Cellular Flexible Battery Containing Internal Gas Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern batteries are typically constructed as a single entity, which can lead to constraints and expansion issues due to gas generation during operation, lacking flexibility and effective gas containment.

Innovation Solution

A flexible battery design is implemented, featuring a top and bottom flexible layer mechanically coupled at attachment points to form containment cells, with a semi-rigid separator acting as both a barrier and electrolyte, allowing ion passage while maintaining the battery's shape and containing gases through compartments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single package construction is used for battery materials, then the battery structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the battery cannot effectively contain expansion and gas generation during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery structure simplicityVSAvoidgas containment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery is divided into multiple containment cells arranged in a cellular pattern, where each cell independently contains battery materials and manages gas generation. This segmentation allows each cell to handle expansion locally while maintaining overall battery integrity, resolving the contradiction between simple construction and effective gas containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a constrained package is used to prevent expansion, then gas containment is improved, but the battery loses flexibility and cannot accommodate operational expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas containment capabilityVSAvoidbattery flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The containment cells are constructed with flexible layers including a flexible outer layer and a flexible inner layer, allowing the battery to accommodate expansion and maintain flexibility during operation while still containing gases effectively. The flexible membrane material enables the structure to adapt to volume changes without losing containment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If multiple containment cells are used to manage gas and expansion, then gas containment and flexibility are improved, but the battery structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas containment capabilityVSAvoidbattery structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple containment cells are electrically connected in parallel configuration, merging their electrical functions while maintaining individual gas containment capabilities. This approach distributes gas management across multiple cells while simplifying the electrical connection structure, reducing overall complexity compared to series configurations or individual cell management systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the battery structure is made flexible with multiple layers, then adaptability and gas containment are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery flexibilityVSAvoidlayer alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a separator between cells, provides mechanical strength to maintain structure, enables flexibility for expansion accommodation, and serves as a barrier for gas containment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby lowering manufacturing precision requirements compared to multi-component designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 flexible battery maintains its shape and prevents deformation under increased internal pressure, effectively containing gases like hydrogen, while allowing for flexible operation and efficient energy storage and release.

Implementation Method 1

a separator disposed between the top flexible layer and the bottom flexible layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

allowing ion passage while maintaining the battery's shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon transport: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 3

effectively containing gases like hydrogen, while allowing for flexible operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 4

maintains its shape and prevents deformation under increased internal pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure management: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 5

efficient energy storage and release

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 6

anode disposed between the separator and the top flexible layer; and a cathode disposed between the separator and the bottom flexible layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS10784474B2Cellular flexible battery cells

Publication Date: 2020.09.22 TAHOE RES LTD

AI summary

These present disclosure provides a flexible battery comprising a top layer and a bottom layer coupled at a number of attachment points to form chambers within the battery to retain a shape of the battery under an increase in internal pressure. The flexible battery can include an anode and separator and a cathode, where the separator is a flexible polymer.