Secondary Battery Tab Support Structure for Short-Circuit Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries face short-circuit risks due to unsupported tabs being bent, which can insert into the electrode assembly, causing safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an insulation member with protrusions and gaps to tuck and support the tabs during bending, preventing deformation and insertion into the electrode assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If tabs are bent to reduce space occupied, then space efficiency is improved, but tabs are likely to be inserted into the electrode assembly causing short-circuit risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupied by tabsVSAvoidshort-circuit risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An insulation member is introduced as an intermediary component between the tabs and the electrode assembly. This insulation member includes a through gap that allows tabs to pass through while providing lateral support to prevent tab insertion into the electrode assembly, thus resolving the contradiction between space efficiency and short-circuit prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure transitions from a planar configuration to a three-dimensional structure with protrusions extending laterally from the insulation member substrate. This dimensional change provides effective lateral support to tabs during bending without occupying excessive space in the primary battery dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If insulation member with protrusions is added to support tabs, then short-circuit prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort-circuit preventionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation between conductive components, offers lateral support to prevent tab insertion, and maintains structural integrity during battery assembly and operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation member is made from insulating material that combines electrical insulation properties with mechanical support capabilities. This composite approach allows a single component to fulfill both insulation and structural support functions without requiring additional specialized materials or components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4379912B1Secondary battery
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4379912B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4379912B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4379912B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

This application provides a secondary battery. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a housing, a top cover assembly, a current collecting member, and an insulation member. The electrode assembly is accommodated in the housing and includes a body portion and a first tab. The first tab extends from one end of the body portion in a transverse direction. The top cover assembly includes a top cover plate and a first electrode terminal disposed on the top cover plate. The top cover plate is connected to the housing, and the first electrode terminal is connected to the current collecting member. The insulation member is disposed between the body portion and the current collecting member. The insulation member includes a through gap. The first tab passes through the gap and is connected to the current collecting member.