Bipolar Plate Battery Assembly to Eliminate Bus Bar Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for connecting batteries in series or parallel increase the weight, volume, and heat generation of battery packs, reducing energy efficiency and safety performance due to the use of terminal posts and bus bars.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage apparatus is designed with bipolar plates arranged between adjacent batteries to facilitate electrical connection, reducing weight and volume while improving energy efficiency and safety by eliminating the need for terminal posts and bus bars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terminal posts and bus bars are used to connect batteries in series or parallel, then electrical connection between batteries is achieved, but weight and volume of the battery pack increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bipolar plate integrates multiple functions: it serves as the positive electrode for one battery, the negative electrode for the adjacent battery, and simultaneously acts as the connection structure between batteries. This merging of electrode and connection structure eliminates the need for separate terminal posts and bus bars, reducing weight while maintaining electrical connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The bipolar plate performs multiple functions simultaneously: electrical conduction, structural support, and inter-battery connection. By making the connection structure multi-functional, the patent eliminates dedicated connection components (terminal posts and bus bars), thereby reducing overall battery pack weight without compromising electrical connection
2Reliability
If terminal posts and bus bars are used to connect batteries, then electrical connection is achieved, but volume of the battery pack increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bipolar plate merges the electrode function with the connection structure function. By integrating the connection structure into the electrode itself, the patent eliminates the need for separate terminal posts and bus bars, thereby reducing the volume occupied by connection components in the battery pack
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the separate connection components (terminal posts and bus bars) from the battery system. By removing these dedicated connection elements and replacing them with the multi-functional bipolar plate, the overall battery pack volume is reduced while maintaining electrical connection capability
3Reliability
If terminal posts and bus bars are used for battery connection, then electrical connection is achieved, but heat generation increases reducing energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The bipolar plate uses materials with superior electrical conductivity compared to traditional bus bars and terminal posts. By changing the material parameters (electrical conductivity) of the connection structure, the patent reduces resistive heating and energy loss during current transmission, thereby improving overall energy efficiency
4Reliability
If terminal posts and bus bars are used for battery connection, then electrical connection is achieved, but safety performance reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The bipolar plate employs composite material structures that combine high electrical conductivity with enhanced safety properties such as thermal stability and mechanical strength. These composite materials reduce the risk of overheating, short circuits, and other safety issues associated with traditional connection components, thereby improving overall battery pack safety performance
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 solution enhances energy efficiency, safety, and reduces weight and volume by directly connecting adjacent batteries through bipolar plates, optimizing the performance of the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
the first electrode or the second electrode of one of the adjacent single batteries forms an electrical connection with the bipolar plate through contacting, and the second electrode or the first electrode of the other of the adjacent single batteries forms an electrical connection with the bipolar plate through contacting
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4A
Figure 4B~5
AI summary
An an energy storage apparatus is provided. the energy storage apparatus includes: a plurality of single batteries and a bipolar plate, each of the plurality of single batteries including a battery cell, the battery cell including a first electrode and a second electrode with opposite polarities and being insulated from each other; the bipolar plate is arranged between two adjacent single batteries, the first electrode or the second electrode of one of the adjacent single batteries forms an electrical connection with the bipolar plate through contacting, and the second electrode or the first electrode of the other of the adjacent single batteries forms an electrical connection with the bipolar plate through contacting; by arranging the bipolar plate between adjacent single batteries, the electrical connection between adjacent single batteries can be achieved, the weight and volume can be reduced, and the specific characteristics of the energy storage apparatus can be improved.