Battery Pack Reinforcing Partitioning Member for Structural Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing battery pack designs for electric vehicles do not adequately address the issue of lower surface bending of battery modules, leading to potential damage and noise due to contact with the case bottom, and insufficient strength against impacts.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a reinforcing partitioning member alternately disposed along the longitudinal direction of the battery pack, featuring a first connection portion to the top plate, a second connection portion to the bracket through a side plate, and an arched supporting member between the bracket and bottom plate, along with deformation portions on the top plate and sealing portions to prevent gas discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If only upper surface support is provided for battery modules, then upper surface bending is prevented, but lower surface bending occurs causing contact with case bottom and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupper surface support strengthVSAvoidlower surface protection
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into multiple independent support members: upper support members (first support members) that support the upper surfaces of battery modules, and lower support members (second support members) that support the lower surfaces. This segmentation allows each support member to independently address specific support needs, preventing both upper and lower surface bending without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If battery modules are secured with existing support structure, then upper surface bending is prevented, but impact damage occurs due to insufficient overall strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupper surface supportVSAvoidimpact damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure merges multiple support members (upper support members and lower support members) into an integrated system that works together to provide comprehensive protection. The upper support members prevent upper surface bending while the lower support members prevent lower surface bending and provide impact resistance, creating a combined protective effect that addresses both issues simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If first lower holder contacts bottom surface to prevent bending, then upper surface stability is maintained, but damage and noises are caused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupper surface stabilityVSAvoiddamage and noises
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Lower support members act as intermediary elements between the battery modules and the case bottom. Instead of allowing the first lower holder to directly contact the bottom surface (which causes damage and noise), the lower support members provide a cushioned intermediate support that maintains upper surface stability while preventing harmful contact with the case bottom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3185336B1On-board battery pack
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYST LTD
  • EP3185336B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3185336B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3185336B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A battery pack 1 includes a case 2 which includes at least one battery module having a plurality of battery cells, a bottom plate 20 where the battery module is placed, side plates 22 and 26 erected around the bottom plate 20, and at op plate 24 provided in the upper ends of the side plates 22 and 26 to face the bottom plate 20, and a bracket 3 provided in the side plates 22 and 26 to fix the case 2 to a vehicle loading portion, and a partitioning member 6 which is provided in the case 2 and transfers a force added to the top plate 24 to the bracket 30.