Abstract:
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to an apparatus for a battery system for electric vehicles and, more particularly, to removable modular batteries and a battery case to store the batteries.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field 
         [0002]    Subject matter disclosed herein relates to an apparatus for a battery system for electric vehicles and, more particularly, to removable modular batteries and a battery case to store the batteries. 
         [0003]    2. Information 
         [0004]    Hybrid electric vehicles that employ battery power together with power from an engine-driven electrical generator, and electric vehicles which may rely entirely on batteries for power are becoming more common. Batteries for hybrid or all-electric vehicles tend to be heavy assemblies that may involve specialized equipment for installation or removal from a vehicle. For example, size or weight of vehicle batteries may present difficulties for an individual to exchange a discharged or to install fresh batteries. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0005]    Non-limiting or non-exhaustive embodiments will be described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout various figures unless otherwise specified. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a vehicle that includes a battery case, according to an embodiment; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  includes perspective figures of vehicle batteries and a battery case, according to an embodiment; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective figure of a moveable cart carrying multiple battery cases, according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of claimed subject matter. Thus, appearances of phrases such as “in one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments. 
         [0010]    Reference is made in the following detailed description to accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. It should also be noted that directions and/or references, for example, up, down, top, bottom, and so on, may be used to facilitate discussion of drawings and/or are not intended to restrict application of claimed subject matter. It is understood that these terms do not necessarily refer to a direction defined by gravity or any other particular orientation. Instead, these terms are merely used to identify one portion versus another portion. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken to limit the scope of claimed subject matter and/or equivalents. 
         [0011]    Batteries for hybrid or all-electric vehicles may present a number of difficulties which may, for example, reduce potential marketability of these vehicles. For example, vehicle batteries may comprise relatively heavy assemblies having size or weight leading to physically unsafe conditions for manually handling the batteries under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) handling guidelines or standards. Accordingly, relatively expensive mechanical equipment may be involved in installation, removal, or maintenance of vehicle batteries. 
         [0012]    In addition, imbedding vehicle batteries within a body of a vehicle may lead to difficult or cumbersome processes for maintenance or safety inspections. Thus, for example, troublesome maintenance or safety inspections may be skipped from time to time. However, vehicle batteries not adequately inspected are known to have caused major vehicle fires. Also, some methods of recharging vehicle batteries may involve leaving the batteries in a vehicle because of the difficulty in handling the batteries. Recharging vehicle batteries left in a vehicle may lead to relatively long recharge-service times (e.g., a vehicle incapacitated for one or more hours) based, at least in part, on a cycle time of a method to recharge the batteries. On the other hand, fast-charge methods, which may be relatively expensive, may improve upon slower recharge methods, but may be significantly slower than a method of replacing spent batteries with freshly charged batteries. However, a heavy-single-module replacement system, which may have a relatively slow cycle time, may cost over $500,000 in capital equipment, for example. In comparison, gas or diesel power refill may be performed (e.g., at a gas station) in a few minutes. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, hybrid or all-electric vehicles may operate using a plurality of relatively heavy vehicle batteries. Throughout a life of a hybrid or all-electric vehicle, such vehicle batteries may be removed or replaced for charging, maintenance, inspection, retirement, and so on. Handling a large number of heavy vehicle batteries may lead to a cumbersome or physically harmful experience. Accordingly, a battery case to hold a plurality of vehicle batteries may include features to allow for relatively easy or fast removal or insertion. For example, a battery case may provide a benefit in that a vehicle need not be dissembled to remove or add vehicle batteries. In one implementation, a battery case may be attached to a portion of a hybrid or all-electric vehicle so that batteries stored in the battery case may supply electric power to the vehicle. In another implementation, a plurality of battery cases may be stacked on a workbench or cart, for example, so that maintenance or charging may be performed on batteries stored in the battery cases. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, a vehicle battery case may be incorporated within a hybrid-powered vehicle or a non-gas-powered vehicle, such as an all-electric vehicle, for example. However, a vehicle battery case may also be incorporated within a gas-powered vehicle, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, a battery case may include ridges (e.g., “slides”) on which vehicle batteries may slide during insertion or removal of the batteries to or from the battery case. Ridges may comprise a material that allows for a relatively small amount of sliding friction between the ridges and vehicle batteries. In addition to reduced friction, ridges of a battery case may comprise a relatively small surface area on which vehicle batteries slide, compared to a surface area of a bottom of the battery case. Ridges having a relatively small amount of friction may be used in lieu of mechanical sliders or rollers that may include bearings, gears, shafts, and so on, for example. Accordingly, a battery case may comprise a relatively simple or easily manufacturable shape that need not use sliders or rollers to facilitate moving relatively heavy vehicle batteries, though sliders or rollers may be utilized in some embodiments. 
         [0016]    Descriptions of some examples or embodiments may describe lifting, sliding, or moving relatively heavy vehicle batteries. Just to give a particular numeric example, relatively heavy batteries may have a weight over ten pounds, though claimed subject matter is not so limited. A relatively heavy battery may be considered easy to slide, for example, if a user need not use an entire gripped hand to initiate or slide a battery. Instead, if a battery is considered easy to slide, then a user may use merely a few fingers to pull or push the battery, for example. Of course, such details are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0017]    In a particular embodiment, a vehicle battery case may comprise a housing at least partially enclosing a cavity to receive one or more vehicle batteries substantially along an axial direction of the cavity. An internal surface of a bottom portion of the housing may include one or more slides on which vehicle batteries may slide with relatively low sliding resistance (e.g., kinetic friction). In some implementations, however, internal surfaces of top or side portions of a housing may include one or more slides. Slides may comprise elongate ridges that extend upward and substantially in parallel to an axial direction of the battery case cavity. Slides may at least partially support weight of one or more vehicle batteries during sliding or storing of the batteries, though claimed subject matter is not necessarily so limited. 
         [0018]    In one implementation, an elongate ridge may comprise a raised portion of an internal surface of housing material of a battery case. For example, a raised portion of an internal surface of housing material may have a shape that is at least partially convex with respect to a cavity of the housing. Portions of housing material may further include one or more channels having a shape that is at least partially concave with respect to the cavity of the housing. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, to allow for symbiotic use among a vehicle battery case and one or more vehicle batteries, external surfaces of the batteries may have a shape that corresponds to a shape of a cavity of the vehicle battery case. In particular, an external surface of a vehicle battery may include one or more features to correspond to a shape of an internal surface of a housing of a vehicle battery case. For example, an external surface of a vehicle battery may include one or more elongate battery ridges that may be sized or positioned to correspond to one or more channels on an internal surface of a housing of a vehicle battery case. A correspondence, for example, may comprise a male-female relationship between a raised portion of a vehicle battery and a channel of a vehicle battery case. In other embodiments, one or more ridges on a battery may correspond to one or more ridges in a cavity of a vehicle battery case in a male-male relationship, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this regard. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, a vehicle battery case may accommodate vehicle batteries that comply with any of a number of manufacturing specifications or standards. For example a battery standard may specify a particular size, shape, or other physical feature for a vehicle battery. In one implementation, a battery standard may specify that vehicle batteries may be stackable or fit closely end-to-end, for example. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, vehicle batteries may operated with a cooling system to help maintain battery temperature below a particular level, for example. Accordingly, a vehicle battery case may include one or more duct inlets or outlets to allow for flow of a coolant, such as air, for example. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a vehicle example or embodiment, such as  110 , that includes an attached battery case (not shown), such as battery case  230 , shown in  FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment. Vehicle  110  may comprise any of a number of types of hybrid or all-electric vehicles, such as, but not limited to, an automobile, an aircraft, or a boat, for example. A battery case, which may be mounted or attached to an underside region of a vehicle, may hold one or more vehicle batteries  122  while being used as a power source for the vehicle. Alternatively, one or more vehicle batteries may merely be stored in a battery case and need not be used as a power source at times. 
         [0023]    An attached battery case may include a front port  115  that may include a cover  117  that may be hinged. One or more vehicle batteries  122  may be inserted into or removed from a battery case, as indicated by arrow  105 , for example. Inserting or removing batteries may be facilitated by one or more low-friction slides (e.g., shown in  FIG. 2 ) disposed inside a cavity of a battery housing. Accordingly, one or more vehicle batteries  122  may be slid into or out from the cavity while weight of the vehicle battery is at least partially supported by the one or more low-friction slides. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment, a vehicle battery may have a height or width substantially the same as that of a cavity of a battery case. However, a length of a vehicle battery may be less than that of a cavity of a battery case. Accordingly, multiple batteries may extend from a rear end to a front end of a battery case. In one implementation, one vehicle battery may be inserted into the cavity following another vehicle battery so that a plurality of batteries may be placed into the cavity of a battery case. For example, a second inserted battery following a first inserted battery may physically contact the first battery so that a user pushing on the second battery may impart a force on the first battery via the second battery. In one implementation, physical contact among two or more batteries may facilitate electrical contact among batteries. Sliding friction between the plurality of sliding batteries and the cavity of the battery case may be relatively low so that a user sliding several batteries together in the cavity need not experience significant resistance. 
         [0025]    In another implementation, vehicle batteries may have a length approximately the same as a length of a cavity of a battery case. Accordingly, a single battery may extend approximately from a rear end to a front end of battery case. In yet another implementation, vehicle batteries may have a height substantially less than a height of a cavity of a battery case. Accordingly, multiple batteries may be placed or stacked upon one another inside the cavity. An example of such a situation is shown in  FIG. 2 , for example. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  includes perspective figures of vehicle batteries and a battery case, according to an embodiment. In particular, the figure on the left shows a cutaway view of a vehicle battery example or embodiment, such as  220 , inserted in a cavity of a battery case  230 . The figure in the center shows vehicle batteries  220 . The figure on the right shows battery case  230  without batteries. 
         [0027]    In a particular embodiment, a vehicle battery case  230  may comprise a housing  231  at least partially enclosing cavity  233  to receive one or more vehicle batteries  220  substantially along an axial direction of the cavity. A bottom portion  235 B of housing  231  may include one or more slides  245  on which vehicle batteries  220  may slide with relatively low sliding resistance. In some implementations, however, top portion  235 T or side portions  235  A, C of housing  231  may include one or more slides or channels, such as channel  240 , for example. Slides may at least partially support weight of one or more vehicle batteries during sliding or storing of the batteries. For example, the direction of gravity with respect to vehicle battery case  230  in one particular embodiment is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0028]    As mentioned above, vehicle batteries  220  may have a length approximately the same as a length of a cavity  233  of battery case  230 . Accordingly, a single battery may extend from a rear end  270  to a front end of battery case  230 . In yet another implementation, vehicle batteries may have a height substantially less than an inside height of a cavity of a battery case. Accordingly, multiple batteries  220  may be placed or stacked upon one another inside cavity  233 , for example. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, battery case  230  may include slides  245  on which battery  220  may be slid into or out of cavity  233 . Between or among slides  245 , one or more recessed portions  250  may comprise a portion of battery case  230  that need not contact batteries inserted in cavity  233 , for example. In particular, if a direction of gravity is as shown in  FIG. 2 , then bottom portion  235 B of battery case  230  may at least partially support a weight of vehicle batteries  220 . Accordingly, it may be desirable to include slides  245  and recessed portions  250  to reduce area of contact between bottom portion  235 B and batteries in cavity  233 . Reduced area may lead to reduced frictional forces between or among batteries and surfaces in cavity  233 , which may allow for greater ease with which a user may install or remove batteries from the cavity. In addition, slides may comprise a material having relatively low friction. For example, a polyethylene-type material may provide a relatively slippery surface on which (e.g., heavy) batteries may be relatively easily moved. Other materials, such as any of a number of types of plastics or metals, for example, may also be used as slide material or housing material, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. In a particular implementation, a coefficient of friction between one or more slides and one or more vehicle batteries may comprise a value less than about 0.20, for example. 
         [0030]    Recessed portions  250  may provide a benefit in that dirt or other material may accumulate in recessed portions  250  where the dirt or material may be out of the way of a sliding vehicle battery. In other words, recessed portions  250  may provide a space where undesirable material may accumulate, thus helping to maintain cleanliness of slides  245 , for example. Also, undesirable material accumulated in recessed portions  250  may be relatively easy to remove, thus allowing slides  245 , areas surrounding slides  245 , or recessed portions  250 , for example, to be relatively easy to clean. 
         [0031]    In an embodiment, a vehicle battery may have a shape that corresponds to a shape of a vehicle battery case. For example, vehicle battery  220  may include one or more raised battery portions, such as  222 ,  224 , or  226 . Raised portions may correspond to recessed portions of a vehicle battery case. For example, raised portion  226  may correspond to channel  240  of vehicle battery case  230 . On the other hand, in another embodiment, raised battery portions may correspond to raised portions or slides of a vehicle battery case. For example, raised portions  222  may correspond to slides  245  of vehicle battery case  230 . In one particular implementation, one or more raised portions  224  disposed on sides of battery  220  may provide bumpers to guide battery  220  during contact with sides  235 A, C from time to time while battery  220  is slid into or out of cavity  233 , for example. On the other hand, one or more raised portions  224  providing bumpers to contact sides  235 A, C from time to time may be useful while battery  220  is stationary in cavity  233  but while vehicle battery case  230  is in motion with a moving vehicle (e.g., shaking or jostling motion). For example, raised portions  224  may be useful for holding battery  220  at least approximately in a particular position in cavity  233  during vehicle motion. Vehicle battery  220  may also include a handle that a user may use to pull or push battery  220  out of or into cavity  233 , for example. 
         [0032]    In an embodiment, a vehicle battery may comprise any number of electronic features, such as a charge-light indicator  227  or a plug  229 , for example. Indicator  227  may include a battery condition indicator (e.g., charge level, temperature, and so on), for example. Plug  229  may be used to electrically connect one battery to another or to electrically connect one or more batteries to a vehicle electrical system  102 , for example. In one implementation, rear end  270  may comprise an end-cap including openings for electrical cables to connect among one or more batteries and a vehicle electrical system. In another implementation, rear end  270  may comprise electrical plugs on an internal surface to receive connections of one or more batteries to connect among the one or more batteries and a vehicle electrical system. In yet another implementation, rear end  270  may comprise one or more openings (not shown) to accommodate inlet or outlet ducts for cooling vehicle batteries located in cavity  233 . For example, air may flow through cavity  233  to cool batteries  220 . Inlet or outlet ducts may be located in other portions of vehicle battery case  230 , such as portions  235 A,  235 B,  235 C, or  235 T, for example. Of course, such details of a vehicle battery case or a vehicle battery are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0033]    In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing vehicle battery case  230  may comprise forming housing  231  by extruding a polyethylene-type material into a shape that includes one or more slides  245 , one or more channels  240 , or any other feature that may be formed from an extrusion process, for example. In an alternative embodiment, a method of manufacturing vehicle battery case  230  may comprise forming housing  231  by molding a polyethylene-type material into a shape that includes one or more slides  245 , one or more channels  240 , or any other feature that may be formed from a molding process, for example. 
         [0034]    Though other methods of manufacturing vehicle battery case  230  may be used, extruded or molded polyethylene-type material may lead to a housing  231  that is relatively strong, has relatively low friction with many other materials, is relatively resistant to acids, or is water resistant. For example, an extrusion or molding process may allow for a housing  231  that need not include seams. Extruded or molded polyethylene-type material may also allow for housing  231  that has a cross-sectional shape comprising any of a number of possibilities, such as rectangular, square, circular, oval, and so on. Of course, any of a number of cross-sectional shapes may be attained by any of a number of methods of manufacturing other than extrusion or molding, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective figure of a moveable cart example or embodiment, such as  300 , carrying multiple battery cases  330 , according to an embodiment. Cart  300  may include castors  360  or a frame  370  having sufficient mechanical strength to support a relatively large amount of weight that may accompany a plurality of vehicle batteries, for example. Cart  300  may be useful for transporting or storing a plurality of vehicle batteries, which may be relatively heavy or cumbersome. Individual battery cases  330  may hold one or more vehicle batteries, whereas cart  300  may hold a plurality of battery cases  330 . Accordingly, a relatively high number of vehicle batteries may be transported or stored by cart  300 . For example, a plurality of vehicle batteries may be removed from a hybrid vehicle for inspection or electrical measurements and placed into cavities  333  of battery cases  330  on cart  300 . Insertion or removal of vehicle batteries may be facilitated by one or more slides  345  included in individual battery cases  330  that may lead to a relatively low amount of friction while sliding the vehicle batteries into or out of cavity  333 , for example. Of course, such details of a moveable cart are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0036]    In the preceding description, various aspects of claimed subject matter have been described. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, systems, or configurations may have been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. However, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that claimed subject matter may be practiced without those specific details. In other instances, features that would be understood by one of ordinary skill were omitted or simplified so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. While certain features have been illustrated or described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, or equivalents may now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications or changes as fall within the true spirit of claimed subject matter.