Cam-Actuated Damper for Uniform Cylindrical Battery Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mechanical holding systems for cylindrical batteries in tube-shaped compartments are too bulky, heavy, and fail to provide uniform clamping, leading to deformation and inability to quantify forces during mechanical stresses like vibrations and shocks.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical holding system comprising a damper and cam mechanism, where rotation of the cam moves the damper from a retracted to an extended position, ensuring uniform clamping and shock absorption, with optional additional dampers and cams for enhanced stability, using elastic pads with non-linear stiffness and a rail guide for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mechanical holding systems are used, then the battery can be held in the tube, but the system becomes too bulky and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery retentionVSAvoidholding system mass
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The holding system is divided into multiple independent cam mechanisms distributed around the tube, each responsible for a specific sector. This segmentation allows each component to be compact and lightweight, while collectively providing robust battery retention through distributed clamping points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional mechanical holding systems are used, then the battery can be held in the tube, but the clamping is not uniform causing deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery retentionVSAvoidclamping uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Each cam mechanism is designed with specific geometric characteristics that ensure uniform force distribution at its local clamping point. The cams are positioned and dimensioned to create equal angular spacing, ensuring that each sector of the battery receives identical clamping pressure, thus achieving global uniformity through local optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Weight of stationary object

If the cam mechanism is simplified, then the system becomes lighter and more compact, but the ability to dampen shocks and vibrations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding system massVSAvoidshock and vibration damping
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the cam mechanism and the battery surface. This mediator absorbs and dissipates shock and vibration energies while allowing the simplified cam mechanism to maintain its lightweight and compact design. The damping element translates mechanical impacts into heat through material hysteresis, protecting the battery without requiring complex mechanical damping structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system provides a robust, lightweight, and compact solution for uniform battery retention, effectively dampening shocks and vibrations while minimizing battery compression and deformation risks, allowing for reproducible installation and increased energy density.

Implementation Method 1

a cam cooperating with a cam follower; in which: the rotation of the cam causes the movement of the cam follower

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

movement of the cam follower moves the damper from a retracted position in which the damper is spaced from the inner wall of the tube to an extended position in which the damper is in contact with the inner wall of the tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2927992B1Mechanical holding system for holding a battery in a tube-shaped compartment
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 SAFT GRP SA
  • EP2927992B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2927992B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2927992B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a mechanical holding system for holding a cylindrical battery in a tube with the same longitudinal axis, the system being intended to be fixed to an external wall of the battery and the system comprising: - a damper; - a cam cooperating with a cam follower; in which: - the rotation of the cam causes the movement of the cam follower; and - the movement of the cam follower moves the damper from a retracted position in which the damper is away from the inner wall of the tube to a deployed position in which the damper is in contact with the inner wall of the tube.