Welded Conductor Assembly With Cyanoacrylate Layer for Corrosion Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for welding ribbon cables to battery contacts in electric vehicles fail to provide effective corrosion protection and tension relief at the welding point, while also being costly and complex.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connection assembly using a thin layer of cyanoacrylate glue between conductors, which serves as both a corrosion protector and tension reliever, utilizing surface roughness matching and inhibiting hardening agents to optimize the glue's properties, and employing affordable and easily handled materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If cyanoacrylate glue is applied between conductors for temporary fixation during welding, then the conductors are easily joined, but the glue provides no corrosion protection or tension relief

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of joining conductorsVSAvoidcorrosion protection and tension relief
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling cyanoacrylate glue to perform three functions simultaneously: temporary fixation during welding, corrosion protection at the welding point, and tension relief. This transforms a single-function adhesive into a multi-functional component that addresses multiple technical requirements in the electrical connection assembly.

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

2Reliability

If a thick layer of cyanoacrylate glue is applied between conductors, then corrosion protection and tension relief are improved, but electrical contact resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion protection and tension reliefVSAvoidcontact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different glue layer thicknesses at different locations. A thin glue layer (first thickness) is maintained at the welding point area to ensure low contact resistance and good electrical conductivity, while a thicker glue layer (second thickness) is applied in surrounding areas to provide adequate corrosion protection and tension relief. This spatial variation in glue layer properties resolves the contradiction between protection and conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If conventional welding methods are used without additional protection, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the welding point lacks corrosion protection and tension relief

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidwelding point protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fixation function and protection function into a single cyanoacrylate glue application step. The glue serves both as a temporary fixture holder during welding and as a permanent protective layer at the welding point. This combination eliminates the need for separate protection layers or additional manufacturing steps, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving reliable corrosion protection and tension relief.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides a cost-effective, simple method for welding conductors while ensuring low contact resistance, preventing electrochemical corrosion, and maintaining a thin glue layer for efficient electrical contact.

Implementation Method 1

at least one layer consisting of or comprising cyanoacrylate glue is located in at least one area between the two conductors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the cyanoacrylate glue itself offers no corrosion protection nor any tension relieving function for the welding point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3682999B1Electrical connection assembly having two welded conductors and a layer of cyanoacrylate glue between the conductors, and method for this
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3682999B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3682999B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical connection assembly (2), in particular for power electronics (1) for an electrically powered vehicle, and also to a method for the manufacture of such a connection assembly. Two conductors (4, 6) are connected to one another by a welding point (18). A layer (12) consisting of or comprising cyanoacrylate glue (14) is located between the two conductors (4, 6). The welding point (18) is located preferably in the area (16). Further, at least one layer (20) of a material (22) which impedes or prevents the hardening of the cyanoacrylate glue (14) may be present in the area (16). The thickness of the layer (12) is preferably a maximum of double the surface roughness (R) of the surface (28). To obtain a predetermined surface roughness R, the area (16) can at least partially be provided with a roughening (24).