Power Storage Holder Structure for Side-Impact Deformation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power storage modules, particularly in vehicles, face safety issues during side collisions due to deformation under impact loads, which can lead to unsafe conditions.

Innovation Solution

A power storage module design featuring a holder with a skeleton made of a strong first material and deformation portions made of a weaker second material, arranged orthogonally to the power storage's axial direction, to absorb and distribute impact loads, thereby reducing deformation and maintaining safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a holder made of strong material is used to support power storages, then the holder can withstand impact loads, but the power storage still deforms under side collision forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholder strengthVSAvoidpower storage deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is segmented into a skeleton made of strong first material and deformation portions made of weaker second material. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions: the skeleton provides structural support while the deformation portions absorb impact energy through controlled deformation, preventing force transmission to the power storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deformation portions act as intermediary elements between the skeleton and the power storage. These portions made of weaker material intercept and absorb impact forces before they reach the power storage, serving as a protective mediator that prevents harmful force transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the holder structure is designed to be rigid, then it maintains structural integrity, but it transmits impact loads directly to the power storage causing deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholder structural integrityVSAvoidimpact load transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the holder are assigned different material properties: the skeleton uses strong first material for structural integrity, while the deformation portions use weaker second material for impact absorption. This local differentiation allows the holder to simultaneously maintain overall structural stability while providing localized protection against impact loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The holder employs a composite structure combining two different materials with distinct properties. The first material provides rigidity and structural support, while the second material provides ductility and impact absorption capability. This composite approach enables the holder to exhibit both structural integrity and impact attenuation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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, suppressing deformation of power storages and preventing unsafe states, thus enhancing the overall safety of the power storage module.

Implementation Method 1

a deformation portion (55) made of a second material having a lower strength than a strength of the first material, than a strength of the first material, and the deformation portion is disposed along a first direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the power storage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4693656A1Power storage module
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4693656A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4693656A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4693656A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Power storage module (10) includes: a plurality of power storages (20); holder (50) including a plurality of containers (51), in which each of the plurality of power storages (20) is accommodated in a corresponding one of the plurality of containers (51), holder (50) includes skeleton (54) made of a first material and deformation portion (55) made of a second material having a lower strength than a strength of the first material, and deformation portion (55) is disposed along a first direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the power storage (20).