Cell supervisory circuit module

Abstract

A Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module 300 for a battery, the battery comprising a plurality of cells and a cell securing plate 350, wherein the CSC module is configured to be attachable to the cell

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module. Aspects of the invention relate to a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module for a battery, to an assembly comprising a cell securing plate and a CSC module, to a battery cell stack, to a battery, and to a vehicle. BACKGROUND Battery packs are becoming increasingly popular for automotive applications and various commercial electronic devices because they can generate the required power and they are rechargeable. Such battery packs may comprise a plurality of cells arranged in cell stacks. It is known to provide a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module for each cell stack. The CSC module comprises electronics to gather monitoring data for the cells within the cell stack. The CSC module may be connected to various sensors, for example in a wired manner. The CSC module may communicate with a Battery Energy Management (BEM) module. Securing the CSC module to the cell stack can be complex as the connection must be sufficiently robust to remain in place while the vehicle is in use. It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module for a battery, an assembly comprising a cell securing plate and a CSC module, a battery cell stack, a battery, and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module for a battery, the CSC module being configured to be attachable to a plate of a battery, such as a cell securing plate, wherein the CSC module comprises: a rigid retention component configured to engage a first connector of the plate; a deflectable retention component configured to engage a second connector of the plate; and a rear face having a compressible pad configured to urge the rear face away from the plate. In this way, the CSC module may be mounted to the plate in an efficient and secure manner. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module for a battery, the battery comprising a plurality of cells and a cell securing plate, the CSC module being configured to be attachable to the cell securing plate, wherein the CSC module comprises: a first retention component configured to engage a first connector of the cell securing plate, the first retention component including a first rigid projection; a second retention component configured to engage a second connector of the cell securing plate, the second retention component including an elastically deflectable arm having an angled portion at a distal end thereof to form an engaging tab for engagement with the second connector; and a rear face configured to be adjacent to the cell securing plate when the CSC module is attached thereto, the rear face having a compressible pad configured to abut the cell securing plate and to urge the rear face away from the cell securing plate. In this way, the CSC module may be mounted on the cell securing plate quickly and efficiently. The mounting provided is secure, robust and long-lasting, and is suitable for use in environments that may experience large multidirectional forces, such as in a vehicle. The mounting provided may be demountable, which assists in maintenance of the CSC module and the battery. The CSC module of the disclosure is configured to engage with one side only of the cell securing plate. The CSC module of the disclosure may be mounted on the cell securing plate such that CSC and its mounting does not impinge on any other components, such as a cell. The CSC module of the disclosure may also be manufactured and assembled in an efficient manner. In an embodiment, the engaging tab of the second retention component comprises a socket suitable for receiving a demounting tool. In this way, the CSC module can be easily disconnected from the cell securing plate, for example, for maintenance. Optionally, the first retention component may comprise a second rigid projection, spaced apart from the first rigid projection. In this way, the first retention component can provide a robust and stable connection between the CSC module and the cell securing plate. In an embodiment, the first retention component is located on an upper surface of the CSC module. This is a particularly convenient location for the first retention component, to allow efficient mounting and demounting, and a stable and secure connection to the cell securing plate in use. Optionally, the second retention component is located on a lower surface of the CSC module. This is a particularly convenient location for the second retention component, to allow efficient mounting and demounting, and a stable and secure connection to the cell securing plate in use. In an embodiment, the second retention component has one or more lateral fins for engaging the cell securing plate, the lateral fins located beside and spaced apart from the arm. In this way, lateral resilience of the connection is improved. Optionally, the CSC module may comprise a pairoffirst retention components and / ora pair of second retention components. In this way, a strong robust connection may be formed between the CSC module and the cell securing plate. According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly comprising a cell securing plate and a CSC module according to the present disclosure. Such an assembly provides a secure and stable connection between the components, even while subject to operation forces in a vehicle. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a battery cell stack for use in an electric vehicle comprising the assembly according to the present disclosure, a plurality of cells and a second cell securing plate, wherein the plurality of cells are secured between the cell securing plate of the assembly and the second cell securing plate. Such a battery cell stack can operate efficiently under the supervision of the CSC module, which is robustly secured thereto. Furthermore, such a battery cell stack may be assembled in an efficient manner. According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a battery for an electric vehicle comprising a plurality of battery cell stacks according to the present disclosure. Such a battery may be used as a traction battery in a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). According to an additional aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the electric vehicle battery cell stack according to the present disclosure or the electric vehicle battery according to the present disclosure. Such a vehicle may be obtain traction from the components and assemblies disclosed herein. Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in anyway and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2(a) shows a front view of an embodiment of a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module for a battery; Fig. 2(b) shows a rearview of an embodiment of the Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module of Fig. 2(a); Fig. 3(a) shows a side view of an embodiment of a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module according to an embodiment of the invention and a cross-section side view of a cell securing plate of a battery module according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3(b) shows a side cross-section view of the Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module shown in Fig. 3(a) when attached to the cell supporting plate shown in Fig. 3(a); Fig. 4 shows a front perspective view of a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5(a) shows a front perspective detail view of a first retention component of the Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 5(b) shows a rear perspective detail view of the first retention component of the Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5(a); Fig. 6(a) shows a front perspective detail view of a second retention component of the Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6(b) shows a front perspective detail view of a second retention component of the Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 7 shows a rear perspective view of the of the CSC module of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 shows a front perspective view of a cell securing plate for engagement with the CSC module of Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is a front perspective cross-sectional detail view of a first retention component of the CSC module of Fig. 4 engaged with its corresponding first connector of the cell securing plate of Fig. 8; Fig. 10(a) is a front perspective cross-sectional detail view of a second retention component of the CSC module of Fig. 4 engaged with its corresponding second connector of the cell securing plate of Fig. 8; Fig. 10(b) is a front perspective detail view of a second retention component of the CSC module of Fig. 4 engaged with its corresponding second connector of the cell securing plate of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a perspective partial view of a battery cell stack according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 12 is an end view of a battery foran electric vehicle according to an embodiment ofthe invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A vehicle in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Fig. 1, the vehicle being indicated generally by the reference numeral 100. A battery cell stack 500 as shown in Fig. 11 may be installed in the vehicle 100. As shown in Fig. 12, the battery cell stack 500 may be installed on its own or combined with other battery cell stacks 500 to form a battery 600. The battery 600 may be suitable for use in an electric vehicle. With reference to Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b), there is illustrated front and rear views of an embodiment of a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module 200 for a vehicle according to the disclosure. The CSC module 200 may form part of an assembly with a suitable component of a battery module, for example the CSC module may form part of a cell stack. One or more such cell stacks may be used to form a battery. Such a battery may be suitable for use as a battery in a vehicle, for example as a traction battery. The CSC module 200 is configured to be attachable to a component (not shown), such as a cell securing plate, of a battery module. The CSC module 200 comprises a body having a front face 202 and an opposing rear face 204. The CSC module 200 comprises a rigid retention component 206 for engaging a first connector of the cell securing plate; and a deflectable retention component 208 for engaging a second connector of the cell securing plate. A compressible pad 210 is mounted on the rear face 204 ofthe CSC module. The compressible pad 210 is configured to urge the CSC module 200 away from the cell securing plate, when the retention components are engaged with the cell securing plate. While the CSC module 200, compressible pad 210, and retention components 206, 208 are shown here having certain shapes, it will be understood that they are not limited thereto. The deflectable retention component 208 may comprise a socket, recess or the like (not shown) suitable for receiving a demounting tool, to facilitate disengaging the deflectable retention component 208 from the second connector, and so allow the CSC module to be removed from the plate. One or both of the first retention component and second retention component may comprise a plurality of sections or parts. For example, the first retention component may 4 comprise two or more spaced-apart parts, configured to receive a part of the first connector therebetween. In this way, the lateral movement of the CSC module in use is reduced. With reference to Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b), there is illustrated a side view of an embodiment of a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module, indicated by the reference numeral 300, for a vehicle according to the disclosure and a cell securing plate, indicated generally by the reference numeral 350. In Fig. 3(a), the CSC module 300 is separate from the cell securing plate 350. In Fig. 3(b), the CSC module 300 is attached to the cell securing plate 350. The embodiment of the CSC module 300 shown in Fig. 3 is similar to the embodiment of the CSC module 200 shown in Fig. 2, and as such, the same reference numerals are used where appropriate. The CSC module 300 comprises a main body 302 having a compressible pad 210 secured to a rear face thereof. A first retention component 304 projects from an upper surface of the main body 302. The first retention component 304 is configured to engage a first connector 352 of the cell securing plate 350. The first retention component 304 comprises a first rigid projection. The first connector 352 of the cell securing plate 350 includes a recess 354 for engaging the first retention component 304. A second retention component 306 is located at a lower surface of the main body 302 of the CSC module 300. The second retention component 306 is configured to engage a second connector 356 of the cell securing plate 350. The second retention component includes an elastically deflectable arm 306 having an angled portion at the distal end thereof to form an engaging tab 308 for engagement with the second connector 356. The cell securing plate 350 comprises a main plate 352 which supports the first connector 352 and the second connector 356. The second connector 356 is formed of a recess 358. The recess 358 may be a slot. When the CSC module 300 is attached to the cell securing plate 350, the engaging tab 308 of the second retention component is at least partially in contact with an inner surface of the recess 358 of the second connector 354. The first connector 352 and / or the second connector 354 may be part of a flange that projects from the main plate 352 of the cell securing plate 350. The cell securing plate 350 may be made from metal, for example, a metal casting. Referring now to Fig. 4, Fig. 5(a), Fig. 5(b), Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b) there is illustrated a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module according to an embodiment of the disclosure, including detailed views of the first retention component and second retention component. Fig. 4 is front perspective view of the Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The CSC module is indicated generally by the reference numeral 400. The CSC module 400 comprises a front cover 402, a pair of first retention components 404 (404a,b in Fig. 4) configured to engage a first connector of the cell securing plate and a pair of second retention components 406 (406a,b in Fig. 4) configured to engage a second connector of the cell securing plate. The CSC module 400 comprises a pair of electrical connectors 407a, 407b to connect to a wiring harness (not shown) for communicating data from the cells (not shown) of a battery cell stack (not shown) to the CSC module 400. The CSC module 400 comprises a front cover 402 forming the front face of the CSC module, the front cover 402 connects to a rear cover 440 to enclose the electrical components of the CSC module 400. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show an example first retention component 404 in more detail, while Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show an example second retention component 406 in more detail. In describing the CSC module, the forward direction is that which faces outward (away) from the cell securing plate, and the rear direction is that which faces the cell securing plate. In this embodiment, the first retention components 404 may also be referred to as upper retention components, such that there is a left upper retention component 404a and a right upper retention component 404b. In this embodiment, the pair of second retention components 406 may be referred to as lower retention components, such that there is a left lower retention component 406a and a right lower retention component 406b. The upper retention components 404 and lower retention components 406 are respectively arranged to have mirror symmetry about the central axis A-A in Fig. 4. Each upper retention component 404a, 404b comprises a first rigid projection 408 and a second rigid projection 410. The first rigid projections 408 may be referred to as wedge rigid projections such that there is a left wedge rigid projection 408a and a right wedge projection 408b. The second rigid projections 410 may be referred to as cuboid rigid projections such that there is a left cuboid rigid projection 410a and a right cuboid projection 410b. In light of the mirror symmetry about the axis A-A, the cuboid rigid projections 410 are closest to the axis A-A, while the wedge rigid projections 408 are further away from the axis A-A. The wedge rigid projection 408 and cuboid rigid projection 410 within a first retention component 404 are spaced apart width-wise on a top surface 412 of the front cover 402. The first retention components 404 are each located in a depression 414 in the top surface 412 of the front cover 402, such that there is a left depression 414a and a right depression 414b. The depressions 414a, 414b deepen in the rearward direction. The upper retention components 404a, 404b may be unitarily formed with the portion of the front cover 402 from which they project, for example via moulding or other suitable techniques. The front cover may be formed from a material comprising a combination of polyphenyl ether (PPE), polystyrene (PS), and 10% glass fibre. Each wedge projection 408 has a substantially vertical portion 420 having a front face which is parallel to the front face of the front cover 402. The rear of the vertical portion 420 has a plurality, in this case four, triangular ribs 422, extending rearwardly from the vertical portion 420. In this way, the ribs 422 may be considered to have a wedge-like or ramp-like shape. The base of the front face of the vertical portion 420 abuts the edge of the depression 414, with a plurality of tines 424 extending forwardly from the vertical portion. The first rigid projection is positioned on a raised portion 426 within the depression 414. Each cuboid projection has a general cuboid shape, with rounded edges and are oriented orthogonally to the wedge projections. The cuboid projection is substantially hollow, having a blind hole 452 open at its rearward face. Each lower retention component 406 comprises an elastically deflectable arm 416 having an angled portion at a distal end thereof to form an engaging tab 418 for engagement with the second connector. The lower retention components 406a, 406b each project forward from the front of the CSC front cover 402. Each of the lower retention components 406 comprises a pair of lateral fins 430a, 430b for engaging the cell securing plate. The fins 430 are located each side of the arm 416, spaced apart therefrom. The fins 430 project below the lower surface of the of the front cover 402, in rearward and forward directions. The engaging tab 418 has a socket 432 suitable for receiving a demounting tool. Referring now to Fig. 7, there is shown a rear perspective view of the CSC module 400. The rearview shows the rear cover 440 of the CSC module 400 and the top surface 412 of the front cover. The rear cover 440 has four elongate rectangular compressible pads 442a, 442b, 442c, 442d affixed thereto. The compressible pads 442 may be affixed to the rear cover by an adhesive tape. The compressible pads 442 may have a thickness in the range 2mm to 5mm, and in an example, have a thickness of 3mm. In an example, the compressible pads 442 are formed from a polyurethane foam having a resilience of greater than 20% and in an example, the resilience is 35%. Referring now to Fig. 8, there is shown a front perspective view of a cell securing plate indicated generally by the reference numeral 450 to which the CSC module 400 as described herein in relation to Fig. 4 may be attached. The cell securing plate 450 may be combined with a plurality of cells (not shown), such as prismatic cells, to form a battery cell stack (not shown). Such a battery cell stack may comprise a pair of cell securing plates 450 bookending the plurality of cells. However, typically, such a battery cell stack only comprises one CSC module 400, so only one of the two cell securing plates 450 of each cell stack will have a CSC module 400 connected thereto. The cell securing plate 450 has a first connector 456 (456a,b in Fig. 8) for engaging the first retention component 404 of the CSC module and a second connector 462 (462a,b in Fig. 8) for engaging the second retention component 406 of the CSC module 400. The cell securing plate 450 comprises a main plate 452 and a flange 454 surrounding the main plate 452 and projecting substantially orthogonally from the edge thereof. The main plate 452 has a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. In the example shown in Fig. 8, there are a pair of first connectors 456a, 456b, located in an upper portion of the cell securing plate 452. The first connectors are spaced from the portion of the flange 454 at the upper edge of the main plate 452. As most easily seen also in Fig. 9, each first connector 456 comprises a frame formed by a side bar 458 projecting from the main plate 454 of the cell securing plate 450 and a retaining bar 460 extending from the distal end of the side bar 458, such that the retaining bar 460 extends substantially parallel to the main plate 452. The frame shown in Fig. 8 has a pair of side bars 458 projecting from the main plate 452, with the retaining bar 460 engaging both side bars 458. In this way, the frame forms a substantially square loop projecting from the main plate 452 of the cell securing plate 450. The frame is rigid and robust, and may be unitarily formed with the main plate 452 of the cell securing plate 450. In the example shown in Fig. 8, there are a pair of second connectors 462a, 462b, located in a lower portion of the cell securing plate 450. Each second connector 462a, 462b, comprises a recess or eparture 464 (see especially Figs. 10(a) and (b)) in the portion of the flange 454 extending from the lower edge of the main plate 452. The recess 464 is an elongate slot forming a through-hole in the flange 454. While the recess 464 is shown as a through-hole, this is not essential and it may be a blind hole. The lower portion of the flange 454, where the recesses 464 of the second connectors 462a, 462b are located, is deeper than other portions of the flange 454. The cell securing plate 450 may be formed as a metal casting, with some subsequent machining of the casting to finalise the features thereof. The cell securing plate 450 further comprises a number of structural features for providing a robust structure, efficient manufacture, and for facilitating assembly of a battery cell stack and accommodation of other features and components of the battery cell stack. These structural components are outside the scope of this description and will not be discussed in detail here. The connection between the CSC module 400 and the cell securing plate 450 will now be described with particular reference to Figs. 9, 10(a) and 10(b). Fig. 9 shows a cross-section detail view of a first retention component 404 in engagement with a first connector 456. Fig. 10(a) shows a cross-section detail view of a second retention component 406 in engagement with a second connector 458. Fig. 10(a) shows a front perspective detail view of a second retention component 406 in engagement with a second connector 462. To connect the CSC module 400 to the cell securing plate 450, the first projections 408 of the first retention components 404 are introduced into the loop formed by the frame of the side bars 458 and retaining bar 460 of the first connector 456, such that the second projections 410 are outside the loop. Then pressure is applied to the CSC module 400 such that the second retention components 406 engage with the second connectors 462. As the pressure is applied, the base of the engaging tab 418 is in contact with the upper surface of the lower part of the flange 454 of the cell securing plate 450. In this way, the deflectable arm 416 is pushed upwards, such that it is urging the engaging tab 418 down against the upper surface of the lower part of the flange 454. When the engaging tab 418 meets the recess 464 of the second connector 462, the engaging tab 418 is urged into the recess 464 by the deflectable arm 416. In this way, the compressible pads 442 on the rear cover 440 of the CSC module 400 are compressed between the rear cover 440 and the cell securing plate 450. The resistance of the compressible pads 442 to the compression urges the CSC module 400 away from the cell securing plate 450. This pushes the front face of the vertical portion 420 of the wedge rigid projections 408a, 408b, of the first retention components 404a, 404b against the rear surface of the retaining bars 460a, 460b in the frame forming the first connectors 456a, 456b of the cell securing plate 450. It also pushes the end of the engaging tabs 418 against the rear surface of the front of the recesses 464 of the second connectors 462a, 462b of the cell securing plate 450. Each cuboid rigid projection 410a, 410b of the first retention components 404a, 404b is adjacent to, and may abut, the inner side arms 458 of the first connectors 456a, 456b. In this way, the cuboid rigid projections 410a, 410b are configured to limit lateral movement of the CSC module 400 in relation to the cell securing plate 450. If it is required to disconnect the CSC module 400 from the cell securing plate 450, a demounting tool (not shown) may be inserted into the sockets 432 of the engaging tabs 418 to pull the engaging tabs 418 upwards from the recess 464 of the second connectors 462a, 462b. Referring now to Fig. 11, there is shown an end portion of a battery cell stack 500 for an electric vehicle, comprising the assembly of the CSC module 400 and cell securing plate 450, and an exoskeleton 502 surrounding a plurality of prismatic cells (not visible). The prismatic cells may be arranged in a longitudinal array. The opposite end (not shown) of battery cell stack 500 comprises a second cell securing plate 450. In this way, the plurality of cells may be secured between the two cell securing plates 450. Referring now to Fig. 12, there is shown a block diagram of a battery 600 suitable for an electric vehicle, comprising a plurality of battery cell stacks 500. Alternate battery cell stacks 500 may be flipped and rotated such that the base, as illustrated herein, of one battery cell stack 500 is on top of the base of another battery cell stack 500. Such a battery 600 may be installed in the vehicle 100 shown in Fig. 1, for use as a traction battery. Throughout the description, features and components may be referred to as “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left” and so on, however it will be understood that these terms refer only to the figures being described and not intended to indicate that the components, features etc must be location in any specific position or orientation in implementations of the invention. Aspects of the present invention relate to a Cell Supervisory Circuit (CSC) module for a battery, the battery comprising a plurality of cells and a cell securing plate, the CSC module being configured to be attachable to the cell securing plate. The CSC module comprises retention components for engaging the cell securing plate, including a first retention component including a rigid projection and a second retention component including an elastically deflectable arm. A rear face of the CSC module has a compressible pad to abut the cell securing plate and to urge the rear face away from the cell securing plate. The present invention provides a secure and stable connection between the CSC module and cell securing plate, while also facilitating efficient manufacture and assembly. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A Cell Supervisory Circuit, CSC, module for a battery, the battery comprising a plurality of cells and a cell securing plate, the CSC module being configured to be attachable to the cell securing plate, wherein the CSC module comprises:a first retention component configured to engage a first connector of the cell securing plate, the first retention component including a first rigid projection;a second retention component configured to engage a second connector of the cell securing plate, the second retention component including an elastically deflectable arm having an angled portion at a distal end thereof to form an engaging tab for engagement with the second connector; anda rear face configured to be adjacent to the cell securing plate when the CSC module is attached thereto, the rear face having a compressible pad configured to abut the cell securing plate and to urge the rear face away from the cell securing plate.

2. The Cell Supervisory Circuit module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engaging tab of the second retention component comprises a socket suitable for receiving a demounting tool.

3. The Cell Supervisory Circuit module as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first retention component comprises a second rigid projection, spaced apart from the first rigid projection.

4. The Cell Supervisory Circuit module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first retention component is located on an upper surface of the CSC module.

5. The Cell Supervisory Circuit module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second retention component is located on a lower surface of the CSC module.

6. The Cell Supervisory Circuit module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second retention component has one or more lateral fins for engaging the cell securing plate, the lateral fins located beside and spaced apart from the arm.

7. The Cell Supervisory Circuit module as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a pair of first retention components and / or a pair of second retention components.

8. An assembly comprising a cell securing plate and a CSC module according to any preceding claim.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first connector first connector of the cell securingplate comprises a frame having a side bar projecting from the cell securing plate and a retaining bar, orthogonal to the side bar.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 8 or 9, when claim 8 is dependent on claims 3 to 7, wherein the second rigid projection engages an outer surface of the side bar.

11. The assembly as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the second connector of the cell securing plate comprises a recess in a flange projecting from a main plate of a cell securing plate.5 12. The assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein, when the CSC module is attached to the cell securingplate, the engaging tab of the second retention component is at least partially in contact with an inner surface of the recess of the second connector.

13. A battery cell stack for use in an electric vehicle comprising the assembly of any of claims 8 to 12, a10 plurality of cells and a second cell securing plate, wherein the plurality of cells are secured between the cellsecuring plate of the assembly and the second cell securing plate.

14. A battery for an electric vehicle comprising a plurality of battery cell stacks as claimed in claim 13.15 15. A vehicle comprising the electric vehicle battery cell stack of claim 13 or the electric vehicle batteryof claim 14.

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