Busbar Frame Insulation Rib Layout for Compact Battery Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ensuring sufficient creepage distance between busbars in a limited space to improve insulation performance is a challenge in battery modules, particularly as capacity and output increase, with constraints on available space.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a busbar frame with integrated insulation ribs that protrude between busbars, increasing the creepage distance and enhancing insulation performance without significantly increasing space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the creepage distance between busbars is increased to improve insulation performance, then the insulation reliability is improved, but the space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation rib extends in the vertical direction (thickness direction of busbar frame) rather than only in the horizontal plane between busbars. This three-dimensional approach increases the creepage distance by utilizing the thickness dimension of the busbar frame, thereby improving insulation performance without increasing the planar space between adjacent busbars.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

An insulation rib is introduced as an intermediary structure between adjacent busbars. This rib, made of insulating material, acts as a mediator that increases the creepage distance and improves insulation performance while occupying minimal space within the existing busbar frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the capacity and output of the battery module are increased, then the energy storage capability is improved, but the required creepage distance increases making space constraints more severe

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidavailable space
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation rib utilizes the vertical thickness dimension of the busbar frame to increase creepage distance, allowing the battery module to accommodate higher capacity and output requirements without proportionally increasing the planar space between busbars.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If multiple busbars with different polarities are disposed adjacent to each other on a single busbar frame, then the electrical connection efficiency is improved, but the insulation design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection efficiencyVSAvoidinsulation design
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation rib is selectively positioned between adjacent busbars of different polarities where insulation is required. This localized approach maintains efficient electrical connections between busbars of the same polarity while providing necessary insulation only where needed, simplifying the overall insulation design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4685993A1Battery module and battery pack including same
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4685993A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685993A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4685993A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery module includes a battery cell stack including a plurality of battery cells, a busbar frame located on at least one surface of the battery cell stack, and at least two busbars located on the busbar frame. The busbar frame includes at least one insulation rib protruding between a first busbar of the at least two busbars and an adjacent second busbar of the at least two busbars. The insulation rib includes a plurality of protruding portions, the plurality of protruding portions be located on a first surface of the busbar frame, the first surface facing away from the first busbar, and the plurality of protruding portions protruding toward the second busbar.