Lower Plastic Member Venting Structure for Electrode Assembly Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In energy storage devices, the expansion or movement of the electrode assembly during operation can cause it to collide with the lower plastic member of the top cover assembly, leading to damage and reducing the service life of the battery cell.
Innovation Solution
A lower plastic member with a first boss and a second boss, where the first boss protrudes more than the second boss, creating a buffer space and ensuring that the electrode assembly can move without colliding, while the second boss's air vent allows for pressure relief without being blocked, enhancing explosion protection and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the lower plastic member is designed with a simple structure, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the electrode assembly may collide with the lower plastic member causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The lower plastic member is segmented into multiple functional regions: a first boss with a first air vent for primary buffer space formation, a second boss with a second air vent for secondary buffer space and gas relief, and a groove for gas accumulation. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function independently, protecting the electrode assembly through multiple mechanisms while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through integrated molding.
Solution Approach 2:
The first boss and second boss are designed to protrude toward the electrode assembly beforehand, creating buffer spaces before any collision can occur. The first boss provides a primary cushioning effect with its air vent, while the second boss provides secondary cushioning. This beforehand cushioning prevents direct impact between the electrode assembly and the lower plastic member, protecting against damage during thermal expansion or movement.
2Reliability
If the first boss protrudes more to create buffer space, then the electrode assembly is protected from collision, but the air vent may be blocked by the electrode assembly
Solution Approach 1:
Different bosses are designed with different protrusion heights and air vent configurations to perform different functions. The first boss protrudes more to create the primary buffer space, while the second boss protrudes less to provide a backup air vent that remains accessible. The groove is located at a specific local position to accumulate gas away from the air vents. This local quality differentiation ensures that if one air vent is blocked, another remains functional.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove acts as an intermediary structure between the electrode assembly and the air vents. It provides a designated space for gas accumulation, preventing gas from directly blocking the air vents. The groove mediates the interaction between the expanding electrode assembly and the ventilation system, allowing gas to be redirected to safe accumulation zones rather than blocking critical air passages.
3Reliability
If multiple bosses with different heights are added to the lower plastic member, then the buffer space and pressure relief functionality are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower plastic member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides: (1) structural support for the top cover assembly, (2) buffer space formation through first and second bosses, (3) gas accumulation via the groove, (4) pressure relief through first and second air vents, and (5) protection of the electrode assembly. By integrating multiple functions into a single component rather than adding separate parts, the design improves reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple protective functions are merged into the lower plastic member through integrated molding. The first boss, second boss, groove, first air vent, and second air vent are all formed as part of a single molded component. This merging eliminates the need for separate protective parts, assemblies, or fasteners, thereby improving reliability through coordinated functionality while keeping manufacturing complexity manageable through single-step production.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a lower plastic member, a top cover assembly, an energy storage device, and electrical equipment, which can solve the problem of damage to an electrode assembly caused by the fact that a lower plastic member collides with the electrode assembly device and other structures arranged on the battery cell, and prolong the service life of the energy storage device and electrical equipment.