Battery Case Structure for Uniform Electrode Assembly Pressure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary batteries face issues with non-uniform pressure distribution on the electrode assembly due to varying gas pressures, leading to accelerated deterioration and reduced lifespan.

Innovation Solution

The secondary battery design incorporates a case with distinct regions of varying material properties and thicknesses to evenly distribute pressure on the electrode assembly, ensuring consistent force application regardless of gas accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the case is made with uniform material properties and thickness, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the pressure distribution on the electrode assembly becomes non-uniform leading to accelerated deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifespanVSAvoidcase structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The case is designed with different material properties or thicknesses in different regions. Specifically, the first region (opposite the vent) has different properties than the second region, allowing the case to compensate for gas pressure accumulation and achieve uniform pressure distribution on the electrode assembly, thereby extending battery lifespan without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The case is divided into distinct regions (first region and second region) with different characteristics. This segmentation allows each region to serve a specific function: the first region compensates for gas pressure while the second region provides structural support, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stress or pressure

If gas accumulates in the case, then the internal pressure increases, but the pressure distribution becomes non-uniform causing accelerated electrode deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure distribution uniformityVSAvoidgas accumulation effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The case design changes the physical parameters (material properties, thickness) in different regions to compensate for gas accumulation. The first region has specific properties that counteract the harmful effects of gas pressure, transforming the harmful factor into a controllable parameter that maintains uniform pressure distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The design accepts gas accumulation as inevitable but converts its harmful effect into a beneficial outcome by strategically designing the first region to leverage gas pressure for maintaining uniform distribution, thereby protecting the electrode assembly and extending battery life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP4693629A1Secondary battery
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4693629A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4693629A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4693629A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a case accommodating the electrode assembly, at least a portion of the case including a first region and a second region different from the first region, the second region having a different pressing force on the electrode assembly than the first region.