Battery Module Heat Insulator With Recessed Buffer Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules require large-scale restraining members to manage the increased reaction force from battery expansion, leading to increased size and weight.
Innovation Solution
A heat insulator with a heat insulating sheet and a buffer sheet, where the buffer sheet is more easily deformable, and the insulating sheet has recessed portions for the buffer sheet to enter, reducing the reaction force and allowing for a smaller, lighter battery module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the battery expands, then the heat insulator is compressively deformed following expansion, but distortions are accumulated in the buffer portion and reaction force increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat insulating portion is designed with a porous structure that allows the buffer portion to be compressed and distorted into the porous spaces during battery expansion. This porous structure enables the buffer portion to deform without accumulating excessive distortion, thereby reducing the reaction force while maintaining adaptability to battery expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat insulator is divided into two portions with different properties: a heat insulating portion with porous structure and a buffer portion with different compressibility. This local differentiation allows each portion to perform its specific function - the buffer portion absorbs expansion through compression while the porous structure provides space for deformation without excessive reaction force.
2Reliability
If the reaction force increases, then the heat insulator presses back the battery, but a large-scale restraining member is necessary, increasing size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure of the heat insulating portion provides internal space that accommodates the compression and distortion of the buffer portion during battery expansion. This design reduces the reaction force, allowing smaller and lighter restraining members to provide sufficient constraint reliability without requiring large-scale components.
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 reaction force exerted by the heat insulator, minimizing the need for large restraining members and reducing the size and mass of the battery module.
Implementation Method 1
the buffer sheet is deformed such that a portion of the buffer sheet enters the recessed portion, so that a distortion that is accumulated in the buffer sheet is released
Implementation Method 2
a heat insulator includes a heat insulating sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes battery cells each of which includes a pair of broad width surfaces and that are arranged such that the broad width surfaces are opposed to each other and a heat insulator arranged between an adjacent pair of battery cells. The heat insulator includes a heat insulating sheet and a buffer sheet bonded to the heat insulating sheet. The heat insulating sheet is formed of a material that can be more easily compressively deformed than the heat insulating sheet. The heat insulating sheet includes a recessed portion in a surface to which the buffer sheet is bonded.