Folded Electrode Assembly Layout for Simpler Battery Cell Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing electrode assemblies, particularly the stacked/folded type, require complex processes involving the separate manufacturing and folding of bi-cells on a separation film, which complicates the production process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the sequential stacking of a first electrode, a separator, and a second electrode on a continuous separation film to form mono-cells, followed by bonding using a lamination device, with a bi-cell positioned at the folding start to simplify the folding process, allowing for a discontinuous structure and subsequent folding in one direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If bi-cells are separately manufactured and folded on a separation film, then the electrode assembly structure is achieved, but the production process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is divided into multiple mono-cells, each containing a positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator. These mono-cells are independently formed and then stacked, allowing for simplified individual manufacturing and assembly without complex folding operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a planar folding process to a three-dimensional stacking process. Instead of folding bi-cells on a separation film in two dimensions, mono-cells are stacked vertically in three dimensions, eliminating the need for complex folding operations and separation film management
2Productivity
If complicated transferring and stacking processes are performed, then the electrode assembly is manufactured, but the manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Mono-cells are pre-formed with electrodes and separators already assembled in the correct configuration. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming transferring and stacking operations, as the pre-assembled mono-cells can be directly stacked to form the complete electrode assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The formation of electrodes and separators into mono-cells is combined with the final assembly process. By integrating these steps into a single mono-cell formation process, the need for separate transferring and stacking operations is eliminated, reducing total manufacturing time
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 method simplifies the electrode assembly production process by eliminating the need for additional separate processes after lamination, enabling immediate folding and reducing complexity in manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
bonding the stacked mono-cells using a lamination device
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an electrode assembly manufacturing method including sequentially stacking a first electrode, a separator, and a second electrode on a separation film having a continuous length to form mono-cells, each of the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode being cut to a predetermined size from a winding roll so as to have a discontinuous structure, bonding the stacked mono-cells using a lamination device, locating a bi-cell at a folding start part, from which folding starts, on the separation film so as to be spaced apart from the mono-cells by a distance for folding, and performing folding in one direction with the bi-cell as a beginning, whereby it is possible to immediately perform the folding process without a separate preparation process after the lamination process in order to simplify the electrode assembly production process, and an electrode assembly manufactured by the method.