Battery Cell Cap Plate Support to Reduce Height and Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
The height of secondary battery cells is increased due to the thickness of the cap and the welding bead, which can lead to stress concentration and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell design that includes a support portion within the case to support the cap plate, forming a fixing space and preventing the welding bead from protruding, with the support portion and cap plate being spaced apart to reduce the overall height and distribute stress evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cap and welding bead are used to seal the battery cell case, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the overall height of the battery cell increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap plate is designed to extend in the horizontal dimension into the accommodation space rather than stacking vertically. By spreading the sealing structure horizontally and using the support portion to provide vertical support from within the accommodation space, the solution reduces the height direction dimension while maintaining sealing functionality through the welded portion.
2Device complexity
If the cap plate is directly attached to the case without support, then the device complexity is reduced, but stress concentration occurs reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion acts as an intermediary element between the cap plate and the case. It provides mechanical support to the lower surface of the cap plate, distributing stress evenly and preventing stress concentration. This intermediary structure enhances durability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the welding bead is allowed to protrude outwardly, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the structural integrity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The welding bead is positioned within the accommodation space rather than protruding outwardly. The support portion provides a lower surface for the welding bead to rest on, containing the weld within the internal space of the case. This maintains structural integrity by preventing external protrusion while still allowing straightforward welding processes.
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 design reduces the overall height of the battery cell, enhances durability by distributing stress, and prevents the welding bead from protruding, thereby improving structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the support portion and cap plate being spaced apart to reduce the overall height and distribute stress evenly
Implementation Method 2
a welded portion at least partially disposed in the fixing space to fix the case to the cap plate
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell includes a case accommodating an electrode assembly in an internal accommodation space and having an opening formed therein, a cap plate at least partially inserted into the accommodation space through the opening and coupled to the case, and a support portion disposed in the accommodation space and supporting a lower surface of the cap plate, wherein a side surface of the cap plate facing the internal surface of the case is spaced apart 10 from the internal surface of the case by a predetermined distance to form a fixing space, and the support portion is disposed below the cap plate so that at least a portion thereof forms a lower surface of the fixing space.