Curved Battery Electrode Plate for Faster Electrolyte Impregnation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable battery electrode plates face challenges in achieving optimal electrolyte impregnation and rate capability, particularly in the width direction, which affects battery performance and capacity.

Innovation Solution

The electrode plate design involves a first active material layer with a trapezoidal cross-sectional structure and a second active material layer with increased roughness, enhancing electrolyte impregnation by inducing bending in the width direction, and a manufacturing method that includes coating and drying these layers on an electrode current collector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flat electrode plate structure is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the electrolyte impregnation characteristic in the width direction is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidelectrolyte impregnation characteristic
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode plate is designed with a curved surface in the width direction, specifically with a convex shape toward the separator. This curvature increases the surface area and creates bending that enhances electrolyte impregnation from the edges toward the center, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and electrolyte impregnation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a new dimensional aspect by creating surface curvature in the width direction rather than maintaining a flat two-dimensional structure. This third dimension (surface profile) enables improved electrolyte distribution without complicating the fundamental manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the electrode plate has high rate capability, then the battery capacity is improved, but the discharge rate drops significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverate capabilityVSAvoiddischarge rate stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode plate employs different active material layers with distinct properties: a first layer with higher conductivity and a second layer with higher capacity. This local differentiation allows the plate to exhibit both high rate capability (from the first layer) and stable discharge characteristics (from the second layer), resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.

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

This design improves electrolyte impregnation rates and battery capacity, resulting in higher rate capability and reduced discharge rate drops, enhancing the overall performance of rechargeable batteries.

Implementation Method 1

the second active material layer 12 has a second roughness R2 when dried greater than a first roughness R1 of a surface of the second active material layer 12 when the second active material layer 12 is coated... inducing bending in a width direction of the electrode plate 1 to improve rate capability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP4394908A1Electrode plate for rechargeable battery, manufacturing method thereof, and rechargeable battery using the same
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4394908A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4394908A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4394908A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide an electrode plate for a rechargeable battery that improves an impregnation characteristic of an electrolyte by inducing bending in a width direction of the electrode plate to improve rate capability. The embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an electrode current collector; a first active material layer that is formed in a pattern at the electrode current collector; and a second active material layer that covers the first active material layer and a portion of the electrode current collector.