Integrated Current Collector End Cover for Reliable Battery Cell Welding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing battery structure involves multiple welding steps, leading to potential false welding issues between the current collector plate and the end cover, affecting the performance and reliability of the battery cell.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell design with an integrated current collector end cover that includes a tab connecting portion and a case connecting portion, allowing for a reliable connection before welding to the first tab, reducing the number of components and simplifying the welding process while minimizing false welding risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the current collector plate is welded to the end cover and then the end cover is welded to the case, then the battery cell can be assembled, but multiple welding steps are involved and false welding occurs affecting reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding reliabilityVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the current collector plate and end cover into a single integrated current collector end cover component. This merging eliminates the separate welding step between the current collector plate and end cover, reducing the number of welding operations from multiple steps to fewer steps, thereby reducing false welding risks and improving reliability while simplifying the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tab connecting portion and case connecting portion are pre-connected through welding or other connection methods before final assembly into the battery cell. This preliminary connection ensures reliable electrical and mechanical connections are established in advance, preventing false welding issues during final assembly and improving overall welding reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple welding steps are used to connect components, then the battery cell can be assembled, but the number of welding steps increases leading to more false welding risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding process simplicityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the current collector plate and end cover into one component, the patent reduces the number of separate welding operations required. The integrated structure allows for fewer welding steps while maintaining or improving connection reliability, as there are fewer potential failure points from multiple welding joints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the current collector plate and end cover are separate components, then assembly can proceed, but the number of components increases complicating the manufacturing process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the current collector plate and end cover into a single integrated component, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, handled, and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing component count while maintaining all necessary functions of both original components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances the reliability and energy density of the battery cell by simplifying manufacturing, reducing false welding, and improving structural strength and connection stability.

Implementation Method 1

The tab connecting portion is welded to the first tab to form a welding area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP4685988A1Battery cell, battery and electrical apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4685988A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4685988A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4685988A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present application provides a battery cell, a battery, and an electrical apparatus, which belongs to the field of battery technologies. The battery cell comprises an electrode assembly, a case, and a current collector end cover. The electrode assembly comprises a first tab. The case is formed with an accommodating cavity for accommodating the electrode assembly and an opening at one end of the accommodating cavity. The current collector end cover is connected to the case to close the opening. The current collector end cover comprises a tab connecting portion and a case connecting portion connected to each other. The tab connecting portion is connected to the first tab, and the case connecting portion is connected to the case.