Polybutylene Terephthalate Battery Packaging Laminate

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional film-shaped battery packaging materials face challenges in moldability and warp resistance, particularly when using polybutylene terephthalate films, as they require complex apparatuses and result in low productivity, and are prone to pinholes and cracks during molding, which can lead to short-circuits.

Innovation Solution

A battery packaging material comprising a laminate structure with a base material layer, a barrier layer, and a cured resin layer, where at least one base material layer is formed of a polybutylene terephthalate film with a piercing strength-to-thickness ratio of 1.02 N/µm or more, enhancing moldability and reducing warp likelihood.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If polybutylene terephthalate film is used as base material layer, then dimensional stability and chemical resistance are improved, but moldability deteriorates due to pinholes and cracks during molding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidmoldability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a laminate structure combining polybutylene terephthalate film (providing dimensional stability and chemical resistance) with polyethylene terephthalate film (providing good moldability and pinhole resistance). This composite structure allows both materials to contribute their respective advantages, resolving the contradiction between stability and moldability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different layers of the laminate serve different functions: the polybutylene terephthalate layer provides dimensional stability and chemical resistance where needed, while the polyethylene terephthalate layer provides moldability and pinhole resistance during the molding process. Each material is positioned where its specific properties are most beneficial.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Weight of moving object

If film thickness is reduced to achieve weight reduction, then weight is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased likelihood of pinholes and cracks

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidpinhole resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The laminate structure combines thin films of polybutylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate to achieve weight reduction while maintaining reliability. The polyethylene terephthalate layer specifically provides pinhole and crack resistance even at reduced thickness, allowing the overall package to be lighter without sacrificing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If polybutylene terephthalate film is used to improve crystallinity and thermal stability, then thermal stability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complex lamination apparatus requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a practical laminate structure of two films that can be manufactured using conventional lamination equipment. This approach achieves thermal stability through the polybutylene terephthalate layer without requiring complex apparatus, as the two-film laminate is compatible with standard manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Stability of the object's composition

If aluminum alloy foil layer is used for barrier properties, then chemical resistance is improved, but weight is worsened due to metal density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical resistanceVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the traditional aluminum alloy foil (heavy but provides barrier) with a laminate of plastic films that includes polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate. This plastic-based laminate provides comparable chemical resistance and barrier properties while significantly reducing weight, accepting that the plastic films are consumable packaging materials rather than reusable metal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3605642B1Packaging material for batteries, method for producing same, polybutylene terephthalate film for packaging material for batteries, and battery
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP3605642B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3605642B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3605642B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5c

AI summary

Provided is a packaging material for batteries, which is not susceptible to warping, while having excellent formability. A packaging material for batteries according to the present invention is configured from a laminate that is sequentially provided at least with one or more substrate layers, a barrier layer, a cured resin layer and a thermally fusible resin layer in this order. At least one of the substrate layers is formed of a polybutylene terephthalate film; and the value (X/Y) which is obtained by dividing the puncture strength X (N) of the laminate by the thickness Y (µm) of the polybutylene terephthalate film, said puncture strength X (N) being determined by piercing the laminate from the substrate layer side by a method that complies with the prescription of JIS Z1707 (1997), is 1.02 N/µm or more.