Air cooling system for high voltage battery cell arrays

A battery module for a vehicle comprising:

• a container having a cover portion and a base portion, and defining a pair of battery inlet ports and a converter module inlet port;
• a first duct in fluid communication with one of the battery inlet ports and a second duct in fluid communication with the other of the battery inlet ports and the module inlet port;
• and
• first and second cell stacks supported on the base portion and housed within the container, the stacks defining a first passageway therebetween configured to direct fluid flow between the stacks, the base portion and first stack defining a second passageway therebetween configured to direct fluid flow underneath the first stack, and the base portion further defining a ramp underneath the second stack and configured to direct the fluid flow from the second passageway into the second stack.

A battery module for a vehicle comprising:

• front and rear battery cell arrays arranged generally parallel to and spaced apart from one another;
• a battery cover having first and second inlet ports proximate to the front battery cell array and arranged obliquely thereto;
• a converter cover having a module inlet port proximate to a converter module housed therein;
• a blower unit configured to draw air through the first and second inlet ports and the module inlet port, a first portion of the air traveling into the front battery cell array;
• a pair of ducts to direct air to the ports, one of the ducts in fluid communication with the module inlet port and one of the first and second inlet ports;
• and
• a tray cooperating with the front battery cell array to define a passageway configured to direct a second portion of the air underneath the front battery cell array, the tray further defining a ramp underneath, and extending substantially a length of, the rear battery cell array and configured to direct the second portion into the rear battery cell array.