A battery pack

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack (100). The battery pack (100) comprises an electronic unit (108). The electronic unit (108) is configured to communicate with one or more remoter servers (206) to transmit information indicative of one or more parameters of the battery pack (100) upon satisfaction of one or more pre-defined conditions.

Description

[0001] TITLE OF INVENTION

[0002] A BATTERY PACK FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack. More particularly, the present invention relates to a battery pack having an electronic unit capable of being communicatively coupled to one or more remote servers.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005]

[0002] Lithium-ion battery packs, especially those used in two-wheelers, play a crucial role in electric vehicle (EV) performance, safety and longevity. When the battery is connected to the vehicle and in active use, the vehicle control unit continuously monitors key parameters to ensure that the battery is functioning safely. Similarly, during charging, the charging infrastructure communicates with the battery management system (BMS) to consistently monitor battery parameters. This helps detect anomalies early, thereby reducing the risk of critical failures such as thermal runaway.

[0006]

[0003] However, despite these monitoring mechanisms, existing battery management technologies fall short in addressing several key challenges critical to ensuring the safety and optimal operation of battery packs. The limitations are especially apparent when the battery is not actively monitored such as during storage, in non -operational states, or when disconnected from the vehicle or charging station. If the battery is disconnected or if there is a power supply interruption at a public charging station, critical monitoring data is no longer transmitted or logged, leading to major safety risks.

[0007]

[0004] A critical gap in conventional battery management systems is the absence of real-time monitoring when the battery is neither in use nor connected to a charging infrastructure. For example, when a battery pack is idle when left on a shop floor, stored at home, or disconnected from the vehicle there is no active monitoring, creating significant safety risks. This issue is compounded when problems such as thermal runaway, cell imbalance or other malfunctions go undetected when the battery is inactive. Moreover, without real-time data collection or alerts in these idle conditions, it is impossible to detect early warning signs of malfunction, significantly increasing the risk of undetected failure modes including thermal runaway.

[0008]

[0005] Furthermore, in current battery systems, access to battery health and safety data is often limited, particularly when the vehicle or battery is in an idle or non-operational state. The lack of continuous remote monitoring significantly hinders the ability to assess the battery's condition in real time and makes it challenging to implement proactive safety measures. This limitation is especially critical for dockable or removable battery systems, which may not always be connected to the vehicle or charging infrastructure, further reducing the window for detecting potential issues before they escalate.

[0009]

[0006] The absence of remote access to battery data, especially during non-operational periods, increases the likelihood that failure events go unnoticed until they reach dangerous levels. Without the capability to monitor battery health remotely, users and fleet operators are unable to take advantage of predictive maintenance tools that could help prevent failures before they occur. This limitation not only jeopardizes safety but also undermines the overall reliability and lifespan of the battery system.

[0010]

[0007] In view of the foregoing, there is a need-felt to overcome at least the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior arts.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012]

[0008] In one aspect of the invention, a battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack comprises an electronic unit. The electronic unit is configured to communicate with one or more remoter servers to transmit information indicative of one or more parameters of the battery pack upon satisfaction of one or more pre-defined conditions.

[0009] In an embodiment, the one or more pre-defined conditions are one of the battery pack is undocked from a charging station and the battery pack is undocked from a vehicle.

[0013]

[0010] In an embodiment, the battery pack comprises a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells is electrically connected to each other. The battery pack further comprises a battery management system (BMS). The BMS is communicatively coupled to the plurality of battery cells and one or more sensors disposed in the battery pack. The electronic unit is communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of battery cells, the BMS and the one or more sensors of the battery pack.

[0014] [Oil] In an embodiment, the one or more parameters comprises a first set of parameters and a second set of parameters. The first set of parameters is detected by a battery management system (BMS) of the battery pack. The second set of parameters is detected by one or more sensors.

[0015]

[0012] In an embodiment, the electronic unit is communicatively coupled to at least one of the battery management system (BMS) to receive the information indicative of the first set of parameters and one or more sensors to detect the information indicative of the second set of parameters.

[0016]

[0013] In an embodiment, the first set of parameters is selected from a group comprising voltage of each battery cell, temperature of each battery cell, voltage of battery pack, temperature of battery pack, flow of coolant in battery pack, current flowing through the battery pack, State of Charge (SoC), Depth of Discharge (DoD), State of Health (SoH), State of Power (SoP), State of Safety (SoS), maximum charge current, maximum discharge current, energy delivered since last charge or charge cycle, internal impedance of each battery cell and total operating time of the battery pack, and the second set of the parameters is selected from a group comprising at least one of an orientation of the battery pack and a geographical location of the battery pack.

[0014] In an embodiment, the electronic unit comprises a telematics control unit. The telematics control unit configured to communicate with the remote server to transmit the information indicative of the one or more parameters of the battery pack.

[0017]

[0015] In an embodiment, the electronic unit is disposed in the battery pack in a vicinity of a charging port and is insulated from the battery management system (BMS).

[0018]

[0016] In an embodiment, the electronic unit is coupled to one or more alarm units. The one or more alarm units is disposed on the battery pack and triggered by the electronic unit upon determination of value of the one or more parameters is nonconforming to a pre-defined range.

[0019]

[0017] In another aspect of the invention, a system for monitoring one or more battery packs is disclosed. Further, the system comprises a remote server, a personal digital assistant and the one or more battery packs. Herein, each of the battery pack of the one or more battery packs comprises a electronic unit. The electronic unit configured to communicate with the remote server to transmit information indicative of one or more parameters upon satisfaction of one or more pre-defined conditions. The remote server is configured to receive the information indicative of one or more parameters from the electronic unit of each of the one or more battery packs. The remote server further configured to analyse the received information to determine one or more operational parameters in each of the one or more battery packs and transmit the one or more operational parameters to the personal digital assistant.

[0020]

[0018] In an embodiment, the one or more pre-defined conditions are one of the battery pack is undocked from a charging station and the battery pack is undocked from a vehicle.

[0021]

[0019] In an embodiment, the one or more parameters is selected from a group comprising voltage of each battery cell, temperature of each battery cell, voltage of battery pack, temperature of battery pack, flow of coolant in battery pack, current flowing through the battery pack, State of Charge (SoC), Depth of Discharge (DoD), State of Health (SoH), State of Power (SoP), State of Safety (SoS), maximum charge current, maximum discharge current, energy delivered since last charge or charge cycle, internal impedance of each battery cell, total operating time of the battery pack and a geographical location of the battery pack (100).

[0022]

[0020] In an embodiment, the one or more operational parameters is selected from a group comprising incorrect orientation of the battery pack, a geographical location of the battery pack is outside a pre-defined geographical area, imbalance in one or more battery cells of the battery packs, coolant leakage issue, thermal runaway and failure of one or more mechanical components of the battery pack.

[0023]

[0021] In another aspect of the invention, a method for monitoring one or more battery packs is disclosed. The method has step of transmitting information indicative of one or more parameters upon satisfaction of one or more pre-defined conditions to a remote server. The step of transmitting is performed by an electronic unit. Herein, each of the battery pack of the one or more battery packs comprises the electronic unit configured to communicate with the remote server. Further, the method has step of receiving information indicative of the one or more parameters from the electronic unit of each of the one or more battery packs. The step of receiving is performed by a remote server. Herein, each of the battery pack of the one or more battery packs comprises a electronic unit. The method further has step of analysing the received information to determine one or more operational parameters in each of the one or more battery packs. The step of analysing is performed by the remote server. The method further has step of transmitting the one or more operational parameters to a personal digital assistant. The step of transmitting is performed by the remote server.

[0024]

[0022] In an embodiment, the one or more pre-defined conditions are one of the battery pack is undocked from a charging station and the battery pack is undocked from a vehicle.

[0025]

[0023] In an embodiment, the one or more parameters is selected from a group comprising voltage of each battery cell, temperature of each battery cell, voltage of battery pack, temperature of battery pack, flow of coolant in battery pack, current flowing through the battery pack, State of Charge (SoC), Depth of Discharge (DoD), State of Health (SoH), State of Power (SoP), State of Safety (SoS), maximum charge current, maximum discharge current, energy delivered since last charge or charge cycle, internal impedance of each battery cell, total operating time of the battery pack and a geographical location of the battery pack (100).

[0026]

[0024] In an embodiment, the one or more operational parameters is selected from a group comprising incorrect orientation of the battery pack, a geographical location of the battery pack is outside a pre-defined geographical area, imbalance in one or more battery cells of the battery packs, coolant leakage issue, thermal runaway and failure of one or more mechanical components of the battery pack.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028]

[0025] 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.

[0029] Figure 1A illustrates an exploded view of a battery pack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure IB illustrates an exploded view the battery pack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention

[0031] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a system for monitoring one or more battery packs, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for monitoring one or more battery packs, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034]

[0026] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.

[0027] Battery pack of the present invention are typically used in the vehicle such as a two-wheeled vehicle, or a three-wheeled vehicle including trikes, or a four-wheeled vehicle, or other multi-wheeled vehicles as required. Also, the battery pack of the present invention are typically used in the vehicle such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid vehicle requiring charging of the battery pack or battery packs for the range of the vehicle. The battery pack referred to in the present invention is categorized into rechargeable batteries, however aspects of the present subject matter are applicable to non-chargeable battery packs as well. The rechargeable battery is made of different materials and different from a disposable battery in manufacturing process and has the advantages that the rechargeable battery can be recycled after being charged, and the output current load capacity of the rechargeable battery is higher than that of most disposable batteries. Types of rechargeable batteries that are common today are: lead-acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. The lithium-ion battery has the advantages of being light weight with large capacity and very low self-discharge rate, so the lithium-ion battery is widely applied in automobile industry. Lithium-ion batteries are also used in pure electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. It should be understood that any other suitable type of rechargeable battery is suitable.

[0035]

[0028] Figure 1A and Figure IB illustrates an exploded view of a battery pack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the battery pack 100 comprises a plurality of battery cells 104 connected together in a series connection, a parallel connection or a series-parallel connection as per requirement. The battery pack 100 can be used for power supply of a vehicle (not shown). For example, the one or more battery packs 100 are configured to provide the desired power output for the functioning of the vehicle. The battery pack 100 includes a housing 102 that accommodates the plurality of battery cells 104 electrically connected to each other. The housing 102 acts as a protective casing for the battery pack 100. The plurality of battery cells 104 of the battery pack 100 are received by a top cell holder 106 and a bottom cell holder 118 in order to restrict independent movement of the individual battery cells. In an embodiment of the invention, the top cell holder 106 and the bottom cell holder 118 each have a plurality of grooves (not shown) for routing of wires in and out of the battery pack 100. In another embodiment, the cell holder may be adapted to secure bus bars or interconnectors electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells 104.

[0036]

[0029] In another embodiment, the plurality of cells 104 may be securely disposed in the housing 102 without using a cell holder, but by integrating the functionality of the cell holder with the housing 102 itself.

[0037]

[0030] Further, the plurality of battery cells 104 of the battery pack 100 are coupled with a Battery Management System (BMS) 112. The BMS 112 is an electronic system which comprises a BMS board 110 and manages the rechargeable battery pack 100 by protecting the battery pack 100 from operating outside its safe operating temperature, monitoring its state, calculating temperature data, reporting that data, controlling environment, authenticating and / or maintain the battery pack 100. The BMS 112 is communicatively coupled to the plurality of battery cells 104.

[0038]

[0031] In an embodiment, the BMS 112 is connected to each of the plurality of battery cells 104 through a first wired connection 116a. In a non-limiting example, the first wired connection 116a can be a single bus line, such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus or I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) bus. In another aspect, the first wired connection 116a may not be limited in interpretation to be confined to wired connections, but may also accommodate other communication mediums permissible between the plurality of cells 102 via bus bars or interconnectors and the BMS 112.

[0039]

[0032] The BMS 112 is an electronic system which manages the plurality of battery cells 104 by monitoring a first set of parameters of the each of the plurality of battery cells 104 in the battery pack 100. The first set of parameters are detected by the battery management system (BMS) 112 of the battery pack 100. In an embodiment, the first set of parameters being selected from a group comprising voltage of each battery cell 104, temperature of each battery cell 104, voltage of battery pack 100, temperature of battery pack 100, flow of coolant in battery pack 100, current flowing through the battery pack 100, State of Charge (SoC), Depth of Discharge (DoD), State of Health (SoH), State of Power (SoP), State of Safety (SoS), maximum charge current, maximum discharge current, energy delivered since last charge or charge cycle, internal impedance of each battery cell 104 and total operating time of the battery pack 100.

[0040]

[0033] Further, as shown in Figure 1A and IB, the battery pack comprises an electronic unit 108. The electronic unit 108 is configured to be operably connected to the BMS 112. In an embodiment, the electronic unit 108 is connected to the BMS 112 through a second wired connection 116b. In a non-limiting example, the second wired connection 116a can be a single bus line, such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus or I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) bus or SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface). In another embodiment, the the electronic unit 108 is connected to the BMS 112 wirelessly. In an embodiment, the electronic unit 108 is a Telematics Control Unit (TCU) configured for controlling functions such as wireless tracking, diagnostics and communication to and from the battery pack 100 as depicted in Figure 2.

[0041]

[0034] In a non-limiting embodiment, the TCU 110 is also referred to as ‘Telematics Unit’. As provided hereinbelow, the terms ‘Electronic Unit’, ‘Telematics Unit’ and ‘TCU’ are interchangeably used. The communication to and from the electronic unit 108 of the battery pack 100 to the remote server 206 is shown with the help of solid lines and the other communications to and from the remote server 206 and the personal digital assistant 208 thereof are shown with the help of dotted lines as shown in Figure 2.

[0042]

[0035] The telematics unit is a device that enables wireless data communication via wireless networking so that the battery pack 100 can communicate with other telematics-enabled devices and / or a wireless portable device such as remote servers or even a personal digital assistant. The telematics unit establishes a communication channel with a wireless carrier system so that data transmission can be sent and received over the communication channel between other telematics-enabled devices and / or the wireless portable device. By providing data communication, the telematics unit enables real -time monitoring, emergency assistance, diagnostics etc for the battery pack 100. The telematics unit 108 is communicatively coupled to one or more sensors (not shown). The BMS 112 is also communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors disposed in the battery pack 100. In an embodiment, the electronic unit 108 is communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of battery cells 104, the BMS 112 and the one or more sensors of the battery pack 100. The one or more sensors is configured to detect the information indicative of a second set of parameters. In an embodiment, the one or more sensors is selected from a group comprising but is not limited to accelerometers, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), gyroscopes and Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors. In an embodiment, the second set of the parameters being selected from a group comprising at least an orientation of the battery pack 100 and a geographical location of the battery pack 100. One or more parameters comprises the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters. The first set of parameters is detected by the battery management system (BMS) 112 of the battery pack 100. The second set of parameters being detected by one or more sensors. The first set of parameters and the second set of parameters are selected from the group as described hereinabove.

[0043]

[0036] Further, the electronic unit 108 is communicatively coupled to the battery management system (BMS) 112 to receive the information indicative of the first set of parameters. The electronic unit 108 is communicatively coupled to one or more sensors to detect the information indicative of the second set of parameters. The electronic unit 108 is configured to communicate with one or more remote servers 206 (as shown in Figure 2) to transmit information indicative of the one or more parameters of the battery pack 100 upon satisfaction of one or more pre-defined conditions. The one or more pre-defined conditions being one of the battery pack 100 being undocked from a charging station and the battery pack 100 being undocked from a vehicle.

[0044]

[0037] In an embodiment, the telematics control unit is configured to communicate with the remote server 206 to transmit the information indicative of the one or more parameters of the battery pack 100. In a non-limiting example, the telematics control unit sends critical data pertaining to the battery pack 100 to a cloud server through an e-SIM. For instance, when the battery pack 100 is docked to a charging station (not shown) or vehicle, a vehicle control unit (not shown) of BMS 112 determines that the battery pack 100 is docked to a charging station or vehicle and transmits the one or more parameters of the battery pack 100 to the remote server 206 via the configuration of the respective charging station. However, when the user removes the dockable battery pack 100 from the charging station or from the vehicle for storage the communication established between the remote server via the charging station’s or vehicle’s infrastructure is lost. Upon undocking, the electronic unit 108 automatically communicates with the remote server 206, sending vital parameters such as the current SoC, temperature readings, and overall battery health status. Thus, the present invention provides real-time monitoring of the battery parameters even when the battery pack 100 is not in active use, ensuring proactive maintenance and prompt detection of any potential issues. Therefore, in view of the present configuration of selective operation of the telematics units based on docking and undocking status of the battery pack, the life cycle of the telematics unit is extended by optimized usage and charge consumption.

[0045]

[0038] The battery pack 100 further comprises a charging port 120. The charging port 120 allows the battery pack 100 to receive power from a charging station or an external charger ensuring safe and efficient flow of current into the battery, enabling proper charging of each battery cell 104.

[0046]

[0039] In a non-limiting example, the charging port 120 is composed of conductive metal contacts, encased in a durable, insulated housing to prevent electrical hazards and environmental damage. The charging port 120 may include multiple connectors or pins to support different charging protocols, such as fast charging or standard charging modes. The connectors are designed for high durability and resistance to wear, given the frequent connection and disconnection during charging cycles. The electronic unit 108 is disposed in the battery pack 100 in a vicinity of the charging port 120 and is insulated from the battery management system (BMS) 112. Conventionally, the telematics unit 108 is positioned near metal components, which can cause signal interference due to the proximity to these materials. However, in the present invention, the telematics unit 108 is strategically placed near the charging port 120, which is made of plastic, to minimize any obstruction in signal transmission. This placement ensures that the telematics unit 108 can effectively transmit signals without the interference typically caused by metal parts, enhancing communication reliability and overall system performance.

[0047]

[0040] As further depicted in Figure 1A and IB, the BMS 112 is mounted on the BMS board 110. The BMS board 110 serves as a platform that houses the BMS 112 components. Further, the BMS board 110 enables secure placement, electrical connectivity and proper insulation between the electronic unit 108 and the BMS 112. The BMS board 110 is placed between the BMS 112 and the electronic unit 108 to provide both thermal and electrical insulation. Such a placement ensures that the sensitive electronics within the BMS 112 and electronic unit 108 are protected from overheating, electrical surges or interference. The BMS board 110 is made from thermally insulating materials that prevent the heat generated by the BMS 112 from reaching the electronic unit 108. This is particularly important because the BMS 112, while managing the battery's charge and discharge cycles, generates heat. If this heat is not properly managed, it could impact the performance or cause overheating of the electronic unit 108. The thermal insulation layer on the BMS board ensures that any heat produced is either dissipated efficiently or prevented from transferring to the electronic unit 108, maintaining operational stability. The BMS board 110 also provides electrical insulation between the BMS 112 and the electronic unit 108. The insulating materials used in BMS board 110, ensure that no unwanted electrical currents or static discharges pass between these two components, namely, the BMS 112 and the electronic unit 108. This insulation is critical to prevent short circuits, electromagnetic interference (EMI), or any other form of electrical disruption that could compromise the safety and performance of the battery pack 100. The BMS board acts as a barrier, keeping the BMS 112 and the electronic unit 108 securely separated while still allowing them to interact via controlled electrical pathways.

[0048]

[0041] In an embodiment, the electronic unit 108 is coupled to one or more alarm units (not shown). The one or more alarm units is disposed on the battery pack 100. The one or more alarm units are triggered by the electronic unit 108 upon determination of value of the one or more parameters is non-conforming to a predefined range. For example, when the battery pack 100 equipped with an accelerometer for fall detection, is stored in a warehouse i.e., undocked. The accelerometer continuously monitors movement along three axes. During handling, the battery pack 100 accidentally falls from a height. As the fall occurs, the accelerometer detects an abrupt change in the movement of the battery pack 100 along all three axes. The electronic unit 108 immediately processes this data and compares the detected parameters, such as the impact force and angle of fall, against pre-defined value. Since the detected parameters exceeds the pre-defined values, the electronic unit 108 activates the one or more alarm units to generate an alert.

[0049]

[0042] In a non-limiting example, the alert can be visual, audible, or both triggered to warn the user of potential damage or hazards to the battery. Simultaneously, the electronic unit 108 sends a signal to the remote server 206, notifying users through their portable digital assistant 208 of the fall event and the possible need for inspection or maintenance of the battery pack 100. Thus, the present invention minimizes safety risks and allows for timely intervention, ensuring that any damage to the battery pack 100 is addressed before it escalates into a more serious issue.

[0050]

[0043] Further, the housing 102 of the battery pack 100 comprises a top cover 114 configured to enclose the plurality of battery cells 104, the telematics unit 108 and the Battery Management System 112 along with other ancillary components within the housing 140. The top cover 114 is provided with a handle 122. The handle 122 allows for convenient lifting, carrying, and transporting of the battery pack 100.

[0051]

[0044] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a system for monitoring one or more battery packs, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in Figure 2, the system 200 comprises a remote 206, a personal digital assistant 208 and one or more battery packs 100. As shown in Figure 1, each of the battery pack of the one or more battery packs 100 comprises an electronic unit 108. The electronic unit 108 is configured to communicate with the remote server 206 to transmit information indicative of one or more parameters upon satisfaction of one or more pre-defined conditions. In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic unit 108 is also referred to as Telematics Control unit. As provided hereinbelow, the terms ‘electronic unit’ and ‘Telematic Control Unit’ are interchangeably used. The one or more pre-defined conditions being one of the battery pack 100 being undocked from a charging station and the battery pack 100 being undocked from a vehicle. As described hereinabove, the one or more parameters being selected from a group comprising voltage of each battery cell 104, temperature of each battery cell 104, voltage of battery pack 100, temperature of battery pack 100, flow of coolant in battery pack 100, current flowing through the battery pack 100, State of Charge (SoC), Depth of Discharge (DoD), State of Health (SoH), State of Power (SoP), State of Safety (SoS), maximum charge current, maximum discharge current, energy delivered since last charge or charge cycle, internal impedance of each battery cell 104, total operating time of the battery pack 100 and a geographical location of the battery pack 100. The communication to and from the electronic unit 108 of the battery pack 100 to the remote server 206 is shown with the help of solid lines and the other communications to and from the remote server 206 and the personal digital assistant 208 thereof are shown with the help of dotted lines.

[0052]

[0045] The remote server 206 is configured to receive the information indicative of the one or more parameters from the electronic unit 108 of each of the one or more battery packs 100. In an embodiment, the remote server 206 comprises but is not limited to cloud servers, Virtual Private servers (VPS), Database servers, file servers and web servers. The system 200 prioritizes data security by employing advanced encryption and secure access protocols. All data transmitted between the battery pack 100 via the electronic unit 108 and the remote server 206 is encrypted, ensuring that sensitive information, such as SOC and SOH, remains confidential. The secure access protocols limit data access to authorized users only, preventing unauthorized access or breaches. This feature is particularly important in fleet management applications, where multiple users may need access to the system, ensuring that data integrity and privacy are always maintained.

[0053]

[0046] The remote server 206 is further configured to analyze the received information to determine one or more operational parameters in each of the battery packs 100. In an embodiment, the one or more operational parameters being selected from a group comprising incorrect orientation of the battery pack 100, a geographical location of the battery pack 100 being outside a pre-defined geographical area, imbalance in one or more battery cells 104 of the battery packs 100, coolant leakage issue, thermal runaway and failure of one or more mechanical components of the battery pack 100. In an embodiment, the remote server 206 includes a cloud-based predictive maintenance engine that analyzes the one or more parameters to forecast potential issues. By identifying trends in SOC, SOH, and other key metrics, the remote server 206 provides early warnings for maintenance needs, allowing users to address problems before they lead to significant failures. Such a predictive maintenance capability in the present invention not only enhances the reliability of the battery pack 100 but also reduces downtime and repair costs by enabling timely interventions.

[0054]

[0047] The remote server 206 is further configured to transmit the one or more operational parameters to the personal digital assistant 208. In an embodiment, the transmitted one or more operational parameters are displayed on a portable communication device of the user via user-friendly mobile app. Such a feature of the present invention provides real-time insights into SOC, SOH, and other key parameters of the battery pack 100, allowing users to run diagnostics and adjust settings remotely. Thus, eliminating the need for physical inspections and enabling users to monitor and manage battery performance remotely. In a non-limiting example, a battery fleet management setting uses one or more battery packs 100 comprising the telematics unit 108 having geofencing capabilities that monitors geographical location of the one or more battery packs 100. The geofence is set to include safe zones where the battery packs 100 can be taken and exclude areas where the battery packs 100 should not be taken e.g., unauthorized zones or high-risk areas. The telematics unit 108 continuously communicates with the remote server 206 to transmit real-time data, including the current geographical location of the battery packs 100. This data is compared against the predefined geofence parameters stored on the remote server 206. In an event, the battery packs 100 travel outside the designated geofenced area, the telematics unit 108 detects this breach in real-time through its GPS tracking capabilities. Upon detecting that the battery pack 100 has crossed the defined geographical boundary, the telematics unit 108 triggers an alert. This alert is transmitted to the remote server 206, which then sends immediate notifications to the mobile device of the user. The alert includes details such as the specific location where the breach occurred and the current status of the battery pack 100. Thus, the present invention enhances safety and security of the battery packs 100 through real-time monitoring and immediate alerts, thereby optimizing fleet management, minimizing risks associated with unauthorized use and preventing theft.

[0055]

[0048] In another aspect as depicted in Figure 3, the present invention relates to a flow diagram of a method 300 for monitoring one or more battery packs 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The steps involved in the method 300 for monitoring one or more battery packs 100 are illustrated in Figure 3.

[0056]

[0049] In an embodiment, the one or more battery packs 100 comprises one or more battery cells connected together in a series connection, a parallel connection or a series-parallel connection as per requirement.

[0057]

[0050] As illustrated, at step 302, the method 300 starts. At step 304, the method 300 transmits information indicative of one or more parameters upon satisfaction of one or more pre-defined conditions to a remote server 206. The step of transmitting is performed by an electronic unit 108. As disclosed herein, each of the battery pack of the one or more battery packs 100 comprises the electronic unit 108. The electronic unit 108 is configured to communicate with the remote server 206. The one or more pre-defined conditions are one of the battery pack is undocked from a charging station and the battery pack is undocked from a vehicle. For example, a dockable lithium-ion battery pack is taken out of an electric two-wheeler and left idle on the shop floor or at home. In this state, the battery pack is not actively being charged at a charging station nor is it in use within a vehicle.

[0058]

[0051] In an embodiment, the electronic unit 108 is a telematics unit. In a nonlimiting example, the remote server 206 can be a cloud-based or centralized computing infrastructure that receives, stores, and processes data transmitted by the electronic unit 108 of the battery pack 100. In an embodiment, the electronic unit 108 is communicatively coupled to a battery management system (BMS) 112. The BMS 112 is configured to detect the information indicative of the one or more parameters. In an embodiment, the one or more parameters being selected from a group comprising voltage of each battery cell 104, temperature of each battery cell 104, voltage of battery pack 100, temperature of battery pack 100, flow of coolant in battery pack 100, current flowing through the battery pack 100, State of Charge (SoC), Depth of Discharge (DoD), State of Health (SoH), State of Power (SoP), State of Safety (SoS), maximum charge current, maximum discharge current, energy delivered since last charge or charge cycle, internal impedance of a battery cell 104, total operating time of the battery pack 100 and a geographical location of the battery pack 100.

[0059]

[0052] At step 306, the method 300 receives information indicative of the one or more parameters from the electronic unit 108 of each of the one or more battery packs 100. The step of receiving is performed by the remote server 206. The electronic unit 108 is configured to be communicable coupled to the remote server 206. In an embodiment, the electronic unit 108 of each of the one or more battery packs 100 is communicably coupled to the one or more remote servers 206. In an embodiment, the telematic unit transmits data to the remote server 206 via one of several wireless communication methods. In a non-limiting example, the communication methods can be cellular networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth / Short-Range Communication (BLE) or Satellite communication. In an embodiment, the one or more parameters received by the remote server 206 are selected from the group as described hereinabove.

[0060]

[0053] At step 308, the method 300 analyzes the received information to determine one or more operational parameters in each of the one or more battery packs 100. The step of analyzing is performed by the remote server 206. In an embodiment, the one or more operational parameters being selected from a group comprising incorrect orientation of the battery pack 100, a geographical location of the battery pack 100 being outside a pre-defined geographical area, imbalance in one or more battery cells 104 of the battery packs 100, coolant leakage issue, thermal runaway and failure of one or more mechanical components of the battery pack 100. In an embodiment, the remoter server 206 includes a cloud-based Real-Time Predictive Maintenance feature that analyzes historical and real-time data to identify patterns in battery health, such as degradation in the State of Charge (SOC) or State of Health (SOH) and predict potential battery issues. In a non-limiting example, the telematics unit 108 of a battery pack transmits real-time data on various parameters such as voltage, temperature, State of Charge (SoC), and State of Health (SoH) monitored by the BMS 112 of the battery pack 100 to the remote server 206. The remote server 206 analyzes the various parameters to provide insights about the overall condition of the battery pack such as predicting battery health, alerting on thermal risks or recommending maintenance. In a scenario, the remote server receives a parameter related to state of health (SOH) of the battery pack, the remote server analyzes this parameter to determine an operational parameter related to Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of the battery pack 100.

[0061]

[0054] At step 310, the method 300 transmits the one or more operational parameter to a personal digital assistant 208 of a user. The step of transmitting is performed by the remote server 206. In a non-limiting example, the personal digital assistant 208 can be a smart phone, smart watch, tablet, laptop and the like. In an embodiment, the one or more operational parameters transmitted to the personal digital assistant 208 are selected from the group as described hereinabove. In an embodiment, the remote server 206 transmits data to the personal digital assistant 208 via one of several wireless communication methods. In a non-limiting example, the communication methods can be cellular networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth / Short-Range Communication (BLE) or Satellite communication. In a non-limiting example, the RUL of the battery pack 100 as analyzed by the remote server 206 is transmitted to smartphone of a user as SoH alert notifying the user that battery maintenance or replacement is required soon to avoid performance issues. The method then terminates at step 312. Thus, the present invention ensures robust battery management and significantly enhances the safety of the battery pack 100, even when it is undocked from a charging station or vehicle, by providing proactive monitoring and real-time diagnostics.

[0062]

[0055] The claimed features of the present invention as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed features enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the technical problem associated with monitoring the battery pack when undocked from a charging station or a vehicle is solved by the present invention.

[0063]

[0056] The present invention enables users to access and manage various battery parameters, providing real-time insights into SOC, SOH, and other key parameters, allowing users to run diagnostics and adjust settings remotely. This eliminates the need for physical inspections and enables users to monitor and manage battery performance from anywhere. Fleet managers, in particular, benefit from this feature, as it enables remote monitoring of multiple battery packs, thus streamlining maintenance and improving operational efficiency.

[0064]

[0057] In the present invention, the BMS continuously monitors the various parameters of the battery pack and the telematics unit transmits these monitored parameters to remote server in real time. The remote server then sends alerts to the user's mobile device in the event of physical impacts, sudden falls or collisions of the battery pack, ensuring rapid notification of potential accidents or dangerous situations, thereby enabling enhanced safety and security features in a battery pack.

[0058] The present invention provides a Real-Time analysis of historical and realtime data to predict potential battery issues before they escalate. The present invention further identifies patterns in battery health, such as degradation in the State of Charge (SOC) or State of Health (SOH) and when anomalies are detected, the present invention provides predictive maintenance alerts, notifying users to take preventive actions. This proactive approach extends battery life, reduces unexpected failures, and enhances overall reliability by enabling maintenance before problems worsen.

[0065]

[0059] The present invention provides real-time safety alerts and remote diagnostics, such as abnormal temperature or voltage levels, enabling users to quickly address problems before they escalate into critical failures. Additionally, remote diagnostics in the present invention allow for continuous monitoring of battery health, enabling timely maintenance actions and reducing downtime. This proactive approach not only safeguards the performance and longevity of the battery pack but also ensures the safety of users and equipment.

[0066]

[0060] The present invention incorporates a telematics unit with geofencing features providing virtual boundaries around the battery designated storage area and enabling real-time tracking and monitoring for fleet management and theft protection. This feature allows fleet operators to continuously monitor the location and status of batteries, ensuring they remain within designated areas. If the battery moves beyond these predefined boundaries, the present invention immediately triggers an alert to the user or fleet manager enabling swift action to locate and recover the battery, thereby significantly reducing the risk of loss or theft while the battery is undocked.

[0067]

[0061] Additionally, in the present invention, the disposition of the telematics unit within the battery pack is simple, enabling ease of assembly.

[0068]

[0062] 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. List of Reference Numerals

[0069] 100- Battery Pack

[0070] 102- Housing

[0071] 104- Plurality of Battery Cells

[0072] 106- Top Cell Holder

[0073] 108- Electronic Unit

[0074] 110- BMS Board

[0075] 112- Battery Management System (BMS)

[0076] 114- Top Cover

[0077] 116a, 116b- First and second wired connection

[0078] 118- Bottom Cell Holder

[0079] 120- Charging Port

[0080] 122- Handle

[0081] 200- System for monitoring one or more battery packs 206- Remote Server

[0082] 208- Personal Digital Assistant

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A battery pack (100) comprising an electronic unit (108), the electronic unit (108) configured to communicate with one or more remote servers (206) to transmit information indicative of one or more parameters of the battery pack (100) upon satisfaction of one or more pre-defined conditions.

2. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more predefined conditions being one of: the battery pack (100) being undocked from a charging station; and the battery pack (100) being undocked from a vehicle.

3. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery pack (100) comprises:a plurality of battery cells (104), the plurality of battery cells (104) being electrically connected to each other; anda battery management system (BMS), the BMS (112) being communicatively coupled to the plurality of battery cells (104) and one or more sensors disposed in the battery pack (100),wherein the electronic unit (108) being communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of battery cells (104), the BMS (112) and the one or more sensors of the battery pack (100).

4. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters comprises a first set of parameters and a second set of parameters, the first set of parameters being detected by a battery management system (BMS) (112) of the battery pack (100) and the second set of parameters being detected by one or more sensors.

5. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the electronic unit (108) being communicatively coupled to at least one of: the battery managementsystem (BMS) (112) to receive the information indicative of the first set of parameters; and one or more sensors to detect the information indicative of the second set of parameters.

6. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first set of parameters being selected from a group comprising: voltage of each battery cell (104), temperature of each battery cell (104), voltage of battery pack (100), temperature of battery pack (100), flow of coolant in battery pack (100), current flowing through the battery pack (100), State of Charge (SoC), Depth of Discharge (DoD), State of Health (SoH), State of Power (SoP), State of Safety (SoS), maximum charge current, maximum discharge current, energy delivered since last charge or charge cycle, internal impedance of each battery cell (104) and total operating time of the battery pack (100), and the second set of the parameters being selected from a group comprising at least one of: an orientation of the battery pack (100) and a geographical location of the battery pack (100).

7. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic unit (108) comprises a telematics control unit, the telematics control unit configured to communicate with the remote server (206) to transmit the information indicative of the one or more parameters of the battery pack (100).

8. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic unit (108) being disposed in the battery pack (100) in a vicinity of a charging port (120) and being insulated from the battery management system (BMS) (112).

9. The battery pack (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic unit (108) being coupled to one or more alarm units, the one or more alarm units being disposed on the battery pack (100) and triggered by the electronic unit (108) upon determination of value of the one or more parameters being nonconforming to a pre-defined range.

10. A system (200) for monitoring one or more battery packs (100) the system (200) comprising:a remote server (206);a personal digital assistant (208); andthe one or more battery packs (100), wherein each battery pack (100) of the one or more battery packs comprises an electronic unit (108) configured to communicate with the remote server (206) to transmit information indicative of one or more parameters upon satisfaction of one or more pre-defined conditions, wherein the remote server (206) being configured to:receive the information indicative of one or more parameters from the electronic unit (108) of each of the one or more battery packs (100);analyse the received information to determine one or more operational parameters in each of the one or more battery packs (100); and transmit the one or more operational parameters to the personal digital assistant (208).

11. The system (200) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more pre-defined conditions being one of: the battery pack (100) being undocked from a charging station and the battery pack (100) being undocked from a vehicle.

12. The system (200) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more parameters being selected from a group comprising: voltage of each battery cell (104), temperature of each battery cell (104), voltage of battery pack (100), temperature of battery pack (100), flow of coolant in battery pack (100), current flowing through the battery pack (100), State of Charge (SoC), Depth of Discharge (DoD), State of Health (SoH), State of Power (SoP), State of Safety (SoS), maximum charge current, maximum discharge current, energy delivered since last charge or charge cycle, internal impedance of each battery cell (104) totaloperating time of the battery pack (100) and a geographical location of the battery pack (100).

13. The system (200) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more operational parameters being selected from a group comprising: incorrect orientation of the battery pack (100), a geographical location of the battery pack (100) being outside a pre-defined geographical area, imbalance in one or more battery cells (104) of the battery packs (100), coolant leakage issue, thermal runaway and failure of one or more mechanical components of the battery pack (100).

14. A method (300) for monitoring one or more battery packs (100), the method comprising:transmitting, by an electronic unit (108), information indicative of one or more parameters upon satisfaction of one or more pre-defined conditions to a remote server (206), wherein each of the battery pack of the one or more battery packs (100) comprises the electronic unit (108) configured to communicate with the remote server (206);receiving, by the remote server (206), information indicative of the one or more parameters from the electronic unit (108) of each of the one or more battery packs (100);analyzing, by the remote server (206), the received information to determine one or more operational parameters in each of the one or more battery packs (100); andtransmitting, by the remote server (206), the one or more operational parameters to a personal digital assistant (208).

15. The method (300) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the one or more pre-defined conditions being one of: the battery pack (100) being undocked from a charging station and the battery pack (100) being undocked from a vehicle.

16. The method (200) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the one or more parameters being selected from a group comprising: voltage of each battery cell (104), temperature of each battery cell (104), voltage of battery pack (100), temperature of battery pack (100), flow of coolant in battery pack (100), current flowing through the battery pack (100), State of Charge (SoC), Depth of Discharge (DoD), State of Health (SoH), State of Power (SoP), State of Safety (SoS), maximum charge current, maximum discharge current, energy delivered since last charge or charge cycle, internal impedance of each battery cell (104), total operating time of the battery pack (100) and a geographical location of the battery pack (100).

17. The method (300) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the one or more operational parameters being selected from a group comprising: incorrect orientation of the battery pack (100), a geographical location of the battery pack (100) being outside a pre-defined geographical area, imbalance in one or more battery cells (104) of the battery packs (100), coolant leakage issue, thermal runaway and failure of one or more mechanical components of the battery pack(100).

Images