Secondary Battery Case With Variable Width Accommodation Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary batteries face challenges in achieving high-density designs with high packing ratios and preventing stress-related formation errors, such as tearing or thickness deviations, during the manufacturing of the battery case.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery design featuring an electrode assembly housed in a case with an accommodation region where the center width is smaller than the end widths, with curved and rounded sides and corners, allowing for a high packing ratio and smooth material flow to prevent stress concentration during case formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rectangular case with straight sides is used to accommodate the electrode assembly, then the manufacturing process is simple, but stress concentrates at the corners causing tearing or thickness deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the case design by forming the sides with a first curvature radius and corners with a second curvature radius that is larger than the first. This curvature design prevents stress concentration at sharp corners during case formation, eliminating tearing and thickness deviations while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If the case has a fixed width throughout, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the packing ratio is reduced due to unnecessary surplus regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the width of the case along its length. The case has a first width at the ends and a second width at the center, where the second width is smaller than the first width. This localized width variation eliminates surplus regions while maintaining simple manufacturing processes.
3Quantity of substance
If the case width is reduced uniformly throughout, then the packing ratio improves, but the electrode assembly cannot be properly accommodated at the ends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different width zones: the ends of the case maintain a first width to properly accommodate the electrode assembly ends, while the center portion has a reduced second width to eliminate surplus regions and improve packing ratio. This localized differentiation solves both accommodation and density requirements.
4Ease of manufacture
If sharp corners are used in the case design, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but stress concentration causes formation errors like tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature principles by designing corners with a second curvature radius that is larger than the first curvature radius of the sides. This rounded corner design distributes stress during case formation, preventing tearing and thickness deviations while maintaining processability.
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery is disclosed. In one aspect, the secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a case comprising an accommodation region configured to accommodate the electrode assembly. The accommodation region has a first width in a center area thereof and a second width in opposing ends thereof, and wherein the second width is greater than the first width. When the case configured to accommodate the electrode assembly is formed, formation errors caused by concentration of stress such as tearing of a raw material or thickness deviations may be prevented.