Electrode Stack Structure for Battery Thermal Runaway Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries are prone to thermal runaway, which can lead to safety hazards and the spread of fire when multiple batteries are arranged in modules or packs, posing a threat to user safety.
Innovation Solution
The electrode assembly is designed with a thick electrode stack and battery casing to prevent or suppress thermal runaway by reducing heat propagation, achieved by ensuring the electrode stack thickness is significantly greater than the electrode lead thickness and the battery casing accommodates the stack with appropriate receiving portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrode stack thickness is increased to prevent heat propagation, then thermal safety is improved, but the battery size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thickness parameter of the electrode stack to a specific range (14mm or more, with preferred ranges of 20mm or more, 28mm or more) to optimize the balance between thermal safety and battery size/weight. This parameter adjustment ensures sufficient heat resistance while controlling overall dimensions.
2Reliability
If the electrode stack thickness is increased to suppress thermal runaway, then safety is improved, but the battery volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the electrode stack thickness parameter within a specific range (14mm or more, with preferred ranges of 20mm or more, 28mm or more) to achieve sufficient thermal runaway suppression while controlling battery volume. This parameter optimization ensures safety performance without excessive size increase.
3Temperature
If the battery casing depth is increased to accommodate thicker electrode stacks, then heat resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies the battery casing depth parameter as a function of electrode lead thickness (7.5 times or more the thickness of the electrode lead) rather than a fixed value. This proportional parameter setting adapts to different electrode configurations while ensuring sufficient heat resistance, simplifying manufacturing planning.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the number of electrodes in the stack is reduced to decrease battery thickness, then heat propagation is suppressed, but energy capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the number of electrodes within a specific range (67 or more, 134 or less) to achieve the right balance between heat propagation suppression and energy capacity. This optimized electrode count ensures sufficient thermal safety while maintaining adequate energy storage capability.
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 effectively prevents or suppresses thermal runaway in the secondary battery and adjacent batteries, reducing the risk of fire and enhancing safety by requiring more heat for thermal runaway to occur and slowing down heat propagation.
Implementation Method 1
The thickness of the electrode stack is about 15 times or more the thickness of the electrode lead, so as to prevent or suppress the heat propagation to an adjacent secondary battery
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode assembly includes: an electrode stack in which an electrode and a separator are alternately interposed; and an electrode lead extending from the electrode. A thickness of the electrode stack is 15 times or more a thickness of the electrode lead so as to prevent or suppress heat propagation to an adjacent secondary battery.