Secondary Battery Bottom Support for Impact and Bending Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries face challenges in stability against external impact loads, compression, bending stability, and even electrolyte flow, particularly in applications like electric vehicles where they are subjected to motion-related impacts.
Innovation Solution
The secondary battery design includes an electrode assembly with an elastic support and a battery case featuring an uneven bottom surface with concave portions to enhance stability and even electrolyte distribution, along with a cap plate and electrolyte inlet for improved safety and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional battery case with a flat bottom surface is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the compression and bending stability is insufficient and electrolyte flow is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The battery case bottom surface is designed with curved recesses instead of a flat surface. These recesses create a non-planar geometry that enhances compression and bending stability while guiding electrolyte flow in a more uniform manner throughout the electrode assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery case incorporates localized structural features (recesses) at specific positions on the bottom surface. These recesses concentrate structural reinforcement where needed most for stability while maintaining overall case simplicity and controlling electrolyte distribution in specific flow patterns.
2Reliability
If the electrode assembly is rigidly fixed to prevent movement, then stability against impact is improved, but the ability to accommodate expansion and contraction during charging/discharging is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The battery case is designed with flexible bottom recesses that can deform elastically. These recesses provide a compliant interface that allows the electrode assembly to expand and contract during charging and discharging cycles while maintaining stable positioning and preventing excessive movement during impact events.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery case transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with movable recesses. The recesses can change shape and position in response to electrode assembly volume changes during operation, adapting the case geometry to match the evolving electrode dimensions while maintaining impact resistance.
3Strength
If the battery case is designed with enhanced stability features, then resistance to external impact is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved recesses in the battery case bottom can be formed using standard injection molding or stamping processes. The curvature is achieved through conventional tooling without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing operations, maintaining ease of fabrication while providing enhanced structural stability.
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 significantly enhances stability against external impacts, ensures even electrolyte flow, and improves compression and bending resistance, making it suitable for vehicles and other applications requiring high-density energy storage.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic support disposed at least partially in close contact with a lower edge of the electrode assembly and mounted on an inner bottom surface of the battery case to elastically support the electrode assembly in a vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
the concave portion is configured to evenly distribute the electrolyte in a transverse direction of the inner bottom surface, when the electrolyte starts to rise on the inner bottom surface
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator separating the positive electrode and the negative electrode from each other, a battery case including a space accommodating the electrode assembly, and at least one opening, a cap plate coupled to the battery case to close the at least one opening and including an electrolyte inlet through which an electrolyte is injected, and an elastic support disposed at least partially in close contact with a lower edge of the electrode assembly and mounted on an inner bottom surface of the battery case to elastically support the electrode assembly in a vertical direction.