Rechargeable Battery Short Circuit Member for Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries face damage risks due to abnormal internal pressure increases, which can lead to explosions, as existing technologies lack effective mechanisms to safely discharge pressure and prevent short circuits.
Innovation Solution
A short circuit member is designed to be drawn outside through a vent hole and contact the cap plate, creating a short circuit to prevent damage by being electrically connected to the cap plate when internal pressure exceeds a set threshold, using a flexible material that can modify its shape to protrude through the vent hole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a vent hole is provided to discharge internal pressure, then pressure safety is improved, but the battery may still explode due to short circuiting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of internal pressure into a beneficial protective mechanism. When internal pressure increases abnormally, it forces the short circuit member to protrude through the vent hole and contact the cap plate, creating a short circuit that prevents battery explosion. The harmful pressure buildup is thus transformed into a protective short-circuiting action.
Solution Approach 2:
The short circuit member acts as an intermediary element between the internal pressure and the cap plate. It transmits the mechanical force from pressure buildup to create electrical contact, serving as a mediator that converts mechanical energy into an electrical protective response.
2Reliability
If a short circuit member is installed to prevent explosion, then battery safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The short circuit member is designed to automatically activate itself when internal pressure increases. It protrudes through the vent hole and contacts the cap plate without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources. This self-activating mechanism adds minimal structural complexity while providing effective protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The short circuit member is made of flexible material that can bend and deform in response to internal pressure. This flexibility allows it to protrude through the vent hole when needed while maintaining a compact form factor, minimizing the space and structural complexity required.
3Speed
If the short circuit member is made flexible to protrude through vent hole, then responsiveness to pressure is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of the short circuit member by using flexible material with specific mechanical characteristics. This material selection allows the component to respond dynamically to pressure changes while maintaining manufacturability through standard flexible material processing techniques.
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 effectively reduces the likelihood and severity of battery damage by safely discharging excessive pressure and creating a short circuit, thereby preventing explosions.
Implementation Method 1
When an internal pressure of a rechargeable battery abnormally rises, a short circuit member is drawn outside of a cap plate with an internal pressure by passing through a vent hole
Data Source
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AI summary
A rechargeable battery includes: an electrode assembly having a first electrode and a second electrode; an electrode terminal electrically coupled to the electrode assembly; a case that receives the electrode assembly; a cap plate at an opening of the case that closes and seals the case, the cap plate having a vent hole to discharge an internal pressure of the case and having a vent plate that closes and seals the vent hole; and a short circuit member having one end electrically coupled to the electrode assembly and another end that extends along a direction toward the vent hole at the inside of the case. At least a portion of the short circuit member is modified to be drawn outside of the vent hole when the internal pressure is discharged.