Battery Pack Frame Hook Coupling Eliminates Mounting Holes

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery packs face inefficiencies in space utilization and manufacturing complexity due to the volume occupied by mounting holes in battery modules, leading to stability issues and unnecessary cell terrace bending and electrode lead folding.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design that eliminates mounting holes by using a fastening member with pack hooks and module hooks for sliding engagement, along with welding lines and straps for secure coupling, allowing for improved space utilization and simplified manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If mounting holes are formed in the end plate for coupling the battery module to the battery pack frame, then the battery module can be securely mounted, but the internal space of the battery module is reduced and cell terrace bending is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidinternal space of battery module

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting hole structure is extracted and removed from the end plate. Instead of forming holes through the end plate, the patent uses a fastening member with hooks that engage with the module frame from the exterior, eliminating the need for holes and preserving the internal space of the battery module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A fastening member serves as an intermediary element between the battery module and the battery pack frame. This fastening member includes hooks that engage with the module frame, providing secure mounting without requiring modifications to the end plate structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If mounting holes are formed in the end plate, then the battery module can be coupled to the battery pack frame, but the cell terrace must be bent which reduces stability and requires additional breaking processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling capabilityVSAvoidbattery module stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting hole structure is extracted and removed from the end plate. Instead of forming holes through the end plate, the patent uses a fastening member with hooks that engage with the module frame from the exterior, eliminating the need for holes and preserving the internal space of the battery module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of modifying the end plate by creating holes (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using external hooks on the fastening member that engage with the module frame from the outside, avoiding any modification to the end plate structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If mounting holes are formed in the end plate, then the battery module can be assembled, but electrode leads must be folded in one direction which limits welding options

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidelectrode lead configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting hole structure is extracted and removed from the end plate. Instead of forming holes through the end plate, the patent uses a fastening member with hooks that engage with the module frame from the exterior, eliminating the need for holes and preserving the internal space of the battery module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20230198073A1Battery pack and device including the same

Publication Date: 2023.06.22 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery pack and a device including the same are provided. The battery pack includes a battery module and a battery pack frame on which the battery module is mounted, the battery module comprising a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a module frame accommodating the battery cell stack, and end plates covering front and rear sides of the battery cell stack, and a fastening member coupling the module frame to the battery pack frame.