Convertible Battery Pack Isolation for Shipping Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rechargeable battery packs often exceed shipping regulations due to their high watt-hour capacity, leading to increased transportation costs and safety risks during shipping.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack transport system that includes a protective member capable of mechanically coupling to the battery pack, altering the electrical connection of conductive terminals from parallel to isolated, thereby reducing the overall energy capacity below regulatory limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If battery pack capacity is increased to meet power demands, then power and energy output is improved, but shipping regulation compliance deteriorates and transportation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery pack power outputVSAvoidshipping regulation compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into two separate battery cell groups (first and second groups) that can be electrically isolated from each other. By segmenting the battery cells into isolatable groups, the system can meet high power demands when connected in parallel while ensuring regulatory compliance when isolated during transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery pack incorporates a dynamic configuration capability through the protective member that can change the electrical connection state between battery cell groups. The system transitions from a static high-capacity configuration to a compliant configuration during transport, allowing the same battery pack to serve different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If battery pack energy capacity exceeds 100WH limit, then power delivery capability is improved, but transportation cost increases due to special shipping requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery pack energy capacityVSAvoidtransportation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective member is pre-configured within the battery pack structure to automatically isolate battery cell groups during transportation. This preliminary preparation ensures that the battery pack automatically complies with energy capacity regulations during transport without requiring external intervention or special handling procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The battery pack is self-sufficient in meeting transportation requirements through its built-in protective member that autonomously isolates battery cell groups. The system serves its own transportation compliance needs without requiring external regulatory equipment or special shipping containers, thereby reducing transportation costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If protective member is added to isolate battery cell groups, then shipping safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshipping safetyVSAvoidbattery pack structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective member combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides mechanical protection for conductive terminals, enables electrical isolation between battery cell groups, and ensures compliance with shipping regulations. By merging these functions into one component, the overall structural complexity is minimized while achieving multiple safety objectives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective member serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it protects conductive terminals during handling, isolates battery cell groups electrically during transportation, and enables the battery pack to meet various shipping regulations. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3660951B1Transport system for convertible battery pack
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 GLOBE (JIANGSU) CO LTD
  • EP3660951B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3660951B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3660951B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A battery pack transport system (100; 100') includes a battery pack (200) and a protective member (600; 700) assembled on the battery pack (200) to prevent damaging of the battery pack (200) during shipping. The battery pack (200) includes two battery cell groups each having a positive electrode and a negative electrode and a female connector (4) electrically connected to two battery cell groups to connect two battery cell groups in parallel. The protective member (600; 700) engages with the female connector (4) to change two battery cell groups from parallel connected state to isolated state.