Energy Storage Bus Bar Positioning via Projection Recess
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Solution Overview
Problem
In energy storage apparatuses, the relative positional relationship between external terminals and bus bar members can vary during welding processes, leading to instability and potential heat transmission issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fixing member with a recess and a bus bar member with a projection that inserts into the recess, ensuring precise positioning and restricting relative movement between the external terminal and the bus bar member, while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser welding is used to weld external terminal to bus bar member, then welding efficiency is improved, but relative positional relationship between external terminal and bus bar member varies during welding process
Solution Approach 1:
The bus bar member is positioned on the external terminal before welding begins, and the relative positional relationship is fixed in advance. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the components maintain their correct alignment throughout the laser welding process, preventing position variation while maintaining high welding efficiency.
2Device complexity
If external terminal is welded to bus bar member without positioning structure, then device complexity is reduced, but relative positional relationship varies before or during welding
Solution Approach 1:
A positioning structure consisting of a positioning protrusion on the bus bar member and a corresponding positioning groove on the external terminal acts as an intermediary mechanism. This simple mechanical feature facilitates accurate positioning and maintains the relative positional relationship during welding, achieving high manufacturing precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If bus bar member is placed directly on external terminal, then ease of manufacture is improved, but heat transmits to fixing member during welding
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning structure is segmented into distinct features: a positioning protrusion on the bus bar member and a positioning groove on the external terminal. This segmentation allows for precise positioning while creating controlled spacing that prevents direct heat transmission to the fixing member during welding, thereby reducing thermal damage while maintaining ease of manufacture.
4Device complexity
If no positioning feature is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but stress is exerted on fixing member during welding
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning protrusion and positioning groove act as an intermediary mechanical feature that distributes and absorbs stress during the welding process. This simple positioning structure prevents excessive stress from being transmitted to the fixing member, thereby protecting the fixing member while adding minimal structural complexity.
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 configuration stabilizes the relative position between the external terminal and the bus bar member, reduces heat transmission to the fixing member, and prevents stress exertion, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the energy storage apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
one of the bus bar member and the fixing member has a recess whereas the other of the bus bar member and the fixing member has a projection to be inserted into the recess
Implementation Method 2
laser welding, for example, has been known as a method for welding an external terminal for an energy storage device to a bus bar member
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage apparatus includes: an energy storage device including a case housing an electrode assembly therein, an external terminal disposed at the case, and a fixing member for fixing the external terminal to the case, the fixing member electrically connecting the electrode assembly to the external terminal; and a bus bar member to be welded to the external terminal, wherein one of the bus bar member and the fixing member has a recess whereas the other of the bus bar member and the fixing member has a projection to be inserted into the recess.