Battery Module Case With Elastic Deformation For Uniform Pressure

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery modules require separate fastening bolts and nuts to apply uniform pressure, increasing the number of parts and costs.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a case with a first main face, a second main face, a first battery module coupling structure, and a first elastically deforming structure that allows for uniform surface pressure application without additional parts by elastic deformation during stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If separate fastening bolts and nuts are used to apply uniform pressure, then the uniform surface pressure is achieved, but the number of parts and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform surface pressureVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fastening function and the pressure application function into a single integrated structure. The case includes coupling structures at its corners that directly apply pressure to adjacent battery modules when stacked, eliminating the need for separate fastening bolts and nuts. This integration reduces the number of parts while maintaining the uniform pressure distribution across the battery module surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stress or pressure

If separate fastening bolts and nuts are used to apply uniform pressure, then the uniform surface pressure is achieved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform surface pressureVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fastening function and the pressure application function into a single integrated structure. The case includes coupling structures at its corners that directly apply pressure to adjacent battery modules when stacked, eliminating the need for separate fastening bolts and nuts. This integration reduces the number of parts while maintaining the uniform pressure distribution across the battery module surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If multiple separate components are used for fastening, then the connection strength is ensured, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fastening function and the pressure application function into a single integrated structure. The case includes coupling structures at its corners that directly apply pressure to adjacent battery modules when stacked, eliminating the need for separate fastening bolts and nuts. This integration reduces the number of parts while maintaining the uniform pressure distribution across the battery module surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design reduces the number of parts needed, maintains stable charging/discharging performance, and enhances cooling efficiency through integrated elastic deformation and air passage creation.

Implementation Method 1

a first elastically deforming structure arranged and configured with respect to the first main face to elastically deform inward towards the second main face upon stacking the first additional battery module onto the first main face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8703316B2Battery module

Publication Date: 2014.04.22 ENVISION AESC JAPAN LTD

AI summary

A battery module is provided with a battery cell and a case. The case houses the battery cell. The case includes a first main face, a second main face, a first battery module coupling structure and a first elastically deforming structure. The first battery module coupling structure is arranged and configured to retain a first additional battery module over the first main face. The first elastically deforming structure is arranged and configured with respect to the first main face to elastically deform inward towards the second main face upon stacking the first additional battery module onto the first main face while the first additional battery module is retained to the first main face of the case by the first battery module coupling structure.