Bipolar Electrode Stack Support to Prevent Metal Plate Buckling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Buckling and fracture of metal plates in bipolar electrodes occur due to self-weight and thermal stress in stacked power storage modules, leading to potential failure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a support member, such as an insulating flat plate or resin rectangular timber, in the non-coated regions of the metal plates to enhance bending resistance, along with sealing bodies to maintain structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a plurality of bipolar electrodes are stacked, then the power storage capacity is improved, but buckling occurs in the non-coated part of the metal plate due to its own weight
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary element between the metal plates to prevent buckling. The support member spans across the non-coated region and provides mechanical support, allowing the metal plate to maintain its shape while supporting the weight of stacked bipolar electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member extends in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the bipolar electrodes, providing structural reinforcement in a different dimension. This dimensional approach allows the support member to effectively counteract buckling without interfering with the electrode stacking arrangement.
2Quantity of substance
If a plurality of bipolar electrodes are stacked, then the power storage capacity is improved, but fracture may occur in the buckled metal plate due to repeated thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as a mediator that prevents the metal plate from buckling under thermal stress. By providing continuous support across the non-coated region, the support member eliminates the buckling condition that would otherwise lead to fracture during repeated thermal cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member provides preemptive reinforcement to the metal plate before thermal stress is applied. This prior cushioning prevents the metal plate from buckling when thermal expansion and contraction occur, thereby preventing fracture before it can happen.
3Shape
If the non-coated part of the metal plate is reduced, then buckling is suppressed, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than modifying the metal plate coating process, a support member is introduced as a separate component. This approach maintains the simplicity of the coating process while adding structural support, avoiding the complexity that would arise from trying to eliminate non-coated regions through manufacturing modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A power storage apparatus includes: a plurality of stacked metal plates; and a sealing body for sealing an interior space formed between two adjacent metal plates of the plurality of the metal plates, in which the plurality of the metal plates include a first metal plate which is a positive terminal electrode, a second metal plate which is a negative terminal electrode, and a plurality of third metal plates which are a plurality of bipolar electrodes provided between the first metal plate and the second metal plate, each of the plurality of the bipolar electrodes includes a voltage detection terminal, each of the plurality of the third metal plates includes a positive electrode formed on one surface of the third metal plate and a negative electrode formed on the other surface of the third metal plate, and a support member is provided in the interior space.