Normal Motors has filed a patent software for battery cells with uncommon shapes designed to assist cooling.

As an alternative of the oblong form of the automaker’s present Ultium cells, the patent software, first noticed by Motor1, discusses Lego-shapes that go away channels when the cells are assembled into modules. These channels may very well be used for cooling, serving to to increase battery life, GM claims within the software.

The concept appears to be that cool air will stream straight onto a bigger floor space in comparison with present GM Ultium modules, by which a cooling plate is positioned beneath a strong mass of cells. An identical impact may very well be achieved with conventional-looking cells of various size and thickness, GM says within the software, by arranging them to type an H-shape that comes with cooling channels.

The draw back can be the added complexity of producing nonuniform cells, one thing GM won’t wish to tackle contemplating the manufacturing complications the corporate has skilled with its present Ultium cells. Manufacturing of Ultium EVs went at a trickle in 2023, inflicting GM to delay plans for further electrical truck capability. Software program points additionally stored deliveries of the Chevrolet Blazer EV on maintain for months.

Normal Motors Lego-like battery cell patent picture

A number of the manufacturing points have been as a result of GM ignoring its personal finest practices, together with putting in automated meeting line gear in its “Manufacturing facility Zero” in Detroit with out correct testing, in keeping with a current Bloomberg report. Executives informed Bloomberg that they imagine the worst of those points are previous, and are forecasting EV manufacturing of 200,000 to 300,000 automobiles this yr, in comparison with 14,000 in 2023.

GM has a number of EV fashions ready to be launched, together with the 2024 Chevy Equinox EV, a substitute for the Chevy Bolt EV, the primary Buick EV for North America, and extra electrical crossovers for Cadillac. Whether or not any of those fashions will ultimately use battery cells formed like assemblies of Lego bricks stays to be seen.