Wound Nonaqueous Battery Separators for Lower Reaction Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries with winding type electrode assemblies experience significant reaction forces due to shape loosening, limiting design freedom and requiring high-strength restraint components, which are typically made of metal materials.

Innovation Solution

The use of separators with a proportional limit of less than or equal to 10.2 MPa, combined with specific thickness and layering configurations, reduces the reaction force by promoting plastic deformation in a wider range, allowing the use of resin materials for restraint components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high-strength restraint components are used to counteract large reaction forces, then the battery can maintain structural integrity, but the design freedom of the battery pack is decreased and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestraint component strengthVSAvoiddesign freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the separator by controlling its proportional limit to be 10.2 MPa or less. This parameter change enables the separator to undergo plastic deformation that absorbs expansion forces, thereby reducing reaction forces and allowing the use of lighter restraint components with greater design freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The separator acts as an intermediary element between the electrode assembly and the restraint component. By introducing plastic deformation in the separator, the patent creates a buffer mechanism that absorbs expansion forces, reducing the load on restraint components and enabling the use of resin materials instead of metal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If metal materials are used for restraint components to handle large reaction forces, then structural integrity is maintained, but the restraint component weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestraint component strengthVSAvoidrestraint component weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By controlling the separator's proportional limit to 10.2 MPa or less, the patent creates a plastic deformation mechanism that reduces reaction forces. This parameter change enables the use of lighter resin materials for restraint components while maintaining sufficient structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of electrode assembly expansion into a beneficial plastic deformation of the separator. This deformation absorbs expansion forces that would otherwise require heavy metal restraint components, thereby reducing restraint component weight while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the separator has high elastic modulus to maintain shape stability, then shape loosening is reduced, but reaction forces increase due to reduced plastic deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidreaction force
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the critical parameter of the separator's proportional limit to 10.2 MPa or less, which enables plastic deformation. This parameter change allows the separator to balance shape stability during normal operation while undergoing controlled plastic deformation to absorb expansion forces and reduce reaction forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial plastic deformation to the separator rather than requiring complete elastic recovery. By allowing controlled plastic deformation in the separator, the patent achieves sufficient shape stability while reducing reaction forces through the absorption of expansion energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 configuration significantly reduces reaction forces, enabling the use of resin materials for restraint components and maintaining battery performance, while minimizing shape loosening and enhancing output.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the first separator and the second separator has a proportional limit of less than or equal to 10.2 MPa. The proportional limit is measured in a compression test... It is considered that springback is less likely to occur at the portion at which the crease is formed.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3965222B1Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and battery pack
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP3965222B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3965222B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3965222B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes an exterior package, an electrode assembly, and an electrolyte solution. The exterior package stores the electrode assembly and the electrolyte solution. The electrode assembly is shaped to have a flat shape. The electrode assembly includes a layered body. The layered body includes a first separator, a positive electrode plate, a second separator, and a negative electrode plate. The first separator, the positive electrode plate, the second separator, and the negative electrode plate are layered in this order. The electrode assembly is formed by spirally winding the layered body. Each of the first separator and the second separator has a proportional limit of less than or equal to 10.2 MPa. The proportional limit is measured in a compression test in a thickness direction of each of the first separator and the second separator.