Pouch Battery Sealing Structure for Higher Density Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pouch type secondary batteries face challenges in maintaining high energy density due to increased volume from sealing portions, which also affect cooling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A pouch type secondary battery design with a casing material that forms a sealing portion on three sides and includes a close contact portion on one side, featuring an extending portion and a concave portion to minimize volume and enhance cooling efficiency, using aluminum or aluminum alloy for the casing material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing portion is formed by sealing an outermost portion of the casing material, then the battery structure is sealed and protected, but the total volume of the secondary battery module is increased due to the protruding sealing portion, such that energy density is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing protectionVSAvoidtotal volume of battery module
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing structure is divided into multiple segments: a main sealing portion for sealing the battery, and an extending portion that protrudes perpendicularly from the close contact portion. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be distributed, with the main sealing portion providing protection and the extending portion minimizing volume increase by aligning with the battery module structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extending portion protrudes perpendicularly with respect to the close contact portion, utilizing a different spatial dimension (vertical protrusion rather than horizontal extension). This dimensional change allows the sealing structure to maintain its protective function while reducing the horizontal volume occupation that would otherwise increase the battery module's total volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the sealing portion protrudes, then sealing is achieved, but energy density of the secondary battery module is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidenergy density
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The casing material has different local qualities: the close contact portion is designed to be in close contact with the electrode assembly for minimal volume, while the extending portion protrudes perpendicularly to provide sealing function. This local differentiation allows the sealing function to be concentrated in specific areas rather than uniformly distributed, reducing overall volume and improving energy density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If the casing material is in close contact with the electrode assembly, then cooling efficiency is improved through better heat transfer, but the sealing portion volume is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidsealing portion volume
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The close contact portion is designed to be in close contact with the electrode assembly before the sealing process. This preliminary contact arrangement ensures that when cooling plates are applied, they can efficiently transfer heat from the electrode assembly through the casing material, improving cooling efficiency before the final sealing is completed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design reduces the volume of the sealing portion and improves energy density and cooling efficiency by allowing the casing material to be in close contact with the electrode assembly, enabling better heat transfer and arrangement with cooling plates.

Implementation Method 1

the rounded portion having the convex shape is brought into close contact with one side surface of the electrode assembly and is spread along the one side surface of the electrode assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3561898B1Pouch-type secondary battery and fabricating method therefor
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP3561898B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3561898B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3561898B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pouch type secondary battery is disclosed. One aspect of the present invention provides a pouch type secondary battery including a casing material configured to accommodate an electrode assembly from which electrode tabs are led; and the casing material includes a sealing portion formed on three sides of four sides of the pouch type secondary battery and an close contact portion formed on the remaining one side; and an extending portion protruding perpendicularly with respect to the close contact portion is formed in a portion adjacent to the close contact portion in the sealing portion.