Electrode Assembly Stack With Slit Collector for Shorter Battery Tabs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current secondary battery technologies face challenges in achieving high energy density and capacity, particularly in the manufacturing process where the length of electrode tabs increases with the number of stacked electrode assemblies, leading to reduced energy density and capacity.

Innovation Solution

The electrode assembly structure includes a stack of two or more electrode assemblies with electrode tabs extending in one direction, and a current collecting member with slits through which the electrode tabs pass, ensuring electrical connection and maintaining a short length for the electrode tabs to enhance energy density and capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a large number of electrode assemblies are stacked to increase battery capacity, then the battery capacity increases, but the electrode tab length increases leading to reduced energy density

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidelectrode tab length

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The current collecting member is divided into multiple segments along the electrode assembly stack length direction, with each segment having a corresponding slit. This segmentation allows electrode tabs from multiple stacked assemblies to be collected at different positions, preventing the need for excessively long continuous tabs while maintaining electrical connectivity throughout the stack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The current collecting member acts as an intermediary component between the electrode tabs and the external circuit. By introducing slits in the current collecting member, the electrode tabs can pass through and make contact at optimized positions, mediating the connection between the stacked electrode assemblies and reducing the effective tab length required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If electrode tab length is reduced to increase energy density, then energy density improves, but electrical connection reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The slits are pre-positioned in the current collecting member at optimal locations where electrode tabs will make contact. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when electrode assemblies are stacked, the tabs automatically align with the slits and establish reliable electrical connections without requiring long tab extensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the traditional mechanical extension of long electrode tabs with a structured system of slits in the current collecting member. Instead of relying on tab length for connectivity, the system uses the slit structure to guide and secure tab contact, achieving reliable electrical connection through a more efficient mechanical arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If electrode tabs are made shorter to increase mixture layer area, then energy density increases, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixture layer areaVSAvoidcurrent collecting member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of solving the connection problem in the horizontal dimension (long tabs), the invention transitions to the vertical dimension by incorporating slits through the current collecting member. This dimensional change allows tabs to connect through the thickness of the current collecting member, enabling shorter tabs while maintaining connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the structural parameters of the current collecting member by introducing slits with specific dimensions and positions. This parameter modification allows the system to accommodate shorter electrode tabs while maintaining electrical connection, effectively trading a simple structural change in the current collecting member for reduced tab length and increased mixture layer area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250079649A1Electrode assembly structure for secondary battery, and secondary battery including the same

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 SK ON CO LTD

AI summary

An electrode assembly structure for a secondary battery includes an electrode assembly stack in which two or more electrode assemblies with electrode tabs extending in one direction are stacked and a current collecting member disposed on a first end portion of the electrode assembly stack and including a slit through which the electrode tab passes, wherein the electrode tab passes through the slit, and the electrode tab and the current collecting member are electrically connected.