Elastic Sealing Plug for Pressurized Battery Electrolyte Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing manufacturing process for lithium ion batteries is inefficient due to the long time required for the electrode group to be fully impregnated with electrolytic solution, as excess solution needs to fill the void volume within the battery case.

Innovation Solution

A battery design incorporating a sealing plug made of an elastic material that presses against a sealing plate, allowing for pressurized injection of electrolytic solution into the battery, increasing the void volume and enabling faster impregnation of the electrode group.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If excess electrolytic solution is injected to fill the void volume in the case, then the electrode group can be fully impregnated, but a long time is required for the injecting process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefull impregnation of electrode groupVSAvoidinjecting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing plug is pre-installed in the injecting port before electrolytic solution injection. This preliminary action creates a sealed environment that enables pressurized injection, allowing the electrolytic solution to be forced into the case rapidly while maintaining pressure to ensure complete impregnation of the electrode group within a shortened time frame

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the case is sealed to maintain pressurization state, then solution blowback is prevented, but the injecting port must be effectively closed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of solution blowbackVSAvoidsealing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing plug is made of elastic material that automatically seals the injecting port through its own elastic properties when pressed against the port. The lead structure itself serves the dual function of electrical connection and sealing actuation, eliminating the need for separate complex sealing mechanisms while reliably preventing solution blowback through pressurization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach significantly reduces the injecting and impregnating times by utilizing pressurization to quickly fill the battery with electrolytic solution, while maintaining a sealed pressurization state to prevent solution blowback.

Implementation Method 1

The sealing plug is made of an elastic material. The pressing member presses the sealing plug to the sealing plate.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The pressing member presses the sealing plug to the sealing plate.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2827409B1Battery and battery pack
Publication Date: 2017.07.26 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP2827409B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2827409B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2827409B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a battery includes a container, an electrode group, an electrolytic solution, a sealing plate, a terminal, an injecting port, a sealing plug, a lead and a pressing member. The electrode group is provided in the container, and includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The electrolytic solution is provided in the container. The sealing plate is provided in an opening part of the container. The terminal is provided on the sealing plate. The injecting port is opened in the sealing plate. The sealing plug closes the injecting port of the sealing plate, and is made of an elastic material. The lead electrically connects the positive electrode or the negative electrode of the electrode group to the terminal. The pressing member is integrated with the lead. The pressing member presses the sealing plug to the sealing plate.