WO2024033500A1 - Élément de batterie comportant un élément isolant - Google Patents

Élément de batterie comportant un élément isolant Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024033500A1
WO2024033500A1 PCT/EP2023/072223 EP2023072223W WO2024033500A1 WO 2024033500 A1 WO2024033500 A1 WO 2024033500A1 EP 2023072223 W EP2023072223 W EP 2023072223W WO 2024033500 A1 WO2024033500 A1 WO 2024033500A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electrode assembly
insulating element
battery cell
current collector
casing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2023/072223
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Rafael ACOSTA
Original Assignee
Northvolt Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Northvolt Ab filed Critical Northvolt Ab
Publication of WO2024033500A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024033500A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/531—Electrode connections inside a battery casing
    • H01M50/533—Electrode connections inside a battery casing characterised by the shape of the leads or tabs
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/30—Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/04—Construction or manufacture in general
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/65—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
    • H01M10/658—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells by thermal insulation or shielding
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/10—Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings
    • H01M50/102—Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings characterised by their shape or physical structure
    • H01M50/103—Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings characterised by their shape or physical structure prismatic or rectangular
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/40—Separators; Membranes; Diaphragms; Spacing elements inside cells
    • H01M50/471—Spacing elements inside cells other than separators, membranes or diaphragms; Manufacturing processes thereof
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/40—Separators; Membranes; Diaphragms; Spacing elements inside cells
    • H01M50/471—Spacing elements inside cells other than separators, membranes or diaphragms; Manufacturing processes thereof
    • H01M50/474—Spacing elements inside cells other than separators, membranes or diaphragms; Manufacturing processes thereof characterised by their position inside the cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/40—Separators; Membranes; Diaphragms; Spacing elements inside cells
    • H01M50/471—Spacing elements inside cells other than separators, membranes or diaphragms; Manufacturing processes thereof
    • H01M50/477—Spacing elements inside cells other than separators, membranes or diaphragms; Manufacturing processes thereof characterised by their shape
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/40—Separators; Membranes; Diaphragms; Spacing elements inside cells
    • H01M50/471—Spacing elements inside cells other than separators, membranes or diaphragms; Manufacturing processes thereof
    • H01M50/48—Spacing elements inside cells other than separators, membranes or diaphragms; Manufacturing processes thereof characterised by the material
    • H01M50/486—Organic material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/40—Separators; Membranes; Diaphragms; Spacing elements inside cells
    • H01M50/489—Separators, membranes, diaphragms or spacing elements inside the cells, characterised by their physical properties, e.g. swelling degree, hydrophilicity or shut down properties
    • H01M50/494—Tensile strength
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/572—Means for preventing undesired use or discharge
    • H01M50/574—Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current
    • H01M50/579—Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current in response to shock
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/572—Means for preventing undesired use or discharge
    • H01M50/584—Means for preventing undesired use or discharge for preventing incorrect connections inside or outside the batteries
    • H01M50/59—Means for preventing undesired use or discharge for preventing incorrect connections inside or outside the batteries characterised by the protection means
    • H01M50/593—Spacers; Insulating plates
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to components for battery cells.
  • the present disclosure relates to an improved battery cell comprising an insulating element, a method for arranging such insulating element in a battery cell, and an insulating element for a battery cell.
  • Such batteries typically comprise a number of battery cells coupled together to provide the desired voltage and current.
  • Rechargeable or “secondary” battery cells find widespread use as electrical power supplies and energy storage systems.
  • battery packs formed of a plurality of battery modules, wherein each battery module includes a plurality of battery cells are provided as a means of effective storage and utilization of electric power.
  • a battery cell stores electrical energy in an electrode assembly, which may be stacked or rolled, and referred to as an “electrode roll” or a “jelly roll”. Stored electrical energy may then be collected and transferred to the terminals of the battery cell via current collectors, which are adapted for (electrical) connection to the terminal(s) and to the electrode assembly.
  • the battery cell may comprise a casing that houses the internal components of the battery cell, including the current collector(s) and electrode assembly.
  • the battery cell may further comprise an insulating element, for providing electrical insulation between different conductive internal components such as the current collector.
  • the casing itself may also be made out of a conductive material, such that an insulating element may also be used for electrically insulating an electrode assembly and/or a current collector from the casing.
  • an impact on the electrode assembly caused by a crush event deforming the casing and internal components of the battery cell may have a high enough
  • the electrode assembly may short-circuit and trigger a cell failure, which may result in a thermal runaway event, which lithium-ion cells are particularly vulnerable to.
  • a battery cell with an insulating element configured to provide electrical insulation to the battery cell but also to reduce the mechanical pressure exerted on the electrode assembly during a crush event.
  • a battery cell comprising an electrode assembly and a current collector extending along a first side of the electrode assembly, for example along the entirety of the first side or a first portion thereof.
  • the current collector is configured to connect the electrode assembly to a terminal of the battery cell, and may be a ‘side current collector’, for example, meaning that
  • the current collector may attach to the electrode assembly along the first side (e.g., parallel to a short side of a prismatic cell) thereof, and attach to the terminal along a second side of the electrode adjacent to the first side (e.g., parallel to a long side of a prismatic cell).
  • the battery cell may further comprise a casing for housing the components of the battery cell, and an insulating element for providing electrical (and/or structural) insulation between different internal components of the battery cell, or between internal components of the battery cell and the
  • the insulating element may extend along the first side of the electrode assembly, i.e. , the same side as that along which the current collector extends.
  • the insulating element is thus arranged to electrically insulate the current collector from the casing.
  • the insulating element may be further configured in order to perform other functions, in particular a protective function for protecting the electrode assembly from damage during a crush event.
  • the insulating element is configured to distribute an impact force applied to the electrode assembly during a crush event along the first side of the electrode assembly.
  • the insulating element may comprise one or more protrusions, and/or the insulating element (e.g., the protrusions thereon) may be configured to substantially span a space between the casing and the first side of the electrode assembly.
  • the insulating element may therefore increase the surface area contacting the electrode assembly during a crush event and thereby reduce the pressure applied to the electrode assembly, thus reducing the risk that the electrode assembly is damaged during the crush event in a way that may lead to a catastrophic failure of the cell.
  • the insulating element may be configured to present a substantially flat surface to the electrode assembly such that, if or when the insulating element is brought into contact with the electrode assembly during a crush event, the flat surface reduces the pressure applied to the electrode assembly during the crush event.
  • the electrode assembly may be sufficiently distanced from the casing (at least along the first side of the electrode assembly) to not require insulation therebetween, these parts may be sufficiently distanced from the casing (at least along the first side of the electrode assembly) to not require insulation therebetween, these parts may be sufficiently distanced from the casing (at least along the first side of the electrode assembly) to not require insulation therebetween, these parts may be sufficiently distanced from the casing (at least along the first side of the electrode assembly) to not require insulation therebetween, these parts may be sufficiently distanced from the casing (at least along the first side of the electrode assembly) to not require insulation therebetween, these parts may be sufficiently distanced from the casing (at least along the first side of the electrode assembly) to not require insulation therebetween, these parts may be sufficiently distanced from the casing (at least along the first side of the electrode assembly) to not require insulation therebetween, these parts may be sufficiently distanced from the casing (at least along the first side of the electrode assembly) to not require insulation therebetween, these parts may be sufficiently distanced from the casing (at
  • the current collector may only extend along a first portion of the first side of the electrode assembly.
  • the insulating element may then be
  • the insulating element 5 comprise a first section extending along the first portion of the first side of the electrode assembly, arranged between the current collector and the casing.
  • the insulating element may further comprise a second section extending along a second portion of the first side of the electrode assembly (i.e. , extending beyond the current collector), arranged between the electrode assembly and the casing.
  • the second section of the insulating element may be configured to distribute an impact force applied to the electrode assembly during a crush event along the first side of the electrode assembly.
  • the impact force may be distributed, for example, through a resilient mounting of (or other connection between) the current collector and the first section of the insulating element, and a rigid connection between the first section and the second section of the insulation element. Therefore, the impact force may be (re-)distributed such that a displacement of the current collector during a crush event is reduced and, instead, the insulating element is deformed and/or displaced towards the electrode assembly.
  • the insulating element may be made of a material that is more easily deformed than the current collector (which may be made from metal), and may therefore cause less damage to the electrode assembly if/when brought into contact therewith than the current collector would.
  • the insulating element may also advantageously provide protection for the electrode assembly from sharp edges etc. formed by a buckling, deformation, or breaking of the casing (e.g., made of metal such as aluminum) during a crush event.
  • a buckling, deformation, or breaking of the casing e.g., made of metal such as aluminum
  • the risk of a catastrophic failure of a cell may be advantageously reduced.
  • the insulating element may comprise a protrusion for distributing the impact force applied to the electrode assembly during the crush event.
  • the impact force of the crush event may be distributed by the protrusion by presenting a contact
  • Internal surface e.g., a flat contact surface configured to contact the electrode assembly during a crush event, and thereby spread the force among such a contact surface to thereby reduce a pressure applied to the electrode assembly during the crush event.
  • the insulating element may be configured to substantially span a space between the electrode assembly and the casing. Therefore, the insulating element may more readily resist the impact force of the crush event by presenting an effective ‘crumple zone’ between the casing and the electrode assembly such that the impact force of the crush event may cause a deformation and/or displacement of the insulation element rather than causing damage to the electrode assembly.
  • the insulating element may be arranged to abut an inner wall of the casing along the first side of the electrode assembly, and a protrusion, a ridge, or another formation of the insulating element may be
  • Such a protrusion may preferably present a flat surface for arranging next to the electrode assembly such that the impact force may be more distributed, and thus the pressure applied to the electrode assembly
  • the insulating element may further comprise at least one through-hole.
  • the through-hole may preferably be sized and located in a way that does not substantially impact the structural integrity of the insulating element, at least along the direction of the crush event.
  • the through-hole may be located in a plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the crush event.
  • the at least one through-hole may be further configured to guide gas flow along the first side of the electrode assembly.
  • the at least one through-hole may be sized or located in a way that takes into account an anticipated gas flow throughout the internal of the
  • Internal battery cell may comprise a channel and/or a perforation arranged to direct gas flow towards, e.g., a failure vent of the battery cell.
  • a perforation arranged to direct gas flow towards, e.g., a failure vent of the battery cell.
  • the electrode assembly is damaged during the crush event in such a way as to precipitate a rapid heating of the internal of the cell (e.g., a thermal runaway event, or ‘TR’ event), the risk of trapped gas rapidly expanding and thereby exploding the cell may be advantageously reduced.
  • a rapid heating of the internal of the cell e.g., a thermal runaway event, or ‘TR’ event
  • the insulating element may comprise one or more mating elements configured to mate with corresponding mating elements on the current collector, such that the insulating element retains the current collector. Therefore, the motion of the current collector during the crush event may be better controlled through engagement with the insulating element, and thus a
  • the current collector will be in its correct position in the cell (i.e. , the same position as that into which it was installed), and not in a different position which may pose a greater risk to the electrode assembly during a crush event.
  • the one or more mating elements may be further configured to thermally isolate respective current-carrying parts of the current collector from each other.
  • the current collector may comprise a plurality of plates (or ‘legs’) configured for attachment to the electrode assembly via welding or some other suitable means. Thus, at least a part of such plates may form a current path from the electrode assembly to the
  • the insulating element may form a thermal barrier between them. Thus, a risk of damage to the cell may be further reduced.
  • the insulating element may further comprise one or more peripheral ridges extending along a length and/or a width of the insulating element.
  • the peripheral ridges may provide an improved structural rigidity along the length and/or width of the insulating
  • the peripheral ridges may be configured to abut the inner walls of the casing that are adjacent to the inner wall of the casing that extends along the first side of the electrode assembly (i.e. , the wall along which the crush event is anticipated).
  • the insulating element may advantageously be more resiliently held in position.
  • an insulating element adapted for use in a battery cell substantially as described above.
  • the insulating element may be adapted for use in a battery cell by providing the insulating element with a protrusion.
  • the protrusion may be configured to substantially span a space between the casing and a first side electrode assembly, and further configured to distribute an impact force along the first side of the electrode assembly.
  • the protrusion may preferably present a flat surface toward the electrode assembly so as to reduce a pressure applied to the electrode assembly if and when the insulating element is brought into contact with the electrode assembly during a crush event.
  • a method for manufacturing a battery cell substantially as described above may comprise arranging the insulating element in the battery cell, along the first side of the electrode assembly, such that the insulating element may distribute an impact force during a crush event and thereby protect the electrode assembly from substantial damage during the crush event.
  • the method may comprise arranging the insulating element such that the insulating element is arranged between the electrode assembly and the casing.
  • the method may comprise arranging the first section of the insulating element to extend along the first portion of the first side of the electrode assembly, between the current collector and the casing, and
  • the arranging of the insulating element may be performed by any manual or automatic means, and may form part of a wider cell assembly process.
  • the relative arrangement of the insulating element, current collector, and casing may be in any order during the process.
  • the electrode assembly may be arranged in the casing before the current collector and the insulating element are introduced, or the electrode assembly, current collector, and insulating element may be arranged relative to each other before their collective introduction into the casing, etc.
  • a battery cell comprising an electrode assembly and an insulating element.
  • the insulating element may comprise one or more through-holes and/or one or more channels.
  • the overall weight of the insulating element (and thus the battery cell as a whole) may be reduced.
  • the through-hole(s) or channel(s) may advantageously allow a passage of gas along the side of the electrode assembly.
  • Figures 1 a and 1 b schematically show a side view and a top view, respectively, of a prismatic cell as an example of a battery cell;
  • FIG. 2 schematically shows a partial cross-sectional view of a battery cell having an insulating element, during a crush event, according to a comparative example against which the present embodiments can be compared;
  • FIGS. 3a and 3b schematically show cross-sectional views of a battery cell having an insulating element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Figure 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the battery cell shown in figures 3a and 3b, during a crush event
  • Figures 5a and 5b schematically show a mating of a current collector with an insulating element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Figures 6a to 6c schematically show side views of insulating elements according to various examples of the present disclosure
  • Figures 7a to 7e show various views of an insulating element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Figure 8 schematically illustrates a method of manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIGs 1 a and 1 b schematically shows a battery cell 100, also referred to hereinafter as ‘cell 100’, having a prismatic form factor.
  • the cell 100 may have a substantially cuboidal shape, thereby having a rectangular profile, as shown in figure 1 a.
  • the cell 100 may comprise a casing 102, which may determine the
  • the casing 102 may preferably be rigid and resistant to
  • Internal external shocks or impacts for example being made of metal such as aluminum, or made of a high-density plastic.
  • the casing 102 may be formed from a plurality of sides joined together or may be formed of substantially one or two pieces, e.g., by extrusion,
  • the casing 102 may comprise a height (extending vertically as shown in figure 1 ), a width (extending horizontally as shown in figure 1 ), and a thickness (not visible).
  • the prismatic form factor for the cell 100 may comprise two larger faces 102b, 102f spaced apart by a relatively small distance in the thickness direction, and a plurality of comparatively smaller faces 102a, 102c, 102d, 102e bridging between the two larger faces 102b.
  • the casing 102 may be formed by providing an open cuboidal shape, and sealing the open face of the open cuboidal shape with a
  • the lid may form the upper face 102a of the casing 102 (shown in more detail in figure 1b).
  • Internal components of the cell 100 may be introduced into the casing 102 and then a lid 102a may be provided thereover and sealed in placed to thereby contain the internal components.
  • the lid 102a may be attached in a
  • the lid 102a may be provided with a failure vent 105, an injection port 106 for injecting electrolyte, and/or other features, the details of which are outside the scope of the present disclosure.
  • a pair of terminals 104 provided on the casing 102 of the cell, and extending therethrough to an internal space of the cell 100, are a pair of terminals 104.
  • One of the terminals 104 may be a negative electrode (e.g., an anode) and the other may be a positive electrode (e.g., a cathode).
  • the terminals 104 may be riveted through the casing 102, e.g., through the lid 102a thereof, and provided with a gasket therearound to improve the
  • the terminals 104 may be made of any suitable conductive material, although the particular manufacture and installation of the terminals 104 is outside the scope of the present disclosure.
  • Both of the terminals 104 are shown installed at an upper face 102a of the casing 102 of the cell 100. However, it will be appreciated that either of the terminals 104 may instead be provided at any location around the casing 102 of the cell 100.
  • Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the portion of the cell 100 indicated by the dotted box in figure 1a, revealing an internal space 103 thereof, according to a comparative example.
  • the cross-section is taken along the line A-A as shown in figure 1b.
  • the cell 100 may comprise a terminal 104 that extends through the casing 102 and into the internal space 103 of the cell 100.
  • the cell 100 may further comprise an electrode assembly 107, which
  • the 15 may be an electrode roll or an electrode stack, for example, comprising a plurality of sheets.
  • the plurality of sheets may comprise an anode electrode sheet, a cathode electrode sheet, and a separator sheet for separating the anode electrode sheet from the cathode electrode sheet, thereby providing the electrode assembly 107 with its ability to store electrical energy.
  • 20 electrode assembly 107 may comprise, at a side 107a thereof, a connective tab 108 for electrically connecting to other components of the cell 100.
  • the connective tab 108 may be an extension from the roll or stack of one or more cathode sheets 112c, which may then be adapted (e.g., left uncoated) or processed to facilitate the connection of the connective tab 108 to other electrical components.
  • the electrode assembly 107 may be connected to the terminal 104 via a current collector 109.
  • the current collector 109 may form a current path between the electrode assembly 107 and the terminal 104 and may thus be formed from any suitable material such as zinc, steel, copper, etc., although
  • the choice of material may further depend on whether the current collector 109 is connecting the anode or cathode side (or positive or negative side) of the cell 100.
  • the current collector 109 may comprise a first section 109a configured to connect to the terminal 104 and thereby form a current path between the electrode assembly 106 and the terminal 104, and a second section 109b extending from the first section 109b and configured for attachment to the
  • the current collector may further comprise a third section 109c extending from an end of the second section 109c and along the first side 107a of the electrode assembly 107.
  • current may flow between the terminal 104 and the electrode assembly 107 via the current path created by the current collector 109.
  • current may flow through the first section 109a and to the second section 109b where an attachment is formed between the second section 109b and the connective tab 108 of the electrode assembly 107.
  • the third section 109c may be provided for structural support to the second section 109b, and/or the casing 102, i.e., the adjacent side 102e of the casing 102.
  • the third section 109c may be pushed into the electrode assembly 107. This may cause a failure of the electrode assembly 107 (e.g., a short-circuit), which may lead to a catastrophic destruction of the cell 100.
  • the crush event along the first side 107a of the electrode assembly 107 may be caused by a dropping of the cell 100, an external impact such as during a car crash, or any other event that risks causing a displacement of the internal components of the battery cell 100.
  • the second and third sections 109b, 109c of the current collector 109 may be arranged so as to rigidly extend along the first side 107a of the electrode assembly 107, i.e., the same side along which the crush event is happening and thus in the path of the
  • the current collector 109 may be displaced unevenly towards the electrode assembly 107, such
  • the current collector 109 may be rotated or pivoted towards the electrode assembly 109 instead of moving in a purely translational fashion. This is illustrated in figure 2. As shown, an end of the current collector 109 may be the first part of the current collector 109 to make contact with the electrode roll
  • the part of the current collector 109 making contact with the electrode assembly 107 may be the third section 109c that extends further along the first side 107a of the electrode assembly 107.
  • the impact of the current collector 109 with the electrode assembly 107 may cause a short-circuit, for example if different parts of electrode sheets (anode or cathode) are brought into electrical contact with each other. This may trigger a failure of the electrode assembly 107. For example, particularly in the case of lithium-ion cells, a thermal runaway event may be triggered, leading to the catastrophic destruction of the cell 100.
  • the cell 100 may be further provided with an insulating element 110 and a spacing element 111 for appropriately spacing, retaining, etc. internal components of the cell 100 in their respective desired positions, and/or electrically insulating internal components of the cell 100 from each other or from the casing 102.
  • the insulating element 110 may be an insert, pad, or lining of the inner side of the casing wall 102e, arranged to insulate the current collector 109 from the casing 102.
  • the insulating element 110 may not be configured for providing any protection against damage to the electrode assembly 107 during a crush event.
  • Figures 3a and 3b schematically show cross-sectional views of the portion of the cell 100 indicated by the dotted box in figure 1 a, revealing an internal space 103 thereof, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the cross-section shown in figure 3a is taken along the line A-A
  • the cell 100 shown in figures 3a and 3b contain an adapted insulating material
  • the insulating element 210 configured to distribute an impact force applied to the electrode assembly 107 during a crush event, according to an example embodiment.
  • the insulating element 210 extends along an entire length of the first side 107a of the electrode assembly 107.
  • a first section of the insulating element 210 extends along a same portion of the first side 107a of the electrode assembly 107 as the current collector 109, and a second section of the insulating element 210 extends beyond the current collector 109.
  • the first section of the insulating element 210 is arranged between the current collector 109 and the wall 102e and the casing 102, and the second section of the insulation element 210 is arranged between the electrode assembly 107 and the wall 102e.
  • the first section may be further configured for mating (or ‘mounting’, ‘attaching’, etc.) to the current collector 109 to thereby aid in holding the current collector 109 in place in the cell 100 as well as electrically insulating the current collector 109 from the casing 102.
  • the second section of the insulating element 210 may be configured to distribute an impact force during a crush event along the first side 107a of the electrode assembly 107 (likewise for the opposite side 107d of the electrode assembly 107).
  • the insulating element 210 may comprise a protrusion 212a, 212b for distributing the impact force applied to the electrode assembly 107 during the crush event, as shown in more detail in figure 3b.
  • the visibility of the protrusions 212a, 212b may be obstructed by a peripheral ridge of the insulating element 210, an example of which is discussed and shown in more detail below.
  • the insulating element 210 or a portion thereof such as a protrusion
  • 30 212a (and/or) 212b may be configured to substantially span a space between the electrode assembly 107 and the casing 102; e.g., between the side 102e of the casing 102 and the first side 107a of the electrode assembly 107. Therefore, even a slight deformation or movement of the side 102e of the
  • Internal casing 102 may cause the insulating element 210 to contact the side 107a of the electrode assembly 107 and begin to distribute the impact force, for example across the surface area of the protrusion(s) 212a, 212b.
  • the first protrusion 212a can be seen in figure 3b extending through
  • the first protrusion 212a may thus provide greater protection against an impact of the current collector 109 with the electrode assembly 107.
  • a mating element 213b of the insulating element 210 can be seen providing a seat for mating with the third section 109c of the current collector 109 (described in more detail in relation to figures 5a and 5b), thereby retaining the current collector 109 in position.
  • Figure 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the same portion of the cell 100 as that shown in figures 3a and 3b, during a crush event, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the crosssection shown in figure 4 is taken along the line A-A as shown in figure 1 b.
  • the insulating element 210 may extend in a width direction between the side 102e of the casing and the side 107a of the electrode assembly 107 along which the crush event is occurring.
  • the insulating element 210 may extend to a same width or beyond that of the current collector 109 such that the insulating element 210 may be pushed or displaced into the electrode assembly 107 before the current collector 109 makes substantial (i.e. , potentially damaging) contact therewith.
  • At least a portion (e.g., a protrusion) of the insulating element 210 is arranged between the electrode assembly 107 and the casing 102, and said at least a portion of the insulating element 210 is configured to extend from an inner wall of the casing 102, beyond the current collector 109, and towards the first side of the electrode assembly 107, and configured to distribute an impact force F applied to the electrode assembly 107 during a crush event along the first side of the electrode
  • the deformation of the insulating element 210 may also aid in reducing the overall severity of the deformation of the casing 102, i.e., by providing structural resilience along the direction of the crushing force.
  • Figures 5a and 5b schematically show a respective configuration of the current collector 109 and the insulating element 210 to enable a mating of
  • the insulating element 210 may comprise a main body 211 from which a protrusion 212a and mating elements 213a, 213b may protrude.
  • Figure 5a shows a front-on view
  • figure 5b shows a cross-sectional view along the line C-C as shown in figure 5a, this cross-section showing the extent of the protrusion of the protrusion 212a and the mating elements 213a, 213b.
  • the current collector 109 comprises a first section 109a for connecting to a terminal of a cell (i.e., internally, via some riveting connection or otherwise), and a second section 109b adapted for connection to a connective tab of the electrode assembly of the cell (e.g., such as the connective tab 108 discussed above).
  • the illustrated current collector 109 further comprises a third section 109c for reinforcing the second section 109b.
  • the current collector 109 further comprises mating elements 113a, 113b, 113c, in particular notches 113a, through-hole 113b and recess 113c, which may also be referred to as a ‘seat 113c’, configured to mate with respective mating elements 213a, 213b on the insulating element 210. It will be appreciated that, in some examples, a protrusion 212a may also serve as a mating element.
  • the second section 109b of the illustrated current collector 109 is formed as a pair of legs. When installed in the cell, each leg may be welded or otherwise attached to a respective connective tab of the electrode assembly (such as the connective tab 108).
  • the legs of the second section are formed as a pair of legs. When installed in the cell, each leg may be welded or otherwise attached to a respective connective tab of the electrode assembly (such as the connective tab 108).
  • the current collector 109 may thus be different current carrying parts of the current collector 109.
  • the legs may thus generate heat as a result of Ohmic heating.
  • the protrusion 212a is advantageously arranged between the current carrying legs of the second section 109b of the current collector 109. Therefore, the protrusion 212a, in addition to its other functions discussed above, may also provide thermal
  • Figure 5b shows the current collector 109 mated with the insulating element 210. It can be seen therein that the mating elements 213a, 213b may extend a varying amount into the corresponding mating elements 109a, 109c of the current collector 109.
  • the protrusion 212a of the insulating element 210 may extend through the current collector 109 so as to substantially span a space between a casing of the battery cell and the electrode assembly in the region of the current collector 109 when installed in the battery cell.
  • the surface of the protrusion 212a is flush with the current collector 109 to thereby present a contact surface with increased surface area for contacting the electrode assembly 107 during a crush event and thereby distributing an impact force imparted upon the electrode assembly 107 (e.g., by the current collector 109).
  • Figures 6a to 6c illustrate a variety of dimensions for the protrusions 212a, 212b, according to implementations of the presently disclosed insulating element 210.
  • the protrusions 212a, 212b may extend out from a main body/surface 211 of the insulating element 210.
  • the protrusion 212a may be sized and arranged to complement a shaping of the current collector such that the current collector may be readily maintained by the insulating element, aided also by the mating elements 213a, 213b as discussed above in respect of figures 5a and 5b. Therefore, the displacement of the current collector during a crush event may be advantageously reduced.
  • the lower protrusion 212b may have a width W and a length L adapted depending on the particular implementation and, in some cases, depending on the configuration of the current collector.
  • the length L of the protrusion may extend all of the way, or substantially all of the way, from a
  • the width W of the lower protrusion 212b may be the same as the upper
  • protrusion 212a (as shown in figures 6a and 6b), or may be different (as shown in figure 6c).
  • the protrusion 212b may further comprise a sloping or slanted surface 214, formed as a chamfer, bevel, or similar surface slanting away from the electrode assembly when arranged in the cell.
  • a sloping surface 214 may advantageously reduce the risk that a sharper corner of insulating element 210 could be pivoted into the electrode assembly and thereby apply a higher pressure thereto, thus risking a penetrating damage to the electrode assembly.
  • Figures 7a to 7e show various views of an example implementation of the presently disclosed insulating element 210.
  • Figures 7a and 7b show rear and front views of the insulating element 210, respectively, wherein a ‘front’ of the insulating element 210 may be defined as that intended for facing the electrode assembly when arranged in a cell.
  • Figure 7c shows a cross- sectional view of the insulating element 210 taken along an upper protrusion 212a and looking upwards (i.e., wherein ‘upwards’ is as illustrated).
  • Figure 7d shows a perspective view and figure 7e shows a side view of the insulating element 210.
  • the illustrated insulating element 210 may be made from any suitable material, such as an electrically insulating material.
  • the insulating element 210 may preferably be formed from a material with good structural properties that can be readily shaped with high accuracy.
  • the insulating element 210 may be made of a plastic and/or formed using injection molding, extrusion molding, or the like. A sheet of plastic may be provided which is then shaped and cut using one or more processing steps to provide the
  • the insulating element 210 comprises a main body 211 which is substantially flat.
  • the main body 211 may
  • the insulating element 210 has a substantially rectangular outer shape, which may be dimensioned to correspond to a shape and size of a wall of the casing against which the insulating element
  • the insulating element 210 may be retained in position by having a shape corresponding to that of an inner wall of the casing.
  • An upper protrusion 212a protrudes from the main body 211 in such a way that the protrusion 212a is an extension of the same surface as the main body 211 . Furthermore, a through-hole 215 is formed around the upper protrusion 212a, which may improve a gas flow through and around the side of the cell (e.g., around the insulating element 210). It will appreciated that, in some other examples, the protrusion 212a may be an additional element attached to the main body 211.
  • the upper protrusion 212a may also be configured to have different current-carrying parts of a current collector arranged therearound. Therefore, the protrusion 212a may advantageously contribute to a thermal insulation between these different current-carrying parts of the current collector.
  • the insulating element 210 further comprises a lower protrusion 212b protruding from the main body 211 of the insulating element 210.
  • the lower protrusion 212b is a continuation of the same surface as the main body 211 but may, in other examples, be, e.g., an additional or separate portion mounted onto the main body 211 - and the surface transition between the main body 211 and the protrusion 212b may be right-angled, sloped, or curved, the latter of which is illustrated in figures 7a to 7e.
  • the surface of the upper protrusion 212a and the lower protrusion 212b is advantageously flat so as to better distribute an impact force imparted
  • the surface of the lower protrusion 212b is provided with a further through-hole 215 so as to advantageously reduce the overall weight of the insulating element 210 and/or to prevent an obstruction to gas flow along a
  • the formation of the protrusions 212a, 212b as a continuation of the surface of the main body 211 of the insulating element 210 may further contribute to the reduction in the overall weight of the insulating element 210 (and thus the cell as a whole), as well as a simplification of the manufacture
  • the insulating element further comprises mating elements 213a, 213b for mating with corresponding mating elements on a current collector.
  • the insulating element 210 may more readily retain the current collector in position and thus better control the motion of the current collector during (or even before) a crush event.
  • the mating elements 213a, 213b may be formed in a substantially similar manner as the protrusions 212a, 212b, in some examples.
  • the insulating element 210 further comprises one or more peripheral ridges 216 extending along a length of the insulating element 210.
  • the ridges 116 extend along the entire length of the insulating element 210 in the illustrated example but in some examples may instead extend along a substantial portion thereof.
  • the insulating element 210 may additionally or alternatively comprise peripheral ridges extending along a width of the insulating element 210.
  • the peripheral ridges 216 may advantageously provide a surface for contacting the inner walls of the casing of the cell and thereby retaining the insulating element 210 in position in the cell.
  • the peripheral ridges 216 may also advantageously form channels 217 (e.g., in combination with the protrusion(s) 212a, 212b) for guiding gas flow along the side of the electrode assembly.
  • the peripheral ridges 216 may also provide additional structural rigidity to the insulating element 210 such that a deformation or displacement of the insulating element 210 may be better communicated along its length, thereby improving the structural resilience of the insulating element against the impact force of a crush event.
  • the insulating element is referred to as being ‘insulating’, it will be appreciated that electrical insulation may be a secondary function of such an element, or not a function of such an element, for example if the casing is not electrically conductive. Instead, the element may be a ‘spacing’ element for providing spacing between internal components of a cell or simply a ‘protective’ element for protecting the internal components of the cell during a crush event.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for manufacturing a battery cell such as the battery cell 100 discussed above, having an insulating element such as
  • the method may comprise a step 810 of arranging the insulating element in the battery cell, along the first side of the electrode assembly. This arranging may be performed manually or automatically, e.g., under the action of one or more automated manipulators, which may form part of a wider
  • the insulating element may be arranged in the battery cell along the first side of the electrode assembly such that a first section of the insulating element is arranged to extend along the first portion of the first side of the electrode assembly, between the current collector and the casing, and a second section of the insulating element is arranged to extend along the second portion of the first side of the electrode assembly, between the electrode assembly and the casing.
  • a battery cell being advantageously configured for resilience against failure during a crush event, as discussed above, may be provided by the performance of such a method 800.
  • a battery cell comprising: an electrode assembly; a current collector extending along a first side of the electrode assembly, and configured to connect the electrode assembly to a terminal of the battery cell; an insulating element for electrically insulating the current collector from a casing of the battery cell, extending along the first side of the electrode assembly, wherein the insulating element is arranged between the electrode assembly and the casing, configured to distribute an impact force applied to the electrode assembly during a crush event along the first side of the electrode assembly.
  • the current collector extends along a first portion of the first side of the electrode assembly; and the insulating element comprises: a first section extending along the first portion of the first side of the electrode assembly, arranged between the current collector and the casing, and configured to electrically insulate the current collector from the casing; and a second section extending along a second portion of the first side of the electrode assembly, arranged between the electrode
  • the insulating element comprises one or more mating elements configured to mate with corresponding mating elements on the current collector.
  • the insulating element further comprises one or more peripheral ridges extending along a length and/or a width of the insulating element.
  • the insulating element comprising at least one protrusion configured to:
  • a method for manufacturing a battery cell according to any preceding embodiment comprising: arranging the insulating element in the battery cell, along the first side of the electrode assembly, such that the insulating element is arranged

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Connection Of Batteries Or Terminals (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un élément de batterie (100) et un procédé (800) de fabrication d'un élément de batterie (100). L'élément de batterie (100) comprend un ensemble électrode (107) et un collecteur de courant (109) s'étendant le long d'un premier côté (107a) de l'ensemble électrode (107), configuré pour connecter l'ensemble électrode (107) à une borne (104) de l'élément de batterie (100). L'élément de batterie (100) comprend en outre un élément isolant (210) pour isoler électriquement le collecteur de courant (109) d'un boîtier (102) de l'élément de batterie (102), s'étendant le long du premier côté (107a) de l'ensemble électrode (107). L'élément isolant (210) est agencé entre l'ensemble électrode (107) et le boîtier (102), et est configuré pour distribuer une force d'impact appliquée à l'ensemble électrode (107) pendant un événement d'écrasement le long du premier côté (107a) de l'ensemble électrode (107).
PCT/EP2023/072223 2022-08-12 2023-08-10 Élément de batterie comportant un élément isolant WO2024033500A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE2250961-6 2022-08-12
SE2250961A SE2250961A1 (en) 2022-08-12 2022-08-12 Battery cell with insulating element

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WO2024033500A1 true WO2024033500A1 (fr) 2024-02-15

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WO (1) WO2024033500A1 (fr)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060024578A1 (en) * 2004-07-28 2006-02-02 Lee Sang-Won Secondary battery
US20110039152A1 (en) * 2009-08-17 2011-02-17 Yong-Sam Kim Rechargeable battery
EP2317588A1 (fr) * 2009-10-30 2011-05-04 SB LiMotive Co., Ltd. Batterie secondaire
EP2551940A2 (fr) * 2011-07-25 2013-01-30 SB LiMotive Co., Ltd. Batterie secondaire
US20130078505A1 (en) * 2011-09-28 2013-03-28 Duk-Jung Kim Rechargeable battery
EP2333866B1 (fr) * 2009-11-16 2018-02-21 Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Batterie secondaire

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2424008B1 (fr) * 2010-08-31 2015-03-11 Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Batterie rechargeable

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060024578A1 (en) * 2004-07-28 2006-02-02 Lee Sang-Won Secondary battery
US20110039152A1 (en) * 2009-08-17 2011-02-17 Yong-Sam Kim Rechargeable battery
EP2317588A1 (fr) * 2009-10-30 2011-05-04 SB LiMotive Co., Ltd. Batterie secondaire
EP2333866B1 (fr) * 2009-11-16 2018-02-21 Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Batterie secondaire
EP2551940A2 (fr) * 2011-07-25 2013-01-30 SB LiMotive Co., Ltd. Batterie secondaire
US20130078505A1 (en) * 2011-09-28 2013-03-28 Duk-Jung Kim Rechargeable battery

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