Battery Cell Case Pressure-Activated Short Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hard shell power batteries face safety concerns due to the need for additional mechanical structures to prevent overpressure, which complicates the mechanical structure and reduces reliability while metal plates used for safety compromise mass energy density.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell protecting case with a conductive supporting plate and nonconductive bracket, featuring through slots and sharp protrusions, allows the battery housing to electrically connect with exposed portions under pressure, short-circuiting the battery without additional mechanical structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal plates are installed to ensure safety performance under pressure, then the power battery can short circuit when excessively under pressure, but the mass energy density is reduced and the mechanical structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety performanceVSAvoidmechanical structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the metal plate structure entirely and replaces it with a battery housing that has a through-hole exposing the conductive supporting plate. This extraction of the complex metal plate mechanism while retaining the short-circuit safety function directly resolves the contradiction between safety performance and mechanical structure complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery housing itself serves the dual function of containing the battery cell and providing the pressure-sensitive short-circuit mechanism through its through-hole design. The conductive supporting plate is always exposed through the through-hole, eliminating the need for separate metal plate components and reducing mechanical structure complexity while maintaining safety performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If metal plates are installed to ensure safety performance under pressure, then the power battery can short circuit when excessively under pressure, but the mass energy density is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety performanceVSAvoidmass energy density
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the metal plate components from the system, replacing them with a simplified housing design that exposes the conductive supporting plate through a through-hole. This elimination of additional metal components directly preserves mass energy density while maintaining the pressure-sensitive short-circuit safety function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery housing is designed to perform multiple functions: it contains the battery cell, provides structural support, and creates the pressure-sensitive short-circuit mechanism through its through-hole design. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate metal plate components, thereby preserving mass energy density while ensuring safety performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances safety performance by ensuring high-rate short-circuiting under excessive pressure, improving safety without increasing mechanical complexity or reducing energy density.

Implementation Method 1

the exposed portion being capable of electrically connecting with the conductive battery housing via the through slot due to deformation of the conductive battery housing under pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

the exposed portion being capable of electrically connecting with the conductive battery housing via the through slot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2782164B1Battery cell protecting case for use in power batteries
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 NINGDE AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY LTD
  • EP2782164B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2782164B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2782164B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A battery cell protecting case for assembling a battery cell having a positive pole and a negative pole in a conductive battery housing being electrically connected to one of the positive pole and the negative pole is provided. The battery cell protecting case includes a conductive supporting plate being electrically connected to the other one of the positive pole and the negative pole of the battery cell and a nonconductive bracket coupled to the conductive supporting plate. The conductive supporting plate is provided with a layer of insulative material and an exposed portion without insulative material formed thereon. The nonconductive bracket defines a through slot corresponding to the exposed portion. The exposed portion can electrically connect with the conductive battery housing via the through slot due to deformation of the conductive battery housing under pressure, so as to short circuit the power battery.