Battery Cell Current Collecting Structure for Heat-Resistant Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat generation in prismatic battery cells due to charging or discharging leads to increased resistance, reducing battery capacity and lifespan, and potentially causing short circuits and ignition.
Innovation Solution
A current collecting structure is implemented, including a clamping portion connected to foils and a connection portion extending to terminals, with the foils being partially folded and uncoated portions to reduce resistance and heat generation by increasing contact areas between the foils and terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current passes through the uncoated portion of the foil, then electrical connection is established, but resistance increases and heat generation occurs due to current bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-point contact configuration to a distributed multi-point contact configuration by providing multiple uncoated portions along the foil. This dimensional change in current collection architecture allows current to be gathered from multiple locations, reducing the current density at any single point and thereby reducing resistive heating while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The foil is divided into multiple uncoated portions rather than having a single continuous uncoated section. This segmentation allows the current collecting structure to make contact with the foil at multiple discrete locations, distributing the current flow path and reducing the bottleneck effect that causes heat generation in single-point contact designs.
2Loss of energy
If the foil is folded to increase contact area, then resistance is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foil is pre-formed with folded configurations and multiple uncoated portions before assembly into the battery cell. This preliminary action of shaping the foil during manufacturing allows the current collecting structure to naturally engage with multiple contact points without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments or specialized folding tools, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving reduced resistance.
3Temperature
If multiple uncoated portions are provided on the foil, then current distribution is improved and heat generation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The current collecting structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical connection, collects current from multiple uncoated portions, and distributes current flow evenly across the foil. This multi-functional design achieves improved temperature control through better current distribution without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural elements perform multiple roles.
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 solution effectively decreases resistance and heat generation, thereby enhancing battery cell capacity and lifespan while preventing potential hazards like short circuits and ignition.
Implementation Method 1
a current collecting structure connecting the foil to the terminal
Implementation Method 2
resistance may increase and heat generation may occur due to a current bottleneck
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell is provided. The battery cell includes an electrode assembly including an active material and a foil, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, a cap assembly connected to the case and including a terminal, and a current collecting structure connecting the foil to the terminal.