U-Shaped Battery Module Housing Assembly with Integrated Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery modules face inefficiencies in connecting to cooling devices, clamping battery cells, and providing stability due to complex structures and numerous components, which lead to suboptimal force dissipation and increased assembly efforts.
Innovation Solution
A module housing assembly with a U-shaped design featuring a housing base, side plates, a retaining element, and a clamping device that applies force to the retaining element on the battery cells, eliminating the need for gap fillers and side binders, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and enhanced structural rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a module housing is made from multiple components (side plates, end plates, clamping mechanisms), then the structure can accommodate battery cells, but the number of parts increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (side plates, end plates, clamping mechanisms) into a single integrated housing component. This housing has a U-shaped cross-section that incorporates all these functions in one piece, eliminating the need for separate assembly of multiple parts and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, accommodates battery cells, provides thermal management pathways, and eliminates the need for separate clamping mechanisms. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components required.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple components are used to clamp and secure battery cells, then the cells can be held in place, but the assembly requires numerous work steps and joining operations
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping function is integrated into the housing structure itself rather than being a separate component. The U-shaped housing with its specific geometry provides inherent clamping capability, eliminating the need for separate clamping mechanisms and reducing assembly steps.
3Temperature
If gap fillers and heat-conducting compounds are used to connect modules to cooling bases, then thermal connection is achieved, but the structure requires additional components and the connection is not optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates gap fillers and heat-conducting compounds by designing a housing structure that provides direct, optimal thermal contact with cooling bases. The integrated housing geometry ensures proper alignment and contact surfaces, removing the need for additional thermal interface materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is pre-designed with integrated thermal management features and optimized contact surfaces for cooling bases. This preliminary design ensures optimal thermal connection is achieved through the housing structure itself, without requiring additional components during assembly.
4Stability of the object's composition
If side binders with chamfers are used to prevent cells from falling out, then cell retention is achieved, but the structure requires additional parts and welding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The cell retention function is integrated into the housing structure through its U-shaped cross-section and specific geometric features. The housing itself provides the retention mechanism, eliminating the need for separate side binders with chamfers and their associated welding operations.
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 simplifies the connection to cooling devices, reduces component count and assembly complexity, and enhances thermal connection and stability by eliminating gap fillers and side binders, resulting in cost savings and improved heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping device is designed in such a way that the clamping device can exert a force onto the retaining element in the direction of the housing base
Implementation Method 2
a so-called gap filler is usually introduced between the module lower sides and the cooling base, which gap filler can be provided, for example, as a heat-conducting compound or heat-conducting paste
Data Source
AI summary
A module housing assembly for accommodating at least one battery cell, including a module housing with a housing base, which delimits a receiving area for accommodating the at least one battery cell with respect to a first direction, and two side plates, which delimit the receiving area on both sides with respect to a second direction. The module housing assembly additionally including a retaining element for arrangement on the at least one battery cell accommodated in the receiving area, and a clamping device, which extends at least from a first of the side plates to a second of the side plates on a side of the receiving area opposite the housing base, wherein the clamping device is designed in such a way that the clamping device can exert a force on the retaining element in the direction of the housing base, if said retaining element is arranged on the at least one battery cell arranged in the receiving area.