Secondary Battery Heat-Shrink Tube Layout for Tab Space Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary batteries face challenges in protecting the electrode assembly and optimizing battery capacity within a given volume.
Innovation Solution
The secondary battery design incorporates a heat shrinkable tube around the electrode assembly's thickness portion, with specific configurations to minimize volume increase and enhance tab fixation, using materials like polyethylene and polypropylene to ensure protection and capacity improvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective structure is added around the electrode assembly to protect from welding burrs, then reliability is improved, but volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shrinkable tube is positioned within the case cavity and surrounds the electrode assembly, creating a nested structure where the protective tube is embedded in the available space rather than adding external volume. This allows the protective function to be integrated into the existing battery structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat shrinkable tube made of flexible polymer material is used to protect the electrode assembly. The thin-walled tube provides protection from welding burrs while occupying minimal space, and its flexibility allows it to conform to the electrode assembly shape without requiring excessive clearance.
2Productivity
If tab alignment and fixation structures are added to reduce internal tab space, then battery capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate tabs are divided into distinct functional segments: an aligned portion for positioning and a welded portion for electrical connection. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the aligned portion can be compact while the welded portion provides adequate bonding area, thereby reducing overall tab space without compromising capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab structure utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by bending the tabs in different directions. The aligned portions are bent to align with the heat shrinkable tube axis, while welded portions extend perpendicular to it, creating a compact 3D configuration that reduces internal tab space while maintaining all necessary functions.
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 design effectively protects the case from welding burrs and reduces internal tab space, thereby improving battery capacity without increasing volume, utilizing a heat shrinkable tube with a lower shrinkage temperature than the separator.
Implementation Method 1
a heat shrinkable tube around a thickness portion of the electrode assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a secondary battery, and may provide a secondary battery capable of protecting an electrode assembly and improving battery capacity relative to the same volume. Embodiments of the present disclosure include a secondary battery including an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate having a first substrate tab, a second electrode plate having a second substrate tab, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, a first lead welded to the first substrate tab, a second lead welded to the second substrate tab, a heat shrinkable tube around a thickness portion of the electrode assembly, and a case accommodating the electrode assembly.