Patent ID: 9224999
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A vehicle battery module, comprising: a plurality of substantially rectangular, planar voltaic cells arranged in parallel relation to each other, each of the plurality of substantially rectangular, planar voltaic cells having a top portion and a top edge; positive and negative voltaic cell tabs extending from the top portion of each of the plurality of substantially rectangular, planar voltaic cells, each of the positive and negative voltaic cell tabs having a stress-relieving, bent shape; a flexible nonconductive tubular member attached to the top edge of each of the plurality of substantially rectangular, planar voltaic cells, the tubular members being spaced to leave gaps to expose the positive and negative voltaic cell tabs; a printed circuit board attached to the top portion of the plurality of substantially rectangular, planar voltaic cells, the printed circuit board having seating apertures receiving the positive and the negative voltaic cell tabs the positive and the negative voltaic cell tabs being seated in the seating apertures of the printed circuit board, said stress-relieving, bent shape of each of the positive and the negative voltaic cell tabs passing through and being electromechanically soldered to a respective one of the seating apertures, thereby forming electrical nodes on the printed circuit board at cell tab locations, wherein said stress-relieving, bent shape is configured to reduce fatigue of said positive and negative voltaic cell tabs at solder joints to said printed circuit board; at least one printed circuit defined on the printed circuit board, the at least one printed circuit interconnecting the electrical nodes through conductive traces on said printed circuit board to achieve a desired electrical configuration of the plurality of substantially rectangular, planar voltaic cells; a positive module terminal and a negative module terminal disposed on the printed circuit board, the positive and negative module terminals delivering electrical power from the vehicle battery module; and a housing enclosing the plurality of substantially rectangular, planar voltaic cells.