Secondary Battery Can Insulator for Heat-Triggered Shorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries are prone to short circuits and potential explosions due to high-temperature heat and high pressure, which compromises their stability.

Innovation Solution

A secondary battery design featuring an electrode assembly with alternately stacked electrodes and a cylindrical can structure, where an insulator with a short-circuit induction through-part, such as a through-hole or cutoff line, is used to create a path for electrical connection between the cans, allowing for controlled short-circuit induction when heat or pressure is applied, thereby reducing energy levels and preventing explosions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an insulator is provided between the first can and the second can to prevent short circuit, then electrical insulation is improved, but safety under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidshort circuit risk under heat and pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator is pre-designed with a through-part (hole or groove) that is initially isolated by an insulating structure. Under normal conditions, this structure prevents short circuit. However, when high-temperature or high-pressure conditions occur, the insulating structure deforms or breaks, allowing the through-part to create a controlled short circuit path between the cans, safely dissipating energy and preventing battery explosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The insulator's physical state is designed to change under specific conditions. The insulating structure that maintains electrical isolation under normal temperature and pressure undergoes deformation or phase change when exposed to high-temperature or high-pressure conditions, transforming the insulator from a complete barrier to one with conductive pathways, enabling controlled short circuit for safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the insulator is made robust to maintain insulation under all conditions, then electrical insulation is improved, but the ability to induce controlled short circuit for safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidresponse to abnormal conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator is designed with dynamic characteristics rather than being completely rigid. The insulating structure containing the through-part is made of materials or configurations that allow deformation under stress. This enables the insulator to adapt its electrical properties based on operating conditions: maintaining insulation during normal operation but allowing controlled short circuit when abnormal heat or pressure conditions occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design effectively reduces the energy level of the battery to prevent explosions by allowing a controlled short circuit between the cans when subjected to high temperatures or pressures, enhancing the battery's stability and safety.

Implementation Method 1

the insulator is provided with a short-circuit induction through-part having the form of a through-hole or a cutoff line, and short circuit occurs between the first can and the second can through the short-circuit induction through-part that is deformed in shape as heat or a pressure is applied to contract or expand the insulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-induced deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS11916258B2Secondary battery

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A secondary battery comprises an electrode assembly, a can, and an insulator. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode, a separator, and a second electrode alternately stacked and wound. The can has an accommodation part accommodating the electrode assembly therein, and the can comprises a first can and a second can having cylindrical shapes open in a direction facing each other. The insulator insulates an overlapping portion between the first can and the second can. The first can is electrically connected to the first electrode, and the second can is electrically connected to the second electrode. The insulator has a short-circuit induction through-part defined by a through-hole or a cutoff line, such that a short circuit occurs between the first can and the second can through the short-circuit induction through-part when it is deformed in shape as heat or a pressure is applied to contract or expand the insulator.