Abstract:
A safety control assembly ( 10 ) for a vehicle ( 12,14 ) having a starter includes a plurality of battery modules ( 16 ) interconnected by a bus line ( 20 ) to form a circuit for supplying power to the starter. An interface circuit device interconnects the battery modules ( 16 ) to prevent the power supply between the battery modules ( 16 ) in response to a crash condition. The safety control assembly ( 10 ) of the present invention improves the crashworthiness response and effectiveness of the vehicle ( 12,14 ) and reduces the likelihood of injury of the driver and the passengers by diminishing a risk of an electrical shock to the passengers of the vehicle ( 12,14 ) and those trying to rescue the passengers injured during the collision.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This non-provisional application claims priority to provisional application Ser. Nos. 60/803,178 filed on May 25, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The subject invention relates to battery modules, and more particularly to a safety system operably connected to the battery modules and adaptable to reduce voltage in the battery modules in response to a collision or other external or internal impacts on the battery modules. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Motor vehicles, such as, for example, hybrid vehicles use multiple propulsion systems to provide motive power. This most commonly refers to gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, which use gasoline (petrol) to power internal-combustion engines (ICEs), and electric batteries to power electric motors. These hybrid vehicles recharge their batteries by capturing kinetic energy via regenerative braking. When cruising or idling, some of the output of the combustion engine is fed to a generator (merely the electric motor(s) running in generator mode), which produces electricity to charge the batteries. This contrasts with all-electric cars which use batteries charged by an external source such as the grid, or a range extending trailer. 
         [0004]    The batteries and cells are important energy storage devices well known in the art. The batteries and cells typically comprise electrodes and an ion conducting electrolyte positioned therebetween. Battery modules that contain lithium ion batteries are increasingly popular with automotive applications and various commercial electronic devices because they are rechargeable and have no memory effect. 
         [0005]    Today, most contemporary automobiles, such as typical gasoline cars, hybrid vehicles, and electric vehicles are equipped with numerous safety features that include air bags and energy absorbing devices connected to a steering column assembly. Energy absorption devices include mechanisms that permit a controlled collapse of the steering column, wherein the air bags, mounted on a wheel of the steering column assembly, are designed to deploy in the event of a collision to provide protection to the driver. In addition to the airbag, adjustable position columns are typically fitted with energy absorbing device including energy absorbing straps or the like, that allow the steering column to collapse during a collision at a controlled rate when impacted by the driver to offer additional protection to the driver. 
         [0006]    It is known to provide sensors for sensing conditions in a vehicle. These vehicle condition sensors may include, for example, vehicle impact sensors, rollover sensors, seat position sensors, seat weight sensors, seatbelt latch sensors, seatbelt tension sensors, occupant position sensors, shaft torque sensors, steering wheel position sensors, fuel level sensors, engine condition sensors, and chassis condition sensors. Many of these vehicle condition sensors are mounted on vehicle parts that are movable relative to the remainder of the vehicle. 
         [0007]    Vehicle condition sensors may provide information used to help control operation of various vehicle systems. For example, the operation of vehicle occupant protection devices, such as air bags, inflatable curtains (side air bags?), and seatbelt pretensioners, may be tailored according to information provided by seatbelt latch sensors, seatbelt tension sensors, seat position sensors, seat weight sensors, occupant position sensors, vehicle acceleration sensors, or a combination of such sensors. For instance, it is known to vary the pressure to which an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated according to factors such as crash severity, occupant size, occupant weight, and occupant position. 
         [0008]    Alluding to the above, various designs of safety devices of automotive electric control circuits and methods of forming the same replete the art of safety devices used in automotive industry. One of such devices is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,431 to Yasui et al., which teaches an electric control circuit of a safety apparatus for an automotive vehicle. The safety apparatus includes a pair of conventional primers to be fired electrically to supply fluid under pressure into an inflatable air bag. The primers are in parallel with each other by conductors and have a small internal resistance value. Collision sensors are provided on the front bumper of the vehicle and a central portion of the vehicle chassis respectively. Each of the sensors is in the form of a normally open switch to be closed upon deceleration of the vehicle in excess of a predetermined magnitude. The sensor has one end connected to the primers through a conductor and the conductors and the other end connected to the cathode of a diode through a conductor. The safety apparatus includes an actuator in series with an electric power source through a normally open switch to be electrically operated upon closure of the switch in the occurrence of a vehicle collision, a resistor is connected in parallel with the switch and has a predetermined resistance value defining an electric current applied to the actuator through the resistor to maintain the actuator inoperative. 
         [0009]    The control circuit of the U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,431 to Yasui et al., further includes a differential amplifier for amplifying a terminal voltage appearing between the opposite ends of the actuator to generate an amplified voltage therefrom, a constant voltage generator for generating a constant voltage therefrom, a comparator for comparing the amplified voltage with the constant voltage to generate an output signal therefrom when the amplified voltage becomes lower or higher than the constant voltage, and an indicator for informing of malfunction of the control circuit in response to the output signal from the comparator. The battery is still charged with enough voltage to harm the passengers and those trying to rescue the passengers in case of a contact with damaged and externally exposed wiring or other components having a contact with the battery. 
         [0010]    The United States Patent Application Publication No. 20060176158 to Fleming teaches a system having an electrical sensor for sensing a condition of a vehicle. The system also includes an energy harvesting device for providing electrical energy in response to the vehicle environment. The electrical energy is provided to the electrical sensor. The system also includes a device on the vehicle actuatable in response to the condition of the vehicle sensed by the sensor. The device is an inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The battery is still charged with enough voltage to harm the passengers and those trying to rescue the passengers in case of a contact with damaged and externally exposed wiring or other components having a contact with the battery. 
         [0011]    Unfortunately, these vehicles still present a problem of an electric shock that may dramatically injure occupants of the vehicle as collision occurs or when the occupants try to exit the vehicle damaged by the collision. 
         [0012]    One of the areas of continuous development and research in automotive industry today relates to systems and devices directed to reduction or even total elimination of the electric shock of the passengers of the vehicle and other people trying to assist the passengers injured in the collision. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    A safety system of the present invention is adaptable to be utilized in various configurations including and not limited to battery module having a variety of packaging configurations used in automotive vehicles. Preferably, the battery cells and lithium ion cells without limiting the scope of the present invention. The battery pack has a plurality of battery modules each presenting a quantity of battery cells. Each battery cell has a first electrode adjacent a first current collector and a second electrode of charge opposite from the first electrode and adjacent a second current collector and a separator layer positioned between the first and second electrodes with the first and second electrodes ionic conducting electrolyte therebetween. 
         [0014]    The safety system of the present invention is designed to provide a high voltage battery impact protection for a vehicle. The safety system is also utilized in other application requiring the battery module as a power source and utilized by a human. The safety system of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules interconnected by a bus line to form a circuit for supplying power to the vehicle system. An interface circuit device of the present invention interconnects the battery modules and is adaptable to eliminate the power supply between the battery modules in response to a crash condition. 
         [0015]    A first switch is disposed on the bus line between one of battery packs and a second of the battery packs. A second switch is disposed on the bus line between the second of the battery packs and a third of the battery packs. The first and second switches are adaptable to move between a closed position to supply the power generated by the battery packs through the bus line and an opened position to prevent the power supply between the battery packs in response to the collision. 
         [0016]    A power management control system operatively communicates with each of the battery packs and the interface circuit device. A first sensor is electrically communicated with the interface circuit device. The first sensor is utilized to sense an external impact thereby signaling the interface circuit device the external impact sensed. A second sensor is electrically communicated with the power management control system. The second sensor is utilized to sense an internal impact and to signal the power management control system the internal impact sensed. 
         [0017]    An advantage of the present invention is to improve the crashworthiness response and effectiveness of a safety system of the vehicle and reducing the likelihood of injury of the driver and the passengers. 
         [0018]    Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a battery assembly having efficient and improved safety characteristics by diminishing a risk of an electrical shock to passengers of the vehicle and those trying to rescue the passengers injured during the collision. 
         [0019]    Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a battery assembly that reduces the weight by eliminating connecting hardware and multiple redundant parts and which can easily be serviced. 
         [0020]    Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a battery assembly that reduces manufacturing costs due to simplified assembly pattern. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0021]    Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a high voltage battery impact protection system of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a top and partial schematic view of the high voltage battery impact protection system installed on a vehicle body; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a top and partial schematic view of the high voltage battery impact protection system installed on a body of a pick-up truck. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0025]    Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts, a high voltage impact protection system (the system) of the present invention is generally shown at  10 . The system  10  is used for protecting passengers (not shown) located inside a passenger vehicle  12 , a pick-up truck  14 , and any other vehicles, without limiting the scope of the present invention. The system  10  also protects rescue personnel trying to assist injured passengers as collision occurred. The system  10  is adaptable for battery unit or module  16  adaptable to be utilized in various configurations including and not limited to any cell packaging configuration used in the automotive vehicle  12 . The system  10  may also be employed in other, i.e. non-automotive applications, without limiting the scope of the present invention. 
         [0026]    Those skilled in electrochemical art will appreciate that the battery module  16  is an electrochemical device that stores and provides electrical energy. When the module  16  is connected to an external load, an energy conversion occurs that results in current flow through a circuit to operate the load. The battery module  16  is a storage device on the vehicle&#39;s  12  and  14  electrical system and plays an important role in the operation of the starting, charging, ignition, and accessory circuits. However, large demand placed on the battery module  16  occurs when it must supply current to operate the some systems of the vehicle  12  and  14 . As such, lithium battery is both known and expected to grow within the automotive market and to replace current types of batteries, especially with introduction of economical and environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles. 
         [0027]    Each battery module  16  includes a plurality of cells (not shown). Preferably, each cell is a lithium cell without limiting the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the battery art will appreciate that other cells can be utilized with the present invention. Preferably, each battery module  16  includes multiple rows of battery cells (not shown), with each row includes five modules of the cells. Each module of the cells (not shown) are interconnected with one another in the pattern known to those skilled in the battery art and extend along each row being electrically connected in relationship with one another. The battery module  16  is adaptable to be utilized in various configurations including and not limited to an overlapping battery cell packaging configuration, a vertical stack battery cell packaging configuration, and other configurations, without limiting the scope of the present invention. 
         [0028]    Each cell includes a plurality of battery components (not shown) co-acting between one and the other ionic conducting electrolyte there between as known to those skilled in a lithium battery art. A first electrode is adjacent a first current collector and a second electrode of charge opposite from the first electrode is adjacent a second current collector. A separator layer is positioned between the first and second electrodes with the first and second electrodes containing electrolyte therebetween. 
         [0029]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the system  10  of the present invention includes a bus line  20  interconnecting the battery modules  16 , completing a circuit through  22  for supplying power to the starter. An interface circuit device  24  of the present invention interconnects the battery modules  16  and is adaptable to prevent the power current supply between the battery modules  16  in response to a crash condition. A plurality of switches  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  are disposed along the bus line and between the battery modules  16 . Each switch  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  is adaptable to move or to be switched between a closed position to supply the power generated by the battery modules  16  through the bus line  20  and an opened position to prevent the power supply between the battery modules  16  in response to the collision. A power management control system  34  is operatively communicated with each of the battery modules  16  and the interface circuit device  24 . 
         [0030]    A plurality of sensors  36  and  38  are supported by the vehicle  12  for sensing the internal and/or external impacts and for sending an alert signal to the power management control system  34  and to the interface circuit device  24  thereby regulating the manipulation of the switches  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  between the closed position to the opened position as collision occurs. One of the sensors, i.e. the external sensor  36  is electrically communicated with the interface circuit device  24 . The external sensor  36  is utilized to sense an external impact thereby signaling the interface circuit device  24  the external impact being sensed. 
         [0031]    A second sensor, i.e. the internal sensor  38  is electrically communicated with the power management control system  34 . The internal sensor  38  is utilized to sense an internal impact and to signal the power management control system  34  the internal impact sensed. Alternatively, each sensor  36  and  38  may be selectively and interchangeably connected to either the interface circuit device  24  or to the power management control system  34 , without limiting the scope of the present invention. The system  10  may include a plurality of the external and internal sensors  36  and  38  installed about the periphery of the vehicle  12  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0032]    Alluding to the above, as the collision occurs, the external sensor  36  will sense an external impact and will sense an alert signal to the interface circuit device  24 . The power interface circuit device  24  will send a command signal to each switch  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  directing them to switch from the closed position, as shown in phantom, to the opened position thereby preventing the power supply between the battery modules  16  in response to the collision. If the impact is minimal and is not sensed by the external sensor  36 , the back up application, i.e. the internal sensor  38  will sense the internal impact, such as any possible impact within the vehicle, or the like, and will signal the power management control system  34 , which is operatively communicated with each of the battery modules  16  and the interface circuit device  24 , to send a command signal to each of the switches  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  directing them to switch from the closed position to the opened position thereby preventing the power supply between the battery modules  16  in response to the collision. Each battery module  16  may have a potential of carrying voltage enough to detriment the human being. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the system  10  includes a plurality of switching elements  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46  connected to each switches  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32 . Each switching element  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46  presents a break-away devices adaptable for opening the switches  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  in response to sensed at least one the internal impact and external impact on the vehicle  12 . Each said break-away device may also include a fuse responsive to at least one internal impact, external impact or current event on the vehicle  12  or  14 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other switching elements may be used with the present invention including, but not limited to, various permanent opening devices, latching switches or squibs. 
         [0034]    A plurality of the battery modules  16  may fatally injure the human being. During the collision, the wiring of the automotive power systems and even the pack case may be exposed openly through damaged parts of the vehicle  12 . If unnoticed, it may cause a shock leading to a death or severe body harm. As such, the system  10  of the present invention is directed to prevent these harms from happening by minimizing voltage in each of the battery modules  16  to a level that is non-fatal if contacted by normal human body model. 
         [0035]    While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.