Electrode Assembly with Variable Tab Spacing for Winding Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurately aligning and stacking electrode tabs in secondary batteries with protruding structures is challenging, especially in high-output batteries, as it requires precise identification of the start and end points of winding to prevent misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The electrode assembly features a unique tab structure where the distance between tabs increases arithmetically, allowing for easy detection of the outermost tab using a winding apparatus, which measures these distances to determine the winding end point, ensuring accurate stacking and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If electrode tabs are aligned and stacked with protruding structures, then battery capacity and power output are improved, but manufacturing precision and alignment accuracy deteriorate due to difficulty in identifying start and end points of winding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual differentiation through color changes by making the outermost electrode tab have a different appearance (protruding structure or different color marking) compared to other tabs. This allows the winding apparatus to easily identify the start and end points of winding, thereby improving alignment accuracy while maintaining high power output capabilities.
2Manufacturing precision
If winding start and end points are accurately identified, then electrode tab alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode tabs themselves serve the dual function of electrical connection and position identification. The outermost tab's protruding structure or different appearance provides self-identifying features that allow the winding apparatus to detect start and end points without requiring complex external detection mechanisms, thus improving precision while minimizing added complexity.
3Ease of operation
If electrode tabs are stacked with large distances between them, then alignment ease is improved, but battery volume efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a protruding structure or different appearance only at the outermost electrode tab, while keeping other tabs compact and closely spaced. This localized modification provides sufficient visual distinction for alignment purposes without increasing overall tab spacing, thereby maintaining volume efficiency while improving stacking ease through better identification.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrode assembly and a secondary battery having an electrode tab are disclosed. In one aspect, the electrode assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode which are wound with a separator placed therebetween. The first electrode includes a first coated portion coated with an active material, and a plurality of first electrode tabs T1-Tn not coated with an active material and protruding outwardly from the first coated portion, wherein n is a natural number greater than 2. The first electrode, when spread in a plane form, includes first to nth portions on which the first electrode tabs T1-Tn are respectively formed, wherein the first and nth portions of the first electrode respectively define the innermost and outermost portions thereof. The distance between the first electrode tab Tn placed at the outermost portion and the first electrode Tn-1 placed at the second outermost portion of the first electrode is greater than any of the distances between two adjacent ones of the other first electrode tabs T1-Tn-1.