Battery Module Housing With Deformable Sections for Cell Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules face challenges in managing the stress caused by the expansion of battery cells due to factors like rapid charging, overcharging, or high temperatures, which can accelerate deterioration.
Innovation Solution
The battery module incorporates a housing with deformable portions, such as thickness deformable, cut deformable, and curved deformable portions, that allow for expansion and stress distribution when the battery cell expands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a housing structure is installed to surround the battery cell and apply surface pressure, then the battery module maintains its durability, but when the battery cell expands, the pressure between the battery cell and housing increases, which accelerates deterioration of the battery cell
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple side cover plates spaced apart from each other, creating segmented sections. This segmentation allows the housing to accommodate battery cell expansion while maintaining structural integrity and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The side cover plates are connected by deformable portions that can flex and deform when the battery cell expands. These deformable portions act as flexible elements that reduce stress on the battery cell while maintaining the housing's enclosing function.
2Strength
If the housing is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the housing can support the battery cells, but the housing cannot accommodate battery cell expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates deformable portions that can dynamically change their shape and thickness in response to battery cell expansion. These portions transition from a rigid state during normal operation to a flexible state during expansion, allowing the housing to adapt to volume changes while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable portions change their physical parameters (thickness, shape) in response to battery cell expansion. The thickness of the deformable portion is designed to be less than the thickness of the side cover plate, allowing controlled deformation that accommodates expansion while maintaining overall housing strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the side cover plates are placed close together to provide continuous support, then structural stability is improved, but the housing cannot accommodate expansion of individual battery cells
Solution Approach 1:
The side cover plates are intentionally spaced apart rather than placed continuously, creating segmented sections. Each segment can independently respond to expansion of adjacent battery cells while the overall structure maintains stability through the deformable portions that connect the segments.
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
This design effectively alleviates stress on the battery cell, enhancing its durability and safety by accommodating expansion and distributing stress across the housing.
Implementation Method 1
a thickness deformable portion arranged with the housing and deformable by a thickness difference when the case expands
Implementation Method 2
a cut deformable portion arranged in the housing and deformable as a part of the housing is cut when the case expands
Implementation Method 3
a curved deformable portion arranged on the housing and deformable due to a curved shape when the case expands
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a case in which one or more electrode assemblies, each including a positive electrode and a negative electrode, are arranged, a cap cover configured to cover an opening of the case, a terminal assembled to the cap cover through the cap cover and connected to the one or more electrode assemblies, a housing configured to accommodate the case and another case arranged in a row, and a thickness deformable portion arranged with the housing and deformable by a thickness difference when the case expands.