Joining Technologies for Automotive Battery Systems Manufacturing

摘要

An automotive battery pack for use in electric vehicles consists of a large number of individual battery cells which are structurally held and electrically connected. Making the required electrical and structural joints represents several challenges, including, joining of multiple & thin highly conductive / reflective materials of varying thicknesses, potential damage (thermal, mechanical or vibrational) during joining, and a high joint durability requirement etc. This paper reviews applicability of major and emerging joining techniques to support the wide range of joining requirements that exist during battery pack manufacture. It identifies the advantages, disadvantages, limitations and concerns of the joining technologies. The maturity and application potential of current joining technologies are mapped with respect to Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs). Further, a Pugh matrix is used to evaluate suitable joining candidates for cylindrical, pouch and prismatic cells by addressing the aforementioned challenges. Combining Pugh matrix scores, MRLs and application domains, this paper identifies the potential direction of automotive battery pack joining.