Power Storage Device Movement Restricting Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power storage devices, such as batteries and capacitors, face damage and deformation when subjected to external shocks due to movement of the electrode body within the can, leading to potential current shutoff and internal component damage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a movement restricting member with an electrode-body bonding portion and an extended portion that contacts the can's inner surface to prevent electrode body movement during impacts, utilizing materials like insulating resin for rigidity and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electrode body is freely housed in the can without restriction, then the ease of manufacture and assembly is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to movement and damage under external shocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode body stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movement restricting member is pre-installed in the can before the electrode body is placed, creating a predetermined restriction structure that prevents electrode body movement without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments or additional components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The movement restricting member is designed as a thin plate-like structure that provides effective movement restriction while maintaining flexibility in installation and minimizing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the extended portion of the movement restricting member has high rigidity to prevent deformation during impact, then the reliability is improved, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidmovement restricting member weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The movement restricting member exhibits different rigidity characteristics in different directions: high rigidity in the thickness direction (perpendicular to the plate surface) to resist impact forces, while maintaining flexibility in the plane direction to allow for thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances, thus achieving impact resistance without excessive weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the extended portion protrudes significantly beyond the electrode body to effectively contact the can inner surface, then the movement restriction effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement restriction effectivenessVSAvoidmovement restricting member geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movement restricting member serves multiple functions with a single structure: it restricts electrode body movement, provides mechanical support, and acts as a shock absorber during impacts, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4203124A1Power storage device
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4203124A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4203124A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4203124A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power storage device (1) is provided with a movement restricting member (30) including: an electrode-body bonding portion (31) bonded to a fixing surface (20Amh, 20Bmh) of a thickness-direction outside surface (20Aml, 20Am2, 20Bml, 20Bm2) of outer surfaces (20Am, 20Bm) of an electrode body (20A, 20B); and an extended portion (33) extending from the electrode-body bonding portion (31) and protruding more than the electrode body (20A, 20B) in a movement restricting direction (SH1, SH2, SH3, SH4). When the electrode body (20A, 20B) moves in the movement restricting direction (SH1, SH2, SH3, SH4), the extended portion (33) contacts an inner peripheral surface (10n) of a can (10), thereby restricting the electrode body (20A, 20B) from moving in the movement restricting direction (SH1, SH2, SH3, SH4).