Battery Module Rib Sealing Structure for Waterproof Vibration Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery modules lack effective waterproof and anti-vibration performance without the use of a sealing gasket, and their assembly is hindered by manufacturing tolerances.

Innovation Solution

The battery module design features lower and upper case ribs with angled and cut surfaces that engage in one face contact and two line contacts, along with curved portions, allowing for improved waterproofing and vibration resistance while accommodating manufacturing tolerances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing gasket is provided at the region where upper case and lower case are brought into tight contact, then waterproof performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the sealing gasket component from the battery module structure. Instead of using a separate gasket, the invention integrates the sealing function directly into the case structure through precisely formed ribs with multi-surface geometry that create tight contact between upper and lower cases without requiring additional sealing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the structural support function and the sealing function into a single integrated rib structure. The ribs are formed as integral parts of the cases with specific multi-surface geometries that simultaneously provide mechanical support and create waterproof sealing contact, eliminating the need for separate sealing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a sealing gasket is provided to achieve waterproof performance, then IP53 rating is satisfied, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to accurate receiving portion formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidreceiving portion accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved surfaces and rounded contact regions on the rib structures. The ribs feature multi-surface geometries with curved transition regions that accommodate manufacturing tolerances by distributing contact stresses across curved surfaces, reducing the precision requirements compared to sharp-cornered or flat-only contact surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the rib structures to include multi-surface configurations with specific angles and curved portions. These parameter optimizations allow the ribs to maintain effective sealing contact while accommodating normal manufacturing tolerances in case formation processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional case structure is used, then assembly is simple, but anti-vibration performance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidanti-vibration performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the contact interface between upper and lower cases into multiple distinct contact regions formed by ribs with multi-surface geometries. Instead of a single contact point or simple flange, the structure is divided into multiple rib elements that independently contribute to both assembly alignment and vibration resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structural system combining the case bodies with integrated rib features. The rib structures act as composite elements that integrate multiple functions (alignment, support, sealing, vibration resistance) into the case assembly process, improving anti-vibration performance without complicating assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4297160B1Battery module with improved waterproof and dustproof performance and battery pack including same
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4297160B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4297160B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4297160B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a battery module having improved waterproof and anti-vibration performance and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly to a battery module configured such that a battery cell is received in a space portion defined by a lower case and an upper case seated on the lower case, wherein a lower rib provided at a tip end of the lower case and an upper rib provided at a tip end of the upper case are brought into tight contact with each other, and the tight contact is achieved by one face contact and one or more line contacts.