Negative Electrode Communication Grooves for Battery Wetting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-sized non-aqueous electrolytic secondary batteries for electric vehicles face challenges in achieving long life due to uneven SEI growth and electrolyte distribution, leading to localized degradation and reduced energy density, exacerbated by high-rate charging and discharging cycles.

Innovation Solution

A non-aqueous electrolytic secondary battery design featuring a flat electrode winding assembly with communication grooves in the negative electrode composite material layer, allowing for uniform electrolyte distribution and gas release, formed using granules with a high solid content to maintain consistent density and prevent localized reactivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a coating is formed by reductive degradation of additive at the surface of negative electrode active material during first charging, then SEI growth is suppressed, but coating distribution becomes uneven in large-sized batteries

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSEI growth suppressionVSAvoidcoating distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the electrode winding assembly into multiple segments by introducing partition walls that create separate chambers. This segmentation allows independent electrolyte impregnation and coating formation in each chamber, ensuring uniform coating distribution across the entire large-sized electrode structure by preventing electrolyte stagnation at end portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by creating different structural conditions in different regions of the electrode winding assembly. Partition walls are strategically placed to ensure that central portions and end portions receive appropriate electrolyte distribution, with each region having optimized local conditions for uniform coating formation through controlled electrolyte flow paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If the electrode winding assembly is impregnated with electrolyte, then gas is replaced by electrolyte, but gas removal is incomplete in central portions leading to insufficient wetting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrolyte impregnationVSAvoidwetting uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode winding assembly is divided into multiple chambers by partition walls, creating separate impregnation zones. This segmentation allows electrolyte to be introduced and distributed more effectively throughout each chamber, preventing gas entrapment in central portions and ensuring complete wetting by establishing controlled flow paths that reach all regions uniformly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Partition walls serve as intermediary structures that facilitate electrolyte distribution. These walls create intermediate chambers that act as transition zones, allowing electrolyte to progressively fill and wet the electrode material from multiple directions, ensuring complete gas replacement and uniform impregnation throughout the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If rapid charging and discharging is performed, then high power output is achieved, but electrolyte is pushed from central portion toward end portion causing uneven distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging and discharging rateVSAvoidelectrolyte distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the electrode winding assembly into multiple chambers using partition walls. This segmentation prevents the bulk movement of electrolyte from central to end portions during high-rate charging and discharging, as each chamber maintains its own electrolyte reservoir. The partition walls act as barriers that localize electrolyte distribution, ensuring uniform availability throughout the assembly even under high power conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall structure provides beforehand cushioning by pre-establishing separate electrolyte compartments. This structural preparation ensures that during rapid charging and discharging cycles, each chamber maintains adequate electrolyte levels independently, preventing the dominant outward push of electrolyte that would otherwise cause depletion in central portions and overaccumulation at end portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Reliability

If communication grooves are formed in negative electrode composite material layer, then gas release and electrolyte distribution are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas release and electrolyte distributionVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses partition walls to segment the electrode winding assembly into multiple chambers, providing gas release pathways and electrolyte distribution channels without requiring complex groove structures within the composite material layer itself. This segmentation approach achieves improved gas and electrolyte management through a simpler structural modification at the assembly level rather than complicating the material layer fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 battery achieves improved uniformity in coating and Li salt distribution, reducing uneven electrode reactions and extending battery life by ensuring consistent electrolyte and gas management during charging and discharging.

Implementation Method 1

a communication groove extending from the central portion to both end portions of the negative electrode composite material layer is provided in the negative electrode composite material layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas release through communication groove:

Implementation Method 2

some of a gas contained in the electrode winding assembly is not completely removed and a portion where substitution of the gas with the electrolyte is insufficient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrolyte impregnation and gas substitution:

Implementation Method 3

The Li salt is responsible for ion conduction between positive and negative electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 4

a coating inhibiting growth of SEI can be formed by reductive degradation of an additive at the surface of the negative electrode active material at the time of first charging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReductive degradation: Reduction

Implementation Method 5

During long-term use of a battery, owing to repetition of a charging and discharging cycle or storage for a long time, a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) grows on a surface of a negative electrode active material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSEI growth:

Data Source

PatentUS10964970B2Non-aqueous electrolytic secondary battery and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2021.03.30 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • US10964970B2 patent drawing
  • US10964970B2 patent drawing
  • US10964970B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A flat-plate portion of a negative electrode composite material layer includes a first end portion at one end portion in a direction of axis of winding of a flat electrode winding assembly, a second end portion located opposite to the first end portion, and a central portion lying between the first end portion and the second end portion. The flat-plate portion of the negative electrode composite material layer is provided with a plurality of communication grooves. The communication groove includes a first terminal end portion at the first end portion, includes a second terminal end portion at the second end portion, includes in the central portion, a starting portion located closer to a bottom portion of a prismatic case relative to the first terminal end portion and the second terminal end portion, and extends from the starting portion toward the first terminal end portion and the second terminal end portion.