Pouch Cell Pre-Sealing Tape Bonding Using Textured Metal Foil

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for connecting pre-sealing tapes to metal composite films in pouch cells are complex due to heat sensitivity issues during welding, limiting the use of welding processes and increasing electrical resistance, while also requiring laborious cooling and additional materials for securement.

Innovation Solution

A method involving generating a texture on the metal composite film, applying the pre-sealing tape to cover the texture, and connecting it to form a composite, which can then be cut to a precise contour, allowing for secure adhesion or positive locking without additional cooling or materials, enabling the use of pressure welding and reducing electrical resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If welding is used to connect conductor tabs to arrester tabs, then electrical connection is achieved, but heat input damages the temperature-sensitive pre-sealing strips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidheat damage to pre-sealing strips
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the pre-sealing strip from the conductor tab, making them independent components. The pre-sealing strip is applied directly to the pouch foil while the conductor tab is welded separately, eliminating heat exposure to the pre-sealing strip during welding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pouch foil acts as an intermediary between the conductor tab and the pre-sealing strip. The conductor tab is welded to the pouch foil, and the pre-sealing strip is separately applied to the pouch foil, using the pouch foil as a mediator to avoid direct heat exposure of the pre-sealing strip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If cooling is applied during welding to protect pre-sealing strips, then heat damage is prevented, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat damage preventionVSAvoidcooling system requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the pre-sealing strip application step from the welding process. By applying the pre-sealing strip separately after welding is completed, the complex cooling system requirements are eliminated entirely, simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If distance between weld seam and pre-sealing strip is increased to avoid heat damage, then pre-sealing strip protection is achieved, but installation space is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat damage avoidanceVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the pre-sealing strip application from the welding process and applying it directly to the pouch foil, the invention eliminates the need for increased distance between weld seam and pre-sealing strip, maximizing installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If only spot welding, resistance welding, or linear welding are used, then pre-sealing strips are protected, but electrical resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-sealing strip protectionVSAvoidelectrical connection quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the pre-sealing strip application from the welding process, allowing the use of superior welding methods like surface/pressure welding for the conductor tab to pouch foil connection, thereby reducing electrical resistance while keeping the pre-sealing strip intact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the limited welding methods with surface/pressure welding, which provides better electrical contact and lower resistance. The mechanical application of the pre-sealing strip separately preserves its integrity while enabling superior welding techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Reliability

If transport lock is provided between conductor tab and pre-sealing tape, then accidental loss is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-sealing tape retentionVSAvoidtransport lock mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the pre-sealing strip application from the conductor tab assembly, applying it directly to the pouch foil instead. This eliminates the need for transport locks and associated complexity while ensuring the pre-sealing strip remains securely in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This method simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces electrical resistance, eliminates the need for constant cooling and additional materials, and allows for more efficient production of pouch cells with improved electrical properties and reduced heat generation during operation.

Implementation Method 1

The texture on the metal composite foil (2) serves to adhere or provide positive locking for the pre-sealing tape (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The texture on the metal composite foil (2) serves to adhere or provide positive locking for the pre-sealing tape (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

enabling the use of pressure welding and reducing electrical resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure Welding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3852186B1Method and device for connecting metal composite films for pouch cells with a pre-sealing tape
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3852186B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3852186B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3852186B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for joining a pre-sealing tape with a metal composite film (2) for pouch cells (4), comprising at least the following steps: a) creating a texture (6) in at least a partial area of ​​the metal composite film (2); b) applying a pre-sealing tape (3) to the metal composite film (2), wherein the texture (6) is at least partially covered by the pre-sealing tape (3); c) joining the pre-sealing tape (3) with the metal composite film (2) to form a composite; d) cutting the composite to a predefined finished contour.