Modular Battery System

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a battery module, a side-by-side battery module, a battery system, and a battery pack. The battery module includes at least two battery cells arranged to be coupled in series, the battery module being configured to be removably connectable to an adjacent first corresponding battery module by a first electrical connection. The battery module is further configured to be removably connectable to the adjacent first corresponding battery module and to a further adjacent second corresponding battery module by a second electrical connection, such that each battery cell included in the battery module is arranged to be removably connectable to battery cells included in the further adjacent first and second battery modules by the second electrical connection, the first electrical connection being a parallel electrical connection and different from at least one second electrical connection.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular battery system. In particular, embodiments herein relate to battery modules and modular battery systems including one or more battery cells, and methods of manufacturing such modular battery systems. [Background technology]

[0002] The recent rise in electrification, such as the development of electric vehicles, has reinvigorated efforts to design and manufacture efficient and durable battery systems to address the growing demands in industry. To this end, many battery systems have been proposed, including battery modules each with individual battery cells. However, conventional systems suffer from multiple drawbacks, such as short life spans, service and maintenance challenges, lack of flexibility and scalability, and recycling issues.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need in the field of battery systems to develop more flexible, cost-effective, versatile and scalable battery systems and methods to meet the needs of energy consumers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a battery module with at least two battery cells, a side-by-side battery module, a battery system, a battery pack, and a method that alleviate all or at least some of the drawbacks of currently known solutions. These and other objects are achieved by the various aspects of the present disclosure as defined in the attached independent claims. In this context, the term exemplary or example is understood to serve as an example, instance or illustration.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery module including at least two battery cells arranged to be coupled in series, the battery module being configured to be removably connectable to an adjacent first corresponding battery module by a first electrical connection. The battery module is further configured to be removably connectable to the adjacent first corresponding battery module and to an adjacent second corresponding battery module by at least one second electrical connection such that each battery cell included in the battery module is further arranged to be removably connectable to at least one battery cell included in the adjacent first and second battery modules by at least one second electrical connection. The first electrical connection is a parallel electrical connection and is different from the at least one second electrical connection.

[0006] According to some embodiments, the battery module may be further configured to be removably connectable in parallel to at least one external electrical load by a parallel electrical connection.

[0007] According to some exemplary embodiments, the battery module may be further configured to be removably connected to a battery management system (BMS) unit by at least one second electrical connection.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, the battery module may further comprise a positive battery module terminal and a negative battery module terminal. The battery module may further be configured to be removably coupled in parallel to an adjacent first corresponding battery module via the positive battery module terminal and the negative battery module terminal by the first electrical connection such that a current path may be formed between the positive and negative terminals of the first electrical connection. The battery module may further be configured to be removably coupled to the adjacent first corresponding battery module and further to the adjacent second corresponding battery module by at least one second electrical connection such that each battery cell included in the battery module may further be arranged to be removably coupled to at least one battery cell included in the adjacent first and second battery modules by at least one second electrical connection. Thus, at least one signal path may be formed between the battery module and the adjacent first and second battery modules via the at least one second electrical connection, and the formed current path may be different from the formed at least one signal path.

[0009] Thus, the advantageous battery modules, battery systems and methods of the present disclosure provide a non-exhaustive list of advantageous effects, including: More scalable and flexible design of battery modules, battery systems and battery packs. Easier maintenance and servicing of battery modules and battery packs at the individual battery cell level without the need to take the battery pack or battery system out of operation for repairs or upgrades, which in turn contributes to improved economic and environmental sustainability. The advantageous battery modules, battery packs and battery systems provide the possibility for more time and cost efficient recycling of the battery packs. For example, the automated dismantling stage of the recycling process may be easily applied to the disclosed battery packs, since it facilitates the separation of the battery cells and all the connection and coupling elements within the module, other components of the battery pack, the battery system and the external load. Also, the scalability process of the modular battery system results in more predictable battery module designs. The solution proposed herein offers a cost-effective, modular and scalable solution, especially for smaller manufacturers, offering the possibility to enter the electrification market with affordable investments and risks.

[0010] In various exemplary embodiments, each battery cell included in each battery module may be arranged to be removably coupled to adjacent battery cells in the same battery module via a respective series connection plate. In some embodiments, each battery cell included in each battery module may be arranged to be removably coupled to a respective series connection plate via a conductive adhesive element.

[0011] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the first electrical connection and / or the at least one second electrical connection between the battery module and adjacent first and second battery modules may be formed via conductive elastic and / or spring connection terminals.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a juxtaposed battery module is provided that includes a first battery module and a second battery module, each battery module having at least two battery cells arranged to be coupled in series. The first and second battery modules are configured to be removably coupled in parallel by a first electrical connection. The first and second battery modules are further configured to be removably coupled by at least one second electrical connection such that each battery cell included in each battery module is further arranged to be removably coupled to at least one battery cell included in the other battery module by at least one second electrical connection. The first electrical connection is different from the at least one second electrical connection.

[0013] According to some embodiments, each of the first and second battery modules of the collocated battery modules may further comprise a positive battery module terminal and a negative battery module terminal. Each module may be configured such that a current path may be formed between the positive and negative terminals of the first electrical connections. Each module may further be configured such that at least one signal path may be formed between the first battery module and the second battery module via the at least one second electrical connection, and the formed current path may be different from the formed at least one signal path.

[0014] In some embodiments, the collocated module may be further configured to be removably coupled such that a current path may further be formed between each battery module and an external electrical load via the positive and negative battery module terminals by the first electrical connection in parallel to the external electrical load.

[0015] According to some exemplary embodiments, the side-by-side battery module may be further configured to be removably coupled to one or more other side-by-side battery modules and / or to the single battery module by at least one second electrical connection, whereby at least one signal path may be further formed between each two adjacent side-by-side battery modules and / or between an adjacent side-by-side battery module and the single battery module.

[0016] In some exemplary embodiments, the collocated battery modules and / or the single battery modules may be further configured to be removably connected to a battery management system (BMS) unit by at least one second electrical connection.

[0017] In some exemplary embodiments, the collocated battery module and / or the single battery module may be further configured such that, when removably coupled to the BMS unit, at least one signal path may further be formed between the collocated battery module and / or the single battery module and the BMS unit.

[0018] In various exemplary embodiments, each battery cell included in each of the first and second battery modules may be arranged to be removably coupled to adjacent battery cells in the same battery module via a respective series connection plate. According to some embodiments, each battery cell included in each of the first and second battery modules may be arranged to be removably coupled to a respective series connection plate via a conductive adhesive element.

[0019] In some exemplary embodiments, the collocated battery modules are configured such that at least one second electrical connection can be made via a conductive elastic and / or spring connection terminal.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a modular battery system comprising one or more battery modules arranged to be removably coupled to adjacent battery modules according to any one of the embodiments of the first and / or second aspects of the present disclosure, the modular battery system further comprising a battery management system (BMS) unit arranged to be removably coupled to the one or more battery modules.

[0021] According to a further fourth aspect, there is provided a method of connecting first and second battery modules, each module having at least two battery cells, the method comprising: removably coupling at least two battery cells in each of the first and second battery modules in series such that each battery cell in each battery module is arranged such that it is removably coupled to an adjacent battery cell in the same battery module via a separate series connection, and removably coupling the first and second battery modules such that the first and second battery modules are removably coupled by a first electrical connection and / or at least one second electrical connection, the first electrical connection being different from the at least one second electrical connection.

[0022] According to some example embodiments, the method further includes forming a current path between the first battery module and the second battery module through a first electrical connection, where the first electrical connection may be a parallel electrical connection. The method further includes forming at least one signal path between the first battery module and the second battery module through at least one second electrical connection, where the formed current path may be different from the formed at least one signal path.

[0023] Further embodiments of the various aspects are defined in the dependent claims.

[0024] It should be noted that all embodiments, elements, features and advantages associated with the first aspect apply equally to the second, third and fourth aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be further apparent from the following detailed description. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] Further objects, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description which refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] [Figure 1a-1b] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a battery module according to some embodiments. [Figure 1c] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to some embodiments. [Figure 1d] 1 illustrates an equivalent electrical circuit of a battery module according to various embodiments. [Figure 2a-2b] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a perspective view of collocated battery modules and their respective equivalent electrical circuits, according to some embodiments. [Figure 3a-3b] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a battery system and its respective equivalent electrical circuit according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a battery pack according to some embodiments. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a schematic flow chart of a method according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] In the following detailed description, some of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the features of various embodiments can be exchanged between the embodiments and can be combined in various other ways, unless otherwise specified. Basic prior art skills in electronics, sensor systems, signal processing, data communication systems, integrated circuit design, printed circuit board (PCB) design, and other components to implement the present disclosure are believed to be readily available to those skilled in the art. Terms such as "first", "second", etc., used in this specification do not indicate order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another and to assist the reader.

[0029] Those skilled in the art will understand that the procedures, services, and functions described herein may be implemented using discrete hardware circuits, software working in conjunction with a programmed microprocessor or a general-purpose computer, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and / or one or more digital signal processors (DSPs).

[0030] In the following description of exemplary embodiments, the same reference numbers indicate the same or similar components.

[0031] FIG. 1a illustrates a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a battery module 100 according to some aspects and embodiments. The battery module 100 in this example comprises 14 battery cells 101 arranged to be coupled in series. A battery cell in this context is a rechargeable battery cell that can be repeatedly charged when depleted during the life of the battery module. Meanwhile, in other examples and embodiments, the battery module may comprise at least two battery cells arranged to be coupled in series. In some embodiments based on the design requirements, intended application and performance requirements of the battery module, the battery module may comprise 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 100, 120, 240, 360 or any suitable number of battery cells arranged to be coupled in series. The battery module 100 in FIG. 1a comprises 14 cylindrical battery cells 101 arranged adjacent to each other and coupled by electrical connections 102 in series. In other examples, the battery cells may be any suitable geometric shape, such as prismatic cells or pouch cells. The battery cells may provide any suitable output voltage known in the art and customized for the intended application. By coupling battery cells in series, the desired voltage level can be adjusted and customized for each battery module 100. For example, battery modules with varying output voltages can be easily constructed to meet different requirements from different consumers by simply adjusting the number of battery cells connected in series in each battery module. The battery modules of the present disclosure have various application areas, such as a sustainable energy source for electric vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, boats, etc., and different energy needs of different types and models of electric vehicles may be provided by providing battery modules with a customized number of battery cells based on such requirements.

[0032] As also shown in the schematic side view of the battery module 100 in FIG. 1b, each battery cell 101 included in the battery module 100 is arranged to be removably coupled to an adjacent battery cell 101 in the battery module by a series electrical connection 102 via a respective series connection plate 103. Each battery cell 101 has a first end 101a and a second end 101b. For illustrative purposes only, FIG. 1a shows the first end 101a and the second end 101b of the battery cell facing the front side 100-F and the back side 100-R of the battery module 100. Thus, FIG. 1b shows the front side 100-F of the battery module 100.

[0033] Each series connection plate, such as the plate 103a, comprises a first end 103-1 arranged to be removably coupled to a first end 101a of a first battery cell 101-1 included in the battery module 100. The series connection plate 103a also comprises a second end 103-2 arranged to be removably coupled to a first end 101a of a second battery cell 101-2 adjacent to the first battery cell 101-1 included in the same battery module. The second ends 101b of the first battery cell 101-1 and the second battery cell 101-2 are similarly removably coupled to the second ends 101b of each adjacent battery cell by respective respective series connection plates 103b, 103c. Also similarly, all remaining battery cells in the battery module 100 of FIG. 1a are removably coupled to adjacent battery cells such that a series electrical connection is formed between all battery cells 101 included in the battery module 100.

[0034] The series connection plate 103 is a conductive connection means configured to conduct electric current and may be made of several conductive materials, such as metals, such as copper or titanium, conductive polymers, organic materials, such as graphite, etc. Each battery cell 101 included in each battery module 100 is arranged to be removably coupled to a respective series connection plate 103 via a conductive adhesive element 111, as shown in the example of FIG. 1c, which shows an exploded perspective view of two battery modules 100a, 100b arranged side by side, each with a cell removably coupled by a conductive adhesive element 111. Furthermore, the battery modules 100a and 100b may also be removably coupled by the conductive adhesive element 111 to form a collocated battery module 200 according to some embodiments, which will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2a-2b. Removable connections between the battery modules, the battery modules 100, 200 and other components, such as the BMS units 120a, 120b, may also be realized by the conductive adhesive element 111, as shown in the battery system 300 of FIGS. 3a-3b. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of conductive connection means, such as welding or soldering couplings, may be used. However, it will be appreciated that by using the advantageous conductive adhesive element 111 of the present disclosure, not only can the use of welding or soldering be reduced in forming the battery module or battery pack 400, but also the drawback of thermal degradation of the conventional soldering / welding couplings can be easily avoided. This, in turn, may contribute to the lifespan of the battery module and the battery pack 400 equipped with the battery module according to the present disclosure. Furthermore, by using a removably connectable conductive adhesive, the recycling process of the battery module and the battery pack can be automated, since the separation of the removably connected components can be performed, for example, by applying a separation force to the module-cell bond. This has the advantage that the components can be more easily disassembled by robotics that apply cleaving or peeling stress to the module-cell bond during the recycling process.The use of conductive adhesives eliminates thermal stress on the battery cells and eliminates the unknown factor of thermal degradation in the assembly process of the battery modules and battery packs according to the present disclosure.

[0035] The battery cells included in the battery module 100 are mechanically secured in place by being placed in a battery pack 400 comprising multiple battery modules 100, 200 as shown in Figure 4 with a battery module holder element 105 as shown in Figure lb or similar (not shown) to provide mechanical integrity to the battery system. In some aspects and embodiments, the battery pack comprises a housing 410 for mechanically supporting the battery modules and battery cells.

[0036] In some embodiments, each battery module 100 further comprises a positive battery module terminal 106 and a negative battery module terminal 107, as shown in Figs. 1a-1b. Thus, the battery module 100 is configured for removably connection in parallel to at least one external load "Z" via the positive and negative battery module terminals, for example as shown in Fig. 1b. The negative battery module terminal 107 is also configured for connection to a reference point, such as a ground (GND) reference point shown in Fig. 1d, an equivalent electrical circuit of at least one battery module 100 having six battery cells 101 according to the present disclosure. The at least one external load "Z" may be any type of energy consumer coupled to the battery module 100. In Fig. 1b, the at least one external load "Z" includes external loads Z1, Z2, Z3. However, in various embodiments, each battery module may be configured for removably connecting to at least one external load "Z" in parallel via one or more ("M") external loads "Z1" or "Z2" or "Z3" in Fig. 1b. M In a modular battery system such as the battery system 300 of FIG. 3a-b, when "N" battery modules 100 are connected to each other and each battery module is connected to "M" external loads, the number of external loads for the number "N" of modules may be "Z MN", where "N" and "M" are integers. In some embodiments, all modules may be connected to the same number of external loads. In some embodiments, the positive and negative battery module terminals are formed by the series connection plates 103. In the example of Figs. 1a, 1b, the terminal plates 106 and 107 include openings 108 configured for removably connecting to at least an external load. Fig. 1b shows an example in which a universal connector 108a is disposed in the openings 108 of each plate 106, 107 to removably couple the battery module 100 to at least one external load "Z". Those skilled in the art will clearly recognize that there are various approaches for connecting the battery module 100 to an external load, for example by soldering, welding, bolted connections, conductive adhesive elements, spring-loaded connections, etc., the details of which are omitted herein for the sake of brevity.

[0037] In some aspects and embodiments, the battery module 100 is configured to be removably connected to several other adjacent battery modules, for example, as shown in FIG. 1d or FIG. 3a-3b. FIG. 1c shows an equivalent electrical circuit of the battery modules 100a, 100b, 100c arranged to be removably connected to each other. Removably connectable or removably coupled in the context of the present disclosure should be interpreted as elements and components of the battery modules 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, etc., can be repeatedly and reversibly attached to and / or detached from other battery modules, other components and elements, external electrical loads, battery management systems (BMS), etc. Coupled, connected, connectable, attachable, attached in the context of the present disclosure may be used to indicate that the battery modules and / or other components or elements within the scope of the present disclosure may be understood to be physically and / or electrically joined to each other. Thus, one battery module may be configured to be connectable to one or more battery modules based on a particular system design, intended application, or performance requirements for supplying the required energy to an energy consumer system. Thus, battery modules can be repeatedly and reversibly attached to other battery modules to create multiple battery modules, or repeatedly and reversibly detached from other battery modules or other components in a battery system. Battery modules may be removably attached to other battery modules, for example, to increase the energy capacity of a battery system configured to store and supply electrical energy to energy consumers. Similarly, battery modules may be removably removed for repair, maintenance, recycling, etc. Thus, a versatile and universal modular battery system may be realized without the need to redesign the battery system for each individual energy consumer with different energy level requirements.

[0038] Returning to the example of FIG. 1d, battery modules 100a, 100b, 100c are arranged adjacent to each other. Battery modules 100a, 100b, 100c are corresponding or similar battery modules having six similar battery cells 101 arranged to be all coupled in series. The battery cells of module 100a may also be referred to as “cell 1-cell 6” or simply “C1-C6”. The battery cells of battery modules 100b and 100c may also be referred to as “C7-C12”. It will be understood that the above designations such as “C” or “cell” used for the battery cells serve as identifiers herein to distinguish several elements from each other. Battery module 100a is configured to be removably connected to an adjacent corresponding first battery module 100b by a first electrical connection 106, which is a parallel connection. The battery module 100a includes a positive battery module terminal 106 and a negative battery module terminal 107 and is configured to be removably coupled in parallel to a first corresponding adjacent battery module 100b, also including a positive battery module terminal 106 and a negative battery module terminal 107, by a first electrical connection 106 via the positive battery module terminal 106 and the negative battery module terminal 107. When the battery module 100a is removably connected in parallel to the first corresponding battery module 100b and an external load "Z1", a current path 104 is formed between the positive terminal 106 and the negative terminal 107 of the first electrical connection 106 between the two modules 100a, 100b. The negative terminals 107 of both battery modules 100a, 100b are removably connected to a reference point "GND".

[0039] In some embodiments, the parallel electrical connection between the battery modules 100a, 100b and the external electrical load "Z1" may be formed at least in part by a first electrical connection 104 between the battery module 100a and a first corresponding adjacent battery module 100b. When the battery module 100a and / or the battery module 100b are removably connected to at least one external load "Z1", a current path 104 is also formed between the battery modules and the external electrical load. In various aspects and embodiments, such as the example of FIG. 1d, the battery module 100a is further configured to be removably connectable to an adjacent first corresponding battery module 100b and to an adjacent second corresponding battery module 100c by at least one second electrical connection portion 110a-c different from the first electrical connection portion 106, such that each battery cell included in the battery module 100a is further arranged to be removably connectable to at least one battery cell included in the adjacent first battery module 100b and second battery module 100c by at least one second electrical connection portion 110a-c. The battery module 100a is removably coupled to the adjacent first corresponding battery module 100b and to the further adjacent second corresponding battery module 100c by at least one second electrical connection 110a-c, and each battery cell included in the battery module 100a is further removably coupled to at least one battery cell included in the adjacent first battery module 100b and the second battery module 100c by at least one second electrical connection 110a-c, so that at least one signal path 110a-c is formed between the battery module 100a and the adjacent first battery module 100b and the second battery module 100c via at least one second electrical connection 110a-c. Thus, the formed current path 104 is different from the formed at least one signal path 110a-c.

[0040] The inventors have realized that by separating the current path 104 formed between the battery module 100 and at least one external load "Z1" from at least one signal path 110a-c formed between the battery modules 100a-c, it is possible to separate the aspect of energy supply from the battery module to the external load from the aspect of control and measurement between the battery modules. In other words, the battery module 100 is connected to the external load "Z1" through the positive and negative battery module terminals 106, 107 by the parallel connection 106. MN ". In this manner, the number of battery modules removably coupled in parallel to the external load is determined based on the number of consumers, i.e., the external load "Z MN " energy demands may increase depending on the energy demand of the battery modules, thus providing a modularity dimension to the battery system with multiple battery modules 100. This advantageous objective is achieved without the need to change the battery module design for each energy consumer with different energy level requirements and specific applications. This objective is rather achieved by introducing a generic battery module (series coupled battery cells in each module) providing a predefined voltage value and installing multiple of these generic battery modules in parallel to supply current and provide the required energy level for each consumer. Furthermore, by separating the current path 104 of the external load (also called power path 104) from the at least one signal path 110a-c, inter-module signal measurement and maintenance of the battery modules are greatly facilitated. The signal path is used to measure parameters of the battery modules in idle and / or runtime states and to provide current to at least one external load "Z" and "Z" for the at least one external load "Z". MN". Isolating the signal paths allows easy identification of a particular battery module among the multiple parallel connected battery modules if a parameter measurement of that particular battery module returns an indicator of a fault or malfunction. In some embodiments, a differential voltage between each pair of the single paths may be measured to identify a faulty module.

[0041] Furthermore, when a faulty battery module is identified, it can be disconnected from the external load without affecting the voltage level supplied to the load since the battery module and the load are placed in parallel using a separate current path 104. In some embodiments, for example, when the battery system is fully assembled, current measurements may be used to detect which battery module is damaged. When an identified faulty battery module is disconnected from the current / power path 104 of the battery system, voltages may be measured to find faulty cells in the identified faulty module. Additionally or alternatively, voltage drop of a battery system in use may be used as a fault indicator by comparing the voltage drop with previously measured currents and checking the difference between the measurements.

[0042] This feature reduces the adverse effects of battery module maintenance in conventional systems, where battery modules are connected in series to provide voltage levels for energy consumers. In conventional systems, even ignoring the challenges of signal measurement between modules, if a faulty battery module is identified, removing and repairing such a faulty battery module requires disconnecting the entire battery system from the energy consumers, interrupting the process of energy supply. However, the advantageous solution of the present disclosure provides the possibility to hot-swap battery modules during the running of the battery system 300 without affecting the voltage supplied and without interrupting the operation of the energy consumers.

[0043] 2a-2b show perspective views of a collocated battery module 200 and an equivalent electrical circuit of the collocated module 200 according to some aspects and embodiments. In this example, the collocated battery module 200 includes a first battery module 100a and a second battery module 100b, each including at least two battery cells 101 (e.g., C1-C6 for module 100a and C7-C12 for module 100b, six cells in each module in this example) arranged to be coupled in series similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1a-1d. The first and second battery modules may be configured to be removably coupled in parallel by a first electrical connection 106. The first electrical connection 106 is formed by removably connecting the positive and negative terminals 106a, 107a of the first battery module 100a to the corresponding positive and negative terminals 106b, 107b of the second battery module 100b. The first and second battery modules may be further configured to be removably coupled by at least one second electrical connection 110a-c such that each battery cell included in each battery module is further arranged to be removably coupled to at least one battery cell included in the other battery module by at least one second electrical connection 110a-c. The first electrical connection 106 may be different from the at least one second electrical connection 110a-c.

[0044] Furthermore, the parallel battery module 200 is configured such that the first and second modules are removably coupled to form a current path 104 between the positive terminals 106a, 106b and the negative terminals 107a, 107b of the first electrical connection 106. Each module may be further configured such that at least one signal path 110a-c may be formed between the first battery module and the second battery module via at least one second electrical connection 110a-c. Thus, the formed current path 104 may be different from the formed at least one signal path 110a-c.

[0045] Similarly, the collocation module 200 also includes a current path 104 that further connects each of the battery modules 100a, 100b to at least one external electrical load “Z MN A first electrical connection 106 is formed between the positive and negative battery module terminals and at least one external electrical load “Z MN " in parallel.

[0046] 3a-b, the side-by-side battery module 200 may be further configured to be removably coupled to one or more other side-by-side battery modules 200 and / or single battery modules 100 by at least one second electrical connection 110a-c, such that at least one signal path 110a-c is further formed between each two adjacent side-by-side battery modules and / or between an adjacent side-by-side battery module and a single battery module, as also illustrated by dashed lines 110a-c extending throughout the battery system 300 between adjacent side-by-side battery modules 200 and / or single battery modules 100.

[0047] In some embodiments and aspects, the collocated battery module 200 or the single battery module 100 may be further configured to be removably connected to a battery management system (BMS) unit 120a, 120b by at least one second electrical connection 110a-c, as shown in Figures 3a-b. In some aspects and embodiments, the battery module may also be connected to the BMS unit 120a, 120b via one or more parallel connections 106.

[0048] The battery modules 100, 200 and BMS units 120a, 120b may be configured to be coupled to a universal GND reference point that may be used for signal measurements between the modules.

[0049] 3a and 3b may be arranged to be removably connected to multiple modules in the battery system 300 at both ends of the module chain. However, in some embodiments, only one BMS unit may be arranged in the battery system 300. The BMS unit may be realized by known technology such as an integrated circuit included in a PCB board that may be attached and removably connected to the battery module.

[0050] The collocated battery modules 200 and / or the single battery modules 100 may be further configured such that, when removably coupled to the BMS unit, at least one signal path 110 (e.g., 110a-c) may further be formed between the collocated battery modules and / or between the single battery modules and the BMS units 120a, 120b.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 3a-3b, in various aspects and embodiments, there is also provided a modular battery system 300 comprising one or more battery modules, such as a single battery module 100 and / or side-by-side battery modules and / or combinations thereof, arranged to be removably coupled, and a battery management system (BMS) unit 120a, 120b arranged to be removably coupled to the one or more battery modules 100, 200.

[0052] In various aspects and embodiments, such as the embodiments of Figures 1a-1b, 2a-2b, and 3a-3b, the first electrical connection and / or at least one second electrical connection between the battery module and adjacent first and second battery modules and / or BMS units may be formed via conductive elastic and / or spring connection terminals 130. The number of connection terminals 130 used to releasably couple the various components may depend on the intended requirements and applications and may be located in any suitable number or locations within the battery system to provide electrical and mechanical coupling between the components. The connection terminals 130 may then be releasably coupled to the conductive adhesive elements 111, which provide the aforementioned advantages.

[0053] 5 shows a flow chart of a method 500 of connecting a first battery module 100 (e.g., 100a or 100b or 100c) and a second battery module (e.g., 100a, 100b or 100c), each module including at least two battery cells 101. The method includes removably coupling (501) at least two battery cells included in each of the first and second battery modules in series such that each battery cell included in each battery module is arranged to be removably coupled to an adjacent battery cell in the same battery module via a respective series connection 102. The series connection 102 may be realized by a series connection plate 103 in various embodiments. The method further includes releasably coupling (503) the first battery module and the second battery module such that the first and second battery modules are releasably coupled by a first electrical connection 106 and / or at least one second electrical connection 110 (e.g., 110a, 110b, 110c), where the first electrical connection 106 is different from the at least one second electrical connection 110.

[0054] In some aspects and embodiments, the method may further include forming 505 a current path 104 between the first battery module and the second battery module via the first electrical connection, the first electrical connection being a parallel electrical connection, and forming 507 at least one signal path 110 (e.g., 110a, 110b, 110c) between the first battery module and the second battery module via the at least one second electrical connection. Thus, the formed current path 104 may be different from the formed at least one signal path 110.

[0055] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed, and the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Furthermore, it should be noted that the reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the disclosure may be implemented at least partly by both hardware and software, and that several "means" or "units" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

[0056] Although the figures may show a particular order of features, elements, or method steps, the order of steps may differ from that shown. Also, two or more steps may be performed simultaneously or partially simultaneously. Such variations will depend on the selected software and hardware systems and designer's choice. All such variations are within the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, software implementations may be realized with standard programming techniques to perform the various connecting, processing, comparing, and deciding steps using rule-based logic and other logic. The above mentioned and described embodiments are presented by way of example only and do not limit the disclosure. Other solutions, uses, purposes, and functions within the scope of the disclosure claimed in the patent embodiments described below should be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A battery module including at least two battery cells arranged to be coupled in series, the battery module is configured to be removably connected to an adjacent first corresponding battery module by a first electrical connection; the battery module is further configured to be removably connectable to the adjacent first corresponding battery module and the further adjacent second corresponding battery module by at least one second electrical connection such that each battery cell included in the battery module is further arranged to be removably connectable to at least one battery cell included in the adjacent first and second battery modules by the at least one second electrical connection; The battery module, wherein the first electrical connection is a parallel electrical connection and is different from the at least one second electrical connection.

2. The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the battery module is further configured to be removably connected in parallel to at least one external electrical load by parallel electrical connections.

3. The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the battery module is further configured to be removably connected to a battery management system (BMS) unit by the at least one second electrical connection.

4. the battery module further comprises a positive battery module terminal and a negative battery module terminal, and is configured to be removably coupled in parallel to the adjacent first corresponding battery module via the positive battery module terminal and the negative battery module terminal by the first electrical connection such that a current path is formed between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the first electrical connection; the battery module is further configured to be removably coupled to the adjacent first corresponding battery module and to the adjacent second corresponding battery module by the at least one second electrical connection, such that each battery cell included in the battery module is further connected to at least one battery cell included in the adjacent first and second battery modules by the at least one second electrical connection, such that at least one signal path is formed between the battery module and the adjacent first and second battery modules via the at least one second electrical connection; The battery module of claim 1 , wherein the formed current path is different from the formed at least one signal path.

5. 5. The battery module of claim 1, wherein each battery cell included in each battery module is arranged to be removably coupled to an adjacent battery cell within the same battery module via a respective series connection plate.

6. The battery module according to claim 5 , wherein each battery cell included in each battery module is arranged to be removably coupled to the respective series connection plate via a conductive adhesive element.

7. 7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical connection and / or the at least one second electrical connection between the battery module and the adjacent first and second battery modules is formed via conductive elastic and / or spring connection terminals.

8. A parallel battery module including a first battery module and a second battery module, each battery module including at least two battery cells arranged in series, the first and second battery modules are configured to be removably coupled in parallel by a first electrical connection; the first and second battery modules are further configured to be removably coupled by at least one second electrical connection such that each battery cell included in each battery module is further arranged to be removably coupled to at least one battery cell included in the other battery module by the at least one second electrical connection; The collocated battery module, wherein the first electrical connection is different from the at least one second electrical connection.

9. each of the first and second battery modules further comprising a positive battery module terminal and a negative battery module terminal; Each module is configured such that a current path is formed between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the first electrical connection, each module is further configured such that at least one signal path is formed between the first battery module and the second battery module via the at least one second electrical connection; The parallel battery module of claim 8 , wherein the formed current path is different from the formed at least one signal path.

10. 10. The collocated battery module of claim 8 or 9, wherein the collocated battery module is further configured to be removably coupled to an external electrical load by the first electrical connections in parallel through the positive and negative battery module terminals such that the current paths are further formed between each battery module and the external electrical load.

11. 11. The parallel-mounted battery module according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the parallel-mounted battery module is further configured to be removably coupled to one or more other parallel-mounted battery modules and / or a single battery module by the at least one second electrical connection, whereby the at least one signal path is further formed between each two adjacent parallel-mounted battery modules and / or between the adjacent parallel-mounted battery modules and the single battery module.

12. 12. The collocated battery module of claim 11, wherein the collocated battery module and / or the single battery module are further configured to be removably connected to a battery management system (BMS) unit by the at least one second electrical connection.

13. 13. The collocated battery module according to claim 12, wherein the at least one signal path is further formed between the collocated battery module and / or the single battery module and the BMS unit when the collocated battery module and / or the single battery module are further removably coupled to the BMS unit.

14. 14. The parallel battery module of claim 8, wherein each battery cell included in each of the first and second battery modules is arranged to be removably coupled to an adjacent battery cell within the same battery module via a respective series connection plate.

15. 15. The parallel battery module according to claim 8, wherein each battery cell included in each of the first and second battery modules is arranged to be removably coupled to the respective series connection plate via a conductive adhesive element.

16. 16. The parallel battery module according to claim 8, wherein the at least one second electrical connection is formed via a conductive elastic and / or spring connection terminal.

17. One or more battery modules according to any one of claims 1 to 7 arranged to be removably coupled; a battery management system (BMS) unit arranged to be removably coupled to the one or more battery modules; A modular battery system.

18. 1. A method for connecting first and second battery modules, each module having at least two battery cells, comprising: releasably coupling (501) the at least two battery cells included in each of the first and second battery modules in series such that each battery cell included in each battery module is arranged such that it is releasably coupled to an adjacent battery cell within the same battery module via a respective series connection; releasably coupling (503) the first battery module and the second battery module such that the first and second battery modules are releasably coupled by a first electrical connection and / or at least one second electrical connection different from the first electrical connection; A method comprising:

19. forming a current path between the first battery module and the second battery module through the first electrical connection, the first electrical connection being a parallel electrical connection (505); forming (507) at least one signal path between the first battery module and the second battery module via the at least one second electrical connection; 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the formed current path is different from the formed at least one signal path.

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