Electric Storage Terminal Structure for Flush Case Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electric storage devices, such as lithium ion secondary batteries, have a limited loading space due to the protruding outside connecting part of the electrical collector terminal, which reduces the loading efficiency of electric products.

Innovation Solution

The electric storage device is configured with an electrode assembly, a case with a terminal attachment hole, an insulating material that covers the terminal attachment hole, and a current collector that is electrically connected to the electrode assembly. The current collector is positioned to cover the terminal attachment hole via the insulating material and is sealed within it, allowing for an electrically conductive passage to the outside without protruding parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an outside connecting part protrudes to the case outside, then electrical connectivity to external components is achieved, but the loading efficiency of the electric storage device is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidloading efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal part is nested within the case boundary by positioning it inward, eliminating the need for protruding connecting parts. The insulating material is integrally molded with both the case member and the electrical collector terminal, creating a nested structure where the terminal is contained within the case volume while maintaining external electrical connectivity through the terminal attachment hole.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal part is repositioned from a protruding external structure to an internal structure that extends through the terminal attachment hole. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the terminal to maintain electrical connectivity functionality while being contained within the case's three-dimensional boundary, thus improving loading efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the terminal part is positioned inward, then loading efficiency is improved, but hermetic sealing of the case becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading efficiencyVSAvoidhermetic sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating material is integrally molded with both the case member and the electrical collector terminal, creating a unified sealed structure. This merging of components ensures hermetic sealing at the interface between the terminal and case, eliminating potential leakage paths while allowing the terminal part to be positioned inward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating material serves as an intermediary element that seals the terminal attachment hole and interfaces between the terminal part and the case. This intermediary structure maintains hermetic sealing while accommodating the inward-positioned terminal part, resolving the conflict between compact positioning and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the insulating material is integrally molded with the case member and terminal, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing precisionVSAvoidmolding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating material is integrally molded with the case member and electrical collector terminal in a single manufacturing process. This merging of multiple components into one molding operation improves sealing precision by eliminating assembly interfaces, while the integrated design actually simplifies the overall manufacturing process despite the complex geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4507076A1Electric storage device and electric storage unit
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4507076A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4507076A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4507076A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The herein disclosed electric storage device 1 includes a case, an insulating material, and a current collector. The current collector is arranged to cover a terminal attachment hole via an insulating material 30, is joined to the insulating material. The current collector includes a terminal part exposed to an outer side of the case through the terminal attachment hole, and can be electrically connected to an outside member. Then, the terminal part is positioned at an inward more than an outer surface of the case. In accordance with such a configuration, it is possible to implement forming an electrically conductive passage to an outside of the case and hermetically sealing an inside of the case, and it is possible to enhance the loading efficiency of the electric product.