Battery Module Frame Structure for Cell Swelling Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery modules face safety issues due to cell swelling during thermal runaway, aging, or normal charging and discharging, which can lead to deformation and failure of structural components, as the swelling force is not adequately absorbed by rigid side plates.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design incorporating a frame with position-limiting members to isolate cell swelling forces and buffer members to absorb displacement, including energy absorbing members that distribute and mitigate the thrust on the side plate, thereby reducing the risk of rupture and improving safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a conventional rigid side plate is used to contain cells, then the structural strength is improved, but the side plate cannot absorb cell swelling forces, leading to deformation and failure of structural components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside plate strengthVSAvoidstructural component reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The side plate is divided into a rigid outer frame and separate buffer members positioned between cells. The rigid frame maintains structural strength while the buffer members absorb swelling forces, preventing force transmission to the main side plate structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Buffer members are introduced as intermediary elements between the cells and the rigid side plate. These buffer members absorb the swelling displacement and thrust, acting as a mediator that protects the rigid side plate from direct mechanical stress while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If cells are arranged in parallel in the frame, then the energy absorbing member can be positioned adjacent to the position-limiting member, but the swelling displacement accumulates at the outermost cell, exerting large thrust on the side plate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy absorbing member positioningVSAvoidswelling thrust on side plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into multiple spaces by position-limiting members, which segment the cell arrangement. This segmentation distributes the swelling forces across different zones and prevents accumulation at the outermost cell, reducing the total thrust on the side plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Position-limiting members serve as intermediary structures between groups of cells. They isolate and distribute the swelling forces from cells in different spaces, preventing force accumulation and reducing the burden on the side plate while maintaining flexible energy absorbing member positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If buffer members are disposed between adjacent cells and/or between cell and frame, then the swelling displacement is absorbed, but the position-limiting member needs to divide the frame into multiple spaces for even cell arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswelling displacement absorptionVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The position-limiting members serve multiple functions: they divide the frame into spaces for even cell arrangement, provide structural support, and work cooperatively with buffer members to manage swelling forces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The frame is segmented into multiple spaces by position-limiting members, creating an organized cell arrangement that facilitates even distribution of swelling forces. This segmentation works synergistically with buffer members to absorb displacement while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively reduces the outward displacement and thrust caused by cell swelling, enhancing the safety and stability of the battery module by distributing the swelling force and preventing excessive deformation or failure of structural components.

Implementation Method 1

By utilizing the elastic deformation of the buffer members to absorb the amount of swelling of the cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an energy absorbing member is further included, and the energy absorbing member is arranged at a position adjacent to the position-limiting member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4287375A1Battery module and electronic device
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 AESC JAPAN LTD
  • EP4287375A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4287375A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4287375A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The disclosure relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular, to a battery module and an electronic device. The battery module includes a frame (1), a cell (2), a position-limiting member (3), and a buffer member (4). A plurality of the cells (2) are stacked in the frame (1) in parallel. The position-limiting member (3) is disposed in the frame (1), and divides the frame (1) into a plurality of spaces for the cells (2) being evenly arranged. A plurality of the buffer members (4) are respectively disposed between the adjacent cells (2) and/or between the cell (2) and the frame (1).