Battery Pouch Functional Hole for Electrolyte Reinjection Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries experience performance degradation due to electrolyte consumption during repeated charging and discharging, leading to inefficiencies and reduced functionality.

Innovation Solution

A method for reinjecting electrolyte into a secondary battery using a pouch with a functional hole and a polymer layer, allowing easy injection and sealing to prevent gas leakage and electrolyte loss, while using a coating to prevent oxidation and electrical conduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pouch is sealed to prevent electrolyte leakage, then battery reliability is improved, but electrolyte reinjection becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery reliabilityVSAvoidelectrolyte reinjection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A functional hole is pre-formed in the aluminum sheet of the pouch before battery operation. This preliminary action allows the electrolyte reinjection to be performed easily when needed, while the hole is initially sealed by the polymer layer to maintain battery reliability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the aluminum sheet is used for pouch structure, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but oxidation and electrical conduction occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidoxidation and electrical conduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A coating part is applied locally at the functional hole region of the aluminum sheet. This local treatment prevents oxidation and electrical conduction at the critical hole area while maintaining the overall low cost and structural integrity of the aluminum pouch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pouch structure combines aluminum sheet with a coating material and polymer layer. This composite structure maintains the advantages of aluminum (low cost, good barrier properties) while adding protective functions (oxidation resistance, electrical insulation) at the functional hole.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If gas is trapped inside the pouch, then battery structure is simplified, but gas accumulation causes performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery structureVSAvoidbattery performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer layer is designed to selectively allow gas to pass through while blocking electrolyte. Gas can escape from the battery interior through the polymer layer to the exterior, while the electrolyte remains contained. This maintains the simple pouch structure while preventing harmful gas accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Quantity of substance

If the functional hole is opened for electrolyte injection, then electrolyte replenishment is enabled, but electrolyte leakage and gas escape occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte quantityVSAvoidelectrolyte leakage and gas escape

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer layer serves as an intermediary between the functional hole and the battery interior. It allows controlled opening of the hole for electrolyte injection while preventing uncontrolled leakage of electrolyte and escape of gas, enabling safe electrolyte replenishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The method enables efficient electrolyte reinjection and sealing, maintaining battery performance by preventing gas escape and electrolyte leakage, thus extending battery life and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the gas inside the pouch may penetrate the polymer layer through the functional hole and be easily discharged to the outside

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas permeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

a coating part is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the functional hole in the aluminum sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation prevention: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20240030571A1Electrolyte Reinjection Method and Electrolyte-Reinjectable Secondary Battery

Publication Date: 2024.01.25 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A method for reinjecting an electrolyte, and a secondary battery capable of being reinjected with an electrolyte are described. The method for reinjecting an electrolyte is a method for reinjecting an electrolyte into a secondary battery in which an electrode assembly and an electrolyte are accommodated in a pouch. The pouch includes an aluminum sheet, in which a functional hole is formed, and a polymer layer stacked on the aluminum sheet. The method includes a reinjection process of injecting an additional electrolyte into the pouch through the functional hole by opening the functional hole, and a sealing process of sealing the functional hole after the reinjection process.