Improved Electric Battery Assembly

Abstract

An electric battery assembly is disclosed comprising a battery cell having an external housing and first and second electrical terminals that enable power to be drawn from the battery cell, the housing being electrically coupled to the first electrical terminal and electrically insulated from the second electrical terminal, and an electronic unit comprising a measuring device, the electronic unit being electrically connected to the second electrical terminal and the housing, thereby electrically coupling the electronic unit to the first battery cell terminal through the housing and enabling the measuring device to measure characteristics of the battery cell.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric battery assembly comprising a battery cell and an electronic unit, the electronic unit comprising a measurement device for measuring a characteristic of the battery cell. In particular, means are disclosed for electrically coupling the electronic unit to the battery cell to enable the measurement device to measure the characteristic of the battery cell. Additionally, a battery pack is disclosed comprising a plurality of the aforementioned battery assemblies. [Background technology]

[0002] Known battery cells may include a measurement device arranged to measure performance characteristics of the battery cell, such as the voltage or current output by the battery cell. Faults and non-ideal operation of the battery cell may then be inferred from the voltage, current, or other measurement data taken from the battery cell. Typically, this requires electrically connecting the measurement device to both electrical terminals of the battery cell. To achieve this, a physical connection, for example using conductive wires, spans the separation distance of the terminals from the measurement device. For battery cells with small physical dimensions, this requirement does not pose a significant drawback during assembly of the battery. However, for batteries of physically larger form factors, for example, but not limited to, batteries with a separation distance between the battery terminals of 100 mm or more, the measurement device must be physically connected to both terminals via physical connections such as wires, increasing the complexity and cost of assembly. Similar challenges arise when the cell terminals are located on different faces of the battery cell.

[0003] The running of long wires between the cell terminals and the measurement device can pose a risk of short circuits. If the measurement device is also powered by the battery cell to which it is electrically connected, the use of long physical wires to provide the electrical connection can result in errors in the cell voltage measurements taken by the measurement device. This problem can be solved by providing a Kelvin connection. However, this requires doubling the number of wires, further increasing the complexity of the assembly.

[0004] It is an object of at least some embodiments of the present disclosure to address one or more shortcomings of the prior art and, in particular, to provide a more convenient means for electrically coupling an electronic unit comprising a measuring device to a battery cell, which is also suitable for use with larger form factor batteries and for batteries whose electrical terminals are located on different sides of the battery. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the disclosure, an electric battery assembly is provided that includes a battery cell and an electronic unit that includes a measurement device. The battery cell includes an external housing and first and second electrical terminals that allow power to be drawn from the battery cell. The housing may be electrically coupled to the first electrical terminal and electrically insulated from the second electrical terminal. The electronic unit may be electrically connected to the second electrical terminal and the housing, thereby electrically coupling the electronic unit to the first battery cell terminal through the housing and allowing the measurement device to measure a characteristic of the battery cell. In this way, an electrical connection may be established between the electrical terminals of the battery cell and the electronic device without requiring the use of electrical wiring that spans the separation distance between the cell terminals and the electronic unit. The electronic unit may also be electrically powered by the battery cell. This is advantageous when an alternative power source is not provided for the electronic unit. The first and second electrical terminals may relate to the positive and negative electrical terminals of the battery cell, respectively, or the negative and positive electrical terminals of the battery cell.

[0006] The electric battery assembly may include an electrical insulator configured to insulate the second electrical terminal from the housing. The electrical insulator may include a support structure configured to support the electronic unit. The support structure may include a cradle configured to at least partially secure the electronic unit within the cradle.

[0007] In some embodiments, the electrical insulator may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) and the electronic unit may be fixed to the PCB. This is particularly advantageous as it reduces the amount of components required during the manufacture of the battery assembly. The electronic unit itself is typically fixed to the PCB. For example, the electronic unit may comprise a microprocessor fixed to a PCB, which may also provide the function of the electrical insulator, thus eliminating the need for an additional insulator. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the electrical contacts required to electrically couple the electronic unit to the housing and the second electrical terminal, respectively, may be included in the PCB, further simplifying the manufacture of the battery assembly and providing a more convenient retrofittable solution.

[0008] In some embodiments, a surface of the housing may include a support structure configured to support the electronic unit. For example, the support structure may be configured on a face of the housing from which the second battery cell terminal projects.

[0009] In some embodiments, the support structure may be configured on an inner surface of the housing, and the electronic unit may be mounted on the support structure. The electronic unit may be coated with a protective film to avoid any interference with the electrochemistry in the battery cells. Additionally, in some embodiments, the housing may include a window that allows radio frequency (RF) transmissions to pass through the housing through the window. This may be useful when the electronic unit includes a wireless transmitter or receiver, in which case the window allows the passage of radio frequency (RF) signals to and / or from the electronic unit.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the electronic unit may be included on a laminate wrap that is adhered to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the housing. For example, the electronic unit may be provided in a central portion of the laminate wrap that is aligned with the end face of the housing that includes the second battery cell terminal. This may simplify manufacturing of the battery assembly.

[0011] The electronic unit may include a wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the measured characteristics of the battery cells. For example, the measured characteristics may be wirelessly transmitted to a battery management system (BMS) located remotely from the battery assembly. The received information may then be used by the BMS to manage the operation and use of the battery assembly.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the electric battery assembly may include a current interrupt device (CID). The CID may include a pressure detector configured to detect when an internal gas pressure of the battery cell is equal to or greater than a predetermined gas pressure. The CID may be configured to establish electrical contact with the electronic unit dependent on the internal gas pressure of the battery cell being equal to or greater than the predetermined gas pressure. In this manner, the electronic unit may be used to monitor a status of the CID. The electronic unit may be further configured to send a signal to the BMS when the CID is in electrical contact with the electronic unit.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electric battery, or battery pack, comprising a plurality of the aforementioned electric battery assemblies.

[0014] In the following sections of the present disclosure, particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described, by way of non-limiting examples only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electric battery assembly including a battery cell housing and an electronic unit electrically connected to a second battery cell terminal electrically isolated from the cell housing, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged view of the second battery cell terminal and the electrically connected electronic unit of FIG. 1; FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the second battery terminal and electrically connected electronic unit of FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of a second battery terminal and an electrically connected electronic unit according to one embodiment in which the electrical insulator comprises a printed circuit board (PCB). [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective exploded view of an electric battery assembly with a current interrupt device (CID), according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric battery assembly, the electrical insulator comprising a support structure configured to support an electronic unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the electric battery assembly of FIG. 6, in which pin contacts are used to establish electrical connections between the electronic unit and the battery cell housing and the second electrical terminal of the battery cell, respectively. [Figure 8] 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the electric battery assembly of FIG. 6 illustrating pin contacts. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric battery assembly including an electronic unit electrically connected to a substrate present on a battery housing wall, according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric battery assembly with an electronics unit mounted inside a battery housing 104 and a window exposing a portion of the electronics unit, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the electric battery assembly of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric battery cell with a laminate wrap adhered around a battery cell containing electronic circuitry, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is an enlarged view of a central portion of a laminate wrap included in the battery assembly of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] According to one embodiment, an electric battery assembly is provided comprising a battery cell having a rectangular prismatic form factor, with first and second battery cell terminals located on opposing faces at opposing ends of the battery cell. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one end of the electric battery assembly of FIG. 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In the following illustrative description of the embodiments, like numbered reference numerals appearing in different figures are used to refer to shared features.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an electric battery assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The electric battery assembly 100 comprises a battery cell 102 having a housing 104. The battery cell 102 comprises first 106 and second 108 electrical terminals. The first 106 and second 108 electrical terminals may be associated with positive and negative battery cell terminals, or negative and positive battery cell terminals, respectively. In other words, the first electrical terminal 106 may be associated with the positive battery cell terminal and the second electrical terminal 108 may be associated with the negative cell terminal, or vice versa. Either configuration is suitable for use with the embodiments disclosed herein. The first 106 and second 108 electrical terminals are connected to electrodes within the battery cell 102. The electrodes are associated with anodes and cathodes. Additionally, the following features are located within the battery cell 102: a separator, an electrolyte, and a current collector. In combination with the anode and cathode, these features are sometimes referred to as an electrode stack. The battery cell 102 may include one or more electrode stacks (not shown) therein. The first 106 and second 108 electrical terminals are connected to one or more electrode stacks in the battery cell 102, thereby allowing power to be drawn from the battery cell 102.

[0018] The first electrical terminal 106 is electrically coupled to the housing 104. In this way, the housing 104 effectively acts as an electrical terminal of the battery cell 102. The second electrical terminal 108 is electrically insulated from the housing 104 by an electrical insulator 110. The electric battery assembly 100 comprises an electronic unit 112. The electronic unit 112 comprises a measurement device and in some embodiments may also comprise a wireless transmitter for communicating measurement data with, for example, an external remote battery management system (BMS) or any other device. The electronic unit 112 is electrically connected to the second electrical terminal 108 and to the housing 104. Since the housing 104 is itself electrically coupled to the first battery cell terminal 106, the electrical connection of the electronic unit 112 to the housing 104 electrically couples the electronic unit 112 to the first battery cell terminal 106. In this manner, electrical coupling between both the first 106 and second 108 electric battery cell terminals and the electronic unit 112 may be established without requiring a direct physical connection between the electronic unit 112 and both electric battery cell terminals.

[0019] The electrical coupling of the first 106 and second 108 battery cell terminals to the electronic unit 112 allows the measurement device to measure characteristics of the battery cells 102. For example, such measurements may include, but are not limited to, any one or more of current measurements, voltage measurements, and / or temperature. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the electrical coupling of the first 106 and second 108 battery cell terminals to the electronic unit 112 may allow power to be drawn from the battery cells 102 to power the electronic unit 112 and associated measurement devices. This is particularly useful in embodiments in which the electronic unit 112 is not otherwise provided with a separate power source.

[0020] 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the battery assembly 100 of FIG. 1 illustrating a non-limiting example of how the electronic unit 112 may be electrically connected to the second battery cell terminal 108 and the housing 104, according to certain embodiments. As illustrated, the electronic unit 112 includes first 114 and second 116 electrical contacts connecting the electronic unit 112 to the housing 104 and the second electrical terminal 108, respectively. According to some non-limiting embodiments, the first 114 and second 116 electrical contacts may be established by any one or more of welding, wire bonding, conductive adhesive, crimping, soldering, press-fit contacts, and / or spring contacts. The electronic unit 112 may be secured directly to the electrical insulator 110, for example, by an adhesive.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an enlarged portion of the battery assembly 100 illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates an electrical insulator 110 that provides a support structure for the electronic unit 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical insulator 110 forms a snap-fit ​​connection around the second electrical terminal 108, thereby insulating it from the housing 104. In some embodiments, the electrical insulator 110 may form an interference fit around the second electrical terminal 108. The electrical insulator 110 may be formed of any electrically insulating material. For example, in some embodiments, the electrical insulator 110 may be formed of an electrically insulating plastic material. The exact material of the electrical insulator 110 is not important for present purposes, provided that it is electrically insulating. Purely for non-limiting illustrative purposes, in FIG. 3 the orientation of the first electrical contact 114 has been altered compared to its orientation in FIG. 2 to show the electrical connection of the electronic unit 112 with the housing 104. FIG. 3 also clearly shows the electrode 118 coupled to the second battery cell terminal 108 .

[0022] In some embodiments, a snap-fit ​​or interference fit connection of the electrical insulator 110 to the second electrical terminal 108 allows the combined electrical insulator 110 and attached electronic unit 112 to be retrofittable to the battery cell 102 after assembly of the battery cell 102. Such a connection also facilitates removal of the electrical insulator 110 and electronic unit 112 for battery maintenance.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the electrical insulator 110 may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) to which the electronic unit 112 is electrically connected. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the second electrical terminal 108 in such an embodiment. The second electrical terminal 108 may comprise a terminal cap 108A and a stud 108B. A physical connection with either the cap 108A or the stud 108B is sufficient to provide an electrical connection with the second electrical terminal 108. As illustrated, the electrical insulator 110 comprises a PCB to which the electronic unit 112 is attached. The PCB may be made of a plastic material such as FR-4. The PCB 110 may be configured with a notch 121 (illustrated in FIG. 5) that is complementary in shape to the cross-sectional shape of the stud 108B and may be configured to receive the stud 108B. This allows the PCB 110 to fit around the stud 108B. The terminal cap 108A may be configured to hold the PCB 110 in place by engaging an end of the stud 108B protruding from a notch 121 in the PCB 110, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The PCB 110 may be configured with electrical traces within its stack to establish first 114 and second 116 electrical contacts between the housing 104, the electronic unit 112, and the second electrical terminal 108. For example, the PCB 110 may include a first electrical contact 114 on its bottom surface positioned to allow an electrical connection to be established with the housing 104 when the PCB 110 is in contact with the housing 104. Similarly, the PCB 110 may be configured with a second electrical contact 116 positioned on a face of the notch 121 to allow an electrical connection to be established with the second electrical terminal 108 via the stud 108B when the PCB 110 fits around the stud 108B.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the electric battery assembly 100 may include a current interrupt device (CID). Conventionally, a CID is configured to open circuit a battery cell when the internal gas pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure. The predetermined gas pressure may be related to a threshold pressure value within the battery cell at which continued operation of the battery cell is deemed unsafe and may potentially cause catastrophic battery failure. The CID acts as a safety device to prevent the buildup of excessive gas pressure within the battery cell, reducing the likelihood of catastrophic battery failure.

[0025] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the battery assembly 100 including the CID 120, according to one embodiment. The CID includes a pressure detector 122 configured to detect when the internal gas pressure of the battery cell 102 is equal to or greater than a predetermined gas pressure. The CID 120 may be configured to establish electrical contact with the electronic unit 112 depending on the internal gas pressure of the battery cell 102 being equal to or greater than the predetermined gas pressure. The electronic unit 112 may be configured to transmit a signal, for example, to an external, remotely located battery management system (BMS) when the CID 120 is in electrical contact with the electronic unit 112. The electronic signal is indicative of the internal gas pressure in the battery cell 102 being equal to or greater than the predetermined internal gas pressure, and thus, that the battery cell 102 may no longer be in a safe operating state. In an embodiment in which the electronic unit 112 includes a wireless transmitter, the electronic signal may be transmitted to the BMS by the wireless transmitter. Upon receiving the electronic signal, the BMS may take any necessary measures to mitigate a safety risk associated with the detected buildup of internal gas pressure in the battery cell 102.

[0026] In some embodiments, the CID 120 may operate in its known conventional manner. For example, the CID 120 may be connected to a fuse circuit (not shown in FIG. 5). When the pressure detector 122 detects that the internal gas pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined gas pressure, the CID 120 causes the fuse to blow, thereby open circuiting the battery cell 102.

[0027] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the pressure detector 122 may comprise a diaphragm configured to deform and establish electrical contact with the electronic unit 112. Additionally, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the electrical insulator 110 may be a PCB. The PCB 110 may be provided with electrical contacts on its bottom surface such that when the diaphragm deforms and flips over, electrical contact is established with the electronic unit 112.

[0028] 6 illustrates a further embodiment in which the electrical insulator 110 defines a support structure for receiving the electronic unit 112. For example, the electrical insulator 110 may include a cradle 124 configured to at least partially receive the electronic unit 112 therein. The electronic unit 112 may be secured to the cradle 124 by any suitable means or device, such as by any one or more of an adhesive strip, an interference fit, and / or a snap fit.

[0029] 7 is an exploded perspective view of the battery assembly 100 of FIG. 6. The cradle 124 is clearly illustrated. The electronic unit 112 is secured to the cradle 124 via pin contacts 128 that also double as electrical contacts, thereby establishing an electrical connection to the second electrical terminal 108 and the housing 104. As illustrated, the cradle 124 defines a recess for receiving the electronic unit 112.

[0030] 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the assembly 100 of FIG. 7. The cross-section is taken along the second electrical terminal 108 in a plane parallel to the width of the battery cell 102. The first pin contact 128A establishes electrical contact with the housing 104 and the second pin contact 128B establishes electrical contact with the second electrical terminal 108. According to some embodiments, the pin contacts 128A and 128B may comprise spring-loaded pins configured such that a spring is compressed when the electronic unit 112 is placed in the cradle 124. Compression of the spring displaces the first 128A and second 128B pin contacts such that electrical contact is established between the electronic unit 112 and the housing 104 and second electrical terminal 108, respectively.

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment in which a surface of the housing 104 includes a support structure configured to support the electronic unit 112. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the support structure may be configured on the top surface of the housing 104. This ensures that the support structure is provided on the same surface from which the second terminal 108 protrudes. The support structure may include a substrate 126, such as a PCB, to which the electronic unit 112 is electrically connected. The PCB may be made of a plastic material such as FR-4 or a metal (such as aluminum or copper), and the metal used to define the PCB traces may be similar or different to the metal used in the housing 104. In other words, the material of the housing 1045 does not limit the choice of material for defining the PCB traces. FIG. 9 further illustrates a non-limiting example of how the electronic unit 112 may be electronically connected to the second battery cell terminal 108 and the housing 104. As illustrated, first 114 and second 116 electrical contacts may be provided for connecting the electronic unit 112 to the housing 104 and second electrical terminal 108, respectively, via the substrate 126.

[0032] 10 illustrates a further embodiment in which the electronic unit 112 is mounted internally on the inner surface of the housing 104. Electrical connection with the first 106 and second 108 battery cell terminals may occur in the same manner as described above. The electronic unit 112 may be coated (e.g., by using a protective film, coating, or conformal coating) to avoid any interference with the electrochemistry in the battery cell 102, i.e., to ensure that there is no contamination or undesired chemical reaction with the electrochemistry in the battery cell 102. The electronic unit 112 may be attached to the inner surface of the housing 104 by any suitable means, such as an adhesive.

[0033] In some embodiments, the electronic unit 112 may include a wireless transmitter, such as a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, and the housing 104 may include a window 130 configured to allow RF transmission through the housing 104. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the window 130 may allow RF coupling between the electronic unit 112 and an RF transmission line 132. For non-limiting illustrative purposes only, only a portion of the RF transmission line 132 is illustrated. RF transmission may be between an antenna internal to the battery cell 102 and an antenna external to the battery cell 102, such as the transmission line 132, through the housing 104 via the window 130. The window 130 may be made of any type of material that allows for the transmission of an RF signal. In other words, any material that provides low loss for the transmission of RF energy. For example, different types of plastics, glass, ceramics, or other RF transparent materials may be used for the window 130.

[0034] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the battery taken along the length of the battery cell 102 of Figure 10. Figure 11 clearly shows the electronic unit 112 secured to the inner surface of the housing 104 and positioned below the window 130 to enable transmission of RF signals between the electronic unit 112 and the RF transmission line 132.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment in which the electronic unit 112 is included within a laminate wrap 140. The laminate wrap 140 is adhered to the battery cell 102. As with the previous embodiment, the electronic unit 112 may be included on a flexible PCB. The laminate wrap 140 may include a thermally conductive sheet that interfaces with one or more surfaces of the housing 104, thereby providing a thermal interface for cooling or warming. The laminate wrap 140 may also include an electrically insulating sheet, thereby insulating the battery cell 102 from adjacent cells. The laminate wrap 140 may wrap around at least a portion of the exterior surface of the housing 104, or the entire perimeter of the housing 104 as shown in FIG. 12. The laminate wrap 140 may be constructed of any flexible material having the desired thermal and adhesive properties. For example, any type of plastic or polymer, such as acrylic, vinyl, polyurethane, polyester, or PVC. Additionally, a further advantage of using a laminate wrap is that depending on the material selected, the laminate wrap 140 may act as a flame retardant for improved safety.

[0036] 13 is a plan view of the unwrapped laminate wrap 140 of FIG. 12. According to the illustrated embodiment, the electronic unit 112 is provided in a central portion of the laminate wrap 140 on a portion of the laminate wrap 140 that is aligned with the end face of the housing 104 that includes the second battery cell terminal 108. A first 114 (not shown) and a second 116 electrical contact configured to connect the electronic unit 112 to the housing 104 and the second electrical terminal 108, respectively, may be included in the laminate wrap 140. For example, the first electrical contact 114 may be positioned under the electronic unit 112 passing through the laminate wrap 140, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the electronic unit 112 and the housing 104, and the second electrical contact 116 may be embedded within the structure of the laminate wrap 140 and may include a ring-shaped protrusion 146 provided for establishing an electrical connection to the second battery cell terminal 108, as illustrated in FIG. 12. 12-13 is that it does not require additional design of the battery cell 102 when it leaves the factory. In other words, the stacked structure described herein is retrofittable and can be adapted to a wide range of battery cell types.

[0037] The means and embodiments disclosed herein for electrically coupling the electronic unit to the electrical terminals of the battery cell are particularly useful for use with battery cells having a form factor in which the separation distance between the electrical terminals is large and / or the electrical terminals are located on different sides of the battery cell. As previously mentioned, electrically coupling one of the battery terminals to the battery housing effectively results in the housing doubling as one of the battery terminals. Thus, all that is required to establish a circuit between the battery terminals and the electronic unit is an electrical connection between the electronic unit and the electrical terminal of the cell that is electrically insulated from the housing, and an electrical connection between the electronic unit and the housing. This can significantly reduce the amount of electrical wiring required to electrically couple the electronic unit to the battery cell.

[0038] 14 and 15 are examples of battery cells having different form factors, where the use of the means disclosed herein for electrically coupling the electronic unit 112 to the battery cell may be particularly advantageous. FIG. 14 illustrates a rectangular prismatic cell having a length greater than its width, with the first 106 and second 108 electrical terminals located on opposite faces of the battery cell 102. More specifically, the first 106 and second 108 electrical terminals are located on opposite end faces of the battery cell 102, the end faces being located at opposite ends of the length of the cell. Coupling the electronic unit 112 to the housing 104 and second electrical terminal 108 as disclosed above facilitates assembly of the battery assembly 100 for reasons disclosed above. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an end face of the battery cell 102 with the second electrical terminal 108 and electronic unit 112 illustrated in FIG. 14.

[0039] It should be understood that, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic unit may be positioned anywhere on the housing as long as it is sufficient to electrically couple the electronic unit to the first electrical terminal, and it is merely for convenience that the accompanying illustrated embodiments show the electronic unit positioned on the battery cell face that includes the second electrical terminal, so as to minimize the length of electrical contacts required to electrically couple the electronic unit to the second electrical terminal.

[0040] It should also be understood that the first 106 and second 108 electrical terminals may be associated with the positive and negative battery cell terminals, respectively, or with the negative and positive battery cell terminals, respectively. In other words, it is not important which electrical terminals are electrically coupled to the housing 104 and which are electrically isolated from the housing 104.

[0041] The description of various embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for illustrative purposes, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure. Many modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The terms used herein to disclose the embodiments of the present disclosure are selected to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications or technical improvements to the technology found in the market, or to enable those skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0042] It is understood that certain features of the present disclosure that are described for clarity in the context of separate embodiments can also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, for brevity, various features of the disclosure that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the disclosure. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments should not be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment does not operate without those elements.

[0043] While this disclosure has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Electric battery assembly, A battery cell comprising an external housing and a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal that enable power to be drawn from the battery cell, wherein the external housing is electrically coupled to the first electrical terminal and electrically isolated from the second electrical terminal, An electronic unit equipped with a measuring device, An electric battery assembly in which the electronic unit is electrically connected to the second electrical terminal and the external housing, thereby electrically coupling the electronic unit to the first battery cell terminal via the external housing, and enabling the measuring device to measure the characteristics of the battery cell.

2. The electric battery assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical insulator configured to isolate the second electrical terminal from the external housing.

3. The electric battery assembly according to claim 2, wherein the electrical insulator comprises a support structure configured to support the electronic unit.

4. The electric battery assembly according to claim 3, wherein the electrical insulator comprises a cradle, and the cradle is configured to at least partially fix the electronic unit within the cradle.

5. The electric battery assembly according to claim 3, wherein the electrical insulator comprises a printed circuit board "PCB", and the electronic unit is fixed to the PCB.

6. The electric battery assembly according to claim 3, wherein the electrical insulator comprises a first contact and a second contact, the first contact configured to electrically couple the electronic unit to the external housing, and the second contact configured to electrically couple the electronic unit to a second electrical terminal.

7. The electric battery assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first contact and the second contact are configured to securely fasten the electronic unit to the electrical insulator.

8. The electric battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the external housing comprises a support structure configured to support the electronic unit.

9. The electric battery assembly according to claim 8, wherein the support structure is configured on the inner surface of the outer housing, and the electronic unit is mounted on the support structure.

10. The electric battery assembly according to claim 9, wherein the electronic unit is coated with a protective film.

11. The electric battery assembly according to claim 9, wherein the external housing comprises a window, the window allowing RF transmissions to pass through the window.

12. The electric battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electronic unit is contained on a laminated wrap bonded to at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer housing.

13. The electric battery assembly according to claim 8, comprising a first contact and a second contact, wherein the first contact is configured to electrically couple the electronic unit to the external housing, and the second contact is configured to electrically couple the electronic unit to a second electrical terminal.

14. The electric battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electronic unit is configured to draw power from the battery cell.

15. The electric battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electronic unit comprises a wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the measured characteristics of the battery cell.

16. The current interruption device "CID" is provided, and the CID includes a pressure detector configured to detect when the internal gas pressure of the battery cell is above a predetermined gas pressure, and the CID is configured to establish electrical contact with the electronic unit depending on whether the internal gas pressure of the battery cell is above the predetermined gas pressure. The electric battery assembly according to claim 14, wherein the electronic unit is configured to transmit a signal to a battery management system when the CID is in electrical contact with the electronic unit.

17. The electric battery assembly according to claim 16, wherein the pressure detector comprises a diaphragm configured to deform to establish electrical contact with the electronic unit.

18. The electric battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal are, respectively, the positive and negative electrical terminals of the battery cell, or the negative and positive electrical terminals of the battery cell.

19. The electric battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the battery cell is a prismatic battery cell.

20. The electric battery assembly according to claim 19, wherein the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal are located on different faces of the prismatic battery cell.

21. The electric battery assembly according to claim 20, wherein the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal are located on opposing surfaces of the prismatic battery cell.

22. An electric battery comprising a plurality of electric battery assemblies according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

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