A typical battery cell array includes a plurality of battery cells arranged into a given volume having a predetermined set of dimensions. However, depending upon the application, it may be desirable to maintain the volume and dimensions of the array but to reduce the power density and weight of the array. This can be accomplished by replacing a predetermined number of battery cells with cylindrical spacers having outside dimensions substantially the same as the battery cells. Such spacers are required to have sufficiently rigid tops and bottoms to maintain the separation of battery cells within an array when the array is subjected to dynamic forces such as those within a vehicle.
A one-piece, metal, reinforced-end battery cell spacer. The spacer includes a circular bottom including a planar circular portion. A central axis passes through the center of the circular portion perpendicular thereto. A planar ring portion is centered on the central axis, and an angled wall extends between the ring portion and the circular portion to offset the circular portion from the ring portion. This arrangement provides for an indent in the bottom of the spacer. The spacer also includes a cylindrical side-wall centered on the central axis and extending from the ring portion to a top transition. A curved top portion extends from the top transition toward the central axis and into the volume defined by the cylindrical wall. The top portion includes a tapered wall located within the volume defined by the cylindrical wall.
The figures illustrate a one-piece, metal, reinforced-end battery cell spacer 10. As is shown, the container includes a circular bottom 12 having an outside diameter 60 which may be between 0.8 and 0.830 inches, and is preferably 0.827 inches. The bottom includes a planar circular portion 16 having a diameter 76 between 0.5 and 0.510 inches, and is preferably 0.507 inches. A central axis 18 passes through the center of the circular portion 16 perpendicular thereto. A planar ring portion 20 is centered on the central axis 18 and extends inwardly from the outside diameter to an inside diameter 78 of between 0.580 and 0.595 inches, and is preferably 0.587 inches.
An angled wall 22 extends between the circular portion 16 and the ring portion 20 and has a length 78 between 0.054 and 0.059 inches long, and preferably 0.0565 inches long. The wall 22 is preferably inclined at an angle between 40 and 50 degrees and preferably 45 degrees from the circular portion 16 and the ring portion 20 such that the circular portion 16 is parallel to and offset from the ring portion 20 a length 72 between 0.039 and 0.041 inches, and preferably 0.04 inches. Additionally, the bend radius 74 between the angled wall 22 and the circular and ring portions 16, 22 is between 0.017 and 0.023 inches, and preferably 0.02 inches.
A cylindrical side-wall 24 is centered on the central axis 18 and extends from the outside diameter of the circular bottom 12 at a right angle from the ring portion 20 to a top transition 26 such that the circular portion 16, ring portion 20 and angled wall 22 form an indentation 28 in the circular bottom 12 extending into a volume 30 defined by the cylindrical side-wall 24. The distance 70 from the circular bottom 12 and the top transition 26 is between 2.7 and 2.8 inches, and preferably 2.756 inches. Additionally, the bend radius 80 between the side-wall 24 and the ring portion 20 is between 0.017 and 0.023 inches, and preferably 0.02 inches.
A curved top portion 32 extends from the top transition 26 toward the central axis 18, into the volume 30 defined by the cylindrical side-wall 24 and includes a tapered wall 34 located within the volume 30 defined by the cylindrical side-wall 24. The curved portion of the top portion 32 has a radius 68 between 0.057 and 0.063 inches, and is preferably 0.060 inches. The tapered wall 34 is tapered at an angle 64 of between 10 and 20 degrees relative to the cylindrical side-wall 24, and preferably the angle 64 is 15 degrees. The curved top portion 32 defines an opening 36 into the spacer 10 having a diameter between 0.575 and 0.6 inches, and is preferably 0.587 inches.
Preferably, the spacer 10 is fabricated from sheet steel such that the side-wall has a width 66 between 0.011 and 0.012 inches, and preferably 0.0119 inches. If a material having a different strength that steel were used for the spacer 10 e.g. plastic or aluminum, the wall thicknesses, and dimensions of those portions of the spacer adding rigidity would be modified accordingly.
In a specific embodiment, the bottom portion of the spacer 10 is shaped similar to the top portion of the spacer shown in the exemplary figures.
In an alternative embodiment, the spacer 10 would retain its overall height and diameter, but the circular bottom 12 would be replaced with a curved bottom portion substantially the same as the curved top portionn.
The present application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/067565, filed Dec. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/782,913 filed on Dec. 20, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62782913 | Dec 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US2019/067565 | Dec 2019 | US |
Child | 17337041 | US |