Composite Plastic Member Torque Resistance in Electric Storage Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric storage devices face challenges in securely fastening plastic members to prevent rotational torque from impairing the sealing and connection between external terminals and current collectors, leading to complex and costly manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A novel fastening structure using a plastic member with inorganic fibers, such as glass fibers, bonded to the case surface, which includes a synthetic resin material like polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinylether (PFA) resin, providing enhanced hardness and stability to withstand rotational torque without transmitting it to sealing members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a plastic member is used to support the external terminal, then the manufacturing process becomes simpler and costs are reduced, but the plastic member cannot withstand rotational torque and the sealing may be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic member is made into a composite material by embedding inorganic fibers (such as glass fibers) into the plastic matrix. This composite structure provides both the ease of manufacture associated with plastic members and the mechanical strength required to withstand rotational torque without impairing the sealing function.
2Device complexity
If the external terminal is directly connected to the current collector, then the device complexity is reduced, but rotational torque can cause the connection to come loose
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic member serves as an intermediary component between the external terminal and the current collector. It provides a stable mounting base that resists rotational torque, thereby protecting the caulking connection from loosening while maintaining a relatively simple direct connection structure.
3Reliability
If a sealing member is used to arrange the external terminal, then the sealing function is improved, but rotational torque transmitted to the sealing member can impair the sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic member is constructed as a composite material with inorganic fibers embedded in the plastic matrix. This composite structure provides the mechanical strength needed to withstand rotational torque while maintaining the sealing function, preventing torque transmission that would impair the sealing.
4Strength
If the plastic member is made harder to withstand rotational torque, then the torque resistance is improved, but the bonding to the case surface becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic member is made into a composite material by embedding inorganic fibers into the plastic matrix. This composite structure provides both the enhanced hardness required to withstand rotational torque and maintains bonding capability to the case surface through the plastic component of the composite.
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
This configuration simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and ensures reliable electrical connections while maintaining effective sealing by preventing rotational torque from affecting the sealing members and current collector connections.
Implementation Method 1
a plastic member arranged at an outer surface of the case and having a joining surface facing the outer surface of the case, wherein the plastic member is a synthetic resin containing an inorganic fiber and is bonded to the outer surface of the case at least with the inorganic fiber exposed at the joining surface
Data Source
AI summary
An electric storage device includes an electrode assembly, a case housing the electrode assembly, a plastic member arranged at an outer surface of the case and including a joining surface facing the outer surface of the case, an external terminal supported by the plastic member and electrically connected to the electrode assembly, a sealing member arranged at the outer surface of the case, the sealing member including a joining surface facing the outer surface of the case, and an auxiliary terminal supported by the sealing member, the auxiliary terminal extending from inside to outside the case, being electrically connected to the electrode assembly, and being electrically connected to the external terminal. The plastic member includes a material having a hardness greater than a hardness of the sealing member.