Displaceable Battery End Plate for Stable Cell Stack Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery systems face challenges in maintaining optimal pressure conditions for battery cells over their lifetime due to rigid end plates that are susceptible to length deviations and positioning issues, requiring precise production tolerances and costly adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with a displaceable end plate featuring deformable arms that allow for constant pressure exertion on the cell stack, compensating for production tolerances and swelling through elastic and plastic deformation characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid end plates are used to exert pressure onto the cell stack, then the pressure application is straightforward and structurally simple, but the system becomes susceptible to length and positioning deviations requiring precise production tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate is designed with deformable arms that allow dynamic adjustment and displacement along the stacking axis. This transforms the rigid end plate into a dynamic structure that can adapt to cell stack length variations and positioning deviations, eliminating the need for extremely precise production tolerances while maintaining effective pressure application.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable arms are designed with specific material properties and geometric configurations that allow controlled deformation under load. By changing the physical parameters of the end plate structure (flexibility, deformability), the system can accommodate manufacturing variations without requiring tighter tolerances, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity.
2Force
If rigid end plates are used, then the structure is simple, but small displacements cause large increases or decreases in force applied onto the cell stack
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable arms create a compliant mechanical system that dynamically adjusts the force-displacement relationship. As the end plate displaces along the stacking axis, the deformable arms gradually engage and distribute the force application, preventing sudden large force changes from small displacements while maintaining appropriate pressure on the cell stack.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable arms act as mechanical cushions that absorb and distribute displacement variations before they translate into force changes on the cell stack. This beforehand cushioning effect protects the cell stack from force spikes caused by positioning deviations while maintaining stable pressure throughout the operational range.
3Force
If precise production tolerances are implemented to mitigate displacement sensitivity, then force stability improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of improving force stability through tighter manufacturing tolerances (which increases cost), the invention changes the physical parameters of the end plate structure by introducing deformability. This allows the use of standard production tolerances while achieving force stability through the mechanical compliance of the deformable arms, thus resolving the contradiction between force stability and ease of manufacture.
4Force
If adjustment mechanisms are added to ensure correct pressure conditions, then pressure consistency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable arms are designed to automatically adjust and maintain correct pressure conditions on the cell stack without requiring external adjustment mechanisms. The structure self-regulates the pressure application based on the cell stack's actual position and length, eliminating the need for additional adjustment devices while maintaining pressure consistency throughout the battery system's lifetime.
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
Ensures consistent pressure on the cell stack throughout its lifetime, optimizing performance and safety by accommodating variations in cell stack length and swelling without additional adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the mounting elements is connected to the plate element via a plurality of deformable arms configured to allow displacement of the plate element along the stacking axis, and the plate element, under a deformation of the deformable arms, exerts pressure onto the cell stack
Implementation Method 2
compensating for production tolerances and swelling through elastic and plastic deformation characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system includes: a cell stack including a plurality of battery cells arranged along a stacking axis; and a cell stack frame accommodating the cell stack. The cell stack frame includes: a displaceable end plate including a plate element facing the cell stack and mounting elements at opposite sides of the plate element. The plate element is mounted to side walls of the cell stack frame via the mounting elements. Each of the mounting elements is connected to the plate element via a plurality of deformable arms configured to allow displacement of the plate element along the stacking axis, and the plate element, under a deformation of the deformable arms, exerts pressure onto the cell stack.