Optimized module restraint system

摘要

A battery module according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a plurality of battery cells, a pair of sideplates, and a pair of endplates. The sideplates are disposed on opposite sides of the plurality of battery cells and the endplates are disposed at opposite ends of the battery module. The sideplates include a first mating portion and the endplates include a second mating portion that engages the first mating portion to provide an interference fit. The interference fit joins the sideplates and the endplates together and bands the plurality of cells together between the sideplates and the endplates.

主权项

1. A battery comprising:
a plurality of battery cells; a first sideplate disposed on a first side of the plurality of battery cells and including first and second ramped projections extending away from the plurality of battery cells; a second sideplate disposed on a second opposite side of the plurality of battery cells and including third and fourth ramped projections extending away from the plurality of battery cells; a first endplate disposed at a first end of the battery module and including first and second flanges extending partially over the first and second sideplates, respectively, and defining first and second slots that engage the first and third ramped projections, respectively, to join the first endplate to the first and second sideplates; and a second endplate disposed at a second opposite end of the battery module and including third and fourth flanges extending partially over the first and second sideplates, respectively, and defining third and fourth slots that engage the second and fourth ramped projections, respectively, to join the second endplate to the first and second sideplates so as to band the plurality of cells together between the first and second sideplates and the first and second endplates,wherein:
the first and second sideplates are formed entirely of plastic and the first and second endplates are formed of metal, each of the first and second sideplates includes a plurality of stiffening ribs the battery module further comprises:
a first insert disposed between a first adjacent pair of the stiffening ribs of the first sideplate, the first insert having a first end connected to the first endplate and a second end connected to the second endplate; anda second insert disposed between a second adjacent pair of the stiffening ribs of the second sideplate, the second insert having a third end connected to the first endplate and a fourth end connected to the second endplate, the first end of the first insert includes a first angled tab held between the first ramped projection and the first slot, the second end of the first insert includes a second angled tab held between the second ramped projection and the third slot, the third end of the second insert includes a third angled tab held between the third ramped projection and the second slot, and the fourth end of the second insert includes a fourth angled tab held between the fourth ramped projection and the fourth slot.