COMPACT BATTERY FOR ELECTRIC BICYCLES

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery (1) for electric bicycles comprising a total number N of cells (2) distributed in an optimized way, a management system (4) and at least one connector (5). The battery (1) is characterized in that it comprises a distribution with at least one additional semi-block (3b), created by at least one cell (2) separated from a block (3) or semi-block (3a) at one end (1a) of the battery (1), creating at least two spaces (6, 7). The previous space (6) is located in the semi-block (3a) of the end (1a) of the battery (1) created by the absence of at least one cell (2) and intended to connect the management system (4), and the new space (7) is in the additional semi-block (3b) created by the absence of at least a number n−1 of cells (2) and destined to house the connector (5).

Claims

1. A battery for electric bicycles comprising a total number N of cells distributed in at least one block of a number n of cells and/or a semi-block of a number n′ of cells, a management system for batteries and at least one connector, where the battery is characterized by comprising: at least one additional semi-block, created by at least one cell separated from the block or semi-block at one end of the battery, where the battery comprises at least two spaces created in the distribution of cells, where the previous space is found in the semi-block created by the absence of at least one cell placed in the additional semi-block, where the new space is in the additional semi-block created by the absence of at least n−1 number of cells and where the connector is connected in the spaces consecutively, integrating it into the semi-blocks.

2. A battery for electric bicycles comprising a total number N of cells distributed in at least one block of a number n of cells and/or a semi-block of a number n′ of cells, a management system for batteries and at least one connector, where the battery is characterized by comprising: at least one additional semi-block, created by at least one cell separated from the block or semi-block at one end of the battery, where the battery comprises at least two spaces created in the distribution of cells, where the previous space is found in the semi-block created by the absence of at least one cell placed in the additional semi-block, where the new space is in the additional semi-block created by the absence of at least n−1 number of cells and where the management system and the connector are connected in the spaces consecutively, integrating them into the semi-blocks.

3. A battery for electric bicycles according to claim 1, where the number N of cells is a multiple of the number B of blocks, where the block at the end of the battery becomes a semi-block due to the absence of at least one cell.

4. A battery for electric bicycles according to claim 1, where the number N of cells is not a multiple of the number B of blocks and semi-blocks, where the semi-block at the end of the battery is left with at least n′−1 cells.

5. A battery for electric bicycles according to claim 2, where the management system is integrated into the previous space and in part of the new space and where at least one part of the connectors is integrated into the new space.

6. A battery for electric bicycles according to claim 1, where the additional semi-block together with the connectors coupled in the new space comprise a length (I) less than the sum of the length of the management system (Lc) and the length of the connectors (Lc) separately.

7. A battery for electric bicycles according to claim 1, where the variation of the length (L+Lg+Lc)−(L+I) of the battery has decreased to a greater extent than the width (ac+a)−a of the battery has increased.

8. A battery for electric bicycles according to claim 1, where the variation of the length (L+Lg+Lc)−(L+I) of the battery has decreased to a greater extent than the height (hc+h)−h of the battery has increased.

9. A battery for electric bicycles according to claim 2, where the number N of cells is a multiple of the number B of blocks, where the block at the end of the battery becomes a semi-block due to the absence of at least one cell.

10. A battery for electric bicycles according to claim 2, where the number N of cells is not a multiple of the number B of blocks and semi-blocks, where the semi-block at the end of the battery is left with at least n′−1 cells.

11. A battery for electric bicycles according to claim 2, where the additional semi-block together with the connectors coupled in the new space comprise a length (I) less than the sum of the length of the management system (Lc) and the length of the connectors (Lc) separately.

12. A battery for electric bicycles according to claim 2, where the variation of the length (L+Lg+Lc)−(L+I) of the battery has decreased to a greater extent than the width (ac+a)−a of the battery has increased.

13. A battery for electric bicycles according to claim 2, where the variation of the length (L+Lg+Lc)−(L+I) of the battery has decreased to a greater extent than the height (hc+h)−h of the battery has increased.

14. An optimization method of a battery for electric bicycles that starts in a battery which comprises a total number N of cells distributed in at least one block of a number n of cells and/or a semi-block of a number n′ of cells, a battery management system and at least one connector, where the optimization method of the invention is characterized by comprising the steps of; separating at least one cell from a block or semi-block at one end of the battery, placing the cell so that it creates an additional semi-block, creating at least two spaces, where the previous space is the space created in the semi-block at the end due to the absence of at least one cell and where the new space is created in the additional semi-block by the absence of at least n−1 number of cells, integrating the management system in the previous space and part of the new space and, integrating at least one part of the connector in the new space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] The details of the invention can be seen in the accompanying figures, which do not intend to limit the scope of the invention:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a perspective of an electric battery of the prior art in a situation 1.

[0024] FIG. 1a shows a perspective of an electric battery of the prior art in a case a of situation 1.

[0025] FIG. 1b shows a perspective of an electric battery of the prior art in a case b of situation 1.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a perspective of an electric battery of the prior art in a situation 2.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows in perspective a battery to which the optimization solution and the battery of the invention have been applied.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows the same perspective of the battery of the invention as FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The invention relates to a battery (1) for electric bicycles, with an optimized internal distribution. As explained above, depending on the total number N of cells (2) that are needed, the battery can comprise a different distribution according to the shape or size that is required. In addition, the batteries also comprise a management system (4), commonly known as a BMS, and connectors (5) for electrical connection. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for optimizing the internal distribution of the battery (1).

[0030] In FIGS. 1 and 2, two different prior art cell (2) distribution situations are shown for a battery of an electric bicycle. On the one hand, FIG. 1 represents a situation 1, where a battery of the prior art with a total number N of twenty cells (2) is shown, where a distribution of five identical blocks (3) of four cells (2) has been chosen. As a result, the total number N of cells (2) is a multiple of the number B of identical blocks (3), which form a uniform distribution. On the other hand, FIG. 2 shows a situation 2, where a battery of the prior art is seen with a total number N of twenty-eight cells (2) distributed in four identical blocks (3) of six cells (2) and a semi-block (3a) of four cells (2), where the number B of blocks (3) and semi-blocks (3a) is five. Therefore, in situation 2, the total number N of cells (2) is not a multiple of the number B of blocks (3).

[0031] The battery (1) of the invention comprises an optimized distribution of cells (2), whose starting point is a distribution where the battery (1) comprises a total number N of cells (2) necessary to power the engine, distributed in a number B of identical blocks (3) comprising a number n of cells (2) and/or in necessary cases at least one semi-block (3a) of a number n′ of cells (2). As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the battery (1) of the invention also comprises a management system (4), known as a BMS, and some connectors (5).

[0032] The cell (2) distribution of the battery (1) of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one additional semi-block (3b), created by at least one cell (2) separated from the block (3) or from a semi-block (3a) of one end (1a) of the battery (1). As a result, the battery (1) of the invention begins to comprise at least a number B+1 of blocks (3) and semi-blocks (3a), and at least a number B−2 of identical blocks (3). In other words, the movement of at least one cell (2) creates an additional semi-block (3b) with at least one cell (2). This means that the block (3) at the end (1a) becomes a semi-block (3a) of at least a number n−1 of cells (2), when the total number N of cells (2) is a multiple of the number B of blocks (3), i.e. when the distribution of cells (2) is in the first situation mentioned above. In the case of the second situation however, the movement of at least one cell (2) creates an additional semi-block (3b) with at least one cell (2) and creates a semi-block (3a) at the end (1a) in a semi-block (3a) of at least a number n′−1 of cells (2), where n′ is the number of cells (2) that comprise the semi-block (3a) at the end (1a). For all the above, the total number N of cells (2) of the battery (1) may or may not be a multiple of the number B+1 of blocks (3) and semi-blocks (3a) after the movement of at least one cell (2).

[0033] In addition, the battery (1) is also characterized by comprising at least two spaces (6, 7) in the distribution of cells (2) created by the movement of at least one cell (2), where the previous space (6) is created in the block (3) or semi-block (3a) at the end (1a) by the absence of at least one cell (2), while the new space (7) is in the additional semi-block (3b) created by the absence of at least a number n−1 of cells (2). In this way, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the battery (1) can include the management system (4) and the connectors (5) in spaces (6, 7) or include the connectors (5) in space (6, 7), obtaining a more compact battery (1), i.e., with a length (L+I) that is less than the sum of the length (L) of the cells (2) plus the length of the management system (Lg) and the length of the connectors (Lc) separately.

L+I<L+Lg+Lc

[0034] In other words, thanks to the distribution of cells (2) mentioned, the battery (1) of the invention increases to a lesser extent than other known batteries when integrating all the components, because the additional length (I) that increases is less than the sum of the component lengths (Lg+Lc).

[0035] Due to all of the above, the battery (1) makes it possible to improve the known integration solutions represented in FIGS. 1a, 1b. Specifically, as seen in FIG. 4, the battery (1) of the invention increases its dimensions in a minimal proportion, corresponding to the width of the connector (ac) and the height of the connector (hc) when it is integrated into the new space (7). This leave the battery (1) with a total height (h+hc) and a total width (a+ac), which is a minimum increase with respect to the height (h) and the width (a) of the battery (1) with a uniform distribution of cells (2) plus the management system (4) and connectors (5).

[0036] To achieve the battery (1) of the invention, a method of optimizing the distribution of battery cells (2) must be applied. The method is applied to a battery for electric bicycles that comprises a total number N of cells (2) distributed in at least one block (3) of a number n of cells (2) and/or at least one semi-block (3a) of a number n′ of cells (2). The first battery also needs to connect to the cells (2), a management system (4) and at least one connector (5).

[0037] This method of optimizing the distribution of the battery (1) of the invention is characterized in that it comprises the following steps. Initially, at least one cell (2) is separated from a block (3) or semi-block (3a) at one end (1a) of the battery (1) and at least one cell (2) is placed after the block (3) or semi-block (3a) at the end (1a) creating an additional semi-block (3b), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0038] Next, it is observed that the movement of at least one cell (2) creates two spaces (6, 7) in the distribution of cells (2). On the one hand, the previous space (6) is created in the block (3) or semi-block (3a) at the end (1a) of the battery (1), where in situation 1, the block (3) is now a semi-block (3a) due to the absence of at least one cell (2) displaced towards an additional semi-block (3b), and in situation 2 the semi-block (3a) increases the previous space (6) due to the absence of at least one cell (2) moved to an additional semi-block (3b). As a result, the new space (7) is created in the additional semi-block (3b) due to the absence of at least n−1 number of cells (2).

[0039] Finally, to complete the battery (1) of the invention, an additional last step is needed to connect the management system (4) and the connectors (5) in the distribution in an optimal way. To do this, the management system (4) is placed in the previous space (6), in the semi-block (3a) where previously there was at least one cell (2) that has been displaced and at least part of a connector (5) is connected in the new space (7) created in the additional semi-block (3b) by the absence of at least n−1 cells (2).

[0040] Thanks to this optimization method of the cell (2) distribution of a battery, the battery (1) of the invention is achieved, characterized by being more compact, given that the length has decreased to a greater extent than the battery height and width have increased (1). In other words, the battery (1) meets the following requirements;

(L+Lg+Lc)−(L+I)>(ac+a)−a; (L+Lg+Lc)−(L+I)>(hc+h)−h