Battery Casing

Abstract

A casing for an electric battery applicable to an electric battery (2) housing therein a number of identical electrochemical cells (3), comprising a container-shaped metal box (10) consisting of a lower base (101) and a peripheral wall (102) in which the cells (3) are integrated, characterized in that it also comprises an upper fixing part (11) acting as a lid for said box (10) and fitting over said peripheral wall (102) of said box (10) and said cells (3), centering them and exposing contacts or lugs for electrical connection. Preferably, said upper fixing part (11) comprises a number of housings (7) distributed over the entire extent of said part and having holes of a number, shape and size adapted to receive the upper part of each cell (3), so as to surround each cell (3), expose their positive and negative contacts and insulate them from each other.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention, as described in the headings of this specification, relates to a casing for an electric battery which, for its intended function, provides the advantages and features detailed below.

[0002] The object of the invention is a casing for an electric battery, in particular for an electric battery for example for a motorcycle or similar electric vehicle, formed by a metal box housing a number of electrochemical cells, conveniently connected and converting stored chemical elements into an electric current, which is essentially distinguished by having an upper fixing part, the size of which fits into the peripheral wall of said container-shaped box of the casing, and which serves to fix and center the cells as well as to insulate them, for this purpose a housing which surrounds the upper base of each cell and has holes, preferably circular holes, exposing only the contacts necessary for the electrical connection, and the cells.

[0003] The field of application of the invention lies within the field of industry involved in the production of electric batteries, with a particular focus on the field of cell electric batteries. [Background technology]

[0004] On the market, cell electric batteries of the type concerned here are known, which are formed by a casing that houses inside it a number of electrochemical cells connected to produce an electric current, meaning that the number of cells is irrelevant: for example, in the case of a battery designed for an electric motorcycle, the number of cells may be around 200.

[0005] To optimize their performance, this type of battery must accurately dissipate the heat generated by the cells, which is currently dissipated by radial conduction due to the presence of connections on the top and bottom of the cells that prevent axial cooling.

[0006] Furthermore, the battery must have all the cells precisely positioned so that the connecting arcs can be made later, for example by a computer-controlled robot. Currently, precise positioning of the cells is achieved by elements that fix the cells together in their central area and leave both ends (top and bottom) free to connect them. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a casing specially designed to improve heat transfer to the outside of the cells, and a means to facilitate accurate fixing and positioning of the cells for further connection.

[0008] On the other hand, with reference to the current state of the art, the Applicant is not aware, at least, of the existence of other casings for electric batteries that exhibit the same or similar technical and structural characteristics as those claimed in this specification.

[0009] The casing for an electric battery proposed by the present invention constitutes an appropriate solution to the above-mentioned objectives, and its distinguishing characteristic details are conveniently set out in the final claims attached hereto. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In particular, the invention proposes a casing for an electric battery, in particular for example a motorcycle or similar electric vehicle, consisting of a metal box housing a number of electrochemical cells or identical batteries, as mentioned above, which casing for an electric battery is essentially distinguished by having a housing that includes an upper fixing part, the size of which fits into the peripheral wall of the container-shaped box of the casing, and serves to fix and center the cells as well as to insulate them, for this purpose the cells being surrounded by an upper base of each cell and having a hole, preferably a circular hole, exposing only the contacts necessary for the electrical connection, and the cells.

[0011] This upper fixing part, fixed circumferentially to the casing box, serves to centralize the cells by its upper part or opposite side, so that all the cells remain perfectly parallel to each other with the same gap, and also closes the structure that supports the cells, insulating the positive electrodes from the negative electrodes and leaving only their connections exposed or accessible.

[0012] For this purpose, each circular housing of the upper fixing part is preferably provided with a central hole which coincides with a lug on the upper base of the cell and constitutes the positive electrode or anode of the cell, and with lateral holes in the circular surface present between said central hole and the peripheral wall of the slot, exposing at least a part of the peripheral edge of each cell and constituting the negative electrode or cathode.

[0013] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper fixed part of the casing is likewise provided with a cone, which appears around the circumference of said circular housing and acts as a guide finger, helping to center the set of all cells in their exact position. Since there is a large number of cells (about 200), their individual centering would be very difficult, preferably said centering element should facilitate centering all the cells as a whole.

[0014] An electrical plate is placed on the part and the robot steps through holes in the part to electrically connect the positive and negative terminals of each cell with the electrical plate.

[0015] Optionally, a container-shaped box consisting of a lower base and a peripheral wall, in which the preferably cylindrical electrochemical cells of the battery are assembled, said lower base being provided on its inner surface with a series of slots machined by milling into the material on said inner surface, said slots having a shape, size and gap adapted to receive the lower part of each cell over the entire extent of said surface, so that said cells are also fixed on the opposite side of the upper fixing part and remain separated from each other by the same gap.

[0016] As mentioned above, preferably the cells are cylindrical, therefore in a preferred embodiment the slots in the inner surface of the base of the container-shaped box of the casing are circular, the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the cells. Effect of the Invention

[0017] Moreover, the cells are preferably fitted into each of said slots by the use of a centering piece, a kind of bowl of plastic material provided with a lower hole and slit walls, giving it a degree of flexibility, and interposed in its lower part between the cell and the housing which each slot defines, making it possible to achieve improved adjustment of each cell in its associated slot.

[0018] Finally, it is preferably foreseen to incorporate an adhesive between the lower base of the cell and the housing defined by the slot on the inner surface of the base of the casing box, with or without a centering part, to ensure optimal fixation of the cell, said adhesive having the composition of a high-voltage electrical insulator and low resistance to heat dissipation, thereby allowing thermal conduction between the cell and the casing and facilitating the evacuation of the heat generated by the cell towards the base of the casing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] To complement the description given and to aid in the best understanding of the features of the present invention, the present specification is accompanied by, as an integral part thereof, drawings, which are given by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, and which are set forth below.

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic top perspective view of an example of embodiment of a container-shaped box constituting a casing for an electric battery that is the object of the present invention, the configuration of which is visible, and in particular the slots provided on the inner surface of the base of said box. [Diagram 2] A schematic perspective view of an example of a centering part incorporated in each cell to facilitate centering in the slot of the box is shown, represented in a standalone manner, and its general configuration and main parts can be seen. [Diagram 3] 1 shows an example of a battery cell with centering components integrated into the lower base. [Figure 4] 1 shows a cross-section in vertical section of an example of a battery for which the casing that is the object of the invention is designed, in which the arrangement of the cells in the slots of the box and the upper fixing parts can be seen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an upper fixed part constituting a casing according to the invention, shown in an inverted position in order to make it easier to see the main parts. [Figure 6] 5. An enlarged view of detail A seen in FIG. 5 is shown, which allows a more accurate understanding of the configuration and components of the upper fixation part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] With reference to the figures above and according to the numerals employed, non-limiting examples of embodiments of a casing for an electric battery of the present invention are shown, which constitute what is detailed hereinafter.

[0022] Thus, as can be seen in the above figures, the casing (1) of the invention, applicable to an electric battery (2) for housing inside it a number of identical electrochemical cells (3), essentially comprises a container-shaped metallic box (10) in which the cells (3) are integrated, formed by a lower base (101) and a peripheral wall (102), the peripheral wall (102) of the box (10) and an upper fixing part (11) acting as the lid of the box (10) fitted onto the cells (3), which fixes and centres the cells (3) and also serves to insulate them, leaving only the contact parts exposed for electrical connection.

[0023] For this purpose, as can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the upper fixed part (11) has a number of housings (7) with holes distributed over the entire length of the part, said holes having a number, shape and size adapted to receive the upper part of each cell (3), thus surrounding each cell (3) and exposing the positive and negative contacts necessary for the electrical connection, while insulating them from each other.

[0024] Preferably, the cells (3) are cylindrical and the housing (7) of the upper fixed part (11) is circular and has a diameter that matches that of said cylindrical cells (3).

[0025] Moreover, each circular housing (7) of the upper stationary part (11) preferably has a central hole (71) which coincides with the lugs (31) of the upper base of the cell (3) and constitutes its positive electrode or anode, and a lateral hole (72) which exposes at least a part of the peripheral edge (32) of each cell (3) and constitutes its negative electrode or cathode. In the detailed view of Figure 6, the central hole (71) and the lateral hole (72) of the housing (7) of the upper stationary part (11) can be clearly seen, while in Figure 3 the lugs (31) and the peripheral edge (32) of each cell (3) can be seen.

[0026] In any case, preferably, the upper fixed part (11) of the casing (1) further comprises a centering cone (8) protruding around the periphery of the housing (7) as a guide finger to assist in centering all the cells (3) of the battery (2).

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the cone (8) has a rounded apex and a conical surface slope of about 15° relative to its base to facilitate the centering function. Figure 6 shows such a configuration of the cone (8).

[0028] Furthermore, in an optional embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower base (101) of the metal box (10) of the casing (1) has a plurality of identical slots (4) therein, preferably obtained by machining, by milling, in the material forming said base, distributed over the entire extent of its surface and having a number, shape and size adapted to receive the lower parts of each of the cells (3), so that each of the cells (3) of the battery is held in one of the slots (4) and spaced apart at regular intervals from each other.

[0029] Preferably, as mentioned above, the casing (1) is designed for a battery of cylindrical cells (3), so that the slots (4) on the inner surface of the base (101) of the box forming the casing have a circular configuration and a diameter that matches that of the cells (3). In one embodiment, the battery (2) contains up to 200 cells (3).

[0030] Moreover, preferably, each of the cells (3) of the battery (2) is fitted into each of said slots (4) of the box (10) of the casing (1) by including a centering piece (5).

[0031] Said centering piece (5), as can be seen in figures 2 and 3, is preferably made of a plastic material part, which is preferably formed by a bowl-shaped body consisting of a central perforated base (51) allowing access to the base of the cells (3) and a peripheral wall (52) divided into different lengths by slots (53) open to the ends, thus giving it a certain flexibility and making it possible to achieve improved adjustment of each cell (3) in the associated slot (4) of the box (10) of the casing (1).

[0032] Finally, it should be pointed out that, optionally, it is foreseen to incorporate a thermal adhesive (6) between the lower base of the cell (3) and the housing defined by the slot (4) on the inner surface of the base (101) of the box (10) of the casing (1), regardless of whether a centering piece (5) is incorporated or not, in order to ensure optimal fixation of the cell (3), said adhesive being an electrical insulator and thermal conductor advantageous for dissipating the heat generated by the cell (3) towards the base (101) of the box (10).

[0033] The nature of the present invention and its embodiments have been fully disclosed and those skilled in the art can appreciate its extensibility and advantages arising therefrom, and therefore it is believed that no further expansion is necessary.

Claims

1. A casing for an electric battery applicable to an electric battery (2) housing inside it a number of identical electrochemical cells (3), comprising a container-shaped metal box (10) consisting of a lower base (101) and a peripheral wall (102) in which the cells (3) are integrated, characterized in that it further comprises an upper fixing part (11) acting as a lid for the box (10) and fitting over and centering the peripheral wall (102) and the cells (3) of the box (10) and exposing contacts or lugs for electrical connection.

2. 2. A casing for an electric battery according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper fixed part (11) comprises a plurality of housings (7) distributed over the entire extent of said part and having holes of a number, shape and size adapted to receive the upper part of each cell (3), so as to surround each cell (3), expose their positive and negative contacts and insulate them from one another.

3. 3. A casing for an electric battery according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cells (3) are cylindrical and the housing (7) of the upper fixing part (11) is circular and has a diameter that coincides with the diameter of the cylindrical cells (3).

4. 4. A casing for an electric battery according to claim 3, characterized in that each circular housing (7) of the upper fixed part (11) is provided with a central hole (71) coinciding with a lug (31) of the upper base of one of the cells (3) and constituting the positive pole or anode of said cell, and lateral holes (72) exposing at least a part of the peripheral edge (32) of each cell (3) and constituting the negative pole or cathode.

5. A casing for an electric battery according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the upper fixing part (11) is provided with a centering cone (8) which projects out around the periphery of the housing (7) as a guide finger for the purpose of helping to center the set of all the cells (3) of the battery (2).

6. 6. A casing for an electric battery according to claim 5, characterized in that the cone (8) has a rounded apex and an inclination of the conical surface of about 15° relative to its base.

7. 2. A casing for an electric battery according to claim 1, characterized in that on the inside of the lower base (101) of the metallic box (10) there are provided a number of identical slots (4), distributed over the entire surface area of ​​the lower base (101) and having a number, shape and size adapted to receive the lower parts of each of the cells (3), so that each of the cells (3) of the battery is held in one of the slots (4) and spaced apart at regular intervals from each other between the cells (3).

8. 2. A casing for an electric battery according to claim 1, characterized in that the slots (4) on the inner surface of the lower base (101) of the metal box (10) are obtained by machining, by milling, the material forming the base.

9. 9. A casing for an electric battery according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each of the cells (3) of the battery (2) fits into each of the slots (4) of the box (10) of the casing (1) by including a centering piece (5).

10. A casing for an electric battery according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is foreseen to incorporate a thermal adhesive (6), which is an electrical insulator and a thermal conductor, between the lower base of the cell (3) and the housing defined by the slot (4) on the inner surface of the base (101) of the box (10) of the casing (1), in order to favour the dissipation of heat generated by the cell (3) towards the base (101) of the box (10).

11. A casing for an electric battery according to claim 3 and any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the cells (3) are cylindrical and the slots (4) on the inner surface of the base (101) of the box (10) have a circular configuration and a diameter that coincides with the diameter of the cells (3).

12. 12. A casing for an electric battery according to claims 9 and 11, characterized in that each centering part (5) is formed by a bowl-shaped body consisting of a central perforated base (51) allowing access to the base of the cell (3) and a peripheral wall (52) divided into different lengths by slits (53) opening to the ends, thereby giving it flexibility.

13. A casing for an electric battery according to claim 12, characterized in that the centering part (5) consists of a plastic material.

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