Cover Member Segmentation for Bus Bar Size Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent size due to variations in height, making it difficult to fit them into installation spaces, as the bus bar module is only fixed at the end portions in the width direction, leading to potential installation issues.
Innovation Solution
The energy storage apparatus incorporates a spacer with a first connecting portion and a cover member with a second connecting portion that engages with the spacer, restricting movement and ensuring the cover member is securely attached, thus preventing variations in size by stabilizing the bus bars and terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bus bar module is fixed only at both end portions in the width direction, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but size variations occur making it difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is divided into multiple regions: a first region that fits over the battery assembly and a second region that extends beyond the battery assembly boundaries. This segmentation allows the cover member to provide both structural support for size consistency and ease of manufacturing, while the extended second region enables additional fixation points without complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover member extends in the width direction beyond the battery assembly boundaries, utilizing the third dimension (space beyond the battery width) to provide additional fixation points. This dimensional extension allows the bus bar module to be fixed at multiple locations (both ends and center) without increasing structural complexity, thereby achieving size consistency while maintaining ease of manufacture.
2Device complexity
If the bus bar module is fixed only at both end portions, then the structure is simple, but height variations occur at different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is segmented into a first region covering the battery assembly and a second region extending beyond it. This segmentation allows the cover member to function as both a protective cover and a structural element that provides multiple fixation points, thereby stabilizing height at different positions without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover member serves multiple functions: it protects the battery assembly, provides a mounting surface for the bus bar module at multiple locations, and acts as a structural element for height stabilization. This multi-functionality allows the structure to achieve height consistency without adding separate components, thereby maintaining simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the cover member extends beyond battery assembly boundaries, then fixation at multiple locations is enabled suppressing size variations, but the cover member becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is designed as a single integrated component that combines the protective cover function with the structural support function. By merging these functions into one piece that extends beyond the battery boundaries, the design achieves size consistency through multi-location fixation without requiring additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended cover member universally serves as both a protective cover and a structural mounting surface. This multi-functionality allows it to provide fixation points at multiple locations for size consistency while avoiding the need for separate structural components, thus limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage apparatus includes: a spacer; an energy storage device disposed adjacently to the spacer in a first direction and having an external terminal; and a cover member holding a bus bar connected to the external terminal and extending along the energy storage device, wherein the spacer has a first connecting portion to which the cover member is connected on an end portion thereof in a second direction, and the cover member has a second connecting portion which engages with the first connecting portion in a state where movement of the cover member in a direction away from the spacer in the second direction is restricted.