Expandable Spacer Pressurization for Variable Battery Cell Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressurization devices for battery cells of varying thicknesses require separate devices for each type, leading to increased manufacturing costs, space requirements, and decreased productivity due to shifting terminal positions during charging and discharging.
Innovation Solution
A pressurization device with expandable and contractible spacers that maintain consistent spacing between battery cells, allowing the same device to accommodate battery cells of different thicknesses by adjusting fluid pressure, ensuring consistent terminal positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a pressurization device is designed for a specific battery cell thickness, then pressurization precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates requiring separate devices for each thickness type
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is designed as a deformable component that can dynamically adjust its thickness to match different battery cell thicknesses. The deformable spacer changes its dimensional configuration in response to applied pressure, allowing the same pressurization device to accommodate multiple battery cell thicknesses while maintaining consistent pressurization force and terminal positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and dimensional parameters of the spacer from rigid to deformable. By applying pressure to the deformable spacer, its thickness parameter changes to match the battery cell thickness, enabling the device to adapt to different battery specifications while maintaining precise pressurization control.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate pressurization devices are prepared for each battery cell thickness type, then pressurization precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurization device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating a deformable spacer that can adapt to different battery cell thicknesses. This single device structure serves multiple functions by adjusting the spacer's deformation state, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices while maintaining pressurization precision through controlled deformation.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate pressurization devices are prepared for each battery cell thickness type, then pressurization precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased sorting area requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable spacer enables a single pressurization device to handle multiple battery cell thicknesses, eliminating the need for separate devices and sorting areas. This universal design improves productivity by streamlining the manufacturing process and reducing facility requirements while maintaining precise pressurization control.
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
Enables the use of a single pressurization device for various battery cell thicknesses, reducing costs and improving efficiency by maintaining consistent terminal positions during charging and discharging.
Implementation Method 1
forming bag shapes which are capable of expanding and contracting in at least the thickness direction in accordance with fluid pressure of working fluid sealed inside the spacers
Data Source
AI summary
A pressurization device (10) has a housing (11) accommodating a plurality of battery cells (1) and a plurality of spacers (12) fixed to housing (11) at even intervals in the thickness direction and forming bag shapes capable of expanding and contracting in accordance with air pressure. In a state in which the spacers (12) have been contracted, each space larger than the dimensions of the battery cells (1) in the thickness direction is maintained between adjacent spacers (12). In a state in which the spacers (12) have been expanded by increasing the air pressure inside the spacers (12) by an air apparatus (13), the adjacent spacers (12) pressurize the battery cells (1) in the thickness direction.