Perforated Continuous Separator for Curved Battery Wrinkling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Batteries with multiple electrode pairs in a flat, rectangular configuration face challenges when shaped into curved forms, as bending can introduce wrinkles in the continuous separator, leading to structural issues and increased damage risk.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating perforations in the folded regions of a continuous separator to reduce wrinkling during the formation of curved batteries, allowing for a more flexible and secure electrode stack configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a continuous separator is used in a flat battery configuration, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the separator develops wrinkles and structural issues when the battery is shaped into curved forms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidseparator structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous separator is segmented by introducing perforations that divide it into multiple sections or zones. These perforations allow different regions of the separator to move independently during bending, preventing the formation of wrinkles while maintaining the overall continuity of the separator structure for efficient manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The separator incorporates porous structures through perforations that extend partially or fully through its thickness. These porous features provide flexibility and accommodate deformation during curving processes, enabling the separator to maintain structural integrity while allowing the battery to be shaped into curved forms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the battery is shaped into curved forms, then adaptability to curved devices is improved, but the separator experiences increased stress and damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurved device compatibilityVSAvoidseparator resistance to damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the continuous separator into segmented zones through perforations, each segment can deform independently during curving, reducing stress concentration and preventing catastrophic failure while enabling adaptation to curved device geometries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The separator's physical parameters are modified by introducing perforations with specific patterns, sizes, and distributions. These parameter changes alter the mechanical properties of the separator, enhancing its flexibility and ability to withstand bending stresses in curved configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of perforated continuous separators in curved batteries minimizes the risk of wrinkling and structural damage, enabling a more compact and durable battery design that can fit within curved devices without additional manufacturing steps.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating perforations in the folded regions of a continuous separator to reduce wrinkling during the formation of curved batteries

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStress distribution:

Data Source

PatentEP3497736B1Battery with perforated continuous separator
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3497736B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3497736B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3497736B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Examples disclosed herein relate to a continuous separator having perforations to help reduce or prevent wrinkling of the separator when producing curved electrode stacks. One example provides a battery comprising a plurality of discontinuous electrode layers, and a continuous separator separating the discontinuous electrode layers, the continuous separator having perforations extending at least partially through a depth of the continuous separator in a folded region of the continuous separator.