MODULAR ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM STRUCTURE, A METHOD FOR PROVIDING ELECTRICAL ENERGY TO AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR OF A VEHICLE AND A VEHICLE COMPRISING AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR AND THE MODULAR ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM STRUCTURE

Abstract

A modular electrical Energy Storage System structure for powering an electric motor in a vehicle. The modular ESS structure includes two or more electrical energy storage modules, the modular ESS structure extending in a longitudinal direction, in a transverse direction and in a vertical direction, the longitudinal direction coinciding with a driving direction of the vehicle, the two or more electrical energy storage modules being arranged side-by-side in the transverse direction , in the longitudinal direction and/or in the vertical direction and being connected to each other structurally and electrically. The modular ESS structure comprises a first mounting interface comprising one or more first connecting members configured for mounting to a vehicle structure.

Claims

1. A modular electrical Energy Storage System structure for powering an electric motor in a vehicle, the modular ESS structure comprising two or more electrical energy storage modules, the modular ESS structure extending in a longitudinal direction, in a transverse direction and in a vertical direction, the longitudinal direction coinciding with a driving direction of the vehicle, characterized in that the two or more electrical energy storage modules are arranged side-by-side in the transverse direction, in the longitudinal direction and/or in the vertical direction and are connected to each other structurally and electrically, that the modular ESS structure comprises a first mounting interface comprising one or more first connecting members configured for mounting to a vehicle structure and that each of the two or more electrical energy storage modules is structurally connected to an adjacent electrical energy storage module via direct mechanical connections between each adjacent electrical energy storage module.

2. The modular ESS structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the two or more electrical energy storage modules comprises an electrical connection interface configured for electrically connecting adjacent electrical energy storage modules.

3. The modular ESS structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the two or more electrical energy storage modules comprises a cooling system connection interface configured for connecting adjacent electrical energy storage modules for cooling of the two or more electrical energy storage modules.

4. The modular ESS structure according to claim 3, wherein the modular ESS structure comprises a common vehicle cooling system interface.

5. The modular ESS structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the two or more electrical energy storage modules comprises an air pressure connection interface configured for connecting adjacent electrical energy storage modules.

6. The modular ESS structure according to claim 5, wherein the modular ESS structure comprises a common vehicle air pressure connection interface.

7. The modular ESS structure according to claim 1, wherein the two or more electrical energy storage modules are structurally connected to each other via a support frame.

8. The modular ESS structure according to claim 7, wherein the support frame comprises a bottom plate providing structural support to a bottom side of the modular ESS structure.

9. The modular ESS structure according to claim 7, wherein the support frame comprises one or more transverse bottom members extending in the transverse direction of the modular ESS structure, the one or more transverse bottom members providing structural support to a bottom side of the modular ESS structure.

10. The modular ESS structure according to claim 7, wherein the support frame comprises one or more side protecting members providing protection and support to a first and/or second longitudinal side of the modular ESS structure, the first and second longitudinal sides extending in the longitudinal direction of the modular ESS structure.

11. The modular ESS structure according to claim 1, wherein the modular ESS structure comprises a common vehicle electric interface configured to connect the two or more electrical energy storage modules to the electric motor of the vehicle.

12. The modular ESS structure according to claim 1, wherein the modular ESS structure comprises a second mounting interface comprising one or more second connector elements.

13. The modular ESS structure according to claim 12, wherein the first mounting interface is arranged to face the second mounting interface, such that they are configured to be mounted to a respective opposite side of the vehicle structure.

14. The modular ESS structure according to claim 1, wherein the modular ESS structure is a pre-assembled modular ESS structure.

15. A method for providing electrical energy to an electric motor of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of; providing a modular electrical Energy Storage System structure comprising two or more electrical energy storage modules being arranged side-by-side in the transverse direction and/or longitudinal direction and being connected to each other electrically and structurally such that each of the two or more electrical energy storage modules is structurally connected to an adjacent electrical energy storage module via direct mechanical connections between each adjacent electrical energy storage module, the modular ESS structure comprising a first mounting interface comprising first connecting members configured for mounting to a vehicle structure; mounting the pre-assembled modular ESS structure to a vehicle structure by connecting the first mounting interface of the modular ESS structure to the vehicle structure, and; connecting the modular ESS structure to the electric motor of the vehicle via a common vehicle electric interface for providing electrical energy to the electric motor of the vehicle.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the electrical ESS structure is an electrical ESS structure.

17. A vehicle comprising an electric motor and an electrical Energy Storage System according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

[0037] In the drawings:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical Energy Storage System (ESS) mounted to a vehicle structure according to the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electrical Energy Storage System according to the present disclosure; and

[0040] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the electrical Energy Storage System illustrated in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0041] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

[0042] The present disclosure presents a modular electrical Energy Storage System (ESS) which can be adapted to different energy capacity needs and vehicle frame geometries. The proposed modular ESS is scalable in that it comprises electrical energy storage modules which can be assembled as needed into a suitable modular ESS structure having physical dimensions to fit a given vehicle frame, while providing required electrical power and energy capacity.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle 2 having a modular electrical Energy Storage System (ESS) structure 1 mounted to a vehicle structure 6 of the vehicle 2. The modular electrical ESS structure 1 is mounted to the vehicle 1 for powering an electric motor in the vehicle 2. The modular ESS structure 1 comprises a plurality of electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f. The number of modules determine the electrical energy storage capacity and a required capacity can be obtained by selecting a suitable number of modules for the intended vehicle.

[0044] The modular ESS structure 1 extends in a longitudinal direction L, in a transverse direction T and in a vertical direction Y, as seen when the modular ESS structure is mounted to a vehicle positioned on a flat horizontally extending surface. The longitudinal direction L coincides with a driving direction D of the vehicle 2. The electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f are arranged side-by-side. The electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f each comprises first and second opposite transverse side walls, with at least one of the first and second transverse side walls arranged to face a transverse side wall of adjacent modules and to provide structural integrity of the modular electrical ESS structure 1. In this figure, the electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f are arranged in two rows, as seen in the longitudinal direction L, a first row including the electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c and the second row including the electrical energy storage modules 3d,3e,3f. The electrical storage module 3a is arranged such that an inner longitudinal side wall thereof faces an inner longitudinal side wall of the electrical storage module 3d, the electrical storage module 3b is arranged such that an inner longitudinal side wall thereof faces an inner longitudinal side wall of the electrical storage module 3e and the electrical storage module 3c is arranged such that an inner longitudinal side wall thereof faces an inner longitudinal side wall of the electrical storage module 3f. Hence, each of the electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f are arranged side-to-side with at least two of the other the electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f.

[0045] The electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f are built by battery cells, multiple battery cells are stacked forming a battery module and multiple battery modules are then stacked forming the electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f. The electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f may furthermore each include a battery management system. The electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f may be connected in series or in parallel. The electrical connection between the electrical energy storage modules may be configurable between serial electrical connection of electrical energy storage modules and parallel electrical connection electrical energy storage modules. This means that the output voltage of the ESS structure is selectable by configuration of the connection, which is an advantage. For instance, two electrical energy storage modules may be configured in series to double the output voltage, or in parallel to maintain the voltage of the individual modules.

[0046] The modular ESS structure 1 comprises a first mounting interface 4 comprising a plurality of first connecting members 5 configured for mounting to the vehicle structure 6 and a second mounting interface 19 comprising a plurality of second connector elements 20 configured for mounting to the vehicle structure 6. The electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f are each mechanically connected to an adjacent electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f. In this FIG. 1, the electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f are structurally connecter to each other via a support frame 10. The modular ESS structure may however also or alternatively be mechanically connected to each other between each adjacent electrical energy storage module 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f, such as for example via intermediate brackets arranged in-between each adjacent electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f and/or via direct mechanical connections between each adjacent electrical energy storage module 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f. Intermediate brackets arranged between each adjacent electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f may be secured to the side walls of the electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f. The walls of the electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f may be made of a structurally supporting material, such as hard plastic or metal. Such structurally supporting material makes the modular structure robust, with a high tolerance to some mechanical stress. The structurally supporting side walls may provide collision protection, which protects electrical energy storage modules from mechanical stress during a collision.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the modular ESS structure 1 according to the 30 present disclosure comprising electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f. The modular ESS structure comprises a first longitudinal side 16 and a second longitudinal side 17, extending in the longitudinal direction L. The modular ESS structure also comprises a bottom side 12. The electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f are structurally connected by means of a support frame 10. The support frame 10 comprises a bottom plate 11 providing structural support to the bottom side 12 of the modular ESS structure 1. The support frame 10 further comprises side protecting members 14,15 providing protection and support to the first and second longitudinal sides 16,17 of the modular ESS structure 1. The electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f are also connected to each other electrically with electrical connection interfaces between the adjacent modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f. The modular ESS structure 1 furthermore comprises a common vehicle electric interface 18 configured to connect the electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f to the electric motor of the vehicle 2. This means that there is a common electrical contact between the modular ESS structure 1 with respect to the electrical motor of the vehicle 2 (not shown). This simplifies the design of the vehicle and is advantageous in terms of space and mounting of the modular ESS structure 1.

[0048] For facilitated connection to a vehicle structure 6, the pre-assembled modular ESS structure 1 is provided with a first mounting interface 4 and a second mounting interface 19, the mounting interfaces 4,19 are provided on opposing sides of the modular ESS structure 1 and are facing each other. The first and second mounting interfaces 4,19 comprise connecting members configured for mounting to a vehicle structure.

[0049] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the modular ESS structure 1 from FIG. 2. As illustrated in this figure, the modular ESS structure 1 comprises six electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f. The electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f are structurally connected via a frame 10. The support frame 10 comprises the bottom plate 11 extending under the entire bottom side 12 of the modular ESS structure 1 and providing structural support to the bottom side 12. Between the bottom plate 11 and the bottom side 12 of the modular ESS structure a plurality of transverse bottom members 13 extend in the transverse direction of the modular ESS structure 1 for providing, the two or additional structural support to the bottom side 12 of the modular ESS structure 1. The support frame 10 further comprises the side protecting members 14,15 providing protection and support to the first and second longitudinal sides 16,17 of the modular ESS structure 1 in a direction perpendicular to the driving direction of the vehicle (shown in FIG. 1).

[0050] The electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f are furthermore connected to each other electrically with electrical connection interfaces 7′,7″,7′″,7″″ between the adjacent modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f. The electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f further comprises cooling system connection interfaces 8′,8″,8′″,8″″ configured for connecting the adjacent electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f for cooling of the electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f .

[0051] The electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f further comprises air pressure connection interface 9′,9″,9′″,9″″ configured for connecting the adjacent electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f.

[0052] The modular ESS structure 1 furthermore comprises a common vehicle electric interface 18 configured to connect the electrical energy storage modules 3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f to the electric motor of the vehicle 2, this means that there is a common electrical contact between the modular ESS structure 1 with respect to the electrical motor of the vehicle. This simplifies the design of the vehicle and is advantageous in terms of space and mounting of the modular ESS structure 1.