Electrode Assembly Radical Unit Segmentation for Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode assembly structures, such as stack-type and stack/folding types, face challenges in achieving accurate alignment and simplicity in manufacturing, particularly in the alignment of full cells or bi-cells, which complicates the production process.
Innovation Solution
A novel electrode assembly structure featuring a stackable radical unit with a four-layered structure where electrodes and separators are alternately disposed and integrally combined, allowing for easy alignment and stacking, and optionally using different radical units in a predetermined order to form a cell stack part with non-joined separator edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If stack-type structure is used, then electrode units can be assembled, but accurate alignment becomes very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is divided into multiple electrode units, each comprising a cathode, anode, and separator. Each electrode unit is independently assembled with precise alignment features, and then multiple units are stacked together. This segmentation allows alignment to be achieved at the electrode unit level rather than requiring complex alignment of the entire assembly, thereby improving both ease of manufacture and alignment accuracy.
2Ease of manufacture
If stack-type structure is used, then electrode assembly can be assembled, but a large number of processes are necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the cathode, anode, and separator into a single integrated electrode unit structure. This merging of components into a unified unit reduces the number of separate assembly processes required, as the electrode unit can be assembled as one module and then stacked with other identical units, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining assembly capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If stack/folding type structure is used, then electrode assembly can be manufactured, but the manufacture becomes very complicated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of folding the electrode layers as in traditional stack/folding structures, the invention inverts the approach by stacking pre-assembled electrode units in a linear sequence. This inversion of the manufacturing approach eliminates the need for complex folding operations and alignment of folded cells, thereby reducing manufacturing process complexity while maintaining the ability to manufacture electrode assemblies.
4Ease of manufacture
If stack/folding type structure is used, then full cells or bi-cells can be stacked, but alignment of full cells or bi-cells is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary alignment by incorporating alignment features directly into each electrode unit before stacking. The cathode, anode, and separator are pre-aligned within each unit using positioning structures such as protrusions and recesses. This preliminary action ensures that when multiple electrode units are stacked, the alignment is maintained automatically without requiring complex alignment processes for full cells or bi-cells, thereby improving alignment precision while maintaining stacking capability.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present disclosure, there is provided an electrode assembly comprising (a) a structure in which one kind of radical unit is repeatedly disposed, the one kind of radical unit having a same number of electrodes and separators which are alternately disposed and integrally combined, or (b) a structure in which at least two kinds of radical units are disposed in a predetermined order, the at least two kinds of radical units each having a same number of electrodes and separators which are alternately disposed and integrally combined.