Battery Pouch Edge Folding for Compact Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs face challenges in minimizing their horizontal footprint due to the sealing and folding of edges, which often result in increased dimensions and potential seal compromise or crease formation.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves positioning pouch edges to project from the underside of the battery for vertical folding without horizontal dimension increase, or using cut-out portions between pouch edges to prevent crease formation during folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealed portions are folded upward approximately ninety degrees, then seal integrity is maintained, but horizontal footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent folds sealed portions downward one hundred and eighty degrees instead of upward, changing the folding direction to utilize vertical space more efficiently. This dimensionality change allows the sealed portions to be positioned beneath the battery pack rather than extending horizontally, thereby maintaining seal integrity while minimizing horizontal footprint.
2Area of stationary object
If sealed portions are folded downward one hundred and eighty degrees, then horizontal footprint is reduced, but vertical dimension increases and seal may crack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces crease prevention portions that segment the sealed portions into multiple sections. These crease prevention portions are positioned at strategic locations to prevent excessive bending stress from concentrating at single points, thereby allowing the sealed portions to be folded downward one hundred and eighty degrees without cracking while minimizing the increase in vertical dimension.
3Reliability
If pouch edges are sealed and folded upward, then seal is formed, but creases form that extend horizontal dimension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes crease prevention portions from the sealed portions at specific locations. By taking out these portions, the patent prevents creases from forming during the folding process, thereby maintaining seal formation capability while avoiding the extension of horizontal dimension that would otherwise occur due to crease formation.
Data Source
AI summary
In a first embodiment, a battery pouch is provided with a pouch edge positioned to project from an underside of the battery. The pouch edge is sealed and folded toward the underside of the battery. The folded pouch edge increases a vertical dimension of the resulting battery assembly, but not a horizontal dimension. In a second embodiment, a battery pouch is provided with a first pouch edge positioned on a first edge of the battery and a second pouch edge positioned on a second edge of the battery. The battery pouch is configured such that at least one cut-out portion is positioned between either the first and second edge of the battery or between the first and second pouch edges. When the first and second ouch edges are sealed and folded upward, the folding does not cause creases that increase a horizontal dimension of the battery assembly.