Relieved Battery Weld Plate for Electrolyte Flow and Gas Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery designs face challenges in efficiently introducing electrolyte and managing gases, leading to increased electrical resistance and potential safety issues due to the obstruction caused by traditional weld plates.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of relieved weld plates with pathways that facilitate the ingress and egress of materials, such as electrolyte and gases, by providing a larger contact surface area and reducing electrical resistance, while allowing for easier manufacturing and welding processes through various configurations like interstitial and full pathways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional weld plates are used to contact the electrode, then electrical connection is established, but the weld plate obstructs material flow and increases electrical resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The weld plate is segmented by introducing pathways that divide the conductive face into multiple regions. These pathways create channels for material flow while maintaining electrical contact through the remaining conductive material, effectively reducing obstruction and electrical resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The weld plate is designed with a porous or permeable structure containing pathways throughout its thickness. This allows electrolyte and gases to pass through the weld plate while maintaining electrical conductivity, transforming the weld plate from an obstructive solid barrier to a functional medium that permits both electrical and material flow
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional solid weld plates are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but electrolyte introduction and gas management become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The weld plate structure is segmented with pathways formed during manufacturing. These pathways can be created through various methods such as punching, drilling, or additive manufacturing, allowing electrolyte to be introduced directly into the battery core while maintaining structural integrity and electrical conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The weld plate incorporates a porous structure that facilitates electrolyte penetration and gas venting. This porous design maintains electrical conductivity through the conductive material while providing channels for material flow, improving both manufacturing flexibility and operational efficiency
3Ease of operation
If weld plates with pathways are implemented, then material flow is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weld plate utilizes a porous structure with pathways that can be integrated during standard manufacturing processes. The pathways are distributed throughout the weld plate thickness, providing efficient gas venting and electrolyte flow without requiring complex external structures or additional components
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a relieved weld plate for affixing to a battery core to provide an electrical connection between the battery core and a terminal of a battery. The relieved weld plate includes a conductive face configured for affixing to an electrode of the battery core. The relieved weld plate further includes one or more pathways disposed in the conductive face. The one or more pathways are configured to facilitate at least one of an ingress of a first material into the battery core or an egress of a second material out of the battery core.