Rechargeable Battery Grooved Case Symmetrical Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable batteries face issues with structural integrity and safety due to external pressure, which can lead to irregular deformation and potential explosion when current collecting members come into contact with the electrode assembly, causing damage and overheating.

Innovation Solution

The rechargeable battery design incorporates a case with grooves in its sidewalls that allow for controlled deformation upon external pressure, preventing the current collecting members from directly contacting the electrode assembly and minimizing the risk of damage or explosion by directing external impact through these grooves, thus maintaining structural integrity and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the case is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but the battery cannot deform symmetrically under external pressure, leading to irregular deformation and potential explosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidsafety under external pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The case is segmented with grooves that divide the structure into regions that can deform independently. These grooves act as predetermined deformation zones that guide the case to collapse symmetrically under external pressure, preventing irregular deformation while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The case transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with controlled deformation capabilities. The grooves enable the case to adapt its shape under external pressure, allowing symmetric deformation that protects internal components while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the case is made deformable to absorb external pressure, then reliability under pressure is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety under external pressureVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the external pressure and the internal components. They provide a controlled path for deformation energy dissipation, allowing the case to absorb pressure without compromising the protection of internal components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the current collecting members are positioned close to the electrode assembly to reduce size, then volume is reduced, but the risk of contact and overheating increases under external pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery sizeVSAvoidsafety against contact and overheating

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The grooves provide beforehand cushioning by creating predetermined deformation zones that absorb external pressure before it can reach the internal components. This prior cushioning effect protects the current collecting members and electrode assembly from contact and overheating, even when positioned closely together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves convert the harmful effect of external pressure into a beneficial symmetric deformation pattern. Instead of allowing random irregular deformation that could cause component contact, the grooves guide the deformation in a controlled manner that actually protects the internal components, turning potential harm into protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS9768420B2Rechargeable battery

Publication Date: 2017.09.19 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode and a second electrode of different polarities, a case with an opening that houses the electrode assembly, the case having a pair of opposing first side walls, each first side wall of the pair of first side walls including at least one groove extending from the opening of the case to an opposite side of the case, a cap assembly coupled to the opening of the case to seal the case, a first current collecting member and a second current collecting member inside the case, the first and second current collecting members being connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, and a first terminal and a second terminal on the cap assembly, the first and second terminals being connected to the first current collecting member and the second current collecting member, respectively.