Electrochemical Cell Gasket Segmentation for Sealing and Retention

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gaskets for electrochemical cells face challenges in achieving optimal sealing performance due to difficulties in balancing the engaging margin between the negative electrode can and the gasket, which leads to issues with sealing agent retention and insertion workability, while also suffering from defects in resin density and productivity during molding.

Innovation Solution

The gasket features a resin-based, annular shape with multiple salient portions on its inner surface, providing a larger engaging margin and secure sealing agent housing, along with a guide and specific geometric features that enhance fluidity and retention, ensuring uniform injection pressure and improved sealing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the engaging margin between the negative electrode can and the gasket is increased to improve sealing performance, then the sealing performance is improved, but the sealing agent is removed by friction between the gasket and the negative electrode can

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidsealing agent retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The gasket is divided into multiple functional regions: an engagement region with a first thickness for mechanical engagement, and a sealing agent housing region with a second thickness for retaining the sealing agent. This segmentation allows the engagement margin to be increased for improved sealing performance while the sealing agent is retained in the dedicated housing region, preventing its removal by friction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the gasket are given different thicknesses and properties: the engagement region has a first thickness optimized for mechanical engagement, while the sealing agent housing part has a second thickness optimized for retaining the sealing agent. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of substance

If the engaging margin between the negative electrode can and the gasket is decreased to retain the sealing agent, then the sealing agent retention is improved, but the sealing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing agent retentionVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gasket is divided into multiple functional regions: an engagement region with a first thickness for mechanical engagement, and a sealing agent housing region with a second thickness for retaining the sealing agent. This segmentation allows the engagement margin to be increased for improved sealing performance while the sealing agent is retained in the dedicated housing region, preventing its removal by friction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gasket structure extends in the radial direction with a housing part that creates a three-dimensional space for storing the sealing agent. This dimensional extension provides a dedicated repository for the sealing agent, separating its retention function from the engagement function, thereby allowing both functions to be optimized independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If a guide is added to improve the workability of insertion, then the insertion workability is improved, but the engaging margin becomes small which reduces sealing performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion workabilityVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gasket is divided into multiple functional regions: an engagement region with a first thickness for mechanical engagement, and a sealing agent housing region with a second thickness for retaining the sealing agent. This segmentation allows the engagement margin to be increased for improved sealing performance while the sealing agent is retained in the dedicated housing region, preventing its removal by friction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9034512B2Gasket for electrochemical cell and electrochemical cell

Publication Date: 2015.05.19 SEIKO INSTR INC

AI summary

Provided is a gasket for an electrochemical cell, which has good sealing performance and is capable of improving productivity of the gasket, and an electrochemical cell. A gasket (4) for an electrochemical cell, which is made of a resin and has an annular shape including an outer wall and an inner wall, includes a plurality of annular salient portions (4a) formed on an inner side surface of the outer wall.