Rechargeable Battery Bending Plate Current Path Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable batteries face secondary damage due to uncontrolled current flow when a conductor penetrates the case, leading to potential ignition or explosion, as existing designs fail to effectively manage current discharge and prevent damage to the electrode assembly.

Innovation Solution

The rechargeable battery incorporates a bending plate with insulating layers and a fuse, creating a longer current path and providing electrical insulation between the electrode terminal and cap plate, which delays and controls current flow, thereby preventing secondary damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the electrode terminal makes surface contact with the cap plate, then the electrical coupling is simple, but the current flow cannot be controlled leading to secondary damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode terminal structureVSAvoidcurrent flow control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bending plate is formed by bending a metal plate into a curved shape, creating a longer current path from the plate terminal to the cap plate. This curvature increases the distance current must travel, providing better control over current flow and reducing the risk of secondary damage while maintaining electrical coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The bending plate acts as an intermediary element between the plate terminal and the cap plate. Instead of direct contact, the bent metal plate mediates the electrical connection, providing a controlled current path that limits harmful current flow while maintaining necessary electrical coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a conductor penetrates the case and pierces the electrode assembly, then current flows back through the cap plate and case, but this causes ignition or explosion risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration protectionVSAvoidignition or explosion risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bending plate converts the potentially harmful direct current path into a beneficial controlled path. When a conductor penetrates the case, the current is forced to travel through the longer bending plate path, which limits the current magnitude and prevents the harmful ignition or explosion effects that would occur with direct contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The bending plate provides beforehand cushioning by pre-establishing a longer, more resistant current path before any penetration occurs. This pre-configured path acts as a protective measure that will limit harmful current flow if penetration occurs, cushioning the system against potential damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the current flows out through the positive electrode terminal and cap plate, then electrical coupling is maintained, but secondary damage occurs to the electrode assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical couplingVSAvoidsecondary damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The curved bending plate extends the current path length between the plate terminal and cap plate. This increased path length provides greater resistance to current flow, thereby controlling and limiting the current that can flow out through the positive electrode terminal and cap plate, preventing secondary damage while maintaining electrical coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 effectively manages current flow, reducing the risk of secondary damage to the electrode assembly by increasing the current path length and area, ensuring safer operation when a conductor penetrates the battery case.

Implementation Method 1

a bending plate to electrically couple the plate terminal to the cap plate, wherein the bending plate sets a gap between the plate terminal and the cap plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

The bending plate may include a fuse at opposite sides of an area where the bending portion is partially torn off

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9887411B2Rechargeable battery

Publication Date: 2018.02.06 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

A rechargeable battery includes a case having an electrode assembly, a cap plate to seal an opening of the case, and an electrode terminal in the cap plate. The electrode terminal includes a plate terminal at an upper area and a bent plate to electrically couple the plate terminal to the cap plate. The bent plate sets a gap between the plate terminal and the cap plate, and provides a current path from the plate terminal to the cap plate having a length greater than an interval between the plate terminal and the cap plate.