Battery Pack Terminal Cover With Push-Release Hook Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional terminal covers for battery packs are prone to damaging the pack case during attachment and detachment, and are difficult to manipulate without coated gloves, leading to weakened fastening and increased risk of pack case damage.

Innovation Solution

A terminal cover with a hook coupling system and a detachment guide unit that allows for easy release via elastic deformation, preventing pack case abrasion and facilitating attachment and detachment with bare hands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the terminal cover is detachably coupled to the pack case by rotation operation, then the terminal cover can be detached and attached, but the pack case is damaged due to wear from repeated rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachability of terminal coverVSAvoidwear damage to pack case

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rotational mechanical coupling system with a push-button release system. The terminal cover is coupled to the pack case through hooks that engage with holes, and the detachment is achieved by pressing the release button which disengages the hooks, eliminating the need for rotational movement and the associated wear damage to the pack case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a release button as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the terminal cover. The button actuates the detachment of the hooks from the pack case, serving as a mediator that enables easy removal without direct manual manipulation that would cause wear to the pack case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the terminal cover uses a rotation operation for detachment, then the coupling can be released, but it becomes difficult to manipulate without coated gloves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachability of terminal coverVSAvoiddifficulty in manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The release button is designed to be easily pressed by hand without requiring gloves, allowing the user to directly manipulate the detachment mechanism. The button's design provides sufficient surface area and mechanical advantage for comfortable operation with bare hands, making the system self-serviceable without special equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 terminal cover effectively prevents pack case damage during attachment and detachment, while allowing for easier handling, reducing the risk of pack case damage and enhancing user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a detachment guide unit provided at both side surfaces of the cover body to allow the hook coupling of the cover body to be released based on pressing by a user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11757163B2Terminal cover and battery pack comprising same

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a terminal cover, which covers a terminal of a battery pack and is detachably mounted to the battery pack. The terminal cover includes a cover body coupled to a pack case of the battery pack by hook coupling, and a detachment guide unit provided at both side surfaces of the cover body to allow the hook coupling of the cover body to be released based on pressing by a user.