Battery Module End Plate Side Binder Coupling for Swelling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery modules face challenges in minimizing swelling of battery cells at the end-of-life (EOL) period, which can lead to damage and complicate assembly and replacement, especially when high swelling forces are applied.
Innovation Solution
The battery module design incorporates a side binder that couples with the end flange of the end plate, providing enhanced rigidity and stress dispersion, along with a swelling absorption part and auxiliary end plates made of different materials like stainless steel and aluminum, to manage cell swelling and improve assembly interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional end plate and side plate structures are used, then the battery module structure is simple, but the lower portion of cells swells and damages during EOL period
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate is divided into a main body and a separate lower area coupling structure that connects with the side plate. This segmentation allows the lower area to specifically address cell swelling while the main body maintains structural support, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower area of the end plate is coupled with the lower area of the side plate to form an integrated reinforcement structure. This merging creates a unified support system that effectively prevents cell swelling at the lower portion without requiring complete restructuring of the entire plate assembly.
2Ease of operation
If conventional plate structures are used, then manufacturing is simple, but assembly between module and pack interface becomes difficult when replacing EOL modules
Solution Approach 1:
The plate structure is segmented into modular components (end plate main body, lower area coupling section, side plate components) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This modularity simplifies the replacement process while maintaining the necessary structural complexity for swelling prevention.
3Strength
If no lower area coupling is provided, then the plate structure remains simple, but high swelling forces damage the cells during EOL period
Solution Approach 1:
The lower area of the end plate is merged with the lower area of the side plate through a coupling structure, creating a reinforced zone that specifically addresses high swelling forces at the cell lower portion. This targeted merging provides the necessary strength without requiring complete restructuring of the entire plate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling structure is implemented specifically at the lower area where cells are most susceptible to swelling damage, rather than uniformly throughout the entire plate structure. This local quality approach provides enhanced strength where needed while minimizing overall structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module including: a battery cell having opposite top and bottom surfaces, a long side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a shot side surface extending between the top surface, the bottom surface, and the long side surface, the battery cell including a terminal on the top surface; an end plate having an end area in contact with the long side surface of the battery cell and an end flange bent from a lower end of the end area in a direction away from the long side surface; and a side plate having a side area in contact with the short side surface of the battery cell, a side flange bent from a lower end of the side area to cover the bottom surface of the battery cell, and a side binder extending from the side flange and coupled to the end flange.