Zigzag Separator Electrode Assembly for Stable Cell Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing laminated electrode groups are prone to positional displacement during transportation, insertion into cell cases, or under vibrations, which can lead to performance issues in power storage cells.
Innovation Solution
An electrode assembly featuring a zigzag-shaped separator with intervening, upper, and lower folded portions, and an outermost covering portion that collectively covers these elements, preventing relative displacement and ensuring secure positioning of electrodes within a power storage cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional laminated electrode group structure is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but positional displacement occurs between electrodes during transportation, insertion, or vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is formed in a zigzag shape with alternating upper and lower folded portions instead of a straight configuration. This curved/zigzag structure allows the separator to mechanically interlock with adjacent electrodes, preventing positional displacement during transportation, insertion, and vibration while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is divided into multiple functional segments including intervening portions between electrodes, upper folded portions, lower folded portions, and an outermost covering portion. Each segment serves a specific function in preventing electrode displacement, with the folded portions providing mechanical anchoring and the covering portion providing overall structural integrity
2Reliability
If the separator covers all folded portions, then electrode positioning is stabilized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outermost covering portion integrates and covers multiple folded portions (both upper and lower) in a unified structure. This merging approach consolidates the protective and positioning functions into a single integrated component rather than separate elements, stabilizing electrode positioning while minimizing overall device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrode assembly (100) includes a plurality of electrodes (110, 120) arranged side by side in one direction, and a separator (130) formed in a zigzag shape and configured to insulate the plurality of electrodes from each other. The separator (130) includes a plurality of intervening portions (132a), each of which is interposed between a pair of electrodes, an upper folded portion (132b), a lower folded portion (132c), and an outermost covering portion (132d) collectively covering the upper folded portion and the lower folded portion. The upper folded portion (132a) is connected to the outermost covering portion, and the lower folded portion (132c) is connected to the outermost covering portion.