Particulate Battery Busbar Structure for Reversible Cell Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery cell interconnection methods using rigid metal busbars are irreversible, making it difficult to disconnect or recycle cells safely and efficiently, especially for security or transport purposes.
Innovation Solution
An interconnection structure featuring a receptacle with conductive elements that can be easily introduced or evacuated, allowing for rapid connection and disconnection without welding, and facilitating dismantling and recycling, using a cluster of conductive elements with semi-fluid behavior and a movable shutter for evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid metal busbars are used for cell interconnection, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but reversibility and ease of disconnection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a fluid (liquid metal or conductive slurry) instead of rigid metal busbars to create electrical connections between cells. The fluid is introduced into a receptacle through a first opening and makes contact with the cells, providing reliable electrical connection while allowing easy disconnection by removing the fluid through a second opening, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and ease of disconnection.
2Strength
If welding is used to assemble busbars to cells, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical welding process with a simpler fluid injection process. Instead of welding rigid busbars to cells, the conductive fluid is introduced into a receptacle where it naturally makes contact with the cells, providing adequate electrical connection without requiring complex welding equipment or skilled labor, thus reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining sufficient connection strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid busbar structures are used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability for different configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic conductive fluid that can be introduced or removed from the receptacle based on operational requirements. This allows the electrical connection configuration to be changed dynamically - cells can be connected or disconnected as needed - providing high adaptability for different battery configurations while the receptacle structure maintains structural stability during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and cost-effective rapid connection and disconnection of battery cells, enhances safety during assembly, disassembly, transport, and potential overheating management through cooling fluid passage, and simplifies recycling without damaging the cells.
Implementation Method 1
a receiving receptacle for a set of conductive elements, the receptacle being provided with at least one first wall, advantageously insulating, extending opposite a first contact zone, connected to a negative or positive terminal of at least one first cell and a first contact zone, connected to a negative or positive terminal of at least one second cell
Implementation Method 2
the outlet opening being distinct from the receiving opening and arranged downstream of the receiving opening so as to allow the evacuation of the conductive elements from the receptacle by action of the force of gravity on the conductive elements
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Interconnection structure (2A) for connecting cells (C1, C2) of a battery, said interconnection structure comprising: a receiving receptacle (10) for a set of conductive elements (21), said receptacle having at least one wall (11, 111) extending opposite a first contact zone (Z11), connected to a negative or positive terminal of at least one first cell (C1), and a first contact zone (Z12), connected to a negative or positive terminal of at least one second cell (C2) of a group of cells (C1, C2), said receiving receptacle containing an array of conductive elements (21) in contact with each other, and suitable for being arranged between said wall (11, 111) and said first contact zones (Z11, Z12) of said first cell (C1) and second cell (C2), said receptacle comprising at least one opening (31,41) to allow the said conductive elements (21) to be introduced into said receptacle and/or the said conductive elements (21) to be removed from said receptacle.