Battery Electrode Insulation Structure Against Foreign Matter Shorts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries face a risk of short circuits due to metallic foreign matters piercing the electrode assembly during expansion, which compromises safety performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an insulating member with first and second insulating sheets positioned along the thickness and width directions, respectively, to prevent metallic foreign matters from penetrating the electrode assembly, and using an adhesive tape to secure the insulating sheets while minimizing damage during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrode assembly is placed inside the housing without additional protective measures, then the assembly process is simple, but metallic foreign matters can pierce the separator and cause short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating member is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrode assembly and the housing. This insulating member includes an insulating sheet that contacts the electrode assembly and an insulating case that receives the electrode assembly, preventing direct contact between metallic foreign matters in the housing and the electrode assembly, thereby eliminating the short circuit risk without requiring complex structural modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating member is divided into two functional segments: an insulating sheet that provides direct protection to the electrode assembly surface, and an insulating case that encloses the electrode assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific protective function efficiently while keeping the overall structure manageable and not overly complex
2Reliability
If the insulating sheet extends beyond the intersecting line of the electrode assembly, then it provides better protection, but it increases the risk of damage during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating sheet is designed with non-uniform extension: it extends beyond the intersecting line at the first surface of the electrode assembly where protection is most critical, while its edges are contained within the housing at other locations. This localized extension strategy provides enhanced protection where needed while avoiding excessive extension that would increase damage risk during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating case is designed to receive and constrain the insulating sheet, providing a protective boundary that prevents the insulating sheet from being damaged during the assembly process. The insulating case acts as a cushioning structure that protects the insulating sheet edges before they can be damaged by external forces during assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a secondary battery, including an electrode assembly, a housing, a top cover assembly, and an insulating member. The electrode assembly includes two first surfaces and two second surfaces, and the two first surfaces are located respectively at two ends of the electrode assembly in the thickness direction. The second surfaces are extended from the ends of the first surfaces along a width direction, and intersecting lines are formed between the first surfaces and the second surfaces. The housing has an opening and forms an accommodating cavity. The electrode assembly is located inside the accommodating cavity of the housing, and the top cover assembly is connected to the opening of the housing and seals the housing. The insulating member includes two first insulating sheets, and the two first insulating sheets are disposed respectively at two sides of the electrode assembly along the thickness direction.