Battery Cell Tab Structure for Direct Terminal Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of increasing energy density in battery cells is hindered by the difficulty in aligning the tab and electrode terminal, which requires additional connecting components, reducing available space for the electrode assembly.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell design with a tab structure where the first connecting portion exceeds the second connecting portion in length, allowing direct connection to the electrode terminal, optimizing internal space and enhancing energy density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional connecting components are used to align the tab and electrode terminal, then connection reliability is improved, but the available space for the electrode assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes additional connecting components from the system by making the tab itself serve as the connecting element. The tab is extended in the length direction to directly connect with the electrode terminal, extracting the unnecessary intermediate components and thereby increasing the available space for the electrode assembly while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The tab is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves both as the electrical conductor connecting the electrode to the terminal and as the structural element providing alignment and positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate connecting components, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and space utilization
2Quantity of substance
If the tab structure is simplified to increase energy density, then space utilization is improved, but alignment precision between tab and electrode terminal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is segmented into functional portions with different characteristics. The first portion has increased length in the length direction to provide alignment tolerance and ensure precise connection with the electrode terminal, while other portions maintain compact dimensions to preserve energy density. This segmentation allows the simplified structure to achieve both space utilization and alignment precision
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell includes a housing, an electric terminal disposed on the housing, and an electrode assembly accommodated in the housing. The electrode assembly includes a main body portion and a tab extending out of an end face of the main body portion and including a first connecting portion configured to be connected to the electrode terminal and a second connecting portion configured to be connected to the main body portion. Along a length direction of the end face, at least part of the first connecting portion exceeds the second connecting portion. As the first connecting portion exceeds the second connecting portion in the length direction of the end face, the connectable range of the first connecting portion in the length direction of the end face can be expanded, facilitating direct connection of the first connecting portion with the electrode terminal.