Insulated Current Collector Fuse Structure to Protect Electrode Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of a narrowed fuse portion in current collecting members of energy storage devices leads to cuts and damages in the electrode assembly, affecting safety and service life.
Innovation Solution
A current collecting member with an insulator covering the fuse portion and protective portions covering sharp corners, providing insulation and protection against cuts, while also buffering vibrations and increasing structural strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a narrowed fuse portion is formed in the adapter, then the fusing function is improved, but the electrode assembly is cut and damaged by sharp corners
Solution Approach 1:
A rubber protective portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the sharp corners of the adapter and the electrode assembly. This rubber portion covers the sharp corners and provides a soft, non-cutting surface that prevents damage to the electrode assembly while allowing the narrowed fuse portion to maintain its fusing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective portion is made of rubber material that is softer than the electrode assembly. This flexible material covers the sharp corners and absorbs mechanical stress, preventing the rigid sharp corners from cutting or damaging the electrode assembly during assembly or operation.
2Reliability
If the fuse portion is narrowed for safety, then the fusing capability is enhanced, but the fuse portion becomes fragile and prone to fracturing
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber protective portion envelops the narrowed fuse portion, providing external support and protection. This flexible shell prevents the fragile fuse portion from fracturing due to mechanical stress or vibration, while allowing the fuse portion to maintain its narrowed geometry for effective fusing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective portion is pre-installed on the adapter to provide cushioning and protection to the vulnerable fuse portion before any damage can occur. This beforehand protection prevents fracturing of the narrow fuse portion during assembly, handling, or operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If protective portions are added to cover sharp corners, then protection of electrode assembly is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective portion is integrated with the adapter as a unified structure, where the rubber material is molded or attached to cover the sharp corners. This merging of the protective function into the existing adapter structure minimizes additional complexity while providing effective protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it covers sharp corners to prevent cutting, protects the fragile fuse portion from fracturing, and provides insulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a current collecting member, an energy storage device, and a power consuming apparatus. The current collecting member includes an adapter and an insulator. The adapter includes a first connecting portion, a fuse portion, and a second connecting portion, and a ratio of the width of the fuse portion in a width direction of the adapter to the width of the first connecting portion and a ratio of the width of the fuse portion in the width direction of the adapter to the width of the second connecting portion each are in a range from 1/6 to 4/5. The first connecting portion is provided with first corners at an end of the first connecting portion close to the second connecting portion, and the second connecting portion is provided with second corners at an end of the second connecting portion close to the first connecting portion. The insulator is provided with a first protective portion, a second protective portion and a third protective portion in a length direction of the adapter. The first protective portion covers the first corners, the second protective portion covers the second corners, the third protective portion covers a first surface of the fuse portion of the adapter, and a second surface of the fuse portion is at least partially exposed from the insulator. According to the present disclosure, an electrode assembly can be prevented from being cut by the first corners and the second corners by covering the first corners and the second corners with the insulator, thereby effectively protecting the electrode assembly.