Battery Case Cover Structure for Stiffness Without Volume Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage devices face challenges in maintaining stiffness of the case wall during charge-discharge cycles and shock events without compromising volume or manufacturing efficiency, as increasing wall thickness reduces capacity and adding reinforcing members is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a recess with a dented portion on the case wall to engage an insulating member, which improves stiffness while maintaining the device's capacity by allowing the recess to be formed without increasing thickness, and using noncircular projections to limit the position and rotation of additional insulating members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the case wall is increased to improve stiffness, then the stiffness is improved, but the volume of the case decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from increasing wall thickness (one-dimensional solution) to adding a reinforcing member with protrusions and recesses (multi-dimensional structural solution). The reinforcing member extends in multiple directions with protrusions engaging with insulating members, providing stiffness enhancement without increasing the main case volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing member is disposed inside the case, nested within the existing structure. The protrusions and recesses create an interlocking system where the reinforcing member fits within the case volume while providing structural support, effectively adding strength without externally increasing volume.
2Strength
If a reinforcing member is attached to the case wall to improve stiffness, then the stiffness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing member combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural reinforcement, engages with insulating members through protrusions and recesses, and maintains case stiffness. This merging reduces the need for separate reinforcing elements and simplifies the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing member serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it reinforces the case wall, provides engagement features for insulating members, and maintains structural integrity during charge-discharge cycles. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the device.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
There is provided an energy storage device including an insulating member at least partially disposed between a conductive member and a wall of a case, the wall having a stiffness improved with simple structure. The energy storage device 10 includes an electrode assembly 400, a case 100 that stores an electrode assembly 400, and a positive electrode current collector 140 electrically connected to the electrode assembly 400. The energy storage device further includes a lower insulating member 120 at least partially disposed between a cover plate 110 of the case 100 and the positive electrode current collector 140, and an expanding portion 160 provided on the cover plate 110 so as to protrude opposite to the lower insulating member 120. The lower insulating member 120 has an engaging portion 120b engaging with a limiting portion 163 that is a portion of a recess 162 on the back side of the expanding portion 160 in the cover plate 110.