Reinforced Battery Cell End Cap for Deformation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery cell safety is compromised due to deformation from external forces, leading to potential short circuits and hazards such as explosions or fires, as the body portion of the end cap is prone to deformation, pressing the electrode assembly and causing damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reinforcement portion into the body portion of the end cap, which enhances stiffness and resistance to deformation, reducing the risk of short circuits by providing additional deformation space and maintaining the structural integrity of the battery cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the end cap body portion is made thinner to reduce battery cell volume, then the volume of the battery cell is reduced, but the stiffness and resistance to deformation of the end cap body portion deteriorates, leading to potential short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The end cap body portion is segmented into a first body portion and a second body portion, with the first body portion having a smaller thickness than the second body portion. This segmentation allows the end cap to have reduced overall volume while maintaining sufficient stiffness through the thicker second body portion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the end cap body portion are given different thicknesses to optimize both volume and stiffness. The first body portion (where volume reduction is prioritized) has a smaller thickness, while the second body portion (where structural support is needed) has a larger thickness, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction.
2Quantity of substance
If the end cap body portion is made thinner to improve energy density, then the energy density of the battery cell is improved, but the resistance to external forces and prevention of short circuits deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The end cap is divided into regions with different thicknesses, allowing the overall volume to be reduced for improved energy density while specific regions maintain sufficient thickness to ensure safety and prevent short circuits under external forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The end cap body portion has non-uniform thickness distribution, with the first body portion being thinner to maximize energy density and the second body portion being thicker to maintain safety and resistance to deformation, thus resolving the contradiction between energy density and reliability.
3Weight of stationary object
If the end cap body portion is made thinner to reduce material usage, then the material cost and weight are reduced, but the structural integrity and resistance to deformation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The end cap body portion is segmented into a first body portion with smaller thickness and a second body portion with larger thickness, reducing overall material usage and weight while maintaining structural integrity through the thicker second body portion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the end cap are assigned different thicknesses to optimize material usage. The first body portion uses less material to reduce weight, while the second body portion uses more material to maintain structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell, a battery, a power consuming apparatus, and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the battery cell are described. The battery cell includes a housing, an electrode assembly, and an end cap. The electrode assembly is accommodated in the housing. The end cap includes a first body portion and a first protrusion. The first body portion surrounds an edge of the first protrusion and is configured to be connected to the housing, the first protrusion protrudes relative to the first body portion in a direction away from the electrode assembly in a thickness direction of the end cap, and a first accommodating space is formed inside the first protrusion and is configured to accommodate at least a part of a tab of the electrode assembly. The first body portion is provided with a reinforcement portion being configured to enhance the stiffness of the first body portion.