Battery Cell Tab-Lead Joint Structure for Flexible Terminal Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery cells face challenges in electrical connection complexity and stability when used in devices with slim, circular, or geometrical structures, and increasing capacity leads to difficulties in welding or soldering due to large electrode terminals.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell configuration with multiple unit tabs and leads, allowing for easier welding or soldering and varied electrical connections, where unit leads are coupled to unit tabs to form terminal units, enhancing coupling strength and area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single positive electrode terminal and a single negative electrode terminal are used, then the electrical connection structure is simple, but the adaptability to devices with various designs (slim, circular, geometrical structures) is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection structureVSAvoidadaptability to device designs
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode terminal is segmented into multiple unit tabs (first unit tabs and second unit tabs) that can be independently connected to unit leads. This segmentation allows the battery to adapt to various device designs (slim, circular, geometrical structures) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The multiple connection points provide flexibility in electrical connection arrangements without significantly complicating the structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the battery cell size is increased to achieve large capacity, then the energy storage increases, but the welding or soldering process becomes difficult due to increased electrode terminal size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidwelding or soldering process
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The large electrode terminal is segmented into multiple unit tabs, each with its own unit lead. This segmentation allows the welding or soldering process to be performed on smaller, more manageable joint portions rather than large single terminals. The unit leads can be independently connected to unit tabs, making the manufacturing process easier while maintaining the large capacity of the battery cell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing the size of a single electrode terminal in two dimensions, the patent distributes the connection points across multiple unit tabs and unit leads, effectively moving from a two-dimensional large terminal to a multi-dimensional arrangement of smaller terminals. This dimensional change facilitates easier welding or soldering while maintaining the required battery capacity.

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

3Reliability

If the coupling area between electrode tab and electrode lead is increased, then the electrical connection stability improves, but the welding or soldering process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling stabilityVSAvoidwelding or soldering process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling between electrode tabs and leads is segmented into multiple unit tabs and unit leads. Each unit tab-unit lead pair creates a stable coupling connection, and the cumulative effect of multiple such connections provides overall electrical connection stability. The segmented approach allows for easier welding or soldering of individual unit leads to unit tabs while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the multiplied connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3422456B1Battery cell including tab and lead having compact joint structure
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3422456B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3422456B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3422456B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a battery cell configured to have a structure in which an electrode assembly is received in a battery case together with an electrolytic solution in the state in which the battery case is sealed and in which a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal are located outside the battery case, wherein the electrode assembly is configured to have a structure in which a plurality of first electrode plates and a plurality of second electrode plates are stacked in the state in which separators are interposed respectively between the first electrode plates and the second electrode plates, at least one of the first and second electrode plates includes at least two unit tabs protruding outward from a main body thereof, and unit leads are coupled to the unit tabs in order to form at least one terminal unit, the at least one terminal unit constituting at least one of the electrode terminals of the battery cell.