Electrode Tab Insulation Layer for Short-Circuit-Resistant Battery Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
The thin tabs in electrode assemblies of secondary batteries are prone to being pressed between the electrode plates, leading to short-circuit risks during assembly, which compromises safety and reduces energy density.
Innovation Solution
An insulation layer with a lower elastic modulus than the tab is coated on the tab surfaces, ensuring separation and reducing short-circuit risks while allowing for easy bending and minimizing space occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the tab is made thin to reduce space occupation, then energy density is improved, but the tab is easily pressed between electrode plates causing short-circuit risk
Solution Approach 1:
An insulation layer is introduced as an intermediary between the tab and the external environment. This insulation layer has lower elastic modulus than the tab, allowing it to deform and absorb compression forces during assembly, preventing the thin tab from being pressed between electrode plates while maintaining electrical insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic modulus parameter of the insulation layer is specifically designed to be lower than that of the tab material. This parameter change allows the insulation layer to serve as a compliant protective layer that deforms under compression to protect the rigid tab structure from being crushed during assembly operations.
2Ease of operation
If the insulation layer has low elastic modulus to facilitate bending and assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation layer is applied selectively only to specific regions of the tab where insulation is needed, rather than covering the entire tab structure. This local application maintains the structural strength and rigidity of the tab in critical areas while providing flexibility and insulation where required for assembly operations.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides an electrode assembly and a battery cell. The battery cell includes an electrode assembly, a housing, and a first electrode terminal. The housing includes an accommodation cavity. The electrode assembly is accommodated in the accommodation cavity, and the first electrode terminal is disposed in the housing. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator. The separator separates the first electrode plate from the second electrode plate. The first electrode plate includes a first current collector, a first active material layer, and an insulation layer. The first current collector includes a first body portion and a first tab extending from the first body portion.