Energy Storage Cell Terminal Recess for Impact Current Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage devices require a simpler safety mechanism to prevent the transmission of abnormalities without complicating the structure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating recesses in the electrode terminals of energy storage cells to reduce contact area, allowing easy disengagement and interruption of the electrically conductive path upon impact, using electrically conductive ceramic materials for the terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a current interruption mechanism is added to prevent abnormality transmission, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the safety function from a separate current interruption mechanism and integrates it directly into the electrode terminal structure through the recess design. The recess itself becomes the interruption element, eliminating the need for additional safety devices while maintaining the ability to interrupt current flow during abnormalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode terminal structure serves dual purposes: it performs its primary electrical connection function while simultaneously providing the safety interruption function through the recess. When abnormal forces are applied, the recess design causes automatic disengagement, making the system self-protecting without requiring external control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the contact area between electrode terminal and member is reduced, then ease of disengagement is improved, but contact reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The recess creates a localized reduction in contact area at specific points while maintaining adequate contact in other regions. This local modification allows the terminal to disengage easily under abnormal conditions while preserving sufficient contact reliability for normal operational currents, achieving both ease of disengagement and contact reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage cell includes a case, an electrode terminal, and a power generation element. The case houses the power generation element. The electrode terminal includes a cathode terminal and an anode terminal. The electrode terminal includes a member contact portion that is in contact with a different member. Either or both of the cathode terminal and the anode terminal have a recess in the member contact portion.