Secondary Battery Cap Assembly Current Interruptor Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary batteries lack effective mechanisms to safely disconnect the electrical connection between the cap and the electrode at specific pressures, which can lead to overcharge or overdischarge conditions and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a current interruptor mechanism with a cap assembly that includes a first and second plate, an insulator, and a groove design, allowing the cap to fracture and break the electric connection at a preset pressure, thereby safely disconnecting the electrode from the cap assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a current interruptor mechanism is added to break electric connection at preset pressure, then safety against overcharge and overdischarge is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The current interruptor mechanism is integrated within the cap assembly structure, merging the safety function with the existing terminal component. The first plate, second plate, and insulator are combined into a single cap assembly unit that performs both electrical connection and pressure-responsive interruption functions, rather than adding a separate safety device.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is designed with a specific thickness parameter that allows it to fracture at a preset pressure threshold. By controlling the cap thickness to be reduced in specific regions, the structure automatically responds to pressure changes by fracturing the cap at predetermined locations, thereby breaking the electrical connection when overcharge or overdischarge conditions occur.
2Reliability
If the cap thickness is reduced to allow fracture at preset pressure, then safety response capability is improved, but mechanical strength of the cap deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with non-uniform thickness distribution, featuring reduced thickness in specific regions while maintaining adequate thickness in other areas. This local quality variation allows the cap to have sufficient overall mechanical strength for normal operation while creating weak points that will fracture at the preset pressure threshold, achieving both strength and pressure response requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap structure is divided into regions with different thickness characteristics. The groove or reduced thickness region segments the cap into areas of different mechanical properties, allowing controlled fracture at specific locations while maintaining structural integrity elsewhere. This segmentation enables the cap to withstand normal operational stresses but fail safely at predetermined pressure levels.
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
This solution ensures safe disconnection of the electrical connection at specific pressures, preventing overcharge and overdischarge conditions, enhancing the safety and operational reliability of the secondary battery.
Implementation Method 1
a first plate contacting the cap, wherein the first plate is to deform at a preset pressure or greater to break an electric connection between the cap and the first electrode
Implementation Method 2
the cap may have a reduced thickness to allow the cap to fracture at a preset pressure or higher
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a cap assembly, and a case. The electrode assembly includes a separator between a first electrode and a second electrode. The cap assembly is electrically connected to the first electrode. The case accommodates the electrode assembly and includes an opening to which the cap assembly is coupled. The cap assembly includes a cap and a current interruptor. The cap is outside the case and serves as a terminal of the first electrode. The current interruptor is between the cap and the first electrode. The current interruptor breaks an electric connection between the cap and the first electrode at a preset pressure or higher. The cap surrounds an edge portion of the current interruptor.