Segmented Holding Member for Electrode Assembly Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries, particularly those with stacking type electrode assemblies, face issues of internal short circuits due to low structural strength and electrode movement during external impacts or vibrations, leading to safety concerns such as explosions and fires.
Innovation Solution
A stacking type electrode assembly with a male-female coupling type holding member structure is inserted through a through-hole in the battery case, ensuring the electrodes are securely positioned and preventing movement, thereby reducing the risk of internal short circuits and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If holding pins are inserted through through-holes of the battery case to restrain electrode movement, then electrode stability is improved, but the battery case requires high stiffness and electrolyte leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is divided into two separate parts: a first holding member attached to the battery case and a second holding member attached to the electrode assembly. These two parts cooperate to restrain electrode movement without requiring the battery case to be stiff, thus solving the contradiction between electrode stability and battery case strength requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The second holding member acts as an intermediary element that directly attaches to the electrode assembly and works with the first holding member to stabilize electrodes. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for the battery case to provide direct mechanical restraint, reducing the strength requirement of the battery case while maintaining electrode stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If holding pins are inserted through through-holes of the battery case, then electrode movement is restrained, but electrolyte may leak through the through-holes
Solution Approach 1:
The through-holes are removed from the battery case structure. Instead of inserting holding pins through the battery case, the first holding member is attached to the outer surface of the battery case, eliminating the need for through-holes and thus preventing electrolyte leakage while maintaining electrode stability through the cooperative holding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The second holding member serves as an intermediary that attaches to the electrode assembly and cooperates with the first holding member to provide mechanical restraint. This intermediary approach allows electrode stabilization without creating openings in the battery case, thereby preventing electrolyte leakage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If holding pins are inserted through through-holes of the electrode assembly, then electrode movement is restrained, but cathodes and anodes may contact each other causing internal short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The holding function is segmented into two separate members: one attached to the battery case and another attached to the electrode assembly. This segmentation allows the holding members to be positioned and designed to restrain electrode movement without creating conditions for cathode-anode contact, thus preventing internal short circuits while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second holding member attached to the electrode assembly acts as an intermediary that works with the first holding member to provide mechanical restraint. This cooperative holding mechanism restrains electrode movement in a controlled manner that prevents cathodes and anodes from contacting each other, eliminating the internal short circuit risk.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a stacking type electrode assembly constructed in a cathode/separator/anode structure, wherein the electrode assembly is provided at a predetermined region thereof with at least one through-hole, and a pair of holding members (a male coupling member and a female coupling member) constructed in a male-female coupling type structure is inserted through the through-hole inside a battery case, an outer surface of the female coupling member being brought into tight contact with the through-hole when the male coupling member is inserted into the female coupling member while the female coupling member having an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the through-hole is inserted through the through-hole, and a secondary battery including the same. The electrode assembly according to the present invention has the effect of restraining the cathodes and the anodes from being moved separately from the separators, when an external force is applied to the electrode assembly, thereby preventing the occurrence of internal short circuits, and eventually, improving the safety of a secondary battery including the electrode assembly. Furthermore, the electrode assembly according to the present invention has the effect of restraining the movement of the electrodes due to repetitive contraction and expansion of the electrode assembly during the charge and discharge of the secondary battery.