Flat Battery Volume Adjustment for Uniform Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flat type batteries face issues with liquid depletion due to gas accumulation, which can lead to pressure imbalances and performance deterioration, as the volume of the extra space affects the movement of gas and the uniform application of pressure on the power generating element.

Innovation Solution

The battery design includes a volume adjustment portion in the exterior member that expands with pressure rises, maintaining a uniform pressure application while allowing for gas movement, with specific ratios and angles ensuring effective gas distribution and preventing liquid depletion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the volume of the extra space is small, then the pressure inside the tightly sealed space rises easily due to gas movement, but this prevents smooth gas movement to the extra space, causing liquid depletion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume of extra spaceVSAvoidsmooth gas movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The exterior member includes a volume adjustment portion that allows the extra space volume to dynamically increase in response to pressure rises during battery use. This dynamic adjustment prevents pressure buildup that would obstruct gas movement, while maintaining sufficient extra space volume to accommodate gas without causing liquid depletion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the volume of the extra space is large, then gas can move smoothly to the extra space, but the shape of the extra space changes greatly when pressure rises, causing non-uniform pressure application and performance deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth gas movementVSAvoidshape stability of extra space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The volume adjustment portion enables controlled dynamic expansion of the extra space, allowing it to adapt to pressure changes without excessive shape distortion. This maintains both smooth gas movement and relatively stable geometry for uniform pressure application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the volume parameter of the extra space in a controlled manner through the volume adjustment portion, allowing the space to expand sufficiently for gas accommodation while limiting expansion to prevent excessive shape changes that would cause non-uniform pressure distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stress or pressure

If the exterior member is pressed against surfaces intersecting the layering direction, then uniform pressure is applied to the power generating element, but gas may enter between the exterior member and surface when extra space shape changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform pressure applicationVSAvoidprevention of gas infiltration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The volume adjustment portion provides dynamic volume compensation that prevents excessive pressure buildup and shape changes in the extra space, thereby maintaining the sealed contact between the exterior member and the power generating element surface, preventing gas infiltration while allowing uniform pressure application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This configuration prevents liquid depletion and maintains uniform pressure on the power generating element, enhancing battery performance by allowing for smooth gas movement and absorption of volume changes, thus improving capacity retention and utilization efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure inside the tightly sealed space formed by the exterior member easily rises due to the movement of the gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure rise: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3319142B1Flat type battery
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 ENVISION AESC JAPAN LTD
  • EP3319142B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3319142B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3319142B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

[PROBLEM] To provide a flat type battery capable of preventing liquid depletion while maintaining a state in which pressure from an exterior member acts uniformly on a surface intersecting the layering direction of a power generating element. [SOLUTION] The flat type battery 100 comprises an electrolytic solution 10, and a power generating element 50 containing electrolyte layers 20 and a plurality of electrodes 30, 40 layered with each of the electrolyte layers therebetween, and the power generating element expands with use in the layering direction Z of the positive electrodes 30 and the negative electrodes 40. This flat type battery 100 further comprises an exterior member 110 forming a tightly sealed space 80 containing a space 60 in which the power generating element is housed, and an extra space 70. The extra space is formed between the exterior member and a side surface SS extending along the layering direction of the power generating element. The exterior member includes a volume adjustment portion 140 allowing for an increase in the volume of the extra space by expanding in response to a pressure rise inside the tightly sealed space while the exterior member is being pressed against the surfaces SU, SB intersecting the layering direction of the power generating element due to a pressure difference between the exterior and the interior. The volume adjustment portion allows for an increase in the volume of the extra space while maintaining the state in which the exterior member is pressed against the surfaces intersecting the layering direction of the power generating element.