Parallel Peripheral Battery Pack Cable Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cable connecting structure of battery packs requires large connectors and significant space for wiring, making the battery pack less compact and inefficient in terms of space utilization.

Innovation Solution

The cable connecting structure involves arranging battery pack side connectors in parallel along the peripheral wall with inclined axes, allowing cables to extend parallel to each other and separate from the wall, reducing the size of connectors and the required wiring space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single connector is used to connect two cables to the battery pack, then the wiring work is facilitated, but the connector size becomes large and the battery pack peripheral face size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring work facilitationVSAvoidbattery pack peripheral face size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a single connector into multiple separate connectors (first cable side connector and second cable side connector). Each connector handles one cable independently, allowing them to be arranged in parallel along the peripheral wall. This segmentation reduces the size of each individual connector and the overall peripheral face area required, while still facilitating wiring work through modular connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the connector axis is perpendicular to the peripheral face, then the connection is straightforward, but a large space is required for wiring the cables around the peripheral face

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection straightforwardnessVSAvoidwiring space around peripheral face
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the arrangement from a perpendicular connection (single dimension) to a parallel arrangement along the peripheral wall (multiple dimensions). The cable side connectors are positioned at different locations along the peripheral wall, allowing cables to be routed in multiple directions rather than all extending perpendicularly. This dimensional change reduces the wiring space required around the peripheral face.

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

3Device complexity

If multiple cables are connected through a single connector, then the connector structure becomes simplified, but the connector and battery pack face size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector structure complexityVSAvoidbattery pack face size
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connector system into multiple independent cable side connectors, each handling a single cable connection. While this increases the number of connector components, each individual connector remains simple in structure. The segmented connectors are arranged in parallel along the peripheral wall, distributing the connection points and reducing the concentrated area required on the battery pack face.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2962882B1Cable connecting structure of battery pack
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
  • EP2962882B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2962882B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2962882B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A cable connecting structure of a battery pack, the battery pack (18) which is provided in a vehicle, the cable connecting structure includes: a plurality of cable side connectors (24) which are provided at ends of a plurality of cables (22), respectively, and which are connected to the battery pack; and a plurality of battery pack side connectors (20) to which the cable side connectors are detachably mounted, and which are arranged in parallel along a peripheral direction of a peripheral wall (1805) of the battery pack. In a state where the cable side connectors (24) are mounted to the battery pack side connectors (20), portions of the cables (22) which are respectively withdrawn from the cable side connectors are extended along the peripheral wall (1805).