Collector-Free Unit Electrodes With Adjustable Tabs for Charging Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary batteries face challenges in designing novel electrode structures without a collector, which hinders improved charging performance.

Innovation Solution

A secondary battery design featuring unit electrodes made entirely of solid electrode mixtures, with adjustable electrode tabs to control charging rates and resistance, allowing for novel structural designs and enhanced charging performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a collector is used in the electrode structure, then the electrode has structural support and conductivity, but the electrode structure becomes difficult to redesign with novel configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode structure design flexibilityVSAvoidelectrode structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the collector component from the electrode structure, extracting only the essential functional elements (electrode active material and separator) to create a simplified, collector-free electrode assembly that enables novel structural designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If multiple electrode tabs are provided with different amounts, then the charging rates of unit electrodes can be adjusted to match resistance differences, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging performanceVSAvoidelectrode tab configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements adjustable electrode tabs with different amounts that can be dynamically configured to match resistance differences between unit electrodes, enabling adaptive charging rate control that optimizes charging performance while managing complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If unit electrodes are made entirely of solid electrode mixture without collector, then novel structural designs are enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode structure innovationVSAvoidelectrode assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite electrode mixtures comprising electrode active material, conductive material, and binder in specific ratios to create self-supporting structures that eliminate the need for collectors while maintaining structural integrity and enabling novel electrode designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3675264B1Secondary battery and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3675264B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3675264B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3675264B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a secondary battery comprising an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly comprises: a first unit electrode in which a plurality of first electrodes entirely made of a first electrode mixture having a solid shape are connected to each other; a second unit electrode in which a plurality of second electrodes entirely made of a second electrode mixture having a solid shape are connected to each other; a separator interposed between the first unit electrode and the second unit electrode; and an electrode tab comprising a plurality of first electrode tab provided on the first unit electrode and a plurality of second electrode tab provided on the second unit electrode.