Secondary Battery Lead Tab Bending for Higher Energy Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary battery manufacturing processes struggle to effectively adjust the bending position and angle of the lead tab, which affects the energy density of the battery.

Innovation Solution

A secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and method that utilizes a support member with jigs and bending members to precisely control the formation of bending parts on the lead tab, including a first bending member to form a first bending part on the electrode lead and a second bending member to form a second bending part on the electrode tab, using a combination of movable and rotatable components to achieve desired angles and positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a lead tab is bent to reduce volume, then the battery can be used in electric vehicles and laptop computers, but the bending position and angle cannot be effectively adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume occupied by lead tabVSAvoidbending position and angle adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bending process is divided into two independent stages: first bending the electrode lead relative to the electrode tab, then bending the electrode tab relative to the electrode assembly. This segmentation allows precise control of each bending angle and position independently, solving the problem of inability to adjust bending parameters while achieving compact volume reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces movable and rotatable components including a movable support member and a rotatable first bending member. These dynamic elements enable adjustable bending positions and angles during the manufacturing process, transforming a static bending operation into a controllable dynamic process that achieves both volume reduction and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the lead tab is bent using conventional methods, then volume is reduced, but energy density of the battery is not improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelead tab volumeVSAvoidenergy density
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the bending parameters including the first bending angle between the electrode lead and electrode tab, and the second bending angle between the electrode tab and electrode assembly. By precisely controlling these angular parameters, the lead tab achieves optimal spatial configuration that maximizes energy density while maintaining reduced volume, allowing better packing of active materials in the battery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If bending members are introduced to control bending, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending position and angle controlVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support member serves multiple functions: it supports the lead tab during bending, enables movement for positioning, and facilitates the bending operations. The first bending member simultaneously provides rotation for angle control and positioning for the first bend. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, managing device complexity while achieving precise bending control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4614691A1Secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and secondary battery manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4614691A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4614691A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4614691A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and a secondary battery manufacturing method that are capable of adjusting a bending position and angle of a lead tab (31, 32) and improving energy density of a secondary battery. To this end, the present disclosure provides an secondary battery manufacturing apparatus, including a support member (110, 120) configured to support a lead tab including an electrode tab (31) extending from an electrode assembly (10) and an electrode lead (32) connected to the electrode tab, a first bending member (210) spaced apart from the support member and configured to press the electrode lead such that a first bending part (35) is formed on the electrode lead, and a second bending member (311, 312, 322, 323) connected to the support member and configured to move the support member such that a second bending part (36) is formed on the electrode tab.