Battery Pack Reinforcement Member for Vibration Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery packs lack structural stability and deformation prevention when subjected to external forces, particularly in the front and rear directions, due to insufficient rigidity and increased load from thicker main members, which limits their application in vehicles requiring high power and capacity.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a battery module array with battery modules arranged in two or more rows, supported by main members and end plates, with a reinforcement member coupled to the side walls of the end plates or main members in a diagonal or X-shaped structure to enhance structural stability and prevent deformation, while maintaining a compact form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of main members is increased to improve structural stability, then the rigidity and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the weight of the battery pack increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack structure is divided into multiple functional components: main members for load bearing, end plates for lateral support, and supporting bars for interconnection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving structural stability without requiring excessive thickness throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces supporting bars that extend in the width direction of the battery pack, adding a dimensional element for reinforcement. This allows structural stability to be achieved through spatial distribution of support elements rather than simply increasing the thickness of main members in the length direction.
2Device complexity
If a single battery module is used to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power and capacity of the battery pack are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented into multiple battery modules arranged in series, with each module containing multiple battery cells. This modular segmentation enables the achievement of high power and capacity through series connection while maintaining standardized, manageable module structures that simplify manufacturing and assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The main members and end plates are designed as universal support structures that serve multiple functions: mechanical support, structural reinforcement, and integration points for electrical connections. This multi-functionality allows the same structural components to support multiple battery modules, reducing overall device complexity.
3Device complexity
If the battery pack is designed without reinforcement members to reduce complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the deformation resistance under vibration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcement members are introduced that extend in the width direction of the battery pack, perpendicular to the main length direction. This dimensional addition provides reinforcement against lateral deformation and vibration without complicating the primary longitudinal structure, achieving stability through spatial distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Reinforcement members are strategically positioned at critical locations where deformation is most likely to occur under vibration, such as at the corners and along the edges of the battery module array. This localized reinforcement provides maximum deformation resistance with minimal additional complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a battery module array having battery modules which are arranged in the lateral direction in two or more rows, each of the battery modules being configured to have a structure in which battery cells or unit modules, each of which has two or more battery cells mounted therein, stacked in a state in which the battery cells or the unit modules are vertically erected, a base plate on which the battery modules are stacked in a vertically erected state, a pair of main members provided at the front and rear of the battery module array to support load of the battery modules, opposite ends of each of the main members being fastened to an external device, a pair of end plates disposed in tight contact with the front and rear of the battery module array in a state in which the lower end of each of the end plates is fixed to the base plate, and supporting bars connected between upper parts or side parts of the end plates so as to interconnect and support the end plates, wherein a reinforcement member is coupled to side walls of the end plates or sides of the main members at the outer side of an outermost battery module of the battery module array to minimize deformation of the battery pack when the battery pack is vibrated in the front and rear direction.