Flexible Secondary Battery Sub-Electrode Sliding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries used in wearable electronic devices and other ergonomically designed devices require flexible and deformable features to conform to various shapes, but existing designs often break or deteriorate when bent or curved, affecting their electric characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A flexible secondary battery design featuring sub-electrode plates with non-coating surfaces that slip relative to each other, coated with active materials and accommodated in a flexible case with a liquid or solid electrolyte, allowing for easy deformation without breaking and maintaining electric characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the battery structure is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but flexibility and ability to conform to various shapes deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is divided into multiple sub-electrode plates (first and second sub-electrode plates) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the battery to maintain structural integrity through multiple components while gaining flexibility as the segments can shift to accommodate bending and curving without breaking the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic configuration where sub-electrode plates can slide and reposition relative to each other. This dynamic capability enables the battery to adapt its shape while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the battery is designed to be flexible and bendable, then adaptability to various device shapes is improved, but structural integrity and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the battery into multiple sub-electrode plates that can move independently, the structure gains flexibility to bend and curve while each segment maintains its own structural integrity. The segmented design prevents catastrophic failure when the battery is deformed.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery employs thin, flexible sub-electrode plate structures that can bend and deform without breaking. These thin-film-like components maintain reliability through their inherent flexibility while adapting to various device shapes, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and structural integrity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If sub-electrode plates are coated completely with active material to maximize capacity, then energy density is improved, but flexibility and ability to slip relative to each other deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform coating, the active material coating is applied selectively to specific surfaces of the sub-electrode plates. The first sub-electrode plate has active material on its first surface, while the second sub-electrode plate has active material on its third surface, allowing the uncoated surfaces to slip relative to each other while still providing sufficient energy density through strategic coating placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating is segmented rather than continuous, with active material applied only to specific surfaces of each sub-electrode plate. This segmented coating approach maintains energy density through adequate active material coverage while leaving other surfaces available for relative movement and flexibility.
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 battery can be easily bent or curved without breaking and maintains its electric performance due to the sliding sub-electrode plates and flexible case, enhancing its adaptability to various device shapes while preventing deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the first and second non-coating surfaces may be mirror polished
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery includes: a case; and an electrode assembly accommodated in the case and including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator between the positive and negative electrode plates. At least one of the positive and negative electrode plates includes: a first sub-electrode plate including a first coating surface coated with an active material and a first non-coating surface facing oppositely away from the first coating surface and not coated with the active material; and a second sub-electrode plate including a second coating surface coated with an active material and a second non-coating surface facing oppositely away from the second coating surface and not coated with the active material. The first non-coating surface of the first sub-electrode plate faces the second non-coating surface of the second sub-electrode plate to allow the first and the second sub-electrode plates to slip relative to each other.