Deformable Cell Holder Seals for Battery Potting Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in battery modules is preventing potting material leakage during the curing process, which can disrupt the structural integrity and cooling systems of densely packed battery cells.

Innovation Solution

A cell holder design featuring deformable members within the through openings that protrude perpendicularly to reduce the opening diameter, supporting the potting material and preventing leakage by maintaining contact with the battery cells during insertion and curing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the through opening diameter is reduced to prevent potting leakage, then potting material leakage is prevented, but battery cell insertion becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepotting leakage preventionVSAvoidbattery cell insertion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cell holder incorporates a deformable member that can dynamically change the through opening diameter. During insertion, the opening is larger to accommodate the battery cell. During potting, the deformable member is pressed against the battery cell to reduce the opening diameter and prevent potting material leakage. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between insertion ease and leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If deformable members are added to reduce through opening diameter, then potting leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepotting leakage preventionVSAvoidcell holder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cell holder uses a deformable member made of flexible material that can elastically deform to adjust the through opening diameter. This flexible component prevents potting leakage without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the through opening diameter is reduced, then cooling channel integrity is maintained, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling channel integrityVSAvoidthrough opening diameter control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than manufacturing the through opening with a fixed small diameter that would require high precision, the cell holder uses a deformable member to dynamically reduce the opening diameter only when needed for potting. This approach maintains larger, easier-to-manufacture openings while still protecting cooling channel integrity during the potting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 deformable members effectively prevent potting material leakage, ensuring stable cell positioning and maintaining the integrity of the cooling channels within the battery module.

Implementation Method 1

in each through opening a deformable member is protruding in the through opening in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of extension of the through opening to thereby decrease the diameter of the through opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4167362A1Potting feature
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 RIMAC TECH LLC
  • EP4167362A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4167362A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4167362A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cell holder for holding a plurality of battery cells, said cell holder comprising a body, said body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of through openings, wherein each through opening extends between the upper surface and the lower surface and is arranged to receive a battery cell, wherein in each through opening a deformable member is protruding in the through opening in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of extension of the through opening to thereby decrease the diameter of the through opening such that the diameter of the through opening in the plane in which the deformable member is protruding is smaller than the outer diameter of the battery cell.