Film-Wrapped Cylindrical Cell Module Holder for Impact Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The electric power storage module with cylindrical electrode assemblies sealed in a film outer covering body is prone to deformation under impact due to the high flexibility of the film, necessitating enhanced holding strength while minimizing weight.

Innovation Solution

The module incorporates a holder with side plates and recesses to securely fit cylindrical containers, combined with reinforcing members that include grooves to enhance rigidity and stability, allowing the film outer covering body to maintain sealing properties while reducing weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a film outer covering body is used to wrap electrode assemblies instead of outer covering cans, then weight is reduced, but holding strength and resistance to deformation are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of electric power storage moduleVSAvoidholding strength of electric power storage device

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a film outer covering body to wrap multiple electrode assemblies, replacing traditional rigid outer covering cans. This flexible film structure achieves weight reduction while maintaining sealing properties through proper film selection and structural design, directly addressing the weight versus strength contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The film outer covering body is divided into multiple containers that individually wrap each electrode assembly, with sealing parts connecting these containers. This segmentation allows the flexible film to maintain individual sealing integrity for each battery while collectively providing structural support, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and holding strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Weight of moving object

If a film outer covering body is used to wrap electrode assemblies, then weight is reduced, but resistance to impact and deformation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of electric power storage moduleVSAvoiddeformation under impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The film outer covering body provides a flexible yet protective enclosure that absorbs and distributes impact forces across multiple containers, reducing localized deformation on individual electrode assemblies while maintaining overall structural integrity under impact conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing parts connecting the containers are designed to provide cushioning and stress distribution, absorbing impact energy before it reaches the electrode assemblies. This beforehand cushioning protects the electrode assemblies from deformation during impact events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If individual sealing properties are maintained with separate containers, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliability of electrode assembliesVSAvoidstructure complexity of outer covering body

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual containers are merged into a single integrated film outer covering body structure, where the film continuously wraps around multiple electrode assemblies and connects them through sealing parts. This merging approach maintains individual sealing for each battery while simplifying the overall structure compared to separate can assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The film outer covering body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides individual sealing for each electrode assembly, connects multiple batteries into a unified structure, reduces weight compared to traditional cans, and offers flexibility for impact absorption. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by consolidating multiple roles into a single structural solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230318111A1Electric power storage module

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An electric power storage module includes an electric power storage device, a holder that holds the electric power storage device, and reinforcing members of the holder. The electric power storage device includes a plurality of cylindrical electrode assemblies, and a film outer covering body that includes a plurality of containers that individually wrap the plurality of electrode assemblies and a sealing part that seals the containers and connects the plurality of containers to each other. The holder includes a side plate extending in the array direction of the plurality of electrode assemblies, the side plate having a plurality of recesses arranged in the array direction and into which the respective containers are fitted. Each of the reinforcing members includes a first groove that extends in the array direction, is arranged together with the holder in an axial direction of the electrode assemblies, and into which the side plate is fitted on a surface facing the holder side.