Electrode Density Segmentation for Electrolyte Retention in Power Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power storage cells face challenges in maintaining liquid retention within the electrode composite material layers during charging and discharging, leading to decreased capacity due to electrolyte solution being pushed out and failing to return to the central portion.

Innovation Solution

The power storage cell incorporates a first electrode composite material layer with a first high-density portion that divides and surrounds the first reference density portion, and a second electrode composite material layer with a second high-density portion that surrounds the second reference density portion, thereby reducing the distance for electrolyte solution return and enhancing liquid retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the electrode area is increased to enhance capacity, then the power storage capacity is improved, but the distance for electrolyte solution return becomes longer and liquid retention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower storage capacityVSAvoidliquid retention property

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode composite material layer is divided into multiple reference density portions by high-density portions, creating a segmented structure. This segmentation reduces the distance for electrolyte solution return in each segment, improving liquid retention while maintaining overall electrode area and capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode structure incorporates regions with different densities - high-density portions and reference density portions. The high-density portions act as barriers to suppress electrolyte solution outward movement, while reference density portions allow electrolyte solution retention, creating local quality variations that solve the liquid retention problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If the electrode area is increased to enhance capacity, then the power storage capacity is improved, but the electrolyte solution pushed out to the outside less easily returns to the central portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower storage capacityVSAvoiddistance for electrolyte solution return

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the electrode into multiple smaller reference density portions separated by high-density portions, the return distance for electrolyte solution in each segment is reduced, even though the overall electrode area remains large, thus maintaining capacity while improving liquid retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The high-density portions are arranged in a pattern that creates multiple reference density portions across the electrode area. This spatial arrangement in two dimensions allows the electrolyte solution to return to multiple distributed central portions rather than a single distant center, effectively reducing the maximum return distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the high-density portion surrounds the reference density portion to suppress electrolyte solution outward movement, then liquid retention is improved, but the electrode structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid retention propertyVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is segmented into alternating high-density and reference density portions in a regular pattern. This segmentation creates the surrounding structure that suppresses electrolyte solution outward movement while maintaining a relatively simple, manufacturable design through repetitive patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode structure utilizes changes in density as a key parameter to differentiate functional regions. By controlling the density distribution during manufacturing, the surrounding high-density portions are formed to suppress electrolyte solution movement, achieving liquid retention through a parameter change rather than complex structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250183268A1Power storage cell and method of manufacturing electrode composite material layer

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A power storage cell in which an electrolyte solution is used includes: a first electrode composite material layer; a separator; and a second electrode composite material layer facing the first electrode composite material layer with the separator interposed therebetween. The first electrode composite material layer includes a first reference density portion and a first high-density portion higher in density than the first reference density portion. The first high-density portion is provided to divide the first reference density portion into two or more and surround each of the first reference density portions.