Battery housing

Abstract

Invention details;

Description

[0001] TITLE OF INVENTION

[0002] Battery Housing

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery housing for motor vehicles.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006]

[0002] It is well known that in an electric vehicle, drive force to rotate the drive wheel is stored in drive batteries in the form of electric energy. The electric energy is electrically transmitted to a drive motor, which as per the input from the rider rotates the drive wheel. Just like a fueltank in an IC engine vehicle needs refilling from time-to-time, the drive batteries in electric vehicles also need to be recharged from time-to-time.

[0007]

[0003] A major challenge in an electric two-wheeler is demand of higher travel range per charge. However, conventional electric two-wheelers have a very low range of travel which means, the vehicle needs to be charged more often which impacts overall usability, rider preference, etc. An obvious solution to the problem seems to merely increase in the battery size of the vehicle. However, an increase in battery size causes a plethora or problems. To begin with, in a conventional electric two-wheeler, the drive battery accounts for almost 30% to 40% of vehicle weight. Hence, having a large battery would cause a drastic increase in the vehicle weight, which would adversely affect vehicle handling.

[0008]

[0004] Further, in vehicles where the drive battery is accommodated beneath the floorboard of the vehicle, any increase in the battery size, will need an increase in the packaging space in between left and right beams of the frame, which in turn will increase the vehicle size in width direction, impacting overall vehicle look and aesthetics. Further, an increase in the battery size will also impact the floor board size, which in turn will adversely impact ground clearance and rider ergonomics.

[0009]

[0005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a battery housing which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011]

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a battery housing for receiving a plurality of battery cells. The battery housing includes an integrated casing having at least a first member made of metal being detachably attached to at least a second member made of metal at a predetermined junction, the integrated casing having a front side and a rear side; at least one front mounting hoop disposed on the front side of the integrated casing; and at least one rear mounting hoop disposed on the rear side of the integrated casing such that the battery housing is directly mounted onto a predetermined part of a vehicle.

[0012]

[0007] In an embodiment of the invention, the junction runs along the front side, the rear side and opposing sides of the integrated casing such that the first member has a top member and the second member has a bottom member.

[0013]

[0008] In another embodiment of the invention, the junction runs along top side, the rear side, bottom side and the front side of the integrated casing, such that the first member has a left member and the second member has a right member.

[0014]

[0009] In yet another embodiment, the junction runs along the top side, the opposing sides and the bottom side of the integrated casing, such that the first member has a front member and the second member has a rear member.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the battery housing is mounted between a main tube and a rear tube of the vehicle thereby the battery housing being a structural load taking member, wherein the main tube extending downwardly and rearwardly in a vehicle front rear direction from a head tube, and the rear tube turning upwardly and terminating into a pair of seat rails.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, the battery housing is mounted to a floorboard and disposed in a gravitational direction beneath the floorboard, the floorboard disposed between the main tube and the rear tube of the vehicle.

[0015]

[0012] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle having a main frame, the main frame having a head tube for receiving a steering shaft; a main tube extending downwardly and rearwardly in a vehicle front rear direction from the head tube, a rear tube turning upwardly and terminating into a pair of seat rails; and a battery housing for receiving a plurality of battery cells, the battery housing mounted between the main tube and the rear tube such that the battery housing acts as a structural load taking member.

[0016]

[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the battery housing includes an integrated casing having at least a first member made of metal being detachably attached to at least a second member made of metal at a predetermined junction, the integrated casing having a front side and a rear side; at least one front mounting hoop disposed on the front side of the integrated casing; and at least one rear mounting hoop disposed on the rear side of the integrated casing such that the battery housing is mounted onto the vehicle.

[0017]

[0014] In yet another embodiment, the junction of the battery housing runs along the front side, the rear side and opposing sides of the integrated casing such that the first member has a top member, and the second member has a bottom member.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the junction of the battery housing runs along top side, the rear side, bottom side and the front side of the integrated casing, such that the first member has a left member and the second member has a right member.

[0018]

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the junction of the battery housing runs along the top side, the opposing sides and the bottom side of the integrated casing, such that the first member has a front member and the second member has a rear member.

[0019]

[0017] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the battery housing is mounted to the main tube on the front side of the integrated casing and to the rear tube on the rear side of the integrated casing.

[0020]

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, the battery housing is mounted to a floorboard and disposed in a gravitational direction beneath the floorboard, the floorboard disposed between the main tube and the rear tube of the vehicle.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]

[0019] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a right-side view of a two wheeler vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of a battery housing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of the battery housing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Figure 4 shows the battery housing mounted on the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Figure 5 shows a top view of the battery housing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028]

[0020] The present invention relates to a battery housing for motor vehicles.

[0029]

[0021] Figure 1 shows a right-side view of a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is a two-wheeler electric motorcycle having a main frame 50. On front side in a vehicle front-rear F-R direction, the main frame 50 has a head tube 14 which receives a steering shaft 20. The steering shaft 20 has a steering handle 22 coupled with a pair of front shock absorbers 16 (only one shown) and a front wheel 18 for maneuvering the vehicle. The steering handle 22 has a pair of rearview mirrors 24 (only one shown). Further, the steering shaft 20 has a pair of front suspensions 16 (only one shown) which are connected to the front wheel 18.

[0030]

[0022] The main frame 50 further has a main tube 12 extending downwards and rearwards from the head tube 14 in the vehicle front rear direction F-R. The main tube 12 travels longitudinally rearwards forming a support for a floorboard 190. The main frame 50 further has a rear tube 26 which extends upwardly and rearwardly in the vehicle front rear direction F-R into a pair of seat rails 26a (only one shown) which support a seat for seating passengers.

[0023] Towards rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R, the vehicle 10 has a pair of rear shock absorbers 32 (only one shown) mounted to a rear portion of the seat rails 26a. The vehicle further has a rear wheel 30. Further, the vehicle 10 has a battery housing 100 disposed between the main tube 12 and the rear tube 26 of the vehicle 10. Thus, in an embodiment of the invention, the battery housing 100 thereby becomes a structural load taking member.

[0031]

[0024] Referring now to Figure 2, according to the present invention the vehicle 10 has the battery housing 100 which has a plurality of battery cells B (shown in Figure 5) disposed therein. As seen in the Figure 2, the battery housing 100 has an integrated casing 110. The integrated casing 110 has at least a first member 1 10a and at least a second member 110b (shown in Figure 4). The first member 110a and the second member 1 10b are made of metal and are detachably attached to each other at a predetermined junction 200 (shown in figure 4). Accordingly, the integrated casing 110 has a front side 120 and a rear side 130 (shown in figure 3). Further, according to the invention, the battery housing 100 has at least a front mounting hoop 210 disposed on the front side 120 of the integrated casing 110. Similarly, as shown in Figure 3, the battery housing 100 also has at least a rear mounting hoop 220 disposed on the rear side 130 of the integrated casing 110. In this regard, the battery housing 100 is directly mounted onto a predetermined part of the vehicle 10.

[0032]

[0025] In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in figure 4, the junction 200 runs along the front side 120, the rear side 130 and opposing sides 140, 150 of the integrated casing 1 10. Thus, in this embodiment the first member 110a includes a top member and the second member 110b includes a bottom member.

[0026] In yet another embodiment (not shown in the Figures), the junction 200 runs along top side 160, the rear side 130, bottom side and the front side 120 of the integrated casing 1 10. Thus, in this embodiment, that the first member 110a includes a left member and the second member 110b includes a right member.

[0033]

[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention (not shown in the Figures), the junction 200 runs along the top side 160, the opposing sides 140, 150 and the bottom side of the integrated casing 110. Thus, in this embodiment the first member 110a includes a front member and the second member 110b includes a rear member.

[0034]

[0028] In a further embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the battery housing 100 of the present invention is mounted to the floorboard 190 and disposed in a gravitational direction beneath the floorboard 190, whereby the floorboard 190 is disposed between the main tube 12 and the rear tube 26 of the vehicle 10.

[0035]

[0029] Advantageously, as shown in Figure 5, since battery cells are directly disposed inside the battery housing of the present invention - without requiring a separate housing structure for each battery module - the battery housing can thus accommodate larger number of cells without substantially increasing the weight of the vehicle. Further, owing to the configuration of the integrated casing, vehicle ergonomics, handling or the ground clearance are not hampered in any way. Further, since the battery housing is directly mounted onto the vehicle, the housing itself acts as a structural, load taking member, thereby providing additional support to the floorboard. Since, the housing acts as a load taking member, it prevents the load to reach the cells directly. Additionally, the battery housing can be mounted and dismounted from the vehicle easily. Further, given the structure of the integrated casing, the casing can be assembled, disassembled, and serviced easily. Furthermore, the integrated casing being of metal and having a large surface area dissipates heat better from below the floorboard, thereby the rider not being impacted by the heat. Furtherstill, there can be plurality of junctions or the integrated casing can be single unit without any junctions. The battery housing of the present invention further saves manufacturing costs, assembly timelines, servicing times, and service costs.

[0036]

[0030] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

DEPCT671. Battery enclosure (100) for receiving more than one battery cell (B), in which such battery enclosure (100) is incorporated with a complete housing (110) in which at least one first component (110a) made of metal is detachable and at least one second component (110b) made of metal is attached at a predetermined connection point (200), in which such complete housing (110) has front (120) and rear (130), at least one front mounting loop (210) provided on the front (120) of the complete housing (110) and at least one rear mounting loop (220) provided on the rear (130) of the complete housing (110) in such a way that the battery enclosure (100) is mounted directly onto a predetermined part of the vehicle (10)2.Battery enclosure (100) as claimed in Reputation 1, where the connection point (200) extends along the front (120), rear (130) and opposite sides (140,150) of the complete enclosure (110) in such a way that the first component (110a) is assembled with the top component and the second component (110b) is assembled with the bottom component.

3. Battery enclosure (100) as claimed in Reputation 1, where the connection point (200) extends along the top (160), rear (130), bottom and front (120) of the enclosure. The complete enclosure (110) is packaged in such a way that the first assembly (110a) is assembled with the left assembly and the second assembly (110b) is assembled with the right assembly.

4. The battery housing (100) is provided for under claim 1, where the connection point (200) extends along the top (160), opposite sides (140,150) and bottom of the complete enclosure (110) in such a way that the first assembly (110a) is assembled with the front assembly and the second assembly (110b) is assembled with the rear assembly. 5.Battery enclosure (100) as claimed in claim 1, which is mounted between the main tube (12) and the rear tube (26) of the vehicle (10), in which case the battery enclosure (100) is a structural load-bearing component, in which the main tube (12) extends downward and rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (FR) from the head tube (14) and the rear tube (26), which bends upward and terminates in a pair of seat rails (26a).

6. Battery enclosure (100) as claimed in claim 5, which is mounted to the floor panel (190) and is positioned in the gravity direction beneath the floor panel (190), in which the floor panel (190) is placed between the main tube (12) and the rear tube (26) of the vehicle (10).7.The vehicle (10) has a main frame (50) in which the main frame (50) has a head tube (14) to receive the steering shaft (20), a main tube (12) which extends downward and rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (FR) from the head tube (14), a rear tube (26) which bends upward and terminates in a pair of seat rails (26a), and a battery housing (100) to receive more than one battery cell (B), in which the battery housing (100) is mounted between the main tube (14) and the rear tube (26), in which the battery housing (100) is the structural component.8.Motor vehicle (10) as provided under claim 7, whereby the battery housing (100) is incorporated with a complete enclosure (110) which contains at least one first component (110a) made of metal, which is attached in a detachable manner to at least one second component (110b) made of metal at a predetermined connection point (200), whereby such complete enclosure (110) has a front (120) and a rear (130), at least one front mounting loop (210) which is provided on the front (120) of the complete enclosure (110) and mounting loops At least one rear connection (220) which is positioned on the rear (130) of the complete enclosure (110) in such a way that the battery housing (100) is mounted on the vehicle (10).

9. The vehicle (10) as entitled under claim 7, where the connection points (200) of the battery housing (100) extend along the front (120), rear (130) and opposite sides (140,150) of the complete enclosure (110) in such a way that the first component (110a) is incorporated with the top component and the second component (110b) is incorporated with the bottom component.10.Motor vehicle (10) as claimed under claim 7, where the connection point (200) of the battery housing (100) extends along the top (160), rear (130), bottom and front (120) of the integrated enclosure (110) in such a way that the first component (110a) is integrated with the left component and the second component (110b) is integrated with the right component.

11. Motor vehicle (10) as claimed under claim 7, where the connection point (200) of the battery housing (100) extends along the sides The top (160), opposite sides (140, 150) and bottom of the complete enclosure (110) in such a way that the first component (110a) is assembled with the front component and the second component (110b) is assembled with the rear component.

12. The vehicle (10) as entitled in claim 7, whereby the battery housing (100) is fitted into the main tube (14) on the front (120) of the complete enclosure (110) and into the rear tube (26) on the rear (130) of the complete enclosure (110).13.The vehicle (10) as entitled under claim 7, whereby the battery housing (100) is fitted into the floor panel (190) and is positioned in the gravity direction beneath the floor panel (190), whereby the floor panel (190) is placed between the main pipe (14) and the rear pipe (26) of the vehicle (10);

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