Rechargeable Battery Terminal Structure Sealing Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rechargeable battery terminal structure is complex to assemble and prone to defects, leading to compromised sealing performance, electrolyte leakage, and potential short circuits due to moisture infiltration.
Innovation Solution
The rechargeable battery features a terminal structure with a cap plate and sealing member design that includes a plate-shaped terminal with a bended middle connecting part and a sealing member formed by insert molding, enhancing sealing performance through increased contact area and preventing moisture infiltration by positioning the current collector connecting part under the cap plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gasket sealing member is used to seal between terminals and cap plate, then sealing performance is improved, but assembly process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sealing function directly into the cap plate structure by forming protrusions that engage with grooves on the terminal surface. This merging of the sealing mechanism with the cap plate eliminates the need for separate gasket components, thereby maintaining sealing performance while simplifying the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the separate gasket component and relocates it to the cap plate structure itself. By taking out the sealing requirement from the assembly of multiple parts and embedding it in the cap plate's geometric features, the design reduces assembly complexity while preserving sealing effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a gasket sealing member is used to seal between terminals and cap plate, then sealing performance is improved, but defect occurrence increases leading to electrolyte leakage and short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the cap plate structure through integrated protrusions and grooves, eliminating the need for separate gasket components. This integration reduces potential defect points where gaskets might fail, thereby preventing electrolyte leakage and moisture infiltration while maintaining effective sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing requirement is extracted from the gasket component and embedded directly into the cap plate's geometric design. By removing the separate gasket element, the patent eliminates potential failure modes associated with gasket defects, thus preventing harmful effects such as electrolyte leakage and short circuits.
3Reliability
If terminal is positioned to pass through cap plate, then electrical connection is achieved, but risk of short circuit increases due to potential overlap with cap plate
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: a connection portion that interfaces with the cap plate for electrical connection, and a protruding portion that extends outward. The cap plate is similarly segmented with dedicated terminal holes that guide and position the terminal, ensuring proper alignment while maintaining electrical connectivity and preventing short circuits through spatial separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap plate serves as an intermediary structure that mediates between the terminal and the external environment. Through its terminal holes and geometric features, the cap plate ensures proper positioning and electrical connection of the terminal while preventing direct contact between the terminal and conductive parts that could cause short circuits.
4Reliability
If complex sealing member assembly is used, then sealing performance can be improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the cap plate structure through integrated protrusions and grooves, eliminating the need for separate gasket components. This integration reduces the number of assembly steps and components, thereby improving assembly efficiency while maintaining effective sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing requirement is extracted from the separate gasket assembly and embedded directly into the cap plate's geometric design. By removing the need for separate sealing components and their associated assembly steps, the patent improves manufacturing efficiency and productivity while achieving the necessary sealing performance.
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 simplifies assembly, improves sealing performance, and reduces the risk of short circuits by ensuring the terminal does not overlap with the cap plate, thereby enhancing the stability and reliability of the battery.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing member enveloping the portion of the connection terminal that passes through the case and electrically insulating the connection terminal from the case
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a rechargeable battery, including: an electrode assembly including a negative electrode and a positive electrode; a case having a space with the electrode assembly installed therein; a cap plate coupled with the case and having a terminal hole into which a terminal is inserted formed therein; the terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly and protruding to the outside of the case; and a sealing member inserted into the terminal hole while partially enclosing the terminal, wherein the terminal includes an upper connecting part protruding to the outside of the case and a current collector connecting part positioned in the case and a lower connecting part has a length smaller than that of the terminal hole.