Partition wall assembly for a battery housing, battery, and vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing effort and cycle time for producing battery interconnections are high due to the complex assembly of separate partition walls and busbar housings, which also poses safety risks during thermal runaway as flames and gases can spread through openings.

Innovation Solution

A partition assembly for battery housing with a one-piece design of partition and busbar housing, made from mineral materials, which reduces the number of components and eliminates openings for flame and gas passage, enhancing thermal insulation and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate partition walls and busbar housings are used, then electrical insulation and safety are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cycle time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall and busbar housing are merged into a single integrated component made from mineral material. This combines the electrical insulation function of the partition wall with the protective housing function, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps while maintaining both safety functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated mineral material component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a partition wall for electrical insulation, a housing for protecting the busbar, and a structural support element. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components and simplifies manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If openings are provided in partition walls for busbar passage, then electrical connection is enabled, but flame and gas spread during thermal runaway is promoted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidflame and gas spread
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing membrane or flexible barrier is integrated into the partition wall at the busbar passage location. This membrane allows the busbar to pass through while maintaining flame and gas tightness, preventing thermal runaway propagation while enabling electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall uses composite mineral materials with embedded sealing properties or fire-resistant characteristics that allow conductor passage while blocking flame and gas spread. The composite structure provides both electrical insulation and thermal barrier functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If multiple separate components are assembled, then functional requirements are met, but production cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidproduction cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery assembly is segmented into modular units where each module contains integrated partition-wall-with-busbar-housing components. This segmentation allows for pre-assembly and standardization, reducing overall production cycle time while maintaining functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall and busbar housing are pre-integrated into a single component before battery assembly. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site assembly of multiple separate parts, significantly reducing production cycle time while ensuring proper functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 simplifies battery production, reduces cycle times, and improves safety by minimizing the spread of flames and gases during thermal runaway, while maintaining electrical insulation and reducing the risk of short circuits.

Implementation Method 1

a partition wall which lies in a wall plane spanned by a longitudinal direction and a height direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and which is configured to divide a battery interior enclosed by the battery housing into mutually delimited chambers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the busbar housing is designed in one piece with the partition wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

at least one busbar accommodated in the busbar housing, which busbar extends orthogonally to the wall plane through the partition wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP4268315B1Partition wall assembly for a battery housing, battery, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
  • EP4268315B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4268315B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4268315B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a partition wall assembly (1) for a battery housing (2), comprising: - a partition wall (1a) which lies in a wall plane (WE) spanned by a longitudinal direction (L) and a vertical direction (H) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (L); - at least one busbar housing (1b); and - at least one busbar (1c) accommodated in the busbar housing (1b). The partition wall assembly according to the invention is characterized in that the busbar housing (1b) is integral with the partition wall (1a).