Drop protection system for rechargeable batteries

Abstract

A shock absorbing device for a rechargeable battery, in particular for supplying a machine tool with electrical energy, wherein the rechargeable battery includes a housing for accommodating at least one energy storage cell. The shock absorbing device includes at least one shock absorbing element for absorbing shock energy exerted on the housing of the rechargeable battery.

Claims

1. A device for supplying a machine tool with electrical energy, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery including an interface for connecting the battery to the machine tool and a housing for accommodating at least one energy storage cell, the housing having a top side face, a bottom side face, a first wall side face connecting the top side face and the bottom side face and a second wall side face connecting the top side face and the bottom side face, the first wall side face angled with respect to the bottom side face and connected to the bottom side face at a corner, the interface being at the top side face; and a shock absorbing device including at least one shock absorber, the shock absorber extending around the corner and having adjoining first, second and third sections with first, second and third inner surfaces, respectively, the first inner surface being parallel to and spaced apart from the first side wall face, the third inner surface being parallel to and spaced apart from the bottom side face, and the second inner surface being spaced apart from the corner.

2. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the housing is a cell holder holding the at least one energy storage cell.

3. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the first inner surface is at an obtuse angle to the second inner surface and the second inner surface is at a second obtuse angle to the third inner surface.

4. The device as recited in claim 3 wherein the obtuse angle is between 110° and 150°.

5. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein the second obtuse angle is between 110° and 150°.

6. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the shock absorber has a fourth section connected to the first section and directly connected to the first wall side face.

7. The device as recited in claim 6 wherein the shock absorber includes a fifth section connected to the third section and directly connected to the bottom side face.

8. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the corner is curved to connect the first wall side face and the bottom side face.

9. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the corner is defined by a flat plane connecting and angled with respect to the first wall side face and the bottom side face.

10. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the second inner surface is planar.

11. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the first wall side face and the bottom side face are angled at 90 degrees.

12. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the housing and the shock absorber are made of a same material.

13. The device as recited in claim 12 wherein the shock absorber and the housing are made of polycarbonate or polyamide.

14. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the shock absorber is made of polycarbonate or polyamide.

15. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the housing accommodates at least four storage energy cells in at least two rows and two columns.

16. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the first inner surface is spaced apart from the first side wall face by a distance b, and the first section has a thickness t, wherein t meets the following: 0.5×b≤t≤2×b.

17. The device as recited in claim 16 wherein the third inner surface is spaced apart from the bottom side face by the distance b.

18. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the shock absorbing device is configured so that the second inner surface is movable with respect to the corner to enable contact between the second inner surface and the corner.

19. A device for supplying a machine tool with electrical energy, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery including an interface for connecting the battery to the machine tool and a housing for accommodating at least one energy storage cell, the housing having a top side face, a bottom side face, a left-hand wall side face connecting the top side face and the bottom side face and a right-hand wall side face connecting the top side face and the bottom side face, the left-hand wall side face angled with respect to the bottom side face and connected to the bottom side face at a corner, the interface being at the top side face; and a shock absorbing device including at least one shock absorber, the shock absorber extending around the corner and having adjoining first, second and third sections with first, second and third inner surfaces, respectively, the first inner surface being spaced apart from the left-hand side wall face, the second inner surface being spaced apart from the corner and the third inner surface being spaced apart from the bottom side face.

20. The device as recited in claim 19 wherein the housing includes a front side face and a rear side face.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the figures, identical and similar components are denoted by identical reference signs.

(2) In the figures:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a rechargeable battery having a housing, of a shock absorbing device according to the invention and shock absorbing elements;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the rechargeable battery having the housing, of the shock absorbing device according to the invention and of the shock absorbing elements;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a lateral sectional view through the housing of the rechargeable battery having a first and a second row of energy storage cells;

(6) FIG. 4 shows a lateral sectional view through the housing of the rechargeable battery having a first, a second and a third row of energy storage cells;

(7) FIG. 5 shows a lateral sectional view through a corner region of the housings of the rechargeable battery and of the shock absorbing element;

(8) FIG. 6a shows a lateral sectional view through a corner region of the housings of the rechargeable battery and of the shock absorbing element according to a first embodiment in a no-load state;

(9) FIG. 6b shows a sectional view of section plane A-A in FIG. 6a;

(10) FIG. 7a shows a lateral sectional view through a corner region of the housings of the rechargeable battery and of the shock absorbing element according to a first embodiment in a partially loaded state;

(11) FIG. 7b shows a sectional view of section plane A-A in FIG. 7a;

(12) FIG. 8a shows a lateral sectional view through a corner region of the housings of the rechargeable battery and of the shock absorbing element according to a first embodiment in a fully loaded state;

(13) FIG. 8b shows a sectional view of section plane A-A in FIG. 8a;

(14) FIG. 9a shows a lateral sectional view through a corner region of the housings of the rechargeable battery and of the shock absorbing element according to a second embodiment in a no-load state;

(15) FIG. 9b shows a sectional view of section plane A-A in FIG. 9a;

(16) FIG. 10a shows a lateral sectional view through a corner region of the housings of the rechargeable battery and of the shock absorbing element according to a second embodiment in a partially loaded state;

(17) FIG. 10b shows a sectional view of section plane A-A in FIG. 10a;

(18) FIG. 11a shows a lateral sectional view through a corner region of the housings of the rechargeable battery and of the shock absorbing element according to a second embodiment in a fully loaded state; and

(19) FIG. 11b shows a sectional view of section plane A-A in FIG. 11a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(20) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a rechargeable battery 1 having a housing 2. The housing 2 of the rechargeable battery 1 can also be referred to as a rechargeable battery housing and comprises six side faces or six sides, namely a front side face 2a, a left-hand wall side face 2b, a right-hand wall side face 2c and a rear side face 2d, a bottom side face 2e and a top side face 2f.

(21) In FIG. 1, the left-hand wall side face 2b, rear side face 2d and bottom side face 2e are merely indicated.

(22) An interface 3 for outputting electrical energy (electric current) to a consuming unit (e.g. a machine tool) or for receiving electrical energy via a charging device is provided on a top side face 2f. With the aid of the interface 3, the rechargeable battery 1 can be connected detachably to a machine tool or a charging device.

(23) The rechargeable battery 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is used, in particular, to supply a machine tool with electrical energy.

(24) As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a multiplicity of energy storage cells 4 is contained in the interior of the housing 2 of the rechargeable battery 1. The energy storage cells 4 can also be referred to as rechargeable battery cells and are used to store electrical energy. As is apparent, the rechargeable battery cells 4 can be arranged side-by-side and one above the other in two or three layers. The number of rechargeable battery cells 4 side-by-side and one above the other is variable. However, it is also possible for just a single energy storage cell 4 to be provided in the interior of the housing 2 of the rechargeable battery 1.

(25) As is likewise illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the energy storage cells 4 are of cylindrical configuration and are positioned in a cell holding device 5 (also referred to as a cell holder). The “cell holder” 5 is positioned in the interior of the rechargeable battery housing 2. For this purpose, the cell holding device 5 is configured substantially as a block with a number of bores 6. The individual rechargeable battery cells 4 are inserted into these bores 6, thus ensuring that the rechargeable battery cells 4 are held by the cell holding device 5. The bores 6 can also be referred to as recesses or holes.

(26) According to an alternative embodiment, it is also possible for the energy storage cells 4 to be configured in the form of “pouch cells” (also referred to as pouch-bag cells or coffee bag cells).

(27) There is furthermore a shock absorbing device 7 on the housing 2 of the rechargeable battery 1. According to the exemplary embodiment which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shock absorbing device 7 comprises a first, second, third and fourth shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d. The fourth shock absorbing element 8d is merely indicated in the figures. The configuration of the shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d is substantially identical and adapted to the respective position thereof on the housing 2 of the rechargeable battery 1.

(28) The first shock absorbing element 8a is positioned at a first corner of the rechargeable battery housing 2 and is configured as a yoke with a first and a second end 9a, 9b. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d configured as a yoke comprises a first component piece 81, a second component piece 82, a third component piece 83, a fourth component piece 84 and a fifth component piece 85. The first component piece 81 is connected to the second component piece 82 at an obtuse angle α. The second component piece 82 is furthermore connected to the third component piece 83 at an obtuse angle β. The third component piece 83 is, in turn, connected to the fourth component piece 84 at an obtuse angle γ. Finally, the fourth component piece 84 is connected to the fifth component piece 85 at an obtuse angle δ. The obtuse angle α, β, γ, δ can have a value between 110° and 150°. However, a larger or smaller angle α, β, γ, δ is also possible, depending on the design. The angles α, β, γ, δ do not have to have the same value, and therefore the angles α, β, γ, δ may have different values. It is also possible for more or fewer than five component pieces to be used.

(29) In this arrangement, the first end 9a of the shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d configured as a yoke is arranged on the front side face 2a, and the second end 9b of the shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d configured as a yoke is arranged on the bottom side face 2e. The shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d configured as a yoke thus extends over the lateral edge 10 between the front side face 2a and the bottom side face 2e of the rechargeable battery housing 2 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2).

(30) As illustrated in the figures and especially in FIG. 5, the shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d configured as a yoke is positioned on the rechargeable battery housing 2 in such a way that a constant distance b (can also be referred to as travel distance b) is provided between the inner surface 11 of the shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d and the outer surface 12 of the rechargeable battery housing 2. As shown especially in FIGS. 5 to 11b, the shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d configured as a yoke has a wall thickness t (also referred to as thickness).

(31) Moreover, the shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d configured as a yoke is positioned on the rechargeable battery housing 2 in such a way that a distance a from a surface 13 of a rechargeable battery cell 4 to the outer surface 12 of the rechargeable battery housing 2 is provided (cf. FIG. 5).

(32) The shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d as well as the rechargeable battery housing 2 are configured in such a way that the distance a, the distance b and the wall thickness t have a certain value and are formed in a certain relation to one another. Depending on the type of rechargeable battery 1 used (rechargeable battery type), i.e. on the number of rows or layers of rechargeable battery cells 4 (1p=one layer of rechargeable battery cells; 2p=two layers of rechargeable battery cells and 3p=3 layers of rechargeable battery cells), the distance a, the distance b and the wall thickness t have the numerical values in table 01.

(33) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 01 Rechargeable battery type a (mm) b (mm) t (mm) 1p 3.5 2 2.5 2p 3.5 2 2.5 1p 4.5 3 2.5 2p 4.5 3 3 3p 4.5 3 3.5

(34) The ratio of the numerical values for the distance b and the wall thickness t can furthermore be set in relation by means of the formula 01.
0.5×b≤t≤2×b   Formula 01

(35) As already mentioned above, the shock absorbing device 7 and, in particular, the shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d serve to convert shock energy acting suddenly on the rechargeable battery housing 2 in the case of a fall or drop of the rechargeable battery into deformation energy by virtue of its specific physical properties and thereby to protect the rechargeable battery cells 4 arranged in the rechargeable battery housing 2 from possible damage.

(36) The actual deformation of the shock absorbing element 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d is illustrated for the respective embodiment of the shock absorbing device 7 in FIGS. 6a to 11b.

(37) FIGS. 6a and 6b show a shock absorbing device 7 according to a first embodiment, in which the shock absorbing element 8a has a symmetrical rectangular cross-sectional area 20. Here, FIG. 6a shows a lateral sectional view through a corner region of the rechargeable battery housing 2 and of the shock absorbing element 8a according to the first embodiment in a no-load state. The shock absorbing element 8a is at a distance b from the rechargeable battery housing 2. FIG. 6b shows a sectional view of section plane A-A in FIG. 6a, likewise in a no-load state. A no-load state means that there is no external force acting on the shock absorbing element 8a. As is also apparent in FIG. 6b, the rechargeable battery housing 2 projects with an overlap s beyond the bottom edge of the cell holder 5 in arrow direction N.

(38) In FIG. 7a, the shock absorbing device 7 according to the first embodiment is shown when a first force F is exerted on the shock absorbing element 8a. The first force F results from a fall of the rechargeable battery 1 and the impact of the rechargeable battery housing 2 on a hard inelastic underlying surface (e.g. concrete). In FIG. 7a, it is apparent in comparison with FIG. 6a that the shock absorbing element 8a is being deformed and moved toward the outer surface 12 of the rechargeable battery housing 2. As illustrated in FIG. 7b, the inner surface 11 of the shock absorbing element 8a is resting against the outer surface 12 of the rechargeable battery housing 2, with the result that the shock energy or the force flow FF is diverted from the shock absorbing element 8a, via the front side face 2a, into the top side face 2f of the rechargeable battery housing 2 and partially into the cell holder 5 and is guided around the rechargeable battery cells 4. As is likewise apparent from FIG. 7b, the front side face 2a of the rechargeable battery housing 2 is not compressed, and therefore the overlap s of the rechargeable battery housing 2 still exists.

(39) In FIGS. 8a and 8b, the shock absorbing device according to the first embodiment is shown when a second force F′, which is greater than the first force F, is being exerted on the shock absorbing element 8a. The second force F′ exerted on the shock absorbing element 8a has the effect that the shock absorbing element 8a is pressed more strongly against the front side face 2a of the rechargeable battery housing 2. Owing to the higher second force F′, the front side face 2a of the rechargeable battery housing 2 is compressed, with the result that the overlap s of the rechargeable battery housing 2 is pressed in. By the pressing in of the overlap s, additional shock energy or impact energy is absorbed by the rechargeable battery housing 2, and the rechargeable battery cells 4 are additionally protected.

(40) FIGS. 9a and 9b show a shock absorbing device 7 according to a second embodiment, in which the shock absorbing element 8a has an asymmetrical or trapezoidal (also referred to as wedge-shaped) cross-sectional area 30. Here, the cross-sectional area 30 is configured in such a way that the shorter side face of the cross-sectional area configured as a trapezoid is in arrow direction M. In other words: the shorter side face of the trapezoid (or of the cross-sectional area 30 configured as a trapezoid) faces the front side face 2a of the rechargeable battery housing 2.

(41) FIG. 9a shows a lateral sectional view through a corner region of the rechargeable battery housing 2 and of the shock absorbing element according to the second embodiment in a no-load state. The shock absorbing element 8a is at a distance b from the rechargeable battery housing. FIG. 9b shows a sectional view of section plane A-A in FIG. 9a, likewise in a no-load state. A no-load state means that there is no external force acting on the shock absorbing element 8a. As is also apparent in FIG. 9b, the rechargeable battery housing 2 projects with an overlap s beyond the bottom edge of the cell holder 5 in arrow direction N.

(42) In FIG. 10a, the shock absorbing device 7 according to the second embodiment is shown when a first force F is exerted on the shock absorbing element 8a. The first force F results from a fall of the rechargeable battery 1 and the impact of the rechargeable battery housing 2 on a hard inelastic underlying surface UG (e.g. concrete). In FIG. 10a, it is apparent in comparison with FIG. 9a that the shock absorbing element is being deformed and moved toward the surface of the rechargeable battery housing. As illustrated in FIG. 10b, the inner surface 11 of the shock absorbing element 8a is resting against the outer surface 12 of the rechargeable battery housing 2, with the result that the shock energy or the force flow FF is diverted from the shock absorbing element 8a, via the front side face 2a, into the top side face 2f of the rechargeable battery housing 2 and partially into the cell holder 5 and is guided around the rechargeable battery cells 4. As is likewise apparent from FIG. 10b, the front side face 2a of the rechargeable battery housing 2 is not compressed, and therefore the overlap s of the rechargeable battery housing 2 still exists.

(43) In FIGS. 11a and 11b, the shock absorbing device 7 according to the second embodiment is shown when a second force F′, which is greater than the first force F, is being exerted on the shock absorbing element 8a. The second force F′ exerted on the shock absorbing element 8a has the effect that the shock absorbing element 8a is pressed more strongly against the front side face 2a of the rechargeable battery housing 2. Owing to the higher second force F′, the front side face 2a of the rechargeable battery housing 2 is compressed, with the result that the overlap s of the rechargeable battery housing 2 is pressed in. By the pressing in of the overlap s, additional shock energy or impact energy is absorbed by the rechargeable battery housing 2, and the rechargeable battery cells 4 are additionally protected.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(44) 1: rechargeable battery 2: housing for the rechargeable battery 2a: front side face 2b: left-hand wall side face 2c: right-hand wall side face 2d: rear side face 2e: bottom side face 2f: top side face 3: interface 4: energy storage cell 5: cell holding device 6: bores 7: shock absorbing device 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d: shock absorbing element 9a: first end of the shock absorbing element configured as a yoke 9b: second end of the shock absorbing element configured as a yoke 10: lateral edge between the front side face and the bottom side face of the rechargeable battery housing 11: inner surface of the shock absorbing element 12: outer surface of the rechargeable battery housing 13: surface of an energy storage cell 20: symmetrical rectangular cross-sectional area of the shock absorbing element 30: trapezoidal cross-sectional area 81: first component piece of the shock absorbing element configured as a yoke 82: second component piece of the shock absorbing element configured as a yoke 83: third component piece of the shock absorbing element configured as a yoke 84: fourth component piece of the shock absorbing element configured as a yoke 85: fifth component piece of the shock absorbing element configured as a yoke α, β, γ, δ: obtuse angles between component pieces of the shock absorbing element configured as a yoke UG: underlying surface FF: force flow F: first force F′: second force