Single-End Battery Tab Connection With Insulating End Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing battery structures with positive and negative electrode tabs at both ends increase the battery height, reducing space utilization and volumetric energy density.
Innovation Solution
A battery design with a housing, battery cell, and end cover structure that includes first and second electrode connecting parts connected by an insulating sealing part, allowing electrode tabs to face towards the opening and ensuring electrical connection without short-circuits, using insulating parts and sealing rings to maintain insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If positive and negative electrode tabs are provided at both ends of the winding core, then electrical connection is ensured, but the battery height in the axial direction increases, reducing space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of positive and negative electrode connections into a single end cover structure. Both the first electrode connecting part (positive) and second electrode connecting part (negative) are integrated into one end cover assembly, allowing both electrode tabs to be connected at one end rather than distributing them at both ends, thereby reducing axial height while maintaining electrical connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a symmetric bilateral connection arrangement (tabs at both ends) to an asymmetric unilateral connection arrangement (tabs at one end). By repositioning both electrode connections to a single end and utilizing the radial and lateral dimensions within the end cover structure, the design achieves compact axial profile while preserving all necessary electrical connections
2Productivity
If electrode tabs are positioned at both ends, then current collection is optimized, but the axial length of the battery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end cover structure combines both current collection functions (positive and negative) into a single axial location. The first electrode connecting part and second electrode connecting part are both positioned at one end, consolidating current collection activities and eliminating the need for extended axial length that would be required if tabs were distributed at both ends
Solution Approach 2:
The design shifts current collection from an axial distribution pattern to a concentrated arrangement at one end, utilizing radial and lateral space within the end cover assembly. This dimensional reorganization allows efficient current collection without increasing axial battery length
3Volume of moving object
If a compact single-end connection structure is used, then space utilization improves, but insulation and short-circuit prevention become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The end cover structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the first electrode connecting part for positive connection, the second electrode connecting part for negative connection, and the insulating sealing part that physically separates them. This segmentation ensures that even though both connections are at one end, they remain electrically isolated through the insulating barrier, maintaining reliability while achieving compact space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating sealing part acts as an intermediary element between the positive and negative electrode connecting parts. This intermediate component provides the necessary electrical isolation and mechanical separation, enabling the compact single-end connection design to achieve both space efficiency and insulation reliability simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a battery comprising a housing, a battery cell and an end cover structure. The housing has an opening, through which the battery cell may be provided in the housing, and the end cover structure covers the opening. one end of the battery cell comprises a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab with different electrode polarities, the first and second electrode tabs are both towards the opening when the battery cell is provided in the housing, and the end cover structure comprises a first electrode connecting part and a second electrode connecting part, the first electrode connecting part is electrically connected to the first electrode tab and the second electrode connecting part is electrically connected to the second electrode tab when the end cover structure covers the opening, the first electrode connecting part and the second electrode connecting part are connected by insulating sealing part.