Micro Rechargeable Battery Terminal Structure for Short-Circuit Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for ultra-small rechargeable batteries with high energy density, particularly for wearable devices, which existing technologies struggle to meet in terms of manufacturing versatility and safety features.
Innovation Solution
A micro rechargeable battery design that includes an electrode assembly with a first and second electrode and a separator, housed in a case with a cap plate and electrode terminal made of different metals, where the cap plate and electrode terminal are electrically connected to different electrodes and have varying ionization tendencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the battery size is reduced for wearable devices, then the portability is improved, but the energy density becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the cap plate and electrode terminal by using different metals with different ionization tendencies. This material parameter change allows for optimized electrical properties and safety characteristics in the miniaturized battery structure, addressing the energy density challenge in small-form-factor batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structure by combining different metals for the cap plate and electrode terminal. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of different metals to achieve both high energy density and safety in the compact battery design.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cap plate and electrode terminal are made of the same metal, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the safety and electrical performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different components (cap plate and electrode terminal) based on their specific functional requirements. The cap plate uses a metal with lower ionization tendency for safety, while the electrode terminal uses a metal with higher ionization tendency for electrical performance, optimizing each component's local properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter (ionization tendency) between the cap plate and electrode terminal to achieve both safety and electrical performance. This parameter differentiation resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and performance requirements.
3Reliability
If metals with high ionization tendency are used for the electrode terminal, then the electrical conductivity is improved, but the risk of short circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using metals with different ionization tendencies in different locations. The electrode terminal uses high ionization tendency metal for electrical conductivity, while the cap plate uses low ionization tendency metal for safety, thereby localizing the functional properties to appropriate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap plate acts as an intermediary component between the external environment and the electrode terminal. By using a metal with lower ionization tendency, it serves as a safety barrier that reduces the overall short circuit risk while allowing the electrode terminal to maintain high electrical conductivity.
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 design allows for the manufacture of micro rechargeable batteries with various metals, enhancing energy density and safety by preventing short circuits and providing a mechanism for gas discharge in case of overheating.
Implementation Method 1
cap plate and electrode terminal are made of different metals... The cap plate may be made of a metal having a lower ionization tendency than that of the electrode terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable battery according to an embodiment includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode; a case including an inner space to accommodate the electrode assembly and having an opening at a side thereof; a cap plate coupled to the opening of the case and including a terminal hole to expose the inner space; and an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly through the terminal hole and overlapping the cap plate, and the cap plate and the electrode terminal are made of different metals.