Integrated Lead Terminal Design for Battery Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electricity storage modules require time-consuming operations for connecting lead terminals and detection terminals as the number of power storage elements increases, necessitating a simplification of this process.

Innovation Solution

The electricity storage module integrates lead terminals with both terminal connection and detection terminal portions, eliminating the need for separate detection terminals and simplifying the connection process by using the same metal material for these components and incorporating holding members with terminal accommodation portions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of power storage elements increases, then the electricity storage module can store more energy, but the number of detection terminals increases and the connection operation becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of power storage elementsVSAvoidconnection operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lead terminal is designed to integrate both the terminal connection portion for electrical connection and the detection terminal portion for state detection. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate detection terminals, thereby reducing the number of connection operations required when power storage elements are increased.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lead terminal serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection through the terminal connection portion and enables state detection through the detection terminal portion. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing assembly time as the system scales.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate detection terminals are used, then detection functionality is provided, but the connection operation between lead terminals and detection terminals becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection functionalityVSAvoidconnection operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lead terminal integrates both connection and detection functions into a single component. The terminal connection portion maintains electrical connection while the detection terminal portion provides state detection, eliminating the need for separate detection terminals and simplifying the connection operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If different metal materials are used for lead terminals and detection terminals, then functional requirements are met, but corrosion occurs at the contact portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidcorrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lead terminal is made of a single metal material that is homogeneous throughout both the terminal connection portion and the detection terminal portion. This eliminates galvanic corrosion that would occur at the interface between dissimilar metals, while still meeting all functional requirements for electrical connection and state detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentEP3211690B1Power storage module
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 AUTONETWORKS TECH LTD
  • EP3211690B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3211690B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3211690B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electricity storage module includes a power storage element group (11) obtained by stacking a plurality of power storage elements (12) each having a lead terminal (13) that protrudes from a side edge. The lead terminals (13) are each provided with a terminal connection portion (17) for electrically connecting the lead terminals (13) that are adjacent in a direction in which the power storage elements (12) are stacked, and a detection terminal portion (18) that is electrically connectable to a device for detecting and controlling states of the respective power storage element (12).