Secondary Battery Cap Plate Injection and Exhaust Openings

Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries face challenges in efficiently injecting electrolyte and protecting the battery from damage during the process, leading to potential issues with internal pressure and short-circuit risks.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a secondary battery with an electrode assembly, a case, and a cap plate featuring an injection opening larger than or equal to the exhaustion opening, with the winding axis of the electrode assembly perpendicular or parallel to the openings, and a membrane allowing only gas-phase materials to pass through the exhaustion opening, which helps control electrolyte injection speed and prevent protective device damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the injection opening size is increased to improve electrolyte injection speed, then the injection speed increases, but the internal pressure in the case increases excessively causing protective device damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte injection speedVSAvoidinternal pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The cap plate is segmented into multiple openings: a first opening for electrolyte injection and a second opening for gas exhaust. This segmentation allows the injection and exhaust functions to be separated, enabling faster injection without excessive pressure buildup since gases can escape simultaneously through the second opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A pressure equalization hole is introduced as an intermediary element connecting the interior and exterior of the case. This hole acts as a pressure relief pathway that prevents excessive internal pressure buildup during electrolyte injection, allowing the injection opening to be larger without causing protective device damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the injection opening size is increased to improve electrolyte injection speed, then the injection speed increases, but the risk of protective device damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte injection speedVSAvoidprotective device integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cap plate is segmented into multiple openings: a first opening for electrolyte injection and a second opening for gas exhaust. This segmentation allows the injection and exhaust functions to be separated, enabling faster injection without excessive pressure buildup since gases can escape simultaneously through the second opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A pressure equalization hole is introduced as an intermediary element connecting the interior and exterior of the case. This hole acts as a pressure relief pathway that prevents excessive internal pressure buildup during electrolyte injection, allowing the injection opening to be larger without causing protective device damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the exhaustion opening size is increased to improve gas exhaust efficiency, then the exhaust efficiency increases, but the electrolyte injection speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas exhaust efficiencyVSAvoidelectrolyte injection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The cap plate is segmented into multiple openings: a first opening for electrolyte injection and a second opening for gas exhaust. This segmentation allows the injection and exhaust functions to be separated, enabling faster injection without excessive pressure buildup since gases can escape simultaneously through the second opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different openings are assigned different functions with appropriate size characteristics: the first opening (injection) can be larger for high-speed injection, while the second opening (exhaust) is optimized for gas escape. This local differentiation of opening qualities allows each function to be optimized independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design enhances electrolyte injection speed while minimizing the risk of internal pressure increases and protective device damage, ensuring safe and efficient battery operation.

Implementation Method 1

The exhaustion opening may have a membrane formed therein. Only a gas-phase material may pass through the membrane.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase separation through membrane: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 2

the cap plate may have an inversion plate formed therein, and when the internal pressure of the case exceeds a first pressure, the inversion plate may be deformed to generate a short-circuit current.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-induced deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS10930918B2Secondary battery

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate sealing the case; an injection opening in the cap plate; and an exhaustion opening in the cap plate and being spaced from the injection opening.