Battery Pack Pipe Connection With Clearance Fit Tolerance Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high accuracy requirements for the assembly of pipe components and thermal management assemblies in battery packs lead to unreliable connections, complicating the design and assembly process.

Innovation Solution

A pipe connection structure featuring a first and second pipe joint with fitting structures and a limiting structure that allows for a clearance fit, enabling the joints to move relative to each other, thereby absorbing assembly tolerances and reducing the need for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high assembly accuracy is required for pipe component and thermal management assembly connection, then connection reliability is improved, but assembly complexity and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism through the adjustable connection structure, allowing the pipe component to move relative to the thermal management assembly within a controlled range. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to assembly tolerances without requiring high precision, thereby improving connection reliability while reducing assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection parameter from fixed to adjustable by incorporating the adjustable connection structure with movable connection portions. This parameter change allows the connection to accommodate variations in assembly accuracy, resolving the contradiction between reliability and assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high assembly accuracy is required for pipe component and thermal management assembly connection, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable connection structure enables dynamic positioning of the pipe component relative to the thermal management assembly. This dynamic feature absorbs manufacturing tolerances and simplifies the assembly process, making it easier to manufacture and assemble while maintaining reliable connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connection structure incorporates self-adjusting features that automatically compensate for assembly inaccuracies. The movable connection portions self-align and self-adjust during assembly, reducing the skill level and precision required for manual assembly operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If fixed connection structure is used between pipe component and thermal management assembly, then structural simplicity is maintained, but assembly tolerance compensation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidassembly tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed connection into an adjustable dynamic connection that can move within a controlled range. This dynamic capability provides assembly tolerance compensation while maintaining relatively simple structural design, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and tolerance compensation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4585841A1Pipe connection structure, thermal management assembly and battery pack
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 EVE ENERGY CO LTD
  • EP4585841A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4585841A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4585841A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A pipe connection structure includes a first pipe joint (111), a second pipe joint (112) and a limiting structure (113); the second pipe joint (112) and the first pipe joint (111) are connected through insertion, an outer surface of the second pipe joint (112) is provided with a first fitting structure (1121), an end of the limiting structure (113) is connected to the first pipe joint (111), and another end is provided with a second fitting structure (1131); in a direction of the insertion, the second fitting structure (1131) and the first fitting structure (1121) are fitted to block each other, and the second fitting structure (1131) and the first fitting structure (1121) are fitted with a clearance.