Pouch Battery Cap Assembly With Venting and Rigid Tab Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pouch type secondary batteries lack rigidity and vent structures, leading to stability concerns and high costs in configuring battery packs due to additional processing requirements.
Innovation Solution
A structure where an electrode tab is connected to a cap assembly, with a joint portion of the pouch joined to the cap assembly, incorporating a vent part and a fixing rib formed through injection molding, and a connection terminal for easy electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a pouch type secondary battery uses a flexible pouch structure, then manufacturing cost is reduced and manufacturing process is simplified, but the battery lacks rigidity and vent structure leading to stability concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pouch structure with a cap assembly by joining the joint portion of the pouch to the cap assembly. This combination provides the flexibility and manufacturing advantages of the pouch while adding the rigidity and venting capabilities of the cap assembly, thereby resolving the stability concern without sacrificing ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery structure is segmented into distinct components: the pouch containing the electrode assembly and the separate cap assembly. The cap assembly includes a vent part for pressure relief and a fixing rib for secure attachment. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Ease of operation
If additional processing operations such as bending electrode lead are performed to configure battery pack, then electrical connection is achieved, but cost for configuring battery pack increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly is designed with a connection terminal in advance, before battery pack assembly. The electrode tab is pre-connected to the metal current collector during battery manufacturing. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for additional bending and connection operations when assembling the battery pack, reducing both complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural rigidity, includes a vent part for safety, and incorporates a connection terminal for electrical connection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and operations, simplifying battery pack configuration and reducing costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If no vent structure is provided in pouch type secondary battery, then manufacturing process is simplified, but explosion or fire cannot be prevented when internal pressure abnormally increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent function is extracted as a separate component (the vent part in the cap assembly) rather than being integrated into the pouch structure. This allows the pouch to remain simple for manufacturing while the cap assembly provides the necessary safety function by releasing excess internal pressure, preventing explosion or fire.
Data Source
AI summary
A pouch type secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including an electrode tab, a pouch that accommodates the electrode assembly and includes a joint portion formed open at a location corresponding to the electrode tab, and a cap assembly including a metal current collector and a cap plate to which the metal current collector is coupled, and in this case, the pouch includes the joint portion joined to the cap plate while the electrode tab is connected to the metal current collector, and the pouch type secondary battery improves stability through a structure in which an electrode tab is connected to a cap assembly and a joint portion of a pouch is joined to the cap assembly.