Battery Tab-Collector Flat Plate Structure for Higher Energy Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery units have a reduced energy density due to the occupied space by the connecting structure of the tab and the current collector, which limits the winding space and overall energy storage capacity.

Innovation Solution

The battery unit design incorporates a flat plate structure at one end of the current collector, allowing the tab to cover this structure after being bent, thereby reducing the space occupied by the connecting structure and increasing the winding space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a bent structure is used for the current collector to connect tabs, then the connecting strength is improved, but the space occupied by the connecting structure increases, reducing the winding space and energy density

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnecting strengthVSAvoidwinding space

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The current collector transitions from a planar bent structure to a three-dimensional structure where the tab wraps around the current collector, utilizing spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions to achieve both connection strength and space efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The tab is wrapped around the current collector in a nested configuration, with the tab enclosing the current collector to form a compact integrated structure that minimizes space occupation while maintaining mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the connecting structure occupies more space, then the connection reliability is improved, but the energy density of the battery unit decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The tab and current collector are merged into a single integrated connecting structure where the tab wraps around the current collector, eliminating separate components and reducing total space occupation while maintaining connection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tab is designed as a flexible thin film structure that can wrap around the current collector, providing both mechanical strength for reliable connection and minimal space occupation to maximize energy density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3690988B1Battery unit and battery module

Publication Date: 2025.01.29 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED

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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a battery unit and a battery module, wherein the battery unit includes an electrode assembly, including a first electrode and a second electrode, which have opposite polarities, each of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a coated portion and an uncoated portion, and the uncoated portion is located at an end part of a coated portion along the length direction of the electrode assembly and forms a tab (11); two terminals, arranged at the top of the electrode assembly; and two current collectors (2, 3) for electrically connecting the tabs on both sides of the electrode assembly with the terminals on the same side respectively; wherein, at least one end of at least one current collector along the width direction of the electrode assembly is a flat plate structure, and the tab covers the flat plate structure from the outer side after being bent.