Battery Cap Plate Reinforcement for Controlled Compression Shorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

During a longitudinal compression test of secondary batteries, the cap plate deforms unevenly, leading to a risk of short circuits and potential ignition or explosion due to improper bending and overheating, as the force applied causes earlier deformation of cap plate sides rather than the terminal plate and can, preventing a controlled current discharge.

Innovation Solution

A reinforcement unit is formed on one side of the cap plate to prevent premature deformation, ensuring a controlled short circuit between the terminal plate and the can by distributing the force evenly and enhancing the cap plate's strength, facilitating a safe current discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the cap plate is made thinner to reduce weight, then the weight of the battery is reduced, but the cap plate deforms earlier during compression testing, preventing proper short circuit formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery weightVSAvoidshort circuit formation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a brittle part with different mechanical properties than the rest of the cap plate. This brittle part is specifically designed to deform first during compression testing, ensuring reliable short circuit formation while allowing the rest of the cap plate to remain thin and lightweight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cap plate is segmented into two distinct regions: a brittle part and a non-brittle part. This segmentation allows each region to serve its specific function - the brittle part ensures controlled deformation for safety, while the non-brittle part maintains structural integrity and minimizes weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a groove is formed on the inner surface of the cap plate to induce bending, then short circuit formation is facilitated, but the cap plate strength is reduced and deformation control is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort circuit formationVSAvoidcap plate strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of forming a groove that weakens the entire cap plate, the patent applies local quality by creating a brittle part with specific mechanical properties in a localized region. This approach facilitates controlled deformation for short circuit formation without compromising the overall strength of the cap plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2863450B1Secondary battery
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP2863450B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2863450B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2863450B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A secondary battery, which can improve safety during a longitudinal compression test by reinforcing strength of a cap plate, is provided. In one embodiment, the secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a can accommodating the electrode assembly, and cap plate coupled to a top portion of the can and sealing the can, wherein a reinforcement unit is formed on at least one side of the cap plate.