Battery Terminal Fixing via Radial Compression Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sealing structures for electrode terminals in secondary batteries, particularly those made of lightweight materials like aluminum alloys, face challenges in securely fixing the terminals due to limitations in the battery case size and thickness, leading to deformation issues that prevent effective sealing.
Innovation Solution
A novel structure featuring a terminal fixing portion with a deformation restricting outer cover member that compresses the terminal fixing portion to deform inwardly, ensuring secure fixation and sealing of the electrode terminal, utilizing a tubular design with a pressure application portion and sealing material for enhanced reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure is applied to the peripheral edge portion of the hole in the axial direction to plastically deform the inside surface toward the inner diameter side, then the electrode terminal can be fixed, but the lightweight battery case material (aluminum alloy) deforms toward the outer diameter side instead due to insufficient thickness
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying pressure directly to the hole peripheral edge to deform the inside surface inward, the invention applies pressure to the outer peripheral surface of the battery case. This inverted approach causes the inside surface to deform inward as a result of the outer surface deformation, solving the problem of direct pressure application to thin-walled structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the dimension of pressure application from the axial direction (directly at the hole) to the radial direction (outer peripheral surface). By applying pressure in this different dimension, the deformation propagates through the wall thickness to achieve the desired inward deformation of the inside surface without directly loading the thin wall.
2Weight of moving object
If the battery case is made of lightweight material (aluminum alloy) to reduce weight, then the battery weight decreases, but the case thickness must be reduced which prevents effective plastic deformation for sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary deformation of the outer peripheral surface before the sealing operation. By pre-deforming the outer surface in the radial direction, the structure is prepared to accommodate the subsequent sealing deformation without requiring excessive wall thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter utilization by applying deformation through the wall thickness from the outer surface. This allows lightweight materials with thinner walls to still achieve the necessary plastic deformation for sealing by changing the deformation pathway from direct axial compression to radial compression propagating inward.
3Volume of moving object
If the battery case size is limited for compact design, then the battery dimensions are reduced, but there is insufficient thickness at the terminal insertion site to provide effective sealing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of trying to thicken the wall at the terminal insertion site from the inside, the invention applies deformation from the outside. This inverted approach allows effective sealing deformation to be achieved even with thin walls by propagating the deformation through the wall thickness from the outer surface.
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 solution provides a robust and reliable method to fix and seal the electrode terminal within the battery case, preventing dislodgment and ensuring a secure seal, even in compact battery designs, thereby enhancing the battery's structural integrity and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
pressure is applied to a peripheral edge portion of the hole in an axial direction such that an inside surface of the hole is plastically deformed toward an inner diameter side
Data Source
AI summary
A battery (100) includes a terminal fixing portion (40) projecting outwardly from a lid body (14), and an outer cover member (60) covering the terminal fixing portion (40). The terminal fixing portion (40) includes a hole (42) into which an electrode terminal (30) is inserted. The outer cover member (60) includes a cylindrical portion (62) (deformation restricting portion) covering an outer peripheral surface (40b) of the terminal fixing portion (40) and restrict deformation of the outer peripheral surface (40b) of the terminal fixing portion (40), and a pressure application portion (64) that compresses against a top end portion (40a) of the terminal fixing portion (40) and causes the terminal fixing portion (40) to deform.