Prismatic Battery Electrode Assembly Support Against Slip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prismatic secondary batteries experience a slip phenomenon due to external impacts, leading to potential short circuits and tab tearing, which compromises safety.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating positive and negative electrode dummy tabs that are electrically insulated from the terminals and fixed to the housing, providing a four-point support structure to prevent slipping of the electrode assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electrode assembly is supported only by positive and negative electrode tabs connected to terminals, then the structure is simple, but the electrode assembly is prone to slipping under external impacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of electrode assemblyVSAvoidstructure of support system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is segmented into multiple independent support points: the original positive and negative electrode tabs are supplemented by positive and negative dummy tabs. This segmentation distributes the mechanical load across four separate support locations, preventing concentrated stress and reducing slip risk under external impacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Dummy tabs serve as intermediary support elements that do not perform electrical connection functions but provide mechanical stabilization. These intermediary structures mediate between the electrode assembly and housing, absorbing impact forces without interfering with the electrical functionality of the original tabs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If dummy tabs are added to provide four-point support, then slipping is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of slip phenomenonVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy tabs are integrated with the electrode assembly during the manufacturing process, combining the support structure formation with the electrode assembly fabrication. This merging of functions allows the dummy tabs to be created as part of the same manufacturing workflow, reducing the need for separate assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If electrode tabs are the only support structure, then the design is simple, but stress concentration causes tab tearing under impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to tab tearingVSAvoidnumber of support elements

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy tabs act as counterbalancing support elements that distribute mechanical stress away from the original electrode tabs. By providing additional support points, the system creates a balanced stress distribution that counteracts the concentrating effect of impacts on any single tab, preventing tab tearing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Data Source

PatentUS20240291117A1Prismatic secondary battery having improved safety

Publication Date: 2024.08.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

The present technology relates to a prismatic secondary battery with an electrode assembly having stacked unit cells. For example, the electrode assembly includes a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab respectively electrically connected to a positive terminal and a negative terminal provided on a housing of the prismatic secondary battery, and a positive electrode dummy tab and a negative electrode dummy tab electrically insulated from the positive terminal and the negative terminal.