Prismatic Battery Module Support Structure for Upright Cell Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing battery modules face challenges in maintaining the upright state of battery cells during the manufacturing process, particularly when the lower surface facing the upper surface with electrodes is used as an installation surface.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design that includes a supporting member, such as a case with partition walls and flange portions, which supports battery cells to maintain an upright orientation by orienting electrode terminals away from the installation plane, allowing for freestanding stability and ease of handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lower surface facing the upper surface with electrodes is used as an installation surface, then the battery cell can be installed, but the battery cell cannot maintain an upright state during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is divided into a base portion and a pair of side portions that extend upward from the base. This segmentation creates a structured framework that provides both installation surface functionality and upright state support, resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and stability maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member acts as an intermediary between the battery cell and the installation surface. It provides the necessary support structure that enables the battery cell to maintain an upright state while still allowing for proper installation, mediating between the conflicting requirements of installation ease and upright stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the battery cell is supported to maintain upright orientation, then manufacturing stability is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member provides support functionality only where needed - the base portion contacts the installation surface while the side portions extend upward to support the battery cell. This localized quality approach maintains upright stability without adding unnecessary structural complexity throughout the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member serves multiple functions: it provides an installation surface through its base portion, maintains upright orientation through its side portions, and offers structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving upright state maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
Each of a plurality of units includes a plurality of battery cells and a supporting member. The plurality of battery cells are arranged side by side in the first direction and each of the plurality of battery cells has a prismatic shape. The supporting member supports the plurality of battery cells. Each of the plurality of battery cells has a housing having an upper surface on which an electrode terminal is disposed and a lower surface facing the upper surface along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. When each of the plurality of units is placed on the first plane, the supporting member is capable of supporting the plurality of battery cells such that the second direction is substantially parallel to a normal direction of the first plane and the electrode terminal is oriented in a direction away from the first plane.