Battery Cap Plate Contact Structure for Stable Terminal Conduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary batteries face challenges in maintaining consistent electrical conduction characteristics and stability during manufacturing and assembly due to variations in contact area distribution between the cap plate and electrode terminals, leading to potential short-circuit risks and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an electrical connection member with localized protrusions and higher surface roughness at specific contact points between the cap plate and the second electrode terminal, ensuring stable and consistent electrical conduction by reducing contact area distribution variability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a continuous contact line connection is used between the terminal plate and cap plate, then electrical conduction is established, but contact area distribution variability increases leading to inconsistent conduction characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conduction consistencyVSAvoidcontact area distribution control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by transitioning from a continuous contact line to discrete localized contact points through protrusions on the electrical connection member. These protrusions create specific localized contact areas with the cap plate, ensuring consistent contact area distribution regardless of manufacturing tolerances. The localized contacts provide reliable electrical conduction while reducing variability in contact area, directly resolving the contradiction between conduction consistency and manufacturing precision control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If manufacturing tolerances are relaxed, then ease of manufacture improves, but contact area distribution variability increases causing short-circuit risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly toleranceVSAvoidshort-circuit risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the electrical connection member by introducing protrusions with specific dimensions and distributions. These parameter changes create a structure that is less sensitive to manufacturing tolerances, allowing for easier assembly while maintaining consistent contact area distribution. The protrusions ensure reliable electrical connection without increasing short-circuit risk, even when manufacturing tolerances are relaxed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If contact area is increased to improve electrical conduction, then conduction stability improves, but contact area distribution variability increases leading to inconsistent performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconduction stabilityVSAvoidcontact area distribution consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the continuous contact line into multiple discrete contact points through the protrusions on the electrical connection member. This segmentation allows for controlled contact area distribution where each protrusion creates a defined contact point with the cap plate. The segmented structure maintains stable electrical conduction while reducing variability in contact area distribution, as each protrusion's contact area can be precisely controlled during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4195400B1Secondary battery
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4195400B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4195400B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A secondary battery (100) includes: an electrode assembly (110) including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator; a case (120) having an opened upper end; a cap plate (130) to seal the upper end of the case (120); a first electrode terminal (150) on the cap plate (130), and electrically connected to the first electrode plate; an insulating member (160) between the cap plate (130) and the first electrode terminal (150); a second electrode terminal (180) on the cap plate (130), and electrically connected to the second electrode plate; and an electrical connection member (190, 190', 190") between the cap plate (130) and the second electrode terminal (180) to allow electrical conduction between the cap plate (130) and the second electrode terminal (180), the electrical connection member (190, 190', 190") being in local contact with at least one of the cap plate (130) or the second electrode terminal (180), and including a material having a higher specific electrical resistance than those of the cap plate (130) and the second electrode terminal (180).