Electrode Stack Groove Layout for Faster Electrolyte Permeation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery designs face challenges in improving the ability of electrolytic liquid to permeate into active material layers, as reducing the volume of uncoated regions can hinder liquid circulation and increase permeation time.
Innovation Solution
The battery design incorporates an electrode stack with collectors and active material layers having grooves of varying widths, forming internal spaces that are sealed by a polygonal-shaped sealing body with injection ports, allowing the electrolytic liquid to efficiently permeate through the grooves and uncoated regions, with specific groove configurations and dimensions optimizing liquid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the width of the uncoated region is reduced to improve battery capacity, then the battery capacity increases, but the ability of the electrolytic liquid to circulate through the grooves deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating grooves with non-uniform widths within the active material layer. Specifically, the groove width varies in the stacking direction, with wider portions and narrower portions strategically positioned. This local variation in groove geometry allows the structure to simultaneously maintain adequate electrolyte circulation pathways (preserving productivity) while maximizing the active material coverage (improving battery capacity). The differentiated groove sections create optimal flow channels at critical locations without requiring a uniformly large uncoated region.
2Quantity of substance
If the uncoated region volume is reduced to increase active material coverage, then the battery capacity improves, but the permeation time of electrolytic liquid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming grooves with optimized width variations before final battery assembly. The groove structure is designed in advance with wider sections positioned to facilitate initial electrolyte infiltration. This pre-configured geometry prepares optimal flow pathways that guide electrolyte penetration through the active material layer, reducing the time required for complete permeation while maintaining high active material coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the groove width parameter along the stacking direction. The groove width is not constant but changes systematically, creating wider portions that serve as electrolyte reservoirs and narrower portions that distribute electrolyte to active material regions. This parameter variation optimizes the balance between active material coverage and electrolyte permeation speed, reducing permeation time without sacrificing battery capacity.
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 design enhances the electrolytic liquid's ability to permeate into the active material layers, reducing the time required for complete permeation and minimizing defects, thereby improving battery performance and capacity.
Implementation Method 1
the ability of an electrolytic liquid to permeate into the active material layers is improved
Implementation Method 2
a first pressure-reducing step of reducing the pressure of an internal space of a battery to a first pressure at a time of causing an electrolytic liquid to permeate into the internal space
Data Source
AI summary
A battery has an stack of electrodes including collectors and active material layers that are divided and between which grooves are provided; a sealing body forming, between the collectors, internal spaces in which electrolytic liquid is accommodated, and sealing the internal spaces; and injection ports in the sealing body and communicating the internal spaces and an exterior. The internal spaces are formed by the grooves and, at peripheries of the active material layers, uncoated regions at which the active material layers are not provided. An internal region sealed by the sealing body is a polygonal shape when viewed from a stacking direction of the electrode stack. The grooves extend from an injection port side in a direction opposite thereto, between the active material layers. At least grooves A and B having different widths are provided as the grooves, and groove A width is wider than groove B width.