Battery Separator Vents for Electrolyte Wetting and Gas Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electrode assembly configurations in lithium secondary batteries hinder effective electrolyte impregnation and gas discharge due to folded separators, leading to increased manufacturing time and costs, and reduced battery performance and lifespan.

Innovation Solution

An electrode assembly with a separator that is folded at the sides of the cathode and anode plates, featuring vents at the folded portions to facilitate electrolyte penetration and gas discharge, allowing for improved wetting and structural stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the separator is folded at the sides of the electrode plates for structural stability, then the structural stability is improved, but the electrolyte penetration and gas discharge are hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidelectrolyte impregnation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The separator is divided into multiple sections: folded portions at the sides for structural stability and unfolded portions with vents for electrolyte penetration and gas discharge. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the separator have different configurations: the folded portions provide structural stability while the unfolded portions with vents provide electrolyte penetration pathways. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its function, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and electrolyte impregnation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the separator is folded at the sides of the electrode plates, then the structural stability is improved, but the gas discharge is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidgas accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The separator is segmented into folded portions for structural support and unfolded portions with vents for gas discharge. This segmentation allows the structure to remain stable while providing dedicated pathways for gas to escape, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and gas discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vents in the unfolded portions convert the potentially harmful gas accumulation into a beneficial controlled discharge mechanism, allowing gas to be efficiently removed while maintaining the structural stability provided by the folded portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If electrolyte injection and degassing are performed at limited locations, then the process complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess complexityVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The separator provides multiple vent locations through its unfolded portions, allowing parallel electrolyte injection and gas discharge at multiple points simultaneously. This segmentation of the injection/discharge function reduces manufacturing time while maintaining relatively simple process equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances electrolyte impregnation and gas discharge, reducing manufacturing time and costs while improving battery performance, safety, and lifespan by ensuring efficient electrolyte injection and degassing processes.

Implementation Method 1

a separator interposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate and having at least one vent formed therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

having at least one vent formed therein... ensure gas to be easily discharged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2752916B1Electrode assembly and secondary battery using same

Publication Date: 2017.05.17 LG CHEM LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed are an improved electrode assembly which may allow an electrode plate to be more easily impregnated with an electrolyte and also ensure gas to be easily discharged, and a secondary battery having the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes at least one cathode plate formed by coating an electrode current collector with a cathode active material, at least one anode plate formed by coating an electrode current collector with an anode active material, and a separator interposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate and having at least one vent formed therein.