Cylindrical Battery Cell Insulator Fixing for Stable Can Isolation

Solution Overview

Problem

Cylindrical battery cells face insulation issues due to the movement of sheet-shaped insulators during assembly, leading to potential defects and reduced insulation effectiveness, especially as the form factor increases for higher energy density and safety in electric vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A cylindrical battery cell design where the insulator is fixed to the battery can using protrusions, thermal fusion, adhesion, or double-sided adhesive tape, ensuring correct positioning and secure coupling with the electrode assembly, and featuring through holes for electrolyte flow, to prevent movement and enhance insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sheet-shaped insulator is placed on the jelly-roll type electrode assembly and inserted into the battery can, then insulation is provided between the battery can and the electrode assembly, but the insulator may move and separate from the correct position, deteriorating insulation and causing defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation effectivenessVSAvoidinsulator positioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator is pre-formed with protrusions that extend in the winding direction of the electrode assembly. These protrusions are designed to fit into grooves on the battery can inner surface before the electrode assembly is inserted, establishing correct positioning in advance and preventing movement during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions on the insulator act as intermediary elements that engage with the grooves on the battery can. This intermediary structure provides a mechanical coupling that secures the insulator in the correct position, preventing it from moving or separating during battery assembly and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the form factor of cylindrical battery cells is increased to improve energy density and safety, then energy density and thermal runaway resistance are improved, but insulation between the battery can and the electrode assembly becomes more critical and difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidinsulation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator is pre-formed with protrusions that extend in the winding direction of the electrode assembly. These protrusions are designed to fit into grooves on the battery can inner surface before the electrode assembly is inserted, establishing correct positioning in advance and preventing movement during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions on the insulator act as intermediary elements that engage with the grooves on the battery can. This intermediary structure provides a mechanical coupling that secures the insulator in the correct position, preventing it from moving or separating during battery assembly and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively prevents insulation defects and improves the structural integrity of the battery cell by maintaining correct insulator positioning, enhancing insulation and preventing defects, while allowing for efficient electrolyte distribution.

Implementation Method 1

the insulator is fixed to the battery can using protrusions, thermal fusion, adhesion, or double-sided adhesive tape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal fusion:

Implementation Method 2

featuring through holes for electrolyte flow, to prevent movement and enhance insulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through porous structure: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS20240006721A1Cylindrical battery cell, battery pack and vehicle including the same, and method for manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2024.01.04 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery cell includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode current collector having a sheet shape, a second electrode current collector having a sheet shape, and a separator located between the first electrode current collector and the second electrode current collector, the first electrode current collector, the second electrode current collector, and the separator being wound in a winding direction; a battery can accommodating the electrode assembly, the battery can having an open portion and a partially closed portion, the partially closed portion being electrically connected to the second electrode current collector; a current collection plate electrically connected to the first electrode current collector; a cell terminal connected to the current collection plate through a perforated hole of the partially closed portion of the battery can; and an insulator located between the battery can and the current collection plate. A method of manufacturing the battery cell is also provided.