Battery End Cap Flow Guiding Channel for Electrolyte Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery cell designs face challenges in efficiently injecting electrolyte solution, resulting in low injection efficiency and inadequate infiltration of the electrode assembly.

Innovation Solution

The battery cell incorporates an end cap with a first convex part and a flow guiding channel, allowing the electrolyte solution to flow laterally and efficiently reach the electrode assembly, improving injection efficiency and infiltration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electrolyte solution is injected through a conventional liquid injection hole, then the injection process is simple, but the injection efficiency is low and the electrolyte solution cannot sufficiently infiltrate the electrode assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection efficiencyVSAvoidend cap structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The end cap is segmented into multiple functional regions: a liquid injection hole for electrolyte entry, a flow guiding channel for lateral flow direction, and a first convex part with a flow guiding groove that divides the flow into multiple paths. This segmentation allows the electrolyte solution to be distributed to different areas of the electrode assembly simultaneously, significantly improving injection efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow guiding channel extends in the radial direction from the liquid injection hole, adding a lateral dimension to the electrolyte flow path. This dimensional change allows the electrolyte solution to reach the outer circumference of the electrode assembly more efficiently, overcoming the limitation of conventional vertical-only injection and improving infiltration without requiring a complex multi-hole structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the liquid injection hole is positioned centrally, then the structure is simple, but the electrolyte solution flow smoothness is poor and injection efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection efficiencyVSAvoidelectrolyte solution flow smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guiding channel acts as an intermediary structure between the centrally positioned liquid injection hole and the electrode assembly. It receives the electrolyte solution from the injection hole and redirects it laterally through the flow guiding groove, ensuring smooth flow transition and efficient distribution to the outer circumference of the electrode assembly, thereby maintaining both structural simplicity and flow smoothness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If no flow guiding structure is provided, then the end cap structure is simple, but the electrolyte solution cannot quickly reach the outer circumference of the electrode assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrolyte solution flow speedVSAvoidend cap structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guiding groove on the first convex part segments the electrolyte solution flow into multiple directional paths, enabling the solution to rapidly reach different areas of the electrode assembly simultaneously. This segmentation achieves high flow speed and efficient distribution without requiring a complex multi-channel structure, maintaining simplicity while improving performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow guiding channel introduces radial flow direction, allowing the electrolyte solution to quickly reach the outer circumference of the electrode assembly by flowing laterally rather than only vertically. This dimensional change in flow path significantly increases the speed of electrolyte distribution without adding complex structural components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances the smoothness of electrolyte flow and significantly improves injection efficiency, ensuring thorough infiltration of the electrolyte solution into the electrode assembly.

Implementation Method 1

the flow guiding channel is configured for allowing at least part of the electrolyte solution to flow to outside of the outer peripheral surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

one end of the first convex part away from the cap body is provided with an abutting surface, and the abutting surface is configured for abutting against the first tab

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical contact and force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4178028B1Battery cell, battery, electrical device, and manufacturing method and device for battery cell
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4178028B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4178028B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4178028B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present application provide a battery cell, a battery, an electrical device, and a manufacturing method and device for the battery cell, which belong to the technical field of batteries. Herein, the battery cell comprises an electrode assembly, a housing and an end cap. The electrode assembly has a first tab. The box has an opening for receiving the electrode assembly. The end cap comprises a cap body and a first convex part, the cap body is used to connect with the housing and cover the opening, and the first convex part protrudes from the inner surface of the cap body towards the electrode assembly and abuts against the first tab. The end cap is provided with a liquid injection hole, and the liquid injection hole is located inside of the outer peripheral surface of the first convex part. The first convex part is provided with a flow guiding channel, the flow guiding channel communicates with the liquid injection hole and penetrates the outer peripheral surface, and the flow guiding channel is used for allowing at least part of the electrolyte solution to flow to outside of the outer peripheral surface. During the process of injecting the electrolyte solution into the battery cell through the injection hole, the electrolyte solution can flow laterally to outside of the outer peripheral surface of the first convex part through the flow guiding channel, which can effectively improve the injection efficiency.