Battery Module Assembly with Integrated Side Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules are bulky and lack rigidity, requiring additional reinforcing members and cooling channels, which complicates manufacturing and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A battery module assembly with a compact structure, where sub-modules are fixed by side cover plates, a main bus bar, and a bracket, enhancing rigidity and cooling efficiency without additional parts, and allowing for uniform cooling through coolant flow channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If additional reinforcing members are added to increase rigidity, then the rigidity of the battery module is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side cover plates are integrated to perform multiple functions: they cover the side surfaces of the battery module, fix the cooling channels in position, and provide structural reinforcement. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining rigidity and cooling efficiency.
2Temperature
If additional cooling channels are added to improve cooling efficiency, then the cooling performance is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are integrated into the side cover plates, allowing the cooling system to be formed as part of the structural components rather than separate additions. This reduces the number of parts while maintaining effective cooling.
3Volume of moving object
If the battery module uses a compact structure, then the volume is reduced, but the rigidity and stability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The side cover plates are designed to simultaneously provide structural reinforcement and maintain compact dimensions. By integrating the covering, fixing, and reinforcing functions into these plates, the module achieves rigidity without requiring additional external reinforcing members that would increase volume.
4Ease of manufacture
If individual plates are provided to fix each unit body, then the fixing is simplified, but the overall rigidity of the battery module is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side cover plates are designed to fix multiple unit bodies simultaneously while maintaining overall module rigidity. The integrated structure provides both the simplicity of individual fixing and the structural integrity of a unified assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a battery module assembly including unit modules, each unit module comprising unit cells loaded in a cartridge the unit cells being electrically connected to each other via a bus bar, the battery module assembly including two or more sub modules arranged in a lateral direction to each other, each sub module having an external input terminal and an external output terminal, a base plate on which the sub modules are loaded, side cover plates mounted at sides of the sub modules, an upper cover plate loaded on tops of the sub modules, the upper cover plate being fastened and coupled to the sub modules and the side cover plates, a front cover plate mounted at a front of the battery module assembly at which the external input and output terminals of the sub modules are located, the front cover plate being fastened and coupled to the sub modules, the base plate, and the side cover plates, a main bus bar for fixing front ends of the sub modules to each other and connecting the external input and output terminals of the sub modules, and a bracket for fixing rear ends of the sub modules to each other.