Battery Housing With Integrated Optical Conductor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery housings are expensive and heavy due to their electrically conductive materials, which increase production costs and weight.
Innovation Solution
A battery housing with at least partially plastic-formed walls that incorporates an optical conductor for data transmission, allowing for reduced weight and production costs through injection molding and selective heating, and provides reliable galvanic isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrically conductive materials are used for the housing wall, then data transmission via the housing wall is enabled, but the housing becomes expensive and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrically conductive materials with an optical transmission system. An optical conductor (optical fiber) is integrated into the housing wall to transmit sensor signals optically instead of electrically, eliminating the need for heavy conductive materials while maintaining data transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The housing wall is constructed as a composite structure combining non-conductive plastic material with an integrated optical conductor. This composite design allows the housing to provide both structural support and optical signal transmission without the weight and cost of fully conductive materials
2Reliability
If electrically conductive materials are used for the housing wall, then data transmission via the housing wall is enabled, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive electrically conductive materials with a cost-effective optical transmission system using standard optical fibers integrated into a plastic housing, reducing material costs while maintaining signal transmission functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The housing wall serves multiple functions: structural support, insulation, and optical signal transmission. By integrating the optical conductor directly into the housing wall structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate conductive components and reduces overall production costs
3Reliability
If additional cabling is added for data transmission, then data can be transmitted, but weight and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data transmission function with the housing structure itself. The optical conductor is integrated directly into the housing wall, combining the structural component with the signal transmission medium, thereby eliminating separate cabling and reducing installation space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from electrical signal transmission through conductive materials to optical signal transmission through an integrated optical conductor within the housing wall structure, achieving compact integration and space efficiency
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 reduces the weight and production costs of battery housings by using plastic for the housing walls and forming optical conductors within them, enabling efficient data transmission and secure fastening of battery cell packs, while avoiding the need for additional cabling and reducing weight and installation space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an optical conductor is formed in the plastic of the housing wall
Implementation Method 2
selective heating of the housing wall comprising the plastic, wherein the refractive index in the plastic is modified by the heating, with the result that an optical conductor is formed
Data Source
AI summary
A housing for receiving at least one battery cell pack, having at least one housing wall, wherein the housing wall is formed at least partially from a plastic, and an optical conductor is formed in the plastic of the housing wall.