Power source

{
  "publication_number": "US6287150B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Power source",
  "abstract": "A power source includes a holder-case 2 and a plurality of parallel oriented power modules 1 in the holder-case 2. The power modules 1 are provided with electrode terminals 13, 14 at both ends. The holder-case 2 is of split construction having cover-casings 21 provided on both sides. At least one of the cover-casings 21 is provided with holder ribs 23. The holder ribs 23 have retaining cavities 24 which retain the power modules 1 and prevent their rotation.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A power source comprising: power modules formed in stick-shapes and provided with electrode terminals at both ends; a holder-case of split construction with cover-casings disposed on opposing sides of said power modules, holder ribs being established on at least one of said cover-casings; and wherein said holder ribs are established at at least a first end of said power modules, and retaining cavities are provided in said holder ribs and hold respective ones of said electrode terminals to prevent power module rotation.",
    "2. A power source as recited in claim 1 wherein said cover-casing have cavities, conforming to curved surfaces of said power-modules, formed on their inside surfaces to accommodate said power modules at specified locations.",
    "3. A power source as recited in claim 1 wherein said cover-casings have ribs formed as a single piece in a direction crossing the power modules, and said ribs form peak-regions between adjacent power modules where opposing valley-regions are formed.",
    "4. A power source as recited in claim 1 wherein the holder-case has at least one intermediate-casing disposed between said cover-casings, and a plurality of levels of power modules are housed between said cover-casings and said at least one intermediate casing.",
    "5. A power source as recited in claim 1 wherein space is provided between said power modules to form cooling passages in the holder-case.",
    "6. A power source as recited in claim 1, wherein said holder ribs having said retaining cavities are established at both said first end and a second end of said power modules.",
    "7. A power source as recited in claim 6 wherein said electrode terminals provided at both ends of each of said power modules include a positive electrode at one of said ends and a negative electrode at the other of said ends, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are formed of respectively different shapes, and said retaining cavities to hold the positive electrode and negative electrodes are also formed of different shapes.",
    "8. A power source as recited in claim 1 wherein pass bars are connected to said electrode terminals of said power modules to interconnect said power modules.",
    "9. A power source as recited in claim 8 wherein said electrode terminals have screw holes to connect to said pass bars.",
    "10. A power source as recited in claim 1 wherein end-plates close off open regions at both ends of the holder-case.",
    "11. A power source as recited in claim 10 wherein pass bars, which connect the electrode terminals of said power modules housed within the holder-case, are disposed on inside surfaces of the end-plates.",
    "12. A power source as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said power modules comprises a plurality of batteries connected in a row in a lengthwise direction via connectors.",
    "13. A power source as detected in claim 12, wherein said holder ribs having said retaining cavities therein are established at both said first end and a second end of said power modules.",
    "14. A power source as recited in claim 1, wherein said respective ones of said electrode terminals are received in said retaining cavities of said holder ribs so that said electrode terminals are exposed through said retaining cavities.",
    "15. A power source as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said power modules comprises a plurality of batteries electrically series-connected in a row in a lengthwise direction via spot-welded dish-shaped connectors.",
    "16. A power source comprising: power modules formed in stick-shapes and provided with electrode terminals at both ends; a holder-case of split construction with cover-casings disposed on opposing sides of said power modules, holder ribs being established on at least one of said cover-casings; and wherein said holder ribs are established at at least a first end of said power modules, and retaining cavities are provided in said holder ribs and are shaped to engage complementarily shaped portions of said power modules to prevent rotation of said power modules.",
    "17. A power source as recited in claim 16, wherein each of said power modules comprises a plurality of batteries connected in a row in a lengthwise direction via connectors.",
    "18. A power source as recited in claim 17, wherein said holder ribs having said retaining cavities therein are established at both first end and a second end of said power modules.",
    "19. A power source as recited in claim 16, wherein said holder ribs having said retaining cavities therein are established at both said first end and a second end of said power modules.",
    "20. A power source as recited in claim 16, wherein each of said power modules comprises a plurality of batteries electrically series-connected in a row in a lengthwise direction via spot-welded dish-shaped connectors.",
    "21. A power source as recited in claim 16 wherein said cover-casings have cavities, conforming to curved surfaces of said power modules, formed on their inside surfaces to accommodates said power modules at specified locations.",
    "22. A power source as recited in claim 16 wherein said cover-casings have ribs formed as a single piece in a direction crossing the power modules, and said ribs form peak-regions between adjacent power modules where opposing valley-regions are formed.",
    "23. A power source as recited in claim 16 wherein the holder-case has at least one intermediate-casing disposed between said cover-casings, and a plurality of levels of power modules are housed between said cover-casings and said at least one intermediate-casing.",
    "24. A power source as recited in claim 16 wherein space is provided between said power modules to form cooling passages in the holder-case.",
    "25. A power source as recited in claim 16 wherein pass bars are connected to said electrode terminals of said power modules to interconnect said power modules.",
    "26. A power source as recited in claim 25 wherein said electrode terminals have screw holes to connect to said pass bars.",
    "27. A power source as recited in claim 16 wherein end-plates close off open regions at both ends of the holder-case.",
    "28. A power source as recited in claim 27 wherein pass bars, which connect the electrode terminals of said power modules housed within the holder-case, are disposed on inside surfaces of the end-plates."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This application is based on application No. 11-41906 filed in Japan on Feb. 19, 1999, the content of which is incorporated hereinto by reference.\n\nThis invention relates to a high current power source used primarily to power a drive motor for automobiles such as hybrid and electric automobiles.\n\nA high current power source used to power an automobile drive motor achieves high output voltage by series connection of many battery cells. This is for the purpose of increasing drive motor output. A power source used for this type of application contains a large number of battery cells to increase output electrical power. For example, this type of power source is cited in Japanese Non-examined Patent Publication No. 10-270006 issued Oct. 9, 1998. The power source disclosed in this patent application contains a plurality of power modules arranged in rows in a holder-case, and each power module has a plurality of batteries lined up in a column. The holder-case has circular through-holes in both end walls for insertion of long, slender columns of power modules. Further, intermediate walls are provided parallel to the end walls to retain power modules in a stable manner, and these intermediate walls also have circular through-holes. Power modules are inserted through the holes in both end walls and through the holes in the intermediate walls to retain the power modules in fixed positions within the holder-case.\n\nAfter inserting power modules into the holder-case, both ends of the holder-case are closed off with end-plates.",
  "cpc": [
    "H01M 50/213",
    "H01M 10/345",
    "H01M 10/613",
    "H01M 10/643",
    "H01M 50/50",
    "H01M 50/548",
    "H01M 50/559",
    "Y02E 60/10"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60K 1/04",
    "H01M 50/50",
    "H01M 50/548",
    "H01M 50/559"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Sanyo Electric Co Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Takashi Oda",
    "Yoshiharu Takasaki"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2000-02-16",
  "publication_date": "2001-09-11",
  "grant_date": "2001-09-11",
  "priority_date": "1999-02-19",
  "application_number": "US-50486900-A",
  "family_id": "12621340",
  "cited_by_count": 14,
  "citations": [
    "US5866276A",
    "US5900332A",
    "JPH10270006A",
    "US6152776A"
  ]
}