Assembled Battery Swell Control via Segmented End Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional assembled batteries experience significant elongation due to swelling lithium ion secondary batteries, which is problematic for vehicles with limited mounting space, as it can interfere with surrounding components and is challenging to manage with increasing battery capacity.
Innovation Solution
The battery cells are arranged in series with end plates divided into small plates, connected by metal bands, which relax the reaction force from swelling and minimize elongation by distributing the load effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If bar-shaped spacers are continuously connected to suppress battery cell swells, then the swell amount is controlled, but the assembled battery elongates due to reaction force from constraining
Solution Approach 1:
The end plates are divided into multiple small plates arranged in a matrix pattern, which segments the constraint structure to reduce localized reaction forces that cause elongation while maintaining overall swell control
Solution Approach 2:
The small plates are positioned at specific locations corresponding to terminal positions, creating non-uniform constraint distribution that allows swell accommodation in critical areas while maintaining control where needed
2Quantity of substance
If the capacity of battery cells is increased, then higher energy storage is achieved, but the swell amount becomes bigger causing difficulty in maintaining spaces between cells
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing end plates into small plates distributed across the battery cell surfaces provides multiple discrete constraint points that can accommodate larger overall swell while maintaining proper spacing between adjacent cells
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint structure is distributed across two dimensions (width and length) rather than concentrated at edges, allowing the battery to swell uniformly in the thickness direction without compromising inter-cell spacing
3Volume of moving object
If the assembled battery size is confined within predetermined limits, then mounting space requirements are met, but deformation of battery cells due to swell must be suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
Small plates are strategically positioned at terminal locations where electrical connections are made, providing localized constraint that prevents deformation at critical areas while allowing controlled swell in non-critical regions
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed small plate configuration segments the constraint function across multiple locations, maintaining overall size confinement while accommodating local deformation needs of high-capacity battery cells
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
In a state where battery cells (2) are sandwiched from both ends by a pair of end plates (3) comprising a plurality of plates, the pair of end plates (3) are secured by metal bands (4). The end plates (3) are secured by bolts to a base, at the inside end of the plates as seen from the battery cells (2). Then, elongation of the assembled battery (1) can be kept to a small range, even when the battery cells (2) are swollen.