Variable-Thickness Current Collecting Plate for Slim Rechargeable Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rechargeable batteries face challenges in achieving a lightweight and slim configuration for their current collecting plates, which limits their capacity and weight reduction.
Innovation Solution
The use of lightweight, high-strength metal current collecting plates with varying thicknesses, manufactured through forging, and featuring markers for precise welding, along with a slim design to accommodate a larger electrode assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the current collecting plate is made thinner to reduce weight and increase capacity, then the battery capacity and weight are improved, but the structural strength and welding reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The current collecting plate employs varying thickness distribution, with thicker regions at welding locations and thinner regions in non-critical areas. This local quality variation allows the plate to maintain adequate structural strength at critical points while reducing overall weight and increasing battery capacity in non-critical regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thickness parameter of the current collecting plate from a uniform value to a variable distribution pattern. By adjusting the thickness parameter locally at different positions, the design achieves optimal balance between structural strength requirements and weight reduction goals, thereby increasing battery capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the current collecting plate is made thinner to reduce overall thickness, then the battery capacity is improved, but the manufacturing precision and welding quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The current collecting plate features localized thickness variation where critical welding areas maintain greater thickness for adequate manufacturing precision and welding quality, while non-critical areas are thinned to reduce overall battery thickness and increase capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness distribution pattern is pre-designed and manufactured into the current collecting plate before assembly. This preliminary action ensures that welding areas have sufficient thickness for quality welding operations, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing adjustments and ensuring consistent welding quality.
3Weight of moving object
If the current collecting plate is made lighter and slimmer, then the battery weight is reduced, but the structural robustness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The current collecting plate implements non-uniform thickness distribution with strategically thicker sections at structurally critical locations and thinner sections at non-critical areas. This local quality differentiation maintains structural robustness where needed while reducing overall weight to increase battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention effectively creates a composite-like structure within the single current collecting plate by combining regions of different thicknesses. This internal composite structure provides varying levels of structural support throughout the plate, achieving optimal balance between weight reduction and structural robustness.
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 design enhances the battery's capacity by reducing overall thickness while maintaining structural robustness and facilitating efficient welding, thus improving the battery's performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A tab part of the electrode and the current collecting plate may be fixed by laser welding
Data Source
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AI summary
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly (130) including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator, a current collecting plate (140, 150) electrically connected to one of the first electrode and the second electrode, a case accommodating the electrode assembly (130) and the current collecting plate (140, 150) therein, and a cap plate coupled to an end of the case to seal the case. The current collecting plate (140, 150) includes a flat outer surface (51) and an inner surface including a plurality of welding parts protruding toward the electrode assembly (130).