Abstract: A battery module includes a housing including a first interior surface, a second interior surface opposite the first interior surface, and a cell assembly disposed within an interior space of the housing between the first and second interior surfaces. The cell assembly includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells arranged in a cell stack that includes a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. A wall is disposed between the first end of the cell stack and one of the interior surfaces of the housing. The wall includes a first surface in contact with the first end of the cell stack and a second surface opposite the first surface.

Abstract: A battery module includes a housing including a first interior surface, a second interior surface opposite the first interior surface, and a cell assembly disposed within an interior space of the housing between the first and second interior surfaces. The cell assembly includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells arranged in a cell stack that includes a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. A wall is disposed between the first end of the cell stack and one of the interior surfaces of the housing. The wall includes a first surface in contact with the first end of the cell stack and a second surface opposite the first surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module that includes an electrochemical cell having a minor terminal. The battery module also includes a major terminal electrically coupled to the electrochemical cell, wherein the major terminal includes a base and a post extending from the base. Further, the battery module includes an electrical path between the minor terminal of the electrochemical cell and the major terminal of the battery module. The electrical path includes a bus bar having an opening that receives the post of the major terminal and a pocket that retains the base of the major terminal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stacked cell manufacturing scheme for battery modules. A disclosed method of manufacturing a battery module includes assembling a plurality of prismatic battery cells of the battery module into a cell stack. The method includes compressing the cell stack using an actuating clamping mechanism, inserting the cell stack into a housing of the battery module with the actuating clamping mechanism engaged with and compressing the cell stack, and removing the actuating clamping mechanism from the cell stack. The housing of battery module maintains a compression of the cell stack above a predetermined threshold in the battery module after removing the actuating clamping mechanism.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a plurality of battery cells disposed in a housing. Each of the plurality of battery cells has a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an overcharge protection assembly, and a casing having an electrically conductive material. The overcharge protection assembly includes a vent, a first spring component, a second spring component, and an insulative component. The first spring component is coupled to the positive terminal, the second spring component is coupled to the negative terminal, the insulative component is between the first spring component and a conductive piece and between the second spring component and the conductive piece, and the vent is configured to drive the insulative component from between the first and second spring components and the conductive piece, such that the first and second spring components contact the conductive piece, when a pressure in the casing exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cell element and a casing configured to receive the cell element, the casing having a wall with a first terminal opening. The electrochemical cell includes a first terminal having a terminal post extending through the first terminal opening along a longitudinal axis of the terminal post, a first gasket extending into an interior of the casing and disposed radially between the terminal post and the wall to electrically insulate the terminal post from the wall, a second gasket extending exterior to the casing, positioned axially adjacent to the first gasket with respect to the longitudinal axis, and disposed radially between the terminal post and the wall to electrically insulate the terminal post from the wall, and a press ring disposed exterior to the casing and radially between the second gasket and the terminal post. The electrochemical cell also includes a second terminal.

Abstract: A battery module includes a battery module housing, a heat exchanger including a plurality of fins disposed in the housing, a first lithium ion battery cell and a second lithium ion battery cell disposed within the battery module housing. The first lithium ion battery cell and the second lithium ion battery cell are separated by a fin of the plurality of fins. The module includes a temperature sensing component coupled to the fin separating the first and second battery cells. Filler material is disposed within the housing and between the battery cells and the fins to mechanically restrain the battery cells within the battery module housing. The filler materials conduct thermal energy between the battery cells and the fin. The filler material covers a free end of the fin and the temperature sensing component. The temperature sensing component is coupled to a conductor extending out of the filler material.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell positioned adjacent to the first electrochemical cell. The battery module also includes a separator plate disposed between the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell. The separator plate includes a body comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side is disposed adjacent a first face of the first electrochemical cell and includes a first indention. The first indention defines a first space between the first face of the first electrochemical cell and the first side of the separator plate. The first space is configured to enable swelling of the first electrochemical cell into the first space.

Abstract: The present disclosure a battery module having electrochemical cells and a bus bar carrier. The bus bar carrier includes a finger having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface and configured to be disposed proximate to a first electrochemical cell of the plurality of electrochemical cells, a thickness extending between the first surface and the second surface, an opening extending through the first surface, through the thickness, and through the second surface, and a cavity disposed adjacent to the opening and exposed through the second surface of the finger. The battery module also includes a lead wire passing through the opening from the first surface of the finger to the second surface of the finger, and a sensor coupled to the lead wire to enable communication between the sensor and the first electrochemical cell, wherein the sensor is disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a group of electrically interconnected battery cells disposed within a housing. The disclosure also includes a major terminal of a battery module configured to be coupled to a load for powering the load. One or more portions of the major terminal are disposed within a recess in a surface of the housing. The present disclosure also includes a bus bar that provides an electrical pathway between the group of electrically interconnected battery cells and the major terminal. The bus bar is disposed within the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a plurality of battery cells disposed in a housing. Each of the plurality of battery cells has a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an overcharge protection assembly, and a casing having an electrically conductive material. The overcharge protection assembly includes a vent, a first spring component, a second spring component, and an insulative component. The first spring component is coupled to the positive terminal, the second spring component is coupled to the negative terminal, the insulative component is between the first spring component and a conductive piece and between the second spring component and the conductive piece, and the vent is configured to drive the insulative component from between the first and second spring components and the conductive piece, such that the first and second spring components contact the conductive piece, when a pressure in the casing exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a plurality of battery cells disposed in a housing. Each of the plurality of battery cells has a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an overcharge protection assembly, and a casing having an electrically conductive material. The overcharge protection assembly includes a vent, a first spring component, a second spring component, and an insulative component. The first spring component is coupled to the positive terminal, the second spring component is coupled to the negative terminal, the insulative component is between the first spring component and a conductive piece and between the second spring component and the conductive piece, and the vent is configured to drive the insulative component from between the first and second spring components and the conductive piece, such that the first and second spring components contact the conductive piece, when a pressure in the casing exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stacked cell manufacturing scheme for battery modules. A disclosed method of manufacturing a battery module includes assembling a plurality of prismatic battery cells of the battery module into a cell stack. The method includes compressing the cell stack using an actuating clamping mechanism, inserting the cell stack into a housing of the battery module with the actuating clamping mechanism engaged with and compressing the cell stack, and removing the actuating clamping mechanism from the cell stack. The housing of battery module maintains a compression of the cell stack above a predetermined threshold in the battery module after removing the actuating clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A battery module includes a housing including a first interior surface, a second interior surface opposite the first interior surface, and a compressed cell assembly disposed within an interior space of the housing between the first and second interior surfaces. The compressed cell assembly includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells arranged in a cell stack that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a retaining wall disposed between the first end of the cell stack and the first interior surface of the housing. The retaining wall includes a first surface in contact with the first end of the cell stack and a second surface opposite the first surface that contacts the first interior surface of the housing. The first and second interior surfaces are configured to maintain the compressed cell assembly in a compressed state having a compression force above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cell element and a casing configured to receive the cell element, the casing having a wall with a first terminal opening. The electrochemical cell includes a first terminal having a terminal post extending through the first terminal opening along a longitudinal axis of the terminal post, a first gasket extending into an interior of the casing and disposed radially between the terminal post and the wall to electrically insulate the terminal post from the wall, a second gasket extending exterior to the casing, positioned axially adjacent to the first gasket with respect to the longitudinal axis, and disposed radially between the terminal post and the wall to electrically insulate the terminal post from the wall, and a press ring disposed exterior to the casing and radially between the second gasket and the terminal post. The electrochemical cell also includes a second terminal.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a power assembly that includes a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of bus bars that electrically couples a terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells to a terminal of an adjacent battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The battery module also includes a lead frame that includes a plurality of cell taps respectively electrically coupled to the plurality of bus bars of the power assembly, and a plurality of leads that extends from the plurality of cell taps. The lead frame also includes a plurality of broken interconnects that electrically isolates the plurality of cell taps from one another and electrically isolates the plurality of leads from one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module with a housing having first and second ends and first and second lateral sides between the first and second ends. The battery module includes prismatic electrochemical cells and a cooling duct having first and second segments. A first body of the first segment extends along the first lateral side of the housing and includes a first opening to environment. A second body of the second segment extends along the second lateral side of the housing and includes a second opening to the environment. The first and second openings are proximate to the second end of the housing. The battery module includes a fan disposed on the first end of the housing. The fan is fluidly coupled to the cooling duct and provides airflow through the first and second openings and along the first and second bodies.

Abstract: The present disclosure a battery module having electrochemical cells and a bus bar carrier. The bus bar carrier includes a finger having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface and configured to be disposed proximate to a first electrochemical cell of the plurality of electrochemical cells, a thickness extending between the first surface and the second surface, an opening extending through the first surface, through the thickness, and through the second surface, and a cavity disposed adjacent to the opening and exposed through the second surface of the finger. The battery module also includes a lead wire passing through the opening from the first surface of the finger to the second surface of the finger, and a sensor coupled to the lead wire to enable communication between the sensor and the first electrochemical cell, wherein the sensor is disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having lithium-ion (Li-ion) electrochemical cells disposed in a row and expansion accommodating elements. Each expansion accommodating element is configured to accommodate swelling of one or more Li-ion electrochemical cell such that a footprint of the row of Li-ion electrochemical cells is substantially constant during operation of the battery module. The battery module also includes a plastic housing having a main body configured to receive the Li-ion electrochemical cells, and a cover heat sealed to a surface of the main body.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a first battery cell with a first cell terminal, a second battery cell with a second cell terminal, a first adapter disposed about the first cell terminal, where the first adapter has a first recess positioned proximate to the first cell terminal, and a second adapter disposed about the second cell terminal, wherein the second adapter has a second recess positioned proximate to the second cell terminal The battery module also includes a bus bar configured to electrically couple the first cell terminal to the second cell terminal via the first and second recesses and an electrically insulative shield configured to cover the first cell terminal and the second cell terminal when the bus bar is being coupled to the first and second recesses to prevent a short circuit.