Pouch Sealing Structure Preventing Moisture Permeation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pouch-type secondary batteries face issues with moisture permeation and electrolyte solution leakage, leading to deteriorated long-term storage stability and battery performance due to their soft container design and limited mechanical strength.

Innovation Solution

A pouch case with a first sealing portion where the upper and lower sheets are sealed, featuring a second sealing portion formed with an aluminum metal foil tape or an aluminum metal foil tape coated with an electrical insulator to prevent external moisture and electrolyte solution permeation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If pouch-type secondary batteries use a soft pouch as a container, then they can have various shapes and reduced volume, but they exhibit low mechanical strength and reliability leading to moisture permeation and electrolyte leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery volumeVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch structure combines multiple materials with different properties: an inner layer (polyolefin) for thermal bonding and sealing, a metal layer (aluminum) for mechanical strength and barrier properties, and an outer layer (nylon) for protection. This composite structure maintains the flexibility and volume reduction benefits while improving mechanical strength and sealing reliability to prevent moisture permeation and electrolyte leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If the sealing portion width is decreased to accommodate higher capacitance electrodes, then battery capacitance increases, but sealing reliability deteriorates and external moisture permeation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacitanceVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-layer composite pouch structure provides enhanced sealing capability with the inner polyolefin layer offering thermal bonding properties, the middle aluminum layer providing mechanical strength and moisture barrier, and the outer nylon layer adding protection. This composite construction maintains reliable sealing even when the sealing portion width is reduced to accommodate higher capacitance electrode assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If thermal bonding is used to seal the pouch, then the sealing process is simple and efficient, but the thermal-bonding portion becomes vulnerable to moisture permeation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing process simplicityVSAvoidmoisture permeation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch uses a composite structure where the inner polyolefin layer provides thermal bonding capability for easy manufacturing, while the middle aluminum layer and outer nylon layer provide robust moisture and oxygen barrier properties. This combination allows simple thermal sealing processes while protecting against moisture permeation through the multi-layer barrier structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The middle aluminum layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the inner thermal-bonding layer and the external environment. It provides a moisture and oxygen barrier that protects the thermal-bonding portion from moisture permeation, while the thermal bonding process remains simple and efficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If a single sealing layer is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot effectively prevent moisture permeation and electrolyte leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepouch structure complexityVSAvoidprotection against moisture and leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch employs a three-layer composite structure: an inner polyolefin layer for thermal bonding and sealing, a middle aluminum layer for mechanical strength and moisture/oxygen barrier, and an outer nylon layer for additional protection. This multi-layer composite design effectively prevents moisture permeation and electrolyte leakage while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The pouch structure is segmented into three functional layers, each performing a specific function: the inner layer handles sealing, the middle layer provides barrier and structural support, and the outer layer offers protection. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, achieving effective moisture and leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 additional sealing layer effectively prevents dielectric breakdown and electrolyte leakage, enhancing the insulating properties and long-term storage stability of the batteries, thereby improving their performance and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a second sealing portion formed with an aluminum metal foil tape or an aluminum metal foil tape having at least one surface coated with an electrical insulator to prevent external moisture and electrolyte solution permeation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation barrier: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

an aluminum metal foil tape having at least one surface coated with an electrical insulator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 3

the upper sheet and a lower sheet are sealed, as shown in FIG. 2. However, the thermal-bonding portion of the pouch is vulnerable to permeation of external moisture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal bonding: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2405506B1Pouch, and secondary battery comprising same
Publication Date: 2015.05.06 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2405506B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2405506B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2405506B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed is a pouch including a first sealing portion wherein an upper sheet and a lower sheet are sealed, and a second sealing portion present in a partial or entire region of the first sealing portion. The pouch further includes a second sealing portion present in a partial or entire region of the first sealing portion, thus efficiently preventing permeation of external moisture and leakage of electrolyte solution through the first sealing portion and enabling fabrication of batteries with improved capacitance maintenance and resistance increase.