U-Shaped Side Plate for Battery Module Swelling Accommodation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Soft-pack batteries experience significant swelling and deformation during cyclic processes, leading to structural damage and assembly risks due to the lack of an outer aluminum case, which complicates assembly and increases the risk of scratching the battery surface.
Innovation Solution
A side plate design for battery modules that includes a first and second plate with curved segments and a connection portion, forming a hollow cavity to accommodate swelling, reducing deformation and providing an outer frame for assembly protection, while maintaining flexibility and preventing scratches during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a soft-pack battery is used without an outer aluminum case, then the battery can expand freely during cyclic processes, but the swelling force increases and causes larger deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The side plate is designed as a U-shaped structure comprising a first plate, a second plate, and a connection portion, forming a hollow cavity that flexibly accommodates battery swelling. This flexible shell structure allows the battery to expand freely while providing necessary mechanical support to resist excessive swelling forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The side plate is segmented into multiple functional parts: a first plate with a first curved segment, a second plate with a second curved segment, and a connection portion. These segments work together to provide both expansion space and structural strength, resolving the contradiction between freedom of expansion and resistance to swelling force.
2Strength
If a hard-pack battery with an outer aluminum case is used, then the structural strength is improved, but the battery cannot expand freely and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a rigid aluminum case, the invention employs a flexible side plate structure made of metal sheets that can deform elastically to accommodate battery expansion while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The side plate transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can adapt its shape during battery cycling, allowing expansion freedom while maintaining necessary strength through elastic deformation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an outer frame is used to prevent battery scratching during assembly, then the protection is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure is segmented into modular side plates that can be independently assembled. Each side plate is a self-contained U-shaped component that provides protection during assembly while simplifying the overall assembly process through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The side plates are pre-formed with curved segments and hollow cavities that provide both protection and accommodation functions before assembly. This preliminary preparation reduces assembly complexity by eliminating the need for complex on-site adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a side plate and a battery module. The side plate is applied to the battery module. The side plate includes: a first plate, a second plate and a connection portion. The first plate includes a first free end at one side in a height direction, the second plate includes a second free end at the same side in the height direction, the first free end and the second free end abut against each other. The connection portion is located at the other side opposite to the first free end and the second free end in the height direction, and is configured to connect the first plate and the second plate, and enclose a hollow cavity with the first plate and the second plate.