Modular Battery Pack Housing for Multi-Cell Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery modules lack adaptability to accommodate batteries of different sizes and electronic properties, requiring a new product development for each specific application, which is time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

A modular battery pack design featuring a housing with interchangeable energy storage modules, interfacing electrical components, and a connector system, allowing for customizable configurations and easy integration of new battery types, with optional power electronics and a battery management system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a completely new product is developed for each specific battery system functionality, then the battery pack can accommodate batteries with different sizes and electronic properties, but the development time and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different battery typesVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into modular components: a standardized housing structure, interchangeable battery modules, and separate electronic control units. This segmentation allows different battery types to be integrated into the same housing without redesigning the entire system, thus improving adaptability while reducing development time for new configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing and electronic cover are designed as universal components that can accommodate multiple battery types and configurations. The standardized interface and mounting structure enable the same housing to serve multiple functions with different battery modules, eliminating the need for new product development for each battery type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a completely new product is developed for each specific battery system functionality, then the battery pack can accommodate batteries with different sizes and electronic properties, but the development costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different battery typesVSAvoiddevelopment costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the battery pack into standardized housing, interchangeable battery modules, and separate electronic components, the invention allows manufacturers to produce housing and electronic covers in large volumes at economies of scale, while only the battery modules need to be customized. This significantly reduces development and manufacturing costs for different battery configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The universal housing and electronic cover design enables a single product platform to serve multiple battery types and applications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple product lines and associated tooling, molds, and assembly fixtures, thereby reducing overall development and manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Power

If batteries with different electronic properties are integrated into a battery module, then the power levels required for the application can be attained, but a new product design is required for each battery system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower levelsVSAvoidproduct design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is segmented into modular battery cells that can be arranged in series or parallel configurations within the standardized housing. This allows different power levels to be achieved by changing the arrangement of identical modular units rather than redesigning the entire product, thus reducing design complexity while maintaining power flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery module configuration is made dynamic and adjustable, allowing the same housing to accommodate different numbers and arrangements of battery cells depending on the required power level. This dynamic reconfigurability eliminates the need for fixed, application-specific designs, reducing overall product design complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4404355A1Modular battery pack
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP4404355A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4404355A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4404355A1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The present invention deals with a battery pack (B), comprising: at least one energy storage module (1); a housing (3), being adapted to receive at least one energy storage module (1); a side cover (2), adapted to close the housing (3); an electronic cover (5), adapted to close the housing (3) on the side opposite to the side cover (2); a connector (7), being positioned at the electronic cover (5); and a connection element (4, 4', 4a, 4a'), connecting the connector (7) with the at least one energy storage module (1).