Battery Module Gas Duct Attachment With Reduced Assembly Sliding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing battery module designs face challenges in workability during the attachment of gas-discharge ducts due to large relative sliding amounts between the holding member and the gas-discharge duct, compromising the ease of assembly.

Innovation Solution

The battery module incorporates a duct design with claw and groove portions that allow for reduced sliding in the stacking direction, featuring a first segment extending in the stacking direction and a second segment intersecting it, along with a stepped portion for secure attachment, and a clip mechanism to maintain the duct's position, enhancing workability and firm attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the holding member with supporting rails and gas-discharge duct with suspension rails are used for assembly, then the duct can be attached to the battery cells, but the relative sliding amount becomes large compromising workability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment firmnessVSAvoidworkability during assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The groove portion is divided into two functional segments: a first segment portion that provides anchoring in the stacking direction, and a second segment portion that provides lateral positioning. This segmentation allows the attachment mechanism to achieve both firm attachment and reduced sliding requirements during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The groove portion extends not only in the stacking direction (first direction) but also in a lateral direction (second direction), creating a three-dimensional attachment path. This dimensional extension allows the claw portion to engage the groove with minimal sliding while achieving secure attachment through the combined anchoring and positioning functions

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the duct extends in the stacking direction of battery cells, then it can collect gas from multiple cells, but the attachment process requires large sliding distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas collection capabilityVSAvoidassembly workability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The groove portion is divided into two functional segments: a first segment portion that provides anchoring in the stacking direction, and a second segment portion that provides lateral positioning. This segmentation allows the attachment mechanism to achieve both firm attachment and reduced sliding requirements during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The groove portion extends not only in the stacking direction (first direction) but also in a lateral direction (second direction), creating a three-dimensional attachment path. This dimensional extension allows the claw portion to engage the groove with minimal sliding while achieving secure attachment through the combined anchoring and positioning functions

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

Data Source

PatentEP4358268B1Battery module
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4358268B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4358268B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4358268B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A battery module includes: a duct (71) through which gas discharged from the battery cell flows; and an attachment-target member (30) to which the duct (71) is attached. The attachment-target member (30) has a first wall portion (116) and the duct (71) has a second wall portion (131). The first wall portion (116) is provided with a claw portion (121). The second wall portion (131) is provided with a groove portion (161). The groove portion (161) includes a first segment portion (166) and a second segment portion (167), the first segment portion (166) extending in the Y axis direction, the claw portion (121) being disposed in the first segment portion (166), the first segment portion (166) anchoring the claw portion (121) in the Z axis direction, the second segment portion (167) being opened at an end portion of the duct side wall portion (131) in the Z axis direction, the second segment portion (167) extending in a direction intersecting the Y axis direction, the second segment portion (167) being connected to the first segment portion (166), the second segment portion (167) allowing the claw portion (121) to enter the first segment portion (166) when attaching the duct (71) to the attachment-target member (30).