Rechargeable Battery Short Circuit Inducing Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries are prone to explosion when subjected to crushing forces or shocks, which poses a risk in harsh environments where stability and reliability are critical.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating short circuit inducing members within the battery case that are electrically coupled to the electrodes, these members are designed to contact each other upon deformation, thereby inducing a short circuit and preventing explosion. The distance between these members is calibrated to trigger a short circuit at a predetermined force level, ensuring the battery remains stable under external pressure or shock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery is designed with standard electrode assembly and case structure, then the battery can be manufactured with conventional processes, but the battery is prone to explosion when subjected to crushing forces or shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning short circuit inducing members (protrusions) inside the case that are designed to contact each other when the case deforms under external force. This preliminary arrangement ensures that upon crushing or shock, the members automatically make contact to create a short circuit, preventing explosion without requiring active detection or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of external force (crushing/shock) into a beneficial safety mechanism. When the case deforms under external force, the deformation itself triggers the short circuit inducing members to contact, transforming the mechanical stress that could cause explosion into a controlled short circuit that dissipates energy safely.
2Reliability
If short circuit inducing members are added inside the case, then explosion is prevented under external force, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the short circuit inducing members with existing battery components such as the case or electrode assembly structures. By integrating these safety features into the existing manufacturing flow rather than adding completely separate components, the manufacturing complexity is minimized while still achieving the explosion prevention function.
3Reliability
If the distance between short circuit inducing members is reduced to trigger short circuit at lower force, then protection is provided against weaker shocks, but the members may contact during normal operation causing false short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the short circuit inducing members with specific geometric characteristics (protrusions with particular shapes, sizes, and contact surfaces) that ensure they only contact under sufficient external force. The local structural design at the contact points is optimized to require a threshold force level, distinguishing between normal operational vibrations and harmful crushing forces.
4Strength
If the battery case is made more rigid to resist deformation, then normal operation stability is improved, but the short circuit inducing members may not contact under external force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting the rigidity parameters of the case and the mechanical properties of the short circuit inducing members. The case is designed with sufficient rigidity to maintain structural integrity during normal operation, while the short circuit inducing members are designed with appropriate flexibility and positioning to ensure contact occurs when external force exceeds the safety threshold.
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 solution effectively prevents explosions due to external forces, enhancing the stability and reliability of secondary batteries by allowing a controlled short circuit that dissipates energy without igniting the battery, thus ensuring safety and functionality in harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second short circuit inducing members are configured to contact each other to induce a short circuit between the first and second electrode upon a deformation of the case
Data Source
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AI summary
A rechargeable battery is provided comprising an electrode assembly (10) having a first electrode (11), a second electrode (12), and a separator (13) located between the first and second electrode (11, 12), and a case (34) for mounting the electrode assembly (10) therein. Furhter provided is a first short circuit inducing member (50) being located inside the case (34) and electrically coupled to the first electrode (11) of the electrode assembly (10), and a second short circuit inducing member (60) being located inside the case (34) and electrically coupled to the second electrode (12) of the electrode assembly (10), wherein the first and second short circuit inducing members (50, 60) are spaced from each other. Accordingly, a secondary battery that has high stability and reliability by preventing explosion in a pressurized environment due to a crushing force or a shock is provided.