Prismatic Battery Side Insertion for Larger Electrode Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of prismatic secondary batteries with increased electrode assembly size is difficult due to reduced internal space, making it challenging to insert the electrode assembly into the case efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery design with a laterally inserted electrode assembly and a manufacturing method that includes a bent electrode tab, a terminal connection, an electrode plate insulating member, and a bent portion insulating member to facilitate easy assembly and maximize space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the size of the electrode assembly is increased to increase battery capacity, then the battery capacity is improved, but the volume of excess space inside the case is reduced making assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is inserted laterally into the case through a side opening rather than from the top, changing the insertion direction to a different dimension. This allows the electrode assembly to be positioned within the case more easily without requiring excessive internal clearance space, thereby enabling larger electrode assemblies to be assembled without increasing assembly difficulty.
2Quantity of substance
If the size of the electrode assembly is increased to increase battery capacity, then the battery capacity is improved, but the operation of assembling and inserting the electrode assembly into the case becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion operation is performed laterally through a side opening of the case rather than vertically from the top, changing the operational dimension. This lateral insertion approach allows for easier positioning and insertion of large electrode assemblies into the case without requiring significant internal clearance space, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining high battery capacity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the electrode assembly is laterally inserted into the case, then the assembly is easier to manufacture, but additional insulating members are required to prevent short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
Insulating members are introduced as intermediary components between the electrode assembly and the case to prevent short circuits. Specifically, a first insulating member is disposed between the electrode assembly and the case at the lateral insertion interface, and a second insulating member is disposed between the electrode terminal and the case. These intermediary insulating members enable the lateral insertion configuration to be manufactured easily while preventing electrical short circuits, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery includes: a case having an open side surface; an electrode assembly inserted into the case through the open side surface, the electrode assembly including a bent electrode tab; a terminal electrically connected to the electrode tab of the electrode assembly and exposed to an outside of the case; a cover covering the open side surface of the case; an electrode plate insulating member electrically insulating an electrode plate of the electrode assembly from the terminal; and a bent portion insulating member electrically insulating an inner surface of the cover from the bent portion of the electrode tab.