Battery Electrode Segmentation for Rapid Impregnation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for secondary batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, leads to longer impregnation times for multilayer electrode bodies with electrolytic solutions, resulting in extended production lead times and the need for increased production facilities to maintain throughput.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a multilayer electrode body with a separator and electrode plate stacked such that the electrode plate has a bonded region and a non-bonded region, allowing for quicker impregnation of the electrolytic solution by creating a flow path for the solution and air expulsion, thereby reducing the impregnation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the volume occupied by the multilayer electrode body inside the case is increased to increase energy density, then the energy density is improved, but the impregnation time with electrolytic solution is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidimpregnation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode plate is divided into a bonded region and a non-bonded region. The non-bonded region creates a flow path that allows electrolytic solution to rapidly penetrate the multilayer electrode body, solving the contradiction between increased electrode body volume (for higher energy density) and extended impregnation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the impregnation time is extended to ensure thorough electrolytic solution penetration, then the charge-discharge characteristics are improved, but the production lead time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge-discharge characteristicsVSAvoidproduction lead time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The non-bonded region is pre-formed in the electrode plate before assembly, creating a built-in flow path that accelerates electrolytic solution penetration. This preliminary structural design ensures thorough impregnation occurs rapidly, improving charge-discharge characteristics while reducing production lead time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the impregnation time is reduced to shorten production lead time, then the productivity is improved, but the charge-discharge characteristics may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction throughputVSAvoidcharge-discharge characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode plate is designed with different regional properties: the bonded region provides structural stability and adhesion, while the non-bonded region provides rapid electrolyte flow paths. This local differentiation allows short impregnation times without compromising charge-discharge characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Stability of the object's composition

If the multilayer electrode body is fully bonded to ensure structural stability, then the structural integrity is improved, but the flow path for electrolytic solution is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidimpregnation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode plate is segmented into bonded and non-bonded regions. The bonded region maintains structural stability and adhesion, while the non-bonded region creates flow paths for rapid electrolytic solution penetration, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and impregnation speed.

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 approach significantly shortens the impregnation time of the multilayer electrode body, reducing production lead times and avoiding the need for increased facilities, while maintaining secure connectivity and improving charge-discharge characteristics and cycle life.

Implementation Method 1

a separator having an adhesive layer and an electrode plate are stacked... bonding a part of the electrode plate to the adhesive layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

an electrolytic solution impregnating the multilayer electrode body... it is necessary to impregnate a multilayer electrode body with an electrolytic solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpregnation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230095398A1Method for producing battery, and battery

Publication Date: 2023.03.30 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A method for producing a battery, includes: stacking a separator having an adhesive layer and an electrode plate in such a manner that the electrode plate is in contact with the adhesive layer; forming a multilayer electrode body by bonding a part of the electrode plate to the adhesive layer such that the electrode plate has a bonded region bonded with the adhesive layer and a non-bonded region not bonded with the adhesive layer; putting the multilayer electrode body in a case; and injecting an electrolytic solution into the case.