Battery Cap Sealing Member for Electrolyte Refill Without Backflow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries experience reduced charging efficiency due to leakage and deterioration, leading to rapid performance degradation and the need for frequent replacement, especially in electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A sealing member with an electrolyte inflow passage made of an elastic material is designed for the battery electrolyte inlet, allowing for the reinjection of electrolyte and preventing backflow, thereby maintaining sealing performance and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional sealing member is used at the electrolyte inlet, then the battery can be sealed, but electrolyte leakage and deterioration occur leading to reduced charging efficiency and shortened battery lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member utilizes elastic material properties to change its physical state - it expands under electrolyte pressure to open the inflow passage for electrolyte replenishment, then returns to its original state to seal the inlet, preventing leakage and extending battery life while maintaining sealing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member transitions from a static seal to a dynamic component that automatically responds to internal pressure changes. The elastic material deforms and recovers based on pressure conditions, enabling the seal to both prevent leakage and allow controlled electrolyte replenishment, thereby extending battery lifespan
2Reliability
If the battery is periodically replaced due to performance degradation, then reliability is maintained, but production costs and environmental waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the entire battery when performance degrades, the invention enables recovery and replenishment of electrolyte through the sealing member's electrolyte inflow passage, allowing the battery to be restored to optimal performance and reused, thereby reducing production costs and waste
3Duration of action of moving object
If electrolyte replenishment is allowed, then battery lifespan is extended, but sealing performance may be compromised due to potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member dynamically adjusts its sealing state based on internal pressure - it remains sealed under normal conditions to prevent leakage, but automatically opens the electrolyte inflow passage when pressure increases during replenishment, then reseals afterward, thus extending lifespan without compromising sealing performance
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
The solution effectively reduces degradation factors caused by electrolyte loss, maintains sealing performance, and allows for more efficient reuse of batteries, potentially reducing production costs by omitting the vent hole and vent plate.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing member may be configured to be moved in an outward direction in a state in which pressure in a critical pressure range is applied from a lower direction of the cap plate
Implementation Method 2
inner surfaces of at least one section of the electrolyte inflow passage of the sealing member inserted into electrolyte inlet may be in contact with each other to prevent an electrolyte from leaking out
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cap assembly includes: a cap plate having an electrolyte inlet; and a sealing member to be inserted into the electrolyte inlet. The sealing member has an electrolyte inflow passage penetrating an elastic material in a longitudinal direction of the sealing member.