Battery Pack Terminal Accommodating Different Battery Cell Widths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery packs are limited in extensibility and flexibility, as they can only accommodate battery cells of the same size and capacity, restricting the use of cells with different widths and capacities, and lack the ability to switch between series and parallel connections.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design that includes multiple contact portions in each terminal accommodating portion to connect battery cells of varying widths, a series/parallel switch to adjust connection methods, and a capacity display unit to identify individual cell capacities, allowing for the integration of cells with different dimensions and capacities, and enabling switching between series and parallel connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only same sized battery cells are used in the battery pack, then the electrical connection is simplified, but the adaptability and versatility of the battery pack is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal accommodating portion is designed with multiple contact portions that can accommodate battery cells of different sizes. The contact portions are configured to make electrical contact with electrode terminals regardless of the specific battery cell width, allowing the same terminal structure to serve multiple battery configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal accommodating portion is divided into multiple contact portions, each capable of independently making contact with electrode terminals. This segmentation allows the terminal structure to adapt to different battery cell sizes by engaging the appropriate contact portions.
2Productivity
If battery cells with different capacities are used, then the flexibility and productivity of the battery pack is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring individual cell capacities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack includes a capacity display unit that provides visual feedback on the capacity of each individual battery cell. This allows users to identify and select cells with different capacities based on the displayed information, enabling flexible configuration while easily monitoring individual cell characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If series/parallel switching capability is added, then the versatility and adaptability of the battery pack is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack incorporates a series/parallel switch that allows dynamic reconfiguration of the battery cell connections. Users can switch between series and parallel connection modes based on the required voltage and current output, providing adaptability without requiring multiple fixed connection structures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple contact portions are provided in each terminal accommodating portion, then the adaptability to different battery widths is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact portions are designed with specific local characteristics to match different battery cell widths. Each contact portion is positioned and dimensioned to make proper electrical contact with electrode terminals of specific size ranges, allowing the terminal structure to adapt to various battery configurations through localized contact design.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack which includes a plurality of contact portions in a terminal accommodating portion provided in each of cell receiving portions of a plurality of battery cells, so that one selected from the plurality of contact portions can be electrically connected to electrode terminals of the battery cells even if the plurality of battery cells have different widths of wide walls. In addition, since the battery pack includes a series/parallel switch provided outside an external pack, a connection method of a plurality of battery cells provided inside the external pack can be switched to series/parallel connection. Further, since the battery pack includes a capacity display unit provided outside an external pack, capacity levels of a plurality of battery cells provided inside the external pack can be identified.