Battery Restraint Member Shielding for Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In battery packs with aligned cells, the cells at both ends tend to experience extreme temperature decreases due to heat transfer to restraint members and heat exchange media, leading to temperature variations among cells, which affects input/output characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The power storage apparatus incorporates restraint members with protruding and shield portions to create a sealed space between the cells and the restraint members, preventing heat transfer and medium entry, thereby maintaining consistent cell temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If restraint members are placed in direct contact with power storage elements to apply restraint force, then the restraint force is effectively applied, but the power storage elements at both ends experience extreme temperature decreases due to heat transfer to the restraint members
Solution Approach 1:
A shield portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the restraint member and the power storage element. This shield portion prevents direct thermal contact while allowing the restraint member to apply force to the power storage element through the shield, thereby reducing heat transfer to the power storage element at both ends
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint member is segmented into distinct functional portions: a restraint portion that applies force and a shield portion that blocks heat transfer. This segmentation allows the restraint member to simultaneously fulfill mechanical support functions while reducing thermal impact on the power storage elements
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 configuration effectively suppresses extreme temperature decreases in cells at the ends, reducing temperature variations and maintaining consistent input/output characteristics across the cells.
Implementation Method 1
an end of the protruding portion is in contact with the adjacent power storage element to form a space between the restraint member and the adjacent power storage element
Implementation Method 2
The shield portion protrudes in the alignment direction and prevents a heat exchange medium for use in temperature adjustment of the power storage element from entering into the space
Implementation Method 3
the protruding portion may be formed to have a shape surrounding a predetermined region when viewed from the alignment direction. Since the sealed space is formed on the outer surface of the power storage element adjacent to the restraint member, the air within the sealed space can be used to suppress a change in temperature of the power storage element
Data Source
AI summary
A power storage apparatus includes a plurality of power storage elements aligned in one direction; and a pair of restraint members placed at both ends of the plurality of power storage elements in an alignment direction in which the elements are aligned, the restraint members configured to give a restraint force to the plurality of power storage elements. At least one restraint member of the pair of restraint members includes, a protruding portion protruding toward the power storage element adjacent to the restraint member, an end of the protruding portion being in contact with the adjacent power storage element to form a space between the restraint member and the adjacent power storage element; and a shield portion protruding in the alignment direction and preventing a heat exchange medium for use in temperature adjustment of the power storage element from entering into the space.