Electrode Inset Area for Tab Bend Stress Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stacked plate electrodes in batteries face mechanical stress during assembly, leading to potential damage and reduced capacity due to the bending of tabs, which can cause partial or full disconnection from the electrode plates.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an inset area in the plate portion of the electrodes, recessed from the perimeter edge, which extends alongside the tab portion to form a bend stress distribution radius, reducing mechanical stress and maintaining electrical integrity by providing additional flexibility and movement at the tab connection point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tabs are bent during assembly to connect electrodes, then electrical connection is achieved, but mechanical stress causes potential damage and reduced capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection integrityVSAvoidtab mechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a recessed area at the tab connection point that acts as a cushioning zone. This recessed area absorbs and distributes the mechanical stress that occurs during tab bending and assembly, preventing stress concentration that would otherwise damage the tab or reduce its electrical connection integrity. The recessed geometry provides a built-in stress relief mechanism that is already in place before assembly occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the electrode plate by creating a recessed area with specific dimensions and depth. This changes the local structural parameters to optimize stress distribution. The recessed area's geometry (depth, width, shape) is specifically designed to alter how mechanical forces are distributed during tab bending, transforming a rigid structure into one that can better accommodate assembly stresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If tab gathering space is increased to reduce stress, then mechanical integrity is improved, but electrode area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetab mechanical integrityVSAvoidelectrode plate area

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the tab gathering space in the planar dimension (which would reduce electrode area), the patent utilizes the third dimension by creating a recessed area that extends downward from the electrode plate surface. This vertical dimension provides the necessary stress relief and tab accommodation space without sacrificing the horizontal electrode area that contributes to electrical capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed area is nested within the electrode plate structure itself, utilizing the plate's own volume to provide stress relief. Rather than adding external components or increasing overall dimensions, the solution is embedded within the existing electrode geometry, maximizing space utilization without increasing the electrode's external footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11011805B2Electrode

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

Some examples include an electrode for an electrochemical cell including a plate portion and a tab portion. The plate portion includes a plate body, a perimeter body edge, and an inset area recessed into the plate body from the perimeter body edge. The inset area is defined by an inset edge. The tab portion extends from the plate portion. The tab portion includes a tab body and tab body edge. The inset edge extends between the perimeter body edge and the tab body edge.