Battery Pack Electrode Terminal Connection Plate Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing battery pack structure for cylindrical batteries is inconvenient and costly due to the difficulty in welding connecting members to both the anode and cathode terminals, which can lead to internal short-circuits and reduced stability, especially when the cathode terminal is on a narrow surface.
Innovation Solution
A first electrode terminal connecting plate with a welding plate of thin thickness for easy welding and a conductive plate of thicker thickness for smooth current flow, along with a second electrode terminal connecting plate and insulation member, allows for easier configuration and prevents internal short-circuits by minimizing contact between the connecting plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single connecting member is used to connect both anode and cathode terminals, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of internal short-circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member is divided into two separate components: a first connecting member for connecting anode terminals and a second connecting member for connecting cathode terminals. This segmentation eliminates the risk of internal short-circuits between opposite polarity terminals while maintaining structural organization through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
An insulation member is introduced as an intermediary component disposed between the first and second connecting members. This insulation member prevents direct contact between the connecting members of opposite polarity, thereby eliminating the risk of internal short-circuits while allowing both connecting members to be closely positioned for structural compactness.
2Reliability
If connecting members are welded to both upper and lower ends of cylindrical battery cells, then the electrical connection is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to inconvenient welding processes
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second connecting members are merged and disposed on the same side (upper end) of the cylindrical battery cells, where both anode and cathode terminals are accessible. This merging approach allows welding operations to be performed in a convenient location without requiring separate welding at both upper and lower ends, thereby improving manufacturing convenience while maintaining reliable electrical connections.
3Area of stationary object
If the cathode terminal is positioned on a narrow surface, then the area utilization is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in welding connecting members
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation member serves as a mediator that enables the second connecting member to be positioned close to the narrow cathode terminal surface without risking contact with the first connecting member. This allows efficient use of the narrow surface area for cathode terminal connection while maintaining ease of welding operations through proper spatial separation and insulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables easier welding and improved stability by facilitating smooth current flow and preventing internal short-circuits, allowing for flexible configuration of the battery pack and addressing structural limitations in mounting.
Implementation Method 1
a welding plate having a relatively thin thickness to be welded on the upper end surface of the clamping part
Implementation Method 2
a conductive plate coupled to a top surface of the welding plate, which is opposite to the cap assembly, and having a relatively thick thickness in comparison with that of the welding plate for smooth current flow between first electrode terminals
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a battery pack including a plurality of cylindrical battery cells forming a clamping part by coupling a cap assembly on one opened surface of a cylindrical can and forming a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal on a top surface of the clamping part and a top end central portion of the cap assembly, respectively, and a first electrode terminal connecting plate simultaneously coupled to upper end surfaces of the clamping parts of the battery cells in a state in which cylindrical battery cells are laterally arranged so that the cap assemblies of the cylindrical battery cells head in the same direction. The first electrode terminal connecting plate includes a welding plate having a relatively thin thickness to be welded on the upper end surface of the clamping part of the cap assembly, and a conductive plate coupled to a top surface of the welding plate, which is opposite to the cap assembly, and having a relatively thick thickness in comparison with that of the welding plate for smooth current flow between first electrode terminals of the upper end surface of the clamping part.