OA19102A - An asymmetrical battery pack for a vehicle. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an asymmetrical battery pack [200], In one embodiment, the asymmetrical battery pack [200] is configured to structurally connect a front end [120] and a rear end [180] of a vehicle [100]. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] comprises a front profile [220], a rear profile [240], at least two side profile [210A, 210B], a top profile [250] and a bottom profile. Further, the front profile [220] comprises an extended member [230] configured to inset on a mid-frame housing [146] of a mid-frame [144]. Moreover, the rear profile [240] and a rear wheel [182] are pivotally connected through at least one swing arm [184], The pivotal connection may further be an electrical connection for delivering a power throughput from the asymmetrical battery pack [200] to the rear end [180] having a plurality of electronic components.

Description

AN ASYMMETRICAL BATTERY PACK FOR A

VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The présent wheeler vehicles. More disclosure relates to a battery assembly for twoparticularly, the présent disclosure relate to an asymmotrioal battery pack for saddle type vrihiclciS.

BACKGROUhD

[0002] This section is intended to provide information relating to the field of the disclosure and thus, any approach/funetionality described below should not be assumed to be qualified as prior art merely by its inclusion in this section.

[0003] With the augmentation of automotive, electrochemical and other fuel cells hâve been primarily used as source of energy for efficient and ecofriendly vehicles such as hybrid and all-electric vehicles. In an engine powered conventional vehicle, the driving force to run the vehicle is generated by internai combustion of gas/fuel inside the engine, whereas in a hybrid or all-electric vehicle, the battery is the source of power that drives the vehicle. In order to generate the desired power throughput simiiar to that of a conventional engine, the battery of an electric vehicle entails plurality of cascading units of battery cells. This in turn makes the battery large enough to occupy a considérable amount of space inside the vehicle.--------- --------------- --------— -----------—-----[OOfH]——Further, with adoption of electric. vehicles ;.in .ail ...aspects . of travelling needs, the demand has shifted to not only provide adéquate power but also to increase range of travel distance per single charge. The range of the 25 electric vehicle directly influences the usability of the electric vehicle, since an electric vehicle having lower range/per charge needs more frequent charging which reduces the battery life and cannot be used for long distances.

[0005] For an outgoing fuel/gas powered vehicle, in order to realize a vehicle with a range of 500 km with the existing fuel/gas technology, the tank system of the vehicle weighed approximately 40kg and required a volume around 50L. On the other hand, for an electric vehicle, in order to retum similar range, the energy storage system (battery) will be approximately 10 times bigger, with a weight around one metric ton (while using lithium cells with a system energy density of 120 W h kg-1).

700061 In order to provide higher range and ourpui power to lhe vulnder battery with a bigger size is required (which directly improves the range). However, since the vehicle size cannot be increasect any turtner, mus mounting a bigger battery within the available space is a challenge. Further, it is also a drawback of the outgoing battery usage that it does not contribute to any structural functionality to the overall vehicle run, thereby making the battery a passive structural element.

[0007] Therefore, in light of the aforementioned drawbacks and the other inhérent in the existing arts, there is a need for an improved battery pack solution to address ail of the above-mentioned problème.

SUMMARY

[0008] This section is provided to introduce certain objects and aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject marier. ___________ ___________________________

[0009] Accordingly, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to an asymmetrical battery pack for structurally connecting a rear end and a frame 25 structure of a two-wheeler. The asymmetrical battery pack primarily comprising a front profile, a rear profile, at least two side profiles, a top profile and a bottom profile. Further, the rear profile is configured to house a rear wheel of said rear end, and the rear profile and the rear wheel are pivotally connected through at i

least one swing arm. The at least two side profiles form crests from a reference width of said two-wheeler. The top profile configured to rest a top end of said mid-frame and the bottom profile configured to accommodate at least one stand member.

[00010] Moreover, the present disclosure provides a vehicle battery pack solution which utilises maximum available space between various components of the vehicle. Additionally, the present disclosure provides a vehicle battery pack solution which acts as a structural member of the vehicle rhat allows moment between various components of the vehicle.

[00011] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of an 15 asymmetrical battery pack in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Also, the embodiments shown in the figures are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure, but the possible variants of the 20 asymmetrical battery pack according to the disclosure are illustrated herein to highlight the advantages ofthe disclosure.

[00013] FIG 1 illustrâtes an exploded view of a two-wheeler vehicle with an asymmetrical battery pack, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe présent disclosure.

[00014] FIG.2 illustrâtes a rear view of the two-wheeler vehicle with the asymmetrical battery pack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00015] FIG.3 illustrâtes a perspective view of the asymmetrical battery pack, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe présent disclosure.

[00016] FIG.4 illustrâtes a cross-sectional view of the asymmetrical battery pack, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

[00017] It may be évident to skilled artisans that components in the figures are only illustrative, for simplicity and clarity, and hâve not necessarily been drawn to scale. For exampie, the dimensions of some of the components in the tigures may be exaggerated relative to other components to help to improve iinrlprstanding nf pmhnriimpnK rvF fhp prpgpnf Hicrlngnrp

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00018] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various spécifie details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that the present disclosure can be practiced without these spécifie details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. However, any individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Although, headings are provided, information related to a particular heading, but not found in the section having that heading, may also be found elsewhere in the spécification. Example embodiments of the présent disclosure are described below. as ----------illustrated in various drawings in which like--reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.

[00019] The present disclosure relates to an asymmetrical battery pack which acts as a functional structure of a two-wheeler vehicle. The asymmetrical battery pack may further be configured to join the frame structure of the twowheeler vehicle with a rear end of the two-wheeler vehicle including rear wheel.

Furthermore, the asymmetrical battery pack may be configured such that the space utilization within the two-wheeled vehicle is optimum. Moreover, the asymmetrical battery pack comprises a plurality of energy storing cells, wherein the energy storing cells are crammed such that maximum number of energy 5 storing cells can be accommodated. The asymmetrical battery pack primarily enables a pivotai assembly between the rear end of the vehicle and the frame structure of the vehicle. The dimension and symmetry of the asymmetrical battery may be configured such that the maximum space is unutilized within varions components oî the two-wheeler vehicle.

Tô-----[0o02o] As used hereinabove, the “battery pack” consists of the plurality of energy storage cells. The term “energy storage cells” may be replaced and/or interchanged with any perusable alternative expression such as battery, cell, energy storage device, and energy storage apparatus,

[00021] As used hereinabove, the term “asymmetrical” relates to 15 description of shape of an object, battery bank in this présent disclosure, which is irregular i.e. not following any particular/conventional géométrie shape such as circular, square, rectangular, triangular, and/or any such shape that is obvions to a person skilled in the art.

[00022] As used hereinabove, the “plurality of energy storage cells” may 20 relate to a device that stores energy commonly known as an accumulator or battery. Storage of energy in volves converting said energy from any form that is difficult to store to more conveniently or economically storable forms. A rechargeable battery stores readily convertible chemical energy to power various electrical/electronic components. Further, the plurality of energy storage cells 25 [260] may include, but not limited to, an electrochemical cell, Li-Ion cell, alkaline cell, Lead acid cell, carbon nanotube cell, and a hydrogen fuel cell.

[00023] As used hereinabové, the term “two-wheeler vehicle” and any perusable alternative expression such as “scooter”, “bike”, “motor-cycle”, “twowheeled vehicle” and “EV vehicle”, may refer to a hybrid and/or all-electric automotive vehicle primarily used as a medium of transport carrying one or more persons.

[00024] As used hereinabove, the term “frame structure” and any perusable alternative expression such as “châssis”, “body frame”, “frame” and 5 “subframe”, may refer to discrète and separate structure within a large body carrying various components of the vehicle such as motor, battery, suspension, and the like.

[00025] FIG.l illustrâtes an exploded view oî a two-wheeler vehicle [WUJ, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe nresent disc.lnsnre As illustrated th^ two-wheeler vehicle [100], hereinafter referred as “the vehicle”, includes a front end [120], a rear end [180], an asymmetrical battery pack [200] and a frame structure [140]. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] connects said rear end [180] and the frame structure [140]. Further, the frame structure [140] may be configured to connect the front end [120] and the asymmetrical battery pack

[200] ofthe vehicle [100]. In a preferred embodiment, the frame structure [140] may further be subdivîded into two parts namely a body frame [142] and a midframe [144], wherein the body frame [142] connects with the front end [120] of the vehicle [100] and the mid-frame [144] connects with the asymmetrical battery pack [200] of the vehicle [100],

[00026] Further, in an embodiment, the body frame [142] of the vehicle

[100] may be configured to act as a foot rest for the rider riding the vehicle [100], while the mid frame [144] of the vehicle [100] may be configured to partial iy house one end of the asymmetrical battery pack [200]. The mid frame [144] of the vehicle f 100] may be further configured to rests at least one seating member [160]. More particularly, the mid-frame [144] may be segmented in three parts namely a bottom end [145], a middle end/mid-frame housing [146], and a top end [147]. The bottom end [145] may be configured to connect with the body frame [142], The top end [147] may be configured to mount the at least one seating member [160]. The mid-frame housing [146] may be configured to

house an extended member [230] of the asymmetrical battery pack [200], wherein said connections may be one of temporary and permanent.

[00027] Furthermore, the front end [120] of the vehicle (100) comprises a front wheel [122], a headstock [124], and handlebars [190], The rear end [180] 5 of the vehicle (100) comprises a rear wheel [182], at least one swing arm [184], and at least one suspension system [186]. The rear wheel [182] and the asymmetrical battery pack [200] are pivotally connected to each other through rhe ai least one swing arm [1B4J· in an embodiment, tiie at least one swing arm [184] may further be configured to enable an electrical connection between the iu asymmetrical battery pack [ZUUJ and the rear end to deliver power to one or more electronic components installed at the rear end of the vehicle [100], such electronic components may include, but not limited to, a hub motor, an electronic break, a tail lamp, one or more sensors, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

[00028] FIG.2 illustrâtes a rear view of the two-wheeler vehicle [100] with said asymmetrical battery pack [200], in accordance with an embodiment of the présent disclosure. The rear view depicts the seating member [160] disposed on the top of the vehicle (100) through a top end [147] ofthe mid-frame [144], the asymmetrical battery pack [200] configured below the top end [147] of the mid20 frame [144], and the rear wheel [182] at the bottom as depicted in the FIG.2, In an embodiment, the vehicle [100] may hâve a reference width [RW], wherein the reference width [RW] is used to illustrate a bulged-out profile of the asymmetrical battery pack [200]. The bulged-out profile is referred hereinafter as crests [210A, 21 PB] formed from the reference width [RW] of the vehicle 25” [100], The bülgëd-ôüt profile of the asymmetrical battery pâck [200] ënabies the overall aero-dynamicity, thereby increasing the vehicle [100] efficiency, and helps in accommodating considérable amount/number of energy storage cells [260] within said asymmetrical battery pack [200].

[00029] FIG. 3 illustrâtes a perspective view of the asymmetrical battery pack [200], in accordance with an embodiment of the présent disclosure. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] comprising a front profile [220], a rear profile

[240], at least two side profiles [210A, 210B], a top profile [250] and a bottom profile [not shown in FIG.]. The front profile [220] further comprising an extended member [230] protruded from the centre of the front profile [220], The front profile [220] further comprising at least one channel [232] configured along an outer surface of the extended member [230], wherein the least one Channel [232] may be configured ιο accommodaie at least one electrical wire 10 emerging from the plurality of energy storage cells disposed within the asymmetrical battery pack [200], The electrical wires may be channelled to one or more components ofthe vehicle [100] such as motor/in-wheel motor, sensors, headlamps, dash board components, tail lamps, vehicle control unit, electronic breaks, and the like. Further, the asymmetrical battery pack [200] may be 15 configured to power said components. Furthermore, the rear profile [240] may be configured to house the rear wheel [182], wherein the housing by the rear profile [240] may be contactless and configured such that the rear wheel [182] and the rear profile [240] hâve sufficient space for allowing a movement in one of to-and-fro and upward-downward directions due to undulations of the vehicle 20 [100] in bad road conditions. Further, the rear profile [240] may be configured and/or designed to house the rear wheel [182] in such a shape that may follow a regular and/or irregular géométrie arch shape of the rear wheel [182]. Further, the rear profile [240] comprises at least one second cavity [242] configured to ________________________ pivotally join the at least one swing arm [184]. As disclosed above, the 25 connection of the at least one second cavity [242] and the at least one swing arm

[184] may bé at least ône'ofelectrical ly andTnechanicalïy. Further,the at least one second cavity [242] may be disposed at a bottom rear of the rear profile [240]. Lastly, the swing arm [184] may also be connected to the battery pack [200] at the bottom rear of the rear profile [240].

[00030] Further, the front profile [220] having the extended member [230] consists of multiple edges configured to fit into the mid-frame housing [146].

Further, the side profiles [210A, 210B] and the extended member [230] comprise a plurality of cavities, configured to connect the asymmetrical battery pack [200] to the mid frame [144], wherein the plurality of cavities may be configured to one of temporarily and permanently join the asymmetrical battery pack [200] and the mid frame [144]. Further, the top profile [250] comprises at ________least one mount [2521 configured to detachablv ioin the asymmetrical battery pack [2ûù] and the mia trame [144J. The joining may be achieved using one of 10 or combination of nut and boit, and fil 1er element Tn another pmbnrlimnni th» at least one mount [252] is disposed on a métal casing, wherein the métal casing transfers loads of the rear wheel [182] to the frame through the at least one mount [252].

[00031] Moreover, the bottom profile of the asymmetrical battery pack 15 [200] is configured to accommodate at least one stand member [170], wherein the asymmetrical battery pack [200] is configured to act as a direct load bearing element for absorbing the load of vehicle, rider and/or pillion, when the twowheeler vehicle [100] rests through the at least one stand member [170]. Otherwise also, when the two-wheeler vehicle [100] is in motion or rests 20 through the wheels, the asymmetrical battery pack [200] still acts as a load bearing member.

[00032] FIG.4 illustrâtes a cross-sectional view of the asymmetrical battery pack [200], in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, As illustrated, the asymmetrical battery pack [200] comprises the plurality of 25 ëhefgy storage cellsi [260]. Thè’plüirânfy of energy storage cells [260] may be crammed/packed within the asymmetrical battery pack [200] in a densified manner so that maximum number of energy storage cells [260] can be accommodated within said asymmetrical battery pack [200], Further, the plurality of energy storage cells [260] may be electrically connected with each other through one of a sériés connection, a parallel connection, a bridge connection and a combination thereof.

[00033] The battery pack [200] as disclosed in the présent disclosure provides enormous improvements over the outgoing battery packs and has 5 numerous advantages. Some of these advantages may include, but are not limited to, effective space utilization within the vehicle [100] and functioning as a core structural member to reinforce the overall structure of the vehicle [100] wirhour using additional structural components while allowing modularitv and flexibility.

[00034] Although the présent disclosure has been described in considérable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments and examples thereof, other embodiments and équivalents are possible. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the présent disclosure hâve been set forth in the foregoing description, together with functional and procédural details, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in terms of the procédural steps within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms. Thus, various modifications are possible of the presently disclosed System without deviating from the intended scope and spirit of the présent disclosure. A person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the asymmetrical battery pack [200] discussed hereinabove is exemplary and are not limiting in any manner. Further, the components described hereinabove may be replaced, reordered or removed to form different embodiments of the présent disclosure. Accordingly, in.....one embodiment, such modifications of the presently disclosed asymmetrical battery pack [200] ârë inclüdèd' în ffië scôpëbTthé présent discrôsure”

Claims (18)

1. We claim:

   1. An asymmetrical battery pack [200] for structurally connecting a rear end [180] and a frame structure [140] of a two-wheeler, the asymmetrical battery pack [200] comprising:

   5 - a front profile [220];

   - a rear profile [240], wherein

   -------------------the rear protde [240] ià configured to house a icar wheel [182] of caid rear end [1801. and the rear profile [240] and the rear wheel [182] are pivotally t0 connected through at least one swing arm [184];

   - at least two side profile [210A, 210B] ;

   - a top profile [250] configured to rest a top end [147] of said mid-frame [144]; and

   - a bottom profile.

   15
2. 2. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame structure [140] is coupled with a front end [120] ofthe two-wheeler.
3. 3. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front profile [220] comprises an extended member [230] configured to inset on a ________mid-iïamc housing [ 146] of a mid-frame [144]._______________________________________________________________
4. 4. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 3, wherein the extended member [230] is protruded from the centre of the front profile [220].
5. 5. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the asymmetrical battery pack [200] is configured to house a plurality of energy

   25 storage cells [260],

   4.2
6. 6. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of energy storage cells [260] is crammed in a densifïed manner within said asymmetrical battery pack [200].
7. 7. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the

   5 plurality of energy storage cells [260] is electrically connected with each other through at least one of a sériés connection and a parallel connection.

   R The asymmetrical batterv pack Γ200] as claimed în claim 1, wherein the ' frame structure [140] comprises a body trame and said mid-frame [144].
8. 9. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 1, wtierein tne
9. 10 extended member [230] and the at least two side profile comprise at least one first cavity [212] configured to fasten the asymmetrical battery pack [200] with said mid-frame [144].

   10. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one channel [232] configured along an outer surface of the

   15 extended member [230].
10. 11. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one channel [232] is configured to accommodate at least one electrical wires coming oui of the plurality of energy storage cells [260] to power at least one motor/in-wheel motor.

    20
11. 12. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear profile [240] honses the rear wheel [182] in a contactless manner._____________________
12. 13. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear profile [240] comprises at least one second cavity [242] configured to pivotally join the at least one swing arm [184].

    25
13. 14. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 1 and claim 13, wherein the at least one second cavity [242] and the at least one swing arm [184] are connected at least one of electrically and mechanically.
14. 15. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 1 and claim 13, wherein the at least one second cavity [242] is disposed at a bottom rear of the rear profile [240].
15. 16. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top 5 profile [250] is configured with at least one mount [252] for joining the asymmetrical battery pack [200] with the mid-frame [144].
16. 17. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 1 and claim 16, wherein the at least one mount [252] is dîspôüed ôii a iiWlal casiiig..........
17. 18. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in ciaim i, wnerein ihe ai 10 least two side profile [210A, 210B] form crests [164] from a reference width [RW] of said two-wheeler.
18. 19. The asymmetrical battery pack [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom profile configured to accommodate at least one stand member [170].