Battery Stack Spacer Structure for Prismatic Cell Swelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery stacks face mechanical stress and reduced lifespan due to swelling of prismatic battery cells, particularly at the outermost cells and end plates, which is not adequately addressed by current spacers.
Innovation Solution
A spacer with a rectangular frame body and positioning elements is used between prismatic battery cells, allowing for expansion compensation and even stress distribution, featuring an adhesive layer for secure positioning and a distance element for air circulation and thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spacers are arranged between battery cells to compensate swelling force, then mechanical stress on battery cells is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into a frame body with multiple positioning elements (first positioning element, second positioning element, third positioning element) that contact different sides of the battery cell. This segmentation allows the spacer to compensate swelling forces from multiple directions independently, reducing mechanical stress on the battery cell while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different positioning elements are designed with different characteristics: the first positioning element contacts the first side, the second positioning element contacts the second side, and the third positioning element contacts the third side. Each positioning element is optimized for its specific location to provide appropriate swelling compensation, improving reliability without requiring complex uniform design throughout.
2Strength
If end plates are reinforced to withstand mechanical stress, then bending of end plates is reduced, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is installed between the battery cells before the battery stack is fully assembled and before swelling occurs. The positioning elements are pre-configured to contact the battery cell sides and distribute swelling forces evenly as they develop, preventing stress concentration at the end plates. This preliminary action reduces the need for heavily reinforced end plates.
3Quantity of substance
If battery cells are arranged closely to maximize energy density, then space utilization is improved, but swelling compensation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer utilizes the third dimension (depth) by having positioning elements that extend from the frame body to contact the sides of the battery cell. The first positioning element extends from the first face, the second from the second face, and the third from the third face, creating a three-dimensional swelling compensation structure that fits within the compact battery stack arrangement while effectively compensating swelling forces.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a spacer for arrangement between two prismatic battery cells of a battery stack. The spacer comprises a rectangular frame body and a pair of positioning elements which rise perpendicularly from a plane of the frame body and extend over the two corners of a common first longitudinal side.