Secondary Battery Insulation Unit Preventing Electrolyte Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries face issues with electric shorts due to electrolyte solution leakage between the cap plate and electrode terminals, which compromises their stability and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an insulation unit comprising an upper gasket, a seal gasket, and an insulation member, which are strategically positioned to block the electrolyte solution from reaching the cap plate, thereby preventing electric shorts. This insulation unit includes a stepped structure for enhanced sealing, ensuring the cap plate is electrically separated from the electrode terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electrode terminal penetrates the cap plate directly, then the electrical connection is simple and device structure is compact, but the electrolyte solution can reach the cap plate and cause electric short
Solution Approach 1:
An insulation unit comprising an upper gasket, seal gasket, and insulation member is introduced as an intermediary between the electrode terminal and cap plate. The upper gasket receives the electrode terminal, the seal gasket seals the terminal hole, and the insulation member provides additional insulation. This multi-component intermediary structure prevents electrolyte solution contact between the conductive cap plate and electrode terminal, resolving the electric short issue while maintaining structural compactness.
2Reliability
If insulation components are added to prevent electric short, then electrical insulation reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The upper gasket, seal gasket, and insulation member are merged into a single integrated insulation unit that is pre-assembled before installation. The upper gasket includes receiving grooves for the electrode terminal, the seal gasket is integrated with the upper gasket, and the insulation member combines multiple insulation functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the assembly process, offsetting the increased structural complexity with manufacturing efficiency.
3Reliability
If multiple gaskets and insulation members are used, then sealing performance is improved and electric short is prevented, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different components of the insulation unit are designed with specialized local properties: the upper gasket has a soft, deformable structure to conform to the electrode terminal shape and provide localized sealing; the seal gasket is positioned specifically at the terminal hole to seal the interface between the insulation member and cap plate; the insulation member provides rigid structural insulation. This division of local functions allows each component to excel at its specific task, reducing the need for high overall manufacturing precision while achieving reliable sealing.
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and an electrolyte solution in a case, a current collection unit in the case and electrically connected to the electrode assembly, a cap plate coupled to an open side of the case for sealing the case, an electrode terminal penetrating the cap plate through a terminal hole to be exposed to an exterior of the case, the electrode terminal being electrically connected to the current collection unit, and an insulation unit separating the cap plate from the electrode terminal and the current collection unit, the insulation unit being configured to block penetration of the electrolyte solution therethrough toward the cap plate.