Cylindrical Battery Holder Assembly to Prevent Cell Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cell modules face challenges in preventing positional shifts and rotation of cylindrical batteries while allowing smooth insertion, as strong frictional resistance is required to inhibit rotation, making it difficult to insert batteries efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A cell module design featuring a holder with deformed stopper portions and push rods that thrust against the batteries, providing increased frictional resistance without the need for strong initial contact, ensuring batteries are fixed in place and cannot rotate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If stopper portions are strongly thrust against the surfaces of cylindrical batteries to inhibit rotation, then the reliability of preventing battery rotation is improved, but the ease of operation during battery insertion deteriorates due to increased frictional resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of battery rotationVSAvoidsmooth insertion of batteries
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper portions are pre-deformed toward the battery surfaces during holder assembly, but the actual thrusting action is delayed until after battery insertion. The push rods subsequently push the stopper portions against the batteries to secure them in position. This preliminary preparation allows smooth insertion followed by reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The holder is divided into two functional components: the holder body with deformed stopper portions and the sub-holder with push rods. This segmentation separates the insertion function (holder body) from the fixation function (sub-holder with push rods), allowing batteries to be inserted smoothly first, then secured against rotation in a second step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If frictional resistance between stopper portions and batteries is increased to prevent positional shifts, then the stability of battery positioning is improved, but the productivity of assembly process deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixed position of batteriesVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper portions are pre-deformed toward the battery surfaces during holder assembly, but the actual thrusting action is delayed until after battery insertion. The push rods subsequently push the stopper portions against the batteries to secure them in position. This preliminary preparation allows smooth insertion followed by reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The holder is divided into two functional components: the holder body with deformed stopper portions and the sub-holder with push rods. This segmentation separates the insertion function (holder body) from the fixation function (sub-holder with push rods), allowing batteries to be inserted smoothly first, then secured against rotation in a second step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 allows for efficient battery insertion and assembly while effectively inhibiting positional shifts and rotation, ensuring batteries remain fixed and secure within the holder.

Implementation Method 1

Holder body 3, 23 has stopper portions 5, 25 deformed toward surfaces of cylindrical batteries 1 arranged in holding spaces 13, 33

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

push rods 6, 26 thrust stopper portions 5, 25 against cylindrical batteries 1, and press the surfaces of cylindrical batteries 1 arranged in holding spaces 13, 33

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3787062B1Cell module
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 PANASONIC ENERGY CO LTD
  • EP3787062B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3787062B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3787062B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cell module includes a plurality of cylindrical batteries (1) and a holder composed by arranging each of cylindrical batteries (1) in a parallel posture. The holder includes: a holder body having holding spaces (13) for arranging cylindrical batteries (1) at fixed positions; and a sub holder stacked on the holder body. The holder body has stopper portions (5) deformed toward surfaces of cylindrical batteries (1) arranged in holding spaces (13). The sub holder has push rods that push out stopper portions (5) to cylindrical batteries (1) in a state of being coupled to the holder body. In a state in which the sub holder is coupled to the holder body, in the cell module, the push rods thrust stopper portions (5) against cylindrical batteries (1), and press the surfaces of cylindrical batteries (1) arranged in holding spaces (13).