Flexible Battery Cell Retainer for Outdoor Power Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery packs used in handheld and outdoor power equipment face challenges in managing thermal characteristics and withstanding harsh environments due to rigid cell retention structures that hinder cooling and absorb impact forces, leading to decreased performance or failure.

Innovation Solution

A flexible cell retention structure that forms cell reception slots with serpentine or sinuous shapes, allowing for effective airflow and impact absorption by engaging cells over a limited periphery, enabling the use of cells of different sizes within the same structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rigid cell retention structures are used to securely hold battery cells, then cell retention stability is improved, but thermal management capability deteriorates due to hindered airflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell retention stabilityVSAvoidthermal management capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible cell retention structures made of elastomeric materials that can deform and flex. These flexible structures maintain secure cell retention while allowing airflow passages to remain open, thus improving thermal management capability without sacrificing retention stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cell retention structures are designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing them to flex and adapt to thermal expansion and airflow requirements. This dynamic flexibility enables the structures to maintain retention stability while accommodating thermal management needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If rigid cell retention structures are used to provide structural support, then structural strength is improved, but impact resistance deteriorates due to inability to absorb impact forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible elastomeric cell retention structures can deform under impact forces, absorbing shock and protecting battery cells from damage. This flexibility provides impact resistance while the overall assembly maintains sufficient structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible retention structures act as pre-configured cushioning elements that deform during impact events, absorbing impact forces before they can reach the battery cells. This beforehand cushioning protects cells from impact damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Manufacturing precision

If custom cell retention structures are designed for each cell size, then cell retention precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell retention precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cell retention structures are designed as universal components that can accommodate multiple cell sizes and configurations. A single flexible retainer design can adapt to different cell dimensions through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for multiple custom-designed retainers for different cell types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible retention structures utilize changes in physical parameters (elastic deformation, flexing) to adapt to different cell sizes. This allows a single retention structure design to maintain precise retention across various cell dimensions without requiring multiple specialized designs.

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

The flexible cell retention structure enhances cooling efficiency and mitigates impact damage while accommodating various cell sizes, improving the robustness and performance of battery packs in harsh conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible cell retention structure enhances cooling efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

mitigates impact damage when the battery pack encounters impact forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10347954B2Flexible battery cell retainer

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 HUSQVARNA AB

AI summary

A cell retainer assembly (130) for a battery powered, outdoor power equipment device includes a plurality of cell reception slots (140) configured to receive and retain respective ones of battery cells (120) and a plurality of cell retention structures (180). At least some of the cell reception slots (140) are formed by corresponding ones of the cell retention structures (180). At least one cell retention structure (180) are configured to extend around a periphery of a portion of a corresponding battery cell (120) inserted therein. The cell retention structure includes a series of cell engaging portions (184) separated from each other by respective spacing portions (188). The at least one cell retention structure (180) may be formed of flexible material.