Battery Module Elastic Fixing Members for Vibration Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery modules with pouch-shaped cells face issues of mechanical instability, potential internal short circuits, and electrolyte leakage due to inadequate fixation, especially under external impacts and vibrations, which compromises safety and performance.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a stack of battery cells with electrically connected terminals, surrounded by coupled cell covers and equipped with elastic fixing members to securely fasten the cells, enhancing stability and preventing malfunctions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If battery cells are stacked without fixing members, then the battery module structure is simple, but the battery cells are unstable and may move under external impacts and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of battery cellsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Fixing members are introduced as intermediary components between the battery cells and cell covers to provide stable fixation. These fixing members act as mediators that transmit and distribute mechanical forces, preventing cell movement while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cell covers function as flexible protective shells that surround and protect the battery cell stack. The covers provide a contained environment while allowing for thermal expansion and contraction, and the fixing members are integrated within this shell structure to secure the cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If fixing members are added to secure battery cells, then vibration characteristics improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration characteristicsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing members are pre-installed on the cell covers before the battery cells are placed. This preliminary action ensures that when the cells are stacked, they are immediately secured in position, preventing movement and maintaining stable electrical connections from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing system is segmented into multiple individual fixing members distributed across the cell covers, rather than using a single complex fixation mechanism. This segmentation allows for simple, modular installation while providing comprehensive coverage and stability for all battery cells in the stack.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If battery cells are not properly fixed, then manufacturing is simpler, but internal short circuits may occur due to cell movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidelectrical connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing members serve as intermediary components that maintain proper spacing and positioning between battery cells, ensuring stable electrical connections without complicating the assembly process. They mediate between the rigid electrical connection requirements and the flexible assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If cell covers are used to surround battery cells, then protection is improved, but without fixing members the cells remain unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from external impactsVSAvoidstability of battery cells
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing members are integrated with the cell cover structure, merging the protection function and fixation function into a unified system. The fixing members are mounted on the cell covers, combining the protective enclosure with the stabilization mechanism in a coordinated arrangement.

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

The solution effectively stabilizes the battery cells, reduces the risk of short circuits, and improves vibration characteristics, thereby extending the lifespan and ensuring safer operation of the battery module.

Implementation Method 1

fixing members made of an elastic material to elastically couple the battery cell stack in the cell covers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2827403B1Battery module having improved stability
Publication Date: 2016.06.15 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2827403B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2827403B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2827403B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a battery module including a plurality of battery cells, the battery module including the battery cells being stacked in a state in which electrode terminals are electrically connected to each other, a pair of cell covers coupled to each other to surround the entirety of an outside of a battery cell stack including two or more battery cells excluding the electrode terminals of the battery cells, and fixing members mounted at the cell covers in contact with the outside of the battery cell stack to properly fix the battery cells in the cell covers.