Flexible Cable Voltage Tapping for Electrochemical Cell Stacks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochemical systems face challenges with mechanically stable and vibration-resistant voltage tapping, as traditional pin-based connectors are prone to short-circuits and deformation issues due to varying cell spacings, leading to potential stack destruction.

Innovation Solution

A flexible electrical cable is integrated between separator plates in an electrochemical cell, allowing for compression and secure fastening, enabling universal voltage tapping without spacing dependency and reducing the risk of short-circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional pin-based connectors are used for voltage tapping, then electrical contact can be established, but the connection is prone to short-circuits and deformation due to varying cell spacings and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage tapping reliabilityVSAvoidconnector stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid pin-based connectors with a flexible cable that can accommodate variations in cell spacing and resist vibrations without deforming or causing short-circuits. The flexible cable maintains reliable electrical contact while adapting to mechanical variations in the stack assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible cable introduces dynamic adaptability to the voltage tapping system, allowing it to respond to changes in cell spacing and vibration conditions rather than relying on a fixed rigid structure. This dynamic characteristic prevents contact loss and short-circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid connectors are used to ensure mechanical stability, then electrical contact is maintained, but they cannot accommodate variations in cell spacing leading to deformation and potential short-circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidspacing accommodation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cable serves as a versatile connector that can adapt to different cell spacings while maintaining stable electrical contact. Its flexibility allows it to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and operational variations without deformation or short-circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If pin-based connectors are used for voltage tapping, then electrical contact can be established, but they are susceptible to vibrations causing contact loss and short-circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage measurement reliabilityVSAvoidvibration susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cable inherently resists vibration-induced contact loss by conforming to mechanical disturbances rather than maintaining a brittle fixed position. This flexibility prevents vibration from causing short-circuits or contact separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible cable acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and dampens vibration effects before they can transmit to the electrical contact points, protecting the voltage tapping system from vibration-related failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11664506B2Cell for an electrochemical system, having a flexible electrical cable for tapping off an electrical voltage

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 REINZ DICHTUNGS G M B H

AI summary

The present document relates to a cell for an electrochemical system, comprising two separator plates, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) arranged between the separator plates, and at least one flexible electrical cable for tapping off an electrical voltage. The separator plates, the MEA and the cable can be compressed with one another, the flexible cable has a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion is arranged for fastening between the separator plates, and the second end portion protrudes laterally from the cell.