Secondary Battery Symmetrical Retainer Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing secondary battery manufacturing processes face inefficiencies in assembly and productivity due to the lack of symmetrical design in retainer and insulation components, which complicates the coupling of current collectors and can lead to misalignment and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The secondary battery incorporates a retainer and insulation plate with bilateral symmetry, featuring fixing hooks and a center hole, inlet holes, and a slanted support plate, allowing for secure coupling with current collectors regardless of orientation, enhancing assembly efficiency and productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the retainer and insulation plate are designed without bilateral symmetry, then the coupling process becomes more complex and time-consuming, but the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry in reverse by implementing bilateral symmetry in the retainer and insulation plate designs. The retainers feature symmetric fixing hooks positioned at opposite ends, and the insulation plate has symmetric inlet holes and a centered safety vent hole. This symmetric configuration allows the components to be coupled correctly regardless of their orientation during assembly, eliminating the need for precise alignment and significantly improving assembly efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If the retainer is designed with fixed orientation requirements, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the assembly process becomes more complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The symmetric design of the retainer and insulation plate creates universal coupling capability. The fixing hooks on the retainer can engage with coupling holes in the current collector regardless of which end is facing up, and the insulation plate's symmetric holes accommodate the terminal connector in any orientation. This multi-orientation compatibility simplifies the assembly process while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the fixing hooks are positioned asymmetrically on the retainer, then the structural design is more straightforward, but the coupling reliability is reduced due to potential misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses bilateral symmetry to position fixing hooks at opposite ends of the retainer, equally spaced from the centerline. This symmetric arrangement ensures that regardless of how the retainer is oriented during assembly, the fixing hooks will align properly with the coupling holes in the current collector, thereby maximizing coupling reliability while maintaining straightforward structural design.
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery includes a retainer and/or an insulation plate having bilateral symmetry, thereby improving work efficiency and productivity. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly; a case receiving the electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled to a top portion of the case and sealing the case; a current collector including a terminal connector positioned between the electrode assembly and the cap plate, and an electrode connector bent from an end of the terminal connector, positioned between the electrode assembly and the case, and having a coupling hole formed therein; an insulation plate positioned on the electrode assembly and coupled to the terminal connector; and a retainer coupled to the electrode connector and including a fixing hook engaged with the coupling hole.