Single-Sided Electrode Inorganic Coating Layer for Battery Thickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary battery electrode assemblies face issues with increased thickness, production cost, and degradation due to temperature differences and resistance imbalances during high C-rate testing, particularly in stacked structures where heat generation and lithium precipitation occur.
Innovation Solution
The electrode assembly features a collector with a slurry coating layer that prevents physical contact between electrodes while allowing ion accessibility, and a folding structure with strategically placed double-sided and single-sided electrodes, using a mixture of inorganic particles and binder polymer in the coating layer to suppress heat generation and reduce thickness by removing the separator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separator is used between electrodes to prevent physical contact, then electrode safety is improved, but electrode assembly thickness increases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separator component from the electrode assembly structure. Instead of using a separate separator between electrodes, the invention applies a coating layer directly to the electrode surface that performs the separation function, thereby eliminating the need for a dedicated separator and reducing overall assembly thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the separator function with the electrode structure itself by applying a coating layer to the electrode surface. This merging of functions allows the electrode to simultaneously serve as both the active component and the separation barrier, eliminating the need for a separate separator layer.
2Reliability
If a separator is used between electrodes to prevent physical contact, then electrode safety is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separator component from the electrode assembly structure. Instead of using a separate separator between electrodes, the invention applies a coating layer directly to the electrode surface that performs the separation function, thereby eliminating the need for a dedicated separator and reducing overall assembly thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the separator function with the electrode structure itself by applying a coating layer to the electrode surface. This merging of functions allows the electrode to simultaneously serve as both the active component and the separation barrier, eliminating the need for a separate separator layer.
3Power
If high C-rate testing is performed to increase charging/discharging capacity, then power output is improved, but temperature difference and resistance imbalance increase causing electrode degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surface properties of the electrode by applying a coating layer with specific physical and chemical characteristics. This coating changes the interfacial parameters between the electrode and electrolyte, improving ion transport efficiency and reducing resistance imbalances that occur during high C-rate operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite coating layer comprising multiple materials with complementary properties. This composite structure combines the benefits of different materials to simultaneously improve power output capability and maintain electrode stability under high current conditions.
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 configuration reduces the electrode assembly's thickness, lowers production costs, improves stability by minimizing heat generation and resistance imbalances, and enhances capacity retention and durability by mitigating electrode degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a coating layer attached to facing sides of the collector with the slurry therebetween, wherein the coating layer preventing other electrodes from physically contacting the slurry
Implementation Method 2
allowing ion to be accessible
Implementation Method 3
using a mixture of inorganic particles and binder polymer in the coating layer to suppress heat generation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electrode assembly in which a plurality of unit cells are disposed, wherein one of the unit cells comprises: a first double-sided electrode in which a slurry is on opposite surfaces of a first collector; a separator adjacent to the first double-sided electrode; a second double-sided electrode adjacent to the separator and in which a slurry is on opposite surfaces of a second collector; and a single-sided electrode adjacent to the second double-sided electrode and in which the slurry is only on one surface of a third collector, the one surface facing the second double-sided electrode, the single-sided electrode having a coating layer on the slurry thereof, the coating layer preventing contact between the slurry of the single-sided electrode and the slurry on one of the surfaces of the second collector that faces the single-sided electrode, the coating layer allowing ions to pass therethrough.