Battery Module Cell Detector Layout for Thermal Venting Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery modules face challenges in thermal stability, assembly ease, and space efficiency due to the size reduction of Cell Monitoring Units (CMUs) and the addition of wireless communication modules, which increases assembly difficulty and cost.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design with a cell detector located in a first area and supported by a protruding support portion, utilizing a flexible connection member and a hook-coupling mechanism, allowing for efficient assembly and thermal management by positioning the cell detector away from venting paths during thermal runaway.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the cell detector is positioned close to the battery cells to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but the cell detector may interfere with the venting path of gas during thermal runaway

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage or current measurement accuracyVSAvoidinterference with gas venting path
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the cell detector in a first area on the side of the battery cells rather than directly above or below them, utilizing lateral spatial arrangement to maintain measurement capability while avoiding the vertical venting path of gas during thermal runaway

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the CMU size is reduced to improve space efficiency, then space utilization is improved, but assembly difficulty and assembly cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCMU sizeVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cell detector is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently assembled onto the battery module, allowing for simplified manufacturing and assembly processes even when the overall CMU size is reduced

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cell detector is pre-positioned in a first area on the side of the battery cells during the design phase, establishing an optimal location that facilitates both compact integration and straightforward assembly operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If a partition structure completely separates battery modules to improve thermal stability, then thermal stability is improved, but wireless communication components increase the overall size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidbattery pack size
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cell detector is extracted as a separate functional component from the main CMU, allowing it to be positioned in the first area near the battery cells while the main CMU can be compactly integrated with the partition structure, thus maintaining thermal stability without excessive size increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4661159A1Battery module, battery pack including the same, and assembling method of the battery pack
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP4661159A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4661159A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4661159A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and an assembling method of the battery pack. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells arranged in a predetermined stacking direction, a busbar electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells, a sensor electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells through the busbar, and a cell detector measuring voltages or currents in the plurality of battery cells by the sensor, wherein the cell detector is arranged in a first area provided on a side of the plurality of battery cells.