Three-Part Battery Housing for Variable Length and Thermal Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium-ion batteries face performance degradation at extreme temperatures, and existing solutions to improve cold operation, such as modifying electrode materials or increasing cell parallelism, increase costs and compromise lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A three-part housing for motor vehicle batteries with a casing design that includes a tray, two separate covers for terminal passage, and an adaptive flange system to accommodate batteries of varying lengths, allowing for standardized production and efficient temperature regulation through an air gap and fan system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the casing is designed as a single integrated piece, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different battery dimensions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecasing manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptation to battery length variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The casing is divided into three separate components: a tray (2.1) for receiving the lower part of the battery, a first closing cover (2.2) for one end, and a second closing cover (2.3) for the other end. This segmentation allows the second closing cover's length to be adapted to different battery sizes while keeping the tray and first closing cover standardized, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If battery dimensions are varied to meet different vehicle requirements, then vehicle compatibility improves, but casing design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle compatibilityVSAvoidcasing configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the casing into standardized tray and first closing cover components plus an adjustable second closing cover, the design reduces overall complexity. Only one component (second closing cover) needs to be varied in length, rather than redesigning the entire casing for different battery sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized tray and first closing cover can serve multiple battery configurations, while only the second closing cover needs to be adapted. This universal design approach allows the same basic casing structure to accommodate different battery lengths across various vehicle models.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4034431B1Three-part housing for a motor vehicle battery
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4034431B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4034431B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4034431B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a unit comprising: - a battery (1, 1'), and - a housing (2) containing the battery (1, 1') so as to form an air gap around the battery (1, 1'), the housing (2) comprising: - a tray (2.1) intended to receive a lower portion of the battery (1, 1'), - a first closing cover (2.2) for the tray (2.1) comprising a hole (14.1) for a first terminal (V+, V-) of the battery (1, 1') to pass through, and - a second closing cover (2.3) for the tray (2.1) comprising a hole (14.2) for a second terminal (V+, V-) of the battery (1, 1') to pass through, the second closing cover (2.3) being a part which is separate from the tray (2.1) and from the first closing cover (2.2), - the first closing cover (2.2) and the second closing cover (2.3) each extending along part of the total length of the battery (1, 1').