Partition Member Insulation and Support for Stacked Battery Pack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery packs with box-shaped lithium ion batteries face challenges in structural strength, assembly complexity, and positional accuracy due to the use of tapes and spacers for insulation, which complicates assembly and results in poor durability and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a partition member that supports and insulates box-shaped cells in a stacked manner, with an insulating member and alignment mechanisms to facilitate easy assembly, improve positional accuracy, and enhance structural strength, while also accommodating cell expansion through strategically designed openings and a thinned center portion for reliable insulation and pressure relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tape or spacer is used as a partition member for insulation between stacked batteries, then insulation between cells is achieved, but the configuration becomes complicated and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The partition member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides insulation between cells through an insulating member, supports cells in a stacked manner through a support structure, and maintains spacing between cells. This merging of insulation, support, and spacing functions into one partition member simplifies the overall configuration and assembly process while ensuring reliable cell insulation.
2Reliability
If a tape or spacer is used as a partition member, then insulation between cells is achieved, but assembly strength of the battery pack becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The partition member combines insulation functionality with structural support functionality. The insulating member provides insulation between cells, while the support structure (including side plates and support ribs) provides mechanical strength and assembly strength. This integration ensures that the partition member contributes to both insulation and overall structural integrity of the battery pack.
3Volume of moving object
If the box-shaped battery housing is made smaller to reduce size, then energy density increases, but the housing strength decreases and the housing expands with increased inner pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The partition member with its insulating member and support structure acts as a pre-configured cushioning and support system between cells. When inner pressure increases causing housing expansion, the partition member's structural elements (side plates, support ribs) provide counter-support to prevent excessive expansion and maintain structural integrity, compensating for the reduced housing strength in smaller batteries.
4Reliability
If partition members are disposed between batteries mainly for providing gaps or guiding batteries, then insulation is provided, but the battery pack is not configured to support the whole assembly resulting in poor structural strength
Solution Approach 1:
The partition member merges insulation function with overall structural support function. The support structure including side plates extending along cell sides and support ribs provides comprehensive structural support for the entire battery pack assembly, not just insulation between cells. This integrated design ensures the partition member contributes to both insulation and overall structural strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack is provided, which can be assembled easily and has a high reliability. In a case of the battery pack 1 constituted by an upper case 3 and a lower case 4, a plurality of box-shaped cells 5 and a partition member 2 are housed. The partition member 2 supports the cells in stacked manner as being spaced from each other, and has an insulating member for insulating between a cell 5b and a cell 5c, which are electrically connected in parallel. The partition member is further provided with the cells 5, a positive electrode 6, a negative electrode 7, an intermediate tub 8, and a guide for aligning the upper case 3 and the lower case 4.