Battery Pack Safety Device for Swelling Current Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs face safety risks due to swelling and potential explosion or ignition caused by overcharging or overcurrent, as existing designs lack effective mechanisms to break current flow and prevent such incidents.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a safety device that connects and separates electrode leads between battery cells using a connection member and movable member, allowing current to flow initially and then breaking it when cells swell, thereby preventing explosions or ignitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If battery cells are connected in series to increase capacity, then energy storage capability is improved, but safety risk increases due to swelling and potential explosion or ignition from overcharging or overcurrent
Solution Approach 1:
A safety device is introduced as an intermediary component between battery cells connected in series. This safety device includes a movable member that can separate electrode leads when swelling occurs, and a operation member that detects swelling and triggers the separation mechanism. The safety device acts as a mediator that protects the battery system from harmful effects while maintaining the high-capacity series connection configuration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a safety mechanism is added to break current when cells swell, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device is designed to automatically detect and respond to swelling conditions without requiring external intervention. The operation member is directly actuated by the swelling force of the battery cells themselves, which then automatically triggers the movable member to separate the electrode leads and break the current. This self-service mechanism improves safety while minimizing the need for complex external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic monitoring and control systems with a simple mechanical mechanism. The movable member uses direct mechanical contact and movement to detect swelling and break the electrical connection. This mechanical substitution simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining effective safety functionality.
3Reliability
If electrode leads are permanently connected to maintain electrical continuity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but safety risk increases when overcharging or overcurrent causes swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between electrode leads is made dynamic rather than static. The movable member allows the electrode leads to be connected during normal operation for reliable electrical continuity, but can automatically separate when swelling occurs. This dynamic connection mechanism maintains reliability under normal conditions while providing safety protection when abnormal conditions arise.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety device is pre-configured with the movable member positioned to maintain electrical connection during normal operation. However, the mechanism is designed in advance to automatically actuate and separate the leads when swelling occurs, preventing the harmful effects of overcharging or overcurrent before they can cause explosion or ignition.
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 safety device effectively prevents battery module explosions or ignitions by interrupting current flow when cells swell due to overcharging or overcurrent, enhancing safety by ensuring the battery pack remains stable and secure.
Implementation Method 1
configured to move linearly when the first and/or second battery cells swell to allow the connection member to linearly move and separate the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead from each other
Implementation Method 2
a screw part screw-coupled to a screw bore of the case and allowing the head part to move forward while being withdrawn from the screw bore when rotating
Implementation Method 3
a rotating gear part disposed on an end of the screw part to allow the screw part to rotate
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack comprises first and second battery cells stacked in a vertical direction and a safety device that connects a first electrode lead provided in the first battery cell to a second electrode lead provided in the second battery cell to allow current to flow therebetween or separates the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead from each other to break the current when the first and/or second battery cells swell due to overcharging and/or overcurrent. In particular, the safety device comprises a connection member that electrically connects the first and second electrode leads to each other and a movable member that linearly moves the connection member when the first and second battery cells swell and separates the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead from each other, thereby breaking the current.