Segmented Busbar Insulation Sleeves for Complex Battery Pack Bends

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing insulation methods for busbars in battery packs, such as integral heat shrinkable tubes and powder spraying, fail to ensure high insulation withstand-voltage reliability due to defects like whiteness, wrinkles, air bubbles, and high material and process costs, especially with complex busbar structures.

Innovation Solution

A connecting assembly comprising multiple independent heat shrinkable sleeves that segmentally cover different parts of the busbar, reducing bending lengths and costs, and improving insulation reliability by minimizing material wear during the heating process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an integral heat shrinkable tube is used to insulate the busbar, then the insulation coverage is continuous, but the tube generates defects such as whiteness, wrinkles, air bubbles, and tearing at bending positions, failing to meet insulation reliability requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation reliabilityVSAvoidinsulation process difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single integral heat shrinkable tube into multiple segmented heat shrinkable tubes (first, second, and third heat shrinkable tubes) that cover different portions of the busbar. The third heat shrinkable tube specifically covers the bent connection portion, while the first and second tubes cover the main body and extending portions. This segmentation eliminates the defects caused by bending a single long tube while maintaining continuous insulation coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If powder spraying, dip molding, or extrusion processes are used to insulate the busbar, then insulation coverage is achieved, but the material cost and process cost are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses multiple short sections of heat shrinkable tubes instead of expensive powder spraying, dip molding, or extrusion processes. These heat shrinkable tubes are simpler, more cost-effective materials that can be easily applied and removed if needed, providing the same insulation function at lower material and process costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the busbar has complex extensions and bending structures, then the busbar can meet electrical connection requirements, but the insulation becomes more difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebusbar configuration flexibilityVSAvoidinsulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different insulation solutions to different portions of the busbar based on their specific requirements. The third heat shrinkable tube with larger diameter specifically covers the bent connection portion, while the first and second tubes cover the main body and extending portions. This localized approach allows the insulation system to adapt to the complex geometry without increasing overall complexity or cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution simplifies the structure and reduces manufacturing costs while enhancing insulation withstand-voltage reliability by using shorter, less-bent insulating sleeves that effectively cover complex busbar geometries without defects, ensuring the battery pack meets insulation requirements.

Implementation Method 1

The first insulating sleeve, the second insulating sleeve and the third insulating sleeve each are a heat shrinkable tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat shrinkage: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP3761390B1Connecting assembly and battery pack
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 JIANGSU CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECH LTD
  • EP3761390B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3761390B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3761390B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a connecting assembly and a battery pack, the connecting assembly comprises a busbar, a first insulating sleeve, a second insulating sleeve and a third insulating sleeve. The busbar comprises a main body portion, an extending portion, and a bent connection portion. The first insulating sleeve covers the main body portion. The second insulating sleeve covers the extending portion. The third insulating sleeve comprises a first covering portion, the first covering portion covers the bent connection portion. Because the first insulating sleeve, the second insulating sleeve and the third insulating sleeve are independent components, and they segmentally cover different parts of the busbar, so that each of them has a shorter length and less portion required to be bent, thereby facilitating the first insulating sleeve, the second insulating sleeve and the third insulating sleeve to be respectively sheathed on the different parts of the busbar.