Staggered Electrode Tab Support for Uniform Battery Pressing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing process of all-solid-state batteries often results in electrode cracking and uneven thickness due to non-uniform pressure application during the warm isostatic pressure process, affecting cell performance and lifetime.

Innovation Solution

An electrode tab support with staggered first and second tab receptacles on a body portion, spaced apart in the thickness direction, receives electrode tabs to maintain uniform thickness and prevent cracking during high-pressure manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the tab portion of the electrode current collector is subjected to the same pressure as the electrode during the warm isostatic pressure process, then the pressure application is simplified, but the tabs protrude to the outside of the electrode causing uneven pressure and electrode cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure application processVSAvoidelectrode thickness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tab support structure as an intermediary component between the pressing device and the electrode tabs. This tab support receives and maintains the tabs during the pressing process, preventing them from protruding and causing uneven pressure distribution on the electrode, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplified pressure application and electrode thickness uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the tabs within the tab support before the pressing process begins. The tab support is designed to hold the tabs in a predetermined position, ensuring they do not interfere with the uniform pressing of the electrode during the warm isostatic pressure process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the tabs are separated from each other by the thickness of the electrode during stacking, then the electrode structure is maintained, but uneven pressure is applied to the electrode area in contact with the tabs resulting in cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode structureVSAvoidelectrode integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The tab support acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the tabs and the electrode during stacking. By holding the tabs separately, it eliminates the concentration of stress at the tab-electrode interface, preventing electrode cracking while maintaining the overall electrode structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tab support provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing and distributing the mechanical stress that would otherwise be concentrated on the electrode tabs during stacking. This prevents stress concentration and subsequent electrode cracking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If high pressure is applied during the warm isostatic pressure process, then the battery assembly is compacted, but electrode cracking occurs due to tab protrusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery assembly compactionVSAvoidcell life performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tab support serves as a protective intermediary that enables the application of high pressure during the warm isostatic pressure process without causing electrode tab protrusion and subsequent cracking. This allows effective battery assembly compaction while maintaining electrode integrity and cell life performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4668461A1Electrode tab support
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4668461A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4668461A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4668461A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrode tab support. More specifically, it relates to an electrode tab support including a first electrode tab receptacle and a second electrode tab receptacle.