Magnetic Through-Hole Separator for Repeatable Battery Short-Circuit Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating the safety of energy storage devices due to internal short circuits often require physical modification of the battery cell structure, are costly, and can deform the battery, making repeated testing challenging.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical device comprising a positive electrode, a separator with through holes, a negative electrode, and a through-hole cover material containing a magnetic material, which can be moved using a magnetic field to induce and control internal short circuits without deforming the battery cell.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical modification methods (heating elements, chemical treatment, mechanical deformation) are used to induce internal short circuits, then internal short circuit evaluation can be performed, but the battery structure is deformed and repeated testing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal short circuit evaluation capabilityVSAvoidbattery structure integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A movable conductive member is introduced as an intermediary element between the positive and negative electrodes. This member can be positioned to bridge the electrodes and induce internal short circuits, or repositioned to separate them for normal operation. The conductive member acts as a controllable mediator that enables short circuit conditions without permanently deforming the battery structure, allowing repeated testing while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic control of the internal short circuit condition. The member can be moved into position to create a short circuit between electrodes, and moved away to restore normal battery operation. This dynamic capability enables repeated evaluation tests without permanent structural changes to the battery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional internal short circuit induction methods are used, then safety evaluation can be performed, but the manufacturing cost increases due to complex modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety evaluation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The movable conductive member serves as a simple intermediary component that can be manufactured at low cost. Rather than requiring complex heating elements, chemical treatment systems, or permanent mechanical deformation mechanisms, the invention uses a basic conductive component that can be easily fabricated and positioned, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining safety evaluation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the battery cell is physically modified to induce internal short circuits, then internal short circuit conditions can be created, but repeated testing becomes challenging due to deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidrepeated testing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The movable conductive member enables dynamic switching between normal operation and internal short circuit conditions. After each test, the member can be repositioned to separate the electrodes and restore normal battery function, allowing the same battery cell to be reused for multiple evaluation tests. This dramatically improves both testing efficiency and the ability to perform repeated assessments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive member can be moved away from the electrode interface after testing, effectively 'discarding' the short circuit condition and 'recovering' the battery's normal operational state. This allows the battery to be restored for subsequent tests without permanent modification, enhancing repeated testing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

Enables safe and repeated evaluation of internal short circuit conditions in energy storage devices without physical deformation, reducing costs and improving testing accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a through-hole cover material containing a magnetic material, which can be moved using a magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS12224402B2Electrochemical element for inducing internal short circuit, and method for evaluating safety using same

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

The present technology relates to: an electrochemical element which comprises a separator having through-holes formed therein, a through-hole cover material, and a spacer; and a method for using the electrochemical element to evaluate the safety of an energy storage device by means of an internal short circuit. An energy storage device including the electrochemical element according to the present invention is characterized in that: the energy storage device can be restored, after an internal short circuit evaluation test, to a state in which a short circuit has not occurred; and a repeat test and evaluation can be carried out without disassembly and reassembly.