Rack System with Rail-Shaped Shelves for Battery Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rack systems for power storage battery modules face challenges in easy assembly and inadequate ventilation, leading to inefficient cooling and maintenance issues in high-voltage and large-capacity power storage systems.

Innovation Solution

A rack system with rail-shaped shelves that allow snap-fitting of battery modules, featuring a ventilating slot for airflow and a coupling projection that inserts into a groove, enabling easy assembly and ventilation without the need for separate coupling members, and supporting the modules in a multi-stage form to prevent detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If battery modules are directly placed on shelves with coupling holes and fixed using coupling members, then the battery modules can be securely fixed in the rack system, but the assembly process becomes complex and requires additional coupling members and space expansion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf and coupling member are merged into a single integrated shelf structure. The coupling protrusions are directly formed on the shelf surface, eliminating the need for separate coupling members. This integration simplifies the assembly process while maintaining secure fixing of battery modules through the rail-shaped shelves that engage with corresponding grooves on the module bottoms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If battery modules are directly placed on shelves for easy assembly, then the assembly process is simplified, but the bottom surfaces of battery modules cannot ventilate effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidventilation blockage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf surface is segmented into multiple regions: flat rail-shaped shelves for support and engagement, and recessed ventilation slots for air flow. This segmentation allows the shelf to simultaneously provide mechanical support for easy assembly while creating dedicated pathways for ventilation beneath the battery modules, preventing heat accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional shelves with coupling holes are used, then battery modules can be fixed, but space expansion is required and assembly is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule fixingVSAvoidrack system space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling function is merged into the shelf structure itself through integrally formed coupling protrusions on the shelf surface. These protrusions engage with grooves on the battery module bottoms, providing secure fixing without requiring additional coupling members or expanding the rack system space. The rail-shaped shelves maintain compact dimensions while achieving reliable module attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2685520B1Rack system for battery module for energy storage
Publication Date: 2017.05.31 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2685520B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2685520B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2685520B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a rack system for power storage battery modules. The rack system includes a rack assembly configured in the form capable of defining an entire accommodation area, where a plurality of battery modules are accommodated in a multi-stage form; and a plurality of rail frames coupled to the multi stages of the rack assembly to support edges of the bottom surface of the battery modules, wherein each of the battery modules has a bottom surface on which rail fixing parts are provided corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the rail frames and have an elastic coupling projection at a location contacting the rail frames, and when the battery modules are installed, the battery modules are pressured toward the rail frames in a vertical direction to couple the rail fixing parts to the rail frames.