Battery Terminal Support Member for Deformation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery modules face challenges in supporting terminal connections effectively during assembly and dissipating heat, leading to potential deformation and safety issues due to contact forces and heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A battery unit design featuring a support member with a lower and upper support portion, including slot portions for air flow and a fixing member to secure the terminal member, preventing deformation and enhancing heat dissipation, while ensuring secure electrical insulation and mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal member is directly connected to the cap plate without support, then the structure is simpler, but the terminal member deforms under contact forces and may contact the cap plate causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as an intermediary element between the terminal member and the cap plate. It provides mechanical support to the terminal portion, preventing deformation and unintended contact with the cap plate, thereby improving operational safety without directly modifying the terminal member or cap plate designs
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is constructed from heat-resistant material that can withstand high temperatures during welding and operational conditions. This material selection ensures the support member maintains its structural integrity and support function under thermal stress, preventing terminal deformation
2Stability of the object's composition
If the terminal member is supported closer to the cap plate, then mechanical stability is improved, but heat dissipation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into distinct functional portions: a lower support portion that contacts the cap plate for mechanical stability, and an upper support portion that contacts the terminal portion. The slot portions create internal spaces that segment the structure, allowing heat to dissipate through these channels while maintaining structural support
Solution Approach 2:
The support member incorporates slot portions that create a porous-like structure with internal spaces. These slots allow air flow and heat dissipation pathways through the support member, enabling thermal management while maintaining the mechanical support function. The internal spaces act as heat sinks and convection channels
3Reliability
If the terminal member is firmly fixed to prevent deformation, then operational safety is improved, but heat dissipation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The support member applies localized support only where needed - the upper support portion contacts the terminal portion to prevent deformation, while the lower support portion contacts the cap plate for positioning. The slot portions create local openings that allow heat dissipation. This localized approach provides safety where needed without hindering thermal management
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 design improves operational safety by preventing unintended contact and deformation of terminal members, enhances heat dissipation through air flow, and maintains mechanical stability, thus supporting reliable battery module operation.
Implementation Method 1
the upper support portion defines one or more slot portions, such that internal spaces of the support member communicate with the outside through the slot portions
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a battery unit (1) that includes a case (20) accommodating an electrode assembly (10) and having an opening (21), and a cap plate (310) closing the opening (21), and having a terminal insertion portion (35, 36). The battery unit (1) further includes a terminal member (320, 330) inserted into the case (20) through the terminal insertion portion (35, 36) from an exterior of the case (20) and coupled to the electrode assembly (10), the terminal member (320, 330) having a terminal portion (321, 331), extending in a major side direction of the cap plate (310) at an exterior of the cap plate (310), and being separated from an outer surface (312) of the cap plate (310). In order to increase mechanical stability, the battery unit (1) according to the invention further includes a support member (360, 370) coupled to the cap plate (310) and supporting the terminal portion (321, 331) with respect to the cap plate (310).