APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING BATTERY CELLS IN A BATTERY MODULE

A battery module includes a housing, battery cells disposed within the housing, and a wedge apparatus disposed within the housing and configured to exert a substantially constant force on the battery cells. The wedge apparatus includes a first wedge having a first thick end tapering to a first thin end, and a second wedge having a second thick end tapering to a second thin end, the first wedge and the second wedge positioned such that the first wedge and the second wedge at least partially overlap. The wedge apparatus further includes a tensioning mechanism disposed at least partially in the first opening and the second opening and configured to move the first wedge in a first direction relative to the second wedge causing a width of the wedge apparatus to expand and exert a first force on the plurality of battery cells.