Power Storage Module Spacer for Liquid Drainage Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power storage modules are prone to short circuits due to liquid accumulation between adjacent cells, which reduces the insulating properties and creepage distance between external terminals.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spacer with a discharge portion, such as an inclined surface or channels, to efficiently discharge liquid away from the top face of the spacer, maintaining insulating properties and preventing short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the top face of the spacer is formed in a flat shape, then it is easy to manufacture, but liquid accumulates on the top face causing short circuits between power storage cells
Solution Approach 1:
The top face of the spacer is transformed from a flat shape to a curved shape with an upward projection. This curvature causes liquid to naturally drain off the edges rather than accumulate on the surface, maintaining the insulating property while remaining manufacturable through standard molding processes
2Reliability
If the top face of the spacer is formed with an inclined surface, then liquid can be discharged, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using flat inclined surfaces that would require complex multi-face geometry, the patent employs a smooth upward projection with curved surfaces. This achieves liquid discharge functionality while maintaining a simple, single-piece molded structure that is easy to manufacture
3Reliability
If a discharge portion is added to the spacer, then liquid accumulation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge functionality is merged into the main body of the spacer by forming an upward projection that integrates both structural support and liquid discharge functions. This eliminates the need for separate discharge components while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The upward projection with curved surfaces serves as an integrated discharge portion that naturally channels liquid off the spacer top face, achieving discharge functionality without adding complex separate components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The discharge portion effectively prevents liquid accumulation, ensuring adequate creepage distance and insulating properties, thereby preventing short circuits between adjacent power storage cells.
Implementation Method 1
the inclined surface is inclined downward toward a first side in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the arrangement direction where the first power storage cell and the second power storage cell are arranged
Data Source
AI summary
A power storage module includes: a first power storage cell and a second power storage cell placed to be adjacent to each other, the first power storage cell and the second power storage cell each including a housing having a top face and external terminals provided on the top face; and a spacer having an insulating property and placed between the housings adjacent to each other. The spacer includes a discharge portion via which liquid reaching the spacer from above is discharged to outside the spacer.