Flexible Battery Folded Interconnects for Wearable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium ion batteries with liquid electrolyte lack flexibility to accommodate wearable devices, while batteries with solid or gel electrolytes suffer from low energy density and poor ion mobility.
Innovation Solution
A flexible lithium ion battery design that interconnects cells using a folded structure with a connection that extends beyond the distance between cells, allowing for dimensional changes and incorporating a connection current collector, separator, and active materials to enhance flexibility and energy density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional liquid electrolyte batteries are used, then high energy density is achieved, but flexibility is insufficient for wearable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is divided into multiple cells (first cell, second cell, etc.) that are interconnected through flexible connections. This segmentation allows each cell to maintain high energy density with liquid electrolyte while the overall structure gains flexibility through the modular design and flexible interconnections between cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible current collectors and connections with folded structures that can bend and deform. These flexible components replace rigid traditional battery structures, enabling the battery to accommodate shape changes in wearable devices while maintaining electrical connectivity and high energy density.
2Adaptability or versatility
If solid or gel electrolyte batteries are used, then flexibility is improved, but ion mobility and electrochemical performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the battery have different properties: the cells contain liquid electrolyte for high ion mobility and electrochemical performance, while the connections use folded structures and flexible materials for flexibility. This local differentiation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system combines liquid electrolyte (for high performance) with flexible connection materials and folded structures (for flexibility). This composite approach integrates the advantages of both liquid electrolyte high performance and flexible structures, achieving a balance between ion mobility and flexibility that neither approach could achieve alone.
3Reliability
If cells are connected with rigid structures, then electrical connection is stable, but the battery cannot accommodate shape changes
Solution Approach 1:
The connections between cells are designed with folded structures that can dynamically change shape and bend without breaking electrical connectivity. These flexible connections adapt to shape changes in wearable devices while maintaining stable electrical connection between cells throughout the deformation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connections incorporate nested or layered structures (such as folded current collectors with separators) that allow the connection to compress, bend, and deform while maintaining electrical pathways. This nested design enables the connection to accommodate shape changes without compromising electrical stability.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E~1F
AI summary
A battery for powering a wearable device comprises a first cell, a second cell interconnected with the first cell, and a connection electrically coupled between the first cell and the second cell. The connection extends from the first cell to the second cell along a first direction. A length of the connection along the first direction is greater than a distance between the first cell and the second cell. In some embodiments, the connection comprises a folded structure configured to accommodate a dimensional change of the battery when bending the wearable device. A wearable device is also provided.