Battery Pack Partition Plate Insulation for Short Circuit Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery packs in vehicles are prone to short circuits and fires due to deformation during impacts, as the conductive metal housing can collapse and contact electrode terminals, increasing the risk of electrical shorts.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design with a specific arrangement of battery modules, including a first and second module at ends and a third module in between, with electrode terminals facing each other and a partition plate between adjacent modules to reduce the likelihood of internal contact and short circuits, along with a tying band and end plates for structural support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the housing is made of conductive metal for structural strength, then the strength and rigidity of the housing is improved, but the risk of short circuit increases when the housing collapses and contacts electrode terminals during impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing strengthVSAvoidshort circuit risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An insulating plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the conductive housing and the electrode terminals. This insulating plate prevents direct electrical contact between the housing and battery components, thereby eliminating the short circuit risk while preserving the structural advantages of the metal housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful electrical conductivity property is extracted from the housing at the critical interface with battery components. By placing an insulating plate between the housing and electrode terminals, the conductive path is removed while the structural function of the metal housing remains intact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Volume of moving object

If battery modules are arranged with electrode terminals facing each other to save space, then the space utilization is improved, but the risk of short circuit increases when housing deformation causes contact between adjacent modules

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidshort circuit risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Insulating plates are placed between adjacent battery modules where electrode terminals face each other. These insulating plates act as mediators that prevent electrical contact between modules during housing deformation, allowing close spacing without increasing short circuit risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If insulation protection of electrode terminals is increased to reduce short circuit risk, then the reliability is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort circuit protectionVSAvoidinsulation structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation between the conductive housing and electrode terminals, acts as a structural spacer to maintain module spacing, and prevents contact between adjacent battery modules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated insulation components, thereby controlling complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3675215B1Battery pack and vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.11.23 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3675215B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3675215B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3675215B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a battery pack (200) including a housing (20)and a plurality of battery modules (100) disposed in the housing and arranged in a horizontal direction. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells (1) electrically connected to each other by a plurality of first bus bars (5), the battery cell includes a battery case (12) and two electrode terminals (131, 132). The battery pack of the present disclosure can effectively avoid short-circuiting the electrode terminals of the battery module caused by the collapse of the housing toward inside, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack.