Battery Cap Assembly Insulation to Prevent Terminal Short Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Welding processes in secondary batteries often result in short circuits due to electrical contact between different electrode materials, leading to rapid temperature increases and potential fire hazards.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an insulating member that extends over the cap plate and terminal plate, sealing the space between them and preventing direct contact, thereby reducing the risk of short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If welding processes are used to join electrode materials, then electrical connection is achieved, but short circuits occur due to electrical contact between different electrode materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulating member as an intermediary element between the cap plate and terminal plate. This insulating member prevents direct electrical contact between different electrode materials while still allowing the welding process to join the components mechanically, thus eliminating short circuit risk without compromising electrical connection reliability of the intended paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cap assembly into distinct components: a cap plate, a terminal plate, and an insulating member positioned between them. This segmentation separates the electrical pathways, ensuring that different electrode materials do not come into direct contact through the cap assembly, thereby preventing short circuits while maintaining proper electrical connections.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If insulating member is added to prevent short circuits, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the insulating function with the structural components of the cap assembly. The insulating member is integrated into the cap assembly design, working together with the cap plate and terminal plate as a unified structure. This merging approach adds the safety function without creating a completely separate, complex subsystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating member is positioned only at the specific location where electrical isolation is needed - between the cap plate and terminal plate. This localized application of insulation provides the necessary safety function without adding insulating materials throughout the entire battery structure, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first and second electrodes; a case having an opening at one side and accommodating the electrode assembly; and a cap assembly sealing the opening of the case. The cap assembly may comprise a cap plate joined to one side of the case where the opening may be formed and having an insertion hole, a terminal plate including a body portion positioned between the cap plate and the electrode assembly, and an insertion portion protruding from the body portion through the insertion hole, the terminal plate being electrically connected to the first electrode and the case being electrically connected to the second electrode, and an insulating member extended and disposed over at least a portion of a top surface of the cap plate and at least a portion of a top surface of the terminal plate exposed through the insertion hole.