Battery Cell Insulator Extension for Electrode Assembly Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric storage devices, vibrations or impacts can cause the electrode assembly to move vertically within the outer case, potentially leading to damage or dislodgment, especially when a space forms between the sealing plate and the electrode assembly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an insulating member with an extension part that extends towards the electrode assembly and is inclined or shaped to press it onto the case bottom surface, providing additional support and protection, including a resin material for the contact area to absorb shocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple configuration is used without additional support structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the electrode assembly becomes easily moved in vertical direction under vibration or impact
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating member is designed to perform multiple functions: providing electrical insulation between the sealing plate and current collector, and simultaneously suppressing vertical movement of the electrode assembly through its extension part. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by adding stabilization capability without requiring a separate support structure, thus maintaining configuration simplicity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension part of the insulating member acts as an intermediary element between the sealing plate and the electrode assembly. It provides indirect support to prevent electrode assembly movement without creating direct rigid connections that would increase device complexity. This mediator approach allows the electrode assembly to be constrained while maintaining design simplicity.
2Reliability
If the extension part is made with hard material for strong pressing force, then the suppression of electrode assembly movement is enhanced, but the electrode assembly may be damaged by the pressing force
Solution Approach 1:
The extension part is designed with non-uniform thickness, having a thicker base portion for structural strength and a thinner tip portion for gentle contact. This local quality variation allows the extension part to provide sufficient pressing force for positioning while the thinner tip reduces the contact pressure on the electrode assembly, preventing damage. The local quality principle resolves the contradiction between needing strong pressing force and avoiding damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter of the extension part is varied along its length, creating a gradient from thick at the base to thin at the tip. This parameter change enables the extension part to maintain structural integrity for effective positioning while the reduced thickness at the contact point minimizes the harmful pressing force on the electrode assembly, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning reliability and damage prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technique suppressing an electrode assembly inside an outer case from moving in a vertical direction with a simple configuration. An electric storage device includes the electrode assembly, the outer case, a sealing plate, a current collector, and an insulating member. The electrode assembly includes a tab. The outer case includes a bottom surface and an opening opposed to the bottom surface, and is a member accommodating the electrode assembly inside. The sealing plate covers the opening. The current collector is attached to the sealing plate, and is electrically connected to the electrode assembly via the tab. The insulating member is arranged between the sealing plate and the current collector. In addition, the insulating member includes an extension part configured to extend toward the electrode assembly so as to press the electrode assembly onto the bottom surface.