Polymeric Foam Battery Cell Assembly with Grooved Walls

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery cell assemblies require intermediate members for connecting and insulating battery cells, leading to increased volume, weight, and complexity in assembly.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell assembly utilizing a polymeric foam container to insulate and securely hold battery cells, eliminating the need for intermediate frame members by using the foam's grooves to retain the cells and minimize thermal energy transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If intermediate members are used to connect and insulate battery cells, then thermal insulation and structural support are improved, but volume, weight, and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy transfer to battery cellsVSAvoidbattery cell assembly volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the thermal insulation function and the structural support function into a single polymeric foam container. The foam container simultaneously provides thermal insulation to protect battery cells from external heat and structural support to hold the battery cells in fixed positions, eliminating the need for separate intermediate members for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The polymeric foam container serves multiple functions: it provides thermal insulation, structural support, and cell positioning. By making the foam container multi-functional, the patent reduces the overall number of components needed in the battery cell assembly, thereby reducing volume and assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If intermediate members are used to connect and insulate battery cells, then thermal insulation and structural support are improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy transfer to battery cellsVSAvoidbattery cell assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the thermal insulation function and the structural support function into a single polymeric foam container. The foam container simultaneously provides thermal insulation to protect battery cells from external heat and structural support to hold the battery cells in fixed positions, eliminating the need for separate intermediate members for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The polymeric foam container acts as a flexible insulating structure that provides both thermal protection and mechanical support. The foam material's cellular structure provides excellent thermal insulation properties while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to support the battery cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If intermediate members are used to connect and insulate battery cells, then thermal insulation and structural support are improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy transfer to battery cellsVSAvoidassembly structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the thermal insulation function and the structural support function into a single polymeric foam container. The foam container simultaneously provides thermal insulation to protect battery cells from external heat and structural support to hold the battery cells in fixed positions, eliminating the need for separate intermediate members for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The foam container is divided into multiple cells or compartments, each designed to hold individual battery cells. This segmentation allows for easy assembly by simply placing cells into the pre-formed compartments, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining structural support and thermal insulation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 polymeric foam container enables easier assembly, improved insulation, and reduced size and weight of the battery cell assembly while effectively managing thermal energy transfer.

Implementation Method 1

the polymeric foam container (70) to insulate the battery cells (40-82) from external heat energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3252846B1Battery cell assembly

Publication Date: 2019.01.30 LG CHEM LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A battery cell assembly is provided. The battery cell assembly includes a polymeric foam container having first, second, third side walls defining an interior region. The first, second, and third side walls have first, second, and third grooves, respectively, extending therein. The battery cell assembly further includes a first battery cell having a first rectangular-shaped body with first, second, and third peripheral ledge portions. The first battery cell is disposed in the interior region such that first, second, and third peripheral ledge portions thereof are disposed in the first, second, and third grooves, respectively, in the first, second, and third side walls, respectively.