Asymmetric Battery Cell Design for Compact Pack Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery cells struggle to accommodate various device designs while maintaining capacity, leading to difficulties in manufacturing lightweight and thin battery packs with complex electrical connections.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell with an asymmetric structure, featuring a curved portion at the electrode assembly's outer circumference, allowing for flexible design compatibility and stable mounting in devices, achieved through a laminate sheet battery case with reduced thickness and a manufacturing method involving deep drawing and thermal welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If battery cells are configured with the same size and capacity to constitute a battery pack, then the battery pack can be manufactured with standardized components, but the device design flexibility is reduced and the battery pack thickness cannot be minimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice design flexibilityVSAvoidelectrical connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by configuring battery cells with different capacities and sizes within the same battery pack. Specifically, the battery pack includes a first battery cell and a second battery cell where the second battery cell has a smaller capacity than the first battery cell. This asymmetric configuration allows the battery pack to adapt to various device designs and thickness requirements without requiring complex electrical connection modifications, as each battery cell can be independently optimized for its specific role in the pack.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Length of stationary object

If the battery pack thickness is reduced to meet miniaturization requirements, then the device can be made thinner, but the capacity of individual battery cells must be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery pack thicknessVSAvoidbattery capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the battery pack into multiple battery cells with different capacities rather than using a single large-capacity cell. The battery pack includes a first battery cell with larger capacity and a second battery cell with smaller capacity, allowing the overall pack thickness to be reduced while maintaining total energy storage through the combination of multiple segmented cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If asymmetric battery cells with different capacities are used in a battery pack, then the capacity-to-size ratio is improved and device design flexibility is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape adaptation to device designsVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different capacities and physical dimensions to different battery cells based on their specific functional roles within the battery pack. The first battery cell is configured with larger capacity for primary energy storage, while the second battery cell has smaller capacity for supplementary functions. This localized optimization of cell properties allows the battery pack to adapt to various device shapes and sizes without requiring complete redesign of the entire manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The asymmetric battery cell design enables flexible shape adaptation to device designs, providing a compact and stable battery pack with enhanced sealing efficiency and increased capacity-to-size ratio.

Implementation Method 1

a battery case configured to have a structure in which an outside of the battery case corresponds to the curved portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

a manufacturing method involving deep drawing and thermal welding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2802033B1Battery cell having asymmetric structure and battery pack comprising same
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2802033B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2802033B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2802033B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a battery cell configured to have a structure in which an electrode assembly including a separator disposed between a cathode and an anode is mounted in a battery case, wherein an asymmetric structure with respect to a central axis crossing the electrode assembly in plane is formed at a portion of at least one side of the electrode assembly constituting the outer circumference of the electrode assembly.