Battery Cell Electrode Lead Facing Outer Surface of Electrode Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lithium secondary batteries face reduced energy density due to protruding electrode tabs and leads, leading to unnecessary dead space and decreased capacity, which existing novel structures have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

The electrode lead is configured such that one end is coupled to electrode tabs and the lead body faces the outer surface of the electrode assembly, with the opposite end on the cell case, reducing protrusion and unnecessary space, and allowing the lead body to be parallel to the electrode plates, thereby minimizing dead space and enhancing energy density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrode tabs and leads protrude outwards from the electrode assembly, then electrical connection is achieved, but the volume of the battery cell increases and energy density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidbattery cell volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode lead is repositioned from a protruding configuration to a configuration where it faces the outer surface of the electrode assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction of electrode plates. This dimensional reorientation allows the lead to be contained within the battery cell envelope while maintaining electrical connection functionality, thereby reducing the battery cell volume without compromising electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the electrode lead extend outward from the electrode assembly in the conventional manner, the invention inverts this arrangement by positioning the lead to face the outer surface of the electrode assembly. This inverted configuration eliminates the need for protruding leads and tabs, reducing dead space and improving energy density while maintaining reliable electrical connection through alternative routing within the cell structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If electrode tabs and leads are positioned to protrude outwards, then electrical connection is established, but dead space increases and energy density is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the spatial parameter of the electrode lead positioning from a protruding external configuration to an internal configuration facing the outer surface. This parameter change eliminates unnecessary dead space occupied by protruding components, thereby increasing the quantity of active materials that can be packed into the same volume and improving overall energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional tab-lead coupling structure is used, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and welding requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the tab-lead coupling portion from the conventional protruding structure and repositions it to face the outer surface of the electrode assembly. This extraction and repositioning eliminates the need for complex welding operations between protruding tabs and leads, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the reconfigured lead structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11303001B2Battery cell including electrode lead located so as to face outer surface of electrode assembly

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery cell has an electrode assembly, including a positive electrode and a negative electrode stacked in the state in which a separator is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, is mounted in a pouch-shaped cell case, wherein electrode tabs protruding outwards from a plurality of electrode plates are coupled to a first lead end of an electrode lead, a second lead end of the electrode lead, which is an opposite end to the first lead end, is located on the outer surface of the cell case in the state of being parallel to the direction in which the electrode plates are stacked, and a lead body provided between the first lead end and the second lead end is located to face the outermost surface of the electrode assembly in the state of being maintained parallel to the direction in which the electrode plates are stacked.