Battery Cell Third-Tab Heat Path for Overcurrent Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary battery cells experience performance decline and safety hazards due to inadequate heat dissipation, leading to increased internal temperature and potential explosion from excessive gas generation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a third tab in the battery cell, connected to an insulating member and end cap, creates an additional heat dissipation path, enhancing thermal management and safety by preventing the third tab from participating in the current loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional battery cell structure with two tabs is used, then the device complexity is low, but the heat dissipation efficiency is insufficient leading to high internal temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cell structure is segmented by adding a third tab that divides the heat dissipation function from the traditional two tabs. This segmentation allows dedicated heat dissipation pathways while maintaining the original electrical connection structure, thus improving temperature control without significantly increasing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The third tab serves multiple functions: it acts as a heat dissipation channel, provides structural support, and maintains electrical insulation. By making this component multi-functional, the patent improves heat dissipation efficiency without adding excessive structural complexity
2Reliability
If third tab is connected directly to end cap, then heat dissipation path is established, but current loop is formed causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating member is introduced as an intermediary between the third tab and the end cap. This mediator allows thermal contact for heat dissipation while preventing electrical contact that would create a current loop, thus improving safety without excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating member is strategically placed only where needed - between the third tab and end cap - rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized application of insulation provides the necessary safety function while minimizing the increase in structural complexity
3Reliability
If thick insulating member is used, then electrical insulation is ensured, but heat dissipation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating member has varying thickness with different local properties: thinner regions where heat dissipation is prioritized and thicker regions where electrical insulation is critical. This local quality variation optimizes both heat dissipation efficiency and electrical insulation performance
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating member is made from composite materials that provide both adequate electrical insulation properties and acceptable thermal conductivity. This allows the component to simultaneously achieve electrical isolation and heat dissipation functions without requiring extreme thickness variations
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 configuration improves heat dissipation efficiency, reduces the battery cell's temperature under overcurrent conditions, and enhances safety by preventing internal short circuits and explosions.
Implementation Method 1
the third tab is configured to be connected with the insulating member... adds a heat dissipation path (i.e., the electrode assembly—the third tab—the insulating member—the end cap)
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a battery cell, which includes a casing having a first opening; an electrode assembly received in the casing, the electrode assembly having a first tab, a second tab and a third tab, the first tab having an opposite polarity to the second tab, and the third tab having the same polarity as the first tab or the second tab; an end cap for closing the first opening; an insulating member disposed between the end cap and the electrode assembly, wherein the third tab is configured to be connected with the insulating member. It is possible to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the battery cell by additionally providing a heat dissipation path of the electrode assembly—the third tab—the insulating member—the end cap, thereby improving the overcurrent capacity and the safety performance of the battery cell.