Battery Cell Cup With Side-Terminal Orifices for Stackable Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cell assemblies require significant spatial footprint, utilize interconnecting elements that prolong production time, and subject current collectors to deformation and damage, limiting integration in vehicles and complicating disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A bucket-shaped cell housing with integrated terminal orifices allows for simplified assembly by stacking cells, reducing the need for interconnecting elements and minimizing deformation of current collectors, utilizing extruded material with drilled orifices for terminals and covers that can be laser-welded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If interconnecting elements are used to connect cell terminals, then electrical connection between cells is achieved, but production time is extended and disassembly is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The housing integrates both mechanical support and electrical connection functions into a single structure. The housing body directly contacts the terminals of adjacent cells, eliminating the need for separate interconnecting elements. This merging of functions reduces the number of components and assembly steps, thereby reducing production time while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
2Reliability
If interconnecting elements are soldered to terminals, then electrical connection is achieved, but disassembly of battery module becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure combines mechanical support and electrical conduction in one integrated component. The housing body directly contacts the terminals without requiring soldered connections, allowing the battery module to be disassembled and reassembled multiple times. This eliminates the permanent bonding effect of soldering while maintaining reliable electrical connection through direct contact.
3Volume of moving object
If current collectors are folded to fit inside cell housing, then spatial footprint is reduced, but current collectors become damaged or tear during use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention repositions the terminals from the traditional end-wall location to the lateral walls of the cell housing. This dimensional change allows current collectors to extend straight from the electrode stacks to the terminals without folding. The terminals are arranged in a configuration that accommodates the natural extension of current collectors, eliminating permanent stress and potential damage while maintaining compact spatial footprint.
4Ease of manufacture
If additional volume is provided for current collectors, then current collector integration is enabled, but spatial footprint of cells and modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating terminals to the lateral walls rather than the end walls, the invention creates a more efficient spatial arrangement. Current collectors can extend directly to the terminals without requiring additional internal volume for folding or routing. This reconfiguration integrates current collectors efficiently within the existing cell volume, reducing the overall spatial footprint while maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 reduces spatial requirements, simplifies assembly, lowers production costs, and prevents deformation of current collectors, enhancing the integration and reliability of battery cells in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the bucket is obtained by extrusion and the first and second orifices by drilling a portion of the extruded material
Implementation Method 2
covers that can be laser-welded
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cup (20) for a housing (100) of a battery cell (10), the cup (20) comprising at least two side walls (103A, 103B) extending parallel to each other and parallel to a reference axis (X), the cup (20) being characterized in that it comprises: a first main orifice (111) formed on a first (101) of the two side walls and configured to accommodate a first terminal (11) of the cell (10); and a second main orifice (112) formed on a second (102) of the two side walls, the second orifice (112) being configured to accommodate a second terminal (12) of the cell (10).