Multiplate Battery Busbar Layout for Space-Efficient Interconnects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices face challenges in reducing size due to the significant space consumption of batteries, particularly in multiplate designs where interconnects occupy a large volume, limiting energy density and device compactness.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a space-efficient busbar construction that maximizes active material volume by positioning busbars directly adjacent to electrode plates or within their profiles, reducing the need for pinching layers and minimizing the risk of short circuits, while allowing for fewer components and welding operations, thereby enabling a more compact and efficient battery design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional multiplate battery designs are used with conventional interconnect arrangements, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but significant space is consumed by interconnect components and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The busbar is integrated directly with the electrode plates by positioning it adjacent to the tabs and welding, merging the busbar structure with the electrode assembly structure. This eliminates separate interconnect components and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The busbar is positioned within the profile of the electrode plates, nesting the interconnect structure within the existing battery assembly boundaries. This maximizes space utilization and minimizes the overall volume occupied by interconnect components.
2Reliability
If busbars are positioned away from electrode plates with tabs in between, then electrical connectivity is established, but space efficiency is reduced and risk of short circuits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful element (excessive space and short circuit risk) is eliminated by positioning the busbar directly adjacent to the electrode plates and removing the need for pinching layers. This extracts the problematic spacing from the design while maintaining necessary electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design prevents short circuits by carefully positioning the busbar outside the profile of the electrode plates while still adjacent to them, and by ensuring tabs do not extend between the busbar and plates. This preliminary arrangement prevents the harmful condition before it can occur.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional battery designs with multiple components are used, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
Pinching layers and other intermediate components are removed from the assembly. The busbar is welded directly to the tabs, eliminating the need for pinching layers and reducing the total component count while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The busbar assembly process is merged with the electrode plate assembly, positioning the busbar adjacent to the plates during stacking. This combines multiple assembly steps into one, reducing manufacturing complexity and improving ease of manufacture.
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 approach results in a higher capacity battery per unit volume, increased energy density, and a more compact medical device, enhancing patient comfort and placement flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The anode busbar can be welded to the plurality of anode plates and the cathode busbar can be welded to the plurality of cathode plates.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to simplified and space efficient designs for multiplate batteries. In an embodiment, an electrochemical cell is included having an multiplate anode and multiplate cathode with a separator to provide physical separation between anode and cathode plates. Anode collectors can be in electrical communication with each anode plate and anode tabs in electrical communication with each anode collector. Cathode collectors can be in electrical communication with each cathode plate and cathode tabs in electrical communication with each cathode collector. An anode busbar can interconnect the plurality of anode tabs in parallel and a cathode busbar can interconnect the plurality of cathode tabs in parallel. The cathode busbar can be oriented such that the cathode tabs are not disposed between the cathode busbar and the plurality of cathode plates. Other embodiments are also included herein.