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US 2026/0098902 A1Published application
Cell fixture assembly and method of using the same
AssigneeSolithor BV
InventorsWalid ALKARMO, Rjais MINYAEV, Fanny BARDÉ
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AssigneeSolithor BV
InventorsWalid ALKARMO, Rjais MINYAEV, Fanny BARDÉ
Estimating the term…
The technology of the present invention generally relates to the field of battery technology, and more particularly relates to a cell fixture assembly for testing of a single electrochemical cell or a number of electrochemical cells stacked on top of each other, wherein the cell fixture assembly comprises at least one cell fixture and a base station; wherein the cell fixture comprises: at least one fixed base plate; at least two moveable plates arranged parallel to the base plate; whereby the moveable plates have oppositely arranged surfaces for contacting the electrochemical cell mounted between them; whereby the fixed and moveable plates comprise a plurality of apertures that are at least partially aligned to create a plurality of vertical channels that extend through said plates; a pressure sensor means, disposed between the base plate and at least one of the moveable plates, comprising a sensor member arranged to support said moveable plate, and configured for measuring a pressure applied to the electrochemical cells; a plurality of rotatable rods, insertable in the plurality of vertical channels, that are configured to rotatably couple with at least one of the moveable plates; whereby a rotation of the plurality of rotatable rods causes one of the moveable plates to move relative to the other moveable plate, thereby clamping or releasing the electrochemical cell mounted between them; and, a plurality of coupling members in connection with the plurality of rotatable rods; wherein the base station comprises: a plurality of actuators configured for releasably coupling with the plurality of coupling members of the cell fixture, and for inducing the rotation of the rotatable rods, and —at least one motor configured for driving the actuators.
Cell fixture assembly (100) for applying and maintaining a compressive pressure on one or more electrochemical cells (4);
The cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling member (3) comprises a receptacle with a fitting that matches an actuator (91) of the base station (9) such that at least a portion of the actuator (91) can be inserted into the coupling member (3).
The cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling member (3) is arranged on an end of the rotatable rod (2) extending from the base plate (11).
The cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an electrode connector means (7) that comprises a pair of electrical contacts (71), arranged on one side of a moveable plate, that are configured for electrically contacting the electrodes (2) of the one or more cells, and a pair of electrical connectors (72), arranged on the opposite side of said moveable plate, that are electrically connected to the electrical contacts (71).
The cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an expansion sensor means configured for measuring an expansion of the one or more cells in at least one direction;
The cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second fixed plate (14) arranged parallel to the base plate (11) at an opposite end of the plurality of rods (2);
The cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cell fixture (1) is mountable on the base station (9) such that it can freely switch between a coupled state and a released state without altering the compressive pressure applied onto the one or more cells (4).
The cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the base station (9) comprises a plurality of motors (92) configured for independently driving one or more of the actuators (91).
The cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the motor (92) comprises a stepper motor configured for rotating at least one rotatable rod (2) in a set number of predefined steps;
The cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the plurality of actuators (91) and/or motors (92) are moveably arranged within the base station (9) such that their positions can be adjusted along at least one axis of movement to match the position of a corresponding coupling member (3) of the cell fixture (1)
The cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the base station (9) further comprises a control unit communicatively connected to the pressure sensor means (6) to receive pressure sensing data therefrom;
The cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby a plurality of electrochemical cells are stacked on top of each other between the opposing surfaces of the moveable plates.
Cell fixture (1) for use in combination with a base station (9) of the cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims;
Base station (9) for use in combination with one or more cell fixtures (1) of the cell fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims;
Method for applying and maintaining of a compressive pressure on one or more electrochemical cells (4) using the fixture assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.