Secondary Battery Current Collector Tab Bundling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current secondary battery designs face issues with current collector tab bending, which can lead to damage and reduced battery performance due to the lack of effective mechanisms to maintain tab shape and reduce stress within the battery case.

Innovation Solution

The secondary battery incorporates a configuration where current collector tabs are bundled in a stacked state at a location different from their joined portion, using solid phase joining or an adhesive layer to maintain a constant shape and reduce bending, and optionally employs a fixing member to further suppress bending and enhance tab stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If current collector tabs are accommodated in the battery case without bundling, then the battery case can be simpler in structure, but the tabs are prone to bending and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery case structureVSAvoidcurrent collector tab integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple current collector tabs are bundled together into a single integrated unit, merging several separate tabs into one consolidated structure that is more resistant to bending and damage while maintaining electrical connectivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If current collector tabs are joined to current collector terminal at the same location where they are bundled, then the connection process is simpler, but the tabs experience larger bending loads and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoining process simplicityVSAvoidcurrent collector tab resistance to bending
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The current collector tab assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: a bundling portion where tabs are consolidated, a middle portion that maintains constant shape, and a joined portion that connects to the terminal. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the others

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If current collector tabs are allowed to bend freely in the battery case, then the tabs can adapt to space constraints, but the bending causes damage and reduces battery performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetab flexibility for space accommodationVSAvoidbattery performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The current collector tabs are pre-shaped and bundled into a constant shape configuration before being installed in the battery case. This preliminary formation of the desired shape prevents bending and deformation during installation and operation, ensuring optimal electrical connectivity and battery performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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 effectively suppresses tab bending, reduces damage risk, and maintains tab shape, thereby improving battery performance and resistance while accommodating the electrode body in the battery case.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of current collector tabs are joined to each other by solid phase joining or with an adhesive layer at the bundled portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4170814A1Secondary battery
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4170814A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4170814A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4170814A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a technique for accommodating current collector tabs joined to current collector terminals inside a battery case in a better state. The secondary battery (100) disclosed herein has an electrode body (20), a battery case (10) that accommodates the electrode body (20), and current collector terminals (30, 40) attached to the battery case (10). The electrode body (20) comprises a plurality of current collector tabs (21t, 22t). The plurality of current collector tabs (21t, 22t) have a bundled portion (Tl) where the current collector tabs (21t, 22t) are bundled in a stacked state, and a joined portion (90) joined to the current collector terminal (30, 40).