IP Library Granted Patent US 12,626,994
Granted Patent B2
US 12,626,994 · App. 18/193,027 · Granted May 12, 2026

Constraining apparatus and constraining device

Inventors: Jiayi Zhao (Ningde, CN); Fangyu Huang (Ningde, CN); Zhiguo Zhang (Ningde, CN); Sheng Tang (Ningde, CN); Zhihui Wang (Ningde, CN)
Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
H01M50/264H01M50/289
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,626,994
App. No.
18/193,027
Granted
May 12, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A constraining apparatus and a constraining device are described. The constraining apparatus includes a base, a positioning assembly, and a cushion assembly. The positioning assembly includes a plurality of positioning members arranged in sequence and located between two end plate assemblies. The cushion assembly is disposed on at least one of two sides of the positioning member that are opposite each other in the first direction. The constraining apparatus includes a first state and a second state, where in the first state, adjacent two of the positioning members abut against each other, such that an accommodating space for accommodating a battery cell is formed between the adjacent two of the positioning members, and the cushion assembly is configured to abut against the battery cell and the positioning members. In the second state, the plurality of positioning members are spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

Claims (46)

1 . A constraining apparatus for constraining a battery cell comprising:

a base, comprising a support assembly, a guide assembly, and two end plate assemblies, wherein the two end plate assemblies are respectively connected to two ends of the support assembly that are opposite each other in a first direction, and the guide assembly extends in the first direction and is connected to the two end plate assemblies;

a positioning assembly, comprising a plurality of positioning members arranged in sequence in the first direction and located between the two end plate assemblies, wherein the plurality of positioning members are movably connected to the guide assembly in the first direction, and adjacent two of the positioning members are fitted to each other in the first direction; and

a cushion assembly, disposed on at least one of two sides of the positioning member that are opposite each other in the first direction;

wherein the constraining apparatus comprises a first state and a second state; in the first state, adjacent two of the positioning members abut against each other, such that an accommodating space for accommodating a battery cell is formed between the adjacent two of the positioning members, and the cushion assembly is configured to abut against the battery cell and the positioning members; and in the second state, the plurality of positioning members are spaced apart from each other in the first direction; and

wherein each positioning member of the plurality of positioning members comprises:

two positioning pieces, disposed opposite each other in a second direction, wherein the two positioning pieces are movably connected to the guide assembly in the first direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; and

a restricting piece, detachably connected between the two positioning pieces, wherein the cushion assembly is disposed on the restricting piece;

wherein an accommodating space is formed between the restricting pieces of adjacent two of the positioning members, and the cushion assembly is configured to be disposed between the restricting pieces and the battery cells.

2 . The constraining apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning assembly is provided in plurality, wherein the plurality of positioning assemblies are disposed successively in a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

3 . The constraining apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the restricting piece comprises a body and two first convex portions connected to the body, the two first convex portions respectively protrude in a direction towards the positioning pieces with respect to the body, and the body is connected to the cushion assembly; and

each positioning piece of the two positioning pieces comprises a main body and first concave portions, wherein the first concave portion is depressed in a direction away from the restricting piece with respect to the main body, and the first concave portions are fitted to the first convex portions.

4 . The constraining apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each positioning piece of the two positioning pieces comprises:

a main body;

a second convex portion, connected to the main body and protruding in the first direction with respect to the main body; and

a second concave portion, connected to the main body, depressed in the first direction with respect to the main body, and disposed opposite the second convex portion in the first direction; and

in the first direction, the second convex portion of one of the two adjacent positioning pieces is fitted to the second concave portion of the other one of the two adjacent positioning pieces.

5 . The constraining apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the restricting piece comprises a body and a third convex portion connected to the body, wherein the third convex portion protrudes in the first direction with respect to the body and encloses a first cavity, the accommodating space is formed between the first cavities of adjacent two of the positioning members, and the cushion assembly is disposed in the first cavity.

6 . The constraining apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein:

a plurality of through holes are provided on the body; and

a plurality of protrusions are provided on a side of the cushion assembly facing the body and embedded in the through holes.

7 . The constraining apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the guide assembly comprises a plurality of guide shafts extending in the first direction, and the plurality of guide shafts are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the first direction; and

the positioning member comprises a plurality of movable portions, and each of the movable portions is movably connected to its corresponding guide shaft.

8 . A constraining apparatus for constraining a battery cell comprising:

a base, comprising a support assembly, a guide assembly, and two end plate assemblies, wherein the two end plate assemblies are respectively connected to two ends of the support assembly that are opposite each other in a first direction, and the guide assembly extends in the first direction and is connected to the two end plate assemblies;

a positioning assembly, comprising a plurality of positioning members arranged in sequence in the first direction and located between the two end plate assemblies, wherein the plurality of positioning members are movably connected to the guide assembly in the first direction, and adjacent two of the positioning members are fitted to each other in the first direction; and

a cushion assembly, disposed on at least one of two sides of the positioning member that are opposite each other in the first direction;

wherein the constraining apparatus comprises a first state and a second state; in the first state, adjacent two of the positioning members abut against each other, such that an accommodating space for accommodating a battery cell is formed between the adjacent two of the positioning members, and the cushion assembly is configured to abut against the battery cell and the positioning members; and in the second state, the plurality of positioning members are spaced apart from each other in the first direction, wherein the constraining apparatus further comprises:

a holding assembly, disposed on a side of the end plate assembly close to the positioning member; and

a jacking assembly, disposed on the end plate assembly and capable of moving in the first direction with respect to the end plate assembly;

wherein in the first state, the jacking assembly is locked with the end plate assembly, and the holding assembly abuts against the jacking assembly and the positioning member; and

in the second state, the jacking assembly is locked with the end plate assembly, and the jacking assembly is disengaged from the holding assembly.

9 . The constraining apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the holding assembly is movably connected to the guide assembly in the first direction.

10 . The constraining apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein in the second state, the holding assembly is engaged with the end plate assembly.

11 . The constraining apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the end plate assembly comprises a plurality of mounting portions, the plurality of mounting portions are spaced apart from each other, and the jacking assembly is disposed on the mounting portion.

12 . The constraining apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the holding assembly comprises a plurality of matching portions disposed opposite the mounting portions in the first direction;

wherein in the first state, the jacking assembly abuts against the matching portion; and

in the second state, the jacking assembly is disengaged from the matching portion.

13 . A constraining device, comprising:

the constraining apparatus according to claim 1 ; and

a pressurizing apparatus, wherein the pressurizing apparatus is configured to exert an acting force on the positioning assembly in a first heading, such that the constraining apparatus is in the first state and adjacent two of the positioning members abut against each other, and the first heading is parallel to the first direction.

14 . The constraining device according to claim 13 , wherein the constraining device further comprises:

a pressure relief apparatus, wherein the pressure relief apparatus is configured to exert an acting force on the positioning assembly in a second heading opposite the first heading, such that the constraining apparatus is in the second state and the positioning members are spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

15 . The constraining device according to claim 13 , wherein:

the constraining apparatus further comprises a holding assembly and a jacking assembly; and

the constraining device further comprises a screw tightening apparatus, wherein the screw tightening apparatus is configured to connect to the jacking assembly, so as to drive the jacking assembly to rotate and push the holding assembly to move in the first heading.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2024
From: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
To: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
Reel/Frame 068338/0402 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2023
From: ZHAO, JIAYI; HUANG, FANGYU; ZHANG, ZHIGUO; TANG, SHENG; WANG, ZHIHUI
To: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
Reel/Frame 063179/0124 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 202222468050.5 · Sep 19, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240097265A1 · Mar 21, 2024
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