Bus Bar Terminal Restriction Portion for Liquid Management

Solution Overview

Problem

In power storage modules for vehicles, condensation on bus bars can lead to liquid accumulation, posing a risk of liquid reaching electrical wires connected to voltage detection terminals, which can cause issues if not properly managed.

Innovation Solution

A terminal design with a restriction portion between the connection and wire connection areas, which includes a plate-shaped portion with continuous grooves to prevent liquid movement towards the electrical wire, and an insulating protector with discharge holes to safely direct liquids away from the electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a wiring module houses multiple bus bars to simplify attachment operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of liquid reaching electrical wires increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal is divided into distinct functional regions: a connection portion for connecting to electrode terminals, a wire connection portion for connecting to electrical wires, and a restriction portion between them. This segmentation creates physical barriers that prevent liquid from moving from the connection portion to the wire connection portion, thereby protecting the electrical wire while maintaining the simplified wiring module structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The restriction portion acts as an intermediary element between the connection portion and the wire connection portion. It serves as a protective barrier that intercepts and restricts liquid movement, preventing the harmful liquid from reaching the electrical wire while allowing the bus bar attachment operation to proceed normally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If condensation forms on bus bar when vehicle is stopped, then temperature change occurs, but liquid accumulation poses electrical hazard

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The restriction portion is pre-configured on the terminal before liquid accumulation occurs. When condensation forms on the bus bar due to temperature changes, the restriction portion is already in place to restrict liquid movement toward the electrical wire, preventing the electrical hazard before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The restriction portion converts the potential harm of liquid accumulation into a controlled situation. By restricting liquid movement in the vicinity of the terminal, it channels or contains the liquid away from critical electrical components, transforming the condensation phenomenon from a harmful factor into a manageable condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10734628B2Terminal and wiring module

Publication Date: 2020.08.04

AI summary

A bus bar terminal includes an electrode connection portion that connects electrode terminals of power storage elements to each other, and a wire connection portion that is to be connected to an electrical wire. Restriction portions are provided between the electrode connection portion and the wire connection portion, and restrict the movement of a liquid adhered to the electrode connection portion toward the wire connection portion.