Battery Module Lead Layout for Higher Energy Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules have a structure that increases overall height or length due to the central drawing of electrode leads, leading to inefficient use of space and reduced energy density, necessitating a method to improve energy density without significant changes to the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
The battery module design features electrode leads offset from the center, allowing for the installation of outer terminals and components in the space above, along with a bus bar frame assembly and FPCB assembly that includes temperature sensors and connectors, optimizing space usage and energy density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the electrode lead is drawn from the center portion of the battery cell, then the battery cell structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the overall height or length of the battery module increases and energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode lead is drawn from an off-center position rather than the center of the battery cell. This asymmetric arrangement creates unused space above the electrode lead that can be utilized for mounting components such as outer terminals and connectors, thereby improving energy density without complicating the manufacturing process
2Adaptability or versatility
If components such as outer terminal are mounted on the battery module, then the battery module functionality is complete, but the overall height or length increases due to dead space above the centrally drawn electrode lead
Solution Approach 1:
By drawing the electrode lead from an off-center position, asymmetric space is created above the electrode lead. This space can be efficiently utilized to mount components like outer terminals and connectors, allowing complete functionality without increasing the overall length of the battery module
3Adaptability or versatility
If both longitudinal sides or both widthwise sides of the battery cell are used to arrange components, then components can be properly installed, but the overall height and/or length of the battery module increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of utilizing the entire perimeter of the battery cell (both longitudinal sides or both widthwise sides), the invention creates a localized useful space above the off-center electrode lead. This localized space is sufficient for mounting necessary components while minimizing the overall volume increase of the battery module
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a battery module, which includes a cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; a bus bar frame assembly including a bus bar frame configured to cover one longitudinal end and the other longitudinal end of the cell stack and a plurality of bus bars fixed on the bus bar frame and electrically connected to the battery cells; and an outer terminal connected to the bus bar. A pair of electrode leads provided to the battery cell are formed at locations biased downward from a center of the cell stack in a height direction, and the outer terminal is disposed in the space formed above the electrode lead due to biasing of the electrode lead.