Bipolar Battery Sealing Structure for Condensation Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bipolar batteries face issues with water droplets forming on their surface due to temperature changes, which can lead to electrical conduction between adjacent power storage units through cooling plates, causing potential short circuits and leakage of electrolytic solution.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an overhang member with an inclined portion and a pendent portion on the sealing member, which directs water droplets away from the cooling plates, preventing electrical conduction and leakage, and includes reinforcing ribs for structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling plates are arranged in the bipolar battery to cool the inside, then cooling efficiency is improved, but water droplets may form on the surface and cause electrical conduction between adjacent power storage units
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary barrier between the cooling plate and the external environment. It includes an inclined portion that receives water droplets and directs them away from the cooling plate, and a pendent portion that extends downward to prevent water droplets from reaching the cooling plate surface, thereby maintaining electrical isolation while preserving cooling functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member extends in the vertical dimension with the pendent portion hanging downward from the inclined portion. This vertical extension creates a protective zone that prevents water droplets from bridging the gap between adjacent cooling plates, adding a spatial dimension to the protection mechanism
2Reliability
If water droplets come into contact with cooling plates, then electrical conduction occurs between adjacent power storage units, but adding protective structures may increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member performs multiple functions: it provides the primary sealing function between metal plates, and additionally includes the inclined portion and pendent portion that protect against water droplet formation and electrical conduction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
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 effectively prevents water droplets from reaching the cooling plates, thereby avoiding electrical conduction and leakage, enhancing the reliability and safety of the bipolar battery by maintaining electrical isolation between power storage units.
Implementation Method 1
an inclined portion that extends from the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member toward the outside of the power storage unit and inclines downward as it leaves away from the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member
Implementation Method 2
The cooling plate is made of a conductive material such as metal, and electrically connects the power storage units adjacent to each other in the vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
The power storage device includes power storage units arranged with a conductive plate interposed therebetween in the vertical direction, each of the power storage units includes an electrode stack including bipolar electrodes stacked with a separator interposed therebetween, and a sealing member provided around the electrode stack so as to seal a housing space formed between adjacent electrodes of the electrode stack. At least one of the power storage units is provided with an overhang member on an outer peripheral surface of the sealing member. The overhang member includes an inclined portion that extends from the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member toward the outside of the power storage unit and inclines downward as it leaves away from the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member, and a top portion formed at a lower end of the inclined portion.