Grooved Electrode Plate Structure for Faster Electrolyte Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
The length of the electrolyte migration path in the negative electrode plate is increased, leading to a decrease in rate capability and a lower potential at the side surface close to the separator, resulting in uneven polarization and electrolyte concentration distribution, which affects the utilization rate and increases the risk of lithium plating.
Innovation Solution
The electrode plate features grooves on its active coating layer, oriented to form a fast ion channel, improving the density and reducing the migration path length, enhancing the potential of the side surface near the separator, and homogenizing electrolyte concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the negative electrode plate is roll-pressed to increase active coating layer density, then energy density is improved, but the migration path length of electrolyte increases and rate capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous active coating layer into segmented regions by introducing grooves that penetrate through the coating. This segmentation creates multiple independent ion transport channels, allowing electrolyte to access different regions of the electrode simultaneously, thereby reducing the effective migration path length while maintaining overall coating density for high energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces grooves that extend in the thickness direction of the electrode plate, creating a new dimensional pathway for ion transport. This vertical dimension complements the traditional planar ion transport, providing shortcut pathways that reduce migration distance without compromising the horizontal packing density of the active coating material.
2Quantity of substance
If the negative electrode plate is roll-pressed to increase active coating layer density, then energy density is improved, but polarization uniformity deteriorates and lithium plating risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality modification by introducing grooves at specific locations and orientations within the active coating layer. These grooves create localized regions with enhanced ion transport properties, ensuring that areas prone to lithium plating (such as regions with lower potential or uneven polarization) receive preferential ion supply, thereby balancing the electrochemical activity across the electrode surface.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the coating layer through grooves, the patent creates multiple independent reaction zones that can operate with more uniform current distribution. This prevents localized accumulation of stress and potential differences that lead to lithium plating, while maintaining high overall density for energy density.
3Speed
If grooves are introduced to reduce electrolyte migration path, then rate capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous groove structure within the active coating layer that can be formed using established porous material fabrication techniques. This approach leverages existing manufacturing capabilities for creating controlled porosity in coating materials, avoiding the need for entirely new manufacturing processes while achieving the desired ion transport enhancement for improved rate capability.
4Productivity
If grooves are introduced to improve ion transport, then utilization rate is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the grooves (depth, width, spacing, orientation) to achieve effective ion transport enhancement while remaining within the capabilities of existing manufacturing processes. By carefully selecting parameter ranges that balance performance improvement with manufacturability, the patent achieves high utilization rate without imposing excessive precision requirements that would complicate manufacturing.
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 grooved structure reduces the risk of lithium plating, improves the utilization rate and energy density, and enhances the cycle performance of the battery.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of grooves are disposed on the first active coating layer, on at least one side surface of the electrode plate, at intervals... an oriented groove fast ion channel on a surface of the electrode plate
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode plate includes a first current collector and a first active coating layer coated on a surface of the first current collector, and a plurality of grooves are disposed on the first active coating layer, on at least one side surface of the electrode plate, at intervals. By disposing a plurality of grooves on the first active coating layer of the electrode plate, a length of a migration path of an electrolyte in a negative electrode plate may be reduced, a lithium plating window may be expanded, a risk of lithium plating may be reduced, and a utilization rate of the negative electrode plate may be improved. Meanwhile, a potential of a side surface, close to a separator, of the negative electrode plate may be improved, the cycle performance of the battery may be improved, and a concentration of the electrolyte may be homogenized.