Cylindrical Battery Cell Assembly With Opening-Aligned Uncoated Parts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cylindrical battery cells face issues of high resistance, high heat generation, and poor current collection efficiency due to current concentration on strip-shaped electrode tabs, and tab-less designs complicate manufacturing with potential welding defects.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell design where the first and second uncoated parts of the electrode assembly are disposed in the direction of an open side of a cylindrical case, with collector plates spaced apart and connected to form a simplified manufacturing process, reducing resistance and maximizing capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If strip-shaped electrode tabs are used to connect uncoated parts, then current collection is achieved, but current concentration occurs resulting in high resistance and high heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent collection efficiencyVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The uncoated parts are divided into multiple separate uncoated parts instead of using single strip-shaped tabs. This segmentation distributes the current flow across multiple contact points, reducing current concentration and heat generation at any single point while improving overall current collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If tab-less battery cell design is used, then current collection efficiency is improved, but manufacturing process becomes complicated with high welding difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent collection efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of welding collector plates to uncoated parts as in conventional tab-less designs, the patent inverts the connection approach by having uncoated parts extend outward and connect to collector plates through mechanical means or simplified bonding. This reversal of the connection sequence simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining efficient current collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If collector plates are welded to upper end and lower end of electrode assembly, then current collection is improved, but welding defects occur increasing cell resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent collection efficiencyVSAvoidwelding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure where uncoated parts extend outward from the electrode assembly to serve as connection points. This intermediary approach eliminates direct welding between collector plates and the electrode assembly, reducing welding defects and associated resistance issues while maintaining effective current collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If uncoated parts are disposed at upper end and lower end, then current collection efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to hole formation in case

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent collection efficiencyVSAvoidassembly structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple uncoated parts by having them extend outward in a unified manner from the electrode assembly. This consolidation allows for simplified case design where openings can be minimized or eliminated, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved current collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4576294A1Battery cell and electrode assembly
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP4576294A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4576294A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4576294A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a battery cell including an electrode assembly in which a first electrode including a first uncoated part, a second electrode including a second uncoated part, and a separator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode are wound in a roll shape, and a cylindrical case including an opening with one side open, and configured to accommodate the electrode assembly inside through the opening, where the first uncoated part and the second uncoated part are disposed in a direction of the opening.