Battery Pack Stopper Structure for Disassembly Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery packs lack a mechanism to prevent arbitrary disassembly by users, which can lead to safety hazards and compromise product performance, making it difficult to validate product warranties.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design featuring a stopper with a rupture portion that breaks when tension is applied, allowing easy detection of disassembly, coupled with a through-hole having varying inner diameters to secure the stopper in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a stopper is added to cover the coupling portion, then the aesthetics of the product is enhanced, but the ability to detect arbitrary disassembly is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaestheticsVSAvoiddetection of arbitrary disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is divided into a main body and a separate detection element (protrusion or marker). The detection element can be positioned to indicate disassembly status while the main body maintains aesthetic coverage of the coupling portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A detection element serves as an intermediary between the stopper and the disassembly detection system. This element can be visually observed or mechanically sensed to indicate whether disassembly has occurred, without compromising the aesthetic function of the stopper.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the battery pack is designed to be securely assembled, then safety is improved, but ease of legitimate repair and replacement is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidlegitimate repair and replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system incorporates a dynamic detection mechanism that changes state based on disassembly actions. The stopper or detection element is designed to respond differently to legitimate disassembly (with proper tools/sequences) versus arbitrary disassembly (without proper authorization), allowing both safety and repairability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system uses parameter changes (such as position, orientation, or physical state of the stopper/detection element) to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized disassembly. Authorized disassembly follows specific parameters or sequences that preserve the detection element's integrity, while arbitrary disassembly causes detectable parameter changes indicating warranty voiding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a detection mechanism is added to the stopper, then the ability to validate warranty is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarranty validation accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper or detection element is designed to automatically indicate disassembly status through its own physical state or position, without requiring additional sensors, electronics, or complex detection systems. The structure itself serves as the detection mechanism, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining accurate warranty validation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4648213A1Battery pack having stopper capable of checking arbitrary disassembly
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4648213A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4648213A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4648213A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed is a battery pack including a case body having an inner space configured to receive a plurality of battery cells, a lower case coupled to the bottom of the case body, a through-hole in the lower case, and a stopper covering the through-hole, wherein the stopper includes a rupture portion configured to rupture when tension is applied from the outside of the lower case. It is possible to determine whether a user has arbitrarily disassembled the battery pack by checking whether the rupture portion has ruptured.