Battery Module Coupling Member for Large-Pack Structural Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

As battery modules increase in size and weight, their structural rigidity weakens, compromising their integrity and performance.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design that includes a plurality of battery cells, a bus bar, a bus bar holder, a side plate, and a coupling member with multiple coupling portions that securely connect the battery cells, bus bar holder, and side plate, enhancing structural rigidity through superior shear strength and comprehensive coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the battery module is enlarged to increase capacity, then the energy storage increases, but the weight and size increase which weakens the structural rigidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storageVSAvoidstructural rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The battery module is divided into multiple smaller battery cells arranged in an array, with each cell being a separate structural unit. This segmentation allows the overall module to maintain rigidity through distributed support structures while achieving high energy storage capacity through the collective arrangement of multiple cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling member is introduced as an intermediary component to connect the battery cells, bus bar holder, and side plate. This coupling member includes first, second, and third coupling portions that securely join the components together, providing structural reinforcement that maintains rigidity while allowing the module to be enlarged for increased capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4439848A1Battery module
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4439848A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4439848A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4439848A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery module includes a number of battery cells (100), a bus bar at a side of the battery cells, a bus bar holder (300) supporting the bus bar, a side plate (400) on side surfaces of the battery cells, and a coupling member (600)including a first coupling portion (610) between the battery cells (100) and the bus bar holder (300), a second coupling portion (620) between the bus bar holder (300) and the side plate (400), and a third coupling portion (630) between the side plate (400) and the battery cells (100). The coupling member couples the battery cells, the bus bar, and the bus bar holder together.