External Terminal Stepped Inner Surface Electrolyte Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
High capacitance storage devices face issues with electrolyte leakage when placed in a reverse or tilted state, and existing designs are bulky and heavy, necessitating a solution for preventing electrolyte flow to the safety valve and enabling a lighter design.
Innovation Solution
An external terminal with a hollow center at the upper end of the cylindrical metal case, featuring a stepped inner surface configuration to collect and accommodate residual electrolyte, and a beading groove for secure fixation, preventing electrolyte leakage and allowing a lighter design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the external terminal is designed with a simple flat structure, then the manufacturing is easier, but electrolyte leaks when the device is placed in reverse or tilted state
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal structure incorporates a localized stepped inner surface configuration that creates a concave portion specifically positioned to intercept and retain electrolyte. This localized structural variation maintains overall manufacturing simplicity while providing the specific functional quality needed to prevent electrolyte leakage during reverse or tilted placement.
2Strength
If the terminal structure is made bulky to ensure structural integrity, then pressure resistance improves, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal structure is segmented into distinct stepped levels on the inner surface, creating a multi-level concave configuration. This segmentation provides structural integrity and pressure resistance through the stepped geometry while using minimal material, thereby preventing weight increase despite the enhanced structural complexity.
3Reliability
If the terminal is designed with adequate space for electrolyte accommodation, then leakage prevention improves, but the terminal size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal utilizes vertical dimensionality through its stepped inner surface configuration, creating a concave portion that accommodates electrolyte in the vertical space above the sealing surface. This dimensional approach provides adequate electrolyte containment volume without increasing the horizontal footprint or overall terminal volume.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an external terminal for an electric energy storage device, which is coupled to an upper end of a cylindrical metal case to cap the metal case and has a hollow formed at a center thereof so that a safety valve is installed therein, wherein the metal case includes an outer part exposed to the outside in an erect state in a normal direction and an inner part positioned below the outer part, and wherein the inner part includes a first surface adjacent to the hollow and a second surface stepped higher than the first surface (112a) toward the outer part (111).