Rotatable Latch Mechanism for Secure Battery Cell Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The handling and transportation of large, heavy battery cells for electric vehicles pose challenges due to their hazardous nature and potential for generating heat, which can lead to fires, and existing solutions do not adequately address the secure and efficient accommodation of these cells during storage and transport.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring rotatable latches on stacking columns arranged on a base frame, with a linkage system allowing the latches to transition between rest, standby, and working positions to securely hold battery cells, and additional features like guide strips and support wings for stability and safety, including a torsion spring mechanism for easy insertion and damping to prevent electrical shorts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotatable latches are used to securely hold battery cells, then the reliability of battery cell fixation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the linkage system and multiple latch positions
Solution Approach 1:
The latches are designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically change position between standby, rest, and working states. This dynamic mechanism enables the same component to serve multiple functions: preventing cell movement during transport (reliability) while allowing easy insertion when in rest position (simplicity). The rotational movement is driven by the battery cell itself hitting the latch, eliminating the need for complex external actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery cell itself acts as the actuating force to rotate the latches into the working position. When a battery cell is inserted, it automatically hits the latch in the standby position, causing the latch to rotate and engage, thereby securing the cell. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external motors, sensors, or control systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable fixation.
2Ease of operation
If multiple latch positions (standby, rest, working) are implemented, then the ease of operation for battery cell insertion is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is segmented into three distinct positional states: standby position (where the latch protrudes to prevent premature insertion), rest position (where the latch retracts to allow insertion), and working position (where the latch engages to secure the cell). This segmentation of the latch's functional states, achieved through rotational movement around a pivot point, enables easy operation by providing clear mechanical cues for insertion while avoiding the need for separate components for each state.
Solution Approach 2:
A single rotatable latch component performs multiple functions across different positions: it acts as a protective barrier in the standby position, becomes a non-obstructive element in the rest position, and functions as a securing mechanism in the working position. This multi-functionality of one component eliminates the need for multiple separate mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Force
If stacking columns are used to accommodate heavy battery cells, then the weight-bearing capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the housing, guide strips, and support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking column integrates multiple structural elements into a unified housing: the housing itself provides the vertical support structure, guide strips are incorporated as integral features of the housing to align and guide battery cells, and support wings extend from the housing to provide additional stabilization. This merging of functions into a single integrated component reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, lowering device complexity while maintaining high weight-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking column structure combines different material properties within the housing: metal components provide structural strength and weight-bearing capacity, while damping elements (such as rubber or foam materials) are incorporated to absorb impacts and vibrations during handling and transport. This composite approach allows the structure to simultaneously handle heavy loads and protect battery cells from damage, achieving high force capacity without proportionally increasing complexity.
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
The device securely and efficiently accommodates battery cells, ensuring safe storage and transport by preventing interference during insertion, maintaining stability under heavy loads, and preventing electrical shorts, while allowing for easy handling and alignment with the guide strips.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring mechanism for easy insertion and damping to prevent electrical shorts
Implementation Method 2
damping to prevent electrical shorts
Data Source
AI summary
In a device for accommodating battery cells stacking columns are to be arranged on the base frame, which stacking columns have rotatable latches which limit a passage for the battery cells.