Bent Non-Coated Portion Buffering in Electrode Assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary battery designs face challenges in minimizing damage to bent non-coated portions of polar plates due to steps between stacked components, which can lead to breaking or cutting, affecting the battery's durability and safety.

Innovation Solution

The electrode assembly is formed by alternately stacking polar plates with bent non-coated portions that are connected to lead tabs, and separators are strategically placed to create intervals that the bent portions can fill, minimizing tension and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the non-coated portions of polar plates are bent to connect lead tabs, then the battery structure is formed, but the bent portions are damaged by steps between stacked components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery structure formationVSAvoiddurability of bent portions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A buffer layer is disposed between the bent non-coated portion and the step to prevent direct contact and damage. The buffer layer absorbs mechanical stress and prevents the bent portion from being cut or broken by the step, thereby resolving the contradiction between forming the battery structure and maintaining the durability of bent portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Quantity of substance

If separators are stacked without intervals, then the battery density is increased, but the bent portions experience tension and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery densityVSAvoidintegrity of bent portions

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer layer is positioned in advance to cushion the bent non-coated portion from tension caused by separator stacking. This allows separators to be stacked with minimal intervals while preventing damage to the bent portions, thus maintaining both battery density and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer layer acts as an intermediary element between the bent non-coated portion and the separators/stacked components. It mediates the mechanical stress and prevents direct damage, allowing tight stacking for high density while protecting the vulnerable bent portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2999029B1Electrode assembly and secondary battery including the same

Publication Date: 2020.10.28 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

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AI summary

An electrode assembly for improving the durability and safety of a secondary battery is provided. The electrode assembly includes: a plurality of first polar plates comprising a first coating portion coated as a first active material and a first non-coated portion that is bent; a plurality of second polar plates comprising a second coating portion coated as a second active material and a second non-coated portion that is bent; and a plurality of separators that are interposed between the first polar plates and the second polar plates.