Integrated Buffer Insulator for Battery Cell Swelling Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly operations for buffer and insulation components in battery cells are complex, leading to low assembly efficiency and affecting the production efficiency of batteries.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell design featuring a housing, electrode assembly, and an insulator with an integrated buffer and insulating body that envelops the electrode assembly, mitigating swelling forces and reducing the risk of wrinkling and lithium precipitation through elastic deformation, while simplifying the assembly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If buffer and insulation components are assembled separately in battery cells, then the insulation and buffering functions are provided, but the assembly operations become complex and assembly efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation and buffering functionVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the buffer component and insulator into a single integrated component called the 'integrated buffer insulator'. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly operations for buffer and insulation components, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining both buffering and insulation functions. The integrated structure is placed between the electrode assembly and housing, providing both functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components are assembled separately, then complete functionality is achieved, but the number of assembly steps increases and production efficiency is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional completenessVSAvoidnumber of assembly steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer and insulator are merged into a single integrated component that performs both functions simultaneously. This reduces the number of assembly steps from multiple separate component installations to a single installation operation, while maintaining complete functional coverage for both buffering and insulation requirements in the battery cell.

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 integrated structure enhances assembly efficiency, facilitates automated production, and improves the reliability and cycle life of the battery cell by reducing wrinkling and lithium precipitation risks.

Implementation Method 1

the buffer body, located between the electrode assembly and the housing, is elastically deformed by the swelling of the electrode assembly, whereby the elastic deformation of the buffer body can cushion the swelling of the electrode assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4679608A1Battery cell, battery and electric device
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4679608A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4679608A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4679608A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present application discloses a battery cell, a battery, and an electric apparatus. The battery cell includes a housing, an electrode assembly, and an insulator. The housing has a mounting cavity; the electrode assembly is disposed in the mounting cavity; the insulator includes a buffer body and an insulating body that are disposed in the mounting cavity, the insulating body enveloping the electrode assembly, and the buffer body being located between the electrode assembly and the housing; and the buffer body and the insulating body are connected to form an integral structure. This integral structure can be directly assembled with the electrode assembly to achieve envelopment of the electrode assembly, which eliminates the step of separately assembling the buffer body, reduces the number of assembly steps and the number of assembled components, and facilitates the improvement of assembly efficiency of the battery cell. Additionally, fewer assembly steps facilitate automated production, enhancing the production efficiency of the battery cell.