Battery Cap Assembly Safety Vent and Current Interrupting Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries face safety issues due to low safety features, leading to potential explosions from overcharging, and struggle to balance high temperature storage and overcharging properties without adjusting the electrolyte amount, which affects their operational stability and capacity.
Innovation Solution
A cap assembly is designed with an electrode lead connected to a safety vent featuring notches for pressure discharge and a safety element to interrupt current at a predetermined temperature, eliminating the need for a current interruptive device and gasket, allowing simultaneous satisfaction of high temperature storage and overcharging properties without electrolyte adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a current interruptive device (CID) and gasket are used to ensure safety, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the current interruptive device (CID) and gasket from the battery structure by integrating the safety function directly into the cap assembly through the safety element and electrode lead configuration, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the safety function with the cap assembly structure by integrating the safety element and electrode lead into the cap, combining multiple functions (cap closure, electrical connection, and safety protection) into a single integrated component
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrolyte amount is adjusted to balance high temperature storage and overcharging properties, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The safety element automatically responds to temperature conditions by interrupting current flow when overheating occurs, providing self-regulating protection without requiring precise electrolyte amount adjustments or external control systems
3Reliability
If safety elements are added to interrupt current, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode lead serves multiple functions: providing electrical connection between the electrode assembly and external circuit, and acting as a safety element that interrupts current flow when exposed to high temperatures, thereby improving reliability without adding separate components
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 configuration enhances safety by preventing explosions through timely current interruption, reduces manufacturing costs, and maintains battery capacity and efficiency by eliminating unnecessary components, while allowing normal operation with appropriate electrolyte levels.
Implementation Method 1
a safety element to interrupt current at a predetermined temperature is provided between the safety vent and the electrode lead
Implementation Method 2
an electrode lead of the jelly roll is electrically connected to the lower end of a safety vent having notches, which are ruptured to discharge high pressure gas when high pressure is generated in the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a cap assembly disposed at an open upper end of a cylindrical container of a battery in which an electrode assembly (jelly roll) of a cathode/separator/anode structure is mounted in the cylindrical container, wherein an electrode lead of the jelly roll is electrically connected to the lower end of a safety vent having notches, which are ruptured to discharge high pressure gas when high pressure is generated in the battery, and a safety element to interrupt current at a predetermined temperature is provided between the safety vent and the electrode lead.