Battery Housing Lever Latch for Fast Assembly and Disassembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing battery pack assembly process is lengthy and tedious due to the need for complex connection elements and locking systems, which also complicates disassembly.

Innovation Solution

A battery case with a mobile locking system featuring a lever that rotates between locking and unlocking positions, eliminating the need for screws or glue and simplifying assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If connectors, through holes, and locking bolts are used to join the cover and support, then the structural integrity of the battery housing is ensured, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex locking system (connectors, through holes, locking bolts) from the battery housing assembly. Instead, it uses the elastic deformation of the cover itself to create the locking function, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical fastening system (screws, bolts, connectors) with an elastic deformation mechanism. The cover is elastically deformed during assembly to snap-fit onto the support, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If a complex locking system with connectors and locking bolts is used, then the joining strength is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoining strengthVSAvoidlocking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the complex locking system components (connectors, through holes, locking bolts) and replaces them with a simplified elastic snap-fit mechanism where the cover itself provides the locking function through its elastic deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the structural cover with the locking function. The cover is designed to elastically deform and directly engage with the support, combining what were previously separate functions (structural enclosure and mechanical fastening) into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple locking components and through holes are used, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the multi-component mechanical fastening system with a single elastic deformation mechanism. The cover is elastically deformed during assembly to create a reliable connection without requiring separate fasteners, through holes, or complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover performs its own fastening function through elastic deformation. The material's inherent elasticity provides both the joining force and the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 lever-based locking system significantly reduces assembly time, simplifies the process, and facilitates easier disassembly, while maintaining the structural integrity and insulation of the battery case.

Implementation Method 1

which, in the locking position, is elastically deformed to wedge into attachment means secured to the first of the two components, and to bear against a surface of the second of the two components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4531177A1Electric battery housing and method of assembling the same
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 AUTOMOTIVE CELLS CO SE
  • EP4531177A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4531177A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4531177A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery casing (10) comprises two components (14, 16): a support (16) for a set of prismatic cells (12), and a cover (14) for covering the set of prismatic cells (12). The locking system includes a lever (48) fixed to one of the two components (16) and guided in rotation relative to the first component (16) between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the lever is elastically deformed to become wedged in attachment means (34) integral with the first component (16), and to bear against a surface (28) of the second component (14), thus securing the two components (14, 16).