Stepped Terminal Cap for Secondary Battery Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary batteries face inefficiencies in welding the upper cap, which affects reliability and productivity due to the design of the terminal part, where the current is transferred, and the lack of effective gas exhausting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The secondary battery design includes a terminal part with a first flat portion at the center and a second flat portion extending from the periphery, connected by a stepped peripheral part with multiple gas exhausting holes, allowing for increased diameter of the terminal part without increasing the overall cap diameter, facilitating easier welding and gas exhaustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal part diameter is increased to improve welding efficiency, then the welding efficiency and reliability are improved, but the overall cap diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by creating a stepped, multi-level terminal part structure with vertical height variations. The terminal part includes a first level with a first flat portion and a second level with a second flat portion at a different height, allowing the welding surface area to be increased in the vertical dimension rather than only in the horizontal plane. This enables improved welding efficiency and reliability without increasing the overall cap diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal part is segmented into multiple levels and flat portions (first flat portion and second flat portion) at different heights. This segmentation allows the welding surface to be distributed across multiple stepped surfaces, increasing the effective welding area while maintaining a compact overall diameter. The connection part connecting these segmented levels provides structural integrity.
2Productivity
If gas exhausting holes are added to improve gas exhaustion, then the gas exhaustion efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas exhausting holes are merged into the connection part that already exists as a structural element connecting the terminal part to the peripheral part. By integrating the gas exhaustion function into an existing structural component rather than adding separate exhaust mechanisms, the patent improves gas exhaustion efficiency while minimizing the increase in structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection part serves multiple functions: it provides structural support connecting the terminal part to the peripheral part, and simultaneously serves as a gas exhaust pathway through the integrated gas exhausting holes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a secondary battery that comprises an electrode assembly, a can accommodating the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly coupled to an upper portion of the can and including an upper cap that transfers a current of the electrode assembly to an exterior of the can. The upper cap includes a terminal part including a first flat portion disposed at a center of the upper cap and a second flat portion extending from a periphery of the first flat portion, a peripheral part disposed at a periphery of the terminal part and stepped from the terminal part, and a connection part connecting the terminal part to the peripheral part.