Energy Storage Cell Sealing With Soluble Gas for Electrode Gap Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The decomposition of additives in electrolyte solutions during initial charge-discharge generates gases, leading to increased inter-electrode distance and potential metal lithium electrodeposition, causing current unevenness in energy storage devices.

Innovation Solution

A method involving housing a gas soluble in the electrolyte solution within a sealed case, creating a negative pressure atmosphere to dissolve the gas and reduce pressure, thereby suppressing inter-electrode distance and preventing metal lithium electrodeposition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an additive is added to the electrolyte solution to improve capacity retention ratio, then the capacity retention ratio is improved, but gas is generated during initial charge-discharge causing inter-electrode distance to increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity retention ratioVSAvoidinter-electrode distance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a gas absorption member before gas generation occurs during initial charge-discharge. This member proactively absorbs CO2 gas as it is generated, preventing the gas from accumulating and increasing the inter-electrode distance, thus counteracting the harmful effect before it can damage the battery structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The gas absorption member acts as an intermediary between the electrolyte solution and the electrodes. It mediates the harmful interaction by absorbing the CO2 gas generated from the additive decomposition, preventing the gas from directly increasing the inter-electrode distance and causing electrodeposition, while allowing the beneficial capacity retention improvement to proceed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If gas is generated by electrolyte solution decomposition, then the electrolyte solution undergoes oxidation-reduction, but inter-electrode distance increases and current unevenness occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation-reduction capabilityVSAvoidinter-electrode distance uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful CO2 gas byproduct of oxidation-reduction into a beneficial situation by introducing a gas absorption member that selectively absorbs the CO2. This allows the oxidation-reduction reaction to proceed for energy storage functionality while the harmful gas effect is eliminated, thus converting a harmful byproduct into a controlled process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 method effectively suppresses the increase in inter-electrode distance and prevents metal lithium electrodeposition by maintaining a negative pressure within the case, enhancing the stability and performance of energy storage devices.

Implementation Method 1

housing a gas, soluble in the electrolyte solution, in the case after the electrolyte solution is housed in the case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas solubility: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4006935B1Method for producing electricity storage element, and electricity storage element
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 GS YUASA INT LTD
  • EP4006935B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4006935B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4006935B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for manufacturing an energy storage device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: housing, in a case, an electrode assembly in which a negative electrode and a positive electrode are stacked; housing an electrolyte solution in the case; housing a gas, soluble in the electrolyte solution, in the case after the electrolyte solution is housed in the case; and sealing the case in a state where the gas soluble in the electrolyte solution is housed in the case.