Ultrasonic Electrode Tab Welding with Embossed Protrusions Against Cracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ultrasonic welding of electrode tabs in secondary battery assemblies is prone to breakage or cracking due to their thin thickness, which existing ultrasonic welding apparatuses fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic welding apparatus with a protrusion part on the anvil and horn, featuring inner and outer embossing patterns arranged along specific directions and intervals, minimizes the risk of breakage by distributing stress evenly and preventing crack expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional ultrasonic welding is used on thin electrode tabs, then welding efficiency is maintained, but the welded portion is prone to breakage and cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding efficiencyVSAvoidwelded portion integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing protrusion parts with embossing patterns at specific locations on the anvil and horn. These protrusion parts concentrate the ultrasonic energy and mechanical pressure precisely at the welding interface of the electrode tabs, ensuring adequate welding strength without excessively increasing overall pressure that could cause breakage. The embossing patterns create localized deformation that enhances bonding while preserving the integrity of thin tab structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the contact surface into multiple protrusion parts with embossing patterns rather than using a single flat contact surface. This segmentation allows the welding force to be distributed across multiple localized points, preventing stress concentration that would lead to cracking while maintaining effective welding at each point. The divided structure of protrusion parts enables controlled deformation without causing overall tab breakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If pressure is increased to improve welding strength, then bonding is enhanced, but breakage and cracking of thin tabs occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding strengthVSAvoidbreakage and cracking
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion parts with embossing patterns create localized high-pressure zones precisely where welding is needed, while the surrounding areas experience lower pressure. This localized pressure application achieves strong bonding at the welding interface without subjecting the entire thin tab structure to excessive pressure that would cause breakage or cracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The embossing patterns on the protrusion parts prepare the contact surface in advance by creating controlled deformation features. These pre-formed embossments act as cushioning elements that absorb and distribute stress during welding, preventing sudden stress spikes that would cause breakage while ensuring adequate bonding strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 described ultrasonic welding apparatus effectively reduces the likelihood and expansion of breakage or cracks at the welded boundary, ensuring a stable and reliable connection between electrode tabs.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasonic welding apparatus for welding a plurality of electrode tabs of an electrode assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic welding: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20240408694A1Ultrasonic Welding Apparatus and Electrode Assembly Manufactured Thereby
Publication Date: 2024.12.12 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • US20240408694A1 patent drawing
  • US20240408694A1 patent drawing
  • US20240408694A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An ultrasonic welding apparatus, configured to weld a plurality of electrode tabs of an electrode assembly to each other, includes an anvil disposed at one side of the plurality of electrode tabs; a horn disposed to face the anvil with the plurality of electrode tabs therebetween; and a protrusion part provided on at least one of the anvil and the horn to face the plurality of electrode tabs. The protrusion part may include: an inner protrusion part in which a plurality of first protrusions are arranged along a first direction parallel to a width direction of the electrode tabs; and a pair of outer protrusion parts which are disposed at both sides of the inner protrusion part in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and in which a plurality of second protrusions are arranged an interval wider than that between the plurality of first protrusions.