A battery submodule carrier includes a monolithic cell tray configured to accommodate a plurality of aligned battery cells; a plurality of cell retainers configured to retain the battery cells within the cell tray; and a plurality of tray fasteners configured to mount the cell tray to a battery system carrier.

Described are mechanically robust, thermally managed battery module constructions including a battery case, a reinforcing divider in the case, and battery cells housed by the reinforcing divider. The reinforcing divider defines a plurality of thermal transfer elements externalized of the battery case. A shock dampening material can be provided between the reinforcing divider and the battery case to facilitate a mechanical, shock-dampened, reinforcing integration of the divider and case.

Described are mechanically robust, thermally managed battery module constructions including a battery case, a reinforcing divider in the case, and battery cells housed by the reinforcing divider. The reinforcing divider defines a plurality of thermal transfer elements externalized of the battery case. A shock dampening material can be provided between the reinforcing divider and the battery case to facilitate a mechanical, shock-dampened, reinforcing integration of the divider and case.

A secondary battery module includes a plurality of battery blocks each obtained by stacking a plurality of battery cells. The secondary battery module includes a holding member adapted to hold the plurality of battery blocks and including a pair of opposed end plates, a pair of opposed side plates, and a section plate arranged between the adjacent battery blocks to partition the battery blocks; and an inter-block bus bar provided across the section plate and adapted to electrically connect the adjacent battery blocks. The inter-block bus bar has a fuse portion.

The invention relates to a battery housing (1) for a vehicle driven by an electric motor, which is to be installed in the floor region of a vehicle, having a frame (2), which encloses at least one battery module, and a floor (3), which is connected to the frame (2), The floor (3) takes the form of a sandwich construction and forms hollow chambers (18, 18′), which can be used as temperature-control channels for guiding through a fluid by virtue of end-side openings in adjacent hollow chambers (18, 18′) being connected to one another at their two ends.

The invention relates to a battery housing (1) for a vehicle driven by an electric motor, which is to be installed in the floor region of a vehicle, having a frame (2), which encloses at least one battery module, and a floor (3), which is connected to the frame (2), The floor (3) takes the form of a sandwich construction and forms hollow chambers (18, 18′), which can be used as temperature-control channels for guiding through a fluid by virtue of end-side openings in adjacent hollow chambers (18, 18′) being connected to one another at their two ends.

An apparatus for detecting swelling of a battery module, which includes a swelling detection panel having an edge in contact with an inner surface of a battery module housing; a slant portion configured to protrude from the inner surface of the battery module housing and having a slant surface extending from a first location adjacent to the edge of the swelling detection panel to a second location while forming a predetermined angle with the inner surface; a contact sensor unit installed to the inner surface of the battery module housing immediately adjacent to an end of the slant surface corresponding to the second location; and a control unit configured to receive a swelling detection signal from the contact sensor unit when the edge of the swelling detection panel contacts the contact sensor unit, and to control an alarm unit to output an alarm message.

An apparatus for detecting swelling of a battery module, which includes a swelling detection panel having an edge in contact with an inner surface of a battery module housing; a slant portion configured to protrude from the inner surface of the battery module housing and having a slant surface extending from a first location adjacent to the edge of the swelling detection panel to a second location while forming a predetermined angle with the inner surface; a contact sensor unit installed to the inner surface of the battery module housing immediately adjacent to an end of the slant surface corresponding to the second location; and a control unit configured to receive a swelling detection signal from the contact sensor unit when the edge of the swelling detection panel contacts the contact sensor unit, and to control an alarm unit to output an alarm message.

An electrochemical cell includes a cell stack including a plurality of unit cells stacked on one another and each being a plate and including an electricity generator and a casing accommodating the electricity generator, and an outer case accommodating the cell stack. The outer case includes at least one rib in a surface area between an outer edge of the outer case and an outer periphery of the cell stack as viewed in a stacking direction of the cell stack. The at least one rib is a portion of the surface area protruding outward.

An electrochemical cell includes a cell stack including a plurality of unit cells stacked on one another and each being a plate and including an electricity generator and a casing accommodating the electricity generator, and an outer case accommodating the cell stack. The outer case includes at least one rib in a surface area between an outer edge of the outer case and an outer periphery of the cell stack as viewed in a stacking direction of the cell stack. The at least one rib is a portion of the surface area protruding outward.