Battery module frame assembly

Abstract

A frame assembly for a battery module having at least one stack of battery cells. The frame assembly includes: an end plate for forming an end of the battery cell stack; a side plate for forming a side surface of the battery cell stack; and a locking plate for fixing each end of the side plate to the end plate. The end plate is provided with a stud protruding from the end plate, and the side plate is provided with a slot which is used for receiving the stud and is not closed at two ends. And a pin protruding from the side plate and located near the slot whose two ends are not closed. The locking plate has a stud opening and a pin opening that receive a stud and a pin, respectively, when the side plate is fixed to the end plate. A fastener engages the stud to retain the locking plate on the stud and the pin. The frame assembly maintains compression of the battery cell stack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module frame assembly having a battery cell stack. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the connection of side plates to end plates to form a compression frame on the battery cell stack. Background Art

[0002] Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles use high-voltage electric battery systems that contain multiple battery cells. These electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles usually require multiple battery cells to provide sufficient power to meet the vehicle's power and energy needs. The battery cells are usually located under the vehicle body midway between the front and rear wheels.

[0003] In order to obtain the required power, multiple battery cells need to be stacked and compressed together. Multiple battery cell stacks can be included in a battery module. In the assembly of battery modules, the connection between the end plate and the side plate is a very critical connection that needs to be designed to be easy to assemble to keep the battery compressed throughout the life cycle and meet strict load conditions. Typically, adhesives and welding are used to connect the end plates and side plates. Although effective, there is a need in the art for improved assembly techniques that are easier to assemble and can be easily and non-destructively disassembled to allow module-level repairability and easy recycling. Summary of the invention

[0004] A frame assembly for a battery module having at least one battery cell stack is provided. The frame assembly includes: an end plate for forming an end of the battery cell stack, each end plate having a battery side facing the battery cell stack and an outer side opposite to the battery side, the outer side having a stud extending away from the outer side; a side plate for forming a side of the battery cell stack, the side plate having opposite ends and a side wall portion extending between the ends, the side wall portion having a battery side facing the battery cell stack and an outer side opposite to the battery side, each end of the side plate having a locking portion extending away from the side wall portion in a direction faced by the battery side of the side plate, the locking portion having a narrow slot with two ends not closed and a pin extending away from the locking portion, a locking plate for fixing the side plate to the end plate, the locking plate having a stud opening and a pin opening and a fastener engaged with the stud. One of the end plates is positioned on each end of the battery cell stack, the side plates are positioned on opposite sides of the battery cell stack, each locking portion is disposed above the outer side of the end plate, and the stud is disposed in the narrow slot, the locking plate is disposed on the locking portion, the stud is located in the stud opening, the pin is located in the pin opening, and wherein fasteners are attached to the studs and secure the locking plates to the studs and the pins, and the frame assembly maintains compression of the battery cell stack.

[0005] In one aspect, the end plate has side edges and the stud is adjacent each side edge.

[0006] In another aspect, the end plate has a stud adjacent each side edge, and the locking portion of the side plate has a pin and has a slot open at both ends for each stud adjacent the side edge of the end plate.

[0007] On the other hand, the locking plate has opposite end locking portions and an intermediate locking portion extending between the end locking portions, each end locking portion of the locking plate has a stud opening and a pin opening, and the locking plate secures the side plate on each side of the battery cell stack to the end plate, each end locking portion of the locking plate is arranged on the locking portion of the side plate, wherein the stud is located in the stud opening and the pin is located in the pin opening.

[0008] In another aspect, the intermediate locking portion of the locking plate has a rib portion extending between the end locking portions.

[0009] On the other hand, a center beam is included for forming sides of adjacent battery cell stacks, the center beam having opposite ends and a center beam portion extending between the ends, the center beam portion having opposite first and second sides facing the adjacent battery cell stacks, each end of the center beam having a double locking portion, the double locking portion having a first locking portion extending away from the first side of the center beam and a second locking portion extending away from the second side of the center beam, the first locking portion and the second locking portion each having a narrow slot with unclosed ends and a pin extending away from the locking portion. One of the end plates is positioned on each end of an adjacent battery cell stack, the center beam is positioned between facing sides of the adjacent battery cell stacks, each locking portion is disposed above the outer side of the end plate, and the stud is disposed in the narrow slot, the side plates are positioned on non-facing sides of the adjacent battery cell stacks, each locking portion is disposed above the outer side of the end plate, and the stud is disposed in the narrow slot, the locking plate is disposed on the locking portion, and the stud located in the stud opening and the pin located in the pin opening are disposed on the locking portion, wherein the stud is located in the stud opening and the pin is located in the pin opening, and wherein fasteners are attached to the studs and secure the locking plates to the studs and the pins, and the frame assembly maintains compression of the battery cell stacks.

[0010] On the other hand, a center beam locking plate is included, which has a first locking portion with a stud opening and a pin opening, and a second locking portion with a stud opening and a pin opening, wherein the center beam locking plate is arranged on the first locking portion of the center beam and the second locking portion of the center beam, the studs are located in the stud openings, the pins are located in the pin openings, and the center beam locking plate fixes the center beam to the two end plates.

[0011] In another aspect, a side beam is included having opposite ends, a rectangular cross-section, and a sidewall surface, wherein each side panel has the side beam attached to an outer side of the sidewall portion.

[0012] In another embodiment, a battery module is provided. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells positioned in a battery cell stack, the battery cell stack having opposite ends and opposite sides extending between the ends, each end plate having a battery side facing the battery cell and an outer side opposite to the battery side, the outer side having a stud extending away from the outer side, each side plate having opposite ends and a side wall portion extending between the ends, the side wall portion having a battery side facing the battery cell and an outer side opposite to the battery side, each end of the side plate having a locking portion extending away from the side wall portion in a direction faced by the battery side of the side plate, the locking portion having a narrow slot with both ends not closed and a pin extending away from the locking portion, a locking plate for fixing the side plate to the end plate, the locking plate having a stud opening and a pin opening and a fastener engaged with the stud. One of the end plates is positioned on each end of the battery cell stack, one of the side plates is positioned on each side of the battery cell stack, each locking portion is located above the outer side of one of the end plates, and a stud is set in the narrow slot, a locking plate is set on the locking portion, the stud is located in the stud opening, the pin is located in the pin opening, the fastener is attached to the stud and fixes the locking plate to the stud and the pin, and the side plates are fixed to the end plates and maintain the compression of the battery cell stack.

[0013] In one aspect, the end plate has side edges and the stud is adjacent each side edge.

[0014] In another aspect, the end plate has a stud adjacent each side edge, and the locking portion of the side plate has a pin and has a slot open at both ends for each stud adjacent the side edge of the end plate.

[0015] On the other hand, the locking plate has opposing end locking portions and an intermediate locking portion extending between the end locking portions, each end locking portion of the locking plate having a stud opening and a pin opening, and the locking plate secures a side plate on each side of the battery cell stack to the end plate, wherein each end locking portion of the locking plate is disposed on a locking portion of the side plate, wherein the stud is located in the stud opening and the pin is located in the pin opening.

[0016] In another aspect, the intermediate locking portion of the locking plate has a rib portion extending between the end locking portions.

[0017] In another aspect, a side beam is included having opposite ends, a rectangular cross-section, and a sidewall surface, wherein each side panel has the side beam attached to an outer side of the sidewall portion.

[0018] In yet another embodiment, a battery module is provided. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells positioned in two battery cell stacks, each battery cell stack having opposing ends and opposing sides extending between the ends, a battery cell stack positioned adjacent to each battery cell stack, each of the battery cell stacks having a facing side facing the other battery cell stack and a non-facing side facing the facing side. Each end plate has a battery side facing the battery cell and an outer side opposite to the battery side, the outer side having a stud extending away from the outside; each side plate has opposite ends and a side wall portion extending between the ends, the side wall portion having a battery side facing the battery cell and an outer side opposite to the battery side, each end of the side plate has a locking portion extending away from the side wall portion in the direction faced by the battery side of the side plate, the locking portion has a narrow slot with two ends not closed and a pin extending away from the locking portion, the middle beam has opposite ends and a middle beam portion extending between the ends, the middle beam portion has opposite first and second sides to face the adjacent battery cell stack, each end of the middle beam has a double locking portion, the double locking portion has a first locking portion extending away from the first side of the middle beam and a second locking portion extending away from the second side of the middle beam, the first locking portion and the second locking portion both have narrow slots with two ends not closed and a pin extending away from the locking portion, the locking plates are used to fix the side plates and the middle beam to the end plates, each locking plate has a stud opening and a pin opening and a fastener engaged with the stud. One of the end plates is positioned on each end of adjacent battery cell stacks, the center beam is positioned between opposite sides of adjacent battery cell stacks, each locking portion is disposed above the outer side of the end plate, and the stud is disposed in the narrow slot, the side plates are positioned on non-facing sides of adjacent battery cell stacks, each locking portion is disposed above the outer side of the end plate, and the stud is disposed in the narrow slot; the locking plate is disposed on the locking portion, wherein the stud is located in the stud opening and the pin is located in the pin opening; and wherein fasteners are attached to the studs and secure the locking plate to the studs and the pin, and the center beam and the side plates are secured to the end plates and maintain compression of the battery cell stacks.

[0019] In one aspect, the end plate has side edges and the stud is adjacent each side edge.

[0020] In another aspect, the end plate has a stud adjacent to each side edge, the locking portion of the side plate has a pin and has a slot with both ends open for each stud adjacent to the side edge of the end plate, and the first locking portion of the center beam and the second locking portion of the center beam each have a pin and a slot with both ends open for each stud adjacent to the side edge of the end plate.

[0021] On the other hand, the locking plate has opposite end locking portions and an intermediate locking portion between the end locking portions, each end locking portion of the locking plate has a stud opening and a pin opening, the intermediate locking portion has spaced apart stud openings and spaced apart pin openings, the locking plate secures the side plates on each side of the battery cell stack to the end plates, each end locking portion is disposed on the locking portion of the side plate, the studs are located in the stud openings, the pins are located in the pin openings, and the locking plate secures the center beam to the end plates of the two battery cell stacks, wherein the intermediate locking portion is disposed on the locking portion of the double locking portion, wherein the studs are located in the stud openings and the pins are located in the pin openings.

[0022] On the other hand, the locking plates include side locking plates that secure the side plates to the end plates and a center beam locking plate that secures the center beam to the two end plates, each side locking plate having a stud opening and a pin opening, each center beam locking plate having spaced-apart stud openings and spaced-apart pin openings, the side locking plates secure the locking portions of the side plates on one side of the battery cell stack to the end plates, the side locking plates being disposed on the locking portions of the side plates, wherein the studs are located in the stud openings and the pins are located in the pin openings, and the center beam locking plates secure the center beam to the end plates of the two battery cell stacks, wherein the center beam locking plates are disposed on the locking portions of the double locking portions, wherein the studs are located in the stud openings and the pins are located in the pin openings.

[0023] In another aspect, a side beam is included having opposite ends, a rectangular cross-section, and a sidewall surface, wherein each side panel has the side beam attached to an outer side of the sidewall portion.

[0024] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided in the present disclosure.It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary motor vehicle having a battery pack with a battery module according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2 is an isometric view of a portion of a dual cell stack battery module having a single locking plate according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 3 is an exploded isometric view of a dual cell stack battery module with a single locking plate according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] Figure 4 is an isometric view of a side panel according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0030] Figure 5 is an isometric view of a center beam according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0031] Figure 6 is an isometric view of an end plate according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0032] Figure 7 is an isometric view of a side panel with a side beam attached according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0033] Figure 8 is a partially exploded isometric view of a dual cell stack battery module having multiple locking plates according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0034] Fig. 9 is a partially exploded isometric view of a single battery cell stack battery module having a single locking plate or multiple locking plates according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 , a battery module 10 for a battery pack 12 is shown according to the principles of the present disclosure. The battery module 10 is configured for use with a battery cell stack, as will be described in more detail below. The battery pack 12 is shown together with an exemplary vehicle 14. Preferably, the vehicle 14 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle having wheels 16 driven by a motor / inverter 18. The motor / inverter receives power from the battery pack 12. Although the vehicle 10 is shown as a passenger road vehicle, it should be understood that the battery module 10 and the battery pack 12 can be used with various other types of vehicles. For example, the battery module 10 and the battery pack 12 can be used in a marine vehicle (such as a ship) or an aerial vehicle (such as a drone or a passenger aircraft). In addition, the battery module 10 and the battery pack 12 can be used as a stationary power separate and independent from the vehicle.

[0037] The battery pack 12 generally includes a battery tray 20 that is connected to the vehicle 14. The battery tray 20 provides structural support for one or more battery modules 10 arranged within the battery pack 12. Preferably, the battery modules 10 are lithium-ion battery cells. However, it should be understood that any type of battery cell may be employed.

[0038] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3, the battery module 10 is shown as having two battery cell stacks 22, components of a frame assembly 24, and a cover 25. Each battery cell stack 22 includes battery cells 26 positioned adjacent to each other and pressed together. The battery cells 26 are preferably lithium-ion battery cells in the form of rectangular plates. However, it should be understood that any type of battery cell 26 may be used as long as the battery cell 26 is compatible with the frame assembly 24.

[0039] The frame assembly 24 is used to assemble the battery module 10 and to secure and maintain the compression of the battery cells 26 in the battery cell stack 22 and to meet stringent load conditions over the life cycle of the battery cells 26. The frame assembly 24 provides for relatively easy assembly of the battery module 10 and enables easy non-destructive disassembly of the battery module 10 to allow for module-level maintainability and easy recycling of the battery module 10. The frame assembly 24 includes end plates 28 that form the ends of the battery cell stack 22, side plates 30 that form the sides of the battery cell stack 22, locking plates 32 that secure the side plates 30 to the end plates 28, and fasteners 34 that secure the locking plates 32 to the end plates 28. As described below with reference to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As described above, the locking plate 32 can have different configurations. The frame assembly 24 can also include side beams 36 attached to the side plates 30. When there are adjacent battery cell stacks 22, the frame assembly 24 can also include a middle beam 38 to be positioned between the adjacent battery cell stacks 22. The middle beam 38 simultaneously forms the sides of two adjacent battery cell stacks 22. The locking plate 32 fixes the middle beam 38 to the end plate 28.

[0040] refer to Figure 6 , the end plate 28 has a battery side 40 facing the battery cells 26 and an outer side 42 opposite the battery side 40. The end plate 28 has a side edge 44. The end plate 28 has a plurality of studs 46 extending away from the outer side 42. The studs 46 can be located adjacent to each side edge 44. The fasteners 34 can be attached to the studs 46. The studs 46 can be threaded to attach to the fasteners 34.

[0041] refer to Figure 4 , the side plate 30 has opposite ends 48 and a side wall portion 50 extending between the ends 48. The side wall portion 50 has a battery side 52 facing the battery cell 26 and an outer side 54 opposite the battery side 52. The side plate 30 has a locking portion 56 on the end 48, and the locking portion 56 extends away from the side wall portion 50 in the direction faced by the battery side 52. The locking portion 56 can be perpendicular to the side wall portion 50 or at different angles. Each locking portion 56 has a slot 58 with unclosed ends and a pin 60 extending away from the locking portion 56. The slot 58 is configured to receive the stud 46. The pin 60 extends parallel to the side wall portion 50. The pin 60 engages with the locking plate 32 as described below.

[0042] refer to Figure 5 The center beam 38 has opposite ends 62 and a center beam portion 64 extending between the ends 62. The center beam portion 64 has a first side 66 and a second side 68 opposite to the first side 66. The center beam 38 is positioned between adjacent battery cell stacks 22, and the first side 66 of the center beam faces the first of the adjacent battery cell stacks 22, and the second side 68 of the center beam faces the second of the adjacent battery cell stacks 22. The ends 62 of the center beam each have a double locking portion 70. The double locking portion 70 has a first locking portion 72 and a second locking portion 74: the first locking portion 72 extends away from the center beam portion 64 in the direction facing the first side 66; the second locking portion 74 extends away from the center beam portion 64 in the direction facing the second side 68. The first locking portion 72 of the center beam and the second locking portion 74 of the center beam are perpendicular to the center beam portion 64 or can be at different angles. Both locking portions 72, 74 have a narrow slot 76 and a pin 78 with both ends extending away from the locking portions 72, 74. The slot 76 is configured to receive the stud 46. The pin 78 may extend parallel to the center beam portion 64. The pin 78 engages the locking plate 32 as described below.

[0043] refer to Figure 7 , the side beam 36 has opposite ends 80 and a side wall surface 82. The side beam 36 has a rectangular cross-section or may have other shapes. The side beam 36 is attached to the outer side 54 of the side wall portion 50 of the side panel 30, wherein the side wall surface 82 faces the side wall portion 50. The side beam 36 can be welded to the side panel 30 or attached by other techniques. The size of the side beam 36 can be set so that the end 80 of the side beam 36 extends beyond the end 48 of the side panel 30. The side beam 36 provides structural support to the side panel 30 and can facilitate the movement of the side panel 30 relative to the battery cell stack 22 to engage the locking portion 56 with the end panel 28.

[0044] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3, the locking plate 32 can be configured as a complete locking plate 83 so that a single locking plate 32 can be used on each end of a battery module 10 having two adjacent battery cell stacks 22. The complete locking plate 83 secures the side plates 30 and the center beam 38 to the end plates 28 of the two adjacent battery cell stacks 22, with one complete locking plate 83 at each end of the battery module 10. The complete locking plate 83 has opposing end locking portions 84 and an intermediate locking portion 86 located between the end locking portions 84. The complete locking plate 83 has an intermediate locking portion 88 between the intermediate locking portion 86 and each end locking portion 84. The end locking portions 84 each have a stud opening 90 and a pin opening 92 to allow insertion of the studs 46 on the end plates 28 and the pins 60 on the side plates 30. The intermediate locking portion 86 has two sets of spaced apart stud openings 90 and pin openings 92 to allow insertion of the studs 46 on the two end plates 28 and the pins 78 on the center beam 38. The intermediate locking portion 88 extends along the outer side 42 of the end plate 28. The intermediate locking portion 88 may have a rib portion 94 extending between the end locking portion 84 and the intermediate locking portion 86. The rib portion 94 may increase the stability and rigidity of the complete locking plate 83.

[0045] refer to Figure 8 The locking plates 32 may be configured to enable the use of multiple locking plates 32 on each end of a battery module 10 having two adjacent battery cell stacks 22. The locking plates 32 secure the side plates 30 and the center beam 38 to the end plates 28 of the two adjacent battery cell stacks 22, and each end of the battery module 10 has multiple locking plates 32. The locking plates 32 may include side locking plates 96 that secure the side plates 30 to the end plates 28 and a center beam locking plate 98 that secures the center beam 38 to the two end plates 28. The side locking plates 96 have stud openings 90 and pin openings 92 to allow insertion of the studs 46 on the end plates 28 and the pins 60 on the side plates 30, thereby securing the side plates 30 to the end plates 28. The center beam locking plate 98 has two sets of spaced stud openings 90 and pin openings 92 to allow insertion of the studs 46 on the two end plates 28 and the pins 78 on the center beam 38, thereby securing the center beam 38 to the two end plates 28. The side lock plates 96 and the center beam lock plate 98 may be configured not to extend along the outer side 42 of the end plate 28 .

[0046] refer to Fig. 9, the battery module 10 may include a single battery cell stack 22. When the battery module 10 has a single battery cell stack 22, each side plate 30 may be individually fixed to the end plate 28 using the side locking plate 96. Alternatively, the locking plate 32 may be configured as a double-sided locking plate 100 having opposing end locking portions 102 and an intermediate locking portion 104 between the end locking portions 102. The end locking portions 102 each have a stud opening 90 and a pin opening 92 to allow insertion of the stud 46 on the end plate 28 and the pin 60 on the side plate 30. The intermediate locking portion 104 extends along the outer side 42 of the end plate 28. The intermediate locking portion 104 may have a rib portion 106 extending between the end locking portions 102. The rib portion 106 may increase the stability and rigidity of the double-sided locking plate 100.

[0047] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The frame assembly 24 provides bolted anti-slip slip-enabled joints (BASSEJ) to mechanically connect the side plates 30 and the end plates 28 of the battery module 10 and to mechanically connect the center beam 38 and the end plates 28 of the battery module 10. The battery module 10 has a lockable sliding surface to meet assembly and structural needs. The battery module 10 can have one or more battery cell stacks 22. Each battery cell stack 22 can be formed by placing a plurality of battery cells 26 between two end plates 28 and compressing the battery cells 26 via the end plates 28.

[0048] If a single battery cell stack 22 is formed, the side plate 30 is positioned on the opposite side of the battery cell 26, with the battery side 52 facing the battery cell 26, and the side plate 30 is moved toward the battery cell 26 and the end plate 28. The locking portion 56 moves relative to or slides on the outer side 42 of the end plate 28, and the stud 46 enters the slot 58 that is not closed at both ends. Then, the locking plate 32 is positioned so that the stud 46 is located in the stud opening 90 and the pin 60 is located in the pin opening 92. Then, the fastener 34 is attached to the stud 46 and the side plate 30 is fixed to the end plate 28. The engagement of the side plate 30 with the end plate 28 maintains the compression of the battery cell 26.

[0049] If two battery cell stacks 22 are formed, the battery cell stacks 22 are positioned adjacent to each other, each battery cell stack 22 having a facing side (facing side) facing the other battery cell stack 22 and a non-facing side (non-facing side) facing away from the other battery cell stack 22. The center beam 38 is positioned between the facing sides of the adjacent battery cell stacks 22, wherein the first side 66 faces the non-facing side of one of the battery cell stacks 22, and the second side 68 faces the non-facing side of the other battery cell stack 22. The side plate 30 is positioned on the non-facing side of the battery cell stack 22, with the battery side 52 facing the battery cell 26. The side plate 30 moves toward the battery cell 26 and the end plate 28. The locking portion 56 moves relative to or slides on the outer side 42 of the end plate 28, and the stud 46 enters the narrow slot 58 that is not closed at both ends. The battery cell stack 22 moves toward the center beam 38. The first locking portion 72 and the second locking portion 74 move relative to or slide on the outer side 42 of the end plate 28, and the studs 46 enter the slots 76 that are not closed at both ends. Then, the locking plate 32 is positioned so that the studs 46 are located in the stud openings 90 and the pins 60 and 78 are located in the pin openings 92. Then, the fasteners 34 are attached to the studs 46 and the side plates 30 and the center beam 38 are fixed to the end plates 28. The engagement of the side plates 30 and the center beam 38 with the end plates 28 maintains the compression of the battery cells 26 in the two battery cell stacks 22.

[0050] There are many advantages to using open-ended slots and pins and bolted anti-slip slidable joints (BASSEJ) to mechanically engage the side plates 30 and end plates 28 of the battery module 10, and the center beam 38 and end plates 28 of the battery module 10 with lockable sliding surfaces. These advantages include achieving improved and easier assembly techniques that meet structural requirements, and the battery module 10 can be easily disassembled non-destructively to allow module-level maintainability and easy recycling.

[0051] The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature, and variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. These variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A frame assembly for a battery module having at least one battery cell stack, the frame assembly comprising: end plates for forming ends of the battery cell stack, each end plate having a battery side facing the battery cell stack and an outer side opposite the battery side, the outer side having studs extending away from the outer side; A side plate for forming a side of the battery cell stack, the side plate having opposite ends and a side wall portion extending between the ends, the side wall portion having a battery side facing the battery cell stack and an outer side opposite to the battery side, each end of the side plate having a locking portion extending away from the side wall portion in a direction faced by the battery side of the side plate, the locking portion having a slot with both ends not closed and a pin extending away from the locking portion; a locking plate for securing the side panel to the end panel, the locking plate having a stud opening and a pin opening; as well as a fastener engaged with the stud, wherein one of the end plates is positioned on each end of the battery cell stack, the side plates are positioned on opposite sides of the battery cell stack, each locking portion is disposed above the outer side of the end plate, and the stud is disposed in the narrow groove; the locking plate is disposed on the locking portion, wherein the stud is located in the stud opening and the pin is located in the pin opening; and wherein the fastener is attached to the stud and secures the locking plate to the stud and the pin, and the frame assembly maintains compression of the battery cell stack.

2. The frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The end plate has side edges and a stud is adjacent each side edge.

3. The frame assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The end plate has a stud adjacent each side edge, and the locking portion of the side plate has a pin and also has a slot with open ends for each stud adjacent the side edge of the end plate.

4. The frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The locking plate has opposite end locking portions and an intermediate locking portion extending between the end locking portions, each end locking portion of the locking plate has a stud opening and a pin opening, and the locking plate fixes the side plate on each side of the battery cell stack to the end plate, wherein each end locking portion of the locking plate is arranged on the locking portion of the side plate, wherein the stud is located in the stud opening and the pin is located in the pin opening.

5. The frame assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The intermediate locking portion of the locking plate has a rib portion extending between the end locking portions.

6. The frame assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a center beam for forming the sides of adjacent battery cell stacks, the center beam having opposite ends and a center beam portion extending between the ends, the center beam portion having opposite first and second sides to face the adjacent battery cell stacks, each end of the center beam having a double locking portion, the double locking portion having a first locking portion extending from the first side of the center beam and a second locking portion extending from the second side of the center beam, the first locking portion and the second locking portion each having a slot with unclosed ends and a pin extending from the locking portion; in, One of the end plates is positioned on each end of an adjacent battery cell stack, and the center beam is positioned between facing sides of adjacent battery cell stacks, wherein each locking portion is disposed above the outer side of the end plate and the stud is disposed in the narrow groove; the side plates are positioned on non-facing sides of adjacent battery cell stacks, wherein each locking portion is disposed above the outer side of the end plate and the stud is disposed in the narrow groove; the locking plate is disposed on the locking portion, wherein a stud located in the stud opening and a pin located in the pin opening are disposed on the locking portion, wherein the stud is located in the stud opening and the pin is located in the pin opening; and wherein the fastener is attached to the stud and secures the locking plate to the stud and the pin, and the frame assembly maintains compression of the battery cell stack.

7. The frame assembly of claim 6 further comprising a center beam locking plate having a first locking portion with a stud opening and a pin opening and a second locking portion with a stud opening and a pin opening, wherein: The center beam locking plate is arranged on the first locking portion of the center beam and the second locking portion of the center beam, the stud is located in the stud opening, the pin is located in the pin opening, and the center beam locking plate fixes the center beam to the two end plates.

8. The frame assembly of claim 1 further comprising a side beam having opposite ends, a rectangular cross-section and a sidewall surface, wherein: Each side panel has a side beam attached to an outer side of the side wall portion.

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