Battery Pack End Plate Handling Opening for Narrow Flange Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly process of rechargeable battery packs is complicated due to interference between the fastening member and the main body when the flange has a narrow width, making it difficult to secure the combining member to the end plate.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a handling opening in the end plate's main body and providing a first fastening member on the flange, which includes a nut, and a second fastening member that can be bolted through a fastening opening of the combining member, allowing for easier and secure fastening without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a narrow flange is used in the end plate, then the compactness of the battery module is improved, but interference occurs between the fastening member and the main body making assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a handling opening in the main body of the end plate, creating a new spatial dimension for the fastening member to pass through. This allows the fastening operation to occur from the main body side rather than requiring space on the flange surface, thereby resolving the interference problem while maintaining the narrow flange design for compactness
2Ease of manufacture
If an additional fastening part is added to overcome the interference problem, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The main body of the end plate is given multiple functions: it serves as the structural support for the unit cells and simultaneously provides the handling opening for fastening operations. The flange maintains its fastening function while being kept narrow. This multi-functionality approach avoids adding separate components, thereby improving ease of assembly without increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable battery pack according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes: unit cells including rechargeable batteries stacked along a first direction; rechargeable battery modules including the unit cells and electrically connected to each other, and including end plates at outermost ends of the rechargeable battery modules; and a combining member connecting the end plates of the rechargeable battery modules, wherein each of the end plates includes: a main body facing the unit cells; a flange bent from the main body and facing the combining member; a first fastening member connecting the flange to the combining member; and a handling opening in the main body at a side of the first fastening member.