Flexible Outer Shell Power Supply Device for Machine Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional energy supply devices for machine tools with rigid outer walls are prone to bursting due to thermal loads and chemical reactions, leading to inefficient heat dissipation and potential hazards, especially when handling high discharge currents.

Innovation Solution

The energy supply device features cells with flexible outer casings that can change volume and surface area in response to temperature and pressure changes, allowing for improved heat dissipation and enhanced robustness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional cells with rigid outer walls are used, then mechanical protection and stackability are improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates and risk of bursting increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical protectionVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a flexible outer shell instead of rigid walls, allowing the cell to expand and contract with thermal and chemical volume changes. This flexible shell maintains mechanical integrity while enabling better thermal management through volume adaptation, directly resolving the contradiction between mechanical protection and heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If rigid outer walls are used, then ease of arrangement and stackability are improved, but adaptability to thermal and chemical changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestackabilityVSAvoidadaptability to thermal changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic cell volume capability through the flexible outer shell, allowing the cell to adapt its size in response to thermal and chemical conditions. This dynamic adaptation maintains stackability while adding the necessary adaptability to environmental changes, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If high discharge currents are handled, then power requirements are met, but heat generation increases leading to potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge current capabilityVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of thermal expansion into a beneficial mechanism for heat dissipation. The flexible outer shell allows the cell to expand when heated by high discharge currents, creating increased surface area for heat release and preventing dangerous temperature buildup, thus transforming the potential harm into a protective feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This design significantly enhances heat dissipation and the robustness of the energy supply device, enabling it to handle high discharge currents and power requirements without risking damage or user safety.

Implementation Method 1

the flexible outer shell allows the at least one cell of the proposed power supply device to 'breathe,' i.e., to accommodate any volume changes in the interior of the cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

the heat dissipation of the cells can be significantly improved by the flexible outer shell and the resulting volume changes of the cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4191755A1Power supply device with a flexible outer shell and machine tool comprising such a power supply device
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 HILTI AG
  • EP4191755A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4191755A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4191755A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a power supply device, in particular for a machine tool, wherein the power supply device comprises at least one cell and wherein the at least one cell has a flexible outer shell, at least partially or in certain areas. The at least one cell can have a surface area or a volume, wherein the size of the surface area or the volume is variable depending on cell parameters. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a machine tool with a proposed power supply device.