Battery Outer Case Structure for End-Plate-Free Cell Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage apparatuses have a large number of parts, leading to increased weight, cost, and decreased productivity due to the need for multiple components to restrain energy storage devices within an outer case.
Innovation Solution
The energy storage apparatus features a configuration with a first and second outer case joined side by side, utilizing connecting portions on the outer periphery and inner portions connected by a joining member, allowing the energy storage device to be restrained without end plates, thereby reducing the number of parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple end plates and connecting components are used to restrain energy storage devices, then the restraint reliability is improved, but the number of parts increases leading to increased weight, cost, and decreased productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple end plates and connecting components into a single integrated outer case structure. The outer case includes first and second cases joined at connecting portions, which collectively perform the restraint function that previously required multiple separate end plates and connectors, thereby reducing part count while maintaining restraint reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The outer case structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides restraint for energy storage devices, structural support, and connection interfaces through its integrated design. The connecting portions fulfill both structural joining and restraint functions, eliminating the need for dedicated restraint components
2Reliability
If multiple end plates and connecting components are used to restrain energy storage devices, then the restraint reliability is improved, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple separate restraint components into a single integrated outer case structure, the total material usage is reduced. The first and second cases joined at connecting portions replace multiple end plates and connectors, directly reducing the weight of the energy storage apparatus while maintaining adequate restraint
3Reliability
If multiple end plates and connecting components are used to restrain energy storage devices, then the restraint reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated outer case structure reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and assembled. By combining the functions of multiple end plates and connecting components into a unified structure with first and second cases joined at connecting portions, manufacturing complexity and cost are reduced while maintaining restraint reliability
4Reliability
If multiple end plates and connecting components are used to restrain energy storage devices, then the restraint reliability is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reduced part count in the integrated outer case structure directly improves assembly productivity. Fewer components mean fewer assembly steps, less handling time, and simplified quality control, all while the first and second cases joined at connecting portions maintain the necessary restraint reliability
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage apparatus including an energy storage device and an outer case in which the energy storage device is accommodated, wherein the outer case includes a first outer case and a second outer case which are disposed side by side in a first direction and are joined to each other, the energy storage device is interposed and restrained between the first outer case and the second outer case in the first direction, the first outer case and the second outer case include a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion which are disposed on outer peripheral portions of the first outer case and the second outer case and are joined in a state of being in contact with each other when viewed from the first direction, and a third connecting portion and a fourth connecting portion which are disposed more inside than the outer peripheral portions and are joined to each other when viewed from the first direction, and the third connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion are joined by a joining member in a state of being separated from each other.