Battery Pack Stack Layout With Interlocked End Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery packs lack an efficient configuration for mounting stacks of battery cells, which compromises the strength and stability of the case, leading to suboptimal performance in accommodating and securing the cells.

Innovation Solution

The battery pack design includes multiple stacks with end or intermediate plates and restraint members that are arranged orthogonally to each other, with the plates and side walls engaging to enhance structural integrity and facilitate efficient mounting, while also allowing for elastic deformation to accommodate thermal expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional battery pack configuration is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but mounting efficiency of stacks is insufficient and case strength is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting efficiencyVSAvoidcase strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The end plates of adjacent stacks are engaged with each other to form a continuous structure that spans across multiple stacks. This merging of end plates creates a unified reinforcement system that simultaneously strengthens the case structure and improves mounting efficiency, eliminating the need for additional separate reinforcement components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The end plates serve multiple functions: they close the battery cells within each stack, reinforce the case structure, and engage with adjacent end plates to create continuous reinforcement. This multi-functionality allows the same component to address both mounting efficiency and case strength requirements.

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

2Strength

If additional reinforcement components are added to improve case strength, then structural integrity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecase strengthVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the reinforcement function into the existing end plates by having them engage with each other across adjacent stacks. This eliminates the need for additional separate reinforcement components, maintaining structural integrity while avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The end plates are designed to perform both their original function of closing battery cells and an additional function of reinforcing the case structure through engagement with adjacent end plates. This multi-functionality avoids the need for separate reinforcement components.

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

3Stability of the object's composition

If end plates are engaged with side walls to extend continuously, then structural rigidity improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidengagement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous extension of end plates across multiple stacks creates a unified structural element that enhances rigidity. The engagement features between adjacent end plates are designed to work together as an integrated system, distributing the precision requirements across multiple engagement points rather than requiring single-point high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4421958A1Battery pack and method of manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4421958A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4421958A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4421958A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A battery pack (1) includes: a first stack (300A, 400A) and a second stack (300B, 400B); and a case member (500) provided with an inner space that accommodates the first stack (300A, 400A) and the second stack (300B, 400B) and a side wall (510, 520) that defines the inner space, wherein each of the first stack (300A, 400A) and the second stack (300B, 400B) includes a plurality of battery cells (100) arranged side by side in a first direction, an end plate (400A, 400B) located at an end portion of the plurality of battery cells (100), and a restraint member (600) that restrains the plurality of battery cells (100) and the end plate (400A, 400B) along the first direction, the first stack (300A, 400A) and the second stack (300B, 400B) are provided to be arranged side by side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the end plates (400A, 400B) arranged side by side in the second direction are engaged with each other, and the end plates (400A, 400B) continuously extend across the inner space along the second direction.