Battery Pack Side Member Joint for Thermal Strain Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cell-to-pack type battery packs, there is a challenge in firmly fixing the surrounding members to the battery cells, which can lead to instability and potential foreign matter entry due to reaction forces and thermal deformation differences.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a first member with a longitudinal plate and a lateral plate, connected by a connection member, where a resin member, potentially an adhesive agent, is used to secure the structure and absorb thermal deformation differences between metal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If members are firmly fixed together using rigid connection in cell-to-pack type battery pack, then fixation strength is improved, but thermal deformation differences cause strain and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The connection member changes its rigidity parameter based on the type of connection needed: rigid in the stacking direction to resist reaction forces, and flexible in the thickness direction to accommodate thermal deformation differences between metal members
Solution Approach 2:
The connection member uses a composite structure combining a resin material with embedded reinforcement ribs, creating a material that exhibits both rigid and flexible characteristics in different directions to simultaneously achieve strong fixation and thermal deformation absorption
2Strength
If rigid metal members are used for connection, then fixation strength is improved, but foreign matter can enter through gaps between members
Solution Approach 1:
The resin portion of the connection member acts as a flexible sealing element that fills gaps between metal members, preventing foreign matter entry while maintaining the rigid structural connection through embedded ribs
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of resin and reinforcement ribs creates a connection member that simultaneously provides mechanical strength for fixation and sealing properties to prevent foreign matter penetration
3Reliability
If same metal materials are used for first and second members, then thermal deformation consistency is improved, but connection flexibility to absorb strain is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection member's rigidity parameter is changed by using resin material with flexible characteristics, enabling it to absorb thermal deformation strain while maintaining reliable connection
Solution Approach 2:
The resin-based connection member serves as an intermediary between the first and second metal members, mediating the thermal deformation differences and protecting the rigid metal components from direct stress
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
This design ensures firm fixation of the battery pack components, prevents foreign matter entry, and minimizes strain from thermal changes by using a resin member to absorb differences in thermal expansion between metal components.
Implementation Method 1
since the resin member composed of a resin seals between the lateral plate portion and the second member, a foreign matter can be prevented from entering the plurality of battery cells
Implementation Method 2
the reaction force from the plurality of battery cells can be received by the connection member and the adhesive agent
Implementation Method 3
when a difference in thermal deformation amount between the first member and the second member occurs due to a difference in linear expansion coefficient between the material metals, the difference in thermal deformation amount between the first member and the second member can be absorbed by the resin member
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes: a plurality of stacked battery cells; a first member having a longitudinal plate portion and a lateral plate portion, the longitudinal plate portion being in abutment with a battery cell in a stacking direction of the battery cells, reaction force in the stacking direction of the battery cells being applied to the longitudinal plate portion from the plurality of battery cells, the lateral plate portion protruding from the longitudinal plate portion in a direction of the reaction force; and a second member overlapping with the lateral plate portion in a thickness direction of the lateral plate portion; and a connection member that connects the lateral plate portion to the second member.