Battery Cell Tab-Collector Structure for Stable Electrical Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery cells face instability in electrical connections between electrode tabs and current collectors due to small contact areas, and the manufacturing process is complex due to the need for separate insulator installation.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell design where the electrode tabs are coupled to the electrode assembly such that they are disposed on a surface facing the current collector, with the current collector including an insulating member having grooves to increase contact area, and the electrode tabs are bent to ensure stable contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate insulator is installed between the electrode tab and the current collector, then electrical insulation is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating member is merged with the current collector to form an integrated structure. The insulating member is coupled to the current collector, creating a unified component that provides both current collection and electrical insulation functions, thereby eliminating the need for separate insulator installation while maintaining reliable electrical insulation between the electrode tab and current collector

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the electrode tab is folded to contact the current collector, then electrical connection is established, but the contact area remains small leading to unstable connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidcontact area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating member is configured with an insulating protrusion that extends toward the electrode tab in a direction perpendicular to the current collector surface. This three-dimensional configuration allows the electrode tab to contact the current collector over a larger area through the protrusion structure, significantly improving electrical connection stability while maintaining proper insulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4567949A1Battery cell and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP4567949A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4567949A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4567949A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a battery cell and a method of manufacturing the same. According to the battery cell and the method of manufacturing the same, an electrode plate of the battery cell is coupled to an insulating member having a groove formed therein, and a portion of the electrode plate which fills the groove is formed to be in contact with an electrode tab, thereby electrically connecting the electrode tab of the battery cell and a current collector more stably.