Pneumatic Battery Contact Module for Variable Pouch Cell Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging and discharging devices face challenges in uniformly pressurizing pouch-type batteries with different thicknesses, leading to degraded contact reliability and potential damage to electrodes and contact modules.
Innovation Solution
A contact module design featuring spaced copper plates with integrated air pockets that expand or contract under pneumatic pressure, supported by a body, allowing for adjustable pressure distribution and enhanced contact reliability across varying battery thicknesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pressurization plates are used to pressurize multiple pouch-type batteries simultaneously, then the charging and discharging test can be performed on multiple batteries, but the pressure is transferred disproportionately causing damage to electrodes or contact modules when batteries have different thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pressurization function into individual segments by providing separate contact modules for each battery position. Each contact module can independently adjust and apply pressure to its corresponding battery, ensuring uniform pressure distribution even when batteries have different thicknesses. This segmentation prevents the disproportionate pressure transfer that occurs with unified pressurization plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment capability to the contact modules, allowing each module to adapt its pressurization force according to the actual battery thickness. This dynamic adjustment ensures that each battery receives appropriate pressure regardless of thickness variations, maintaining contact reliability while enabling simultaneous testing of multiple batteries with different specifications.
2Reliability
If springs are provided in contact modules to heighten contact performance, then the contact reliability is improved, but the elastic restoring force becomes lowered through usage over time making it difficult to perform the spring function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the long-lasting but degrading spring mechanism with a disposable or replaceable elastic member that can be easily renewed. This elastic member provides the necessary elastic restoring force for contact performance but can be replaced when its force diminishes, avoiding the gradual degradation issue of permanent spring structures while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the elastic member material or structure to maintain consistent elastic restoring force over extended usage periods. By selecting materials or designs with superior fatigue resistance or by adjusting elastic properties, the system maintains reliable contact performance throughout the intended service life without significant force degradation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If dummy cells are disposed between contact modules where no battery is placed, then the contact modules can be uniformly positioned, but the charging and discharging work becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the contact modules dynamically adjustable rather than fixed in uniform positions. Each contact module can independently move to accommodate the actual battery placement, eliminating the need for dummy cells to maintain position uniformity. This dynamic positioning capability simplifies operation by allowing direct placement of batteries without requiring filler dummy cells in empty positions.
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
Ensures consistent pressure across multiple pouch-type batteries during charging and discharging tests, maintains contact reliability by adjusting air pocket expansion, and prevents damage by buffering the pressurizing force, eliminating the need for dummy cells and simplifying the testing process.
Implementation Method 1
a first air pocket and a second air pocket combined with inner side surfaces of the first contact part copper plate and the second contact part copper plate, respectively, and configured to expand or contract by a pneumatic pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A contact module of a device for charging and discharging a battery is disclosed. The contact module includes: a first contact part copper plate and a second contact part copper plate disposed to be spaced apart from each other; a first air pocket and a second air pocket combined with inner side surfaces of the first contact part copper plate and the second contact part copper plate, respectively, and configured to expand or contract by a pneumatic pressure; and a support body disposed between the first air pocket and the second air pocket and configured to support the first air pocket and the second air pocket being spaced apart from each other.