Battery Module Housing With Axial-Radial Spring Cell Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery module housings for electric vehicles face challenges in accommodating battery cells with varying lengths and diameters, leading to mechanical stress on electrical contacts during vibrations or shocks, and current solutions do not effectively dampen vibrations while minimizing mechanical loads on electrical contacts.

Innovation Solution

A housing design featuring a battery cell holder with axial and radial spring elements, including a spring contact element with projections and a concave central region, and a radial spring element that projects into the recess, allowing resilient accommodation of battery cells in both axial and radial directions, thereby compensating for size variations and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If spring-elastic electrical contacts are used to hold battery cells longitudinally, then the battery cells are secured in position, but the electrical contacts are subjected to mechanical stress during vibrations or shocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress on electrical contacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holding function is segmented into two independent components: axial spring elements for longitudinal positioning and radial spring elements for lateral securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with radial spring elements absorbing vibrations perpendicular to the electrical contacts, thereby protecting the contacts from mechanical stress while maintaining positioning stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Radial spring elements act as intermediary components between the housing and the battery cell, absorbing and dampening vibrations and shocks in the radial direction before they can transfer to the electrical contacts. This intermediary mechanism protects the electrical contacts from harmful mechanical stress while maintaining secure cell positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If battery cells with varying lengths and diameters are accommodated, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but mechanical stress on electrical contacts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoidmechanical stress on electrical contacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The radial spring elements provide adjustable radial clearance that can accommodate variations in battery cell diameter within a range. By allowing parameter changes in the radial direction, the system maintains electrical contact stability while adapting to different cell sizes, preventing excessive mechanical stress on the electrical contacts during vibrations or shocks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables effective tolerance compensation for different battery cell sizes, reduces mechanical stress on electrical contacts, enhances vibration damping, and minimizes material fatigue by distributing the spring force effectively across the battery cell's stable edge, while maintaining accessibility and reworkability of the injection molding tool.

Implementation Method 1

At least one axial spring element is arranged in the at least one recess such that a battery cell inserted into the at least one recess is received resiliently in the axial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a battery cell inserted into the at least one recess of the battery cell holder is resiliently accommodated in the axial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a radial spring element is arranged on an inner wall of the recess of the battery cell holder such that the battery cell inserted into the at least one recess of the battery cell holder is resiliently accommodated in a radial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 4

enhances vibration damping, and minimizes material fatigue by distributing the spring force effectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3804003B1Housing for a battery module, and battery module
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3804003B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3804003B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3804003B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a housing for a battery module for accommodating at least one battery cell, comprising at least one battery cell holder which has at least one depression (130) which is designed to be at least approximately circular-cylindrical and at least approximately rotationally symmetrical with respect to a centre axis extending in an axial direction, and which extends from an upper side (150) towards a lower side of the battery cell holder, wherein at least one axial spring element (103) is arranged in the at least one depression (130) in such a way that a battery cell inserted into the at least one depression (130) is resiliently accommodated in the axial direction. On an inner wall (170) of the depression (130) there is also arranged a radial spring element (180) in such a way that the battery cell (110) inserted into the at least one depression (130) is resiliently accommodated in a radial direction. The invention also relates to a battery module which comprises at least one housing according to the invention and at least one battery cell accommodated in the housing according to the invention.