or components described.

[0076] Any implementation or element or action of the system and method mentioned in the singular form herein may also include an implementation comprising a plurality of these elements, and any plural form of any implementation or element or action herein may also include an implementation comprising only a single element. Reference in the singular or plural form is not intended to limit the currently disclosed system or method, its parts, actions or elements to a single or multiple configurations. Reference to any action or element based on any information, action or element may include a specific implementation in which the action or element is based at least in part on any information, action or element.

[0077] Any implementation disclosed herein may be combined with any other implementation or embodiment, and references to "an implementation," "some implementations," "an implementation," etc. are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with an implementation may be included in at least one implementation or embodiment. Such terms as used herein do not necessarily all refer to the same implementation. Any implementation may be combined, inclusively or exclusively, with any other implementation in any manner consistent with the aspects and implementations disclosed herein.

[0078] References to "or" may be interpreted as inclusive, such that any term described using "or" may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the terms. References to at least one of a concatenated list of terms may be interpreted as inclusive OR to indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the terms. For example, references to "at least one of 'A' and 'B'" may include only "A," only "B," and both "A" and "B." Such references used in conjunction with "including" or other open-ended terms may include additional items.

[0079] Where a technical feature in the drawings, detailed description or any claims is followed by a reference numeral, the reference numeral is included to enhance the intelligibility of the drawings, detailed description and claims. Therefore, the presence or absence of a reference numeral has no limiting effect on the scope of any claim element.

[0080] Without departing substantially from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein, modifications may be made to the elements and actions, such as changes in size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportion, parameter values, mounting arrangements, use of materials, color, orientation of the various elements. For example, an element shown as being integrally formed may be composed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise changed, and the nature or number or position of discrete elements may be changed or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the disclosed elements and operations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] For example, the description of positive and negative electrical characteristics may be reversed. For example, the polarity of the battery cell terminal may be reversed. An element described as a negative electrode element may be configured as a positive electrode element, while an element described as a positive electrode element may be configured as a negative electrode element. For example, an element described as having a first polarity may have a second polarity, while an element described as having a second polarity may have a first polarity. Further relative parallel, vertical, vertical or other positioning or orientation descriptions include changes within + / -10% or + / -10 degrees of pure vertical, parallel or vertical positioning. Unless otherwise expressly stated, references to "approximately", "substantially" or other degree terms include changes of + / -10% with a given measurement, unit or range. The connected elements may be electrically connected, mechanically connected or physically connected to each other directly or through an intermediate element. Therefore, the scope of the systems and methods described herein is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims are included therein.

Claims

1. A current collector, comprising: a conductive layer configured to be electrically coupled to a first battery cell and a second battery cell with a gap region therebetween; and An isolation layer defines an aperture that forms a path through the isolation layer to the gap region.

2. The current collector according to claim 1, comprising: The aperture of the isolation layer defines the path through the isolation layer into the gap region, and the aperture is configured to direct a potting material to flow through the isolation layer into the gap region via the path.

3. The current collector according to claim 1, comprising: The hole in the isolation layer defines the path through the isolation layer into the gap region, and the hole is configured to guide the encapsulation material to flow through the isolation layer via the path into the gap region, wherein the gap region is configured to be substantially filled with the encapsulation material guided through the hole.

4. The current collector according to claim 1, comprising: At least a portion of the isolation layer is positioned to one side of the isolation layer together with the conductive layer and is positioned to an opposite side of the isolation layer together with the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

5. The current collector according to claim 1, comprising: Covering layer; and The conductive layer is at least partially positioned between the cover layer and the isolation layer.

6. The current collector according to claim 1, comprising: a cover layer, the cover layer comprising a notch; and The conductive layer is at least partially positioned between the cover layer and the isolation layer, the conductive layer including a fuse, the fuse being positioned relative to the cover layer such that the recess of the cover layer is positioned over at least a portion of the fuse.

7. The current collector according to claim 1, comprising: a cover layer, the cover layer comprising a notch; and The conductive layer is at least partially positioned between the covering layer and the isolating layer, the conductive layer includes a fuse, the fuse is positioned relative to the covering layer so that the recess of the covering layer is positioned above at least a portion of the fuse, and the isolating layer is positioned relative to the covering layer so that the recess of the covering layer is positioned above at least a portion of the isolating layer.

8. The current collector according to claim 1, comprising: a cover layer, the cover layer comprising a first notch and a second notch; and the conductive layer, the conductive layer being at least partially positioned between the cover layer and the isolation layer, the conductive layer comprising a first fuse configured to couple with a first terminal of the first battery cell and a second fuse configured to couple with a second terminal of the first battery cell; The first recess of the cover layer is positioned over at least a portion of the first fuse; The second recess of the cover layer is positioned over at least a portion of the second fuse.

9. A current collector, comprising: a cover layer, the cover layer comprising a notch; and A conductive layer includes a tab and a fuse, the tab electrically coupling the conductive layer with a battery cell, the conductive layer being positioned relative to the cover layer such that the recess of the cover layer is positioned over at least a portion of the fuse.

10. The current collector of claim 9, the recess forming a space for the portion of the fuse and the tab to move without contacting the cover layer.

11. The current collector according to claim 9, comprising: The tab is configured to electrically couple the conductive layer to a first terminal of the battery cell, the first terminal comprising an area, wherein the tab is positioned relative to the first terminal such that the tab is positioned over at least 80% of the area of ​​the first terminal.

12. The current collector of claim 9, wherein the tab is a first tab configured to electrically couple the conductive layer with a first terminal of the first battery cell, the current collector comprising: the cover layer, the cover layer comprising a second recess; and A second tab, the second tab includes a second fuse, the second tab is configured to electrically connect the conductive layer to the second terminal of the battery cell, and the conductive layer is positioned relative to the covering layer so that the second recess of the covering layer is positioned above at least a portion of the second fuse.

13. The current collector of claim 9, wherein the battery cell is a first battery cell and the tab is a first tab, the first tab being configured to electrically couple the conductive layer with a first terminal of the first battery cell, the current collector comprising: a second tab configured to electrically couple the conductive layer with a second terminal of the first battery cell and a third terminal of a second battery cell; and The first terminal includes a region, wherein the tab is positioned relative to the first terminal such that the tab is positioned over at least 80% of the region of the first terminal.

14. The current collector of claim 9, wherein the battery cell is a first battery cell and the tab is a first tab, the first tab being configured to electrically couple the conductive layer with a first terminal of the first battery cell, the first terminal having a first polarity, the current collector comprising: an isolation layer, the isolation layer defining an aperture; a second tab configured to electrically couple the conductive layer to a second terminal of a second battery cell, the second terminal having the first polarity; and The hole forms a path through the isolation layer into a gap region between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

15. A device for an electric vehicle, the device comprising: A voltage sensing device includes a plurality of voltage sensing regions and is configured to be coupled to a current collector to measure a voltage of the current collector within the plurality of voltage sensing regions, each of the plurality of voltage sensing regions being spaced a distance from an adjacent voltage sensing region.

16. The device according to claim 15, comprising: The voltage sensing device includes a connector portion configured to be coupled to a bus bar via a retaining member.

17. The device according to claim 15, comprising: The voltage sensing device includes a connector portion defining a connector hole, the connector portion being configured to be coupled to the bus bar via a retaining member engaged with the connector hole and a bus bar hole of the bus bar.

18. The device according to claim 15, comprising: The voltage sensing device includes a connector portion defining a connector hole, the connector portion being configured to be coupled to a busbar via a retaining member, the retaining member being configured to be received by the busbar hole of the busbar via the connector hole of the connector portion, wherein the busbar hole and the connector hole are at least partially aligned.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each voltage sensing region of the plurality of voltage sensing regions is configured to measure a voltage within a segment of the current collector.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the voltage sensing means comprises one trace for each of the plurality of voltage sensing regions.

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