One-Piece Ribbed Hood for Stable Electrochemical Element Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochemical assemblies complicate assembly, increase mass, and make it difficult due to the use of specific components to maintain electrochemical elements in position, which complicates the assembly process and increases weight.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical assembly design featuring a hood made in one piece with ribs that holds electrochemical elements in position along the longitudinal and transverse directions, eliminating the need for additional retaining devices and enhancing stability by preventing movement in the elevation direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If specific retaining devices are used to maintain electrochemical elements in position, then the elements are securely held in place, but the assembly complexity increases and the mass increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stability of electrochemical elementsVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the retaining function directly into the hood structure by adding ribs to the inner surface, eliminating the need for separate retaining devices. The hood combines multiple functions (protection, positioning, and retention) into a single component, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining position stability of the electrochemical elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If specific retaining devices are used to maintain electrochemical elements in position, then the elements are securely held in place, but the mass of the assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stability of electrochemical elementsVSAvoidassembly mass
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining function is merged into the hood structure through integrated ribs, eliminating the need for additional retaining devices. This integration reduces the total mass of the assembly while maintaining the position stability of the electrochemical elements, as the ribs provide retention without requiring separate heavy components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate components are used for retaining electrochemical elements, then positioning is achieved, but the assembly process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hood is designed as a single integrated component with built-in ribs that perform the retaining function. This merging of functions into one component simplifies the assembly process, as the hood can be installed as a single piece while still providing accurate positioning and retention of the electrochemical elements through its integrated rib structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If the hood is made in one piece, then the assembly is simplified and weight is reduced, but the rigidity under bending stress must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidrigidity under bending stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds ribs to the inner surface of the hood, which increases the structural rigidity in the direction perpendicular to the hood's main surface. This dimensional enhancement (adding protruding ribs) provides resistance to bending stresses while maintaining the one-piece construction, thus preserving both assembly simplicity and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The hood is made from a composite material consisting of a plastic matrix reinforced with fibers (such as glass fibers). This composite structure provides high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent rigidity under bending stress, allowing the one-piece hood to maintain structural integrity while keeping the assembly lightweight and simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4645545A1Electrochemical assembly comprising a cap for holding electrochemical elements
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SAFT GRP SA
  • EP4645545A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4645545A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4645545A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrochemical assembly (10) comprising: - electrochemical elements (14); - longitudinal walls (20, 22) arranged on either side of the electrochemical elements (14); - transverse walls (30, 32); - a hood (50); the electrochemical elements (14) being held in position along a longitudinal direction (X) by the longitudinal walls (20, 22) and along a transverse direction (Y) by the transverse walls (30, 32), the hood (50) being made in one piece, blocking the movement of the electrochemical elements (14) along an elevation direction (Z) in one direction, and comprising: - a main wall (52) comprising an internal surface (54) in direct contact with the electrochemical elements (14) and an external surface (56); and - ribs (60) extending from the external surface (56).