Battery Pack Cell Restraint Using Spring Plates for Cell Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs face issues with cell damage and reduced longevity due to cell motion relative to the housing, caused by external vibrations and internal prismatic cell growth, which affects operability and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The battery pack incorporates spring plates between the cell array and the container to apply a spring force, restraining cell motion and accommodating cell growth, while restraining pins further secure the cells to prevent damage and ensure dimensional stability of the container sidewall, maintaining a reliable seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid cell restraint structures are used to prevent cell motion, then cell stability is improved, but cell damage risk increases due to inability to accommodate growth
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate changes its physical state from rigid to flexible, allowing it to deform elastically under cell growth forces while maintaining restraint functionality. This parameter change enables the restraint structure to adapt to varying cell dimensions without causing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plate is pre-configured with elastic properties to absorb and cushion the forces generated by cell growth before they can cause damage. This beforehand cushioning mechanism protects cells from the harmful effects of rigid restraint while maintaining positional stability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If flexible cell restraint structures are used to accommodate growth, then cell damage is reduced, but cell stability decreases due to increased motion
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate's elastic modulus and geometric parameters are optimized to provide appropriate stiffness characteristics. This allows the structure to be flexible enough to accommodate growth while maintaining sufficient rigidity to prevent excessive cell motion and maintain stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plate transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can adapt its restraint characteristics based on cell growth stage. The elastic deformation capability allows the system to maintain stability during operation while accommodating growth over time.
3Stability of the object's composition
If spring plates are added to restrain cell motion, then cell stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate is designed to automatically adjust its restraint force based on cell growth without requiring external control mechanisms. The elastic properties enable self-regulation of cell position and growth accommodation, eliminating the need for complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plate utilizes a thin, flexible plate structure that provides effective cell restraint through elastic deformation rather than through complex mechanical linkages or active control systems. This simple yet effective structure reduces device complexity while maintaining cell stability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If multiple restraint components are added to prevent cell motion, then cell stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides cell restraint, accommodates growth, and maintains electrical insulation. This merging of functions into one element reduces the number of parts needed, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plate is manufactured as a simple thin plate structure using conventional forming processes, avoiding the need for complex multi-component assemblies. This single-piece construction approach reduces manufacturing steps, assembly operations, and associated costs while providing effective cell restraint.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces cell damage, enhances battery pack reliability and longevity by controlling cell motion and accommodating growth, thereby improving operability and preventing moisture and particle ingress.
Implementation Method 1
The spring plate is free of attachment to the container or to the cells, and is configured to apply a spring force to the array
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack (1) includes a housing (2) and an array of electrochemical cells (80) disposed in the housing (2). The housing (2) includes a container (3) and a lid (30) that closes an open end of the container (3). The container (3) has a base (4), a sidewall (8) that surrounds the base (4), and a spring plate (110) disposed inside the sidewall (8) between the cells (80) and the sidewall (8). The spring plate (110) is free standing within the container (3) and applies a spring force to the cell array that restrains the cells (80) along an axis normal to the surface of the spring plates (110). The lid (30) includes inwardly-protruding pins (50, 60) that further restrain the cells (80) within the housing (2).