Battery Module Tapered Plugin Tightening Assembly

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery module packaging methods face challenges in heat dissipation, requiring additional space and development costs, and often result in a cumbersome appearance due to the need for screw points and fasteners, which also compromise waterproofing and aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design utilizing a tightening assembly with tapering plugin members and thermal conductive elements to securely fit cell stacks within a housing, allowing for effective heat dissipation without the need for screws or additional fasteners, while maintaining waterproofing and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional packaging methods using clamp plates and fasteners are used, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity and waterproofing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidpackaging complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure is merged with the tightening function by designing the housing to directly contact and tighten the cell stacks without separate clamp plates. The first and second housings serve both as packaging and as tightening elements, eliminating the need for additional fastening components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural packaging, acts as a tightening element through direct contact with cell stacks, and serves as a heat dissipation pathway. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If screw points and fasteners are used for fixing cell stacks, then structural strength is improved, but waterproofing requirements and appearance quality worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidwaterproofing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure is merged with the tightening function by designing the housing to directly contact and tighten the cell stacks without separate clamp plates. The first and second housings serve both as packaging and as tightening elements, eliminating the need for additional fastening components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If conventional heat dissipation pathways with work fluid circulation are used, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but device complexity and development cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation performanceVSAvoidheat dissipation pathway complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure is merged with the heat dissipation function by designing the housing to directly contact the cell stacks and serve as a heat conduction pathway. The housing material and structure are optimized to conduct heat away from the battery cells without requiring separate cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural packaging, acts as a tightening element through direct contact with cell stacks, and serves as a heat dissipation pathway. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Temperature

If conventional heat dissipation pathways with direct housing contact are used, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but device complexity and space arrangement requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation performanceVSAvoidpathway design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure is merged with the heat dissipation function by designing the housing to directly contact the cell stacks and serve as a heat conduction pathway. The housing material and structure are optimized to conduct heat away from the battery cells without requiring separate cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enhances heat dissipation performance, reduces costs, and improves structural strength and anti-shake performance by eliminating the need for screws, while maintaining waterproofing and aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal conductive element, disposed on the second surface, tightening the second surface of the at least one cell stack to the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a first bolt portion connected with the first stopping portion, the first bolt portion being extended in a tapering manner away from the first stopping portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11539091B2Battery module

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 IND TECH RES INST

AI summary

A battery module includes a housing, at least one cell stack inside the housing, a tightening assembly and a thermal conductive element. The tightening assembly includes first and second plugin members. The first plugin member has a first stopping portion and a first bolt portion connected with the first stopping portion, and the first bolt portion is tapered from the first stopping portion. The second plugin member has a second stopping portion and a second bolt portion connected with the second stopping portion, and the second bolt portion is tapered from the second stopping portion. The first and second plugin members are detachably inserted into the battery module from two opposing sides of the cell stack. The thermal conductive element tightens the cell stack to the housing.