Power Storage Cell Inversion Plate Locking Against Re-Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing power storage cells are prone to re-inversion of the inversion plate due to vibrations or other external factors, leading to potential short-circuits and electrical issues.

Innovation Solution

A power storage cell design featuring a deformable inversion plate that changes shape from a steady-state to an inversion shape when internal pressure increases, with a protrusion and holding portion mechanism to prevent reversion, ensuring a stable electrical connection and preventing short-circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inversion plate is made deformable to enable short-circuiting, then the ability to short-circuit the lid main body and external terminal is improved, but the risk of re-inversion due to vibration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort-circuiting functionVSAvoidinversion plate position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion is pre-formed on the inversion plate in a direction toward the external terminal. When the inversion plate inverts and contacts the external terminal, the protrusion engages with the holding portion to create a mechanical lock that prevents re-inversion. This preliminary structural feature provides counter-action against the harmful effect of vibration-induced re-inversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the inversion plate and the external terminal. It mediates the interaction by providing a mechanical engagement feature that transfers and locks the inverted position, preventing the inversion plate from returning to its original state due to external vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the inversion plate is made deformable between steady-state and inversion shapes, then the short-circuiting capability is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort-circuiting capabilityVSAvoidinversion plate structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inversion plate is designed as a deformable thin-walled structure that can elastically change shape between steady-state and inversion configurations. This flexibility allows the plate to invert and contact the external terminal, creating a short-circuit path while maintaining structural simplicity through material deformation rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The inversion plate transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic deformable structure that can change shape in response to internal pressure changes. This dynamic behavior enables the plate to automatically invert and establish electrical contact without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the holding portion is added to the external terminal, then the prevention of re-inversion is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinversion plate position stabilityVSAvoidexternal terminal structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The holding portion is integrated directly into the external terminal structure, merging the functions of electrical connection and mechanical positioning into a single component. This integration eliminates the need for separate positioning mechanisms and simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of parts and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding portion is designed as a localized structural feature on the external terminal with specific geometric properties that enable it to engage with the protrusion. This local modification provides the necessary positioning function without requiring changes to the overall external terminal structure or complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design effectively suppresses re-inversion of the inversion plate, maintaining a stable electrical connection and preventing short-circuits, thereby ensuring reliable operation under varying conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the inversion plate is deformable between a steady-state shape and an inversion shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240162585A1Power storage cell

Publication Date: 2024.05.16 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A power storage cell includes: an electrode assembly; a cell case; and an external terminal. The cell case has a case main body and a lid. The lid has a lid main body charged positively or negatively, an inversion plate that is able to short-circuit the lid main body and the external terminal, and a protrusion protruding from the inversion plate toward the external terminal. The inversion plate is deformable between a steady-state shape and an inversion shape, the steady-state shape being a shape curved to project in a direction away from the external terminal, the inversion shape being a shape curved to project toward the external terminal with the inversion plate being in contact with the external terminal. The external terminal has a holding portion that holds the protrusion when the inversion plate is in the inversion shape.