Battery Cell Tab Support Structure for Inversion Short-Circuit Risk

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Solution Overview

Problem

The safety of battery cells is poor when cells are inverted, as the gravity of the main body can cause tab bifurcation and insertion, leading to short circuits and potential fires or explosions.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell design that includes a support member within the casing, with tabs bent around it, to prevent gravity from transferring to the tabs and reduce the risk of bifurcation and insertion. The support member is connected to the end cover assembly to maintain stability and prevent tab movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the battery cell is inverted, then the gravity of the main body acts downward, but the tabs may bifurcate and insert into the main body causing short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of battery cellVSAvoidtab bifurcation and insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A support member is introduced as an intermediary component between the tabs and the main body. The tabs are bent around the support member, which prevents them from bifurcating and inserting into the main body under gravitational force when the battery is inverted. The support member acts as a mechanical barrier that maintains tab integrity without interfering with the electrical function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is pre-positioned within the casing before the battery is inverted, creating a preliminary protective structure. When the battery is inverted, the gravity-induced force on the tabs is counteracted by the support member's physical presence, preventing the harmful bifurcation and insertion effect before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the support member is connected to the end cover assembly, then the support member is fixed and tabs are stabilized, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of tabs and support memberVSAvoidstructure of battery cell

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is integrated with the end cover assembly through a connection structure, merging two functional components into a unified structure. This connection ensures the support member remains fixed relative to the end cover, stabilizing the tabs without requiring separate fixation mechanisms or additional complex structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250079584A1Battery cell, battery and electric device

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED

AI summary

A battery cell includes a casing, an electrode assembly, an end cover assembly and a support member. The casing has an opening. The electrode assembly has a main body and tabs protruding from the main body. The electrode assembly is accommodated in the casing. The end cover assembly covers the opening. The support member is located in the casing, and the tabs are bent around the support member. In the above, the support member is connected to the end cover assembly, to fix the support member. The battery cell is provided therein with the support member, and the tabs are bent around the support member. In addition, the support member is connected to the end cover assembly.