Recessed Battery Cell Terminals for Compact Pack Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery cell designs with protruding electrode terminals and confluence components increase the size of the battery, reduce space utilization, and complicate the assembly process, thereby lowering energy density and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The battery cell design incorporates a housing with recesses to accommodate electrode terminals, allowing for internal connections without the need for confluence bars, simplifying assembly and enhancing space utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional battery cell designs with protruding electrode terminals and confluence components are used, then electrical connections can be established, but the size of the battery increases and space utilization is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery sizeVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrode terminals with the housing structure by forming integral connection structures where the terminals are directly embedded in or formed as part of the housing. This eliminates the need for separate confluence components and reduces the overall battery volume while maintaining electrical connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode terminals are nested within recesses or cavities of the housing structure, allowing the terminals to be accommodated within the housing volume rather than protruding outward. This nesting approach reduces the external dimensions of the battery while preserving the electrical connection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If confluence components are used to connect electrode terminals, then electrical connections are established, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the separate confluence components from the battery structure. Instead of using additional connection pieces, the housing itself is designed with integrated terminal structures that directly provide electrical connections, thereby simplifying the assembly process and reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is given multiple functions: it serves both as the protective enclosure and as the electrical connection structure. The integral connection structures within the housing perform both mechanical support and electrical conduction functions, eliminating the need for dedicated confluence components and simplifying the overall assembly process.

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

3Quantity of substance

If electrode terminals protrude from the housing, then electrical connections can be made, but space utilization is reduced and energy density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode terminals are nested within recesses or cavities formed in the housing structure. This allows the terminals to be contained within the housing volume rather than extending outward, maximizing space utilization and enabling higher energy density by allowing more active materials to be packed into the same external dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4407757B1Battery cell, method and system for manufacturing battery cell, battery and electrical apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4407757B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4407757B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4407757B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present application provide a battery cell, a method and a system for manufacturing the battery cell, a battery, and an electrical apparatus. The battery cell includes a housing, an electrode component, a first electrode terminal, and a second electrode terminal. An outer surface of the housing includes a first surface and a second surface oppositely arranged along a first direction, and two third surfaces oppositely arranged along a second direction, each of the third surfaces is connected to the first surface and the second surface, the housing is provided with a recess recessed relative to the first surface, and at least one end of the recess along the second direction extends to the third surface. An electrode component is accommodated within the housing. The first electrode terminal is configured to be electrically connected to the electrode component, and at least a part of the first electrode terminal is accommodated within the recess. The second electrode terminal is configured to be electrically connected to the electrode component and protrudes from the second surface. Under a condition that a plurality of battery cells are arranged along the first direction, the recess of the battery cell is configured to accommodate at least a part of a second electrode terminal of an adjacent battery cell, so that the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal are electrically connected.