Welding Metal Tab to Cable Battery Electrode Current Collector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional welding methods for metal tabs to electrode layers in cable-type secondary batteries result in poor weld quality due to the insulating and conductive polymer layers, limiting the improvement of weld performance.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the removal of a portion of the conductive layer using a pulse laser to expose the current collector surface, allowing for the successful welding of a metal tab to the current collector, which is then welded using a pulse laser or ultrasonic waves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional welding methods are used on the electrode layer with polymer layers, then the welding process can be performed, but the weld quality becomes poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweld qualityVSAvoidwelding process difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive layer is removed in advance using a pulse laser before the welding process. This preliminary action exposes the current collector surface, creating optimal conditions for subsequent welding by eliminating the polymer layer interference that would otherwise prevent good weld quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive layer (polymer material) is extracted or removed from the electrode layer surface at the welding location. This extraction eliminates the harmful insulating barrier between the welding tool and the current collector, enabling reliable welding while preserving the conductive layer in other areas where it provides necessary functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the conductive layer is removed to improve weld quality, then welding performance increases, but the electrode structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweld performanceVSAvoidelectrode structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive layer is selectively removed only at the specific welding location on the electrode layer, while the rest of the electrode maintains its original structure with the conductive layer intact. This localized modification improves weld performance without requiring complex changes to the overall electrode structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

A pulse laser is used to remove the conductive layer instead of mechanical methods. This substitution provides precise, controlled removal with minimal structural disturbance, achieving clean exposure of the current collector while maintaining simplicity in the electrode structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables high-quality welding of metal tabs to electrode layers, overcoming the limitations of conventional techniques and achieving reliable connections in cable-type secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

removing a portion of the conductive layer using a pulse laser, thus exposing the surface of the current collector positioned thereunder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

welding a metal tab to the surface of the current collector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser welding: Laser Beam Welding

Implementation Method 3

welding a metal tab to the surface of the current collector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic welding: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3059041B1Method for welding metal tab of electrode layer for cable battery and electrode manufactured thereby
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3059041B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3059041B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3059041B1 patent drawingFigure 4(A)~4(C)

AI summary

Disclosed are a method of welding a metal tab of an electrode layer for a cable battery and an electrode manufactured thereby. This welding method, suitable for welding a metal tab to an electrode including a current collector for a cable battery, a conductive layer formed on the outer surface of the current collector, and a polymer film layer formed on the inner surface of the current collector, includes: a) removing a portion of the conductive layer using a pulse laser, thus exposing the surface of the current collector positioned thereunder, and b) welding a metal tab to the surface of the current collector, thus enabling the welding of a metal tab and an electrode for a cable battery, which has been difficult to achieve using a conventional welding process.