Ceramic-Filled Battery Terminal Gasket for Thermal Runaway Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gaskets made of polymer materials decompose under high temperature and pressure during battery cell ignition and explosion, losing their insulating function and failing to prevent short circuits.

Innovation Solution

A gasket comprising a ceramic filler that is sinterable under predetermined temperature and pressure conditions, forming a ceramic filler network to maintain insulating function and prevent short circuits even after explosion, combined with a polymer component for enhanced durability and ease of assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a polymer gasket is used to prevent short circuits, then the gasket provides insulating function under normal conditions, but the gasket decomposes under high temperature and pressure during cell ignition and explosion, losing its insulating function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulating function maintenanceVSAvoidresistance to high temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining polymer base material with ceramic filler particles. The ceramic filler (such as alumina, silica, or boron oxide) provides high-temperature stability and maintains insulating properties even when the polymer matrix decomposes under thermal stress. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between normal insulating function and high-temperature resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters of the gasket by incorporating ceramic fillers with specific properties (high melting point, electrical insulation). This parameter change enables the gasket to maintain its insulating function across a wider temperature range, particularly during thermal runaway events when temperatures exceed the decomposition point of conventional polymers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a polymer gasket is used for ease of assembly, then the gasket is easy to install and provides insulating function, but the gasket fails to prevent short circuits after battery cell explosion due to decomposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidshort-circuit prevention capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of polymer matrix with ceramic filler maintains the ease of assembly (polymer can be molded and installed like conventional gaskets) while adding short-circuit prevention capability (ceramic filler maintains insulating properties after decomposition). This resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The ceramic filler is pre-incorporated into the polymer gasket to provide preliminary protection against thermal decomposition. This preliminary anti-action ensures that even before the polymer decomposes, the ceramic network begins to provide thermal stability, and after decomposition, the ceramic skeleton maintains the insulating function to prevent short circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-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 gasket effectively maintains insulating properties and prevents short circuits in high temperature and pressure environments by forming a ceramic filler network, ensuring safety and reliability of battery cells.

Implementation Method 1

the ceramic filler may be configured to be sinterable under conditions of a predetermined temperature and a predetermined pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP4712227A1Gasket, battery cell, battery pack and vehicle comprising same
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4712227A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4712227A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4712227A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an electrode assembly, a battery housing configured to accommodate the electrode assembly through an opening provided on one side, a terminal configured to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly through a closed portion provided on an opposite side of the opening of the battery housing, and a gasket interposed between the terminal and the battery housing, configured to prevent electrical connection between the terminal and the battery housing, and including a ceramic filler.