Battery Cell Transparent Window for Electrode Observation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional secondary batteries have opaque cases, making it difficult to observe electrode phenomena and changes during operation, which hinders real-time studies and diagnosis, and the complexity of experimental batteries limits the applicability of observed results to conventional batteries.

Innovation Solution

Forming holes in the battery case to allow observation through transparent windows, enabling real-time monitoring of electrode changes without compromising battery performance or requiring complex experimental designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the battery case is made opaque to protect the internal structure, then the mechanical strength and sealing are improved, but the ability to observe electrode phenomena during operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidelectrode observation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The battery case is segmented into opaque portions and a transparent window portion, allowing different sections to serve different functions: the majority remains opaque for protection while a specific segment is transparent for observation purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery case has non-uniform optical properties: most of the case maintains opaque characteristics for structural integrity, while a localized window region is made transparent to enable electrode observation without compromising overall sealing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If additional experimental batteries with modified structures are created to observe electrodes, then the observation capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode observation capabilityVSAvoidbattery structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent window battery case serves multiple functions: it maintains the standard battery structure for normal operation while simultaneously providing observation capability, eliminating the need for separate experimental battery designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The observation function is merged into the standard battery case design by incorporating a transparent window, combining the protective enclosure function with the observation function in a single integrated structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If holes are formed in the battery case to observe electrodes, then the observation capability is improved, but the mechanical strength of the battery case deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode visibilityVSAvoidbattery case strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A transparent film or window material is used to create the observation area, providing both optical access and mechanical strength, replacing what would otherwise be a large hole in the case structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The battery case uses composite construction with a transparent window portion that maintains structural integrity while providing observation capability, combining the strength of the case material with the optical properties of the transparent portion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3093907B1Battery cell including hole
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3093907B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3093907B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3093907B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a battery cell configured to have a structure in which a stacked structure including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode is mounted in a receiving part of a battery case, one or more holes are formed from the battery case to the positive electrode or the negative electrode of the electrode assembly, and a transparent window is formed in a portion of the battery case corresponding to the holes.