Stacked Battery Cell Contacts That Hold During Swelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary battery designs face challenges in mechanical movement during cell swelling, which affects electrical and mechanical performance, and require complex terminal attachments for efficient energy storage and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery module with a vertical stack of cells, where each cell comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator, with electrical contact achieved through direct mechanical contact or an intermediate conductive layer, and featuring a sealing layer to prevent short-circuiting and electrolyte leakage, along with contacting means for monitoring and a housing for improved cooling and mechanical support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cells are arranged in a vertical stack with direct mechanical contact between adjacent cells, then electrical resistance is reduced and energy storage efficiency is improved, but mechanical movement during cell swelling causes contact integrity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a compressible intermediate layer between adjacent cells that can dynamically adjust its compression state. During cell swelling, the intermediate layer compresses to accommodate volume changes while maintaining continuous electrical contact. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing mechanical movement without losing contact integrity, thereby preventing energy loss while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate layer as a mediator between adjacent cells. This layer serves dual functions: providing electrical conductivity for low resistance and offering mechanical compliance to handle swelling movements. The intermediate layer absorbs mechanical stress while maintaining electrical continuity, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and contact reliability.
2Loss of energy
If complex terminal attachments are used for efficient energy storage and monitoring, then electrical performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of terminal attachments with the cell structure itself. The current collectors are extended to form integrated terminals that are both structurally sound and electrically efficient. This integration eliminates separate complex attachment components while maintaining energy storage efficiency, thus resolving the contradiction between performance and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the current collectors to serve multiple functions: they act as both internal electrical conductors and external terminals for monitoring and energy storage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate terminal attachments, reducing device complexity while maintaining efficient energy storage and monitoring capabilities.
3Reliability
If a sealing layer is added to prevent short-circuiting and electrolyte leakage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function with the existing cell structure components. The sealing layer is integrated into the cell assembly process and structure, merging protection functions with structural elements. This integration provides reliable short-circuit prevention and electrolyte leakage protection without adding significant structural complexity.
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 electrical resistance, allows for efficient energy storage and monitoring, and maintains contact integrity during cell expansion, enhancing the mechanical and electrical performance of the battery pack while simplifying terminal attachments.
Implementation Method 1
The separator is configured to allow ions to move between the positive electrode and the negative electrode
Implementation Method 2
The intermediate layer may for example comprise an electrically conductive adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode plate assembly for a secondary battery module is disclosed, comprising a plurality of cells (100) arranged in a vertical stack (10). Each cell of the stack comprises a positive electrode plate (110), a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The separator is interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate and configured allow ions to move between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. The electrode plate assembly further comprises a plurality of contacting means (140) for electrical monitoring of the cells, wherein each of the plurality of contacting means is electrically connected to at least one of the positive and negative electrode plates of a respective one of the cells and arranged to protrude laterally from a side edge (101, 102, 103) of the cell. The contacting means are distributed spatially along a width (W) of the stack.