Battery Module Vacuum Adsorption Region Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery modules for electric vehicles are heavy and difficult to transport reliably due to their weight, as existing solutions like vacuum pads risk damaging the cover or disconnecting it during lifting, and the limited vacuum adsorption area makes secure transportation challenging.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a flat vacuum pad adsorption region on the upper surface without ribs or holes, with a three-piece housing structure (first case, second case, and cover) connected differently than the gravity direction, enhancing rigidity and strength through insulating walls and adhesive fixation, allowing for stable vacuum pad adsorption and lifting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a vacuum pad is used to lift the battery module, then lifting efficiency is improved, but the cover may be damaged or disconnected due to the weight of the battery module

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting efficiencyVSAvoidcover integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a cover and a case, with the vacuum pad adsorption region specifically located on the case (bottom surface or side surface) rather than on the cover. This segmentation allows the lifting force to be applied to the stronger case structure, preventing cover damage while maintaining lifting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The case is designed with enhanced local quality by providing a flat adsorption region with increased rigidity and strength compared to other parts of the housing. This localized structural enhancement ensures the case can withstand the lifting forces without damaging the cover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If holes are formed on the cover for fixing purposes, then the cover can be securely attached, but the available area for vacuum adsorption is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover fixationVSAvoidvacuum adsorption area
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum pad adsorption function is extracted from the cover and relocated to the case. This allows the cover to be equipped with fixation holes for secure attachment without compromising the vacuum adsorption area, as the adsorption region is now located on the case where holes are not needed for cover fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Power

If the battery module contains multiple batteries, then power and capacity requirements are met, but the weight increases making manual handling difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery powerVSAvoidmodule weight
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Manual mechanical lifting is replaced with a vacuum pad-based lifting system. The vacuum pad utilizes atmospheric pressure to lift the heavy battery module, eliminating the need for manual handling and enabling efficient transport of high-power, heavy modules containing multiple batteries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables reliable and efficient transportation of battery modules using vacuum pads without damage, improving installation speed and accuracy by distributing the weight evenly and preventing disconnection during lifting.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum pad adsorption region 7 which can be adsorbed by a vacuum pad P

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

adsorbed by a vacuum pad through a vacuum atmosphere

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3220443B1Cell module
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3220443B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3220443B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3220443B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a battery module includes a plurality of batteries and a module housing. The module housing accommodates the plurality of batteries. The module housing is configured by connecting a plurality of cases in a first direction. At least one of the plurality of cases includes a vacuum pad adsorption region which is on an end surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction and on which a vacuum pad is adsorbable.