Battery Pack Cell Holder Slits for Impact Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery packs face challenges in enhancing impact resistance without increasing size, as the dimensions of impact mitigating ribs are limited by the space between the cell holder's outer peripheral surface and wall, restricting the adjustment of their bent shape and volume.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating slits in the peripheral wall portion of the cell holder that deform elastically to absorb impact loads, dispersing the load and improving resistance without increasing the battery pack's size, with adjustable slit length, width, depth, and arrangement to suit various specifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If impact mitigating ribs are provided between the holding portion and peripheral wall to improve impact resistance, then the impact absorbing capability is improved, but the battery pack size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidbattery pack size
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the impact mitigation function directly into the peripheral wall structure by forming slits within it, eliminating the need for separate impact mitigating ribs. This integration allows the peripheral wall itself to absorb impact loads through elastic deformation, achieving impact resistance without increasing battery pack size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral wall with slits acts as a flexible structure that can deform elastically under impact loads. The slits enable the rigid peripheral wall to exhibit flexible behavior, allowing it to absorb impact energy through controlled deformation while maintaining structural integrity and without requiring additional space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If the bent shape and volume of impact mitigating ribs are adjusted to improve impact absorbing capability, then the impact resistance is improved, but the space between the holding portion and peripheral wall is exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact absorbing capabilityVSAvoidspace between holding portion and peripheral wall
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adjusting the bent shape and volume of ribs within the limited radial space, the invention transitions to a different dimensional approach by creating slits that extend through the peripheral wall structure. This allows impact absorption to occur through the wall's own deformation in a different spatial configuration, bypassing the space constraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the structural parameter of the peripheral wall by introducing slits, transforming it from a rigid structure to one with controlled flexibility. This parameter change enables the peripheral wall to deform elastically and absorb impact loads without requiring adjustment of rib dimensions within the constrained space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If slits are formed in the peripheral wall portion to improve impact resistance without size increase, then the impact resistance is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidcell holder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the peripheral wall structure by forming multiple slits within it. This segmentation allows the wall to deform in a controlled manner during impact, with each slit acting as an independent element for stress distribution and energy absorption, thereby improving impact resistance through structural division rather than adding separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 battery pack effectively absorbs impact loads by elastic deformation of the peripheral wall portion, improving impact resistance without size increase, and allowing for repeated absorption within the elastic limit, while preventing foreign matter entry through slit coverage.

Implementation Method 1

the peripheral wall portion deforms elastically in the direction in which the width of the slits contracts, whereby the cell holder can absorb the impact load

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3690977B1Battery pack
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3690977B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3690977B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3690977B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery pack (10) provided with a battery core pack (16) having a plurality of battery cells (40) held by a holding part (50) of a cell holder (42), and a case (14) for accommodating the battery core pack (16). The cell holder (42) has a peripheral wall part (54) surrounding the holding part (50). A plurality of slits (70) extending along the peripheral direction on an end surface (54a) of the peripheral wall part (54) are provided to the peripheral wall part (54).