Rechargeable Battery Vent Plate Segmentation and Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries face issues with premature vent plate activation or failure to activate at threshold pressure due to cap plate deformation, leading to potential explosions or gas buildup, as existing designs are sensitive to welding and external forces.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable battery design featuring a cap plate with a vent hole and a vent plate that is adhered to a reinforcing member protruding from the cap plate, forming a stepped structure to maintain the vent hole sealed until internal pressure exceeds a threshold, where the vent plate breaks to release pressure, incorporating a notch for gas emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the vent plate is directly attached to the cap plate, then the structure is simple, but the vent plate deforms due to cap plate deformation under welding and external forces, causing premature activation or failure to activate
Solution Approach 1:
The cap plate assembly is segmented into two functional parts: the cap plate itself and a separately attached vent plate. This segmentation allows the vent plate to be isolated from deformation forces affecting the cap plate, ensuring reliable activation only at the intended threshold pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
A protrusion structure serves as an intermediary element between the cap plate and vent plate. This mediator transmits only the intended pressure force from the cap plate to the vent plate, while isolating the vent plate from lateral deformation forces, thereby ensuring accurate threshold detection.
2Strength
If the vent plate is made thin to break easily at threshold pressure, then the activation pressure is low, but the vent plate may break prematurely due to external forces or welding stress
Solution Approach 1:
The vent plate exhibits local quality differentiation: it is thin and weak at the center region where breaking is intended to occur at threshold pressure, but has a thicker rim region that provides structural support and resistance to premature failure from external forces and welding stress.
3Reliability
If the vent hole is kept closed to prevent gas buildup, then safety is compromised, but if opened prematurely it causes gas loss and potential explosion
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes parameter change (pressure) as the triggering mechanism for vent plate activation. The vent plate remains closed under normal pressure conditions to maintain safety, and only opens when the internal pressure reaches the predetermined threshold, at which point the pressure force overcomes the vent plate's breaking strength.
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 design ensures reliable operation by minimizing vent plate deformation and maintaining the vent hole closed until necessary, effectively preventing premature exposure and explosions, while allowing safe gas release when pressure exceeds the threshold.
Implementation Method 1
the vent plate breaks when internal pressure of the case is increased
Implementation Method 2
the vent plate breaks when internal pressure of the case is increased
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable battery includes a battery case surrounding an electrode assembly. The battery case may include a cap plate having a vent hole, the cap plate being attached to the battery case, a vent plate disposed over and covering the vent hole, and a member protruding from an area of the cap plate surrounding the vent hole, the vent plate being on the member.