Battery Cell Current Collector Layout for Lower Internal Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The uneven electron movement paths in battery cells due to the structural limitations of the end cover welding to the tab increase internal resistance and affect the service life of the battery cells, leading to excessive heat generation during charge and discharge cycles.

Innovation Solution

A current collecting member is used to connect the end cover to the tab, forming three welded portions: a first on the inner peripheral side, a second on the outer peripheral side, and a third connecting the end cover, equalizing electron movement paths and reducing internal resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional battery cell structure with a single continuous electrolyte reservoir is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the battery cannot be disassembled or recycled efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddisassembly and recycling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The battery cell is divided into multiple independent modules, each with its own electrolyte reservoir. This segmentation allows individual modules to be separated and processed independently during disassembly and recycling, solving the problem of efficient battery cell decomposition while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized modular units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the battery cell structure is made complex to enable disassembly and recycling, then recycling efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisassembly and recycling efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery cell employs segmented modules with individual electrolyte reservoirs separated by porous separators. This segmentation enables easy disassembly and recycling without requiring complex structural modifications, as each module can be independently removed and processed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design creates universal components that can serve multiple functions: during operation, each module functions as an independent electrochemical cell; during recycling, the same modular structure enables easy separation and processing. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between operational simplicity and recycling efficiency.

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

3Productivity

If multiple independent electrolyte reservoirs are used in each module, then recycling efficiency improves, but the battery cell structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecycling efficiencyVSAvoidbattery cell structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each battery module contains multiple independent electrolyte reservoirs separated by porous separators. This segmentation allows efficient recycling by enabling independent access and processing of each reservoir, while the modular architecture keeps overall structural complexity manageable through standardized repeating units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery cell structure employs a nested arrangement where multiple electrolyte reservoirs are stacked within each module, with porous separators between them. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and enables efficient recycling through sequential access to each nested reservoir, without requiring excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration equalizes electron movement paths, reducing internal resistance and prolonging the service life of the battery cell by minimizing heat generation during charge and discharge processes.

Implementation Method 1

adjacent electrolyte reservoirs are passive to one another, allowing, for example, lithium ion diffusion between a first electrolyte reservoir and a second electrolyte reservoir through a porous separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4231434B1Battery cell, battery, electric device, and method for manufacturing battery cell
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4231434B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4231434B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4231434B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a battery cell (20), a battery (100), an electric device, a manufacturing method of battery cell, and a manufacturing device (2000) of battery cell, and relate to the field of battery technologies. The battery cell (20) includes a housing (21), an electrode assembly (22), an end cover (23), and a current collecting member (24). The housing (21) has an opening, the electrode assembly (22) has tabs (221), the electrode assembly (22) is configured to be accommodated in the housing (21), the end cover (23) is configured to cover the opening, and the current collecting member (24) is configured to connect the end cover (23) to the tab (221) to implement electrical connection between the end cover (23) and the tab (221). The current collecting member (24) is welded to the tab (221) to form a first welded portion (25) and a second welded portion (26), the current collecting member (24) is welded to the end cover (23) to form a third welded portion (27), the first welded portion (25) is on an inner peripheral side of the third welded portion (27), and the second welded portion (26) is on an outer peripheral side of the third welded portion (27). The battery cell (20) with such structure can equalize movement paths of electrons in an inner ring part and an outer ring part of the electrode assembly (22), thereby reducing internal resistance of the battery cell (20) and effectively prolonging service life of the battery cell (20).