Battery Current Collector Fuse Structure for Fast Overcurrent Cutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuse devices in secondary batteries, such as PTC thermistors and TCO, fail to immediately block overcurrent, leading to potential safety hazards like ignition or explosion due to heat generation, and are unsuitable for high-output applications like vehicle battery packs.
Innovation Solution
A battery design featuring a current collector with a resistance increasing region, including grooves or thinner sections, to rapidly cut off electrical connection when overcurrent occurs, minimizing heat generation and preventing safety issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PTC thermistors or TCO devices are used as fuse devices, then the battery can block overcurrent when temperature rises, but the resistance increases as operation is repeated, increasing overall circuit resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fuse function from separate PTC thermistor or TCO devices and integrates it directly into the current collector structure. The current collector itself becomes the protective element with a designed weak section that breaks under overcurrent, eliminating the need for separate fuse devices that add resistance to the circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the current collector and fuse function into a single integrated component. The current collector includes a weak section with reduced cross-sectional area that serves both as an electrical conductor and as the protective element that breaks under excessive current, combining two previously separate functions into one.
2Reliability
If PTC thermistors or TCO devices are used, then overcurrent can be blocked when temperature rises, but the devices operate only after heat generation has already threatened safety
Solution Approach 1:
The invention prepares the current collector in advance with a predetermined weak section that has reduced cross-sectional area. This pre-engineered weakness ensures that when overcurrent occurs, the break happens immediately at the weak section without requiring temperature rise or heat generation, providing preliminary protection action.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the thermal-based protection mechanism (PTC or TCO that requires temperature rise) with a mechanical/electrical breakdown mechanism. The weak section of the current collector breaks electrically or mechanically under excessive current load directly, without relying on thermal effects, thus substituting a faster non-thermal mechanism for the slower thermal one.
3Adaptability or versatility
If PTC thermistors, TCO, or thermal fuses are used in high-output batteries, then the battery can operate in high temperature environments, but the devices may operate prematurely due to the high temperature environment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces temperature-dependent protection devices with a current-dependent protection mechanism. The weak section of the current collector is designed to break based on excessive current load rather than temperature, allowing the battery to operate in high-temperature environments without premature activation of protective devices, as the breakdown is triggered by current magnitude not thermal conditions.
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 ensures quick disconnection of overcurrent, enhancing safety by preventing temperature rises and reducing the risk of explosions, suitable for high-output applications.
Implementation Method 1
the devices mentioned above are all operated by heat generation due to overcurrent
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a battery, which includes an electrode assembly; a battery housing configured to accommodate the electrode assembly through an open portion formed at one side thereof; a battery terminal configured to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly through a closed portion formed at a side opposite to the open portion of the battery housing; and a current collector having a first coupling portion electrically coupled to the electrode assembly and a second coupling portion electrically coupled to the battery terminal and having a resistance increasing region formed in at least a part thereof.