Electrode Assembly Layout for Space-Efficient Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy storage devices with elongated terminals face reduced space utilization efficiency due to surplus space outside the container, which is exacerbated by recessed portions designed to accommodate the terminals.
Innovation Solution
The electrode assembly is configured with terminals protruding from the container in a direction intersecting with the stacking direction, allowing the electrode assembly body to occupy the surplus space between the terminals, and the current collector is designed to overlap with the terminal mounting surface without protruding, maximizing space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If terminals protrude from the container to increase the distance between terminals, then the container length between terminals is elongated, but surplus space outside the container increases reducing space utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal body portion protrudes from the terminal mounting surface in a direction intersecting with the stacking direction of the electrode assembly (perpendicular dimension), rather than extending only in the stacking direction. This dimensional change allows terminals to be positioned outside the container envelope in the perpendicular direction, increasing the effective distance between terminals without creating surplus space along the container's length, thereby maintaining high space utilization efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If recessed portions are formed on the container to accommodate terminals, then terminals can be mounted on the lid body, but surplus space is formed in the container reducing space utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal body portion is extracted from the container interior and positioned outside the container envelope by protruding from the terminal mounting surface. This extraction eliminates the need for recessed portions within the container to accommodate terminals, as the terminals are mounted on the exterior surface. Consequently, the container interior volume is fully utilized by the electrode assembly without wasted space from recessed portions, maintaining high space utilization efficiency while preserving terminal mounting capability.
3Productivity
If the electrode assembly is made longer to fill container space, then space utilization efficiency improves, but the distance between terminals cannot be sufficiently increased
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal body portion protrudes in a direction intersecting with the stacking direction (perpendicular dimension), enabling the distance between terminals to be increased by positioning them outside the container envelope in the perpendicular direction. This allows the electrode assembly to maintain its full length within the container for high space utilization efficiency, while the terminal arrangement in the perpendicular dimension provides sufficient distance between terminals for electrical connection purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage device includes: an electrode assembly that is formed by stacking a plurality of plates and is elongated in a predetermined direction intersecting with a stacking direction; a container that accommodates the electrode assembly; and a terminal that is electrically connected to the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes: an electrode assembly body; and a connecting portion that protrudes from an end portion of the electrode assembly body in a predetermined direction. The terminal includes a terminal body portion that protrudes from a terminal mounting surface of the container in a direction intersecting with the stacking direction. A distal end portion of the electrode assembly body in a protruding direction of the terminal body portion protrudes with respect to the terminal mounting surface.