Battery Module Buffering Members Absorb Swelling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery modules face challenges in preventing battery cell damage and maximizing energy density due to swelling phenomena and external impacts, while also complicating the manufacturing process with the use of compression pads or uneven cell spacing.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a plurality of battery cells arranged side by side with a module cover and buffering members, including leaf spring-like structures with bent portions, to absorb swelling and external impacts, and guide grooves for sliding coupling, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If compression pads are disposed between battery cells to support swelling, then battery cell damage is prevented, but the volume occupied by battery cells is reduced and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery cell protectionVSAvoidvolume occupied by battery cells

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The buffering member is divided into multiple bent portions (first bent portion, second bent portion, third bent portion) that can independently deform to accommodate battery cell swelling at different locations, allowing effective protection while minimizing space consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buffering member is designed as a dynamic elastic structure with bent portions that can deform and adapt to the swelling of battery cells during charge-discharge cycles, rather than using rigid compression pads that occupy fixed space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If compression pads are used between battery cells, then battery cell swelling is managed, but manufacturing process becomes complicated and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery cell swelling managementVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The buffering member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides swelling management, positions battery cells, and protects against external impacts, eliminating the need for separate compression pads and simplifying the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffering member serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a compression element for swelling management, a positioning element for cell alignment, and a protective element for impact resistance, reducing the total number of components needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If battery cells are disposed at regular intervals without compression pads, then manufacturing is simplified, but battery cells may be damaged due to swelling or external impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidbattery cell protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The buffering member provides protection specifically at critical locations where battery cells are most vulnerable to swelling and impact, rather than requiring uniform spacing or protection throughout, allowing simplified manufacturing while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If battery cells are located at predetermined intervals to accommodate swelling, then battery cell damage is prevented, but energy density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery cell damage preventionVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The buffering member acts as a flexible elastic structure that can deform to accommodate battery cell swelling without requiring fixed spacing, allowing battery cells to be positioned closer together while still preventing damage, thereby increasing energy density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 buffering members effectively protect battery cells from swelling and external impacts, maximizing the occupied volume and energy density within the module, while simplifying the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for compression pads and ensuring stable cell positioning.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of buffering members located between one side of a battery cell located at an outermost side in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells and a side of the module cover so that at least a part thereof is in contact with the sides of the battery cells and the module cover, respectively, wherein the buffering member is a leaf spring having at least one bent portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11380955B2Battery module, and battery pack and vehicle comprising the same

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a battery module, which includes a plurality of battery cells disposed to face each other and arranged side by side at least in a first direction, a module cover configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells and formed to have at least one open side, and a pair of buffering members located between one side of a battery cell located at an outermost side in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells and a side of the module cover so that at least a part thereof is in contact with the sides of the battery cells and the module cover, respectively, wherein the buffering member is a leaf spring having at least one bent portion.