Battery Pack Sidewall Integration for Compact Electrical Packaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face challenges in reducing size for efficient mounting on vehicles due to the separate provision of housing and cooling circuits, which limits their compactness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The battery pack design integrates electrical components into the side wall portion of the housing, using a ribbed structure to partition spaces and securely embed these components, allowing for a more compact configuration without compromising the structural integrity or increasing the size of the pack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the housing and cooling circuit are separately provided, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the battery pack size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the housing and cooling circuit into a single integrated structure. The housing includes a hollow portion that accommodates the cooling circuit, eliminating the need for separate provision of these components. This integration reduces the overall battery pack size while maintaining the functional independence of both the housing and cooling circuit.
2Volume of moving object
If electrical components are embedded in the side wall portion, then the battery pack size is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall portion is segmented into multiple regions including a hollow portion and a rib portion. The hollow portion provides space for embedding electrical components, while the rib portion offers structural support and mounting surfaces. This segmentation allows electrical components to be embedded within the housing structure itself, reducing battery pack size while providing clear manufacturing guidelines for component placement and fixation.
3Strength
If the side wall portion has a rib portion partitioning the hollow portion, then the structural support is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rib portion is strategically positioned within the hollow portion of the side wall to provide localized structural reinforcement. This rib structure partitions the hollow portion into multiple spaces, enhancing the mechanical strength of the housing at critical locations while maintaining the overall simplicity of the integrated housing-cooling circuit design. The local addition of the rib portion does not significantly increase overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells, a housing, and an electrical component. The plurality of battery cells are arranged in a first direction. The housing accommodates the plurality of battery cells. The electrical component is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of battery cells. The housing includes a bottom portion and a side wall portion. The plurality of battery cells are mounted on the bottom portion. The side wall portion is provided to rise from the bottom portion, a hollow portion being provided in the side wall portion. At least a portion of the electrical component is embedded in the side wall portion.