Electrochemical Cell Stack Compression for Uniform Swelling Restraint
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for restraining electrochemical cells during charging do not distribute uniform pressure, leading to swelling, warping, and damage, which affects their performance and energy density.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical cell assembly with a compression system comprising planar sheets and structural members that exert a substantially uniform compressive force on the cell stack, using ribs or honeycomb structures to distribute pressure evenly and prevent swelling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If current restraining methods (clamp, pressure plate) are used to provide resistive force to swelling, then swelling is decreased, but pressure distribution is non-uniform causing warping or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The compression assembly is divided into multiple discrete compression elements (ribs, beams, struts) distributed across the planar sheet. These segmented elements apply compressive force at multiple discrete locations simultaneously, creating uniform pressure distribution across the electrochemical cell surface while preventing localized warping or damage that would result from concentrated point loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression elements are strategically positioned at specific locations on the planar sheet where swelling forces are most prominent. Each compression element provides localized resistive force tailored to the local swelling characteristics, while the collective arrangement ensures overall uniform pressure distribution across the entire cell surface.
2Reliability
If uniform pressure is distributed on electrochemical cell, then swelling is evenly decreased and cell damage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The planar sheet serves as a flexible or rigid thin film structure that spans across the electrochemical cell and distributes compressive forces uniformly across its entire surface. This thin film approach achieves uniform pressure distribution without requiring complex multi-layer assemblies or adjustable mechanisms, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while ensuring reliable cell performance.
3Quantity of substance
If compression force is applied to restrain swelling, then volumetric energy density is maintained, but non-uniform pressure causes warping
Solution Approach 1:
The compression assembly uses multiple segmented compression elements distributed across the planar sheet to apply resistive force at numerous discrete locations. This segmentation ensures that swelling is counteracted uniformly across the entire cell surface, maintaining the cell's original geometry and preventing warping that would compromise volumetric energy density.
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 solution effectively reduces swelling, maintains energy density, and ensures consistent heat dissipation by evenly distributing pressure across the electrochemical cell stack, preventing damage and performance degradation.
Implementation Method 1
the second planar sheet configured to exert a compressive force on the at least one structural members such that the at least one structural member causes the first planar sheet to exert a substantially uniform distributed pressure on the stack
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to an electrochemical cell assembly. The electrochemical cell assembly includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in a stack ad a compression assembly. The compression assembly includes a first planar sheet in contact with a first side of the stack, at least one structural member disposed on a first side of the first planar sheet, and a second planar sheet disposed on the at least one structural member, the second planar sheet configured to exert a compressive force on the at least one structural members such that the at least one structural member causes the first planar sheet to exert a substantially uniform distributed pressure on the stack.