Secondary Battery Top Cover Assembly Waterproof Gas Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries face safety concerns due to moisture and electrolyte ingress, which can lead to corrosion and short circuits, particularly in the gas holes of the conductive plate, compromising their safety performance.

Innovation Solution

A secondary battery top cover assembly featuring a conductive plate with a protruding portion surrounding a gas hole, an insulating cover that forms a waterproof structure to prevent moisture entry, and a gas flow channel that expels gases outside, making it difficult for impurities to reach the deformable plate and reducing corrosion risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the gas hole is directly exposed on the conductive plate, then gas can be expelled easily, but moisture and electrolyte can easily enter the gas hole causing corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas expulsion efficiencyVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where the protruding portion surrounds the gas hole, the insulating cover body is received within the protruding portion, and the covering portion is received within the body. This multi-layer nesting creates progressively longer paths for moisture and electrolyte to reach the gas hole, effectively preventing corrosion while maintaining gas expulsion capability through the innermost opening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar gas hole to a three-dimensional multi-layer structure by adding vertical depth through the protruding portion, insulating cover body, and covering portion. This dimensional transformation creates multiple barriers in the vertical dimension that moisture and electrolyte must traverse, significantly increasing the ingress path length while preserving gas venting function

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

2Reliability

If a covering structure is added to protect the gas hole, then moisture entry is prevented, but gas expulsion becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidgas expulsion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin film-like structures for the insulating cover body and covering portion that provide effective moisture barriers while maintaining minimal resistance to gas flow. These thin protective layers allow gas molecules to pass through efficiently during normal operation while still providing sufficient protection against moisture and electrolyte ingress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies protective coverage locally rather than completely sealing the gas hole. The covering portion covers the opening but maintains a controlled opening for gas expulsion, and the protruding portion provides localized protection around the gas hole perimeter. This local quality approach ensures adequate protection without impeding gas venting function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the insulating cover completely seals the gas hole, then maximum protection against moisture is achieved, but gas venting function is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidgas venting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial coverage rather than complete sealing of the gas hole. The covering portion covers the opening but deliberately leaves an opening for gas expulsion, and the protruding portion provides partial peripheral protection. This partial action approach provides sufficient moisture protection while maintaining adequate gas venting capability for normal battery operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

The solution effectively prevents moisture and electrolyte ingress, decreasing the probability of corrosion and enhancing the safety of the secondary battery by creating a longer path for impurities to enter the gas hole and ensuring efficient gas expulsion, thereby improving overall safety.

Implementation Method 1

a gas flow channel is formed between the protruding portion and the covering portion, and the gas hole communicates with outside of the top cover plate via the gas flow channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3514848B1Secondary battery top cover assembly, secondary battery and vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3514848B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3514848B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3514848B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure provides secondary battery top cover assembly, secondary battery and vehicle. The top cover assembly includes: a top cover plate; an electrode terminal disposed on the top cover plate; an insulating cover; and a short-circuit component including a deformable plate and a conductive plate disposed above the deformable plate, the deformable plate is connected to the top cover plate, and the conductive plate is connected to the electrode terminal. The conductive plate includes a body portion and a protruding portion protruding upwardly from the body portion, and is provided with gas hole, and the protruding portion surrounds the gas hole. The insulating cover includes a covering portion disposed above the conductive plate and covering the protruding portion, a gas flow channel is formed between the protruding portion and the covering portion, and the gas hole communicates with outside of the top cover plate via the gas flow channel.