Battery Cap Plate Structure for Stiffness and Ignition Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional secondary batteries face issues with durability due to cap plate bending and deformation, and the formation of alloys on the inner surface of the case, which can lead to ignition risks, particularly when a negative electrode is short-circuited.

Innovation Solution

The secondary battery design includes a cap plate with protrusions and a high-resistance charging member made of a polymer and conductive filler, which secures rigidity, prevents alloy formation, and consumes short-circuit energy, while reducing terminal plate thickness to minimize weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the cap plate is made thinner to reduce weight, then the cell weight is reduced, but the cap plate becomes more prone to bending and deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell weightVSAvoidcap plate stiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cap plate is segmented by adding protrusions that divide the plate into distinct regions. These protrusions act as structural reinforcements that prevent bending and deformation while allowing the overall plate thickness to be reduced for weight savings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The charging member is constructed as a composite material combining polymer and conductive filler. This composite structure provides both the necessary electrical functionality and mechanical reinforcement to the cap plate, enabling weight reduction while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If a conventional charging member is used, then the battery structure is simple, but alloy formation on the case inner surface can occur leading to ignition risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging member structureVSAvoidignition resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical resistance parameter of the charging member is changed by using a high-resistance composite material (polymer with conductive filler). This parameter change prevents alloy formation on the case inner surface by controlling current distribution, thereby eliminating ignition risks while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Weight of moving object

If the terminal plate thickness is reduced to minimize weight, then the cell weight decreases, but the structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell weightVSAvoidterminal plate strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The charging member is designed with localized protrusions that concentrate reinforcement at critical areas around the terminal plate. This local quality approach provides structural support where needed most, allowing the terminal plate to be thinner overall while maintaining integrity at stress points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4250468B1Secondary battery
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4250468B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4250468B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4250468B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention provides a secondary battery having enhanced durability, reinforced cap plate stiffness and reduced cell weight. Disclosed as an example is a secondary battery having: an electrode assembly; a case for accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled to the case to seal the electrode assembly; a terminal connected to the electrode assembly and exposed through the cap plate; and a protrusion protruding toward the terminal in the area in which the terminal of the cap plate is coupled.