Battery Pack with Thermal Conductive Elastic Holder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery packs lack sufficient thermal diffusivity and anti-vibration performance, leading to performance degradation due to heat generation and vibration, especially in high-output systems like vehicles and power tools.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design incorporating a battery holder made of an elastic material with thermal conductivity, such as silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomer, which provides efficient heat dissipation and shock absorption, along with a configuration that alternates positive and negative electrode orientations and includes drainage grooves and protrusion portions for improved waterproofing and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional battery holder materials are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but thermal diffusivity and anti-vibration performance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal diffusivity and anti-vibration performanceVSAvoidmaterial selection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The battery holder is constructed as a composite structure combining a resin base material with embedded elastic bodies having thermal conductivity. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of thermal diffusivity (through the elastic bodies), anti-vibration performance (through the elastic bodies' cushioning effect), and electrical insulation (through the resin), while maintaining manufacturability through injection molding processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The battery holder integrates multiple functions into a single component: thermal management (heat dissipation through elastic bodies), vibration isolation (cushioning effect of elastic bodies), electrical insulation (resin material), and mechanical support (structural framework). This multi-functional design simplifies the overall structure and reduces the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If batteries are placed near the center in the battery pack, then space utilization is improved, but temperature rise and heat accumulation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidtemperature rise and heat accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The battery holder incorporates elastic bodies with thermal conductivity at specific locations where batteries are mounted, creating localized thermal management zones. The elastic bodies are positioned to contact specific battery surfaces, providing targeted heat dissipation paths from high-heat-generation areas while maintaining compact battery arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Power

If the battery pack is applied to a vehicle with high output, then power demand is met, but heat generation from batteries increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower outputVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic bodies act as thermal intermediaries between the batteries and the battery holder structure. They conduct heat away from the batteries while providing thermal coupling, enabling efficient heat transfer to the holder's external surfaces for dissipation without requiring direct metal-to-battery contact that would compromise electrical insulation or vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the battery pack is applied to a vehicle, then mobility is achieved, but vibration from the drive source causes performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle application capabilityVSAvoidanti-vibration performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic bodies are pre-installed within the battery holder structure to provide cushioning and vibration isolation before the batteries are subjected to vehicle vibrations. This proactive vibration mitigation protects the batteries from shock and vibration during operation, maintaining electrical connections and preventing performance degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 thermal diffusivity, reduces temperature rise, provides anti-vibration properties, and improves waterproofing, resulting in a battery pack with extended lifespan and reliability for high-output applications.

Implementation Method 1

the battery holder includes an elastic material having thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the battery holder includes an elastic material having thermal conductivity. The elastic material includes rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11289749B2Battery pack, electronic device, vehicle, power tool, and power storage system

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A battery pack having thermal diffusivity and anti-vibration property is provided. The battery pack includes a plurality of batteries and a battery holder having a plurality of battery housing portions configured to store the batteries, wherein the battery holder includes an elastic material having thermal conductivity. The elastic material includes rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. The battery holder includes an electrically insulating material.