Non-aqueous Battery Terminal Resistor for Spark and Corrosion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries face issues with short-circuiting during assembly and long-term use due to inadequate insulation between terminals and the metallic battery case, leading to potential injuries and battery damage from violent sparks, as well as corrosion of the battery case.

Innovation Solution

The battery design incorporates a resistor with a resistance of 1 Ω to 1 MΩ for electron conduction between the positive terminal and the battery case, and between the negative terminal and the battery case, to prevent corrosion and suppress spark generation by maintaining the battery case potential and preventing short-circuiting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the positive terminal and negative terminal are both insulated from the metallic battery case, then corrosion of the battery case is prevented, but short-circuiting may occur during assembly and use leading to violent sparks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion of battery caseVSAvoidviolent sparks from short-circuiting
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A resin layer with controlled resistance (10^-3 to 10^3 ohm·cm) is introduced as an intermediary between the terminal and the battery case. This resin layer mediates the electrical connection, allowing current flow to prevent sparks while maintaining sufficient resistance to prevent excessive current that would cause corrosion. The resin thus simultaneously addresses both harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical resistance parameter of the connection between terminal and battery case is precisely controlled by selecting resin materials with specific resistance values (10^-3 to 10^3 ohm·cm). By changing this parameter, the system achieves optimal balance between preventing short-circuit sparks and preventing corrosion through controlled current flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the terminal is connected directly to the battery case for electron conduction, then assembly efficiency is improved, but short-circuiting may occur causing violent sparks and battery damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidshort-circuit prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resin layer serves as an intermediary connection material that maintains electrical conductivity for assembly efficiency while providing resistance control to prevent short-circuiting. It replaces direct metal-to-metal contact with a controlled resistive connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The resin layer is applied beforehand as a protective layer during terminal attachment to the battery case. It pre-establishes the appropriate resistance barrier that cushions against excessive current flow during assembly operations, preventing sparks before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the terminal is insulated from the battery case to prevent short-circuiting, then safety is improved, but corrosion of the battery case occurs during long-term use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort-circuit preventionVSAvoidcorrosion of battery case
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of complete insulation, the system uses resin materials with controlled resistance parameters (10^-3 to 10^3 ohm·cm) that allow minimal current flow. This parameter optimization prevents corrosion by limiting current while maintaining sufficient conductivity to avoid charge buildup that could cause short-circuiting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The resin connection provides locally differentiated electrical properties - sufficient conductivity to prevent corrosion by allowing charge dissipation, but sufficient resistance to prevent harmful current flow. The local quality of the resin layer at the terminal-case interface addresses both opposing requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design effectively suppresses corrosion and reduces the risk of violent sparks during assembly and use, ensuring the battery's integrity and safety by controlling the current flow and maintaining the battery case's potential.

Implementation Method 1

a positive terminal and a negative terminal which are fixed to a battery case through resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

suppress spark generation by maintaining the battery case potential and preventing short-circuiting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS7964305B2Non-aqueous electrolyte battery wherein a battery case and a terminal are connected through resistance
Publication Date: 2011.06.21 JAPAN STORAGE BATTERY CO LTD
  • US7964305B2 patent drawing
  • US7964305B2 patent drawing
  • US7964305B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A non-aqueous electrolyte battery comprising: a battery case containing aluminum; a positive electrode terminal attached to the battery case; and a negative electrode terminal attached to the battery case and insulated from the battery case, wherein the positive electrode terminal and the battery case are connected through a resistor having resistance of 1 Ω to 1 MΩ. Otherwise, A non-aqueous electrolyte battery comprising: a battery case containing iron; a negative electrode terminal attached to the battery case; and a positive electrode terminal attached to the battery case and insulated from the battery case, wherein the negative electrode terminal and the battery case are connected through a resistor having resistance of 1 Ω to 1 MΩ.