Device for Making Rapid Connections and Disconnections Between High Voltage Battery Modules and Other Motor Vehicle Systems

Abstract

A battery module for a vehicle comprises a first portion adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and a second portion mounted to a battery box. A first pair of high voltage electrical connectors is mounted to the first portion and a second pair of high voltage electrical connectors are mounted to the second portion. The first pair of high voltage electrical connectors are configured to mate with the second pair of high voltage electrical connectors. Additionally, a first general electrical connector is mounted to the first portion of the battery box and a second general electrical connector is mounted to the second portion of the battery box. The first general electrical connector is configured to mate with the second general electrical connector.

1 . A battery module for a vehicle comprising:
 a first portion adapted to be mounted to a vehicle;   a second portion mounted to a battery box;   a first pair of high voltage electrical connectors mounted to the first portion and a second pair of high voltage electrical connectors mounted to the second portion, wherein the first pair of high voltage electrical connectors are configured to mate with the second pair of high voltage electrical connectors; and   a first general electrical connector mounted to the first portion and a second general electrical connector mounted to the second portion, wherein the first general electrical connector is configured to mate with the second general electrical connector.   
     
     
         2 . The battery module of  claim 1 , further comprising a first pair of fluid connectors mounted to the first portion and a second pair of fluid connectors mounted to the second portion, wherein the first pair of fluid connectors are configured to mate with the second pair of fluid connectors. 
     
     
         3 . The battery module of  claim 2 , wherein the second pair of fluid connectors are connected to at least one fluid conduit within the battery box, and wherein the first pair of fluid connectors fluidly seal the fluid conduit when not connected to the first pair of fluid connectors. 
     
     
         4 . The battery module of  claim 3 , wherein the first pair of fluid connectors and the second pair of fluid connectors fluidly connect the fluid conduit to a cooling system for the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The battery module of  claim 3 , wherein the first pair of fluid connectors and the second pair of fluid connectors are connecting mechanical fittings to fluidly seal and pressurize the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The battery module of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the battery module is connected to the first portion of the battery module to operably connect a battery to the vehicle, and wherein the first portion of the battery module and the second portion of the battery module contain all of the connections required by the battery. 
     
     
         7 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of disconnecting a battery module from a vehicle comprising:
 sending a disengagement signal to a controller for the battery;   releasing a mechanical lock between a first pair of fluid connectors mounted on a first portion of the battery module and a second pair of fluid connectors located on a second portion of the battery module; and   moving the second portion of the battery module away from the first portion of the battery module.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein moving the second portion of the battery module away from the first portion of the battery module further comprises moving a first pair of high voltage electrical connectors mounted on the first portion of the battery module away from a second pair of high voltage electrical connectors mounted on the second portion of the battery module, and moving a first general electrical connector mounted on the first portion of the battery module away from a second general electrical connector mounted on the second portion of the battery module. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising engaging the mechanical lock when the second pair of high voltage electrical connectors is not contacting the first pair of high voltage electrical connectors. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising activating a solenoid actuator operably connected to the second pair of fluid connectors to release the mechanical lock on the second pair of fluid connectors when the disengagement signal is received from the battery controller. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein de-activating the solenoid actuator occurs when the first pair of fluid connectors and the second pair of fluid connectors are no longer contacting one another.