THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL MANAGEMENT OF BATTERY PACKS

摘要

Provided are battery packs and interface modules for electrically interconnecting electrochemical cells in the packs and for providing heat distribution with the packs. An interface module interfaces one side of all electrochemical cells in a battery pack. The interface module may have a substantially planar shape such that the space occupied by the module in the battery pack is minimal. Most, if not all, conductive components of the interface module may be formed from the same sheet of metal. In some embodiments, the interface module includes multiple bus bars such that each bus bar interconnects two or more terminals of different electrochemical cells in the battery pack. Each bus bar may have a separate voltage sense lead extending from the bus bar to a connecting portion. The bus bars may be flexibly supported within the module. The interface module may also include multiple thermistors disposed on different bus bars.

主权项

1. A battery pack comprising:
a plurality of electrochemical cells,
wherein each of the plurality of electrochemical cells comprises a first terminal and a second terminal; and an interface module having a substantially planar shape;
wherein the interface module comprises two or more bus bars and a base,
wherein each of the two or more bus bars comprises an electrically conductive material,wherein the base comprises an electrically insulating material and mechanically supports the two or more bus bars, andwherein the two or more bus bars electrically interconnect the plurality of electrochemical cells within the battery pack.