Battery Cell Tab Protection for Case Terrace Impact Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery cells are susceptible to damage of the electrode tab due to external impacts, which can occur when the case terrace is damaged, leading to potential tearing and increased risk of electrode tab damage.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell design incorporating a tab protection unit that surrounds the outer surface of the battery case where the electrode tab is located, providing protection against external impacts by absorbing and buffering the force, thereby minimizing damage to the electrode tab and the case terrace.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electrode tab is disposed inside the case terrace for connection between battery assembly and electrode lead, then the connection is simplified and compact, but the electrode tab becomes vulnerable to external impacts and damage
Solution Approach 1:
A tab protection unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrode tab and the external environment. This protection unit surrounds the electrode tab within the case terrace, absorbing external impacts and preventing direct transmission of force to the electrode tab, thus resolving the vulnerability while maintaining the compact connection structure
Solution Approach 2:
The tab protection unit provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-installed around the electrode tab in the case terrace. When external impacts occur, the protection unit absorbs and buffers the impact forces before they can reach the electrode tab, preventing damage in advance
2Ease of operation
If the case terrace is made accessible for electrode lead protrusion, then the electrode lead can be easily connected externally, but the case terrace becomes susceptible to tearing and damage from external impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The tab protection unit serves as a mediator between the case terrace and external impacts. It is installed within the case terrace structure, providing reinforcement and impact absorption that protects the terrace from tearing while allowing the electrode lead to protrude and connect externally
3Reliability
If a tab protection unit is added to surround the electrode tab in the case terrace, then the electrode tab is protected from external impacts, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tab protection unit is designed as a flexible protective shell or thin film structure that can be easily formed and installed. This approach provides effective impact protection while minimizing the increase in device complexity and maintaining ease of manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The protection unit is pre-installed in the case terrace before final assembly, providing beforehand cushioning that simplifies the overall manufacturing process by integrating the protection function into an existing assembly step rather than requiring additional complex mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a battery cell, which includes a battery case, a battery assembly accommodated in the battery case, an electrode lead electrically connected to the battery assembly and configured to protrude out of the battery case, an electrode tab disposed in the battery case and configured to protrude from the battery assembly to connect the electrode lead and the battery assembly, and a tab protection unit configured to at least partially surround an outer surface of the battery case corresponding to a portion where the electrode tab is disposed.