A simplified method of soft connected battery module for finite element method model of battery pack

Abstract

Summary As an energy storage component of an electric vehicle, the battery pack is subject to continuous vibration when working. It is very important to analyze the dynamic characteristics of the battery pack through finite element method (FEM) for safety concerns. However, because of the complication of structure and the number of parts in a battery pack, it is impractical to develop an accurate FEM model. Thus, simplified methods are always applied for modeling. Because battery modules are the most complicated parts and make up the majority of proportion in a battery pack, it is the key to simplification. Using multibody models, this research proposes a simplified method for soft‐connected battery modules, which can be applied to the battery pack FEM model, accurately calculate the dynamic characteristics of a battery pack, and use less computing resources compared with traditional simplified methods. A practical battery pack structure is modeled using this method. Compared with the traditional ones, this method reduces 90% nodes and 97% meshes, excluding the influence of battery pack enclosure, and consumes 40% less memory during calculation. This method also has higher computing efficiency for larger battery packs with more battery modules. The simulation results are well matched with experimental results, which indicate the universality of the simplified model.