Battery Casing Seal Structure With Integrated Flange-End Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electricity storage devices require a separate cover member to cover the outer ends of flange portions during assembly, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A seal member with a T-shaped cover portion is integrated between the flange portions of the accommodating and lid portions, allowing simultaneous coverage of the outer ends without the need for a separate cover member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate cover member is provided to cover the outer ends of the flange portions, then the safety and protection of the casing structure is improved, but the assembly time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cover function with the seal member by extending the seal member's cover portion to cover the outer ends of the flange portions. This integration eliminates the need for a separate cover member, reducing assembly steps and time while maintaining the protective function. The seal member now serves dual purposes: sealing the joint between flange portions and covering the exposed outer ends for safety.
2Ease of operation
If a separate cover member is provided to cover the outer ends of the flange portions, then the protection of operators during assembly is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cover function into the seal member structure. The seal member includes a main body portion for sealing and an extended cover portion that covers the outer ends of the flange portions. This single integrated component replaces what would traditionally require separate cover members, reducing component count and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining operator safety.
3Productivity
If the seal member is extended to cover the outer ends of the flange portions, then the assembly efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity of the seal member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is manufactured as a single integrated component with both the main body portion for sealing and the extended cover portion for protection. This can be achieved through one-piece molding or forming processes, where the seal member is created with the cover extension already integrated. While the seal member's geometry becomes more complex, the manufacturing process remains streamlined as a single-component production rather than assembling multiple separate parts.
Data Source
AI summary
An electricity storage device includes a battery module, and a casing including an accommodating portion that accommodates the battery module and a lid portion that covers the accommodating portion. The accommodating portion and the lid portion include flange portions projecting outward at peripheral edges of the accommodating portion and the lid portion, the flange portions being fastened to each other via a seal member provided between the flange portions. The seal member includes a main body portion to be sandwiched between the flange portions, a connection portion extending between the flange portions from the main body portion to outer ends of the flange portions of the accommodating portion and the lid portion, and a cover portion that branches from a distal end of the connection portion into a T-shape to cover the outer ends of the flange portions of the accommodating portion and the lid portion.