Insulated Electrode Edges in Solid-State Battery Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid-state battery cells face challenges with short circuiting due to misalignment between electrodes and at tab regions, which can lead to reduced energy density and increased risk of lithium plating and dendrite formation, especially when the solid electrolyte is laminated onto one of the electrodes.
Innovation Solution
Coating one or more edges of the electrodes with electrical insulation material, such as through screen or ink jet printing, to prevent short circuiting by reducing the likelihood of metal-to-electrode contact and ensuring proper alignment, thereby enhancing the energy density and stability of the battery cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the solid electrolyte is laminated onto one electrode to reduce misalignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the risk of short circuiting at tab regions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrical insulation material specifically at the tab regions and edges of electrodes where short circuiting is most likely to occur, rather than uniformly across the entire electrode surface. This localized treatment addresses the specific problem areas while maintaining manufacturing precision from the lamination process.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical insulation material acts as an intermediary layer between the tab regions and adjacent electrodes, preventing direct contact and potential short circuits. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by adding reliability without affecting the alignment precision achieved through lamination.
2Reliability
If electrical insulation material is applied to electrode edges, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the electrical properties of electrode edges by applying insulation material, changing the parameter of electrical conductivity from conductive to insulating at specific locations. This parameter change enhances reliability while the application process integrates into existing manufacturing workflows.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical insulation material is applied to electrode edges and tab regions during the assembly process, before final battery operation. This preliminary action prevents short circuiting from occurring in the first place, adding reliability without requiring complex post-manufacturing interventions.
3Quantity of substance
If electrode surface area is reduced to match solid electrolyte size, then energy density is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the electrode surface area to match the solid electrolyte dimensions, applying the electrode material only where needed for electrochemical function. This local optimization improves energy density by eliminating excess material while the electrical insulation at edges compensates for any alignment variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical insulation material serves as a cushioning layer that compensates for potential alignment variations between electrodes and solid electrolyte. By providing this protective margin beforehand, the patent allows for slightly reduced manufacturing precision tolerance while maintaining reliable operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell of a solid-state battery, such as a solid-state traction battery of an electrified vehicle, includes first and second electrodes and a solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is assembled (e.g., laminated) to the first electrode and is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode in a stack. The first and second electrodes have a same size surface, and the solid electrolyte has a surface no larger than the surface of the first electrode. An edge of the first electrode is coated with electrical insulating material. An edge of the second electrode and/or an edge of the solid electrolyte may also be coated with electrical insulating material. The first electrode may be an anode and the second electrode may be a cathode. Alternatively, the first electrode may be a cathode and the second electrode may be an anode.