Insulating Plate with Filtered Injection Holes for Battery Cell Fixing

Solution Overview

Problem

Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cells face issues with impact resistance and vibration resistance due to cell element movement within the cell can, leading to potential electrolyte leakage and damage, and existing solutions either cause damage to the can body or risk cracking of the cell element during expansion.

Innovation Solution

An insulating plate with injection holes and a filter member is interposed between the cell element and the cover member, made of thermoplastic resin and nonwoven fabric, allowing electrolyte injection while preventing metal powder entry and securely fixing the cell element, enhancing impact and vibration resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cell element is fixed by caulking the can body from the outside, then the cell element is securely fixed, but the can body may be damaged causing electrolyte leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an insulating plate as an intermediary component between the cell element and the can body. This plate provides a secure fixing surface for the cell element through its positioning protrusions and engagement structures, eliminating the need to caulk the can body directly. The insulating plate absorbs the mechanical stress of fixation, preventing damage to the can body and avoiding electrolyte leakage while maintaining reliable cell element positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the cell element diameter is expanded from the inside to press it into contact with the can body, then the cell element is fixed, but the thin membrane cathode and anode may crack

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating plate serves as a mediator that provides external support and positioning for the cell element. The positioning protrusions on the insulating plate engage with corresponding features on the cell element, securing it in place without requiring internal expansion. This external fixation method avoids applying compressive stress to the thin membrane cathode and anode, preventing cracks and maintaining cell element integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of fixing the cell element from the inside by expanding its diameter (internal fixation), the patent inverts the approach by fixing the cell element from the outside using the insulating plate with positioning protrusions. This external fixation method achieves secure positioning without subjecting the cell element's thin membranes to damaging compressive forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If injection holes are provided in the insulating plate, then electrolyte injection is enabled, but metal powder may enter through the holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous or mesh-like structure for the insulating plate in the region of the injection holes. This porous structure allows electrolyte to pass through while filtering out metal powder particles. The pore size is controlled to be small enough to block metal powder but large enough to permit electrolyte flow, thus enabling electrolyte injection while preventing contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating plate acts as a filtering intermediary between the injection holes and the cell interior. It allows the beneficial passage of electrolyte while blocking the harmful entry of metal powder particles. The plate's structure and material properties are designed to selectively permit electrolyte flow while trapping metal contaminants, thus protecting the cell interior from pollution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively improves impact and vibration resistance by securely fixing the cell element and preventing electrolyte leakage, while ensuring high workability and preventing internal short circuits through the use of a filter member that allows only electrolyte passage.

Implementation Method 1

a filter member permeable to only the electrolyte and provided on one of the surfaces of the insulating plate body so as to cover the injection holes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8263251B2Insulating plate of nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell, nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell, and method for producing insulating plate of nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell

Publication Date: 2012.09.11

AI summary

An insulating plate of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell is interposed between a cell element and a cover member in a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell including the cell element formed by stacking cathodes and anodes through separators, a cell can including a can body which houses the cell element and the cover member which closes an opening of the can body to seal the cell element, and an electrolyte injected into the cell can. The insulating plate includes a plate-shaped insulating plate body having insulating property, an injection hole which passes through the insulating plate body in the thickness direction and through which the electrolyte can be injected, and a filter member permeable to only the electrolyte and provided on one of the surfaces of the insulating plate body so as to cover the injection hole.