Battery Pack Side Restraint Layout for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face inefficiencies in weight management and thermal runaway suppression, with structural members increasing weight and occupying space, and current configurations do not effectively integrate strength rigidity and external force resistance while minimizing thermal chain risks.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design that incorporates side restraint members facing the stacked direction of secondary batteries, extending in the stacked direction, with a cover configuration where the distance between the side restraint members and the cover is shorter than the distance between the battery module's upper surface and the cover, integrating structural functions to reduce weight and enhance mount efficiency while preventing thermal chain propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If structural members (cross member and side frame) are provided in the housing to ensure strength rigidity and external force resistance, then the strength rigidity and external force resistance performance are improved, but the weight of the battery module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The binding bar is integrated to serve dual functions: restraining the stacked direction of battery cells within the battery module and simultaneously functioning as a cross member to restrain the housing. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate structural members needed, thereby reducing weight while maintaining strength rigidity and external force resistance performance.
2Reliability
If structural members (binding bar and end plate) are provided to hold and protect battery cells, then the protection and restraint function is improved, but the mounting space of battery cells is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The binding bar is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs multiple tasks: restraining battery cells in the stacked direction, serving as a cross member for housing restraint, and providing structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby freeing up mounting space while maintaining protection and restraint functions.
3Reliability
If binding bar and end plate are used to fix battery module, then the restraint function is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The binding bar is merged with the cross member function, allowing a single component to perform both the restraint of battery cells and the restraint of the housing. This integration eliminates redundant structural members, reducing overall weight while maintaining the necessary restraint and protection functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes a case, a battery module disposed in the case, and a cover which covers an upper side of the battery module. The battery module includes: a stacked body in which a plurality of secondary batteries are stacked; and a side restraint member which faces a first surface of the stacked body, and which extends in a stacked direction of the stacked body. The first surface is a surface in a vertical direction with respect to a lower surface of the stacked body, and is a surface along the stacked direction, and a first distance between an upper end of the side restraint member and the cover is shorter than a second distance between an upper surface of the stacked body and the cover.