Battery Module End Plate Positioning for Band Slip Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Battery modules experience expansion or shrinkage over time, causing the binding band to easily fall off, leading to instability in the battery pack.

Innovation Solution

A fixing assembly comprising an end plate with a limiting member, a fixing member, and a band that cooperatively define a positioning region to securely bind the battery module, preventing movement and disconnection of the band.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple battery cells are fixed through a front end plate and a back end plate, then the battery module can be assembled, but the band may fall off after long-term use due to expansion or shrinkage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveband retentionVSAvoidlong-term use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The end plate is segmented into a plate body and a limiting member that are separately formed and then connected. The limiting member protrudes from the plate body to form a positioning region that cooperatively constrains the band, preventing it from falling off during thermal expansion or shrinkage of battery cells over long-term use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The limiting member acts as an intermediary structure between the plate body and the band. It provides a positioning region that mediates the interaction between the band and the end plate, ensuring the band remains securely positioned even when battery cells expand or shrink during long-term operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If additional limiting members are added to prevent band disconnection, then band retention improves, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveband retentionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The limiting member is merged with the plate body to form an integrated end plate structure. Instead of adding separate limiting members as independent components, the limiting member is formed as an integral part of the plate body through a single molding process, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity while ensuring band retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The end plate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support as a plate body and simultaneously provides band positioning through the integrated limiting member. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional separate limiting members, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable band retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11894569B2Fixing assembly for battery module and battery pack

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 HITHIUM TECH HK LTD

AI summary

A fixing assembly for a battery module and a battery pack are provided. The fixing assembly for the battery module includes an end plate, a fixing member, and a first band. The end plate is provided with a limiting member protruding from a surface of the end plate. The fixing member is configured to connect multiple battery modules and abut against the surface of the end plate provided with the limiting member, such that the fixing member, the limiting member, and the end plate can cooperatively define a positioning region. The first band is configured to abut against the surface of the end plate provided with the limiting member to bind the battery module. The first band abuts against the positioning region, such that the fixing member and the limiting member can cooperatively abut against the first band.