Battery Cell Tab Structure for Higher Current Flow Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current flow capacity of certain tabs in battery cells is often low, affecting the charging and discharging performance of the battery cell.
Innovation Solution
The battery cell design includes an electrode assembly with a first tab, a second tab, and an auxiliary tab, where both the first tab and the auxiliary tab are electrically connected to the first electrode terminal, and the second tab is connected to the second electrode terminal, thereby increasing the current flow area and capacity of the first tab.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single tab is used for electrical connection, then the structure is simple, but the current flow capacity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The tab structure is segmented into multiple tabs (first tab and auxiliary tab) that are electrically connected in parallel to the first electrode terminal. This segmentation increases the total current flow area while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as each tab can be individually formed and connected.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple tabs (first tab and auxiliary tab) are merged electrically by connecting them in parallel to the same electrode terminal. This merging of current paths increases the effective current flow capacity without requiring a completely new structural design, as the tabs share the same electrical connection point.
2Reliability
If the tab width is increased to improve current flow capacity, then the current flow area increases, but the space for other components decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the width of a single tab in one dimension, the solution adds another dimension by introducing an auxiliary tab that extends in a different spatial direction. This allows the current flow area to increase without proportionally reducing the available space in the original tab's width direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The current flow path is segmented across multiple tabs positioned at different locations. The first tab and auxiliary tab are arranged such that their combined current flow area is increased while distributing the space occupation across different regions of the electrode assembly, preserving space for other components.
3Reliability
If multiple tabs are added to increase current flow area, then the current flow capacity improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary tab is pre-formed and positioned on the electrode plate before final assembly. This preliminary preparation allows the tab structure to be integrated into the electrode manufacturing process itself, rather than requiring separate post-assembly operations to add additional tabs and their connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The formation of multiple tabs is merged with the existing electrode plate manufacturing process. By designing the auxiliary tab to be formed on the electrode plate during manufacturing, the patent combines what would otherwise be separate operations (forming tabs and creating electrode structure) into a single integrated process.
Data Source
AI summary
a battery cell includes an electrode assembly, a first electrode terminal, and a second electrode terminal. The electrode assembly includes a body portion, where a first tab, a second tab, and an auxiliary tab are led out of the body portion. The first tab and the auxiliary tab are both electrically connected to the first electrode terminal, and the second tab is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal. The first tab and the auxiliary tab are both electrically connected to the first electrode terminal to increase a current flow area of the tab electrically connected to the first electrode terminal.