Anti-rotation Cap Assembly for Lithium Ion Battery Terminal Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly process of lithium ion secondary batteries is complicated by the rotation of the terminal plate, which requires additional steps and can lead to deformation due to the thin metal construction, increasing process time and potential mechanical issues.

Innovation Solution

The cap plate, insulation plate, and terminal plate are designed with anti-rotation features such as grooves and protrusions to prevent the terminal plate from rotating during assembly, ensuring secure coupling without deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the terminal plate is made of thin metal to reduce weight, then the weight is reduced, but the terminal plate is prone to rotation and deformation during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of terminal plateVSAvoidstability of terminal plate

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal plate incorporates an asymmetric anti-rotation protrusion that fits into a corresponding groove on the cap plate. This asymmetric geometric feature prevents rotational movement while maintaining the thin metal construction, thus preserving weight reduction while improving assembly stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-rotation protrusion and groove are pre-formed during manufacturing, establishing the anti-rotation constraint before assembly occurs. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that during the assembly process, the terminal plate cannot rotate, preventing deformation before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If the terminal plate is made thicker to prevent deformation, then the deformation resistance is improved, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation resistance of terminal plateVSAvoidweight of terminal plate

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing thickness, the invention uses an asymmetric anti-rotation protrusion geometry that provides mechanical constraint against rotation and deformation. This geometric solution achieves strength improvement without the weight penalty of increased material thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal plate is designed with a distinct anti-rotation protrusion segment that separates the structural support function from the weight-critical body. This segmentation allows the main plate to remain thin while the protrusion provides the necessary mechanical strength and anti-rotation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If additional assembly steps are added to prevent rotation, then the assembly stability is improved, but the assembly process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly stabilityVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-rotation feature is merged into the terminal plate itself as an integrated geometric element rather than a separate component or assembly step. This merging reduces assembly process complexity by eliminating the need for additional anti-rotation mechanisms while maintaining assembly stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If the terminal plate is designed without anti-rotation features, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the terminal plate rotates during assembly causing deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidalignment precision of terminal plate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-rotation protrusion uses asymmetric geometry that is simple to manufacture (e.g., a single protruding element) but effectively prevents rotation. This asymmetric feature maintains manufacturing simplicity while ensuring precise alignment and preventing deformation during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8852797B2Lithium ion secondary battery with anti-rotation cap assembly

Publication Date: 2014.10.07 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

A lithium ion secondary battery is provided having a cap plate, an insulation plate, and a terminal plate, each shaped to prevent the terminal plate from rotating when assembling a cap assembly. The cap plate has an anti-rotation groove formed on a lower surface thereof and the insulation plate has an insulation plate protrusion formed on an upper surface thereof. When the anti-rotation groove is coupled to the insulation plate protrusion, the terminal plate may be prevented from rotating.