Perforated Aluminum Foil Layout for Stable Hole-Boundary Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aluminum foils used in electric storage devices face mechanical strength issues due to the formation of through-holes, leading to deformation and breakage during manufacturing and application of active materials, especially when tension is continuously applied, resulting in unevenness and strain at the boundary between perforated and non-perforated regions.

Innovation Solution

A long aluminum foil configuration with a perforated portion, a non-perforated portion, and a hole density decreasing portion, where the opening ratio of through-holes gradually decreases from the perforated to the non-perforated portion, reducing stress concentration and elongation differences between regions, thereby suppressing deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If through-holes are formed in the aluminum foil to allow Li ion passage, then ion conductivity is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates causing breakage during manufacturing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion conductivityVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different regions within the aluminum foil: a first region with through-holes for ion conductivity, a second region without through-holes for mechanical strength, and a third intermediate region with gradual transition. This spatial differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between ion conductivity and mechanical strength by optimizing each region's characteristics for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by gradually varying the opening ratio of holes in the third region from the first region side toward the second region side. This continuous parameter transition prevents abrupt mechanical property changes, reducing stress concentration and preventing breakage while maintaining adequate ion conductivity in the transition zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If tension is continuously applied during manufacturing of long aluminum foil, then productivity is improved, but deformation and permanent strain occur at boundary parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoiddimensional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses manufacturing precision under continuous tension by creating a third region with intermediate hole density at the boundaries between perforated and non-perforated areas. This local modification of structural properties at critical boundary zones prevents excessive deformation and permanent strain (lenticulation) while allowing continuous production processes to proceed efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-designing the third intermediate region with gradual hole density transition before the actual manufacturing process. This preparatory structural design cushions against the harmful effects of continuous tension by distributing stress more evenly across the boundary zones, preventing deformation before it occurs during high-speed manufacturing.

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

3Weight of moving object

If the aluminum foil is made thinner for size and weight reduction, then energy density is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates increasing breakage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoil weightVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains thin overall foil thickness for low weight while compensating for mechanical strength by creating a second non-perforated region with intact metal structure. This local reinforcement zone provides the necessary mechanical strength to prevent breakage during handling and manufacturing, allowing the foil to remain thin for high energy density applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12002965B2Aluminum foil
Publication Date: 2024.06.04 FUJIFILM CORP
  • US12002965B2 patent drawing
  • US12002965B2 patent drawing
  • US12002965B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a long aluminum foil capable of suppressing, in a case where the aluminum foil is provided with a region where through-holes are not formed, occurrence of deformation at a boundary portion between a region where through-holes are formed and the region where through-holes are not formed. The long aluminum foil includes, in a width direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction, a perforated portion, a non-perforated portion, and a boundary portion between the perforated portion and the non-perforated portion, in which the perforated portion has a plurality of through-holes penetrating therethrough in a thickness direction, the non-perforated portion does not have a through-hole, the boundary portion has a plurality of through-holes penetrating therethrough in the thickness direction and a plurality of non-through-holes, and an opening ratio of the through-hole in the boundary portion gradually decreases from a perforated portion side to a non-perforated portion side.