Extruded Energy Storage Housing for Scalable Battery Pack Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy storage housings made of sheet metal require redesign and costly tooling changes when the number of battery cell packs changes, leading to increased costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A housing for energy storage with an extruded portion that can be adjusted in length during the manufacturing process, allowing for flexible adaptation to different numbers of components and voltage, energy, and power demands, using a process that integrates fastening elements and heat management surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sheet metal housings are used for energy storage, then the housing provides structural strength and protection, but redesign and tooling changes are required when the number of battery cell packs changes, leading to increased costs and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different numbers of battery cell packsVSAvoidcomplexity of redesign and tooling changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a modular extruded portion that can be produced in standardized sections. These segments can be combined in different quantities and configurations to accommodate varying numbers of battery cell packs, eliminating the need for complete redesign when capacity changes are required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extruded housing portion is designed with universal features including standardized fastening elements, heat management surfaces, and mounting interfaces that can accommodate different numbers and types of energy storage units. This multi-functional design allows the same housing structure to serve various energy storage configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If sheet metal housings are used for energy storage, then the housing provides structural integrity, but tooling changes are required when configuration changes are needed, leading to increased costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility to adjust to customer voltage, energy and power demandsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and tooling requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing configuration can be adjusted by changing parameters such as the length of the extruded portion, the number of fastening elements, and the arrangement of heat management surfaces, all of which can be modified through standard extrusion process adjustments rather than requiring new tooling designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The housing design incorporates dynamic adjustability through the extrusion process, allowing the same tooling to produce housing portions of varying lengths and configurations by adjusting extrusion parameters, stopping points, and process variables rather than requiring physical tooling changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If traditional housing designs with multiple apertures are used, then components can be accessed, but sealing becomes difficult and more parts are needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of component insertion and assemblyVSAvoidnumber of sealing parts required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The design extracts the sealing function from multiple distributed sealing elements and consolidates it into a single integrated sealing solution at the primary aperture, eliminating the need for multiple sealing parts while maintaining ease of component insertion through the extruded housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4407726A1Housing for an energy storage
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP4407726A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4407726A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4407726A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A housing (1) for an energy storage is disclosed, wherein the housing (1) comprises an extruded portion (9) made by an extruding process, wherein the extruded portion (9) forms a cavity extending along an extruding direction (10). Further, an energy storage and a method for producing a housing are disclosed.