Spring Plate Assembly for Battery Cell Stack Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inconsistent cell stack dimensions caused by battery cell bulging or swelling during charging and discharging operations in electrified vehicle battery packs lead to packaging challenges.
Innovation Solution
An array plate assembly with a spring plate that exerts a compressive spring force against the battery cells, maintaining consistent cell stack dimensions by adjusting its position in response to changes in cell profile through flexible webs and contacting surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional rigid plates are used to support battery cells, then structural stability is maintained, but packaging challenges arise due to inconsistent cell stack dimensions caused by cell bulging
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate is designed with spring features that allow it to dynamically adjust its position and apply varying compressive forces in response to cell profile changes during charging and discharging operations, maintaining consistent cell stack dimensions while accommodating cell expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plate changes its physical state and dimensional parameters in response to cell bulging, using elastic deformation of the spring features to maintain consistent cell stack dimensions despite variations in cell volume during operation
2Volume of moving object
If foam pads are used to accommodate cell profile changes, then packaging challenges are addressed, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, accommodates cell profile changes through spring feature deformation, maintains consistent cell stack dimensions, and eliminates the need for separate foam pads, thereby reducing assembly complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The spring plate serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a structural support element, a dimensional stabilizer, a force applicator for thermal management, and a compensator for cell expansion, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate components
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 ensures consistent cell stack dimensions, reducing packaging challenges and eliminating the need for foam pads, thereby simplifying assembly and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring plate adapted to exert a compressive spring force against the at least one cell
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the contacting surface and the plurality of webs is flexible in response to a dimensional change of the grouping of battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
A battery assembly includes a grouping of battery cells and an array plate assembly contacting at least one cell of the grouping of battery cells. The array plate assembly including a spring plate adapted to exert a compressive spring force against the at least one cell. The compressive spring force may be based on a dimensional profile of the grouping of battery cells.