Battery Module Frame With Viscoelastic Damping for Cell Swelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules face issues with swelling of battery cells due to volume changes during charging and discharging, which reduces their lifespan and safety, as existing compression pads can only partially absorb swelling and do not provide a fundamental solution.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a damper, such as a viscous or viscoelastic damper, within the module frame to absorb and suppress swelling by minimizing positional changes and applying a uniform pressing force to the battery cells, thereby enhancing the structural safety and longevity of the battery module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If battery cells are tightly fixed to prevent movement, then structural stability is improved, but swelling is suppressed and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a viscoelastic pressing member that dynamically adjusts its mechanical properties based on operating conditions. During normal operation, it provides flexible accommodation of cell expansion, while during abnormal swelling, it increases resistance to suppress swelling. This dynamic behavior maintains structural stability without compromising battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The viscoelastic material's time-dependent mechanical parameters allow it to provide different levels of constraint at different times. It permits gradual expansion during normal cycling but resists rapid swelling, thereby maintaining structural stability while preserving battery longevity.
2Strength
If a rigid structure is used to prevent battery cell deformation, then structural strength is improved, but the battery module becomes more susceptible to damage from external vibrations and impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a viscoelastic pressing member that acts as a flexible constraint element. It provides sufficient structural support to prevent cell deformation while maintaining flexibility to absorb external vibrations and impacts, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural strength and vibration resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The viscoelastic material's ability to change its mechanical parameters allows it to provide rigid support when needed for structural strength while becoming more compliant under dynamic loading from vibrations and impacts, thus protecting the battery module from external harmful factors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The damper effectively absorbs and suppresses swelling, improving the safety and life of the battery module by reducing volume changes and preventing capacity retention issues, while also enhancing durability and stiffness against external vibrations and impacts.
Implementation Method 1
the damper includes a viscous damper or a viscoelastic damper
Implementation Method 2
the damper includes a viscous damper or a viscoelastic damper
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame that houses the battery cell stack; and a damper included in the module frame or located adjacent to the module frame. The module frame comprises an upper cover that wraps an upper surface of the battery cell stack and a bottom part that wraps a lower surface of the battery cell stack, and wherein the damper comprises a viscous damper or a viscoelastic damper.