Secondary Battery Cap Plate Current Collector Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable batteries face a trade-off between portability and capacity, where increasing portability reduces capacity and vice versa, making it challenging to achieve both high portability and high capacity simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a first current collecting member integrally formed with the cap plate, bent inward to connect with the electrode, and a simplified configuration that increases internal space, allowing for a higher capacity battery while minimizing resistance and current loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the battery size is increased to increase capacity, then capacity is improved, but portability is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidbattery size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The current collecting member is integrally formed with the cap plate, merging two previously separate components into one. This integration eliminates the need for separate connection structures, reduces internal space requirements, and allows for more efficient use of battery volume, thereby increasing capacity without proportionally increasing overall size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The current collecting member is bent into a three-dimensional configuration that extends from the cap plate into the battery interior. This spatial arrangement optimizes electrical connection efficiency while minimizing the volume occupied by current collecting structures, allowing better packing of active materials and improved capacity-to-volume ratio

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the battery size is reduced to improve portability, then portability is improved, but capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery sizeVSAvoidbattery capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The design changes the geometric parameters of the current collecting member by bending it into a specific configuration. This optimized shape reduces the volume required for current collection while maintaining electrical conductivity, allowing more space for active materials and improving capacity within a compact form factor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a complex connection structure is used between electrode terminal and current collecting member, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinternal structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cap plate and current collecting member are formed as a single integrated component, eliminating multiple connection interfaces and assembly steps. This integration maintains electrical connection reliability while significantly reducing structural complexity and the number of parts requiring precision assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Loss of energy

If the internal structure is simplified to reduce resistance, then current loss is reduced, but connection strength may be weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent lossVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The integral formation of the cap plate and current collecting member creates continuous metal pathways without intermediate connections or joints. This eliminates contact resistance at interfaces while the inherent material continuity maintains mechanical strength, achieving both low resistance and strong connection simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3477730B1Secondary battery
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP3477730B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3477730B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3477730B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an electrode assembly that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator that is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a case that receives the electrode assembly and includes an opening; a cap plate that is coupled to the opening and includes a cutout; and a first current collecting member that is integrally formed with the cap plate and thus is bent toward the inside of the case from the cap plate, and is electrically connected with the first electrode.