Conductive Elastomer Contact Pad for Battery Voltage Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional contact means, typically formed of springs, experience low reliability and contamination issues, leading to poor electrical contact with battery cell electrodes and complicating the assembly process in cell module assemblies.

Innovation Solution

A contact pad made of conductive organic elastomer with a fit means having an inwardly slanted inner surface and a metal contact part for improved surface contact and efficient voltage balancing, reducing electrical resistance and simplifying assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a spring contact means is used to contact the battery cell electrode, then the assembly process involves bolting, welding, and riveting which complicates the manufacturing process, but the contact reliability is reduced due to point contact contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly process simplicityVSAvoidelectrical contact reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact pad integrates the electrode contact function and the support function into a single component made of conductive organic elastomer, eliminating the need for separate spring contacts, bolts, welds, and rivets. This merging resolves the contradiction by simplifying the assembly process while maintaining reliable electrical contact through surface contact instead of point contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact pad is made of conductive organic elastomer, a composite material that combines the electrical conductivity needed for reliable electrical contact with the elasticity needed for flexible surface contact. This composite material resolves the contradiction by providing both manufacturing simplicity and contact reliability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Force

If a spring contact means is used, then the structure can provide contact pressure, but the point contact area is small leading to contamination and poor electrical contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact pressureVSAvoidelectrical contact quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact pad transitions from point contact (zero-dimensional contact area) to surface contact (two-dimensional contact area) by utilizing the elastic deformation of the conductive organic elastomer. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by maintaining contact pressure while significantly increasing the contact area to prevent contamination and ensure reliable electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact pad changes the material parameter from rigid spring material to conductive organic elastomer, which allows elastic deformation. This parameter change enables the contact surface to adapt to the electrode surface, increasing contact area while maintaining adequate contact pressure, thus resolving the contradiction between force and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter 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

Enhances the reliability and durability of electrical contact, minimizes power loss during voltage balancing, and streamlines the assembly process by providing a more reliable and efficient electrical connection.

Implementation Method 1

a contact pad configured to sense the voltage of a cell module assembly including at least one battery cell, is electrically connected to a voltage sensing module for measuring the voltage of the battery cell in the cell module assembly and electrically contacted with an electrode of the battery cell, and is made of a conductive organic elastomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8889278B2Contact pad for sensing voltage of cell module assembly and cell module assembly

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A contact pad configured to sense the voltage of a cell module assembly including at least one battery cell, is electrically connected to a voltage sensing module for measuring the voltage of the battery cell in the cell module assembly and electrically contacted with an electrode of the battery cell, and is made of a conductive organic elastomer, thereby improving reliability of electrical contact with each battery cell, and effectively preventing malfunction of the cell module assembly caused by impurities, external physical shocks and so on.