Battery Pack PCM Coating for Nonflammable PCB-FPCB Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing rechargeable battery packs face challenges in achieving nonflammability at the connection portion between the printed circuit board and the flexible printed circuit board in the protection circuit module, especially when the flexible printed circuit board is drawn out from the front, as the flame retardant tape fails to cover the exposed portion completely due to structural constraints.

Innovation Solution

A rechargeable battery pack design that includes a flame retardant coated portion formed by coating a flame retardant agent on the exposed connections between the printed circuit board and the flexible printed circuit board, with a top tape that forms a terrace space and is bent to cover the protection circuit module, ensuring complete nonflammability regardless of the direction of the flexible printed circuit board's draw-out.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If flame retardant tape is used to cover the connection portion, then nonflammability is secured, but complete coverage is impossible when the flexible printed circuit board is drawn out from the front due to structural constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflammabilityVSAvoidcomplete coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the application method of the flame retardant material from a pre-formed tape to a coating process. The flame retardant coating layer is applied directly to the exposed connection portion after the flexible printed circuit board is drawn out, ensuring complete coverage regardless of the draw-out direction. This parameter change from tape application to coating application resolves the coverage issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The top tape is designed with a specific structure that exposes the connection portion in advance before the flame retardant coating is applied. The top tape surrounds the protection circuit module and forms a terrace space, creating a controlled exposure that allows subsequent coating application. This preliminary action ensures the connection portion is ready for coating before final assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the flexible printed circuit board is drawn out from the front, then connection accessibility is improved, but the flame retardant tape becomes unable to cover the exposed portion completely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection accessibilityVSAvoidflammability coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to cover the connection portion with tape before the flexible printed circuit board is drawn out, the patent inverts the sequence: the top tape is first attached to expose the connection portion, the flexible printed circuit board is drawn out for connection, and then the flame retardant coating is applied to cover the exposed portion. This inverted sequence allows both accessibility and flammability protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the protection process into distinct stages: first the top tape is attached to form a terrace space, then the flexible printed circuit board is drawn out for connection, and finally the flame retardant coating is applied to the exposed connection portion. This segmentation allows each operation to be performed optimally without compromising the others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Shape

If the top tape is designed to surround the protection circuit module, then structural organization is improved, but the connection portion remains exposed and vulnerable to fire

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural organizationVSAvoidflammability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by having the top tape surround the protection circuit module to maintain structural organization, while simultaneously applying flame retardant coating specifically to the exposed connection portion. This localized application of flame retardant protection ensures that the organized structure is maintained while the vulnerable exposed area receives targeted protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4376157A1Rechargeable battery pack
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4376157A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4376157A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4376157A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An embodiment of the present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a rechargeable battery pack capable of implementing nonflammablility for a connection portion between a printed circuit board and a flexible printed circuit board in a protection circuit module. The rechargeable battery pack includes a battery cell configured to draw out an electrode tab from an electrode assembly accommodated in a pouch, a protection circuit module (PCM) connected to an electrode tab drawn out to a terrace of the pouch and connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) including a protection circuit through a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), a top tape configured to surround the protection circuit module and is attached to the battery cell to form a terrace space therein, and a flame retardant coated portion formed by coating a flame retardant coating agent on at least one portion of the protection circuit module exposed to an outside of the top tape.