Cable-Type Cell Embedded Member as Conductive Tab

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Solution Overview

Problem

The linear structure of cable-type cells with electrode tabs at both ends increases electron travel distance, leading to high resistance and low electron transfer rates, and there is a risk of short circuits due to adjacent tabs.

Innovation Solution

A cable-type cell design where the embedded member, made of a conductive material, serves as the outer electrode tab, eliminating the need for separate tabs and providing a direct path for electron transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If electrode tabs are formed at both ends of the cable-type cell, then the cell structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the electron travel distance increases with cell length resulting in high resistance and low electron transfer rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidelectron transfer rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the embedded member (originally an insulating protective layer) conductive through metal plating, transforming it into an electrode tab. This allows electron collection at any position along the cell length, eliminating the limitation of end-only tab collection and reducing electron travel distance regardless of cell length.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an embedded member that serves as an intermediary between the outer electrode and the external circuit. By plating this embedded member with metal, it becomes a conductive intermediary that collects electrons directly from the outer electrode surface, eliminating the need for long-distance electron travel through the electrode material to reach end tabs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the cell length is increased to meet capacity specifications, then the capacity increases, but the resistance increases and electron transfer rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecapacityVSAvoidelectron transfer rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electron collection function along the cell length by creating multiple potential contact points through the conductive embedded member. Instead of a single end tab, the embedded member can be plated at various positions, effectively segmenting the electron collection path and reducing the average travel distance as cell length increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional electron collection (at the ends only) to two-dimensional electron collection (along the entire length of the outer electrode). The conductive embedded member wrapped around the outer electrode creates multiple collection points distributed along the cell length, adding a spatial dimension to electron extraction and reducing travel distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If electrode tabs are formed at both ends, then the cell structure is straightforward, but there is a risk of short circuits due to adjacent tabs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidshort circuit risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electrode tab function from the conventional end-position tabs and relocates it to the embedded member that can be positioned anywhere along the cell. This separation allows the outer electrode to be isolated from the tab structure, eliminating the short circuit risk associated with adjacent tabs at the cell ends while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If the cell is designed with fixed electrode tab positions, then manufacturing is simplified, but the cell cannot be customized to fit various device shapes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces flexibility into the tab position configuration by allowing the embedded member to be plated at different positions along the cell length depending on the application requirements. While the embedded member structure itself is consistent, its electrical activation position can be dynamically adjusted to match different device shapes and specifications, combining manufacturing simplicity with adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design minimizes resistance and maintains electron transfer efficiency regardless of cell length, allowing for customization to fit various device shapes without performance degradation.

Implementation Method 1

the embedded member is made of a conductive material... provides a direct path for electron transfer... minimizes resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4641746A1Low-resistance cable-type cell without electrode tab
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4641746A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4641746A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4641746A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

When a cable-type cell in which electrode tabs are formed at both ends thereof is manufactured, the travel distance of electrons from electrodes to the electrode tabs increases as the length of the cell increases due to the linear structure of the cable-type cell, resulting in a problem of a low electron transfer rate due to an increase in cell resistance. Disclosed is a low-resistance cable-type cell without electrode tabs configured such that an embedded member constituting the outermost side of the cable-type cell serves as an electrode tab without the need to form an electrode tab of an outer electrode by configuring the embedded member as a conductive layer in order to solve the above problem. The shortest path for electrons to pass from an active material layer of the electrode to the electrode tabs is provided, whereby low-resistance properties are achieved.