Battery Module Separator With Closed-Space Foam Pressure Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules experience a decrease in reaction force of the separator after the foam is elastically deformed in the compression direction, which affects the temperature characteristics and performance of the battery cells.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design that incorporates a foam elastically deformable in the compression direction, accommodated within an elastic body that defines a closed space, where the foam is surrounded by the elastic body and adhered to the battery cells, maintaining a higher pressure within the closed space to prevent pressure release and thus maintain the reaction force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a foam is used for the separator configuration to improve temperature characteristics, then the separator can be elastically deformed in the compression direction, but the pressure in the bubble portion is released to surroundings, causing the reaction force of the separator to decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The foam is nested inside a closed space formed by the elastic body, creating a nested structure where the foam (inner element) is contained within the elastic body's enclosed volume (outer element). This nesting prevents pressure release while maintaining the foam's temperature characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body acts as an intermediary between the foam and the external environment, forming a closed space that mediates the pressure containment. This intermediary structure allows the foam to maintain its pressure and reaction force while still providing temperature management benefits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the foam is elastically deformed in the compression direction to accommodate battery cell expansion, then the separator adapts to volume changes, but the bubble portion pressure is released and reaction force decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam is nested within the closed space of the elastic body, allowing the foam to deform with battery cell expansion while the closed space prevents pressure release, maintaining reaction force despite volume adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic modulus and cross-sectional area parameters of the elastic body are optimized to ensure that the product of these parameters is smaller than that of the foam, allowing the foam to deform more easily while maintaining pressure within the closed space.
3Force
If the elastic body is designed with specific elastic modulus and cross-sectional area to maintain pressure, then the reaction force is maintained, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic body functions as a flexible shell that forms a closed space, providing pressure containment through its elastic properties rather than rigid structural complexity. This flexible shell approach maintains simplicity while achieving the force maintenance goal.
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing the elastic modulus and cross-sectional area parameters of the elastic body, the design achieves pressure maintenance through material and dimensional selection rather than complex structural arrangements, reducing overall device complexity.
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 effectively suppresses the decrease in reaction force of the separator after deformation, enhancing the temperature characteristics and performance of the battery module by maintaining pressure within the closed space and utilizing the heat insulation properties of the foam.
Implementation Method 1
a foam elastically deformable at least in the first direction
Implementation Method 2
an elastic body that defines a closed space in which the foam is accommodated
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells and a separator. The plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction. The separator is disposed between the plurality of battery cells. The separator includes a foam and an elastic body. The foam is elastically deformable at least in the first direction. The elastic body defines a closed space in which the foam is accommodated.