Battery Laser Welding Plume Control via Shield Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery designs fail to prevent insulating members from burning due to plumes generated during laser welding of the case lid to the case body, leading to deterioration of insulation properties.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a plume restricting zone that utilizes a larger shield gas flow path and recessed areas to direct the plume away from the insulating members, ensuring sufficient shield gas flow and preventing the plume from reaching the outer insulating members during welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the case lid is welded to the case body by laser irradiation from above, then the welding efficiency and sealing quality are improved, but the plume generated during welding burns the insulating members and deteriorates their insulation properties
Solution Approach 1:
A shield gas (such as nitrogen or argon) is introduced as an intermediary substance between the laser welding zone and the insulating members. The shield gas flows in the gap between the case lid and case body, creating a protective atmosphere that prevents the plume from directly contacting and burning the insulating members, thereby maintaining their insulation properties while preserving the welding quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by introducing shield gas flow from the bottom upward through the gap between the case lid and case body. This creates a three-dimensional protective gas barrier that redirects the plume's upward trajectory and contains it within the welding zone, preventing damage to components in the upper dimension where insulating members are located
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the shield gas flow path is restricted, then the plume is contained and insulating members are protected, but the welding process requires more precise gas flow control
Solution Approach 1:
The gap between the case lid and case body itself serves as the shield gas flow path, eliminating the need for separate complex gas delivery systems. The structure of the battery case components creates the protective channel automatically, and the shield gas simply needs to be supplied at appropriate pressure to utilize this existing space for plume containment
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 configuration effectively prevents the insulating members from burning and maintains their insulation properties, ensuring reliable operation of the battery.
Implementation Method 1
The case lid is fitted in the opening and welded to the case body by laser irradiation from above the case lid toward a boundary portion between the case lid and the case body
Implementation Method 2
During laser welding, a shield gas is made to flow along the boundary in order to prevent the plume from greatly fluctuating or deflecting
Implementation Method 3
The plume is a vaporized metal rising like smoke or fume and mainly composed of Ar (Argon) vapor and plasma
Implementation Method 4
The plume is a vaporized metal rising like smoke or fume and mainly composed of Ar (Argon) vapor and plasma
Data Source
AI summary
This battery is provided with a power generating element, a battery case main body, a battery case lid, an electrode terminal member which is connected electrically to the power generating element inside of the battery case body and which extends outside of the battery case lid, and an outer insulation member which is arranged on the battery case lid and insulates the electrode terminal member from the battery case lid. The battery case lid is fitted inside of the opening and welded to the battery case main body by irradiating a laser from above the battery case lid towards the boundary section between the battery case lid and the battery case main body. Furthermore, this battery is provided with a plume control portion which prevents the plume that rises from the boundary portion during welding from rising towards the outer insulating member.