Separated Support Tapes for Secondary Battery Electrode Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries with single support tapes face issues such as increased fire risk due to compression, inadequate electrolyte flow, and high manufacturing costs, as the tapes can cause wrinkles and restrict electrolyte access, and excessive tape usage is unnecessary.
Innovation Solution
The use of separated support tapes, symmetrically or asymmetrically attached to the lower portion of the electrode assembly, spaced apart to minimize tape usage while maintaining support, made from materials like polyimide or polypropylene with specific tensile strength and adhesive properties, to facilitate easy insertion and reduce fire risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single support tape is used to support the lower portion of the electrode assembly, then the electrode assembly can be easily inserted into the can, but wrinkles may occur at the middle portion of the electrode assembly during compression, increasing the possibility of fire
Solution Approach 1:
The single support tape is divided into multiple separate support tapes (first support tape and second support tape) that are spaced apart from each other. This segmentation prevents the formation of wrinkles at the middle portion of the electrode assembly during compression, as the gaps between the separate tapes allow for more uniform stress distribution, thereby reducing fire risk while maintaining ease of insertion.
2Strength
If a single support tape strongly grips the lower portion of the electrode assembly, then the electrode assembly is well supported, but electrolyte cannot sufficiently flow into the lower portion, deteriorating battery performance
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented into multiple separate tapes instead of one continuous tape. This creates gaps between the tapes that allow electrolyte to flow into the lower portion of the electrode assembly, ensuring sufficient electrolyte access for optimal battery performance while each individual tape maintains adequate gripping strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from uniform coverage to localized support points. The separate support tapes provide localized gripping strength at specific positions while leaving gaps in between, creating a non-uniform distribution that balances support needs with electrolyte flow requirements.
3Strength
If a single support tape substantially covers the entire area of the lower portion of the electrode assembly, then maximum support is provided, but a large amount of tape is necessary, increasing manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous support tape is segmented into multiple separate tapes with gaps between them. This reduces the total quantity of tape material required while maintaining adequate support capability through the distributed support structure. The gaps eliminate the need for tape coverage in areas where support is not critical.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing complete continuous coverage with tape, the invention uses partial coverage with separate tapes positioned at critical locations. This partial action approach provides sufficient support where needed while avoiding excessive tape usage in non-critical areas, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.
Data Source
AI summary
Separated support tapes are attached to an electrode assembly which includes a negative electrode plate, a positive electrode plate, and a separator for performing charge and discharge operations. The separated support tapes are attached to a lower portion of the electrode assembly so as to allow the electrode assembly to be easily inserted into a can, while reducing the possibility of fire in a secondary battery caused by a hard short when the secondary battery is compressed due to external force applied thereto, preventing battery performance from being deteriorated by allowing electrolyte to sufficiently flow into a lower portion of the electrode assembly, and reducing a manufacturing cost of the secondary battery by minimizing the amount of separated support tape to be used.