Hot-Melt Separator Edge Bonding for Short-Circuit-Resistant Electrode Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery technologies face challenges in preventing short circuits during use, enhancing electrochemical performance, and improving safety and reliability, particularly due to the risk of separator turnover and excessive heating during stacking operations.

Innovation Solution

The electrode assembly involves hot-melt connecting edge portions of separators to enclose the electrode plate, forming hot-melted segments that prevent separator turnover and reduce the risk of short circuits, while optimizing production efficiency by minimizing additional hot-melting post-stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separators are extended beyond electrode plate edges and hot-melt connected after stacking, then separator turnover is prevented, but production efficiency decreases due to additional hot-melting operations and separator shrinkage/damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort circuit preventionVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing hot-melt connection on the separators before stacking the electrode assembly. The separators are hot-melt connected to the electrode plates in advance, creating a fixed structure that prevents separator turnover during subsequent stacking operations. This eliminates the need for additional hot-melting operations after stacking, thereby improving production efficiency while maintaining short circuit prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If separators are hot-melt connected after stacking, then separator turnover is prevented, but separator shrinkage and damage occur due to over-hot-melting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparator stabilityVSAvoidseparator integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the hot-melt connection operation before stacking, which is the preliminary action principle. By connecting the separators to the electrode plates in advance, the separators are secured in position before the stacking process begins. This prevents the need for repeated or excessive hot-melting operations that would cause separator shrinkage and damage, thereby maintaining separator integrity while ensuring stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If separators are extended beyond electrode plate edges, then electrode plate enclosure is achieved, but separator turnover occurs during stacking operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode plate enclosureVSAvoidseparator position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by hot-melt connecting the extended separator edges to the electrode plates before stacking. This preliminary fixation ensures that the separators remain in their extended positions that enclose the electrode plates, while preventing turnover during the stacking process. The hot-melt connection creates a stable bonded structure that maintains both enclosure and position stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If multiple hot-melting operations are performed post-stacking, then separator turnover is prevented, but production time increases and separator damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparator fixationVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the hot-melt connection before stacking, which is a single preliminary operation that eliminates the need for multiple post-stacking hot-melting operations. This preliminary action secures the separators in place before they undergo the stacking process, preventing turnover without requiring repeated heating operations. Consequently, production time is reduced and separator damage from over-hot-melting is avoided.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach effectively prevents short circuits, enhances electrochemical performance, and improves safety and reliability by enclosing the electrode plate within separators, reducing the risk of separator damage and improving production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the corresponding first edge portions on two sides of the first electrode plate are at least partly hot-melt connected to form first hot-melted segments, and the corresponding second edge portions on two sides of the first electrode plate are at least partly hot-melt connected to form second hot-melted segments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHot-melt connection: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP4333151B1Electrode assembly and manufacturing method therefor, battery cell, battery, and electric apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4333151B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4333151B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4333151B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This application provides an electrode assembly and a manufacturing method thereof, a battery cell, a battery, and an electric apparatus. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode plate, and separators provided on two sides of the first electrode plate in a thickness direction of the electrode plate and stacked with the first electrode plate; where in an unfolded state of the electrode assembly, the separator has first edge portions each exceeding an end of the first electrode plate in a length direction of the separator, and the separator has second edge portions each exceeding an end of the first electrode plate in a height direction of the separator; and in the thickness direction of the electrode plate, the corresponding first edge portions on two sides of the first electrode plate are at least partly hot-melt connected to form first hot-melted segments, and the corresponding second edge portions on two sides of the first electrode plate are at least partly hot-melt connected to form second hot-melted segments. The technical solution in this application can enhance the electrochemical performance of batteries and improve the safety and reliability of batteries.