Battery Cell Terminal Structure to Cut Spatial Loss and Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pouch-type lithium secondary batteries suffer from significant spatial loss due to the length of electrode leads, sealing areas, and lack of rigidity, leading to reduced energy density, deformation, and poor heat conduction.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell design featuring a rigid casing with a polygonal cross-section, a cover plate, and a terminal structure that directly bonds with electrode connection portions, reducing spatial loss and enhancing electrical connection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a pouch-type structure with electrode leads is used, then flexibility and ease of assembly are improved, but spatial loss increases and energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the electrode leads from the battery structure. Instead of using traditional electrode leads that extend outside the pouch, the invention integrates the electrode connections directly at the pouch terminals, removing the unnecessary spatial occupation of lead wires and improving energy density while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional lead wire configuration to a two-dimensional terminal contact arrangement. By positioning electrode connection portions directly at the pouch terminal surfaces rather than extending leads in multiple directions, the design reduces spatial loss in the length and width dimensions while maintaining electrical connectivity.
2Reliability
If sealing areas and insulating portions are extended, then sealing degree and electrical insulation are improved, but spatial loss and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function and electrical insulation function into a single integrated terminal structure. The terminal portions serve both as sealing elements that close the pouch and as electrical insulation barriers, eliminating the need for separate insulating portions and reducing overall spatial requirements while maintaining both sealing degree and electrical insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: sealing the pouch, providing electrical insulation, and enabling electrical connection. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed and minimizes spatial loss associated with multiple distinct sealing and insulating elements.
3Ease of operation
If electrode leads are exposed outwardly, then electrical connection is simplified, but spatial loss and internal resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrode leads from the internal battery structure and eliminates them entirely. Instead of having leads extend outward from the electrode assembly through the pouch, the invention directly contacts the electrode connection portions at the terminal surfaces, removing the resistive path through lead wires and reducing internal resistance while maintaining simplified electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces terminal portions as intermediary elements that directly bridge the electrode connection portions to the external circuit. These terminal portions serve as the sole electrical interface, eliminating the need for electrode leads as intermediaries and reducing the total resistance path by shortening the current flow path.
4Ease of manufacture
If a flexible pouch structure is used, then ease of assembly is improved, but rigidity and heat conduction performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing rigidity only where needed - at the terminal regions and pouch edges - while maintaining flexibility in the main body of the pouch. The terminal portions are constructed with rigid materials and structures to provide mechanical strength and thermal conduction pathways, while the pouch body remains flexible for ease of assembly and electrode assembly accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction with different materials having different properties in different regions. The terminal portions use rigid, thermally conductive materials for strength and heat dissipation, while the pouch body uses flexible materials for ease of assembly. This composite approach allows the battery to simultaneously achieve rigidity where needed and flexibility where beneficial.
5Device complexity
If terminal structure is simplified, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but voltage and temperature sensing capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the terminal structure to serve multiple functions: electrical connection, voltage sensing, and temperature sensing. By integrating sensors directly into the terminal portions or positioning them in close thermal and electrical contact with the terminals, the design maintains simplified manufacturing while enabling comprehensive monitoring capabilities without adding significant structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell includes a casing having an accommodation space formed therein and having one or both ends open; a cover plate covering one or both open ends of the casing; and an electrode assembly accommodated in the accommodation space, in which a plurality of electrode plates are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween. The electrode assembly includes electrode connection portions, respectively extending from the plurality of electrode plates; and a terminal bonded to the electrode connection portion and having a portion exposed outwardly through the cover plate.