Stacked Solid-State Battery Electrode Layout to Prevent Short Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to enhance battery capacity density while maintaining reliability, as thinner unit cells are more prone to short circuits, compromising their reliability.
Innovation Solution
The battery design features unit cells with positive and negative electrode layers stacked in a specific configuration, where each layer protrudes on alternating sides with inclined surfaces, incorporating insulating members and conductive connections to prevent short circuits and allow for efficient electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the thickness of the unit cell is reduced to increase capacity density, then the capacity density is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased likelihood of short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The unit cell is segmented into distinct regions with protruding positive and negative electrode layers at opposite end surfaces. This segmentation creates separate collection areas for each electrode, allowing thinner unit cells to be stacked efficiently while maintaining reliable electrical connections through dedicated conductive members for each electrode type.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from planar electrode arrangements to a three-dimensional stacked configuration where unit cells are arranged in the thickness direction. By creating protrusions at end surfaces and using inclined surfaces, the design enables efficient space utilization in the vertical dimension while maintaining adequate separation to prevent short circuits even in thin unit cells.
2Quantity of substance
If thinner unit cells are used to increase capacity density, then the capacity density is improved, but the risk of short circuits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unit cell structure is divided into distinct positive and negative electrode regions that protrude at opposite end surfaces. This segmentation ensures that each electrode type has its own dedicated collection area and connection path, physically separating the positive and negative terminals to eliminate short circuit risks even when unit cell thickness is reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductive members act as intermediaries between the protruding electrode layers and external connections. These conductive members are positioned to contact only the intended electrode type (positive or negative) through the inclined surfaces, providing safe electrical connection while preventing direct contact between opposite electrodes that would cause short circuits.
3Productivity
If electrode layers are arranged with protrusions on alternating sides, then electrical connection efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unit cell employs asymmetric electrode layer arrangements where positive and negative electrodes protrude at opposite end surfaces rather than being symmetrically arranged. This asymmetry enables efficient electrical connection by providing dedicated access points for each electrode type, while the regular alternating pattern when stacked maintains manufacturing simplicity through consistent stacking procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined surfaces on the protruding electrode layers create curved or angled contact areas rather than flat surfaces. This curvature facilitates better contact between the conductive members and electrode layers, improving electrical connection efficiency while the systematic arrangement keeps the overall structure manageable for manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery includes: a power generation element that includes a plurality of unit cells each including a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer. The power generation element includes a first side surface and a second side surface, and in the first side surface, first depressions and first projections are arranged alternately, in the second side surface, second depressions and second projections are arranged alternately, each of the first depressions includes a first inclination surface, and each of the second depressions includes a second inclination surface. The battery further includes: a first insulating member arranged in the first depressions; a second insulating member arranged in the second depressions; a first conductive member; and a second conductive member. The positive electrode layers are electrically connected via the first conductive member, and the negative electrode layers are electrically connected via the second conductive member.