Multi-Electrode Battery Lead Layout for Higher Cell Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In batteries with multiple electrode groups, the space occupied by connecting members like leads is significant, limiting the space available for the electrode groups, which in turn restricts the battery's capacity without increasing its size.
Innovation Solution
The battery design incorporates separate leads for each electrode group, which are connected to a shared electrode terminal, allowing for a reduced thickness of each lead and thereby increasing the space available for the electrode groups within the battery's cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single thick lead is used to connect multiple electrode groups to the electrode terminal, then the electrical connection is robust, but the space occupied by the connecting member increases, reducing the space available for electrode groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single thick lead into multiple separate thin leads, with each lead connecting one electrode group to the electrode terminal. This segmentation reduces the volume occupied by connecting members while maintaining reliable electrical connections through multiple pathways.
2Strength
If the thickness of leads is increased to ensure sufficient electrical connection, then the connection strength is improved, but the space available for electrode groups in the inner cavity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection strength is maintained by using multiple separate leads instead of a single thick lead. Each thin lead provides a connection pathway, and the collective strength of multiple leads compensates for the reduced individual thickness, thereby preserving connection strength while increasing available area.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple thin leads are combined to achieve the same electrical connection function as a single thick lead. The cumulative effect of multiple leads provides sufficient connection strength while occupying less total space than a single thick lead would require.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of electrode groups is increased to enhance battery capacity, then the battery capacity is improved, but the space required for connecting members increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
Each electrode group is connected via its own dedicated thin lead rather than sharing a thick lead. This approach allows for an increased number of electrode groups to be accommodated in the inner cavity, as the total volume of multiple thin leads is less than the volume of fewer thick leads, thereby enabling enhanced battery capacity.
4Shape
If the size of the battery is kept constant, then the compactness is maintained, but the space for electrode groups is limited, restricting the battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The battery maintains its compact size by using multiple thin leads instead of thick leads, which reduces the space consumed by connecting members. This freed-up space within the constant battery dimensions can then be utilized to accommodate more electrode groups or larger electrode groups, thereby increasing battery capacity without enlarging the overall battery size.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a battery includes an exterior container, a lid member, a plurality of electrode groups, a first lead, a second lead, and an electrode terminal. The lid member closes an opening of an inner cavity of the exterior container, and the plurality of electrode groups are stored in the inner cavity. A first current collecting tab protruding toward the lid member in a first electrode is joined with the first lead, and a second current collecting tab protruding toward the lid member in the second electrode different from the first electrode is joined with the second lead separate from the first lead. The first and second leads are together connected to the electrode terminal exposed on an outer surface of the lid member.