Battery Cell Sealing Plug with Radial Expansion Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cells face issues with scratches and damage to the plug during mechanical insertion, leading to potential sealing failures.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell design featuring a plug made of an elastically deformable material with a central cavity, where an insertion element is used to radially expand the plug within the electrolyte filling hole, ensuring a secure and damage-free seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug is inserted in force into the electrolyte filling hole, then the plug can be securely fixed in the hole, but scratches and damages occur on the plug surface leading to sealing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion process is divided into two distinct stages: first, the plug body is inserted smoothly into the filling hole without force; second, the insertion element is inserted into the cavity to radially expand the plug. This segmentation separates the insertion action from the expansion action, preventing surface damage during insertion while achieving secure fixation through controlled expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion element acts as an intermediary that transfers the expansion force to the plug indirectly. Instead of forcing the plug directly into the hole, the insertion element is inserted into the cavity and causes radial expansion of the plug wall, which then secures the plug in the filling hole. This intermediary mechanism avoids direct mechanical force on the plug surface.
2Strength
If the plug is made rigid for structural strength, then it can withstand mechanical insertion, but it cannot expand radially to ensure a tight seal
Solution Approach 1:
The plug exhibits different mechanical properties in different regions: the plug body is designed with sufficient structural strength to withstand insertion and maintain shape, while the plug wall (particularly around the cavity) is designed with elastic deformability to allow radial expansion. This local differentiation of material properties or structural characteristics enables both strength and expandability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure that can change its dimensions. The plug is designed to be elastic and deformable, allowing it to expand radially when the insertion element is inserted into the cavity. This dynamic capability enables the plug to adapt to the filling hole dimensions and create a tight seal.
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
This solution provides a reliable and damage-free sealing mechanism for battery cells, preventing scratches and ensuring a tight seal without mechanical force, thereby enhancing the durability and performance of the battery cell.
Implementation Method 1
the plug is made of an elastically deformable material, the plug comprising a central cavity, and in that the battery cell comprises an insertion element intended to be inserted in force in the cavity so that the plug expands radially in the filing hole
Data Source
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AI summary
The battery cell (10) comprises a casing (12) housing electrode stack(s) (13), a top cover assembly comprising a top plate (14) having a filling hole (18), and the battery cell (10) comprising a plug (20) for closing the filling hole (18). The plug (20) is made of an elastically deformable material, the plug (20) comprising a central cavity, and the battery cell (10) comprises an insertion element (26) intended to be inserted in force in the cavity so that the plug (20) expands radially in the filing hole (18).