Battery Housing Swelling Force Testing Without Live Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery swelling force tests for battery housings are lengthy and costly due to the need for actual battery modules and accompanying charging and discharging devices.

Innovation Solution

A battery test apparatus comprising equivalent end plates and a retractable part, which replaces the actual battery module, allowing for a faster extension and contraction process to simulate swelling and deformation, thereby shortening the test cycle and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If actual battery modules and charging/discharging devices are used for testing, then the test accurately reflects real battery swelling conditions, but the test cycle becomes lengthy and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest accuracyVSAvoidtest cycle duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified copy model (equivalent end plates with retractable parts) that replicates the essential swelling compression effect without requiring actual battery modules. The equivalent end plates simulate the swelling force generation, and the retractable parts reproduce the compression-decompression cycle, achieving accurate test results while eliminating the need for lengthy charging/discharging processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and isolates the critical testing function (swelling force compression) from the complete battery system. By removing unnecessary components (actual battery cells, charging/discharging devices, cooling systems) and retaining only the essential swelling compression mechanism through equivalent end plates and retractable parts, the test achieves both accuracy and efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If actual battery modules are used for testing, then comprehensive battery performance can be evaluated, but the test cost increases due to required charging and discharging devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest comprehensivenessVSAvoidtest equipment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential swelling compression testing function from the complete battery evaluation system. By removing unnecessary components (actual battery cells, charging/discharging devices, thermal management systems) and retaining only the critical swelling force generation and measurement capabilities through equivalent end plates and retractable parts, the test achieves comprehensive swelling evaluation while dramatically reducing equipment complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified copy model that replicates only the essential swelling compression effect needed for housing evaluation. The equivalent end plates with retractable parts reproduce the mechanical compression-decompression cycle without requiring actual battery modules or associated expensive equipment, achieving cost-effective comprehensive testing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 apparatus effectively reduces test time and cost by eliminating the need for actual battery modules and charging/discharging devices, while maintaining accuracy through controlled compression and pressure feedback.

Implementation Method 1

The retractable part is arranged between the two equivalent end plates and is retractable along the first direction so that the retractable part is able to compress the equivalent end plates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4372360B1Battery testing apparatus and testing method
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4372360B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4372360B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4372360B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This application provides a battery test apparatus and test method. The battery test apparatus for testing a swelling force of a battery housing includes equivalent end plates and a retractable part. An actual battery module is replaced by the battery test apparatus, eliminating the need for a battery module and accompanying charging and discharging devices and reducing the test cost. Two equivalent end plates are spaced apart along a first direction to replace a battery module actually in contact with the battery housing along the first direction. The retractable part is arranged between the two equivalent end plates. The retractable part compresses the two equivalent end plates to make the equivalent end plates compress the battery housing. This is used to replace compression on the battery housing by swelling and deformation of the actual battery module during a charging and discharging process. Compared with the charging and discharging process of the actual battery module, an extension and contraction process of the retractable part requires less time, shortening the test cycle. Thus, application of the battery test apparatus can shorten the test cycle and reduce the test cost.