Modular battery assembly

Abstract

A modular battery assembly includes at least a first battery pack and a second battery pack. Each battery pack includes a container at least partially enclosing a first plurality of electrical storage devices, an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach the first container to a chassis of a vehicle, a mechanical connector, and an electrical connector configured to connect the plurality of electrical storage devices to a control section of the vehicle. The battery pack containers are configured to be removably attached to each other by connection of the mechanical connectors.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A vehicle, comprising:
 a body forming a passenger compartment and an exterior shell;   a chassis supporting the body, the chassis including a frame structure comprising:
 a pair of side rails running longitudinally along the body; 
 a pair of end rails interconnecting the side rails; and 
 a bay defined between the side rails and the end rails; and 
   a modular battery assembly comprising a plurality of battery packs positioned in the bay and a control section, the battery packs each comprising:
 a container at least partially enclosing a plurality of electrical storage devices; 
 an attachment mechanism removably attaching a respective battery pack to the frame structure; and 
 an electrical connector connecting the pluralities of electrical storage devices to each other and to the control section, 
   wherein the electrical storage devices of one battery pack are electrically connected to the electrical storage devices of each other battery pack in parallel.   
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the attachment mechanism is a latching mechanism including a receiving member in which a striker attached to the frame structure is inserted and further including a latching hook for automatically attaching the striker to the receiving member when the striker is in the receiving member. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein each battery pack further comprises at least one mechanical connector removably attaching a respective battery pack to an adjacent battery pack. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one mechanical connector includes a receiving member on one longitudinal side of a respective container and an inserting member on an opposing longitudinal side of the respective container, and
 wherein the receiving member of one battery pack is configured to receive the inserting member of an adjacent battery pack.   
     
     
         17 . A vehicle, comprising:
 a body forming a passenger compartment and an exterior shell;   a chassis supporting the body, the chassis including a frame structure comprising:
 a pair of side rails running longitudinally along the body; 
 one or more rigid cross rails interconnecting the pair of side rails; and 
 a plurality of bays defined between the side rails and separated by the one or more cross rails; and 
   a modular battery assembly comprising a plurality of battery packs, each positioned in a separate bay of the plurality of bays, and a control section, the battery packs each comprising:
 a container at least partially enclosing a plurality of electrical storage devices; and 
 an attachment mechanism removably attaching a respective battery pack to the frame structure; and 
 an electrical connector connecting the pluralities of electrical storage devices to each other and to the control section, 
   wherein longitudinal sides of the containers each include a cutout portion, and wherein a pair of cutout portions in adjacent battery packs define a channel for receiving a cross rail of the one or more rigid cross rails.   
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein the electrical storage devices of one battery pack are electrically connected to the electrical storage devices of each other battery pack in parallel. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein the attachment mechanism is a latching mechanism including a receiving member in which a striker attached to the frame structure is inserted and further including a latching hook for automatically attaching the striker to the receiving member when the striker is in the receiving member. 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein each battery pack further includes at least one mechanical connector removably attaching a respective battery pack to an adjacent battery pack, and wherein the at least one mechanical connector includes a receiving member on one longitudinal side of a respective container and an inserting member on an opposing longitudinal side of the respective container, and
 wherein the receiving member of one battery pack is configured to receive the inserting member of an adjacent battery pack.