Battery Label Sheet with Moisture Indicator

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries face challenges in verifying if they have been exposed to moisture and if users have attempted to disassemble or modify them, as existing solutions fail to provide clear visual confirmation and protection against moisture ingress.

Innovation Solution

A secondary battery design featuring a label sheet composed of an inner liquid impermeable sheet and an outer liquid permeable sheet, with an indicator between them, where the outer sheet extends over the indicator, providing visual confirmation of moisture exposure and attempting to disassemble the battery, while the inner sheet protects the battery from moisture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a label sheet is used to substitute the exterior material for miniaturization, then the battery size and thickness are reduced, but the battery becomes easily disassembled and modified without visual confirmation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery sizeVSAvoidprotection against disassembly and moisture
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an indicator that changes color or appearance when exposed to moisture or disassembly attempts. This visual confirmation mechanism allows the battery to maintain a compact label sheet design while providing clear indication of tampering or moisture exposure, thus resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the exterior material is replaced with a simple label sheet, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but moisture can easily permeate into the battery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmoisture permeation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-layer label sheet structure where an inner liquid impermeable sheet is nested within an outer liquid permeable sheet. This nested configuration provides moisture protection while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as the layers are bonded together in a single assembly process that adds minimal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If a service center needs to verify moisture exposure and disassembly attempts, then additional verification systems are required, but this increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-verifying label sheet system where the indicator automatically changes appearance when exposed to moisture or disassembly attempts. This eliminates the need for complex electronic verification systems or additional components, as the label sheet itself provides the verification function through its inherent moisture-responsive properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 allows for easy visual verification of moisture exposure and attempted disassembly, preventing damage from user modifications and ensuring the battery's integrity by making it difficult to reassemble after disassembly, thus extending the battery's lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

an outer liquid permeable sheet bonded to the inner liquid impermeable sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

an inner liquid impermeable sheet bonded to the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpermeability: Semipermeable Membrane

Data Source

PatentEP2330655B1Secondary battery
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP2330655B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2330655B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2330655B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A secondary battery comprising a housing to receive an electrode assembly is disclosed. The secondary battery comprises an inner liquid impermeable sheet bonded to the housing, an outer liquid permeable sheet bonded to the inner sheet and an indicator located between said inner and outer sheets to provide visual confirmation indicative of whether the battery has been exposed to a liquid.