Stacked Battery Current Collecting Case Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stacked batteries require machining to form through-holes in electrode bodies for inserting a bar-shaped shaft portion, which is inefficient and necessitates additional components.

Innovation Solution

The battery configuration eliminates the need for through-holes by using protruding electrode portions and conductive cases with wall portions to establish electrical connections between electrode plates and current collecting cases, eliminating the need for a bar-shaped shaft portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bar-shaped shaft portion is used as a current collector, then electrical connection with negative electrode plates is secured, but machining for through-holes in electrode bodies is required and additional shaft component is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The current collecting case is integrated with the battery case structure, merging the functions of current collection, housing, and structural support into a single component. This eliminates the need for a separate bar-shaped shaft portion and through-hole machining, reducing component count while maintaining electrical connection reliability through direct contact with electrode plate edge portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a bar-shaped shaft portion is used as a current collector, then electrical connection with negative electrode plates is secured, but machining for through-holes in electrode bodies is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The current collecting case is integrated with the battery case structure, merging the functions of current collection, housing, and structural support into a single component. This eliminates the need for a separate bar-shaped shaft portion and through-hole machining, reducing component count while maintaining electrical connection reliability through direct contact with electrode plate edge portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of inserting a shaft through holes in the electrode bodies (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by having the electrode plates contact the current collecting case from the sides through protruding edge portions. This eliminates the need for through-hole machining and simplifies the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If protruding electrode portions are used with conductive cases, then component count and weight are reduced, but electrical connectivity must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent countVSAvoidelectrical connectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The current collecting case is integrated with the battery case structure, merging the functions of current collection, housing, and structural support into a single component. This eliminates the need for a separate bar-shaped shaft portion and through-hole machining, reducing component count while maintaining electrical connection reliability through direct contact with electrode plate edge portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode plates have protruding edge portions at specific locations that provide localized electrical contact with the current collecting case. This local quality feature ensures reliable electrical connectivity at the contact points while allowing the rest of the electrode structure to maintain its functional design.

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

This configuration simplifies manufacturing, reduces component count and weight, and enhances electrical connectivity, thereby improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the battery.

Implementation Method 1

an inner surface of the first positive electrode wall portion being electrically connected to an edge side of the positive electrode protruding portion of the first electrode body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3297055B1Stacked battery

Publication Date: 2019.04.03 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

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AI summary

A stacked battery (1) includes a first current collecting case (5A), a second current collecting case (5B), and a third current collecting case (5C), a first electrode body (3A) and a second electrode body (3B). Each of The first current collecting case (5A) and the second current collecting case (5B) includes a positive electrode wall portion (11, 12). Each of the second current collecting case (5B) and the third current collecting case (5C) includes a second negative electrode wall portion (32).