Flexible Battery Electrode Tabs with Bent Wires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible rechargeable batteries face rupture issues due to repeated bending, as the pouch type design is prone to stress and damage when flexed, compromising their compact size and longevity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an electrode assembly with a flexible case, electrode tabs featuring bent wires and insulating members, and a margin portion to accommodate curvature, minimizing rupture and allowing for easy bending and extension without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a pouch type of rechargeable battery is designed to be flexible and compact, then the battery can be integrated into small electronic devices and achieve reduced size, but the loosely coupled parts can break when exposed to repeated bending due to bending stress
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode tabs are designed with bent portions (curved shapes) instead of straight configurations. These bent portions include first and second bends that allow the tabs to flex and deform elastically when the battery is bent, preventing breakage of the tabs and improving reliability under repeated bending conditions while maintaining the compact pouch design
Solution Approach 2:
The wire material in the electrode tabs is selected to have specific mechanical properties (elasticity and flexibility) that enable it to withstand bending stresses. The bent portions are designed with specific geometric parameters (bend radius, angle) that optimize the balance between flexibility and structural integrity, allowing the tabs to deform without breaking during repeated bending operations
2Strength
If the electrode tabs are made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the battery can withstand bending stress, but the battery loses flexibility and cannot be easily bent for flexible device integration
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode tabs incorporate bent portions with specific curvature radii that enable flexible deformation. The curved geometry allows the tabs to bend smoothly when the battery is flexed, maintaining flexibility for device integration while the material strength and bent design prevent complete breakage, achieving both flexibility and structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode tabs are designed with dynamic characteristics through their bent portions, allowing them to adapt their shape in response to external bending forces. The tabs can deform elastically during bending operations and return to their original configuration, providing both flexibility for integration and structural integrity for reliability
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 enhances the battery's flexibility and durability, preventing rupture and ensuring reliable performance even under repeated bending and tensile forces, while maintaining a compact size.
Implementation Method 1
insulating members surrounding the bent portions
Implementation Method 2
Each of the first and second electrode tabs includes a pair of adhesive portions
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable battery is disclosed. In one aspect, the battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a separator, and a second electrode stacked together, wherein the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode are fixed at a fixing portion on a first side of the electrode assembly. A case accommodates the electrode assembly; and first and second electrode tabs are respectively connected to the first and second electrodes and extend from a first end portion of the case so as to form a tab gap therebetween. Each of the first and second electrode tabs includes first and second adhesive portions opposing each other, at least one wire having a bent portion interconnecting the first and second adhesive portions, and an insulating member covering the bent portion.