Battery Module Shell Fixing Ribs for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional battery module fixing methods are limited, complex, and costly, with thick end plates leading to increased weight and waste, and the existing methods do not effectively enhance the structural strength of the battery module.
Innovation Solution
A shell with protruding fixing ribs and through holes is used to secure the battery module within a battery pack, eliminating the need for thick end plates and allowing for easier assembly and increased structural strength through the use of fasteners passing through these holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a long bolt passes through through holes in thick end plates to fix the battery module, then the battery module can be secured in the battery box, but the overall weight and cost increase due to thick end plates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fixing function from the thick end plates and relocates it to the side walls through fixing ribs with through holes. This separates the sealing function (end plates) from the fixing function (side walls), allowing thin end plates to be used while maintaining fixing reliability through the side wall fixing ribs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from fixing at the ends (length dimension) to fixing at the sides (width dimension) through protruding fixing ribs on the side walls. This dimensional shift allows the battery module to be securely fixed without relying on thick end plates, thereby reducing weight while maintaining fixing reliability.
2Strength
If end plates are secured to the battery module shell by welding or adhesive coating, then the connection strength is improved, but the assembling process becomes complex and assembling tolerance affects connecting strength
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the welding or adhesive bonding process with a mechanical fixing system using fasteners through the fixing ribs on the side walls. This substitution eliminates the complexity of welding or adhesive application while maintaining connection strength, and avoids the sensitivity to assembling tolerance associated with these processes.
3Reliability
If through holes are provided in thick end plates for fixing, then the battery module can be secured, but the assembling manner is limited and assembling tolerance affects the size and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the fixing function from the end plates and implements it separately through fixing ribs on the side walls. This segmentation allows independent optimization of the fixing mechanism, providing multiple through holes in the fixing ribs that enable flexible assembling manners and reduce sensitivity to assembling tolerance, thereby improving both fixing reliability and assembling flexibility.
4Device complexity
If thick end plates are used to provide fixing holes, then the fixing structure is simple, but the cost increases and space is wasted at the two ends
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fixing function from the thick end plates and implements it in the side walls through fixing ribs. This extraction allows the use of thin end plates, eliminating material waste while maintaining fixing structure simplicity through the integrated fixing ribs on the side walls.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a shell, a battery module and a battery pack. The shell according to the present invention comprises: an enclosing frame which has two side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a receiving cavity; two end plates which respectively securely connect with the two ends of the enclosing frame. And each side wall is formed with a fixing rib protruding outwardly along a width direction, the fixing rib is provided with at least one through hole. A battery module comprises the above-mentioned shell. A battery pack according to the present invention comprises: a lower casing; the plurality of above-mentioned battery modules received in the lower casing; and a plurality of fasteners, each fastener passes through the corresponding through hole of the battery module to secure the battery module in the lower casing.