Sealed Battery Current Interrupt Mechanism Preventing Spark Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sealed batteries with current interrupt mechanisms experience spark discharges and voltage recovery issues due to close proximity of conductive sections and electrolyte vapor condensation, leading to unreliable overcharge detection and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A current interrupt mechanism with an inversion plate and collector, where the distance between the easily breakable section and the collector is maintained between 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm to prevent spark discharge and electrolyte vapor ingress, ensuring a safe and reliable interruption of electric current during overcharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distance between the easily breakable section and the collector is reduced to ensure reliable current interruption, then the current interrupt mechanism becomes more effective, but spark discharge occurs between the inversion plate and the collector
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating section is introduced as an intermediary component between the inversion plate and the collector. This insulating section prevents direct electrical contact and eliminates spark discharge while maintaining the mechanical linkage necessary for current interruption. The insulating section acts as a mediator that allows the inversion plate to displace the easily breakable section without creating a conductive path for spark discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The current interrupt mechanism is designed with different sections having distinct properties: the inversion plate is conductive for electrical connection, the easily breakable section is designed to break at a specific point to interrupt current, and the insulating section is non-conductive to prevent spark discharge. This local differentiation of material properties allows each section to perform its specific function while avoiding harmful effects.
2Reliability
If the battery case is sealed to improve battery integrity, then safety is enhanced, but electrolyte vapor condenses inside the case causing voltage recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful electrolyte vapor is extracted from the battery case through a vent hole provided in the case. By creating an opening that allows vapor to escape, the source of condensation and subsequent voltage recovery is removed. The vent hole enables the sealed battery to release harmful vapors while maintaining overall sealing for safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte vapor that would otherwise condense and cause voltage recovery is redirected through the vent hole to escape from the battery case. The harmful condensation effect is converted into beneficial vapor release, preventing the harmful effect while utilizing the natural vapor pressure to drive the harmful substance away from the sensitive components.
3Measurement precision
If the inversion plate displacement is increased to ensure current interruption, then overcharge detection becomes more reliable, but the easily breakable section breaks too early causing premature current cutoff
Solution Approach 1:
The easily breakable section is pre-designed with a specific break point and mechanical properties that determine when it will fail under displacement load. By carefully engineering the break point location and the mechanical characteristics of the easily breakable section, the system ensures that breaking occurs at the precise moment when the inversion plate has achieved sufficient displacement for reliable overcharge detection, without premature failure.
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
Prevents spark discharges and voltage recovery, ensuring reliable overcharge detection and enhanced safety in sealed batteries, suitable for high-capacity and high-energy-density applications, including vehicle power sources.
Implementation Method 1
an inversion plate that is electrically connected to the outer connection terminal and has an inversion section that can displace outward of the battery case when a pressure inside the battery case exceeds a predetermined pressure
Implementation Method 2
a collector that is disposed further toward the inner side of the case than the inversion plate and electrically connected to the electrode and has an easily breakable section that can be broken in part thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sealed battery with improved safety and reliability in which no spark discharge or voltage recovery occurs after a current interrupt mechanism has been actuated. A sealed battery 10 includes a current interrupt mechanism 40: having an inversion plate 50 and a collector 60. The collector 60 and the inversion plate 50 are electrically and mechanically joined in the easily breakable section 61 and the inversion section 51, the easily breakable section 61 is broken and displaced together with the inversion section 51 by the displacement of the inversion section 51, and the electric connection of the collector 60 and the inversion plate 50 is interrupted. The distance between the collector 60 and the easily breakable section 61 after the displacement is within a range of 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm.