Heat Shrinkage Tube Safety Switch for Battery Overheat Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery safety technologies fail to rapidly and reliably interrupt external charge current when a lithium secondary battery overheats, leading to potential explosions and safety risks, as they require complex structures or materials that complicate manufacturing and are not effective until overheating is severe.
Innovation Solution
A safety switch utilizing a heat shrinkage tube that shrinks at elevated temperatures to control current conduction or interruption, with one end fixed and the other connected to an electric wire, allowing for rapid and sensitive interruption of external charge current, thereby preventing further charging and consuming internal energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing battery safety technologies are used, then battery safety is improved, but the response time is delayed and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition property of heat shrinkage material, which undergoes a sudden dimensional change when exposed to elevated temperatures. This phase transition enables rapid current interruption by causing the material to shrink and disconnect the electrical connection, achieving fast response without complex mechanical or electronic mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical or electronic current interruption mechanisms with a thermal-responsive material system. The heat shrinkage material automatically responds to temperature changes through its inherent material properties, eliminating the need for additional sensors, actuators, or control circuits.
2Reliability
If existing battery safety technologies are used, then current interruption is achieved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential functional component needed for current interruption - the heat shrinkage material - and applies it directly to the battery terminal or connector. This eliminates unnecessary intermediate components, control systems, and mechanical structures, achieving reliable current interruption with minimal device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat shrinkage material performs the safety function autonomously by responding directly to temperature changes within the battery system. The material self-activates when thermal conditions indicate a safety issue, without requiring external control signals, power sources, or additional sensing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If existing battery safety technologies are used, then safety protection is provided, but the response is delayed until severe overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shrinkage material is pre-installed in the electrical connection path during battery manufacturing, positioned to immediately interrupt current flow when activated. This preliminary placement ensures that when thermal conditions trigger the material's shrinkage property, current interruption occurs instantly without mechanical travel or activation delays.
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 safety switch effectively interrupts external charge current and consumes internal energy when the battery overheats, enhancing safety by preventing further charging and reducing the risk of explosion, while being simple in design and not requiring circuit modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a tube which is capable of shrinking when exposed to temperatures in excess of a predetermined temperature level ('heat shrinkage tube')
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a safety switch including a tube that is capable of shrinking when exposed to temperatures in excess of a predetermined temperature level (“heat shrinkage tube”), wherein the length of the heat shrinkage tube is changeable to control current conduction, one end of the heat shrinkage tube is fixed, and the other end of the heat shrinkage tube is connected to an electric wire connection part, such that current conduction or current interruption is accomplished by the change in length of the heat shrinkage tube when the heat shrinkage tube is varied due to heat. When a battery or a battery pack is exposed to an abnormal environment, with the result that the temperature of the battery or the battery pack exceeds a predetermined temperature level, the heat shrinkage tube of the safety switch shrinks to directly interrupt external charge current, thereby preventing the further charge of the battery or the battery pack. Furthermore, internal energy accumulated in the battery cell is forcibly consumed, thereby fundamentally preventing the progress of the abnormal operation of the battery or the battery pack. Consequently, the safety of the battery is secured.