Electrode Element Cavities and Coatings for Capacity Tolerance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage units for implantable electrotherapeutic devices face fluctuations in storage capacity due to variations in raw electrode materials and production processes, leading to higher production costs and inaccurate component fitting.
Innovation Solution
The electrode element for energy storage units incorporates cavities, partial volumes of lower density, and surface coatings to adjust mass and surface area, allowing for precise control of storage capacity without the need for complex testing or tool redesign, using active electrode materials like valve metals and filler materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the configuration of the active electrode material is varied to provide required energy storage capacity within prespecified tolerance, then the storage capacity tolerance is improved, but the device complexity and production cost increase due to experimental electrode design and potential unusability in end products
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode body is segmented by introducing cavities that divide the continuous electrode material into distinct regions. This segmentation allows independent control of different electrode portions, enabling precise adjustment of total active material mass to achieve target storage capacity within tolerance while simplifying the overall design approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical parameters of the electrode body by varying cavity size, shape, and distribution. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the total mass of active electrode material is precisely controlled to achieve the desired storage capacity within prespecified tolerance without requiring complex experimental design iterations.
2Quantity of substance
If the electrode configuration is altered to attain a desired energy density, then the energy density is improved, but the manufacturing precision of component fit deteriorates due to variations in external dimensions requiring tool modification
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode body exhibits local quality variations through strategically placed cavities that create regions of different material density. This allows the electrode to have non-uniform mass distribution while maintaining consistent external dimensions, enabling desired energy density without compromising component fit accuracy in assembly.
3Quantity of substance
If the mass of the electrode body is increased to provide required energy storage capacity, then the storage capacity is improved, but the production cost increases due to the need for expensive tool redesign and modification
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode body is segmented by introducing cavities that divide the continuous electrode material into distinct regions. This segmentation allows independent control of different electrode portions, enabling precise adjustment of total active material mass to achieve target storage capacity within tolerance while simplifying the overall design approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical parameters of the electrode body by varying cavity size, shape, and distribution. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the total mass of active electrode material is precisely controlled to achieve the desired storage capacity within prespecified tolerance without requiring complex experimental design iterations.
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 approach enables the production of energy storage units with low storage capacity tolerances in a cost-effective manner, simplifying the adjustment of electrode activity and reducing production expenses by allowing for controlled reduction of electrode mass and surface area, thus compensating for material and process fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
the mass of the electrode body is adjusted, in particular to a desired value, by the cavity
Implementation Method 2
the active electrode material has a lower density within the partial volume than outside of the partial volume, whereby the mass of the electrode body is adjusted
Implementation Method 3
the surface coating is designed such that the surface of the electrode body covered by the surface coating remains unwetted when in contact with an electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode element (1) for an energy storage unit (200), such as a capacitor, has an electrode body (100) made of an active electrode material (E), wherein the electrode body (100) includes one or more of: at least one cavity (110) on its surface or in its interior; at least one partial volume (120) of lower density; and/or a surface coating (D) covering at least a portion of the surface of the electrode body (100), such that the surface area covered by the surface coating (D) remains unwetted when in contact with an electrolyte. Energy storage units (200) incorporating the electrode element (1) are particularly suitable for use in implantable electrotherapeutic devices.