Sandwich Battery Housing Structure Without Potting Compounds

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Solution Overview

Problem

New-generation batteries with the 'cell-to-pack' design face challenges in potting compound application, leading to mechanical and thermal performance issues, complex recycling processes, and poor recyclability, especially in plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic casings.

Innovation Solution

A battery housing design featuring a sandwich-like structure with a battery component holder between two housing components, connected via bonding, welding, or interlocking mechanisms, eliminating the need for potting compounds and enhancing torsional and flexural stiffness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If potting compound is used to bond battery cells to the housing, then electrical and thermal insulation is achieved, but the recycling process becomes complex and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical and thermal insulationVSAvoidrecycling process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the potting compound from the battery housing design entirely. Instead of using potting compound to bond and insulate battery cells, the invention uses a modular battery component holder that can be directly attached to the housing through mechanical means such as clips or snap-fit connections. This extraction of the potting compound eliminates the recycling complexity while maintaining the necessary electrical and thermal insulation through alternative design approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the battery housing into distinct modular components: the housing itself, the battery component holder, and the battery cells. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured, assembled, and recycled. The battery component holder serves as an intermediate structure that provides both mechanical support and insulation, replacing the need for potting compound while enabling easier disassembly and recycling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If potting compound is used to fill the battery housing, then mechanical rigidity is improved, but the process becomes slow and difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorsional and flexural rigidityVSAvoidpotting and curing process speed
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical-based potting compound system with a mechanical assembly system. Instead of relying on slow-curing potting compound to provide structural rigidity, the invention uses mechanically assembled components (battery component holder with clips or snap-fit connections) that provide immediate structural support and rigidity upon assembly, dramatically improving production speed and process control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic is used for the battery housing, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but adhesion and recyclability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing manufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidadhesion and recyclability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the battery component holder as an intermediary component between the plastic housing and the battery cells. This intermediary provides a standardized interface for mechanical attachment (through clips or snap-fit connections) that works reliably with plastic housings without requiring complex surface pretreatment for adhesion. The intermediary component simplifies the connection process and maintains recyclability by enabling clean separation of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 improves recyclability, mechanical strength, and thermal/electrical insulation while simplifying the recycling process and maintaining structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

the battery component holder is materially bonded to the first battery housing component and/or to the second battery housing component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

connected via bonding, welding, or interlocking mechanisms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 3

A battery housing design featuring a sandwich-like structure with a battery component holder between two housing components, connected via bonding, welding, or interlocking mechanisms, eliminating the need for potting compounds and enhancing torsional and flexural stiffness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSandwich structure: Composite Materials

Implementation Method 4

the battery housing provides improved electrical and thermal insulation between the battery components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 5

the battery housing provides improved electrical and thermal insulation between the battery components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4718598A1Battery housing for receiving a plurality of battery components, battery comprising a battery housing, and motor vehicle comprising a battery
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4718598A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4718598A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4718598A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a battery housing (1) for receiving a plurality of battery components (3), comprising a first battery housing component (10), a second battery housing component (20), and at least one battery component holder (30) having a plurality of receiving devices (40) for receiving the battery components (3). The battery component holder (30) is arranged sandwich-like between the first battery housing component (10) and the second battery housing component (20) and is metallurgically connected to the first battery housing component (10) and/or to the second battery housing component (20). The invention further relates to a battery (4) comprising a battery housing (1) and to a motor vehicle comprising a battery (4).