Elastic Annular Packing for Battery Sealing Stress Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery sealing structures for electrolyte circulation type batteries, such as redox flow batteries, rely on adhesion with organic solvents, which are operator skill-dependent and prone to stress concentration issues, leading to variability and potential internal damage.
Innovation Solution
An annular packing made of an elastic material with legs and a base is used to hold the peripheral portion of the battery plate-like member between frames, eliminating the need for adhesion and providing a reliable sealing mechanism that accommodates expansion and contraction, while reducing stress concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesion with organic solvent is used to seal the space between frames and battery plate-like member, then sealing capability is achieved, but assembly difficulty increases and stress concentration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical adhesion system (organic solvent-based bonding) with a mechanical sealing system using an elastic packing member. The packing is compressed between the frames and battery plate-like member to create sealing, eliminating the need for solvent application, drying, and curing processes. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing reliable sealing through mechanical compression while dramatically simplifying assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sealing mechanism from chemical bonding (adhesion with organic solvent) to physical compression (elastic deformation of packing material). By changing the parameter from chemical interaction to mechanical force, the system achieves both reliable sealing and ease of assembly, as the elastic packing can be installed and compressed without complex chemical processes.
2Reliability
If adhesion with organic solvent is used to seal the space between frames and battery plate-like member, then sealing capability is achieved, but stress concentration and internal damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastic packing member that functions as a flexible sealing element. This flexible component can deform to accommodate dimensional variations and stress changes in the battery assembly, distributing mechanical stresses uniformly rather than concentrating them at fixed adhesive bonds. The elastic material absorbs stress variations, preventing the internal damage that occurs with rigid adhesive joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic packing member serves as a cushioning element that anticipates and absorbs mechanical stresses before they can cause damage. By placing this compliant material between the rigid frames and battery plate-like member, the system pre-configures a stress-absorbing layer that protects against concentration forces and potential internal damage during assembly and operation.
3Reliability
If adhesion with organic solvent is used, then sealing is achieved, but assembly time and operator skill dependency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the multi-step chemical adhesion process (solvent application, spreading, drying, curing) with a single-step mechanical compression process. The elastic packing member is simply positioned and compressed between the frames and battery plate-like member, eliminating time-consuming chemical processes and reducing operator skill requirements to basic assembly tasks.
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 solution enables easy assembly, high sealing capability, and stress alleviation, offering a wide range of material options for the battery plate-like member and preventing damage from stress concentration, thus ensuring stable battery operation under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an annular packing made of an elastic material, the packing being arranged in the annular groove and press-contacted between the pair of frames and the peripheral portion of the battery plate-like member
Data Source
AI summary
An easy-to-assemble battery sealing structure is provided. A cell frame includes a battery plate-like member (bipolar plate), a pair of frames for holding a peripheral portion of bipolar plate therebetween and pressing the peripheral portion from the front and the rear, and an annular packing made of an elastic material. Frames are provided with an annular groove between respective surfaces of the frames facing each other, for accommodating the peripheral portion of bipolar plate. Packing is mounted on the peripheral portion of bipolar plate, arranged in annular groove, and press-contacted between frames and the peripheral portion of bipolar plate. Packing includes a pair of legs for holding the peripheral portion of bipolar plate therebetween, and a base connecting legs together.