Secondary Battery Insulation Case Impact Absorber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional secondary batteries are prone to short circuits and deformation due to physical impacts, such as drops, as the insulation case is not effectively designed to absorb or distribute the stress, leading to contact between electrode components.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an impact absorber within the insulation case, which is designed to deform and absorb external impacts, thereby minimizing stress on the electrode assembly and preventing short circuits. This is achieved through a structured insulation case with specific geometric features, including tapered portions and varying thickness, that allow the impact absorber to function as a resilient plate spring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the insulation case is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the insulation performance is improved, but the battery becomes vulnerable to impact damage causing short circuits and electrode deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidimpact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies prior cushioning by incorporating a cushioning layer between the cap plate and the insulation case before impact occurs. This cushioning layer is specifically designed to absorb impact energy when physical impact is applied to the battery, preventing the cap plate from directly pressing down on the insulation case and causing short circuits or electrode deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining the rigid insulation case with a softer cushioning layer. The insulation case maintains its insulating properties and structural stability, while the cushioning layer provides impact absorption. This composite structure allows the battery to maintain reliable insulation performance while being resistant to impact damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the insulation case is made soft to absorb impact, then the resistance to physical stress is improved, but the insulation performance and structural stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidinsulation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the protective structure into two distinct functional parts: a rigid insulation case for maintaining insulation performance and structural stability, and a separate cushioning layer for absorbing impact. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining the rigid insulation case with a softer cushioning layer. The insulation case maintains its insulating properties and structural stability, while the cushioning layer provides impact absorption. This composite structure allows the battery to maintain reliable insulation performance while being resistant to impact damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If the cap plate has protrusions to secure assembly, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the insulation case cannot restore its original state after impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly alignmentVSAvoidrestorability after impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies prior cushioning by placing the cushioning layer between the cap plate protrusions and the insulation case. When impact occurs, this cushioning layer absorbs the energy and prevents the protrusions from causing permanent deformation or preventing the insulation case from restoring its original state, while still maintaining assembly alignment during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 effectively reduces damage to the electrode assembly and prevents short circuits by absorbing and distributing impact forces, ensuring the insulation case returns to its original shape after the impact, thus enhancing the battery's resistance to physical stress.

Implementation Method 1

an impact absorber configured to deform when an external impact is applied thereto to absorb the external impact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2166594B1Secondary battery

Publication Date: 2018.07.18 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D~2A

AI summary

A secondary battery including an electrode assembly; a can having an opening at an upper portion thereof and housing the electrode assembly; a cap assembly sealing the opening of the can; and an insulation case disposed between the electrode assembly and the cap assembly, the insulation case having an impact absorber configured to deform and absorb an external impact.