Lithium Battery Electrode Assembly for Current Density Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The imbalance of current density between the tab and non-tab areas in lithium secondary battery electrodes leads to degradation and reduced capacity, necessitating a solution to enhance battery performance.

Innovation Solution

The electrode assembly design includes regions with varying current densities and hole area ratios, specifically higher in high current density areas, to balance lithium ion concentration and movement, thereby reducing degradation and increasing capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a tab is provided on one end portion of the electrode to enable current collection, then the electrode can be connected to the external circuit, but an imbalance of current density occurs between the tab area and non-tab area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent collectionVSAvoidcurrent density balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different hole area ratios in different regions of the electrode. Specifically, a first hole area ratio is provided in the tab area and a second hole area ratio is provided in the non-tab area, with the second ratio being greater than the first. This creates spatially varying properties that compensate for the current density imbalance caused by the tab structure, allowing each region to have optimized characteristics for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the hole area ratio is increased in high current density regions, then current density balance is improved, but the electrode structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent density balanceVSAvoidelectrode structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electrode into distinct regions based on current density characteristics. The electrode is divided into a tab area and a non-tab area, with each region assigned a specific hole area ratio appropriate for its current density level. This segmentation allows the complex requirement of current density balance to be addressed through region-specific simplifications rather than uniform complex design throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design improves battery capacity by 5-10% and reduces degradation rates, enhancing safety and lifetime by minimizing inactive lithium and uniform current distribution.

Implementation Method 1

A lithium secondary battery is a battery including a positive electrode and a negative electrode, each containing an active material capable of intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLithium ion intercalation and deintercalation:

Implementation Method 2

balance lithium ion concentration and movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4579822A1Electrode assembly for rechargeable lithium battery, electrode included in same and rechargeable lithium battery including electrode assembly
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4579822A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4579822A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4579822A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein are an electrode assembly for a lithium secondary battery and a lithium secondary battery including the same. The electrode assembly includes a negative electrode including a negative electrode current collector having one end portion on which a negative electrode tab is formed and a negative electrode active material layer positioned on at least one surface of the negative electrode current collector, and a positive electrode including a positive electrode current collector having one end portion on which a positive electrode tab is formed and a positive electrode active material layer positioned on at least one surface of the positive electrode current collector, wherein, in each of the negative electrode and the positive electrode, a region with a high current density and a region with a low current density are present when a voltage is applied to the electrode assembly, and a hole area ratio in the region with a high current density is greater than that in the region with a low current density.