Elastic Pressing Pulley Structure for Battery Cell Swelling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery modules struggle to improve battery cell performance and effectively control cell swelling, which can lead to reduced lifespan and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a battery cell assembly supported by a base plate and covered by an elastically deformable pressing pulley unit, which includes pulley units, elastic straps, and springs to manage cell swelling and maintain a consistent pressure on the battery cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If a pressing force is applied to the battery cell to improve performance, then battery cell lifespan is improved, but cell swelling control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery cell lifespanVSAvoidcell swelling
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing pulley unit is designed to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction, allowing it to dynamically adjust to cell swelling while maintaining pressing force. The elastic deformation capability enables the structure to accommodate volume changes without compromising the pressing force needed for battery cell performance and lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing pulley unit changes its physical state through elastic deformation in response to cell swelling. By allowing the pressing structure itself to deform elastically, the system maintains effective pressing force while adapting to changing cell dimensions, thereby controlling swelling without sacrificing lifespan improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If the battery module structure is made rigid to maintain pressing force, then performance is improved, but adaptability to cell swelling is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing forceVSAvoidadaptability to cell swelling
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing pulley unit transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamically deformable one. The elastic deformability allows the pressing structure to maintain force while adapting its shape and position to accommodate cell swelling, thereby achieving both force maintenance and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing pulley unit incorporates elastic elements that function similarly to flexible structures. These elastic components allow the pressing mechanism to deform and adapt to cell volume changes while maintaining the necessary pressing force, combining flexibility with functional effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution enhances battery cell performance by maintaining a consistent pressure and effectively controlling cell swelling, thereby extending the lifespan and maintaining efficiency of the battery cells.

Implementation Method 1

at least one elastic spring provided to the pulley shaft and disposed between the pulley body and the connection member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the pressing pulley unit being elastically deformable in a vertical direction of the battery cell assembly according to cell swelling of the battery cell assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHooke's Law: Hooke's Law

Data Source

PatentEP4138194B1Battery module, battery pack comprising battery module, and vehicle comprising battery pack
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4138194B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4138194B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4138194B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a battery module, which includes a battery cell assembly including at least one battery cell, a base plate configured to support a lower side of the battery cell assembly, and a pressing pulley unit elastically connected to the base plate and configured to cover an upper side of the battery cell assembly, the pressing pulley unit being elastically deformable in a vertical direction of the battery cell assembly according to cell swelling of the battery cell assembly.