Battery Module Bus Bar Layout for Swelling-Tolerant Electrode Leads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery modules face issues with electrode leads separating from bus bar units due to swelling, leading to potential short circuits and increased risk of explosion or fire.

Innovation Solution

The electrode leads of battery cells are bent at least once and have varying lengths and bends to accommodate swelling, with outermost leads being the longest and most bent, connected via a bus bar unit with a frame and connection bus bars to maintain contact during inflation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a battery module is designed to accommodate 96 battery cells with complex internal structures including current collectors, tabs, and connection bars, then the electrical connectivity and capacity are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery cell capacityVSAvoidmodule structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery module is divided into multiple trays, with each tray holding a specific number of battery cells (e.g., 24 cells per tray for lithium iron phosphate, or 48 cells per tray for ternary batteries). This segmentation allows the complex 96-cell module to be assembled from smaller, more manageable tray units, reducing assembly difficulty while maintaining high capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection bars serve as intermediary components that facilitate electrical connections between multiple battery cells and tabs. These connection bars simplify the wiring complexity by providing centralized connection points, reducing the number of direct tab-to-tab connections needed while maintaining electrical integrity across all 96 cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If battery cells are arranged in a fixed rigid structure within the module, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different battery cell types and future modifications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule structural stabilityVSAvoidbattery cell type adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The module employs adjustable positioning structures and flexible fixing mechanisms that allow the same module design to accommodate different battery cell types (e.g., lithium iron phosphate with 24 cells per tray, or ternary batteries with 48 cells per tray). The positioning structures can be adjusted or reconfigured to match different cell dimensions and arrangements, providing both stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If traditional battery module assembly methods are used without automated positioning, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but assembly precision and production efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The module incorporates self-positioning structures such as positioning ribs, guide slots, and snap-fit mechanisms that automatically align and secure battery cells during assembly. These features enable workers or automated systems to quickly install cells without requiring complex external positioning equipment, improving assembly efficiency while keeping the positioning mechanism integrated and relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3675239B1Battery module, and battery pack and automobile comprising same
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3675239B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3675239B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3675239B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells stacked on one another; and a bus bar unit electrically connected to electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells are bent at least once to secure a predetermined length and are unbent at least partially due to inflation caused by swelling of the plurality of battery cells.