Rechargeable Battery Current Distribution Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-power rechargeable batteries face challenges in efficient current distribution and heat management, particularly during short-circuits, which can lead to overheating and potential explosions due to uneven resistance paths and inadequate heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a current distribution member that electrically connects the case with the first current collecting member, featuring a fuse portion with a lower melting point and a heat conductive member, along with a resistive layer on the connecting member to manage resistance and distribute current evenly, and a safety member to prevent excessive heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional current collecting member is used without a current distribution member, then the structure is simpler, but the current distribution is uneven and heat dissipation is inadequate during short-circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The current distribution member divides the current collection path into multiple parallel paths by providing multiple contact points with the current collecting member and multiple contact points with the case. This segmentation of the current flow path enables more uniform current distribution and improves heat dissipation efficiency during short-circuit conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The current distribution member acts as an intermediary component between the current collecting member and the case. It provides a dedicated heat dissipation pathway and current distribution network, mediating the thermal and electrical stresses during short-circuits to prevent overheating and improve reliability.
2Reliability
If the fuse portion is made with lower melting point material, then the safety protection is improved, but the melting point of the current collecting member is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse portion is designed with locally differentiated material properties, specifically a lower melting point material concentrated at the fuse portion while other portions of the current collecting member maintain higher melting point materials. This local quality differentiation enables safety protection at critical points without compromising the overall thermal resistance of the current collecting member.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse portion with lower melting point material serves as a pre-designed safety mechanism that activates beforehand during abnormal conditions. It provides prior cushioning protection by melting first to interrupt current flow, preventing more severe damage to the battery system while the main current collecting member remains intact.
3Temperature
If multiple current distribution paths are provided, then the heat dissipation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The current distribution member performs multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes current uniformly across multiple paths, provides additional heat dissipation pathways, and acts as a structural support element. This multi-functionality achieves improved heat dissipation without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single component accomplishes multiple objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The current distribution member combines the functions of current distribution and heat dissipation into a single integrated component. By merging these functions, the design achieves multiple benefits (uniform current distribution and improved heat dissipation) without the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 solution effectively distributes short-circuit current and heat, reducing the risk of overheating and preventing fuse portion melting, thereby enhancing safety and stability of the rechargeable battery by stabilizing temperature and managing heat dissipation through the current distribution member.
Implementation Method 1
the fuse portion having a lower melting point than other portions of the first current collecting member
Implementation Method 2
a heat conductive member
Implementation Method 3
a resistive layer on the connecting member to manage resistance and distribute current evenly
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap assembly coupled with the case, the cap assembly including a terminal; a first current collecting member, the first current collecting member including a fuse portion connecting the terminal with the first electrode, and an electrode bonding portion fixed to the electrode assembly, the fuse portion having a lower melting point than other portions of the first current collecting member; and a current distribution member fixed to the first current collecting member, the current distribution member electrically connecting the first current collecting member with the case.