Secondary Battery Segmented Electrode Design for Power and Capacity

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional secondary batteries face challenges in balancing high-capacity and high-power characteristics, leading to accelerated degradation and reduced lifespan when used in electronic devices with varying load demands, as they typically excel in either capacity or power but not both.

Innovation Solution

A secondary battery design incorporating a high-capacity electrode portion and a high-power electrode portion, both sharing an electrolyte, with the high-power electrode portion having a power density at least four times greater than the high-capacity electrode portion, and the volume of the high-power electrode active material coating being 2 to 20 vol% of the total, allowing flexible load handling and extended use time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a secondary battery is designed for high capacity, then energy density is improved, but power density deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidpower density

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode assembly is divided into two distinct portions: a high-capacity electrode portion with first positive and negative electrode plates optimized for energy storage, and a high-power electrode portion with second positive and negative electrode plates optimized for power delivery. This segmentation allows each portion to be independently designed and optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between energy density and power density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If a secondary battery is designed for high power, then power density is improved, but energy density deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower densityVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode assembly is divided into two distinct portions: a high-capacity electrode portion with first positive and negative electrode plates optimized for energy storage, and a high-power electrode portion with second positive and negative electrode plates optimized for power delivery. This segmentation allows each portion to be independently designed and optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between energy density and power density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single electrode structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying load demands deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode structure complexityVSAvoidload handling capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode assembly is divided into two distinct portions: a high-capacity electrode portion with first positive and negative electrode plates optimized for energy storage, and a high-power electrode portion with second positive and negative electrode plates optimized for power delivery. This segmentation allows each portion to be independently designed and optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between energy density and power density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the electrode assembly have different properties: the high-capacity electrode portion uses electrode materials and configurations optimized for energy storage, while the high-power electrode portion uses electrode materials and configurations optimized for power delivery. This local differentiation of properties allows the battery to handle varying load demands effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 battery effectively manages peak loads with high current generation, extends use time, and reduces production costs by eliminating the need for separate voltage regulation, while maintaining a guaranteed lifespan through balanced power and capacity distribution.

Implementation Method 1

both sharing an electrolyte

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2833459B1Secondary battery

Publication Date: 2017.12.20 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B~4A

AI summary

A secondary battery (10) includes, accommodated in a battery case, a high-capacity electrode portion (S), a high-power electrode portion (T), and an electrolyte. The high-capacity electrode portion (S) includes a first positive electrode plate(110a), a first negative electrode plate (120a) opposite to the first positive electrode plate (110a), and a first separator portion (130) interposed between the first positive electrode plate (110a) and the first negative electrode plate (120a). The high-power electrode portion (T) includes a second positive electrode plate (110b), a second negative electrode plate (120b) opposite to the second positive electrode plate (110b), and a second separator portion (130) interposed between the second positive electrode plate (110b) and the second negative electrode plate (120b). In the secondary battery, the volume of a second positive electrode active material coating portion (112) coated on the second positive electrode plate (110b) is 2 vol% to 20 vol% of that of a first positive electrode active material coating portion (112) coated on the first positive electrode plate (110a) and said second positive electrode active material coating portion (114).