Battery Strap Configuration for Reduced Weight and Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional batteries with multiple coiled cell elements require substantial additional material and weight for internal series connections, leading to increased costs and reduced performance due to longer electrical paths and higher resistance.

Innovation Solution

A battery configuration featuring six cells arranged in a 2x3 pattern with five straps, where no more than two straps cross a dividing line, providing a more efficient electrical path and reduced material usage by directly and diagonally coupling cells in series.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conventional batteries use multiple coiled cell elements connected in series by conductive straps, then the battery can provide sufficient power, but the material costs and weight increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery power outputVSAvoidbattery weight
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges adjacent cell elements by removing separators between them, allowing direct electrical contact between cells. This eliminates the need for separate conductive straps to connect cells in series, thereby reducing material usage and weight while maintaining the required power output through direct cell-to-cell electrical coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the separators that traditionally divide cell elements in conventional batteries. By taking out these non-conductive separators, the design enables direct electrical contact between adjacent cells, eliminating the need for additional conductive straps and reducing overall battery weight and material costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If conventional batteries use conductive straps to connect cells in series, then electrical connections are established, but the electrical path length increases and resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidelectrical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the separators between cell elements, creating direct electrical contact pathways. This elimination of intermediate non-conductive materials shortens the electrical path length and reduces the number of connection interfaces, thereby lowering electrical resistance and energy loss while maintaining reliable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a conventional series connection topology using discrete straps to a direct adjacent-cell contact topology. By changing the dimensional arrangement where cells directly touch each other without intermediate connectors, the electrical path becomes more direct and shorter, reducing resistance and improving connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If conventional batteries use substantial material for internal series connections, then cells can be connected in series, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseries connection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for separate conductive straps and separators by allowing direct cell-to-cell contact. This reduction in component count simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces material procurement costs, and lowers assembly complexity while maintaining reliable series connections through direct electrical contact between adjacent cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of separators and conductive straps by eliminating both components and allowing direct cell contact. This consolidation of functions into a single direct-contact architecture reduces the number of manufacturing steps, reduces material costs, and simplifies quality control while ensuring reliable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration reduces material usage by 13% and improves performance by 25% in cold crank amps compared to conventional designs, while minimizing weight and electrical resistance.

Implementation Method 1

the cells are electrically coupled in series by five straps

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2291875B1Battery straps
Publication Date: 2016.06.15 JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY CO
  • EP2291875B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2291875B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2291875B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a battery for use in various applications including starting, lighting, and ignition and other purposes in vehicles such as automobiles and boats. The disclosed battery design includes a number of battery cell elements connected in series by a number of straps. The present disclosure describes a system of connecting the cells that minimizes the size and weight of the straps and increases the operating efficiency of the battery.