Accumulator Lid Socket Segmented Sliding Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing of accumulators, particularly starter batteries, is hindered by increased friction and alignment issues when inserting pole shafts into connection sockets, which are not exactly aligned or are slightly inclined, leading to difficulties in producing a secure and gas-tight connection.

Innovation Solution

The use of multiple strip-shaped sliding elements spaced apart over the inner circumference of the connection socket reduces friction and allows for flexible adjustment, enabling easier alignment and insertion of pole shafts, and can be integrated into the cover part's design for improved production processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a single sliding element completely surrounds the pole shaft is used, then friction between the connection socket and pole shaft is reduced, but the contact surface is large and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefrictionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single sliding element is divided into multiple strip-shaped sliding elements spaced apart from each other. This segmentation reduces the total contact surface area between the sliding elements and the pole shaft, thereby reducing friction while also simplifying manufacturing compared to a single complex surrounding element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the pole shaft is slightly inclined and not exactly aligned with the connection socket, then alignment difficulties occur, but using a single sliding element does not provide sufficient adjustment flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinsertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple strip-shaped sliding elements spaced apart provide gaps that allow the pole shaft to be adjusted during insertion. This segmentation enables the pole shaft to self-align even when slightly inclined, improving both alignment precision and insertion ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spaced-apart sliding elements allow dynamic adjustment during the insertion process. The gaps between strips enable the pole shaft to move and align itself as it enters the connection socket, accommodating minor misalignments and inclinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Force

If two parts made of lead (pole shaft and connection socket) come into contact, then high friction occurs, but sliding elements reduce this friction significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefrictionVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding elements act as intermediary components between the lead pole shaft and lead connection socket. These sliding elements provide a low-friction interface that prevents direct high-friction contact between the two lead parts, significantly reducing friction during insertion while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design minimizes disruptive friction during the assembly of the accumulator, prevents unwanted pressing of pole shafts, and facilitates a secure, low-friction insertion and welding of the connection socket to the pole shaft, enhancing the manufacturing efficiency and reliability of the accumulator production.

Implementation Method 1

The sliding elements can significantly reduce the relatively high friction that occurs when two parts made of lead come into contact.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP2416408B1Lid section for an accumulator and accumulator with such a lid section
Publication Date: 2015.01.07 VB AUTOBATTERIE GMBH
  • EP2416408B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2416408B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2416408B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a cover part (1) for an accumulator, wherein the cover part (1) is made of plastic and has at least one sleeve-like connection socket (2) for electrical contacting the accumulator, wherein a lower section (26) of the connection socket (2) is embedded in the plastic material of the cover part (1), wherein a plurality of strip-shaped sliding elements (3) spaced apart from each other over the inner circumference of the connection socket (2) are arranged on the inside of the connection socket (2).