Pouch Cell Electrode Terminal Structure for Rigid Weight Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pouch cells, used as power sources in mobile devices, face challenges with insufficient rigidity in electrode leads, leading to unreliable connections and potential damage when supporting the weight of the cell during charging, which affects mechanical security and safety.
Innovation Solution
The electrochemical apparatus incorporates a housing with integrally formed flange and inserting portions for the electrodes, which snap-fit into the housing, increasing contact area and grip force, thereby enhancing the rigidity and safety of the electrode connections by eliminating the need for welding and reducing internal resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the electrode lead is made flexible for pouch cell construction, then the cell can be manufactured with standard pouch cell processes, but the electrode lead lacks sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the cell during charging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode lead is divided into two distinct parts: a flexible electrode portion for pouch cell construction and a rigid inserting portion for structural support. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the electrode portion maintains manufacturability while the inserting portion provides the necessary rigidity to support the cell weight during charging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The inserting portion is constructed from composite materials or a rigid material that combines electrical conductivity with mechanical strength. This composite structure enables the inserting portion to simultaneously serve as both an electrical conductor and a structural support element, resolving the contradiction between flexibility for manufacturing and rigidity for weight support.
2Strength
If the electrode lead is made rigid to support cell weight, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the electrode may become unreliable in connection to external devices and prone to bending or breaking
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the electrode lead into a rigid inserting portion and a flexible electrode portion, the design allows the rigid part to provide structural support while the flexible part maintains reliable electrical connection. The flexible electrode portion can accommodate movement and connection variations without breaking, thus improving reliability while the rigid inserting portion supports the cell weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the electrode lead are given different mechanical properties - the inserting portion has high rigidity for weight support, while the electrode portion has appropriate flexibility for reliable connection. This local differentiation of material properties ensures that each section performs its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
3Strength
If welding is used to connect the electrode lead to the housing, then the bonding strength is improved, but the internal resistance increases and safety performance deteriorates due to temperature rise and electrolyte instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the welding process (thermal-mechanical connection) with a mechanical snap-fit connection system. The inserting portion is designed with a structure that snaps into the housing, providing strong mechanical bonding without the need for welding. This eliminates the harmful effects of welding such as increased internal resistance, temperature rise, and electrolyte instability, while still achieving sufficient bonding strength through the snap-fit mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrochemical apparatus and an electronic device, the electrochemical apparatus including a housing, an electrode assembly and electrolyte, and further comprises a first electrode. The housing includes a first part and a second part that are interconnected, where the electrode assembly is accommodated in an accommodating cavity of the first part. The first electrode includes a first inserting portion and a first flange portion, where the first flange portion and the first inserting portion are integrally formed, the first flange portion embeddedly snap-fits into the second part, the first flange portion is connected to the electrode assembly, and the first inserting portion extends away from the accommodating cavity and protrudes from an outer surface of the second part.