Folded Pouch Case Layout for Variable-Thickness Secondary Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pouch type secondary battery manufacturing processes are limited by mechanical and physical properties of materials, leading to defects like warpage and restricted shape and size, and high material costs due to the need for foaming processes.

Innovation Solution

A pouch type secondary battery with a pouch case formed by folding space-forming sections and tab drawing sections, eliminating the need for foaming processes, allowing for variable thickness and reduced material costs by selecting materials based on mechanical characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a foaming process is used to form the pouch space, then the pouch can be formed with specific shape and size, but the material costs increase and the cell thickness is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepouch shape and sizeVSAvoidmaterial costs and manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state and properties of the pouch case material from a foamed structure to a non-foamed, foldable structure. By eliminating the foaming process and using folding operations, the patent achieves variable thickness and eliminates material cost limitations while maintaining the required pouch shape and size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pouch case is divided into multiple space-forming sections that can be independently folded along imaginary lines. This segmentation allows the pouch to achieve complex three-dimensional shapes through folding operations rather than requiring a monolithic foamed structure, thereby reducing material costs and enabling variable thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If conventional pouch forming processes are used, then the pouch can be manufactured, but defects such as warpage occur and the shape and size are limited due to material properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepouch manufacturing capabilityVSAvoidpouch shape accuracy and size consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch case is designed with pre-marked imaginary lines and pre-configured space-forming sections that guide the folding process. This preliminary structuring ensures that the pouch achieves the desired shape and size with high precision, eliminating warpage defects that occur in conventional processes where the material is forced into shape after formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the pouch case is designed with fixed thickness for foaming processes, then manufacturing is simplified, but the cell thickness cannot be varied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidcell thickness variability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch case transitions from a static, fixed-thickness foamed structure to a dynamic, foldable structure where the effective thickness can be varied by changing the folding configuration. The space-forming sections can be folded to different degrees, allowing the same pouch case design to accommodate different cell thickness requirements without changing the manufacturing process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3588603B1Pouch type secondary battery and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP3588603B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3588603B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3588603B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present invention provide a pouch type secondary battery and a method for manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present invention provides a pouch type secondary battery and a method for manufacturing the same, in which a pouch case is formed in a folding manner without being subjected to a forming process (press process), such that there is no limit in a length, and a thickness of an inner space of the pouch case is not limited.