Battery Tab Side-Surface Welding for Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric power storage devices, the configuration of foil-collected tab portions leads to a decrease in battery capacity due to the space required for bent portions, which does not contribute to the battery's capacity.
Innovation Solution
The electric power storage device configuration eliminates the need for bent portions by welding the current collecting terminal directly to the side surface of the tab portion, allowing for a more compact design that maintains electrical connectivity without the need for foil collection, thereby reducing non-contributory space within the case.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tab portions are foil-collected and electrically connected to current collecting terminal, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but bent portions require space that does not contribute to battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the connection dimension from top-surface foil collection to side-surface welding. The current collecting terminal is welded to the side surface of the tab portion, eliminating the need for bent portions and the space they occupy, thereby resolving the contradiction between electrical connectivity and battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the bent portions from the tab portion structure. By directly welding the current collecting terminal to the side surface of the tab portion, the unnecessary bent portions are removed, freeing up space that can now contribute to battery capacity.
2Ease of manufacture
If bent portions are created for foil collection, then tab portions can be electrically connected, but space is consumed that could contribute to battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from top-surface foil collection to side-surface welding, changing the dimensional approach to electrical connection. This eliminates bent portions and their associated space requirements, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and battery capacity.
3Reliability
If current collecting terminal is disposed separately from tab portions, then electrical connection is achieved, but additional non-contributory space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the current collecting terminal with the tab portion structure by welding them directly together at the side surface. This integration eliminates separate disposal space for the current collecting terminal, resolving the contradiction between reliable electrical connection and battery capacity.
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 the decrease in battery capacity by eliminating unnecessary space within the case, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the welding process while maintaining high-quality electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
The current collecting terminal is welded to the side surface, not facing the electrode body, of the tab portion
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power storage device includes a case body with an opening, the opening formed at an upper portion of the case body; an electrode body housed in the case body; a tab portion; and a current collecting terminal. The tab portion protrudes from part of the electrode body toward the opening of the case body. The tab portion has a side surface not facing the electrode body. The current collecting terminal is welded to the side surface of the tab portion.