Foldable Adapter Assembly With Stress-Limiting Bend Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy storage devices suffer from a low service life due to the breakage of bendable connecting portions in the adapter assembly, which are prone to stress and potential short circuits from metal chips during assembly and use.
Innovation Solution
An adapter assembly with a limiting member between the connecting portions that absorbs and disperses stress during bending, includes insulating films to prevent short circuits, and a movable rotary cover to guide bending, ensuring structural integrity and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the bendable connecting portion is made thin to reduce adapter thickness, then the adapter assembly becomes more compact, but the bendable connecting portion becomes prone to breakage due to excessive stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a limiting member as an intermediary component between the first and second connecting portions. This limiting member has a limiting face that abuts against the bendable connecting portion, preventing it from bending beyond a predetermined angle and thus avoiding breakage while allowing the bendable connecting portion to remain thin
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting member is positioned in advance to provide protective cushioning to the bendable connecting portion. By pre-positioning the limiting face to abut against the bendable connecting portion, the system prevents excessive stress accumulation before breakage can occur
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bendable connecting portion is made flexible to enable folding, then the adapter can be received between the electrode assembly and top cover, but the bendable connecting portion becomes susceptible to stress fatigue and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting member acts as a mediator that guides the bending process of the flexible bendable connecting portion. The limiting face provides a controlled abutment point that ensures the bendable connecting portion folds along the intended path without accumulating damaging stress
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the bendable connecting portion, specifically setting the bending angle to be less than 180 degrees by using the limiting member to constrain the bending extent. This parameter control allows flexibility for folding while preventing excessive bending that would cause fatigue
3Reliability
If metal chips are present during assembly to enable electrical connection, then the adapter can conduct electricity, but metal chips may cause short circuits between the first and second connecting portions
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting member serves as an insulating intermediary between the first and second connecting portions. This insulating component prevents metal chips from causing short circuits while still allowing the adapter to maintain its electrical connection function through the bendable connecting portion
Data Source
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AI summary
An adapter assembly, an energy storage device and a power consuming apparatus are provided. The adapter assembly includes an adapter and a limiting member. The adapter includes a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a bendable connecting portion connected between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The limiting member is located between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion foldable with respect to each other, and is insulated from the adapter. The limiting member has a limiting face configured to abut against the bendable connecting portion, and the bendable connecting portion is configured to rotate and bend around the limiting face. The limiting member can absorb and disperse the stress of the bendable connecting portion when it is being bent. The adapter is easier to bend, avoiding short circuit, and the adapter is configured to be foldable, so that space can be saved.