Elastic Equipotential Connection for Loose-Bolt Battery Conductors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing equipotential connections between two electric conductors are prone to poor contact, leading to equipotential failure due to loose bolts or inadequate contact between the equipotential metal sheet and the conductors.

Innovation Solution

An equipotential structure utilizing an electrically-conductive member partially arranged on an elastic support, which applies an elastic support force to squeeze the conductive member tightly onto both electric conductors, ensuring a stable equipotential connection through the use of connectors passing through strategically placed holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bolts are used to fix the equipotential metal sheet to electric conductors, then the connection is mechanically secure, but poor contact and equipotential failure easily occur due to loose bolts or inadequate contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipotential connection reliabilityVSAvoidcontact quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the support from rigid to elastic, allowing dynamic adaptation. The elastic support deforms under compression to ensure continuous contact between the conductive member and electric conductors, transforming the connection from a static bolted joint to a dynamic elastic constraint system that maintains optimal contact pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic elements by replacing static bolted connections with elastic supports that can deform and recover. The elastic support dynamically adjusts to maintain contact pressure, and the conductive member can flex to conform to the surfaces of the electric conductors, creating a self-adjusting connection system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid equipotential metal sheet is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot adapt to surface irregularities or thermal expansion, leading to poor contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to surface variationsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible elements by using an elastic support instead of a rigid structure. The elastic support can deform to accommodate surface irregularities and dimensional changes in the electric conductors, ensuring continuous contact without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The equipotential apparatus combines different material properties by integrating an elastic support with an electrically conductive member. This composite structure merges the mechanical compliance of elastic materials with the electrical conductivity of conductive materials, achieving both adaptability and electrical function in a single integrated component system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 effectively prevents poor contact and equipotential failure by ensuring the electrically-conductive member maintains close contact with the conductors, thereby reducing the risk of electric shock and enhancing the security of electric devices.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic support is configured to provide an elastic support force for the electrically-conductive member so as to squeeze the electrically-conductive member to the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4037087B1Equipotential device, equipotential structure, battery and power consuming apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 JIANGSU CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECH LTD
  • EP4037087B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4037087B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4037087B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present application provides an equipotential apparatus, an equipotential structure, a battery and an electric device, and belongs to the technical field of batteries. The equipotential apparatus includes an electrically-conductive member and an elastic support. The electrically-conductive member is at least partially arranged on a surface of the elastic support, and the elastic support is configured to provide an elastic support force for the electrically-conductive member so as to squeeze the electrically-conductive member to a first electric conductor and a second electric conductor to achieve an equipotential connection between the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor. The elastic support has the ability of performing an elastic deformation and recovering from the deformation. After being elastically deformed, the elastic support can provide an elastic support force for the electrically-conductive member. Under the effect of the elastic support force, the electrically-conductive member can be made to be squeezed to the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor, such that the electrically-conductive member is in close contact with the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor. Therefore, it is not easy to cause equipotential failure of the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor.