Battery End Cover Surface Roughness for Reliable Sealing Cap Welding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Poor welding of sealing caps on energy-storage apparatuses such as lithium batteries results in low product yield due to issues like laser reflection, impurity vaporization, and formation of defects during laser welding.

Innovation Solution

The end cover assembly features a top cover with a first sub-surface having greater roughness than the second sub-surface, designed with specific ratios and markings to reduce laser reflection, enhance adhesive force, and manage impurities, ensuring effective sealing and welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the top cover surface is made smooth for clean appearance, then the aesthetic quality is improved, but laser reflection increases causing poor welding quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface smoothnessVSAvoidwelding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different surface roughness to different regions of the top cover. The first sub-surface (around the liquid-injection hole) has greater roughness (Ra: 3.2-50) to reduce laser reflection and improve welding quality, while the second sub-surface has smaller roughness (Ra: 0.4-3.2) to maintain a clean appearance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between aesthetic smoothness and welding reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If the first sub-surface roughness is increased to reduce laser reflection, then the welding temperature consistency is improved, but the adhesive force between top patch and top cover may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding temperature consistencyVSAvoidadhesive force
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the roughness of the first sub-surface within a specific range (Ra: 3.2-50) to balance two opposing requirements: reducing laser reflection for consistent welding temperature and maintaining sufficient adhesive force for the top patch. This optimized local roughness range resolves the contradiction between welding temperature consistency and adhesive strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the linewidth of the first sub-surface is increased to provide larger welding area, then the welding stability is improved, but the material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding stabilityVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the linewidth of the first sub-surface within a specific range (1.5mm ≤ L1 ≤ 8.5mm) to balance welding stability and material consumption. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient welding area for stable sealing cap attachment while minimizing unnecessary material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If the ratio of outer radius of first sub-surface to radius of liquid-injection hole is increased to provide better sealing, then the sealing performance is improved, but the welding portion area decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidwelding portion area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the ratio of the outer radius of the first sub-surface to the radius of the liquid-injection hole within a specific range (1.2 ≤ R1/R2 ≤ 4.8) to balance sealing performance and welding portion area. This parameter optimization ensures adequate sealing effectiveness while maintaining sufficient welding area for reliable sealing cap attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves the sealing performance and yield by minimizing laser reflection, preventing defects, and ensuring consistent welding temperatures, thereby enhancing the durability and efficiency of the energy-storage apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

the reflection of laser by the top cover can be reduced, so as to reduce the laser absorptivity of the welding material of the top cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

reduce the laser absorptivity of the welding material of the top cover, avoiding the problem that the temperature cannot reach a welding temperature caused by the reflection of laser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

when a top patch is attached to the first surface of the top cover, gas between the top patch and the first sub-surface of the top cover can be discharged through a rough micro-gap of the first sub-surface to avoid formation of local bubbles, which can increase the binding force (i.e., the adhesive force) between the top patch and the first sub-surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 4

gas between the top patch and the first sub-surface of the top cover can be discharged through a rough micro-gap of the first sub-surface to avoid formation of local bubbles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas discharge through micro-gap: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP4632943A1End cover assembly, energy-storage apparatus, and electricity-consumption device
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 HITHIUM TECH HK LTD
  • EP4632943A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4632943A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4632943A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An end cover assembly, an energy-storage apparatus, and an electricity-consumption device are provided in the present disclosure. The end cover assembly is for an energy-storage apparatus and includes a top cover. The top cover has a first surface and further defines a liquid-injection hole extending through the first surface. The first surface includes a first sub-surface and a second sub-surface connected to the first sub-surface, the first sub-surface is around the liquid-injection hole, the second sub-surface is around a periphery of the first sub-surface, and roughness of the first sub-surface is greater than roughness of the second sub-surface. According to the end cover assembly in embodiments of the present disclosure, during welding of a sealing cap, the sealing cap can be welded to the top cover to achieve a better sealing effect, prolonging the service life of the energy-storage apparatus.