One-Piece Cell Holder for Secure Cylindrical Cell Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery designs face challenges in efficiently holding and fixing cylindrical round energy storage elements, particularly in simplifying production and reducing components, while ensuring secure clamping and effective heat dissipation.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece plastic cell holder with triangular or polygonal recesses and clamping ribs, engaging the lateral surface of cylindrical round cells, allowing exposed end faces for electrical contacting and direct heat transfer, and accommodating manufacturing tolerances through a honeycomb structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a two-part plastic cell holder is used to fix cylindrical round cells, then the cells are secured in position, but the assembly process becomes more complex and requires additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring of cellsVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the upper and lower cell holder elements into a single integrated cell holder component. This one-piece structure eliminates the need for separate upper and lower elements, reducing the total component count while maintaining the securing function. The integrated design includes recesses that directly engage with the cylindrical round cells, providing stable positioning without requiring assembly of multiple parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a two-part cell holder with upper and lower elements is used, then the cells are framed and secured, but the production process becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring of cellsVSAvoidproduction process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the functions of upper and lower cell holder elements into a single manufactured component. This integration simplifies the production process by reducing the number of manufacturing steps, assembly operations, and quality control checks required. The one-piece cell holder can be produced as a single molded or machined part, eliminating the need for separate production and assembly of multiple elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the cell holder engages the lateral surface of the cells, then the cells are held securely, but heat dissipation may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping stabilityVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cell holder design features recesses with specific geometric configurations that engage the lateral surface of the cylindrical round cells at optimized locations. The recesses are positioned and dimensioned to provide secure mechanical engagement while leaving sufficient lateral surface area exposed for heat dissipation. This localized optimization ensures that clamping stability is achieved at critical points without compromising the overall thermal management of the battery assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4496073A1Clamping assembly comprising a cell holder and a plurality of electrochemical energy storage elements
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 VARTA MICROBATTERY GMBH
  • EP4496073A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4496073A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4496073A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A clamping assembly (100) comprising a cell holder (10) and a plurality of electrical energy storage elements (20) in the form of cylindrical cells is proposed. Each cylindrical cell has a lateral surface and two end faces. The cell holder (10) of the clamping assembly is a single piece made of plastic. Furthermore, the cell holder (10) has a plurality of recesses (11) in a triangular or polygonal shape with a corresponding number of inner surfaces. The individual energy storage elements (20) are each clamped in a recess (11) of the cell holder (10), with the cell holder (10) engaging in the region of the lateral surface of the energy storage elements (20), such that the end faces of the individual energy storage elements (20) lie outside the cell holder (10). Preferably, the inner surfaces of the individual recesses are partially provided with clamping ribs (13).