Rectangular Cell Electrode Stack With Parallel Current Collectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical energy storage devices face issues with high internal resistance, low packing density, and capacity loss due to the perpendicular placement of current collectors relative to ion flow, which limits energy efficiency and requires external metallization for anode pre-metallization.
Innovation Solution
The electrochemical device employs a rectangular geometry with vertically stacked electrodes and metal through rods acting as current collectors, allowing direct contact and alignment with ion flow, enabling efficient charge transfer and internal metallization without opening the device, thus reducing internal resistance and capacity loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If current collectors are placed perpendicular to ion flow direction, then device structure is simplified, but internal resistance increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional current collector arrangement by placing collectors parallel to ion flow direction instead of perpendicular. This inversion allows current collectors to be positioned at the edges of electrodes, enabling direct current extraction along the ion transport path and significantly reducing internal resistance and energy losses.
2Ease of manufacture
If electrodes are arranged with long distances between them, then device assembly is easier, but ion mobility and electrochemical response are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional planar electrode arrangements to a three-dimensional stacked configuration with multiple electrode layers. This dimensional change allows electrodes to be closely spaced in the vertical stacking direction while maintaining ease of assembly through standardized stacking procedures, thereby improving ion mobility without sacrificing manufacturability.
3Ease of manufacture
If single plate electrode design is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but packing density and space utilization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode structure into multiple discrete plates stacked in sequence, with each plate serving as an independent electrochemical unit. This segmentation allows multiple electrode pairs to be packed within the same device volume, significantly increasing packing density and active material quantity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested stacking arrangement where multiple electrode plates are positioned within a shared housing structure, with separators and current collectors nested between the plates. This nesting configuration maximizes space utilization by eliminating empty chambers and achieving compact packaging of all electrochemical components.
4Ease of operation
If current collectors are located at the end of plates, then connection to exterior is simplified, but internal resistance increases and current distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional current collector positioning by moving collectors from the end of electrode plates to the edges, aligning them parallel to the ion flow direction. This inversion enables current to be collected along the entire length of the electrode, ensuring uniform current distribution and reducing internal resistance while maintaining simplified external connections through the edge-mounted collectors.
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 design significantly enhances energy efficiency by reducing internal resistance and allowing for efficient charge transfer and internal metallization, improving the performance and lifespan of energy storage devices.
Implementation Method 1
electrochemical device for storing electrical energy... electrochemical pre-metallisation process or charge transfer between electrodes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Electrochemical device for storing electrical energy in rectangular geometric cells, narrow stack geometry, according to the above claims wherein for being built from a sturdy housing (4) in the form of a straight rectangular parallelepiped and where hollow metal rods (5) run on the metal substrate (14) of the base (1) and through the through holes (16) of the base (16) and through the through holes (16) of it run hollow metal rods (5) and on each one of them, the positive electrode is inserted followed by a separating element and so on, while the other hollow metal bar (5) is inserted the negative electrode, followed by a separating element and so on forming a "stack" of electrodes (6) which would fit into the base (1) forming the central structure of the device, with the hollow metal rods (5) serving as current collectors. The rectangular narrow stack geometry electrode (6) allows to carry out the pre-metallisation stage necessary to create the SEI, and the subsequent cycle stage in the same device, without reopening it.