Battery Module Inspection via Insulation Cover Through-Hole
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting battery modules, such as those described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-9663, are inefficient due to the need for attaching or detaching heat transfer plates, high power consumption, and slow temperature rise, which burdens the battery module and prolongs the inspection process.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a temperature detector thermally connected to the battery container, covered by an electrically insulating covering member with an inspection through hole, allowing direct heating or cooling through the covering member to efficiently inspect the temperature detector without applying an electrical load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heat transfer plate is attached to heat the battery for inspection, then the temperature detector operation can be confirmed, but the inspection process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat transfer plate from the inspection process by utilizing the battery container's own outer surface as the heating target. The insulation cover is designed with an inspection through-hole that allows direct heat application to the battery container without requiring attachment of external heat transfer plates, thereby simplifying the inspection process while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery container's outer surface serves as both the structural component and the heat transfer surface for temperature detector inspection. The insulation cover's inspection through-hole enables the system to self-inspect by allowing external heat sources to directly heat the battery container where the temperature detector is already thermally connected, eliminating the need for additional heat transfer plates.
2Reliability
If a heat transfer plate is used for inspection, then temperature detection can be confirmed, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for power-consuming heat transfer plates by directly applying heat to the battery container's outer surface through the inspection through-hole. This approach uses the battery container itself as the heat receiving surface, removing the intermediate heat transfer plate component that would require additional power for heating.
3Reliability
If a heat transfer plate is attached for inspection, then temperature detection can be confirmed, but the inspection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the time-consuming steps of attaching and detaching heat transfer plates by utilizing the battery container's outer surface directly. The inspection through-hole in the insulation cover provides direct access to the battery container, allowing immediate heat application and faster temperature response, thereby reducing inspection time while maintaining detection reliability.
4Reliability
If the temperature detector is covered by an insulation cover, then electrical insulation is provided, but heat application for inspection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation cover is segmented with an inspection through-hole that separates the insulation function from the inspection function. The insulation cover provides electrical insulation over most of the battery container while the inspection through-hole creates a localized opening that allows heat application to reach the battery container's outer surface without compromising the overall insulation structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation cover has different properties in different locations: it provides electrical insulation in most areas but has a localized inspection through-hole that allows thermal energy to pass through. This local modification maintains the overall insulation quality while enabling easy heat application for temperature detector inspection.
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 enables rapid temperature changes near the temperature detector, facilitating efficient inspections by reducing power consumption and simplifying the inspection process.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature detector which is thermally connected with an outer surface of the battery container in contact with the outer surface
Implementation Method 2
an inspection through hole through which a heat application means is passed is formed in the covering member
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a battery module which can be efficiently inspected without applying an electrical load to the battery module and a method for inspecting the battery module. This battery module has a unit cell 13 equipped with a battery container 13a accommodating battery elements, a thermistor 23 disposed in contact with an outer surface of the battery container 13a and thermally connected thereto, and an electrically insulating, rigid insulation cover 17 partially covering the battery container 13a and pressing the thermistor 23 against the battery container 13a, wherein a through hole 26 through which a heat application means 28, 29 passes is formed in the insulation cover 17, and the thermistor 23 is disposed at a position outside a heat application area formed when the through hole 26 is orthographically projected on a planar section 21 of the battery container 13a.