Cathode Electrode Assembly With Conductive Layer at Bent Regions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium ion battery electrode assemblies experience increased internal resistance and capacity fade due to breakage of cathode plates in bent regions, leading to instability and reduced battery capacity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an electrically conductive layer on the surface of cathode plates in bent regions, which maintains electrical connection and provides reinforcement, suppressing internal resistance increases and reducing breakage probability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the cathode plate is made thinner to reduce battery size, then the energy density is improved, but the mechanical strength decreases leading to increased breakage probability in bent regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidmechanical strength of cathode plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining the cathode plate with an electrically conductive layer to form a composite structure. This composite design allows the thin cathode plate to maintain high energy density while the conductive layer provides additional mechanical reinforcement, preventing breakage in bent regions during battery assembly and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Volume of moving object

If the cathode plate is made thinner to reduce battery size, then the battery dimensions are reduced, but the reliability decreases due to increased breakage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery sizeVSAvoidreliability of cathode plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-applying an electrically conductive layer to the cathode plate before assembly. This conductive layer acts as a protective cushion that absorbs mechanical stress and prevents breakage during the winding process and subsequent battery operation, thereby maintaining high reliability despite the thin design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Strength

If the cathode plate is reinforced to prevent breakage, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the internal resistance increases reducing battery performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strength of cathode plateVSAvoidinternal resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing the electrically conductive layer selectively on the cathode plate, particularly in the bent regions where breakage is most likely to occur. This localized reinforcement provides mechanical strength exactly where needed without adding unnecessary material that would increase internal resistance across the entire cathode plate, thus maintaining optimal battery performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 electrically conductive layer effectively maintains capacity stability by preventing internal resistance increases and reducing breakage, thereby enhancing the performance and longevity of lithium ion battery cells.

Implementation Method 1

the electrically conductive layer is in parallel connection with the covered region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4148844B1Electrode assembly, processing method and apparatus, battery cell, battery, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4148844B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4148844B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4148844B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present application provides an electrode assembly and a processing method and device therefor, a battery cell, a battery and a power consuming apparatus. The electrode assembly comprises: a cathode plate, an anode plate, a separator and an electrically conductive layer, wherein the separator is used to separate the cathode plate and the anode plate; the cathode plate, the separator and the anode plate are wound to form a bent region; and the electrically conductive layer is configured such that at least a part of the electrically conductive layer is provided on a surface of the cathode plate in the bent region, the cathode plate comprising a covered region that is covered by the electrically conductive layer, and the electrically conductive layer being in parallel connection with the covered region. According to the technical solution described above, the electrically conductive layer can maintain the electrical connection between broken cathode plates so as to suppress the increase of the internal resistance of the electrode assembly and then reduce the capacity fade of the battery cell to maintain the capacity stability of the battery cell.