Magnetic Short-Circuit Induction in Battery Separators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating the safety of lithium secondary batteries during internal short circuits involve physical alteration of the battery structure, are costly, and require disassembly and reassembly, leading to potential structural deformation and reduced accuracy in safety evaluation.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical device with a separator having a perforated line and a short circuit induction member made of magnetic material, which is moved by a magnetic field to induce a short circuit without altering the battery's overall structure, using a binder to attach the induction member to the separator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical alteration methods (heating elements, chemical treatment, mechanical deformation) are used to induce internal short circuits, then safety evaluation can be performed, but the battery structure is deformed and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety evaluation accuracyVSAvoidbattery structure modification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the short circuit induction function into separate components: a magnetic field generation unit and a magnetic response unit attached to the separator. This segmentation allows the evaluation function to be added without modifying the battery's core structure, resolving the contradiction between safety evaluation capability and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary to induce the short circuit. The magnetic field acts as a mediator between the external control system and the internal separator, enabling remote induction of short circuits without direct physical contact or structural modification to the battery components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional short circuit induction methods are used, then internal short circuit can be induced, but time and cost increase due to disassembly and reassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort circuit induction capabilityVSAvoidevaluation test time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic response unit is pre-attached to the separator during battery manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that the short circuit induction capability is already in place before the battery enters the evaluation phase, eliminating the need for time-consuming disassembly and reassembly operations during testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces mechanical disassembly and reassembly operations with a magnetic field-based induction system. The magnetic field can remotely activate the short circuit condition without requiring physical access to the battery interior, dramatically reducing evaluation time and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If heating elements or chemical treatments are inserted into the battery, then internal short circuit can be induced, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort circuit induction capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic response unit uses inexpensive magnetic materials that can be easily attached to the separator. These components are designed to be simple and low-cost, replacing expensive heating elements or chemical treatment systems while maintaining the short circuit induction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field serves as a cost-effective intermediary that eliminates the need for expensive internal heating elements or chemical treatment systems. The external magnetic field generation system is more economical than inserting and managing complex internal induction mechanisms within the battery.

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 device allows for accurate safety evaluation of batteries during internal short circuits without structural deformation, reducing costs and time, and maintaining battery performance by enabling simulation of correct behavior without unreacted regions.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic field applied from a position spaced apart from the electrochemical device, the short circuit induction member is moved by the magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3937289B1Electrochemical device comprising short circuit inducing member, and safety evaluation method using same

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

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AI summary

The present technology relates to an electrochemical device comprising a separation membrane having a dotted line, and a short circuit inducing member, and a method capable of evaluating safety under internal short circuit conditions by using the electrochemical device. When using the electrochemical device of the present invention, it is possible to easily evaluate safety under internal short circuit conditions without physical deformation of an energy storage apparatus.