Battery Cell Current Collector Terminal Connection Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery cell designs risk damaging current collectors due to bending and stress, leading to unreliable conductivity between collectors and terminals, especially under vibrations.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a battery cell with current collectors that have bent portions at abutment parts, distance holders between collectors and terminals, and a terminal inserted through holes in the collectors, ensuring reliable contact and minimizing damage, while enhancing sealing and airtightness with a conductive layer and resin layer configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If current collectors are bundled and connected to a lead terminal, then the structure is simplified, but the current collectors may be damaged or cut by vibrations due to bending stress

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidcurrent collector integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The current collectors are segmented individually rather than bundled together, allowing each collector to be independently connected to the lead terminal without experiencing bending stress from bundle deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A distance holder is introduced as an intermediary component between the current collectors and the lead terminal, providing a buffer that prevents direct stress transmission and maintains proper spacing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a terminal is inserted into holes formed in current collectors with only axial force from a rivet, then the connection is simple, but only the end surface of the current collectors contacts the terminal, making reliable conductivity difficult to ensure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection structureVSAvoidconductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection is enhanced by adding a radial dimension through the distance holder that surrounds the terminal, in addition to the axial force from the rivet, creating multi-dimensional contact and securing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The distance holder acts as an intermediary that provides radial support and positioning, ensuring proper alignment and contact between the terminal and current collectors while maintaining reliable conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If current collectors are bent to connect to a lead terminal, then the terminal connection is achieved, but the current collectors are likely to be damaged or cut

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal connectionVSAvoidcurrent collector strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The distance holder serves as a mediator between the terminal and current collectors, providing support during the bending process and preventing excessive stress that would damage the current collectors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The distance holder is positioned in advance to provide cushioning and stress distribution during the bending operation, preventing damage before it occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20230163426A1Battery cell

Publication Date: 2023.05.25 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An object is to provide a battery cell which can prevent current collectors from being damaged or cut and can reliably ensure conductivity between the current collectors and a terminal. A battery cell is provided which includes a power generation element that includes a plurality of current collectors; and a terminal that is extended in a stacking direction of the current collectors and is electrically connected to the current collectors, and in which the terminal is inserted into holes formed in the current collectors, bent portions are formed at abutment parts of the current collectors that abut on the terminal and a distance holder is arranged between the current collectors and around the abutment parts.