Pouch Battery Cell Electrolyte Replenishment by Pressure-Triggered Inner Pouch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lithium secondary batteries face reduced lifespan and increased resistance due to electrolyte depletion during charging and discharging, with existing methods for replenishing electrolyte complicating manufacturing and control over replenishment timing.

Innovation Solution

A pouch-shaped battery cell design featuring an inner pouch with a penetration member, including a piezoelectric element and electroactive polymer (EAP) pin, that deforms to discharge electrolyte when pressure increases, allowing replenishment without disassembling the cell.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the battery cell is disassembled to add electrolytic solution, then electrolyte replenishment is possible, but the electrode may be exposed to air and sealing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte replenishment capabilityVSAvoidsealing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into two separate pouches: an outer pouch containing the electrode assembly and initial electrolyte, and an inner pouch containing reserve electrolyte solution. This segmentation allows the electrolyte to be replenished without disassembling the electrode assembly, avoiding exposure to air and sealing difficulties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner pouch containing the electrolyte solution is nested inside the outer pouch that contains the electrode assembly. This nested structure allows the inner pouch to be positioned between the electrode plates, enabling electrolyte replenishment while maintaining the sealed integrity of the battery cell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a pressure transmission medium is disposed between electrode layers to discharge electrolytic solution, then electrolyte replenishment is possible, but battery capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte replenishment capabilityVSAvoidbattery capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure transmission medium is extracted from the space between electrode layers and relocated to the outer pouch, where it can transmit pressure to the inner pouch without occupying active battery volume. This allows electrolyte replenishment while preserving battery capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If an air cap is provided at the inner wall to store electrolytic solution, then electrolyte replenishment is possible, but manufacturing process is complicated and control over replenishment timing is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte replenishment capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inner pouch containing the electrolyte solution is prepared in advance and sealed within the outer pouch during the initial battery manufacturing process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate air cap installation and provides controlled replenishment timing based on electrode expansion/contraction cycles.

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 ensures timely electrolyte replenishment, maintaining battery performance by preventing resistance increase and extending cycle life, while minimizing thickness and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Implementation Method 1

a penetration member configured to penetrate the inner pouch in order to discharge the electrolytic solution for replenishment, wherein the penetration member is deformed to discharge the electrolytic solution for replenishment received in the inner pouch when pressure in the battery case increases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

the penetration member is deformed to discharge the electrolytic solution for replenishment received in the inner pouch when pressure in the battery case increases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroactive polymer actuation: Electroactive Polymer

Data Source

PatentUS12592462B2Pouch-shaped battery cell configured such that replenishment of electrolytic solution is possible

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a pouch-shaped battery cell configured such that an electrolytic solution depleted during charging and discharging of the pouch-shaped battery cell is replenished, whereby lifespan characteristics of the pouch-shaped battery cell are improved, wherein the pouch-shaped battery cell includes a battery case made of a laminate sheet, an electrode assembly received in the battery case, an inner pouch located on the outer surface of the electrode assembly, the inner pouch having an electrolytic solution for replenishment received therein, and a penetration member configured to penetrate the inner pouch in order to discharge the electrolytic solution for replenishment, wherein the penetration member is deformed to discharge the electrolytic solution for replenishment received in the inner pouch when pressure in the battery case increases.