Current Limiting Plate Terminal Structure for Secondary Battery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary batteries face challenges in manufacturing costs, durability against chemicals, and resistance to rotation and twisting, particularly in their terminal structures.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery design featuring a current limiting plate with insulating surfaces and a conductive lateral surface, which is electrically connected between the terminal plate and the cap plate, allowing controlled current flow and enhanced structural integrity through a press-fitting mechanism, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional terminal structure is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the structure is susceptible to rotation and twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal structure is divided into multiple functional components: a terminal plate, a current limiting plate with distinct functional surfaces, and accommodation portions. The current limiting plate is segmented into an insulating first surface, an insulating second surface, and a conductive third surface, allowing each segment to perform its specific function while collectively providing rotation and twisting resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The current limiting plate employs composite material properties by combining insulating surfaces (first and second surfaces) with a conductive surface (third surface) in a single component. This composite approach allows the structure to simultaneously provide electrical insulation where needed and current conduction where required, while maintaining structural integrity against rotation and twisting.
2Reliability
If the terminal plate and cap plate are directly connected, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the durability against chemicals is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The current limiting plate serves as an intermediary component positioned between the terminal plate and the cap plate. This intermediate structure provides chemical durability protection while managing current flow, and it integrates multiple functions (insulation, conduction, structural support) that would otherwise require separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall complexity.
3Reliability
If insulating coating layers are applied to all surfaces of the current limiting plate, then the chemical durability is improved, but the current flow efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The current limiting plate applies insulating coating layers selectively to specific surfaces rather than uniformly across all surfaces. The first and second surfaces receive insulating coating for chemical durability, while the third surface maintains conductivity for efficient current flow. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both chemical resistance and electrical efficiency.
4Strength
If the current limiting plate is fully exposed, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the resistance to rotation and twisting is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodation portions of the terminal plate and cap plate are designed to merge with and surround the current limiting plate, creating an integrated assembly. This merging provides mechanical support and rotation resistance while the press-fitting connection simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for additional fastening components or complex assembly steps.
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 design improves the battery's durability against chemicals and resistance to rotation and twisting, while maintaining low manufacturing costs and efficient current flow, thereby enhancing safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second surfaces of the current limiting plate comprise insulating surfaces
Implementation Method 2
The first and second accommodation portions may be press fitted together
Data Source
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AI summary
A secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly (150); a cap plate (100); a first terminal plate (111) electrically connected to the electrode assembly (150), the first terminal plate (111) being on the cap plate (100); and a current limiting plate (112) between the first terminal plate (111) and the cap plate (100), the current limiting plate (112) including: a first surface (1121) accommodated in a first accommodation portion (G1) of the terminal plate (111), a second surface (1122) accommodated in a second accommodation portion (G2) of the cap plate (100), and a third surface (1123) extending between the first and second surfaces (1121, 1122), wherein a first portion of the third surface (1123) is accommodated in the first accommodation portion (G1), and a second portion of the third surface (1123) is accommodated in the second accommodation portion (G2).