Secondary Battery Module Terminal Holding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary battery modules require complex mechanisms for opening and closing chuck units, leading to large clearance and potential damage to electrode terminals due to positional shifts during charging and discharging.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery module design featuring non-conductive plate members and conductive members that hold electrode terminals, eliminating the need for complex mechanisms by applying pressure to secure the terminals and releasing it to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chuck units are used to hold electrode terminals, then the electrode terminals can be securely held, but the mechanism becomes complex and requires large clearance space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the holding function from the complex chuck unit mechanism and implements it through a simple conductive member that directly contacts and holds the electrode terminal. The conductive member is fixed to the plate member, eliminating the need for complex opening and closing mechanisms while maintaining secure holding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a mechanism that opens and closes to hold the terminal, the patent inverts the approach by using a fixed conductive member that continuously contacts the terminal. The holding action is achieved through the fixed structure rather than through dynamic movement, simplifying the overall mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If chuck units with large clearance are used, then the electrode terminals can be accessed, but the secondary battery module size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the unnecessary clearance space required by chuck units by extracting the holding function to a compact conductive member. The conductive member can be positioned close to the electrode terminal without requiring large clearance, thereby reducing the overall module volume while maintaining terminal accessibility.
3Device complexity
If battery thickness tolerance and expansion/contraction are not compensated, then the structure remains simple, but positional shift occurs causing excessive force on terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a cushioning mechanism in the form of a resilient component between the conductive member and the electrode terminal. This cushioning element compensates for positional shifts caused by battery thickness tolerance and expansion/contraction during charging and discharging, preventing excessive force from being applied to the terminal while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Productivity
If conductive members are used to hold terminals, then packing efficiency improves, but the conductive member must be precisely positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The plate member serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, positions the conductive member, and maintains the electrical connection. By integrating the positioning function into the plate member rather than requiring separate positioning mechanisms, the patent achieves high packing efficiency while reducing the precision requirements for individual components.
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery module showing excellent packing efficiency which makes it possible to connect a secondary battery and a charge/discharge device with a stably low resistance without any unnecessary deformation of the secondary battery or an electrode terminal is disclosed. The secondary battery module includes a plurality of stack units, each of the stack units including: at least one non-conductive plate member; at least one conductive member fixed to the plate member; a secondary battery stacked on the plate member; and at least one electrode terminal sticking out of a side face of the secondary battery, and held by the conductive member.