Secondary Battery Insulating Barriers Against Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries face safety risks due to heat transfer between electrode assemblies, which can lead to ignition or explosion when one assembly experiences a short-circuit or penetration.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an insulating barrier structure made of polymers with low thermal conductivity (0.01 W/mK to 0.35 W/mK) between electrode assemblies to prevent heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple electrode assemblies are inserted into the case to increase battery capacity, then the energy density and productivity are improved, but the risk of heat transfer and explosion increases when one assembly experiences short-circuit or penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery into multiple independent electrode assemblies, each surrounded by insulating barrier structures. This segmentation isolates potential heat sources, preventing thermal runaway from propagating to other assemblies, thus allowing higher battery capacity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces insulating barrier structures as intermediary elements between adjacent electrode assemblies. These barriers act as thermal mediators that block heat transfer pathways, enabling close packing of multiple assemblies to increase capacity without compromising safety.
2Reliability
If insulating barrier structure is added between electrode assemblies to prevent heat transfer, then the safety and stability are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film insulating barrier structures that conform to the contours of electrode assemblies. These flexible thin films provide effective thermal isolation without adding significant structural complexity or volume, maintaining simplicity in the overall battery design.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating barrier structures are made from composite materials that combine thermal insulation properties with mechanical flexibility and chemical stability. This allows a single material to fulfill multiple functions (thermal barrier, structural support, chemical resistance), reducing the number of separate components needed.
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 insulating barrier structure effectively delays the spread of heat, enhancing the safety and stability of the secondary battery by preventing ignition or explosion.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating barrier structure made of polymers with low thermal conductivity (0.01 W/mK to 0.35 W/mK) between electrode assemblies to prevent heat transfer
Data Source
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AI summary
A secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure comprises: a case; and a stack housed within the case, wherein the stack comprises: a plurality of electrode assemblies; and an insulating barrier structure disposed between the electrode assemblies. Accordingly, thermal transfer between the electrode assemblies is prevented, thereby improving the safety of the secondary battery.