Hinged Battery Terminal Cover for Debris Protection and Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Battery terminals in battery modules are often exposed, making them susceptible to debris contact during transportation, which can affect performance when the module is in operation.
Innovation Solution
A battery terminal cover that adjusts between a shrouding and exposing position via a hinge mechanism, allowing the cover to protect the terminal during non-operation and expose it during operation, ensuring proper electrical coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery terminal is exposed for easy access during operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the terminal becomes susceptible to debris contact during transportation, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal cover is designed to be movable between two positions: a first position that exposes the terminal for easy access during operation, and a second position that covers the terminal to protect it from debris during transportation. This dynamic structure allows the system to adapt to different operational states, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is pre-configured to automatically or manually move to the protective second position before transportation begins, and to the exposed first position before operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures the terminal is protected during transportation without requiring active intervention during transit, while maintaining ease of access during operation.
2Reliability
If the battery terminal is covered to prevent debris contact, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cover structure enables the system to dynamically switch between protection mode (second position) and operation mode (first position). This resolves the contradiction by ensuring the terminal is protected during transportation while remaining easily accessible during operation, as the cover can be moved between positions based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover structure is segmented into a movable terminal cover portion and a fixed housing portion. This segmentation allows the terminal cover to independently move between covering and exposing positions, enabling selective protection and access without affecting the overall battery module structure or other components.
3Manufacturing precision
If a fixed cover structure is used to protect the terminal, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates as the cover cannot adjust between protection and exposure states
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure incorporates a hinge mechanism that provides controlled movement between defined positions. This dynamic design maintains manufacturing precision through standardized hinge components and defined position stops, while simultaneously providing adaptability by allowing the cover to switch between the protective second position and the exposed first position based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable cover structure serves multiple functions: it provides protection during transportation, enables easy access during operation, and maintains a stable fixed structure when in either position. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the same structural element adaptable to different operational states without requiring multiple separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a battery system, comprising: a battery module comprising a housing; a battery terminal disposed on a first side of the housing of the battery module; and a cover disposed on the housing, wherein the cover comprises a battery terminal cover extending from the cover and configured to adjust between a first position and a second position, wherein the battery terminal cover, in the first position, is configured to at least partially shroud the battery terminal, and wherein the battery terminal cover, in the second position, is configured to expose the battery terminal.