Battery Module Collar Structure for Shorter Fastener Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power storage devices face challenges in maintaining a short gap between fastening members arranged with a module laminate interposed therebetween, leading to potential deformation of end plates and suboptimal electrical contact between bipolar batteries.
Innovation Solution
The power storage device incorporates a collar member with an eccentric through-hole configuration that allows for closer spacing of fastening members, along with locking mechanisms to prevent incorrect assembly, thereby maintaining flatness and enhancing electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the through-hole of the collar member is positioned at the center axis, then the structure is simple and symmetric, but the gap between fastening members cannot be sufficiently shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The through-hole of the collar member is positioned eccentrically relative to the center axis, creating an asymmetric structure. This allows the fastening members to be arranged closer together on one side while maintaining adequate spacing on the other side, thereby shortening the overall gap between fastening members without requiring complex adjustments to the collar member geometry
2Length of moving object
If fastening members are arranged closer together, then the gap is shortened, but end plate deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar member is designed with non-uniform wall thickness, creating local quality variations. The thicker portions provide enhanced structural support and load distribution at critical locations, allowing the fastening members to be spaced closer together while preventing end plate deformation through localized reinforcement
3Reliability
If the collar member is positioned closer to the module laminate, then electrical contact is improved, but the risk of incorrect assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar member incorporates asymmetric features including an inclined surface and a positioning protrusion that corresponds to a positioning groove in the end plate. These asymmetric elements create a unique orientation that guides correct assembly, preventing incorrect installation while maintaining the optimized position close to the module laminate for improved electrical contact
Data Source
AI summary
A power storage device includes a module laminate including a plurality of power storage modules arranged in one direction; a pair of end plates respectively arranged at both ends of the module laminate in the one direction; a fastening bolt configured to fasten the pair of end plates together around the module laminate and apply a predetermined restraint load to the module laminate via the end plate; and a collar member including a through-hole allowing the fastening member to be inserted therethrough, the collar member being sandwiched by the pair of end plates around the module laminate. The through-hole of the collar member is eccentric with respect to a center axis of the collar member so as to approach a side where the module laminate is arranged.