Electrode Assembly Slit-Surface Insulation for Tab Short-Circuit Risk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode assemblies face a high risk of short circuits between positive and negative electrode plates due to tab portions protruding beyond the separator, and existing short-circuit prevention methods either fail to effectively prevent this or require cumbersome processing.
Innovation Solution
An electrode assembly structure where insulating coatings are applied to the slit surfaces of electrode plates, with the separator interposed between tab portions, maintaining the parallel configuration and preventing short circuits without additional cumbersome processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tab portions are allowed to protrude beyond the separator for electrical connection, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of short circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating coating is applied to the tab portions of the electrode plates, serving as an intermediary layer that prevents direct contact between opposing tabs while allowing electrical connections to be made. This coating acts as a mediator that maintains both the protruding configuration for connectivity and the insulation necessary to prevent short circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating coating is applied selectively only to specific regions of the tab portions where short circuit risk exists, rather than coating the entire electrode plate. This localized treatment maintains electrical conductivity where needed while providing insulation only in critical areas prone to short circuits.
2Reliability
If insulating coating is applied to tab portions to prevent short circuit, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating coating is applied selectively only to specific regions of the tab portions where short circuit risk exists, rather than coating the entire electrode plate. This localized treatment maintains electrical conductivity where needed while providing insulation only in critical areas prone to short circuits, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity compared to full-surface coating.
3Reliability
If separator is interposed between electrode plates to prevent short circuit, then reliability is improved, but the tab portions still extend beyond separator causing potential contact
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating coating is applied to the tab portions of the electrode plates, serving as an intermediary layer that prevents direct contact between opposing tabs while allowing electrical connections to be made. This coating acts as a mediator that maintains both the protruding configuration for connectivity and the insulation necessary to prevent short circuits.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an electrode assembly having a structure capable of preventing a phenomenon in which end portions of a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate partitioned by a separator are short-circuited. The electrode assembly has a structure in which one or more first electrode plates, separators, and second electrode plates are stacked, wherein the first electrode plate include a first electrode tab portion, to which a first active material is not applied, on one side thereof in a width direction, and the first electrode tab portion extends further outward in the width direction from one side end portion of the electrode assembly in the width direction than the separator, and an insulating coating is formed on a slit surface of the second electrode plate, which is disposed adj acent to the first electrode tab portion with the separator interposed therebetween, at one side end portion of the electrode assembly. The insulating coating is formed after coating and slitting a second active material on the second electrode plate and before stacking the first electrode plate, the second electrode plate, and the separator.