Battery Cell Lead Support Structure for Swelling-Stable Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries are vulnerable to thermal events and swelling, which can lead to chain reactions, accidents, and damage, especially in crowded spaces like battery modules and packs, posing safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A battery assembly design featuring interconnected electrode leads supported by a frame with a lead support, bending portions, and a terrace support, along with an elastic member and accommodation grooves, to stabilize connections and prevent damage during swelling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a plurality of secondary batteries are crowded in a small space to increase output and capacity, then productivity and energy density are improved, but the risk of thermal chain reaction increases due to reduced spacing between cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput and capacityVSAvoidthermal safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a battery assembly structure with a frame and lead support as an intermediary component between adjacent battery cells. This lead support physically connects the electrode leads of multiple cells while providing structural stabilization, serving as a mediator that enables close positioning for high density while preventing direct thermal propagation between cells through its protective framework

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If battery cells are positioned closely together to reduce space, then volume efficiency is improved, but vulnerability to thermal events increases due to proximity of electrode leads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidthermal event vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of structural support and electrical connection by integrating the lead support into the battery assembly frame. This combined structure provides both mechanical stabilization for close cell positioning and protective enclosure for electrode leads, achieving space efficiency while mitigating thermal vulnerability through unified design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the electrode lead connection is made rigid to ensure electrical stability, then electrical conductivity is improved, but damage risk increases when swelling occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical stabilityVSAvoidresistance to swelling damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic design by allowing the electrode leads to be flexibly positioned within the lead support structure. The lead support provides guidance and support while permitting controlled movement, enabling the connection to maintain electrical stability through flexible adaptation rather than rigid fixation, thus resisting swelling damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4661179A1Battery assembly
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4661179A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4661179A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4661179A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed is a battery assembly. The battery assembly includes a first battery cell having a first accommodation portion configured to accommodate an electrode assembly, a first sealing portion extending forward from the first accommodation portion, and a first electrode lead protruding forward from the first sealing portion; a second battery cell having a second accommodation portion configured to accommodate an electrode assembly, a second sealing portion extending forward from the second accommodation portion, and a second electrode lead protruding forward from the second sealing portion and physically connected to the first electrode lead; and a frame having a lead support positioned between the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead to support a portion where the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead are connected.