Traction Battery Structural Plate With Collapsible Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traction battery packs face challenges in effectively absorbing and distributing energy, which can lead to energy transfer towards sensitive battery internal components during loading events.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a structural plate member with a collapsible feature, such as a notch with a C-shaped or S-shaped cross-sectional geometry, that is configured to collapse and minimize energy transfer towards the cell stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid structural plate member is used to provide structural support, then structural strength is improved, but energy transfer towards cell stacks increases during loading events
Solution Approach 1:
The structural plate member incorporates a collapsible feature that transitions from a rigid state during normal operation to a deformable state during loading events. The notched configuration allows the plate to dynamically absorb impact energy through controlled collapse, reducing energy transfer to cell stacks while maintaining structural integrity during regular use.
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible feature with notched configurations is pre-designed into the structural plate member to provide energy absorption capability before loading events occur. The notches create predetermined collapse zones that activate during impact, cushioning the cell stacks from harmful energy transfers in advance of potential damage.
2Reliability
If structural support is increased to protect cell stacks, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The structural plate member is designed with notched configurations that segment the plate into distinct regions with different structural properties. These notches create localized collapse zones without requiring multiple separate components, maintaining reliability through geometric segmentation rather than component proliferation.
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible feature introduces local quality variations into the structural plate member through notched configurations. Specific regions of the plate have reduced structural integrity designed to collapse preferentially, while other regions maintain full strength. This localized modification provides protection without requiring the entire structure to be complex.
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
The collapsible feature in the structural plate member absorbs and distributes energy across the length of the plate, thereby minimizing the intrusion of loads into the cell stacks and protecting sensitive components.
Implementation Method 1
The collapsible feature is configured to collapse to minimize a transfer of energy in a direction toward the cell stack
Implementation Method 2
The collapsible feature in the structural plate member absorbs and distributes energy across the length of the plate
Implementation Method 3
distributes energy across the length of the plate, thereby minimizing the intrusion of loads into the cell stacks
Data Source
AI summary
Structural plate member designs are provided for absorbing and distributing energy within traction battery packs. An exemplary structural plate member may include a wall section having a collapsible feature that is configured to collapse to minimize a transfer of energy in a direction toward a battery internal component of the traction battery pack. The structural plate member may be configured to span a plurality of cell stacks of the traction battery pack and may be secured to one or more cell stacks of the plurality of cell stacks for structurally integrating the traction battery pack.