Separator Bag Spacer Design for Electrochemical Cell Wrinkle Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing separator bags for electrochemical cells cause wrinkles due to pinching, which leads to lithium dendrite formation and affects battery performance, as they are not designed to accommodate electrodes effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of a separator bag with seams that include spacers and gaps to reduce pinching, allowing for a pocket configuration that immobilizes the electrode and facilitates electrolyte flow, thereby reducing wrinkling and enhancing battery performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the separator bag is formed by bonding edges together to create seams, then the bag can be constructed to hold electrodes, but the seams cause pinching and wrinkles when electrodes are inserted
Solution Approach 1:
A release paper is inserted between the separator bag layers during electrode insertion. The release paper acts as a mediator that prevents the separator bag layers from adhering to each other and causing wrinkles, while allowing the electrodes to be properly positioned. After insertion, the release paper is removed, leaving a smooth separator bag surface without pinching or wrinkles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode edges are positioned adjacent to the seams, then the bag can accommodate the electrode, but the electrode thickness causes pinching at the seams
Solution Approach 1:
The release paper is positioned between the separator bag layers at the seam locations where electrodes would cause pinching. This intermediary prevents direct contact between the electrode edges and the bonded seam surfaces, eliminating the pinching effect and resulting wrinkles while still allowing proper electrode accommodation.
3Reliability
If wrinkles are prevented in the separator bag, then lithium dendrite formation is reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The release paper provides a simple, effective intermediary solution that prevents wrinkles during electrode insertion without requiring complex manufacturing equipment or processes. The release paper is easily inserted and removed, making the process straightforward while effectively preventing the formation of wrinkles that would lead to lithium dendrite formation.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode system includes one or more separator materials formed into a bag having at least two seams. The seams are positioned so as to define the perimeter of a pocket configured to receive an electrode within the bag. At least one gap is formed between seams adjacent to one another along the perimeter of the pocket. Additionally, at least one of the seams includes a spacer positioned between portions of the one or more separator materials joined by the at least one seam.