Perpendicular Battery Cell Tabs for Higher Energy Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery designs face challenges in accommodating multiple battery cells within a constrained housing volume, leading to space constraints and increased resistance due to the geometry of tab connections, which affects energy density and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The battery design incorporates anode and cathode current collectors with tabs extending in perpendicular directions, allowing for a busbar to distribute current uniformly and reduce resistance by coupling cathode tabs directly with the housing, thereby optimizing energy density and accommodating various configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional battery designs are used with traditional tab geometry, then the battery structure is simple to manufacture, but the available space for battery cells is reduced and resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by extending tabs from perpendicular sides of the electrode stack rather than from the same face. Specifically, the anode tab extends from a first side of the anode current collector while the cathode tab extends from a second side perpendicular to the first side, allowing terminals to be positioned on adjacent faces of the housing rather than competing for space on the same face. This spatial reconfiguration resolves the contradiction by utilizing three-dimensional space more efficiently.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional tab connections are used, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but resistance increases affecting energy density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating an asymmetric tab arrangement where the anode and cathode tabs extend from perpendicular sides rather than symmetrically from the same face. This asymmetric configuration optimizes current collection paths and reduces resistance by shortening the current path length to the terminals, thereby improving energy density while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard electrode stacking and tab attachment processes.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple battery cells are accommodated in constrained housing volume, then energy density increases, but space constraints and resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes dimensionality change to accommodate multiple battery cells by positioning terminals on adjacent faces of the housing rather than concentrating all connections on single faces. This approach distributes the connection points across different spatial dimensions, reducing the space required for system materials and interconnections while allowing higher cell density within the housing volume.
Data Source
AI summary
Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a housing including a first terminal disposed on a first side of the housing and a second terminal disposed on the first side of the housing. The batteries may include an electrode stack positioned within the housing. The electrode stack may include an anode current collector. The anode current collector may define an anode tab along a first side of the anode current collector, and be electrically coupled with the first terminal. The electrode stack may include a cathode current collector. The cathode current collector may define a cathode tab along a second side of the cathode current collector. The cathode tab may extend from the cathode current collector in a direction normal to a direction the anode tab extends from the anode current collector. The cathode tab may be electrically coupled with the second terminal.