Electrochemical Cell Mounting Assembly for Easy Individual Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assembling and disassembling electrochemical cells in electric vehicle batteries do not allow for easy individual extraction or replacement without dismantling a significant part of the assembly.

Innovation Solution

A support system with rotating fixing devices and elastically deformable elements that securely hold electrochemical cells in place during assembly and facilitate easy disassembly, allowing for individual cell extraction and reassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cells are arranged aligned on a flat support and held by parallel plates, then mechanical assembly is achieved, but individual cell extraction requires dismantling significant part of the assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual cell extractionVSAvoidassembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support is divided into multiple independent bay zones, each capable of holding individual cells. The fixing devices are segmented into separate first and second fixing devices that can independently engage with cell lugs. This segmentation allows individual cells to be accessed and removed without affecting other cells in the assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing devices incorporate rotatable elements that transition between engaged and disengaged positions. The first fixing device rotates to engage/disengage from cell lugs, and the second fixing device with elastically deformable elements provides dynamic locking. This dynamic mechanism enables quick individual cell extraction without dismantling the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of repair

If parallel plates are used to hold cells at both ends, then mechanical stability is achieved, but disassembly requires significant effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell replacementVSAvoiddisassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing devices use rotatable and elastically deformable elements that can quickly transition between locked and unlocked states. The second fixing device's elastically deformable elements can be easily actuated to release cells, enabling rapid cell replacement and reducing maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing mechanism is designed to extract individual cells from the assembly independently. The first fixing device engages with lugs on one end of the cell, and the second fixing device engages with lugs on the other end, allowing the cell to be individually extracted without removing other cells or dismantling the entire assembly structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If fixed mechanical assembly is used, then structural stability is achieved, but assembly speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidcell positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing devices incorporate rotational and elastic deformation mechanisms that can be quickly actuated to secure cells. The elastically deformable elements in the second fixing device provide automatic locking upon engagement, ensuring reliable cell positioning while enabling rapid assembly through simple rotational or elastic actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastically deformable elements in the second fixing device automatically engage and lock cells into position during the assembly process. The cam surfaces and lug interactions are designed to self-align and self-lock, reducing the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while ensuring reliable cell positioning and increasing assembly speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables simplified mechanical assembly and easy individual or block disassembly of electrochemical cells, improving the efficiency and speed of module or pack production while allowing for maintenance and replacement of cells.

Implementation Method 1

the second fixing device comprising at least one first elastically deformable element, capable of fitting elastically onto the second end of the first cell during the rotation of said first cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4274009A1Assembly for the formation of an electrical member comprising electrochemical cells and associated method for mounting
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 AUTOMOTIVE CELLS CO SE
  • EP4274009A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4274009A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4274009A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly (10) for the formation of an electrical organ, comprising a support (14) and an electrochemical cell (16), the support having a base (20) and a first (22) and a second (24) fixing devices, the cell (16) extending between a first (80) and a second (82) end, the support and the cell being configured for the contacting of the first end (80) of the cell and the first device (22), the cell being in an initial position, then for the rotation of the cell relative to the support to a final position, the second device (24) comprising a deformable element (40), adapted to fit elastically onto the second end (82) of the cell, so as to maintain said cell in final position.