Battery Module Frame Stepping to Cut Resin Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery modules face challenges in maximizing space utilization and minimizing the use of thermal conductive resin due to structural design limitations, leading to unnecessary gaps and increased material usage.

Innovation Solution

The battery module design incorporates a frame member with a stepped or modified bottom portion that reduces gaps through press-molding, featuring protrusions or concave-convex structures to minimize thermal conductive resin usage and enhance structural rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If battery modules are tightly fixed in the battery pack, then structural stability is improved, but stress concentration and deformation occur during thermal expansion and contraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidbattery module deformation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple support pieces distributed across the battery pack, with each support piece independently supporting battery modules. This segmentation allows localized adaptation to thermal expansion while maintaining overall structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the battery pack are provided with support pieces at different positions, creating non-uniform local support characteristics. This allows the structure to accommodate differential thermal expansion at different locations while maintaining overall stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If battery modules are loosely arranged in the battery pack, then thermal expansion and contraction are accommodated, but structural stability and electrical connection reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal expansion accommodationVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Support pieces are pre-installed at specific positions before battery modules are placed, creating predetermined support points that guide proper module placement. This ensures both thermal expansion accommodation and reliable electrical connections are achieved through correct positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Support pieces act as intermediary elements between the battery pack structure and battery modules, mediating the interaction by providing both mechanical support for stability and proper positioning for electrical connection reliability while allowing thermal movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If support pieces are positioned precisely, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport piece positioning precisionVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Battery modules themselves serve as positioning references for placing support pieces, using the modules' own geometry and features to determine support piece locations. This self-positioning approach achieves precise positioning without requiring complex external positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Support pieces are designed with universal features that allow them to be positioned and secured using the same methods regardless of their specific location in the battery pack. This multi-functionality reduces the need for location-specific customization, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4044343B1Battery module and battery pack including the same
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4044343B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4044343B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4044343B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a frame member for housing the battery cell stack and having an opened upper portion, and an upper plate for covering the battery cell stack on an upper portion of the frame member, wherein a stepped portion is formed at the bottom portion of the frame member corresponding to the upper plate, the stepped portion is formed in each of both end portions and between both end portions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell, and wherein the stepped portion is formed by a bending section of the bottom portion of the frame member.