Sealed Battery Module Connector Preventing Impurity Penetration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery modules are vulnerable to impurity penetration through exposed wires and connectors, leading to defects in battery cells and electrical parts due to external factors like dust and fluids.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a sealed module connector with a connector pin, housing, and sealing member, including discharge guide grooves and anti-separation grooves, to prevent impurities from entering the module case, and a potting material to secure the connector pin, ensuring electrical connection while maintaining a sealed environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a module connector is mounted at the module case with exposed wires, then electrical connection with external devices is achieved, but impurities such as cooling water, fluids and dust can be introduced into the module case causing defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidimpurity penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary element between the module case and module connector to prevent impurity penetration while maintaining electrical connection functionality. The sealing member acts as a mediator that allows the connector to be mounted while blocking the harmful factor (impurities) from entering the module case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member is implemented as a flexible sealing structure that can accommodate the module connector while maintaining the sealed environment. This flexible sealing approach allows the connector to be mounted at the module case without compromising the seal against impurities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If wires are partially exposed out of the module case for connector connection, then electrical connectivity is enabled, but a predetermined gap is created allowing impurity introduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector connectivityVSAvoidprotection against impurities

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member serves as an intermediary that reconciles the need for connector connectivity with the need for protection against impurities. It allows the module connector to be mounted and connected while preventing the gap from becoming a pathway for impurity entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member is installed in advance to prevent the potential harmful effect of impurity penetration through the connector mounting gap. This preliminary protective measure counteracts the vulnerability created by the exposed connector before impurities can cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS10644299B2Battery module, battery pack comprising battery module, and vehicle comprising battery pack

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a battery module, which includes a battery cell assembly having at least one battery cell, a module case configured to accommodate the battery cell assembly, and a module connector mounted at the module case, wherein the module connector includes a connector pin electrically connected to the battery cell assembly at the inside of the module case so as to be connected to an external connector at the outside of the module case, a connector housing mounted to an outer surface of the module case to surround the connector pin, and a sealing member provided between the connector housing and the module case.