Insulating Case Protrusions for Battery Can Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium rechargeable batteries face safety issues due to the insulating case moving during physical impacts, leading to potential short circuits between electrodes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an insulating case with protrusions that protrude toward the inner wall of the battery can to prevent movement and secure the electrode assembly, thereby preventing short circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the insulating case is made simple in structure, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the insulating case may move inside the battery can during physical impacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstability of insulating case

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating case is extended in the vertical dimension by adding protrusions that protrude upward from the top surface. These protrusions engage with corresponding recesses in the cap assembly, creating a multi-dimensional constraint system that prevents movement in multiple directions while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions on the insulating case act as intermediary elements that mediate between the insulating case body and the cap assembly. They provide a mechanical interface that transfers and distributes forces, securing the insulating case in position without requiring complex fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the insulating case is secured firmly to prevent movement, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of batteryVSAvoidcomplexity of insulating case structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing function is segmented into multiple independent protrusions distributed around the periphery of the insulating case. Each protrusion provides localized constraint, and their combined effect achieves overall stabilization. This segmentation allows the simple protrusion geometry to provide complex multi-point constraint functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding complex fastening mechanisms to the cap assembly or can, the securing features are inverted and placed on the insulating case itself. The protrusions on the insulating case engage with simple recesses in the cap, reversing the traditional approach of having the stationary component provide the securing features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7951485B2Lithium rechargeable battery having an insulating case

Publication Date: 2011.05.31 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

A lithium rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly arranged in a can and an insulating case positioned at an upper portion of the electrode assembly. The insulating case includes at least one protrusion protruding toward an inner wall of the can.