Battery Current Collector Tab Insulation Near the Sealing Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing secondary battery current collection structures, variations in electrode plate thickness and curvature can cause current collector tabs to shift, leading to potential insulation loss between the tab groups and the sealing plate, especially when the tabs are widened for increased output.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an insulating member with an extending portion between the current collector tabs and the sealing plate to maintain insulation, even when the tabs project from the collector, by using insulating members between the sealing plate and connection members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the width of the current collector tab is expanded to increase output, then the power output increases, but the current collector tabs may contact the sealing plate causing insulation loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidinsulation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an insulating member as an intermediary element positioned between the current collector tab and the sealing plate. This insulating member extends in the longitudinal direction to bridge the gap and prevent direct contact, thereby maintaining insulation reliability while allowing the current collector tab to maintain its expanded width for high power output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If the current collector tabs are widened for higher output, then the power increases, but the insulation distance to the sealing plate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidinsulation distance
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the reduced insulation distance by extending the insulating member in the longitudinal direction (a different dimension from the width expansion). This dimensional approach allows the current collector tab to be wide for high power while the insulating member compensates for the reduced distance by projecting further in the longitudinal axis, effectively maintaining adequate insulation clearance.

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

3Power

If the current collector tabs are positioned closer to the end of the current collector for expanded width, then the power output increases, but the risk of contact with sealing plate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidcontact risk
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-installing the insulating member in the longitudinal direction before any potential contact can occur. This insulating member proactively prevents the harmful contact between the current collector tab and sealing plate, allowing the tab to be positioned optimally for high power output without the contact risk materializing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4037092B1Secondary battery
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 SANYO ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP4037092B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4037092B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4037092B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A secondary battery includes an exterior body housing the electrode body, an external terminal provided outside a sealing plate sealing an opening of the exterior body, a connection member provided inside the sealing plate and connected to the external terminal, an insulating member provided between the sealing plate and the connection member, and a current collector disposed inside the sealing plate and connected to the connection member and a tab group including a plurality of current collector tabs extending from the electrode body. At least some of the current collector tabs of the tab group have a projecting portion projecting from the current collector in a longitudinal direction of the sealing plate. The insulating member has an extending portion at least extending between the projecting portion and the sealing plate along the longitudinal direction of the sealing plate.