Battery End Cover Assembly With Ribbed Protrusions Around Vent Hole
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large capacity battery cells require increased strength in top covers, but thickening the cover plate to achieve this results in higher costs and potential reduction in strength due to large mounting holes for explosion-proof valves.
Innovation Solution
An end cover assembly with protrusions that act as reinforcing ribs, mounted on the cover plate without increasing its thickness, which includes an explosion-proof valve and electrode terminals, formed through a stamping process to enhance strength and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the cover plate is increased to improve strength, then the strength of the top cover is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from increasing thickness (one dimension) to adding protrusions that extend in the lateral direction (another dimension). The cover plate maintains its original thickness but gains strength through protrusions that extend outward, effectively moving the strength-enhancement strategy to a different dimensional approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate is segmented into multiple functional regions through the protrusions, which divide the structure into a base plate and multiple reinforcing protrusions. This segmentation allows the strength enhancement to be localized to specific areas rather than requiring uniform thickening of the entire plate.
2Strength
If the thickness of the cover plate is increased to improve strength, then the strength of the top cover is improved, but the energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of consuming vertical space (thickness) for strength enhancement, the patent uses lateral space through protrusions. This preserves the original thickness and maximizes the volume available for active materials, thereby maintaining high energy density while achieving the required strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions provide localized strength enhancement only where needed for structural integrity, rather than uniformly increasing the entire cover plate thickness. This localized approach minimizes the impact on overall cell volume and preserves energy density.
3Adaptability or versatility
If large mounting holes are created for explosion-proof valves, then the valve can be properly installed, but the strength of the cover plate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate is segmented into a base plate and multiple protrusions, with the explosion-proof valve mounting hole located in the base plate area. This segmentation allows the mounting hole to be positioned in a region that does not compromise the structural integrity provided by the protrusions.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural strength is locally enhanced through protrusions positioned in critical areas, while the mounting hole is placed in a region where it does not significantly impact overall strength. This local differentiation allows both functions to coexist effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an end cover assembly, a battery cell, a battery module, and an energy storage device. The end cover assembly includes a cover plate, an explosion-proof valve, a first electrode terminal, and a second electrode terminal. The cover plate has a first protrusion, at least one second protrusion, and at least one third protrusion. The first protrusion has a mounting hole, and the at least one second protrusion and the at least one third protrusion are arranged at two opposite sides of the first protrusion in a length direction of the cover plate, respectively. The explosion-proof valve is mounted in the mounting hole. The first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal are arranged on the cover plate and spaced apart from each other.