Electrode Plate Functional Layer for Faster Electrolyte Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Batteries, particularly those used in new energy vehicles, suffer from low energy density due to issues with electrolyte infiltration and lithium plating in thinned regions of electrode plates, leading to reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
The electrode plate design includes a functional layer on the thinned region that allows electrolyte solution to pass through, facilitating quick infiltration and reducing lithium plating risks, with specific materials and configurations to enhance conductivity and liquid retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the active material layer thickness is reduced in the thinned region to improve electrolyte infiltration, then the energy density is improved, but the mechanical strength and structural stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a thinned region with reduced active material layer thickness at specific locations (near tabs) while maintaining full thickness in other regions. This localized thickness variation allows improved electrolyte infiltration and reduced lithium plating at critical areas without compromising the overall structural strength of the electrode plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode plate is segmented into different regions with different thickness characteristics: a thinned region near the tab portion and a main body region with full thickness. This segmentation allows the electrode to simultaneously achieve good electrolyte infiltration at the thinned region while maintaining structural integrity through the thicker main body region.
2Speed
If the active material layer is thinned to create small gaps for capillary effect, then the electrolyte infiltration speed is improved, but the active material quantity and energy capacity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The thinned region is strategically positioned near the tab portion where electrolyte infiltration is most critical. By locally reducing thickness only in this region rather than uniformly thinning the entire electrode, the patent achieves improved capillary effect and electrolyte penetration speed while preserving active material quantity in the main body region.
3Reliability
If the electrode plate structure is modified with thinned regions and functional layers, then the lithium plating risk is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The functional layer is applied locally only on the thinned region rather than the entire electrode surface. This localized application reduces manufacturing complexity compared to uniform coating methods, while still providing the necessary electrolyte retention and lithium plating prevention functions at the critical thinned region.
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
The design improves energy density and performance by ensuring effective electrolyte distribution and reducing lithium plating, thereby enhancing the overall battery cell efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
there is a small gap between the functional layer and the separator, which is conducive to capillary effect functioning, so that the electrolyte solution can quickly infiltrate the thinned region through the functional layer
Implementation Method 2
the functional layer has a stronger ability to store the electrolyte solution than the active material layer, so that the electrolyte solution tends to be stored in the functional layer
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode plate comprises a current collector, an active material layer and a functional layer. The active material layer comprises a main body area and a thinned area, the thinned area being arranged at the end of the main body area in a first direction, and the thickness of the main body area being greater than the thickness of the thinned area. The thinned area of the active material layer of the electrode plate is provided with the functional layer that allows the electrolyte to pass through, such that after the electrode plate is wound or stacked to form an electrode assembly, a gap between the functional layer and the separator is small, thus helping to exhibit the capillary action, and enabling the electrolyte to pass through the functional layer to quickly infiltrate the thinned area.