Battery Retainer for Electrode Assembly Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary battery designs face challenges in securely fixing and protecting the electrode assembly within the battery case, particularly in preventing deformation and movement due to external shocks or vibrations, while also ensuring electrical connectivity and minimizing the risk of short circuits.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a retainer made of insulating material with specific side and bottom parts that accommodate collecting plates, which are welded to the electrode assembly, and a case with a cap assembly to securely house the electrode assembly, ensuring it is fixed with respect to three axes (X, Y, and Z) and reducing the risk of short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electrode assembly is accommodated in the case without additional fixing structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the electrode assembly may move or deform due to external shocks or vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
A retainer made of insulating material is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrode assembly and the case. The retainer includes fixing slits that accommodate the collecting plates, preventing the electrode assembly from moving or deforming during operation while maintaining electrical insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is divided into multiple functional parts including first and second side parts with fixing slits, and a bottom part. This segmentation allows each part to perform specific functions: the side parts secure the collecting plates while the bottom part provides additional support, collectively ensuring electrode assembly stability.
2Reliability
If the retainer is made of conductive material, then electrical connectivity is improved, but the risk of short circuits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating material retainer acts as an intermediary that provides mechanical support and electrical insulation simultaneously. It prevents direct contact between conductive components that could cause short circuits while still enabling proper electrical connectivity through the collecting plates and terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the battery structure have different material properties: the retainer is made of insulating material to prevent short circuits, while the collecting plates and terminals are made of conductive material to ensure electrical connectivity. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both electrical performance and safety.
3Reliability
If the collecting plates are securely fixed to the electrode assembly, then electrical connectivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing function and the supporting function are merged into a single retainer component. The retainer simultaneously secures the collecting plates through its fixing slits and provides structural support for the electrode assembly, eliminating the need for separate fixing mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer performs multiple functions: it fixes the collecting plates, supports the electrode assembly, provides electrical insulation, and prevents movement during operation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring reliable electrical connectivity and mechanical stability.
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 enhances the safety and reliability of the secondary battery by preventing deformation, movement, and short circuits, while ensuring stable electrical connections and improved protection against external shocks.
Implementation Method 1
a first collecting plate and a second collecting plate that are in contact with and fixed to the first electrode non-coating portion and the second electrode non-coating portion, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly includes first and second electrode non-coating portions exposed from respective sides of an electrode assembly, first and second collecting plates in contact with and fixed to the respective first and second electrode non-coating portions, a retainer including first and second fixing slits that accommodate the first and second collecting plates connected to the electrode assembly, respectively, and a case that accommodates the retainer accommodating the electrode assembly and the first collecting plate. The retainer includes a first side part including the first fixing slit, a second side part facing the first side part and including the second fixing slit, and a bottom part connecting the first and second side parts to each other.