Secondary Battery Electrolyte Dripping for Uniform Impregnation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fabricating secondary batteries are inefficient, time-consuming, and costly, with challenges in uniformly impregnating electrodes with electrolyte and maintaining high reliability and safety.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the precise dripping of electrolyte onto electrodes and separators, followed by sealing with a resin layer under controlled pressure, using a manufacturing apparatus with stages for precise component placement and sealing, and incorporating ionic liquids and fluorine-containing electrolytes for improved impregnation and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fabrication methods are used, then the process is simpler, but manufacturing efficiency is low and production time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fabrication steps (electrode placement, electrolyte impregnation, sealing) into a single integrated manufacturing apparatus with multiple chambers that operate in sequence, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency without requiring separate equipment for each step
Solution Approach 2:
The fabrication process is divided into distinct stages performed in separate chambers: electrode assembly chamber, electrolyte impregnation chamber, and sealing chamber. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently while maintaining overall process efficiency
2Manufacturing precision
If electrolyte is dripped directly onto electrodes, then impregnation is faster, but uniformity of impregnation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a porous plate as an intermediary between the electrolyte reservoir and the electrodes. The electrolyte is dripped onto the porous plate first, which then uniformly distributes the electrolyte to the electrodes through capillary action, ensuring uniform impregnation while maintaining efficient processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The porous plate structure provides different local properties: it allows rapid electrolyte absorption at the contact point while providing controlled, uniform distribution to multiple electrode locations through its porous structure, achieving both speed and uniformity
3Quantity of substance
If larger batteries are fabricated, then energy density increases, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing apparatus is designed with universal components and a modular chamber system that can accommodate different battery sizes and configurations by adjusting electrode dimensions and quantities, allowing the same equipment to produce various battery capacities without requiring specialized tooling for each size
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus performs preliminary assembly of electrode stacks and pre-impregnation with electrolyte before final sealing, allowing for quality control and adjustment before commitment to the final sealed product, thereby reducing waste and rework costs for large-capacity batteries
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 method automates the fabrication process, reduces production time, increases yield, and enhances the reliability and safety of secondary batteries, allowing for the production of larger, high-capacity batteries with reduced material usage and lower costs.
Implementation Method 1
The electrolyte is dripped from a position whose shortest distance from a surface where the electrolyte is dripped is greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode is impregnated with the electrolyte
Implementation Method 3
the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode are sealed with the first exterior body and the second exterior body
Implementation Method 4
incorporating ionic liquids and fluorine-containing electrolytes for improved impregnation and safety
Implementation Method 5
an electrolyte containing an organic solvent such as ethylene carbonate (EC) or diethyl carbonate (DEC)
Data Source
AI summary
At least part of a fabrication process of a secondary battery is automated. A highly reliable secondary battery is provided. The secondary battery is fabricated by placing a first electrode over a first exterior body; placing a separator over the first electrode; placing a second electrode over the separator; dripping an electrolyte on at least one of the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode; impregnating the at least one of the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode with the electrolyte; then placing a second exterior body over the first exterior body to cover the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode; and sealing the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode with the first exterior body and the second exterior body. The electrolyte is dripped from a position whose shortest distance from a surface where the electrolyte is dripped is greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm.