Battery Module Degassing Device Structural Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery modules for electric and hybrid vehicles face challenges in structural stability, particularly in withstanding forces and preventing external vibrations from affecting the battery cells, without increasing weight or volume.

Innovation Solution

The battery module incorporates a degassing device that is rigidly supporting the battery array, with protruding and receiving portions on the barriers and end blocks, and a reinforcing barrier that is fixed to the side frames and degassing device, enhancing mechanical stability and allowing force transmission between components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If additional reinforcement structures are added to improve structural stability, then the mechanical strength and stability improve, but the weight and volume of the battery module increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The degassing device is designed to serve dual functions: it provides gas venting pathways from battery cells while simultaneously acting as a structural reinforcement element. The rigid body of the degassing device spans between end blocks and the battery array, providing mechanical support without requiring separate reinforcement structures, thus improving strength without increasing weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If additional reinforcement structures are added to improve structural stability, then the mechanical strength and stability improve, but the volume of the battery module increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidvolume
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The degassing device serves dual purposes as both a functional component for gas venting and a structural reinforcement element. Its rigid body spans between end blocks and the battery array, providing mechanical support within the existing volume envelope without requiring additional space for separate reinforcement structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the degassing function and structural support function into a single integrated component. The degassing device's rigid body is positioned to span between end blocks and the battery array, combining the gas venting pathway function with the mechanical reinforcement function, thereby avoiding volume increase from separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the degassing device is made rigid to support the battery array, then the structural rigidity improves, but the ability to accommodate thermal expansion or deformation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidadaptability to deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The barriers are designed with localized flexibility through protruding portions at both ends of the upper portion that can deform independently. These protruding portions allow local adaptation to thermal expansion or deformation while the overall degassing device maintains its rigid structure for structural support, achieving both rigidity and local adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Stability of the object's composition

If barriers are designed with protruding portions and receiving portions for interlocking, then the structural stability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The barriers are segmented into modular units with standardized protruding portions and receiving portions. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual barrier components that can be easily assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while achieving structural stability through the interlocking design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2830124B1Battery module
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP2830124B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2830124B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2830124B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relate to a battery module (10) that comprises a battery array (50) and a degassing device (400) for deflecting gas vented by battery cells (100) of the battery array (50). In order to improve mechanical stability of the battery module (10) without increasing its weight or volume, the degassing device (400) is rigidly supporting the battery array (50).