Secondary Battery Case Protrusion Sealing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for sealing the filling hole in secondary battery manufacturing are costly and complex, requiring a separate metal ball and additional processes like laser welding and epoxy application.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery case design where a protrusion integrated with the top plate is used to seal the filling hole, which is press-fitted and broken to slide into the hole, providing a secure seal with an inclination surface and a passage for electrolyte injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate metal ball is used to seal the filling hole, then the sealing function is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase and the manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing protrusion is integrated directly into the top plate structure, eliminating the need for a separate metal ball component. The top plate includes a protrusion that protrudes from its lower surface to press-fit into the filling hole, combining the sealing function with the top plate itself and reducing both component count and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted from the separate metal ball component and incorporated into the top plate structure through the integrated protrusion design, simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining the sealing capability
2Reliability
If a separate metal ball is used to seal the filling hole, then the sealing function is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing protrusion is integrated directly into the top plate structure, eliminating the need for a separate metal ball component. This integration reduces component count, assembly steps, and associated manufacturing costs while maintaining the sealing function
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated protrusion design eliminates the need for expensive separate sealing components like metal balls that require additional handling, positioning, and securing operations, thereby reducing manufacturing costs
3Reliability
If additional laser welding and epoxy application are performed after press-fitting the metal ball, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the top plate structure through the integrated protrusion, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and the multiple secondary operations (laser welding, epoxy application) that would be required to secure them, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency
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 design reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies the process by integrating the sealing member with the top plate, enhancing the sealing force and reducing the complexity of the sealing process.
Implementation Method 1
the protrusion is press-fitted into the filling hole to seal the filling hole
Implementation Method 2
The protrusion may extend upward from the top plate and have an inclination surface that is inclined toward a side opposite to the filling hole, and when the protrusion is broken, the protrusion may be slid into the filling hole by the inclination surface
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a secondary battery case and a method for manufacturing a secondary battery. The secondary battery case includes a can accommodating an electrode assembly and a top cap sealing an upper opening of the can. The top cap includes a top plate sealing the upper opening of the can, a filling hole passing through the top plate to fill an electrolyte into the can, and a protrusion protruding from the top plate on an upper portion of the filling hole. The protrusion is press-fitted into the filling hole to seal the filling hole. According to the present invention, the protrusion may protrude from the top plate. Thus, the protrusion may be press-fitted into the filling hole and thus broken to seal the filling hole. Therefore, the member for sealing the filling hole may be integrated with the top plate to reduce manufacturing costs and simplify a manufacturing process.