Ceramic-Insulated Battery Terminal Structure With Rotation Stop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal structures for power storage devices require multiple insulating members and a separate rotation stopper, increasing costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A terminal structure that uses a ceramic-made first insulating member with protruding and recessed parts to fit with the sealing plate, providing electrical insulation and a rotation stopper function, reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a terminal structure is designed to accommodate both a power storage device and a battery holder, then the functionality is improved, but the internal space becomes tighter and assembly/disassembly becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal structure is divided into a first case and a second case that can be relatively moved with respect to each other. The battery holder is accommodated in the first case while the power storage device is in the second case, allowing independent access and assembly/disassembly of each component without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal structure accommodates both power storage device and battery holder, then functionality is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery holder and the terminal structure are integrated into a unified design where the battery holder is disposed within the first case of the terminal structure. This merging approach allows both components to function together as a single assembly while maintaining the ability to relatively move the cases for assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the anode and cathode are in direct contact, then short circuit risk increases, but preventing contact requires additional protective structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort circuit preventionVSAvoidprotective structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An insulating sheet is introduced as an intermediary component between the anode and cathode. This insulating sheet is disposed between the electrodes to prevent direct contact and potential short circuits, while being integrated into the existing terminal structure without requiring additional complex protective mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4068321B1Terminal structure and power storage device
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 SANYO ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP4068321B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4068321B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4068321B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A terminal structure to be adopted for a power storage device including an outer case that has an opening and accommodates therein an electrode, includes: a sealing plate sealing the opening; a terminal member inserted into a terminal hole formed in the sealing plate and electrically connected to the electrode; and a ceramic-made first insulating member arranged between the sealing plate and the terminal member and electrically insulating them from each other. The first insulating member is arranged on an outer surface side of the sealing plate facing an outer side of the power storage device. The terminal member has a first extended part extending further outward than an outer periphery of the terminal hole on the outer side of the power storage device. A first protruding part provided to the first insulating member and a first recessed part provided to the sealing plate or to the first extended part fit with each other, or a second recessed part provided to the first insulating member and a second protruding part provided to the sealing plate or to the first extended part fit with each other.