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

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating the safety of energy storage devices during internal short circuits often require physical modification of the battery cell structure, are costly, and result in deformation, making retesting difficult and potentially unsafe.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical device with a through-hole cover material and spacer system that allows for inducing internal short circuits without altering the battery cell structure, using a magnetic field to move a through-hole cover material to block or expose the through hole, enabling repeated safety evaluations without disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical modification methods (heating elements, pre-drilled separators, metallic material insertion) are used to induce internal short circuits, then internal short circuit evaluation can be performed, but the battery cell structure is deformed and retesting becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal short circuit evaluation capabilityVSAvoidbattery cell structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

A through-hole cover member is introduced as an intermediary component that can be inserted into a through hole of the separator to induce internal short circuit. This mediator allows the short circuit to occur without permanently deforming the battery cell structure, as the cover member can be removed after testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A through hole is pre-formed in the separator before the internal short circuit test. This preliminary action allows the through-hole cover member to be inserted without requiring physical modification during the test, preserving the battery cell structure for potential retesting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety evaluation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The internal short circuit induction mechanism is segmented into separate components: a through hole in the separator and a through-hole cover member. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process compared to integrated heating elements or complex metallic insertion structures, reducing overall manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The through-hole cover member is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and disposed of after a single test, or reused if the battery cell structure remains intact. This approach is more cost-effective than complex permanent modification systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If physical modification methods are applied to induce internal short circuit, then safety test can be performed, but the procedure becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety test capabilityVSAvoidtest procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The through hole is pre-formed in the separator during battery manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex modification procedures during testing. The test procedure is simplified to merely inserting and removing the through-hole cover member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The internal short circuit induction mechanism is extracted from the battery cell structure itself and implemented as a separate through-hole cover member. This extraction simplifies the test procedure by allowing easy insertion and removal without complex integration with battery components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 accurate evaluation of internal short circuits in energy storage devices by preserving the cell structure, allowing for multiple tests without deformation, and reducing manufacturing and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

When a magnetic field is applied from outside the energy storage device, the through-hole cover material including the magnetic material moves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the through-hole cover material including a magnetic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3916883B1Method for evaluating safety of an electrochemical element for inducing internal short circuit and such an electrochemical element

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

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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.