Partial Bonding Separator for Lithium Battery Internal Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrode assemblies in secondary batteries face issues with high internal resistance due to full bonding between electrodes and separators, which hinders gas discharge and electrolyte impregnation, leading to potential electrode separation and deformation during charging and discharging.

Innovation Solution

The electrode assembly employs a plasma discharging process to modify the separator surfaces, achieving partial bonding between the electrodes and separators, which reduces internal resistance by controlling the bonding area to 30% to 90% of the interface, thereby improving adhesion and electrolyte impregnation while allowing for efficient gas discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the bonding interface between electrode and separator is entirely formed through lamination process, then adhesion between electrode and separator is improved, but internal resistance of battery cell increases and gas discharge becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion between electrode and separatorVSAvoidinternal resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial bonding instead of complete bonding between electrode and separator. The bonding interface is formed only in specific regions rather than across the entire interface, achieving sufficient adhesion while preserving non-bonded areas that allow gas discharge and maintain low internal resistance. This partial action resolves the contradiction by providing just enough bonding to prevent separation without the harmful effects of complete bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Stability of the object's composition

If excessive adhesion is formed between electrode and separator, then separation between electrodes and separator is prevented, but electrolyte impregnation deteriorates and gas discharge becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation preventionVSAvoidelectrolyte impregnation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by creating different bonding characteristics in different regions of the electrode-separator interface. Some areas have bonding interfaces that provide strong adhesion to prevent separation, while other areas remain non-bonded to allow electrolyte impregnation and gas discharge. This spatial variation in bonding quality resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If full bonding interface is formed between electrode and separator, then structural integrity is improved, but the bonding interface acts as resistive layer increasing internal resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidinternal resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bonding interface into bonded regions and non-bonded regions. This segmentation allows the system to have both bonded areas that provide structural integrity and non-bonded areas that reduce internal resistance by not forming resistive layers. The segmented approach resolves the contradiction between strength and energy loss.

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

This approach decreases internal resistance, maintains necessary adhesion, and enhances electrolyte impregnation, resulting in improved battery performance and structural integrity during charging and discharging cycles.

Implementation Method 1

one surface or both surfaces of the separator facing the electrodes are modified by a plasma discharging process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma discharging: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

bonded by heating and/or compression

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

bonded by heating and/or compression

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3471187B1Electrode assembly in which electrode and separation film are partially bonded
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3471187B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3471187B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3471187B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an electrode assembly in which an internal resistance can be decreased while adhesion between a separator and an electrode is maintained and electrolyte impregnation can be improved, and provides a separator for lithium secondary battery of which a surface includes a processed area to which a corona discharging process is performed and a non-processed area to which the corona discharging process is performed and a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly including the same.