Bipolar Secondary Battery with Intermediate Electrode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current secondary batteries do not achieve sufficient battery characteristics, necessitating improvements in configuration to enhance energy density and performance for applications in electronic devices, electric vehicles, and power storage systems.

Innovation Solution

A secondary battery configuration with a cathode, an anode, and an intermediate electrode, where each includes titanium-containing compounds, and an electrolytic solution with a sufficient concentration of electrolyte salt relative to solvent molecules, optimizing voltage resistance and battery performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional secondary battery configurations are used, then basic battery function is maintained, but battery characteristics are insufficient for high energy density applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidbattery characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery is divided into multiple electrodes including at least one intermediate electrode positioned between the positive and negative electrodes. This segmentation allows for optimized ion transport pathways and improved electrochemical performance, enabling higher energy density while maintaining reliable battery characteristics through structured electrode arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite electrode structures with specific material compositions, including titanium-containing compounds in the intermediate electrode and carefully selected cathode and anode materials. These composite material configurations enhance both energy density and operational reliability by leveraging synergistic material properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If battery size and weight are reduced for electronic devices, then portability is improved, but achieving high energy density becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery weightVSAvoidenergy density
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes thin-film electrode structures and flexible current collectors that reduce overall battery weight and volume. The intermediate electrode design employs thin active material layers that maintain high surface area to volume ratio, enabling high energy density in a compact, lightweight form factor suitable for portable electronic devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes critical parameters including electrolyte composition, electrode thickness, and material density to achieve maximum energy density within reduced size constraints. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the battery delivers high energy content in a lightweight package without compromising performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If intermediate electrode with titanium-containing compound is added, then battery characteristics are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery characteristicsVSAvoidbattery configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate electrode serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a physical separator between positive and negative electrodes, provides additional active material for energy storage, facilitates ion transport, and enhances structural stability. This multi-functionality improves battery characteristics without proportionally increasing complexity, as one component performs several critical roles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration achieves superior battery characteristics, including improved voltage resistance and enhanced energy density, enabling effective use in electronic devices, electric vehicles, and power storage systems.

Implementation Method 1

The electrolytic solution includes a solvent and an electrolyte salt and has number of molecules of the electrolyte salt equal to or larger than number of molecules of the solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP3560012B1Bipolar secondary battery, as well as battery pack, electric vehicle, electric power storage system, electric power tool, and electronic apparatus comprising the same
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 MURATA MFG CO LTD
  • EP3560012B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3560012B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3560012B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A secondary battery includes: a cathode including a cathode current collector and a first cathode active material layer provided on the cathode current collector; an anode including an anode current collector and a first anode active material layer provided on the anode current collector to face the first cathode active material layer and including a titanium-containing compound; an intermediate electrode provided between the cathode and the anode and including an intermediate current collector, a second anode active material layer provided on the intermediate current collector to face the first cathode active material layer and including the titanium-containing compound, and a second cathode active material layer provided on the intermediate current collector to face the first anode active material layer; and an electrolytic solution including a solvent and an electrolyte salt and having number of molecules of the electrolyte salt equal to or larger than number of molecules of the solvent.