Cable-Type Secondary Battery with Open-Structured Current Collector

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary batteries face limitations in shape flexibility and electrolyte infiltration, leading to poor performance and cycle characteristics due to their rigid structures and polymer electrolytes.

Innovation Solution

A cable-type secondary battery design featuring a core with an open-structured inner current collector, electrolyte-absorbing layers, and a flexible outer electrode structure, allowing for easy electrolyte penetration and ion exchange, while preventing short circuits with a separation layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a polymer electrolyte is used to form an electrolyte layer in linear batteries, then the battery structure is simplified, but the electrolyte infiltration into electrode active material is hindered, increasing resistance and deteriorating capacity and cycle characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery structureVSAvoidcapacity and cycle characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous three-dimensional current collector with controlled porosity (30-70%) and pore size (1-100 μm) to enable effective electrolyte infiltration. The porous structure provides adequate pathways for electrolyte penetration into the electrode active material while maintaining structural integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and performance reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional cylindrical or prismatic battery structures are used, then the fabrication process is standardized, but the adaptability to various mobile device shapes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabrication processVSAvoidshape adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a flexible cable-type structure with a three-dimensional current collector that can be bent, folded, and configured into various shapes while maintaining electrical connectivity. This dynamic structural design allows the battery to adapt to different mobile device form factors without compromising manufacturing feasibility, as the modular cable design can be assembled using standardized processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the electrolyte layer thickness is increased to improve electrolyte infiltration, then the capacity may be enhanced, but the battery volume and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte infiltrationVSAvoidbattery volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

4Strength

If a rigid battery structure is used to maintain structural stability, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the flexibility and ability to change shape are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible cable-type structure with a three-dimensional current collector that can be bent, folded, and configured into various shapes while maintaining electrical connectivity. This dynamic structural design allows the battery to adapt to different mobile device form factors without compromising manufacturing feasibility, as the modular cable design can be assembled using standardized processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 battery exhibits superior capacity and cycle characteristics with enhanced flexibility, allowing it to freely change shape and maintain performance, as the open structure facilitates electrolyte infiltration and ion exchange without the need for excessive electrolyte thickness.

Implementation Method 1

a core for supplying lithium ions, which comprises an electrolyte; an inner electrode, comprising an open-structured inner current collector surrounding the outer surface of the core for supplying lithium ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon Exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

a first electrolyte-absorbing layer formed on the outer surface of the inner electrode active material layer; a second electrolyte-absorbing layer formed on the surface of the separator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary Action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS9755266B2Cable-type secondary battery

Publication Date: 2017.09.05 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a cable-type secondary battery having a horizontal cross section of a predetermined shape and extending longitudinally, comprising: a core for supplying lithium ions, which comprises an electrolyte; an inner electrode, comprising an open-structured inner current collector surrounding the outer surface of the core for supplying lithium ions, an inner electrode active material layer formed on the surface of the inner current collector, and a first electrolyte-absorbing layer formed on the outer surface of the inner electrode active material layer; a separation layer surrounding the outer surface of the inner electrode to prevent a short circuit between electrodes; a second electrolyte-absorbing layer formed on the surface of the separator; and an outer electrode surrounding the outer surface of the second electrolyte-absorbing layer and comprising an outer electrode active material layer and an outer current collector.