Movable Bus Bar Connection Unit for Battery Pack Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection units for battery packs face limitations in accommodating variations in the length of storage elements, as the deformation of tolerance absorption portions is restricted, making it difficult to adjust the distance between bus bar accommodation portions for secure connection.
Innovation Solution
A connection unit featuring a rail member with movable bus bar units that can adjust independently along the rail, allowing for flexible assembly and integration of a gas discharge path and temperature sensor, reducing component count and improving assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a tolerance absorption portion is provided between two bus bar accommodation portions to adjust distance, then the bus bars can be connected to single cells with dimensional variations, but the deformation of the tolerance absorption portion is limited and cannot widen the distance enough to accommodate the variations
Solution Approach 1:
The connection unit is divided into multiple independent bus bar units (20), each comprising a bus bar (10) and an engagement portion (21). These units can be independently positioned along the rail member (30), allowing individual adjustment of distances between adjacent bus bar units to accommodate variations in single cell dimensions without relying on deformation of a tolerance absorption portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement portions (21) are designed to be movable along the rail member (30) in the longitudinal direction, enabling dynamic adjustment of the positions of bus bar units. This movability allows the system to adapt to dimensional variations in single cells by repositioning bus bar units independently, rather than relying on limited elastic deformation of a fixed tolerance absorption portion.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are provided for gas discharge and temperature sensing, then each function can be performed independently, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement rail (40), outlet portion (60) for gas discharge, and mounting portion (70) for temperature sensor are formed integrally as a single piece. This integration reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the independent functionality of each feature: the outlet portion provides gas discharge paths, the mounting portion accommodates temperature sensors, and the engagement rail supports movable bus bar units.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail member (30) serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a support structure for movable bus bar units, provides engagement rails (40) for positioning, incorporates outlet portions (60) for gas discharge, and includes mounting portions (70) for temperature sensors. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining all necessary functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A connection unit of the present invention includes: a rail member extending in a direction where a plurality of storage elements is aligned; and a plurality of bus bar units each including an engagement portion movable along the rail member in the predetermined direction, and a bus bar fixed to electrode terminals of the storage elements adjacent to each other in the predetermined direction and connected to the engagement portion. The plurality of bus bar units engages with the rail member so as to be aligned in the predetermined direction, and the bus bar units adjacent to each other are provided so as to be movable independently along the predetermined direction. Entire assembly tolerance in the plurality of storage elements aligned in the predetermined direction can be absorbed (permitted) by adjusting distances between the independent bus bar units, thereby making it possible to easily assemble the plurality of bus bars.