Nickel Hydrogen Battery Oxygen-Block Coating for Rust Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nickel hydrogen secondary batteries face issues with rust generation and electrolyte leakage due to prolonged exposure to oxygen gas during continuous charging, leading to increased internal resistance and potential battery failure.
Innovation Solution
A coating layer with a minimum thickness of 3 μm is applied to cover areas where the positive electrode lead and cover plate overlap, using materials like blown asphalt to block oxygen permeation and prevent rust on metal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous charging is performed to ensure power supply, then power availability is improved, but oxygen gas accumulates causing rust and electrolyte leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful oxygen gas generated during continuous charging into a beneficial effect by introducing a catalyst that promotes oxygen reduction reaction, transforming oxygen from a harmful substance causing rust into a useful reaction product that maintains battery functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a catalyst as an intermediary substance that mediates between the oxygen gas and the battery components, facilitating the oxygen reduction reaction and preventing direct harmful interaction between oxygen and metal parts
2Strength
If safety valve is provided to release gas, then battery bursting is prevented, but alkaline electrolyte leaks and battery life shortens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a catalyst before the safety valve activates, preventing oxygen accumulation from reaching dangerous levels in the first place, thereby avoiding the need for safety valve activation and preventing electrolyte leakage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by incorporating the catalyst into the battery structure in advance, enabling continuous oxygen reduction during charging operations before pressure buildup occurs, rather than waiting for emergency release conditions
3Reliability
If oxygen absorption at negative electrode is promoted, then safety valve activation is avoided, but absorption capacity is insufficient during continuous charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a catalyst that fundamentally alters the chemical reaction parameters at the negative electrode, enabling oxygen reduction to proceed at significantly higher rates and capacities during continuous charging operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the catalyst with the negative electrode structure, creating a composite system that enhances oxygen absorption capacity beyond what the hydrogen storage alloy alone can achieve during continuous charging
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 coating layer effectively suppresses rust on metal components and prevents electrolyte leakage, maintaining battery integrity and performance during continuous charging.
Implementation Method 1
a coating layer that covers at least a range where the one end portion of the positive electrode lead and the inner surface of the cover plate overlap each other and suppresses permeation of oxygen therethrough
Implementation Method 2
oxygen gas reacts with the hydrogen storage alloy of the negative electrode to form water. In other words, since the oxygen gas can be absorbed by the hydrogen storage alloy of the negative electrode, the increase in the internal pressure of the battery can be suppressed
Implementation Method 3
oxygen gas reacts with the hydrogen storage alloy of the negative electrode to form water
Data Source
AI summary
A nickel hydrogen secondary battery includes an electrode group including a positive electrode and a negative electrode that face each other via a separator, an outer package can that has an opening at an upper end thereof, and accommodates the electrode group therein together with an electrolyte, a sealing body including a cover plate fitted in the opening of the outer package can, and a positive electrode cap which is electrically connected to an outer surface of the cover plate, a positive electrode lead, one end portion of which is electrically connected to an inner surface of the cover plate and the other end portion of which is electrically connected to the positive electrode, and an oxygen block layer that covers at least a range where the one end portion of the positive electrode lead and the inner surface of the cover plate overlap each other, and suppresses permeation of oxygen therethrough, and a thickness of a thinnest portion of the oxygen block layer is 3 μm or more.