Electric Storage Device Holder for Individual Cell Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery packs require replacing the entire unit when one cell deteriorates, leading to unnecessary replacement of undeteriorated cells.

Innovation Solution

An electric storage apparatus with a holder that allows for the easy removal and replacement of individual electric storage components, featuring guide portions and opening portions to facilitate insertion and extraction, along with a cover to prevent accidental removal, enabling efficient temperature adjustment and electrical series connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cells are fixed to the battery holder, then the battery pack structure is stable and reliable, but the entire battery pack must be replaced when one cell deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery pack structure stabilityVSAvoidindividual cell replaceability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is segmented into individual replaceable cell units within a common holder structure. Each cell can be independently removed and replaced without affecting the stability of the overall battery pack structure, as the holder provides a fixed framework that maintains reliability while allowing modular cell replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the whole battery pack is replaced when one cell deteriorates, then the battery pack maintains consistent performance, but undeteriorated cells are unnecessarily replaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery pack performance consistencyVSAvoidreplacement of undeteriorated cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The deteriorated cell is extracted from the battery pack while leaving the remaining functional cells in place. The holder structure allows individual cells to be removed and replaced independently, enabling selective replacement of only the deteriorated cell rather than the entire battery pack, thus avoiding waste of functional cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If guide portions and opening portions are added to the holder, then individual cell removal and installation becomes easy, but the holder structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell insertion and removal easeVSAvoidholder structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide portions and opening portions are integrated into the holder structure in a way that provides self-guiding functionality during cell insertion. The geometric features automatically align and guide the cells into correct positions without requiring additional complex mechanisms, achieving ease of operation through simple geometric design rather than complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2469621B1Electrical storage device
Publication Date: 2014.10.01 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2469621B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2469621B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2469621B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

[PROBLEM] To provide an electric storage apparatus in which only an arbitrary one of a plurality of electric storage components can be removed. [SOLVING MEANS] An electric storage apparatus includes a plurality of electric storage components, and a holder holding each of the electric storage components at both end portions of each of the electric storage components in a longitudinal direction. The holder includes a plurality of guide portions provided within an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the electric storage component and configured to move both end portions of each of the electric storage components toward a predetermined holding position, and an opening portion formed at one end of each of the guide portions and configured to insert the end portion of the electric storage component into the guide portion.