Battery Module O-Ring Recognition Protrusion for Sealing Inspection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery modules face challenges in efficiently inspecting whether an O-ring is properly mounted and twisted to prevent gas leakage, leading to time-consuming and error-prone inspection processes.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring an O-ring with a recognition protrusion that protrudes radially, allowing for easy verification of the O-ring's mounting and twisting status without disassembling the bolt, using a housing with a bolt hole and O-ring groove to securely position the O-ring and facilitate inspection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an O-ring is mounted to seal the bolt hole, then gas leakage is prevented, but inspection of O-ring mounting status becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a color-changing principle by providing the O-ring with a recognition protrusion that protrudes radially beyond the bolt head when properly mounted. This visual indicator allows inspectors to immediately confirm correct O-ring installation and sealing without complex inspection procedures, while maintaining reliable gas leakage prevention through the O-ring seal between the bolt head and housing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the O-ring diameter is smaller than the bolt head, then the O-ring can be mounted on the bolt, but the bolt must be separated for inspection

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveO-ring mountingVSAvoidinspection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides the O-ring with a recognition protrusion that extends radially beyond the bolt head when properly mounted. This visual indicator allows inspection to be performed without separating the bolt from the housing, making inspection as easy as visually checking whether the recognition protrusion is present while maintaining ease of O-ring mounting on the bolt

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If a conventional O-ring is used, then sealing is achieved, but twisting of the O-ring cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidO-ring twisting detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides the O-ring with a recognition protrusion that protrudes radially beyond the bolt head when properly mounted. This visual indicator not only confirms O-ring installation but also allows detection of O-ring twisting, as a twisted O-ring would not present the recognition protrusion in the expected position or orientation, while maintaining the sealing function through the O-ring between the bolt head and housing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3306704B1Battery module and battery pack comprising same
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3306704B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3306704B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3306704B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a battery module, which includes: a housing including a first housing and a second housing, which are coupled to each other to form a accommodation space; a plurality of secondary batteries accommodated in the accommodation space; a bolt including a screw portion, which has screw threads formed on at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a bolt head arranged at an end of the screw portion, the bolt being configured to fasten the first housing and the second housing to each other by being mounted such that the screw portion penetrates the first housing to be screw-coupled to the second housing, and that the bolt head is caught by the first housing; and an O-ring mounted to be interposed between the first housing and the bolt head, wherein the O-ring includes: a hollow pierced such that the screw portion is inserted therein; and a recognition protrusion formed to protrude in a radial direction of the bolt head as compared with the bolt head.