Battery Terminal Assembly for Uniform Zinc Plating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional zinc-halide batteries suffer from uneven zinc plating on bipolar electrodes, leading to zinc dendrite formation, reduced battery capacity, and heterogeneous discharge currents, which negatively impact performance.
Innovation Solution
A terminal assembly for rechargeable batteries featuring a conductive flat-plate with an electrically insulating tape member and a bipolar electrode plate, enabling bi-directional uniform current flow, and a battery frame member with a liquid diversion system and gas channel to enhance zinc plating uniformity and prevent electrolyte leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional bipolar electrodes are used in zinc-halide batteries, then the battery structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but uneven zinc plating occurs leading to zinc dendrite formation and reduced battery performance
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive flat-plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the terminal connector and the bipolar electrode plate. This flat-plate serves as a current distribution mediator that delivers current uniformly across the electrode surface, preventing localized high current density that causes uneven zinc plating and dendrite formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a terminal connector, a conductive flat-plate with insulating tape members, and the bipolar electrode plate. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the flat-plate specifically designed to distribute current uniformly across the electrode surface.
2Quantity of substance
If bipolar electrodes with large surface area are used to increase battery capacity, then more zinc can be plated, but current distribution becomes more heterogeneous leading to dendrite formation
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive flat-plate is designed to create equipotential conditions across the entire surface of the bipolar electrode plate. By providing a large conductive surface area that is electrically connected to the terminal, the flat-plate ensures that the entire electrode surface is at the same potential, promoting uniform current distribution and preventing localized high current density even when the electrode has large surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from point or line contact current delivery to a two-dimensional planar current distribution system. The conductive flat-plate provides a broad surface area that contacts the electrode across its entire face, transforming the current delivery geometry from concentrated to distributed across a plane, thereby achieving uniform current flow across large electrode surfaces.
3Reliability
If electrolyte is circulated between reservoir and reaction chamber during battery operation, then electrolyte management is simplified, but electrolyte leakage and loss of substance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The battery frame structure is pre-designed with integrated sealing features and electrolyte containment chambers before assembly. The frame includes built-in seals and structural elements that prevent electrolyte leakage from the outset, eliminating the need for complex external sealing systems or electrolyte circulation between separate reservoir and reaction chambers.
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
The solution promotes enhanced battery performance by ensuring uniform zinc plating, improving cycle life and capacity, and maintaining electrolyte containment during operation.
Implementation Method 1
the electrically conducting perimeter enables bi-directional uniform current flow through the conductive flat-plate between the terminal connector and the bipolar electrode plate
Implementation Method 2
the electrolyte remains sequestered in each battery cell throughout battery cycling and is not circulated between a reservoir and a reaction chamber during battery operation
Implementation Method 3
the conductive flat-plate, the bipolar electrode plate and the electrically insulating tape member each have inner and outer surfaces at least substantially parallel with each other... enables bi-directional uniform current flow
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a terminal assembly for an electrochemical battery comprising a terminal connector; a conductive flat-plate with an electrically conducting perimeter; an electrically insulating tape member; and a terminal bipolar electrode plate. The electrically insulating tape member is in between the conductive flat-plate and the terminal bipolar electrode plate such that the electrically insulating tape member does not cover the entire surface area of the conductive flat-plate. The electrically conducting perimeter enables bi-directional uniform current flow through the conductive flat-plate between the terminal connector and the terminal bipolar electrode plate. Also provided is a battery frame member for a static rechargeable battery comprising a liquid diversion system; a gutter; a sealing member; a gas channel; and a ventilation hole. Also provided is a static rechargeable electrochemical battery comprising a pair of terminal assemblies, at least one bipolar electrode interposed between the pair of terminal assemblies, and a battery frame member.