Battery Module Deformation Prediction via Cell-Case Relationship Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to accurately predict the deformation of battery modules caused by swelling, which affects the structural stability of battery packs, especially in large-scale applications like vehicle batteries, where slight swelling of individual cells leads to significant deformation of the entire module.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a cell evaluation module to derive the relationship between thickness change and reaction force, a case evaluation module to determine the load and width change of the module case, and a prediction module to calculate the deformation amount by intersecting these relationships, allowing for accurate prediction of battery module deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pouch-type secondary batteries are used to increase capacity and power in large-scale devices, then productivity and energy density are improved, but the structural stability of the battery module deteriorates due to swelling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity and powerVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by predicting the deformation amount of the battery module due to swelling before actual deployment. The system derives relationship curves between thickness change and reaction force for cells, and between load and width change for the module case, then uses these to predict future deformation. This allows designers to pre-compensate for swelling effects in the module case design, maintaining structural stability while using pouch-type batteries for high capacity applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If the battery module includes a large number of secondary batteries to increase capacity, then the energy output is improved, but the deformation amount of the entire module increases significantly due to accumulated swelling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of secondary batteriesVSAvoiddeformation amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary prediction system that acts as a mediator between individual cell swelling and overall module deformation. The system derives relationship curves that serve as intermediate models, translating cell-level thickness changes into module-level width changes through predicted deformation calculations. This intermediary approach allows for managing the cumulative effect of multiple batteries by predicting and compensating for the aggregated deformation before it compromises module integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If conventional methods are used to measure battery deformation, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and prediction accuracy are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of measurement methodVSAvoidprediction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement systems with a predictive modeling approach. Instead of using complex mechanical sensors and measurement devices to directly monitor deformation, the system substitutes mechanical measurement with computational prediction based on derived relationship curves. The prediction module calculates deformation amount by combining the cell evaluation module's thickness-reaction force relationship with the case evaluation module's load-width change relationship, achieving high prediction accuracy without requiring complex mechanical measurement infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3483978B1Apparatus for predicting deformation of battery module
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3483978B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3483978B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3483978B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed is an apparatus capable of effectively and accurately predicting the degree of deformation of a battery module, caused by swelling of a secondary battery. The apparatus for predicting deformation of a battery module, which has at least one secondary battery in a module case, caused by swelling of a secondary battery, includes a cell evaluation module configured to derive a relationship between a thickness change amount and a reaction force for a single secondary battery; a case evaluation module configured to derive a relationship between a load applied to the module case and a width change amount of the module case; and a prediction module configured to predict a deformation amount of the battery module by using the relationship between the thickness change amount and the reaction force of the battery, derived by the cell evaluation module, and the relationship between the load and the width change amount of the module case, derived by the case evaluation module.