Perimeter Multi-Tab Battery Charging for Uniform Current Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pouch or prismatic battery cells with two electrodes have limited electrical and structural connection points, leading to restricted current capacity, potential hot spots, and reduced battery life due to charge distribution limitations and mechanical deformations.
Innovation Solution
The design features a full perimeter electrode configuration with alternating anode and cathode electrodes around the battery's perimeter, incorporating conductive cross ties for both electrical and structural connections, and a controller for uniform charge distribution, allowing for improved stress management and extended battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a two-electrode design is used in pouch or prismatic battery cells, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the electrical and structural connections are limited, current capacity is restricted, and hot spots occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cell is segmented into multiple electrode pairs (first anode electrode with first cathode electrode, second anode electrode with second cathode electrode) distributed around the perimeter. This segmentation increases the number of connection points and distributes electrical and mechanical forces, improving current capacity and reducing hot spots while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional two-electrode configuration to a multi-electrode perimeter arrangement, effectively utilizing the peripheral dimension of the battery cell. This dimensional expansion allows electrodes to be positioned around the entire perimeter rather than at single points, increasing connection density without complicating the internal structure
2Ease of operation
If a two-electrode design is used, then the connection points are limited and easy to align, but the current capacity is limited and hot spots are caused during operation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrode pairs are segmented around the perimeter, with each pair providing additional current pathways. The first anode electrode connects with the first cathode electrode, and the second anode electrode connects with the second cathode electrode, creating parallel current paths that increase overall current capacity while distributing heat generation
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the battery cell perimeter are equipped with different electrode pairs, creating local quality variations. This allows current to be distributed to specific high-demand regions, improving overall current capacity and preventing localized overheating by balancing the electrical load across multiple connection points
3Device complexity
If a two-electrode design is used, then the structure is simple, but charge distribution is limited and mechanical deformations occur, impacting battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cell is divided into multiple functional zones with separate electrode pairs, allowing independent charge distribution to different regions. This segmentation enables more uniform charge across the cell, reducing mechanical stress from uneven expansion/contraction and extending battery life without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically manages charge distribution across the multiple electrode pairs, adjusting current flow to optimize charge balance. This dynamic control prevents charge distribution limitations and reduces mechanical deformations caused by uneven charging, thereby extending battery life
4Reliability
If multiple anode and cathode electrodes are arranged around the perimeter, then current distribution and stress management are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The perimeter arrangement of multiple electrode pairs naturally segments the battery cell into functional zones. This segmentation improves current distribution by creating multiple parallel pathways and distributes mechanical stress across different locations, enhancing reliability while the modular nature keeps complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The perimeter electrode configuration serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical connections for current flow, structural support for mechanical strength, and heat dissipation pathways. This multi-functionality improves current distribution and stress management without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same structural elements fulfill multiple roles
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus for a multi-tab battery cycle life extension through alternating electrode charging are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a battery comprises a plurality of battery cells. The battery further comprises a plurality of anode electrodes collectors and a plurality of cathode electrodes collectors, of each of the battery cells, arranged around a perimeter of the battery. Further, the battery comprises a controller to apply, for each of the battery cells, a load or a charge from the anode electrodes to the cathode electrodes in a pattern such that charge is uniformly distributed across each of the battery cells. In one or more embodiments, the controller is located external or internal to the battery. In some embodiments, the battery further comprises a processor to determine the pattern for applying the load or the charge from the anode electrodes to the cathode electrodes for each of the battery cells.