Battery Module Vent Duct Attachment for Simpler Cover Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules have complex structures for attaching cover bodies, leading to increased component counts and complicated operations, which need to be simplified for easier assembly and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a duct with a cylindrical portion and projections for attaching the cover body, along with an anchoring mechanism using elastically deformable arm portions and claw portions, allows for a simple configuration to secure the cover body and duct, reducing the complexity of the attachment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex structure with multiple components is used to attach the cover body, then the attachment strength and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is integrated into the cylindrical portion of the duct as a unified structure, combining the gas discharge function with the attachment function. The anchoring portion is integrated into the cover body, merging the cover protection function with the attachment function. This eliminates the need for separate attachment components while maintaining reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical portion serves dual purposes: guiding the gas discharge hose and providing attachment functionality through the integrated projection. The projection itself serves both as a structural element of the duct and as an attachment anchor. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while maintaining attachment reliability.
2Reliability
If a complex attachment operation procedure is used, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the ease of operation and assembly time are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The projection and anchoring portion are pre-formed as integral parts of the duct and cover body respectively, during the molding process. This preliminary formation eliminates the need for separate attachment component installation steps, simplifying the assembly operation while ensuring consistent attachment reliability through precise pre-formed geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arm portion of the anchoring mechanism automatically engages with the projection through its own elastic deformation, without requiring additional fastening operations or external tools. The claw portion naturally snaps onto the projection when the cover body is positioned on the duct, making the attachment process self-completing and operationally simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for attachment, then the adaptability and adjustability are improved, but the ease of manufacture and production cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is molded as an integral part of the cylindrical portion in a single manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate attachment components. The anchoring portion with its elastic arm and claw is also formed integrally in the cover body molding process. This unified manufacturing approach simplifies production while maintaining attachment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated projection structure serves both the gas discharge guidance function and the attachment function, eliminating the need for separate components. This multi-functionality reduces the number of manufacturing steps and components while maintaining the necessary adaptability for hose attachment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed design simplifies the attachment of the cover body and duct, reducing the number of components and operational complexity while maintaining structural integrity, facilitating easier assembly and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the arm portion extending in the second direction from an peripheral edge portion of the flat plate portion and elastically deformable in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A battery module (100) includes: a plurality of battery cells (11) stacked in a Y axis direction; a cover body (51) that covers the plurality of battery cells (11) in a Z axis direction; and a duct (71) through which gas from each of the plurality of battery cells (11) flows. The duct (71) has: a duct main body portion that forms a flow space for the gas; a cylindrical portion (73) to which a hose can be fitted, the cylindrical portion (73) extending, in the Y axis direction in a form of in a cylinder, from one end portion of the duct main body portion in the Y axis direction so as to have a tip with an opening; and a projection (271) with which an end portion of the hose fitted to the cylindrical portion (73) can be brought into abutment, the projection (271) protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion (73) at a position away from the opening of the cylindrical portion (73) in the Y axis direction. The cover body (51) has an anchoring portion (241) anchored to the projection (271) in the Z axis direction.