Deformable End Plate for Stable Battery Cell Stack Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems face challenges in maintaining optimal pressure conditions for battery cells due to inherent length tolerances and swelling, leading to reduced long-term performance and the need for precise production tolerances or costly adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A deformable end plate with deformation structures, including compression and extension portions, is used to exert a constant pressure on the cell stack, compensating for production tolerances and swelling by adjusting to changes in length through elastic and plastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid end plates are used to maintain structural stability, then manufacturing precision can be improved, but the system cannot adapt to length tolerances and swelling, causing pressure instability
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic structure with deformation capabilities. The deformation structures allow the end plate to adapt its shape and position in response to length tolerances and swelling, maintaining stable pressure on the cell stack despite dimensional changes in the battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The end plate's physical parameters (shape, position, deformation state) are changed dynamically to compensate for dimensional variations. By allowing controlled deformation of specific structures, the system maintains optimal pressure conditions despite changes in cell stack length due to tolerances or swelling.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise production tolerances are required to maintain optimal pressure, then pressure stability can be improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate with deformation structures serves itself by automatically adjusting to maintain optimal pressure. The deformation structures self-regulate the pressure on the cell stack in response to dimensional changes, eliminating the need for external adjustment mechanisms or precise manual assembly procedures.
3Strength
If rigid structures are used to ensure mechanical strength, then structural protection is improved, but the system cannot compensate for swelling, leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate is segmented into rigid portions (for structural strength and protection) and deformable portions (for compensation). The deformation structures are integrated into the end plate design, allowing specific regions to flex and adapt while maintaining overall structural integrity and protective function.
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 end plate maintains a consistent pressure on the cell stack throughout its lifetime, ensuring optimal performance and reducing the need for precise assembly adjustments and costly workarounds.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting to changes in length through elastic and plastic deformation
Implementation Method 2
adjusting to changes in length through elastic and plastic deformation
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The present disclosure refers to a battery system (100) including a plurality of battery cells (12) arranged along a stacking axis (X) to form a cell stack (10), a cell stack frame (20) accommodating the cell stack (10), and an end plate (30, 30') disposed at an end of cell stack frame (20), the end plate (30, 30') including a plate element (32) in contact with the cell stack (10) and deformation structures (34, 34') extending from the plate element (32) at opposite sides thereof parallel to the stacking axis (X), each deformation structure (34, 34') including a first compression portion (36) and a first extension portion (37) that are connected in series and are arranged overlapping each other in a direction perpendicular to the stacking axis (X), wherein the end plate (30, 30'), in an assembly position, is supported by the cell stack frame (20) such that, while the first compression portion (36) is compressed and the first extension portion (37) is extended, the plate element (32) exerts a pressure onto the cell stack (10).