Battery Pack Housing Guide Portion for Moisture Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-power battery packs face issues with moisture accumulation due to the contact between stainless steel frames and plastic side portions, which can lead to rust and potential short-circuits, reducing the lifespan and safety of the battery pack.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a guide portion with a recessed groove and sloped surfaces in the housing design to direct and drain moisture away from the contact area between the frame and side portions, preventing pooling and rust, and enhancing the structural integrity with stainless steel frames and plastic side portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stainless steel frames and plastic side portions are used in the housing, then structural strength and durability are improved, but moisture accumulation occurs at the contact area leading to rust and potential short-circuits
Solution Approach 1:
A guide portion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the stainless steel frame and plastic side portion. This guide portion includes a groove that directs moisture away from the contact area, preventing direct accumulation at the joint. The intermediary structure manages the harmful moisture flow without compromising the structural integrity provided by the stainless steel and plastic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact area between the frame and side portion is segmented into distinct functional zones: a dry contact region for structural bonding and a wet guide region with the groove for moisture management. This segmentation allows the structural materials to maintain their strength while the segmented groove structure handles moisture drainage separately, preventing rust and short-circuits.
2Reliability
If a drainage structure is added to prevent moisture accumulation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage function is merged with the existing housing structure by forming the guide portion and groove directly within the side portion or frame assembly. Rather than adding a separate drainage component, the groove is integrated into the housing itself, combining structural support and moisture guidance functions into a single unified structure, thereby minimizing complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure in the guide portion enables self-drainage of moisture through gravity and capillary action without requiring external pumps or active drainage systems. The housing structure serves its own drainage needs through the geometric design of the groove, eliminating the need for additional complex drainage components and maintaining structural simplicity while preventing moisture accumulation.
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 drainage structure effectively prevents moisture accumulation, reducing the risk of rust and short-circuits, thereby improving the battery pack's lifespan and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a guide portion to guide a flow of fluid, the guide portion being located where the one end of the frame portion and one side portion of the pair of side portions are adjacent to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes a plurality of bare cells electrically connected to one another and a housing that accommodates the bare cells therein. The housing includes a frame portion and a pair of side portions respectively connected to one end and the other end of the frame portion. The housing includes a guide portion to guide a flow of fluid, the guide portion being located where the one end of the frame portion and one side portion of the pair of side portions are adjacent to each other.