Stacked Electrode Assembly with Segmented Separators for Battery Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high capacity secondary batteries, the jelly-roll type electrode assembly faces challenges in precisely aligning electrode members with the separator as the number of windings increases, leading to misalignment issues.

Innovation Solution

The electrode assembly employs a structured separation unit with multiple separators having the same winding center, where electrode members are precisely aligned and stacked along a baseline, with specific arrangements of separators to ensure accurate positioning and alignment, reducing the number of windings and enhancing precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of windings increases to achieve high capacity, then the battery capacity increases, but the alignment precision between electrode members and separator deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The separator is divided into multiple segments (first separator, second separator, third separator) arranged in sequence along the baseline. This segmentation allows each separator to independently maintain alignment with adjacent electrode members, preventing cumulative misalignment that would occur in a single continuous separator during multiple windings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple separators act as intermediary elements between electrode members, providing repeated alignment reference points throughout the winding structure. Each separator serves as a mediator to ensure proper positioning, preventing the propagation of alignment errors through the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple separators are used to improve alignment precision, then the alignment precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separators are merged into a single integrated structure that functions as a unified separation unit. The first, second, and third separators are positioned sequentially and work together as a coordinated system, reducing the complexity that would arise from treating them as separate components requiring individual assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple separators serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide electrical insulation between electrode members, maintain alignment throughout the winding, and create a structured framework that guides the winding process. This multi-functionality justifies the increased structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2312683B1An electrode assembly for a secondary battery and a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP2312683B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2312683B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2312683B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B

AI summary

An electrode assembly for a secondary battery, a method of manufacturing the electrode assembly and a secondary battery having the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a plurality of electrode members arranged in a stacked shape along a baseline extending in one direction and a separation unit separating two adjacent electrode members. The separation unit includes three or more separators having the same winding centre.