Bipolar Solid-State Battery Layout With Parallel Unit Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lithium-ion batteries face challenges in achieving high output voltage and energy density due to the use of flammable organic solvents, necessitating safety devices and structural improvements, while solid-state lithium batteries lack efficient designs for enhanced performance.

Innovation Solution

A bipolar battery design featuring a plurality of unit cells with solid electrolytes and bipolar electrodes connected in parallel, separated by a frame, which includes a manufacturing method to assemble these components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If lithium-ion batteries use flammable organic solvents as electrolyte, then ionic conductivity is improved, but safety deteriorates requiring additional safety devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid (flammable organic solvent) to solid (solid electrolyte layer), fundamentally altering the safety characteristics while maintaining ionic conductivity through careful material selection and composition control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The solid electrolyte layer replaces complex safety devices with a simpler, inherently safer material solution, eliminating the need for additional safety components while maintaining battery functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Power

If unit cells are connected in series to increase output voltage, then energy density is improved, but device complexity increases due to more safety devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput voltageVSAvoidsafety device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of connecting unit cells in series to increase voltage (which would require more safety devices), the patent connects unit cells in parallel while using solid electrolytes to achieve both high voltage and simplified safety architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection configuration from series to parallel and simultaneously changes the electrolyte state, achieving high output voltage through parallel connection of high-voltage unit cells without proportionally increasing safety device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple safety devices are added to prevent short circuits, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort circuit preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The solid electrolyte layer serves as an inherent safety component that prevents short circuits without requiring additional expensive safety devices, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the safety function from separate safety devices and integrates it into the solid electrolyte layer itself, eliminating the need for additional safety components and reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If structural improvements are made to prevent short circuits, then safety is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort circuit preventionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The solid electrolyte layer provides inherent short circuit prevention through its material properties rather than complex structural designs, simplifying the overall battery structure while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes from liquid electrolyte to solid electrolyte, fundamentally altering the safety mechanism from structural prevention to material-based prevention, thereby simplifying device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4629361A1Bipolar battery and manufacturing method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP4629361A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4629361A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4629361A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bipolar battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of unit cells in which a solid electrolyte and one or more bipolar electrodes are interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode; and frames positioned between the unit cells so as to separate each of the unit cells, wherein the unit cells can be connected to each other in parallel.