Battery Housing Apron and Female Terminal Design for Vibration Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery hold-down assemblies, particularly those placed at the bottom of batteries, do not provide a stable connection due to vibrations during vehicle operation, and traditional clamp-style connectors for terminals are not secure, leading to wear and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A hold-down assembly with aprons positioned mid-housing and enhanced terminal designs, such as female-style terminals with annular rings or threaded portions, to secure the battery and prevent connector movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hold-down assemblies are placed at the bottom of the battery, then the battery can be connected to the vehicle using clamps, but the connection becomes unstable due to vibrations during vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from bottom-mounted hold-down assemblies to side-mounted aprons positioned between 15% and 85% of the wall height from the base. This spatial repositioning in a different dimension (from vertical bottom to lateral side) provides better vibration resistance while maintaining ease of connection.
2Ease of operation
If clamp-style connectors are used for terminals, then the battery can be connected to vehicle systems, but the connectors rotate and slip causing wear and performance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric terminal designs including female-style terminals with annular rings or threaded portions that prevent rotational movement. The asymmetric geometry of these features ensures the connector cannot rotate or slip, eliminating wear issues while maintaining connection ease.
3Ease of manufacture
If aprons are positioned at the bottom of the battery housing, then the hold-down assembly can be installed, but the amount of housing protruding above the mounting platform increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions aprons from the bottom vertical surface to the lateral side walls at optimized heights (15%-85% from base). This dimensional relocation reduces the vertical profile requirement while maintaining manufacturing ease and hold-down functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Female-style terminals for an electrical power storage device is described herein. The terminals include one or more features that provide a more secure connection between a vehicle connector and the terminal compared to traditional clamp-style connectors. The terminals can include an annular ring or groove. The terminals can additionally or alternatively include a threaded portion and one or more protrusions. The electrical power storage device includes a cover, a portion of the cover adjacent to the terminal includes a keyed section to secure the connector. The disclosed terminals reduce or eliminate movement of the connector relative to the terminal, thereby reducing wear and increasing the performance of the connection.