Battery Assembly Tapered Insertion Aid for Bolt Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the number of battery stack laminations increases, slight deviations in the small battery packs make it difficult to insert the through-bolt into the hole, decreasing assembly workability.

Innovation Solution

A tubular or cylindrical member with a progressively smaller inner diameter tapered portion is inserted into the through-hole of the battery module housing, aiding in the alignment and insertion of the through-bolt by correcting its position near the center, thereby improving assembly workability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of battery stack laminations is increased, then the battery pack capacity is improved, but the assembly workability deteriorates due to through-bolt insertion difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery pack capacityVSAvoidassembly workability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A tapered insertion auxiliary member is introduced as an intermediary component between the through-bolt and the through-hole. This auxiliary member with a tapered surface guides and corrects the insertion position of the through-bolt, enabling easy insertion even when there are deviations in hole positions among stacked battery packs, thus maintaining assembly workability while increasing battery pack capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion auxiliary member features a tapered geometry where the inner diameter progressively decreases toward the tip. This parameter change in the auxiliary member's dimensions allows it to gradually guide and correct the through-bolt insertion position, transforming the insertion process from a precise alignment requirement to a self-correcting process that tolerates positional deviations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If strict alignment precision is required for through-bolt insertion, then the connection reliability is improved, but the assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tapered insertion auxiliary member serves as a mediator that performs the alignment function automatically during the insertion process. It eliminates the need for strict pre-alignment by providing real-time guidance and position correction, thereby reducing assembly time while ensuring reliable connection through proper alignment at the moment of insertion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion auxiliary member is pre-installed in the through-hole before the through-bolt insertion. This preliminary action prepares the insertion path and position correction mechanism in advance, allowing the through-bolt to be inserted quickly without requiring time-consuming alignment adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2899772B1Battery assembly
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2899772B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2899772B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2899772B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a battery pack with improved assembly workability. The assembled battery pack (1) is provided with: a plurality of battery modules (2) stacked on each other, each provided with a case (27) accommodating a unit cell (21); and a through- bolt (4) that penetrates a through hole (28) formed in the cases (27) along the stacking direction of the battery modules (2) to connect the battery modules (2) each other. The battery modules (2) are further provided with an insertion auxiliary member (3) that is inserted into at least one opening (29) of the through hole (28), and the insertion auxiliary member (3) has a tapered portion (213) such that the inner diameter thereof gradually decreases towards the tip of the insertion auxiliary member (3).