Polyhedral Battery Module With Staggered Cells And Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-power battery modules require a customizable shape to fit various device forms while ensuring safety and efficiency, particularly in applications like electric vehicles, where a lightweight and compact design with effective heat management is crucial.

Innovation Solution

A battery module structure featuring a polyhedral casing with stacked battery cells, a support member for preventing short circuits, and a heat exchange medium passage between cells, along with protruding portions for reinforcement, which maintains the module's shape and enhances safety and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If battery cells are arranged in a conventional configuration, then the module can accommodate standard cell layouts, but the module size and weight cannot be optimized for lightweight applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery module weightVSAvoidcell arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric cell arrangement where battery cells are positioned at different heights and orientations within the module. Specifically, cells are arranged in staggered rows with alternating positions, creating an asymmetric layout that optimizes space utilization and reduces overall module weight while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from conventional two-dimensional cell arrangements to a three-dimensional staggered configuration. Cells are positioned at varying vertical levels and horizontal offsets, effectively utilizing the Z-dimension to achieve compact packaging and weight reduction without compromising electrical connectivity or thermal management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If battery cells are closely packed to reduce module size, then compactness is improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery module volumeVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces heat dissipation members positioned between adjacent battery cells in the staggered arrangement. These intermediary components serve as thermal conduits, facilitating heat transfer from cells while maintaining the compact three-dimensional structure. The heat dissipation members act as mediators that enable close cell packing without compromising thermal management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a simple cell arrangement is used, then manufacturing is easier, but adaptability to various device shapes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape customization capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The battery module is divided into multiple independent cell groups arranged in staggered rows, with each group capable of being assembled separately. This segmentation allows the module to be configured in different shapes and sizes by varying the number and arrangement of cell groups, enhancing adaptability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9406916B2Battery module
Publication Date: 2016.08.02 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • US9406916B2 patent drawing
  • US9406916B2 patent drawing
  • US9406916B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A battery module includes first and second plates opposite each other, first and second frames respectively connecting tops and bottoms of the first and second plates to define a casing, the first frame being connected to the second frame and having a shape corresponding to the second frame, and a plurality of battery cells stacked in the casing, each battery cell including a first surface with a terminal portion, the first surface of each battery cell facing the first plate, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a pair of third surfaces spaced part from each other, each third surface connecting the first and second surfaces and being parallel to the second frame.