Rechargeable Battery External Short-Circuit and Retainer Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rechargeable batteries face challenges in efficiently managing internal pressure and electrolyte discharge during events, leading to increased event levels and potential damage from external impacts.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an external short-circuit part with a membrane and short-circuit tab that reverses to discharge current, coupled with an internal insulator and retainer that simplifies assembly and facilitates electrolyte discharge, reducing event levels and protecting the electrode assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the internal insulator and retainer are designed with complex coupling structures, then the assembly precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is integrated with the internal insulator to form a unified component structure. The retainer includes a body portion that is substantially integrally formed with the internal insulator, eliminating the need for separate coupling mechanisms and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it positions the electrode assembly, provides structural support, and integrates with the internal insulator as a single unit. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the battery structure.
2Reliability
If the external short-circuit part is designed to selectively space or short-circuit terminals, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external short-circuit part is designed to dynamically switch between two states: spaced apart (normal operation) and short-circuit (event condition). The short-circuit tab can move from a first position where it is spaced from the membrane to a second position where it contacts the membrane, providing adaptive safety response based on battery conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The external short-circuit part automatically activates when needed through the movement of the short-circuit tab. When the battery experiences an event condition, the tab naturally moves to contact the membrane, creating a short-circuit path without requiring external control systems or additional actuators.
3Ease of operation
If the retainer is spaced apart from the internal insulator, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of composition worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed with a body portion that is spaced apart from the internal insulator, creating a gap that allows electrolyte to be extracted or discharged from the battery structure. This spacing creates a discharge path while the retainer remains structurally supported by its integration features.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is nested within the battery structure and coupled with the internal insulator through integration features such as hooks or protrusions. This nested arrangement allows the retainer to be spaced from the insulator for electrolyte discharge while maintaining structural stability through the coupling mechanism.
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 manages internal pressure, reduces event levels, and protects the electrode assembly from external impacts by allowing easy coupling of internal components and efficient electrolyte discharge.
Implementation Method 1
an external short-circuit part on the cap plate, the external short-circuit part including a membrane electrically connected to the short-circuit hole of the cap plate
Implementation Method 2
The retainer may include an outlet that connects an internal insulator side of the retainer and an electrode assembly side of the retainer, the outlet discharging any electrolyte introduced into the external short-circuit part.
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable battery including a case including an electrode assembly therein; a cap plate on the case, the cap plate including a short-circuit hole therein; an internal insulator at an inner side of the cap plate, the internal insulator covering the short-circuit hole; first and second electrode terminals that penetrate through the internal insulator and the cap plate and that are electrically connected to the electrode assembly; an external short-circuit part on the cap plate, the external short-circuit part including a membrane electrically connected to the short-circuit hole of the cap plate, the cap plate being electrically connected to the second electrode terminal, and a short-circuit tab electrically connected to the first electrode terminal, the external short-circuit part selectively spacing or short-circuiting the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal; and a retainer coupled with the internal insulator, the retainer being between the internal insulator and the electrode assembly.