The disclosure relates generally to energy storage assemblies. In particular aspects, the disclosure relates to an energy storage assembly comprising a housing and a first energy storage module. The disclosure can be applied to heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and construction equipment, among other vehicle types. Although the disclosure may be described with respect to a particular vehicle, the disclosure is not restricted to any particular vehicle.
An electric vehicle, such as an electric heavy-duty vehicle, may comprise an energy storage assembly for storing electric energy to be used by one or more consumers of electric power, such as one or more electric motors for propulsion of the electric vehicle. Purely by way of example, such an energy storage assembly may comprise a housing and a first energy storage module wherein the first energy storage module may comprise at least one battery cell. The housing accommodates the first energy storage module. It may be desired to have a relatively large volume of the first energy storage module available for the at least one battery cell.
According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an energy storage assembly. The energy storage assembly comprises a housing adapted to accommodate a first energy storage module. The first energy storage module comprises at least one battery cell. The energy storage assembly comprises a first housing side wall. A first housing support bracket extends from the first housing side wall and a second housing support bracket extends from the first housing side wall. At least a portion of the first energy storage module is arranged to be located between the first housing support bracket and the second housing support bracket. The energy storage assembly further comprises a first tolerance adjustment member adapted to be located between the second housing support bracket and the at least a portion of the first energy storage module. The first tolerance adjustment member has at least two configurations with different extensions in a direction from the second housing support bracket to the at least a portion of the first energy storage module and/or to the first housing support bracket. A technical benefit may include that the first energy storage module is appropriately supported by the first and second supporting brackets which may result in that vibrations, accelerations or other undesired movements of the first energy storage module may be kept appropriately low. This in turn implies a reduced need for reinforcements or the like of the first energy storage module which may result in a relatively large volume of the first energy storage module being available for accommodating the at least one battery cell.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the first energy storage module extends in a first direction along a first axis, a second direction along a second axis and a third direction along a third axis, wherein the second housing support bracket is located at a bracket distance from the first housing support bracket, as seen along the third axis, wherein the extension of the energy storage module along each one of the first axis and the second axis is larger than the extension of the energy storage module along the third axis. A technical benefit may include that the undesired movements along the third axis may be kept appropriately low. By way of example, as used herein, the term “bracket distance” relates to the distance from the second housing support bracket to the first housing support bracket, as seen along the third axis.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the first energy storage module has a first energy storage module length along the first axis, wherein each one of the first housing support bracket and the second housing support bracket extends along the first axis over at least 50% of the first energy storage module length. A technical benefit may include that the first energy storage module is supported along a relatively large distance along the first axis.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the first tolerance adjustment member extends along the first axis over at least 50% of the first energy storage module length. A technical benefit may include that the undesired movements along the third axis may be kept appropriately low due to the relatively large extension of the first tolerance adjustment member.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the first tolerance adjustment member is attached to the first housing side wall by means of threaded members and/or rivets. A technical benefit may include a cost-effective attachment of the first tolerance adjustment member.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the first tolerance adjustment member comprises a first tolerance adjustment member flange and a second tolerance adjustment member flange, the first tolerance adjustment member flange and the second tolerance adjustment member flange being located at a distance from each other along the third axis. A technical benefit may include that the first tolerance adjustment member may be appropriately stiff along at least the third axis.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the first tolerance adjustment member comprises a flexible element, preferably a rubber element. The first tolerance adjustment member further comprises a load applicator extending at least partially along the first axis. The load applicator is adapted to apply compression to the flexible element whereby the extension of the flexible element along the third axis can be altered. A technical benefit may include that the different extensions in a direction from the second housing support bracket to at least a portion of the first energy storage module may be achieved in a straightforward manner.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the load applicator extends at least partially through the flexible element. A technical benefit may include that a relatively compact first tolerance adjustment member may be obtained.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the load applicator comprises a first abutment member and a second abutment member being located on opposite sides of the flexible element as seen along the first axis. The first abutment member and the second abutment member are connected to each other via a load applicator connector such that a distance along the first axis between the first abutment member and the second abutment member is variable by rotating at least one of the first abutment member, the second abutment member and the load applicator connector relative to at least another one of the first abutment member, the second abutment member and the load applicator connector. A technical benefit may include that the different extensions in a direction from a second housing support bracket to at least a portion of the first energy storage module may be achieved in a straightforward manner.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the first abutment member and the load applicator connector form a unitary component.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the first abutment member and the load applicator connector form a bolt wherein the first abutment member forms a bolthead of the bolt. The second abutment member comprises a nut.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the first tolerance adjustment member comprises a covering member at least partially covering the flexible element, the covering member being made of a plastics material. A technical benefit may include that the covering member may make the first tolerance adjustment member relatively robust towards the first energy storage module.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the housing is adapted to accommodate a second energy storage module. The second energy storage module comprises at least one battery cell. The energy storage assembly comprises a third housing support bracket extending from the first housing side wall. At least a portion of the second energy storage module is arranged to be located between the second housing support bracket and the third housing support bracket. The energy storage assembly further comprises a second tolerance adjustment member adapted to be located between the third housing support bracket and the at least a portion of the second energy storage module. The second tolerance adjustment member has at least two configurations with different extensions in a direction from the third housing support bracket to the at least a portion of the second energy storage module and/or to the second housing support bracket. A technical benefit may include that an energy storage assembly with the capacity to store a relatively large amount of energy may be obtained.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, features of the second tolerance adjustment member are the same as the features of the first tolerance adjustment member. A technical benefit may include that the undesired movements along the third axis may be kept appropriately low.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the energy storage assembly comprises the first energy storage module. The housing accommodates the first energy storage module.
Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the energy storage assembly comprises the second energy storage module. The housing accommodates the second energy storage module.
According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a vehicle comprising the energy storage assembly according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.
The disclosed aspects, examples (including any preferred examples), and/or accompanying claims may be suitably combined with each other as would be apparent to anyone of ordinary skill in the art. Additional features and advantages are disclosed in the following description, claims, and drawings, and in part will be readily apparent therefrom to those skilled in the art or recognized by practicing the disclosure as described herein.
Examples are described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings.
The detailed description set forth below provides information and examples of the disclosed technology with sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.
The first energy storage module 14 comprises at least one battery cell 18. However, it is also envisaged that the first energy storage module 14 may comprise a plurality of battery cells (not shown). The housing 12 is adapted to accommodate the first energy storage module 14 and in the
To this end, a first configuration of the first tolerance adjustment member 26 is indicated by a hatched area in
Moreover, as indicated in
As a non-limiting example, in the
Moreover, although the present disclosure puts emphasis on the first housing side wall 20 for the sake of brevity, it should be noted that examples of the energy storage assembly 10 may also comprise a second housing side wall 20′ which for instance may be located on the opposite side of the first energy storage module 14 as compared to the first housing side wall 20. To this end, reference is made to
Purely by way of example, as indicated in
Purely by way of example, as indicated in
Although the
Moreover, again with reference to
Furthermore, as indicated in
As a non-limiting example, and as indicated in
However, it is also envisaged that in other examples, the load applicator 38 may be adapted to be located on only one side of the flexible element 36 as seen along the first axis X. To this end, a first portion of the load applicator 38 may be connected to a portion of the housing 12 and a second portion of the load applicator 38 may be adapted to abut a portion of the flexible element 36 and the load applicator 38 may be adapted to be operated, for instance by means of a threaded member or by a ratchet arrangement (not shown), so as to impart a compressing load onto the flexible element 36 via the second portion of the load applicator 38.
As a non-limiting example, the first abutment member 44 and the load applicator connector 48 may form a unitary component. Purely by way of example, the first abutment member 44 and the load applicator connector 48 may form a bolt wherein the first abutment member 44 forms a bolthead of the bolt. The second abutment member 46 may comprise a nut. In such an example, tools such as wrenches (not shown) or the like may be used for rotating the bolt relative to the nut in order to alter the distance between the first abutment member 44 and the second abutment member 46 to thereby alter the extension of the flexible element 36 along the third axis Z.
For any example of the flexible element 36 and the load applicator 38, there may be an initial gap along the third axis Z between the first tolerance adjustment member 26 and at least one of the energy storage module 14 and the second housing support bracket 24. Purely by way of example, such as initial gap may be present when the energy storage module 14 is inserted between the first housing support bracket 22 and the first tolerance adjustment member 26. The initial gap may be reduced, possibly removed, by applying a compression to the flexible element 36 using the load applicator 38.
As has been intimated above, the first tolerance adjustment member 26 may comprise a covering member 30, 32, 34 at least partially covering the flexible element 36. Purely by way of example, at least one of, preferably each one of, the first tolerance adjustment member flange 30, the second tolerance adjustment member flange 32 and the tolerance adjustment member web 34 may form part of such a covering member. To this end, the covering member may be such that the distance along at least the third axis Z between the first tolerance adjustment member flange 30 and the second tolerance adjustment member flange 32 may be altered when the extension of the flexible element 36 along the third axis Z is altered.
However, as indicated in
Reverting to
Purely by way of example, features of the second tolerance adjustment member 54 may be the same as the features of the first tolerance adjustment member 26.
The present disclosure may be presented by any one of the below examples.
Example 1. An energy storage assembly 10, the energy storage assembly 10 comprising a housing 12 adapted to accommodate a first energy storage module 14, the first energy storage module 14 comprising at least one battery cell 18,
Example 2. The energy storage assembly 10 of Example 1, wherein the first energy storage module 14 extends in a first direction along a first axis X, a second direction along a second axis Y and a third direction along a third axis Z, wherein the second housing support bracket 24 is located at a bracket distance from the first housing support bracket 22, as seen along the third axis Z, wherein the extension of the energy storage module along each one of the first axis X and the second axis Y is larger than the extension of the energy storage module along the third axis Z.
Example 3. The energy storage assembly 10 of Example 2, wherein the first energy storage module 14 has a first energy storage module length L along the first axis X, wherein each one of the first housing support bracket 22 and the second housing support bracket 24 extends along the first axis x over at least 50% of the first energy storage module length L.
Example 4. The energy storage assembly 10 of Example 3, wherein the first tolerance adjustment member 26 extends along the first axis X over at least 50% of the first energy storage module length L.
Example 5. The energy storage assembly 10 of any one of the preceding Examples, wherein the first tolerance adjustment member 26 is attached to the first housing side wall 20 by means of threaded members and/or rivets 28.
Example 6. The energy storage assembly 10 of any one of Examples 2-5, wherein the first tolerance adjustment member 26 comprises a first tolerance adjustment member flange 30 and a second tolerance adjustment member flange 32, the first tolerance adjustment member flange 30 and the second tolerance adjustment member flange 32 being located at a distance from each other along the third axis Z.
Example 7. The energy storage assembly 10 of any one of Examples 2-6, wherein the first tolerance adjustment member 26 comprises a flexible element 36, preferably a rubber element, the first tolerance adjustment member 26 further comprising a load applicator 38 extending at least partially along the first axis X, the load applicator 38 being adapted to apply compression to the flexible element 36 whereby the extension of the flexible element 36 along the third axis Z can be altered.
Example 8. The energy storage assembly 10 of Example 7, wherein the load applicator 38 extends at least partially through the flexible element 36.
Example 9. The energy storage assembly 10 of Example 7 or Example 8, wherein the load applicator 38 comprises a first abutment member 44 and a second abutment member 46 being located on opposite sides of the flexible element 36 as seen along the first axis X, the first abutment member 44 and the second abutment member 46 being connected to each other via a load applicator connector 48 such that a distance along the first axis X between the first abutment member 44 and the second abutment member 46 can be varied by rotating at least one of the first abutment member 44, the second abutment member 46 and the load applicator connector 48 relative to at least another one of the first abutment member 44, the second abutment member 46 and the load applicator connector 48.
Example 10. The energy storage assembly 10 of Example 9, wherein the first abutment member 44 and the load applicator connector 48 form a unitary component.
Example 11. The energy storage assembly 10 of Example 10, wherein the first abutment member 44 and the load applicator connector 48 form a bolt wherein the first abutment member 44 forms a bolthead of the bolt, the second abutment member 46 comprising a nut.
Example 12. The energy storage assembly 10 of any one of Examples 7 to Example 11, wherein the first tolerance adjustment member 26 comprises a covering member 30, 32, 34 at least partially covering the flexible element, the covering member 30, 32, 34 being made of a plastics material.
Example 13. The energy storage assembly 10 of any one of the preceding Examples, wherein the housing 12 is adapted to accommodate a second energy storage module 16, the second energy storage module 16 comprising at least one battery cell 50, the energy storage assembly 10 comprising a third housing support bracket 52 extending from the first housing side wall 20, at least a portion of the second energy storage module being arranged to be located between the second housing support bracket 24 and the third housing support bracket 52, wherein the energy storage assembly 10 further comprising a second tolerance adjustment member 54 adapted to be located between the third housing support bracket 52 and the at least a portion of the second energy storage module 16, the second tolerance adjustment member 54 having at least two configurations with different extensions in a direction from the third housing support bracket 52 to the at least a portion of the second energy storage module 16 and/or to the second housing support bracket 24.
Example 14. The energy storage assembly 10 of Example 13, wherein features of the second tolerance adjustment member are the same as the features of the first tolerance adjustment member 26 as recited by any one of Examples 1-12.
Example 15. The energy storage assembly 10 of any one of the preceding Examples, wherein the energy storage assembly 10 comprises the first energy storage module 14, the housing 12 accommodating the first energy storage module 14.
Example 16. The energy storage assembly 10 of any one of Examples 13-15, wherein the energy storage assembly 10 comprises the second energy storage module 16, the housing 12 accommodating the second energy storage module 16.
Example 17. A vehicle 17 comprising the energy storage assembly 10 according to any of Examples 1-16.
The disclosed aspects, examples (including any preferred examples), and/or accompanying claims may be suitably combined with each other as would be apparent to anyone of ordinary skill in the art. Additional features and advantages are disclosed in the following description, claims, and drawings, and in part will be readily apparent therefrom to those skilled in the art or recognized by practicing the disclosure as described herein.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aspects described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed aspects for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23183761.8 | Jul 2023 | EP | regional |