Elastic Battery Connection Member for Stable Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for connecting cylindrical secondary batteries in battery packs, such as welding or soldering, are complex, prone to short circuits, and require skilled labor, leading to increased costs and defective products, while also being unsuitable for long-term use due to size and stability issues.
Innovation Solution
A connection member that achieves electrical connection between cylindrical secondary batteries through a physical contact method, using an outer circumferential contact part for surface contact with the lower battery cell and a central contact part for elastic support, eliminating the need for welding or soldering and allowing for stable connection without increasing pack size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If welding or soldering is used to connect electrode terminals, then electrical connection is achieved, but the process becomes complex and prone to short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal/mechanical welding or soldering process with a purely mechanical contact system. The connection member uses elastic deformation to maintain continuous physical contact between electrode terminals, eliminating the need for welding equipment, skilled labor, and complex thermal processes while improving reliability through simpler mechanics.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection member utilizes its own elastic properties to automatically maintain contact pressure. The elastic deformation of the connection member itself provides the necessary contact force, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for external fastening mechanisms or complex assembly processes.
2Reliability
If welding or soldering is used to connect electrode terminals, then electrical connection is achieved, but skilled labor and increased costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex thermal processes (welding/soldering) with simple mechanical contact. The connection member's elastic deformation automatically ensures stable electrical connection through continuous physical contact, eliminating the need for skilled workers, specialized equipment, and complex manufacturing procedures while reducing costs.
3Reliability
If connection members are used to connect battery cells, then electrical connection is achieved, but the pack size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection member is designed as a thin, flexible elastic component that can deform to accommodate the space between battery cells. This flexible structure provides stable electrical connection through elastic deformation without requiring additional space, allowing the connection member to fit within the existing battery pack geometry without increasing overall volume.
4Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connection members are used, then structural stability is achieved, but resistance changes under external force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic elastic connection. The connection member continuously adapts its shape through elastic deformation in response to external forces, maintaining optimal contact pressure and stable electrical resistance. This dynamic adjustment ensures reliable connection under varying conditions while rigid structures would fail to adapt and experience resistance changes.
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 solution prevents short circuits, reduces resistance changes, and allows for easy assembly and maintenance, ensuring stable connections even under external impact, while enabling the reuse of defective cells and maintaining pack efficiency over time without size increments.
Implementation Method 1
a central contact part contacting an electrode terminal of an upper battery cell or the central region of a sidewall of the battery pack for providing an elastic contact force to the entire connection member
Implementation Method 2
the outer circumferential contact part can be electrically connected to the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell in a surface contact manner, for minimizing the change of resistance at the contact region
Data Source
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AI summary
A connection member for secondary batteries to achieve the electrical connection in a battery pack including two or more cylindrical secondary batteries in a physical contact manner is provided, the connection member comprising: an outer circumferential contact part contacting an electrode terminal of a lower battery cell located below the connection member along the outer circumferential region of the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell, such that the outer circumferential contact part can be electrically connected to the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell in a surface contact manner, for minimizing the change of resistance at the contact region against an external force and restraining a possibility that the electrode terminal of the lower battery cell is depressed; and a central contact part contacting the central region of a sidewall of the battery pack for providing an elastic contact force to the entire connection member mounted between the electrode terminals of the battery cells and the sidewall of the battery pack.