Battery Cell Shell Groove Layout to Prevent Electrode Squeezing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cells face reliability issues due to external impacts causing the electrode assemblies to be squeezed at the intersection of plates, leading to active material falling off and capacity attenuation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating avoidance grooves in the shell design to prevent electrode assemblies from being squeezed, reducing the risk of material falling off and improving the battery's structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the shell plates are intersected for arrangement to form a compact structure, then the battery cell structure is simplified and energy density is increased, but the electrode assemblies are squeezed at the intersection location causing active material to fall off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating an avoidance groove at the specific intersection location of the shell plates. This groove modifies the local structure only where the squeezing problem occurs, while maintaining the overall intersected plate configuration. The groove provides extra space that prevents the electrode assembly from being compressed at the intersection point, thus protecting the active material from falling off while preserving the compact shell design.
2Reliability
If the avoidance groove is added to prevent squeezing of electrode assemblies, then reliability is improved, but the shell structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The avoidance groove is designed and formed in advance during shell manufacturing, before the electrode assembly is installed. This preliminary action creates the protective space in advance, ensuring that when the electrode assembly is placed in the battery cell, it automatically benefits from the extra space without requiring additional protective components or complex assembly steps. The groove is integrated into the shell molding process, minimizing additional complexity.
3Reliability
If the distance between the intersection location and electrode assembly is increased, then the risk of squeezing is reduced, but the battery cell volume increases reducing energy density
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the distance in the horizontal plane (which would waste volume), the patent utilizes the thickness dimension by creating an avoidance groove that extends into the shell thickness. This dimensional approach allows the electrode assembly to be positioned closer to the shell intersection in the planar view, while the groove provides the necessary clearance in the thickness direction, effectively protecting against squeezing without increasing the overall battery cell volume and maintaining high energy density.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell includes a shell and at least one electrode assembly accommodated in the shell. The shell includes a first plate and a second plate, the second plate is intersected with the first plate for arrangement, the first plate includes a first inner wall surface facing the electrode assembly, and the second plate includes a second inner wall surface facing the electrode assembly. The shell includes a third inner wall surface connecting the first inner wall surface and the second inner wall surface, at least a part of the third inner wall surface defines a first avoidance groove, in a thickness direction of the first plate, the first avoidance groove is concave relative to the first inner wall surface and towards one side away from the electrode assembly, and a part of a projection of the electrode assembly on the first plate overlaps the first avoidance groove.