Asymmetric Electrode Tab Spacing for Winding End Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurately aligning and stacking electrode tabs in secondary batteries with protruding structures is challenging, requiring precise identification of winding start and end points to prevent misalignment and ensure proper stacking.
Innovation Solution
The electrode assembly features a unique tab configuration where the distance between outermost and second outermost electrode tabs is smaller than between other tabs, allowing for easy detection of the winding end point and enabling accurate alignment across an imaginary plane, facilitating precise stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If electrode tabs are uniformly spaced, then manufacturing is simple, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the electrode tabs with non-uniform spacing. Specifically, the distance between adjacent electrode tabs varies, with the first distance being different from the second distance. This asymmetric spacing creates a unique pattern that enables precise alignment and identification of the winding end point, resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and manufacturing simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If winding end point is not clearly identified, then winding process is continuous, but stacking alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the asymmetric spacing pattern of electrode tabs as a visual indicator (analogous to color changes) to clearly identify the winding end point. The unique spacing configuration creates a distinguishable pattern that allows operators to easily recognize when winding is complete, ensuring accurate stacking alignment without requiring additional time-consuming identification methods.
3Volume of moving object
If electrode tabs are closely spaced, then winding compactness improves, but detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing asymmetric spacing where most tabs are closely spaced to maintain compactness, but the spacing changes at specific locations (first distance differs from second distance). This asymmetric pattern creates a detectable signature that enables easy identification of the winding end point even when tabs are generally closely spaced, maintaining both compactness and detectability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode assembly and a rechargeable battery including the electrode assembly are disclosed. In one aspect, the electrode assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are wound with a separator placed therebetween. The second electrode includes a first coated portion coated with an active material and a plurality of first electrode tabs T1-Tn protruding outwardly from the first coated portion, wherein n is a natural number greater than 2. The first electrode, when spread in a plane form, includes first to nth portions on which the first electrode tabs T1-Tn are respectively formed, wherein the first and nth portions of the first electrode respectively define the innermost and outermost portions thereof. The distance between the first electrode tab Tn placed at the outermost portion and the first electrode Tn−1 placed at the second outermost portion of the first electrode is less than any of the distances between two adjacent ones of the other first electrode tabs T1-Tn−1.