Battery Module End-Plate Structure for Cooling and Vibration Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large battery modules face challenges in maintaining structural stability and effective cooling, particularly when exposed to high temperatures and vibrations, which can lead to accelerated deterioration and increased risk of explosion or ignition.

Innovation Solution

The battery module incorporates a housing with a heat sink and cooling ports, along with end plates featuring mounting portions that enhance structural stability and cooling performance. The heat sink is integrated with the housing, and the cooling ports are designed to supply and discharge refrigerant effectively, while the mounting portions provide additional fixation points to prevent damage from vibrations and impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heat sink is integrally formed with the battery module to improve cooling performance, then cooling performance is improved, but structural strength deteriorates due to structurally weak portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The end plate is divided into multiple segments including a first end plate, a second end plate, and a third end plate. These segmented plates work together to provide both cooling functionality through integrated heat sinks and sufficient structural strength by distributing mechanical loads across multiple components rather than relying on a single monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery module employs composite construction by combining the heat sink structure with the end plate assembly. The heat sink is integrally formed with the housing while the end plates are separately positioned and coupled, creating a composite structure that leverages the thermal management capabilities of the heat sink and the structural support of the multi-plate assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If the battery module area is increased to improve capacity, then capacity is improved, but structural stability deteriorates due to increased vulnerability to vibration and impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The end plate assembly is segmented into multiple plates (first, second, and third end plates) that collectively span the large battery module area. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain stability across the expanded area by distributing mechanical stresses and vibrations across multiple smaller structural elements rather than relying on a single large rigid component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution adds structural support in the vertical dimension by stacking multiple end plates (first, second, and third end plates) at different positions. This multi-layered approach provides enhanced structural stability against vibration and impact by creating a three-dimensional support framework that resists forces from multiple directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration improves the structural stability and cooling performance of large battery modules, effectively managing heat dissipation and reducing the risk of damage from external factors, thereby extending the lifespan of the battery cells and ensuring safer operation.

Implementation Method 1

a heat sink for cooling may be integrally formed with the battery module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of cooling ports (500) connected to the heat sink to supply a refrigerant to the heat sink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12347883B2Battery module and battery including the same
Publication Date: 2025.07.01 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • US12347883B2 patent drawing
  • US12347883B2 patent drawing
  • US12347883B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A battery module including: a battery cell stack that includes a plurality of battery cells; a housing accommodating the battery cell stack; a pair of end plates covering front and rear surfaces, respectively, of the battery cell stack and coupled to the housing; a heat sink positioned below a bottom portion of the housing, and at least two cooling ports connected to the heat sink. Each of the end plates includes: a first mounting portion positioned between a side end portion of the end plate and at least one of the at least two cooling ports adjacent to the side end portion, and extending in a protrusion direction of an electrode lead protruding from the battery cell; and a second mounting portion positioned between two adjacent cooling ports of the at least two cooling ports, and extending in the protrusion direction of the electrode lead protruding from the battery cell.