CASING FOR ELECTRIC BATTERY

Abstract

A casing for an electric battery (2) to house inside identical electrochemical cells (3) includes a metal container-shaped box (10), formed by a lower base (101) and a perimetric wall (102), where the cells (3) are incorporated. The lower base (101) of the box (10) internally presents identical slots (4), that are distributed on the full extent of a surface of the box and that have a number, shape and size adapted to receive a lower portion of each of the cells (3), so that each of the cells (3) of the battery remains secured in one of the slots (4) and separated from each other with a regular gap between them.

Claims

1. A casing for electric battery that, applicable to an electric battery (2) to house inside a plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3) and comprising a metal container-shaped box (10), formed by a lower base (101) and a perimetric wall (102), where the cells (3) are incorporated, characterized in that the lower base (101) of the metal container-shaped box (10) internally presents a plurality of identical slots (4), that are distributed on the full extent of a surface of the metal container-shaped box (10) and that possess a number, shape and size adapted to receive a lower portion of each of the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3), so that each of the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3) of the battery remains secured in one of the plurality of identical slots (4) and separated from each other by a regular gap therebetween.

2. The casing for electric battery, according to the claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of identical slots (4) of an internal surface of the lower base (101) of the metal container-shaped box (10) are obtained by machining.

3. The casing for electric battery, according to the claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3) of the battery (2) fits in each of the plurality of identical slots (4) of the metal container-shaped box (10) of the casing (1) by inclusion of a centering part (5).

4. The casing for electric battery, according to the claim 1, characterized in that between the lower base of the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3) and the housing defined by the plurality of identical slots (4) of an internal surface of the base (101) of the metal container-shaped box (10) of the casing (1) comprises hot glue (6).

5. The casing for electric battery, according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3) are cylindric and the plurality of identical slots (4) of an internal surface of the base (101) of metal container-shaped box (10) have a circular configuration and with a diameter in line with the diameter of the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3).

6. The casing for electric battery, according to the claim 3, characterized in that the centering part (5) is formed by a bowl-shaped body with a base centrally provided with a centrally holed base (51), that leaves the base of each cell of the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3) accessible, and a perimetric wall divided in different lengths (52) by open slots (53) up to an end.

7. The casing for electric battery, according to the claim 6, characterized in that the centering part (5) is formed of plastic material.

8. The casing for electric battery, according to the claim 1, further comprising an upper fixing part (11) that acts as a lid to the metal container-shaped box (10) fitted on its perimetric wall (102) and on the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3) centering the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3) and leaving contacts thereof configured for electric connection.

9. The casing for electric battery, according to the claim 8 characterized in that the upper fixing part (11) comprises a plurality of holed housings (7) that have a number, shape and size configured to receive an upper portion of each of the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3) so that the plurality of holed housings (7) surround each of the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3) leaving apparent and insulated from one another positive and negative contacts of each of the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3).

10. The casing for electric battery, according to claim 5 characterized in that, the plurality of holed housings (7) of the upper fixing part (11) are circular as well as the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3).

11. The casing for electric battery, according to the claim 10 characterized in that, each circular housing of the plurality of holed housings (7) of the upper fixing part (11) presents a central hole (71) coinciding with a lug (31) of an upper base of each of the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3), that constitutes a positive pole thereof, and a lateral hole (72), that leaves apparent at least a portion of the perimetric edge (32) of each cell of the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3) and that constitutes the negative pole thereof.

12. The casing for electric battery, according to the claim 9 characterized in that, the upper securing part (11) presents centering cones (8) that emerge protruding around each of the plurality of holed housings (7) as guide fingers.

13. The casing for electric battery, according to the claim 12 characterized in that, the cones (8) each have a rounded vortex and a tilt of conical surface of around 15° with respect to a cone base.

14. The casing for electric battery, according to the claim 2, wherein the machining is milling material forming the lower base (101).

15. The casing for electric battery, according to the claim 5, characterized in that the centering part (5) is formed by a bowl-shaped body with a base centrally provided with a centrally holed base (51), that leaves a base of each of the the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3) accessible, and a perimetric wall divided in different lengths (52) by open slots (53) up to an end.

16. The casing for electric battery, according to claim 9 characterized in that, the plurality of holed housings (7) of the upper fixing part (11) are circular as well as the plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] To complement the description being carried out and in order to assist to best understanding the characteristics of the invention, attached to this specification, as an integral part thereof, there is a drawing in which, for illustration and no limitation purpose, the following has been represented:

[0021] FIG. 1—It shows a schematic top view in perspective of an example of embodiment of the container-shaped box that comprises the casing for electric battery object of the invention, its configuration can be seen, especially the slots provided on the internal surface of the base of the said box.

[0022] FIG. 2—It shows a schematic view in perspective of an example of the centering part that is incorporated in each cell to facilitate centering in the slots of the box, which has been represented in an independent manner, its general configuration and main parts can be seen;

[0023] FIG. 3—It shows an example of a cell of the battery with the centering part incorporated at its lower base;

[0024] FIG. 4—It shows a sectional view, according to a vertical cross section, of an example of the battery to which the casing object of the invention is designed, the arrangement of the cells in the slots of the box can be seen as well as the upper securing part;

[0025] FIG. 5—It shows a schematic view in perspective of an example of the upper securing part that comprises the casing, according to the invention, which has been represented in inverted position to facilitate watching its main parts; and

[0026] FIG. 6—It shows an enlarged view of the detail A appearing in the FIG. 5 and that allows to appreciate with higher accuracy the configuration and parts of the upper securing part.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Seen the said figures, and according to the numerals adopted, a non-limiting example of embodiment of the casing for electric battery of the invention which comprises what is described in detail thereafter.

[0028] Thus, as it can be seen in the said figures, the casing (1) of the invention applicable to an electric battery (2) to house inside a plurality of identical electrochemical cells (3), essentially comprises a metal container-shaped box (10), formed by a lower base (101) and a perimetric wall (102), where the cells (3) are incorporated, which is distinguished in that the said lower base (101) presents internally a plurality of identical slots (4), preferably obtained by machining by means of milling in the material forming the said base, that are distributed on the full extent of its surface and that have a number, shape and size adapted to receive a lower portion of each of the cells (3), so that each of the cells (3) of the battery remains secured in one of the slots (4) and separated from each other with a regular gap between them.

[0029] Preferably, the casing (1) is designed to a battery of cylindric cells (3), therefore the slots (4) of the internal surface of the base (101) of the box that forms the casing have a circular configuration and a diameter in line with the diameter of the cells (3), as it can be seen in the example of the FIG. 1. In an example of embodiment, the battery (2) includes up to 200 cells (3).

[0030] Preferably, each of the cells (3) of the battery (2) fits in each of the said slots (4) of the box (10) of the casing (1) by means of the inclusion of a centering part (4) which, preferably consists of a plastic material part, as it can be seen in the FIGS. 2 and 3, preferably it is formed by a bowl-shaped body with a centrally “holed” (orificada) base (51), that leaves accessible the base of the cell (3), and a perimetric wall divided in different lengths (52) by open slots (53) up to the end so that it endows it a given flexibility, allowing to achieve an improved adjustment of each cell (3) in the related slot (4) of the box (10) of the casing (1).

[0031] Anyway, preferably, between the lower base of the cells (3) and the housing defined by the slots (4) of the internal surface of the base (101) of the box (10) of the casing (1) it is foreseen to incorporate a hot glue (6) to assure a best fixation of the cells (3), the said glue is an electric insulator and heat conductor, to favor the evacuation of the heat generated by the cells (3) towards the base (101) of the box (10).

[0032] On the other hand, in an optional embodiment of the invention, the casing (1) comprises, in addition, an upper fixing part (11) that acts as a lid of the box (10) fitting on its perimetric wall (102) and on the cells (3), serving for centering the cells (3) and for their insulation, leaving the contacts uncovered for the electric connection.

[0033] For this, the said securing part (11) presents a plurality of “holed” (orificados) housings (7) that, distributed on the full extent of the said part, have a number, shape and size adapted to receive an upper portion of each of the cells (3) so that they surround each cell (3) leaving apparent and insulated to each other their positive and negative contacts necessary for the electric connection.

[0034] Preferably, the said housings (7) of the upper fixing part (11) are circular as well as the cells (3) that, preferably, are cylindric.

[0035] And, preferably, each circular housing (7) of the upper fixing part (11) presents a central hole (71) coinciding with the lug (31) of the cells (3) upper base, that constitutes their positive pole or anode, and a lateral hole (72) that leaves apparent at least a portion of the perimetric edge (32) of each cell (3) and that constitutes the negative pole or cathode. In the detail of the FIG. 6, the said central (71) and lateral (72) holes of the housings (7) of the upper fixing part (11) can be clearly seen, while in the FIG. 3, the lug (31) and the perimetric edge (32) of each of the cells (3) can be seen.

[0036] Anyway, preferably, the upper securing part (11) of the casing (1) in addition presents centering cones (8) that emerge protruding around the housings (7) as guide fingers with the aim to assist to centering the set of all the cells (3) of the battery (2).

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the said cones (8) have a rounded vortex and a tilt of their conical surface of around 15° with respect to their base, to favor the said centering function. In the FIG. 6, the said configuration of the said cones (8) can be seen.

[0038] Sufficiently disclosed the nature of this invention, as well as the manner of implementing it, it is not deemed necessary to extend anymore its explanation in order that any person skilled in the art understands its extends and the advantages arising from it.