Internal Terminal Segmentation for Battery Electrode Lead Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high capacitance storage devices face issues with poor electrolyte impregnation and internal gas release due to compression of electrode leads, which can lead to increased internal pressure and potential explosion, especially when using high-viscosity electrolytes.

Innovation Solution

The electric energy storage device incorporates an internal terminal with a support and connection ribs that compress only a portion of the electrode leads, maintaining their shape and allowing for improved electrolyte impregnation and gas release, while the connection ribs and reinforcing ribs enhance contact area and resistance control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the internal terminal compresses the entire electrode leads, then the contact area is increased, but the electrolyte impregnation is disturbed and gas release performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact areaVSAvoidelectrolyte impregnation and gas release performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The internal terminal is segmented into a support portion and multiple connection ribs. The support portion provides overall structural support, while the connection ribs are selectively positioned to contact only specific regions of the electrode leads. This segmentation allows certain areas of the electrode leads to remain uncompressed, maintaining channels for electrolyte impregnation and gas release while still achieving sufficient contact area through the distributed connection ribs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection ribs are strategically positioned to apply compression force only to specific local regions of the electrode leads, rather than uniformly compressing the entire surface. This local quality approach ensures that critical areas for electrolyte penetration and gas venting remain open and uncompressed, while still achieving adequate electrical contact in the compressed regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the internal terminal compresses the electrode leads, then the electrical contact is improved, but the internal gas release channel is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contactVSAvoidinternal gas accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the internal terminal into a support portion and multiple discrete connection ribs, the design creates localized compression zones rather than continuous compression. The spaces between the connection ribs serve as gas release channels, allowing internal gas to escape while the compressed regions under the connection ribs provide reliable electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection ribs act as intermediary elements that mediate between the need for electrical contact and the need for gas release. They provide compression for electrical connection while their distributed arrangement and the spaces between them preserve pathways for gas to escape from the internal pressure buildup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the internal terminal is designed with simple plate shape, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the electrolyte impregnation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal terminal structureVSAvoidelectrolyte impregnation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The internal terminal is segmented into a support portion and multiple connection ribs extending from it. This segmented structure is still relatively simple to manufacture compared to complex three-dimensional structures, as it can be formed through conventional stamping or extrusion processes. The connection ribs create natural channels and pathways that facilitate electrolyte penetration into the electrode leads without requiring complex internal geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection ribs extend in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the support portion, adding a vertical dimension to the structure. This dimensional change creates three-dimensional pathways for electrolyte flow and penetration, improving impregnation performance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through relatively straightforward forming processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3246971B1Electrical energy storage apparatus having improved coupling structure of internal terminal
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 LS MTRON LTD
  • EP3246971B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3246971B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3246971B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

Disclosed in an electric energy storage device in which a cell assembly having electrode leads is installed in a metal case. The electric energy storage device includes an internal terminal formed with a support, connection ribs and thorough portions, and the electrode leads include a part of electrode leads compressed by the support and the connection ribs of the internal terminal and a part of electrode leads located at the thorough portions of the internal terminal to maintain a shape thereof.