Flexible Battery Terminal Connector for Repeatable Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for connecting electrochemical accumulator cell terminals are either destructive to the terminals or result in increased mass and volume due to the use of additional frames or clips.
Innovation Solution
A connection device featuring a housing with primary and secondary housings, a contact member made of conductive material that moves between connection and disconnection positions, and a control tool that drives the contact member to establish and break connections without damaging the terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crimping or soldering connection terminals is used, then electrical connection is achieved, but the connection terminals are severely damaged and connection repeatability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connection device as an intermediary component between two connection terminals. This device includes a housing with insulating material, a contact member that makes electrical contact with the terminals, and a control tool that actuates the contact member. The intermediary device enables connection and disconnection without direct damage to the terminals themselves, as the contact member is designed to engage and disengage cleanly from the terminal surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection device is segmented into distinct functional components: a housing structure, a contact member, and a control tool. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the housing provides insulation and structural support, the contact member makes electrical contact, and the control tool enables actuation. This modular approach prevents concentrated stress on the terminals while achieving reliable connection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If frames with connection means are used to protect terminals, then terminal integrity is maintained, but mass and volume of the assembly increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The housing of the connection device is made of electrically insulating material that provides protection while maintaining a compact form. The housing encloses the contact member and provides structural support without requiring additional heavy frames. The insulating material serves dual purposes: electrical isolation and mechanical protection, reducing the need for separate protective structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection device merges multiple functions into a single compact unit: the housing provides both electrical insulation and structural protection, while the contact member integrates the electrical contact function. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate heavy frames that would otherwise be required to protect the terminals, achieving protection with minimal mass increase.
3Ease of operation
If connection clips with localized tightening are used, then connection is achieved, but marking on the terminal occurs and connection repeatability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member is designed to be movable between a retracted position and a connected position, actuated by the control tool. This dynamic design allows the contact member to engage the terminal with controlled force, make electrical contact, and then disengage cleanly. The movable nature of the contact member prevents permanent deformation or marking on the terminal surface, enabling repeated connection and disconnection cycles.
4Device complexity
If direct contact between terminals is used, then connection is simple, but the fragile thin terminals (thickness < 0.5mm) are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member serves as an intermediary between the control tool and the terminal. It is designed with appropriate mechanical properties to transfer force from the control tool while distributing the contact pressure evenly across the terminal surface. This intermediary approach protects the fragile terminal (thickness < 0.5mm) from concentrated stress that would cause damage, while still enabling reliable electrical connection.
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 allows for repeated connection and disconnection of electrochemical accumulator cell terminals without damaging them, while minimizing additional mass and volume, ensuring efficient and non-destructive electrical contact.
Implementation Method 1
a contact member (32) which is carried by the housing (20) and which is made of electrically conductive material, the contact member (32) comprising an end (34) which is movable in the housing (20) between a disconnection position in which it is intended to be located vertically at a distance from the terminal (16) and a connection position in which the end (34) of the contact member (32) is intended to bear vertically against the terminal (16)
Implementation Method 2
a control tool (38) which is movable relative to the housing (20) between a disconnection position in which the tool (38) is located at a distance from the contact member (32) and a connection position in which the tool (38) cooperates with the contact member (32) and drives the contact member (32) in movement from its disconnection position to its connection position
Implementation Method 3
a contact member (32) which is carried by the housing (20) and which is made of electrically conductive material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Connection device (18) for a terminal (16) in the form of a sheet of conductive material oriented horizontally, the connection device comprising: a housing (20) made of electrically insulating material delimiting a primary housing (22) at least partially receiving said terminal (16); a contact member (32) made of conductive material, carried by the housing (20) and comprising an end (34) which is movable in the housing (20) between a disconnection position in which it is located vertically at a distance from the terminal (16) and a connection position in which said end (34) bears vertically against the terminal (16); and a control tool (38), movable relative to the housing (20) between a disconnection position in which the tool is located at a distance from the contact member (32) and a connection position in which the tool can move the contact member from its disconnection position to the connection position.