Cell Module Bottom Plate Ejector for Water Stagnation Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In cell modules with battery packs, vertical through-holes for cooling allow water to enter, leading to dew condensation and potential electrical connections between cells, causing corrosion.

Innovation Solution

A bottom plate member with ejector features, such as inclinations and grooves, directs liquids away from the cell connections, preventing water stagnation and electrical connections between adjacent cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If through-holes are formed in the bottom plate member for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but water may enter the cell module and cause electrical connection between cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical insulation between cells

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the orientation of cooling holes from vertical (perpendicular to bottom plate) to inclined (at an angle relative to the bottom plate surface). This dimensional change in hole orientation allows cooling functionality while preventing water entry that would cause electrical connection between cells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the bottom plate member is designed to support the battery pack, then structural stability is improved, but water may stagnate on the bottom plate member causing corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidwater stagnation and corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts water from the bottom plate member surface by forming inclined ejection holes that actively eject accumulated water outward. This removes the harmful water stagnation that would cause corrosion while preserving the bottom plate's structural support function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to prevent water from reaching the bottom plate, the invention inverts the approach by providing ejection holes that actively remove water after it accumulates. The inclination of holes directs water ejection away from cell connections, preventing corrosion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

The solution effectively prevents corrosion by ensuring water is ejected from the cell module, maintaining electrical insulation and preventing water from entering or stagnating between cells.

Implementation Method 1

a first inclination surface, which inclines toward the direction in which the liquid is ejected, on the bottom portion of the groove portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a second inclination surface that inclines so as to separate from the bottom surface of the electrical cell, from the supporting portion toward the groove portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9728753B2Cell module

Publication Date: 2017.08.08 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

A cell module includes a battery pack in which a plurality of electrical cells are arranged; and a bottom plate member that supports the battery pack. The bottom plate member includes an ejector for ejecting a liquid on the bottom plate member in a direction intersecting in an arrangement direction of the electrical cells and in an extending direction of the bottom plate member.