Film-Shaped Reference Electrode Layout for Three-Electrode Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional three-electrode battery systems face issues with electrode pitting and internal short circuits due to the shape of the reference electrode, which can lead to inaccurate cathode/anode separation analysis and damage from increased internal pressure during battery operation.

Innovation Solution

A three-electrode battery design featuring a film-shaped reference electrode with perforated holes, an auxiliary separator, and a battery case that minimizes the blocking area, preventing internal short circuits and electrode damage, and a performance analysis system with connecting parts to measure electrode potentials accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a wire-type reference electrode is used, then the reference electrode can be inserted into the separator, but a blocking area is generated causing unreacted areas and making accurate cathode/anode separation analysis difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecathode/anode separation analysis accuracyVSAvoidblocking area

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the wire-type reference electrode with a film-shaped reference electrode that has flexibility and can conform to the separator surface. This thin film structure minimizes the blocking area while maintaining electrical contact, allowing accurate cathode/anode separation analysis without creating significant unreacted areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The film-shaped reference electrode incorporates a porous structure that allows electrolyte penetration and ionic conduction through the electrode film. This porous design reduces the effective blocking area by allowing ion transport through the reference electrode itself, preventing the formation of unreacted areas while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Quantity of substance

If the electrode thickness increases, then the electrode capacity is improved, but internal pressure increases causing damage to the electrode and separator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode capacityVSAvoidinternal pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an auxiliary separator that divides the internal space of the battery, effectively segmenting the pressure distribution. This segmentation allows thicker electrodes to be accommodated without concentrating stress in a single location, preventing damage to the electrode and separator while maintaining electrode capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary separator acts as an intermediary element between the thick electrode and the main separator. It provides a buffer zone that absorbs and distributes the internal pressure generated by thick electrodes, preventing direct transmission of stress to the main separator and electrode structure, thereby avoiding damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If gas is generated during battery operation, then the battery operates, but internal pressure increases causing damage to the electrode and separator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery operationVSAvoidinternal pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary separator is installed beforehand to provide cushioning space and pressure distribution capability before gas generation occurs during battery operation. This pre-positioned structural element absorbs the pressure increases from gas generation, preventing damage to the electrode and separator while allowing normal battery operation to proceed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Device complexity

If a conventional reference electrode structure is used, then the battery structure is simple, but electrode pitting and internal short circuits occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery structureVSAvoidelectrode integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The film-shaped reference electrode with auxiliary separator creates a flexible, conformal structure that adapts to the battery geometry without requiring complex rigid support structures. This flexible film design prevents electrode pitting by distributing pressure evenly and avoids internal short circuits by maintaining proper separation, achieving high reliability without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The reference electrode system uses composite construction combining the film-shaped reference electrode material with the auxiliary separator material. This composite structure provides both the electrical reference function and the mechanical protection function, preventing electrode pitting and internal short circuits while maintaining a relatively simple overall battery structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20240204375A1Three-electrode cell and system for performance analysis using same

Publication Date: 2024.06.20 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a three-electrode cell and a system for performance analysis using same, and the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a three-electrode cell in which an electrode indentation phenomenon and an internal short circuit phenomenon are suppressed, and a system for performance analysis using the three-electrode cell.