Power Storage Module Holder Ribs for Side-Impact Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric power storage modules in vehicles face safety issues during side collisions due to impact loads that deform and potentially unsafe the power storage units.

Innovation Solution

The module design includes a holder with multiple containers and ribs that accommodate and hold power storage units, allowing for a crushable zone with gaps between the storage and container peripheries, which deform to absorb impact loads, preventing unsafe deformation of the units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the holder structure is made rigid to securely hold power storage units, then the holding stability is improved, but the safety during side collision deteriorates because the rigid structure transmits impact loads to the power storage units causing deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding stabilityVSAvoidimpact load transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is designed with crushable zones and deformable ribs that are positioned to absorb impact loads before they can reach the power storage units. These cushioning elements are strategically placed at the periphery of the holder to provide preliminary protection during side collisions, preventing the harmful transmission of impact forces to the stored energy devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder structure incorporates regions with different mechanical properties - rigid zones for structural support and crushable zones with reduced stiffness for impact absorption. By varying the structural parameters (thickness, material density, geometric configuration) of different holder regions, the design achieves both stable holding of power storage units and safe deformation characteristics during collisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the holder structure is designed with crushable zones to absorb impact loads, then the safety during collision is improved, but the holding stability deteriorates because the structure may deform under normal operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact load absorptionVSAvoidholding stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is segmented into distinct functional zones: rigid support regions that maintain holding stability under normal conditions, and crushable zones with ribs that are designed to deform only under impact loads. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function - the rigid portions provide stable support while the crushable portions absorb collision energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable ribs act as intermediary elements between the rigid holder structure and the power storage units. These ribs are designed to deform preferentially during impact, serving as a mediator that absorbs collision energy while the rigid portions of the holder maintain their structural integrity and holding capability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If gaps are provided between the power storage units and the container periphery to allow deformation, then the safety is improved by preventing unsafe deformation of units, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to the need for precise gap positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunsafe deformation preventionVSAvoidgap positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than requiring precise fixed gap dimensions, the design uses deformable ribs with controlled mechanical properties that can accommodate a range of gap sizes. The ribs are designed to deform at specific load thresholds, making the system less sensitive to variations in gap positioning during manufacturing. The critical parameter is not the exact gap size but the deformation characteristics of the rib structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design effectively absorbs impact loads, reducing the risk of unsafe states in power storage modules by allowing ribs to break or deform before the units are deformed, enhancing overall safety.

Implementation Method 1

the plurality of ribs are provided on a plurality of inner peripheral faces of the plurality of containers to hold a plurality of side peripheral faces of the plurality of electric power storages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

when an impact load is applied at the time of side collision of the vehicle, the load is applied to the electric power storage to deform the electric power storage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP4693666A1Electric power storage module
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4693666A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4693666A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4693666A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Electric power storage module (10) includes a plurality of electric power storages (20) and holder (40) that accommodates the plurality of electric power storages (20), in which holder (40) includes a plurality of containers (41) and a plurality of ribs (45),each of the plurality of electric power storages (20) is accommodated in a corresponding one of the plurality of containers (41), and the plurality of ribs (40) are provided on a plurality of inner peripheral faces of the plurality of containers (41) to hold a plurality of side peripheral faces of the plurality of electric power storages (20).