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CN-122000478-A - System and method for interleaving multiple layers of soft-packaged cells

CN122000478ACN 122000478 ACN122000478 ACN 122000478ACN-122000478-A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides "systems and methods for interleaving incoming multi-layer soft-pack cells". Methods and systems are provided for manufacturing a cross-introduced multi-layer pouch configured to release chemicals into a pouch cell as needed during formation, aging, and testing (FA & T). In one example, a system can include a primary pouch and one or more chemical pouches adjacent to the primary pouch. The primary pouch may include an electrode stack and include a cathode tab and an anode tab, and the chemical pouch may be configured to add chemicals to the primary pouch as desired. In some examples, the chemical bladder may contain an electrolyte or other additive that may be added to the main bladder as needed according to the FA & T process and the chemistry of each chemical.

Inventors

  • W. Xibert

Assignees

  • 福特全球技术公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260508
Application Date
20251030
Priority Date
20241031

Claims (15)

  1. 1. An arrangement of interleaved multi-layer soft pack cells for an energy storage device, comprising: A main soft package containing an electrode stack, and At least one chemical soft pack adjacent to the main soft pack, wherein the at least one chemical soft pack contains a compound, and the main soft pack and the at least one chemical soft pack are formed from a common sheet of multi-layer soft pack material, and the at least one chemical soft pack is configured to add the compound to the main soft pack at a controlled time.
  2. 2. The interleaved multi-layer soft pack cell of claim 1 wherein the chemical soft pack is fluidly sealed to the main soft pack by a seal.
  3. 3. The staggeredly introduced multilayer pouch cell of claim 2, wherein the seal is frangible to fluidly couple the chemical pouch to the main pouch.
  4. 4. The interleaved multi-layer soft pack cell of claim 1 wherein the chemical soft pack is fluidly sealed to the main soft pack by a sliding clamp.
  5. 5. The staggeredly introduced multilayer pouch cell of claim 4, wherein the sliding fixture is configured to translate to selectively fluidly couple the chemical pouch to the main pouch.
  6. 6. The interleaved multi-layer soft pack cell of claim 1 wherein the chemical soft pack is fluidly sealed to the main soft pack by a clamp.
  7. 7. The staggeredly introduced multilayer soft pack cell of claim 6, wherein the fixture is configured to fluidly couple the chemical soft pack to the main soft pack when released.
  8. 8. A method for interleaving an introduced multi-layer soft pack cell, comprising: Sealing an electrode stack within a multi-layer soft pack cell to form the cross-introduced multi-layer soft pack cell, wherein the cross-introduced multi-layer soft pack cell is configured for irreversible addition of an additive; Adding one or more additives to the cross-introduced multi-layer soft package cell, and The formation, aging, and testing of the electrode stack are performed while adding the one or more additives to the interleaved multi-layer soft pack cells.
  9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein sealing the electrode stack within the multi-layer pouch cell comprises placing a self-sealing port on a side of the multi-layer pouch cell.
  10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein adding the one or more additives to the cross-introduced multi-layer soft pack cell comprises injecting the additives through the self-sealing port.
  11. 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising heat sealing the self-sealing port after performing the forming, aging, and testing and adding the one or more additives.
  12. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein sealing the electrode stack within the multi-layer pouch cell comprises forming a primary pouch containing the electrode stack and a chemical pouch containing the one or more additives via heat sealing and/or clamping.
  13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein sealing the electrode stack within the multi-layer soft pack cell further comprises adding one of the one or more additives to the chemical soft pack prior to sealing to form the cross-incoming multi-layer soft pack cell.
  14. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein adding the one or more additives comprises adding from the chemical bladder to the main bladder by breaking a frangible seal or removing a clamp.
  15. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein adding the one or more additives comprises applying pressure to the chemical bale using a roller to move the one or more additives from the chemical bale to the main bale.

Description

System and method for interleaving multiple layers of soft-packaged cells Technical Field The present specification relates generally to methods and systems for manufacturing lithium ion batteries, and more particularly, to methods and systems for introducing one or more liquid components into a soft-pack cell in a staggered order. Background During a typical manufacturing process of a pouch cell, the electrode sheet stack is placed within a manufactured multi-layer pouch. The electrode tab stack may include a cathode tab and an anode tab. Once the stack of electrode sheets is placed within the multi-layer pouch, an electrolyte solution is added to the multi-layer pouch. In some examples, one or more additives may be added to the multi-layer flexible package at the same time as the electrolyte solution is added. Additives may include flame retardants, low temperature performance enhancers, cycle life extenders, etc., depending on the requirements of the final product. These additives are added together with the electrolyte and can therefore be specifically chosen for their stability during the manufacturing process and in particular during the formation, ageing and testing processes (FA & T). Once the additives and electrolyte are added to the multi-layer pouch, the multi-layer pouch may be sealed, which may prevent further addition of chemicals to the pouch. FA & T may begin after the multi-layer soft packet is sealed. During formation, a solid electrolyte layer (SEI) is formed at the interface between the anode and the electrolyte. Disclosure of Invention In one example, an arrangement of interleaved multi-layer soft pack cells for an energy storage device includes a main soft pack housing an electrode stack and at least one chemical soft pack adjacent to the main soft pack. At least one chemical soft pack contains a compound, and the at least one chemical soft pack is configured to add the compound to the main soft pack at a controlled time. The primary soft pack and the one or more chemical soft packs are formed from a common sheet of multi-layer soft pack material. In this way, the multi-layer pouch cells can be sealed during FA & T to prevent ingress or egress of material from the exterior of the multi-layer pouch cells, but chemicals can be added to the main pouch on command during FA & T. As one example, the one or more chemical packages include an electrolyte, one or more additives, and an electrolyte refill. A mechanism such as a frangible seal or one or more sliding clamps may separate each chemical pack from the main pack. The seal may be broken or one or more sliding clamps may be moved to selectively fluidly couple the chemical bladder to the main bladder as needed to add the chemical contained within the chemical bladder to the main bladder. Electrolyte may be added before FA & T begins to facilitate the formation process. The forming may include passing an electrical current through the electrolyte, and some of the electrolyte in the primary flexible package may be depleted. After formation, a chemical pack including additives may be added to the main pack and electrolyte and lithium refill as needed. This allows for the precise addition of chemicals to be added to the primary soft pack at the appropriate time based on the chemistry of each chemical and the FA & T process. Adding chemicals on demand can reduce chemical degradation during FA & T by allowing chemicals to be added after a process that may initiate chemical degradation or increase the rate at which chemical degradation occurs. The on-demand addition of chemicals also allows for replenishment of the FA & T after its use during periods of use. During this process, the primary bladder containing the electrolyte stack may remain sealed to prevent ingress and egress of materials not included in the chemical bladder. In addition, the gas generated during FA & T may be collected within the chemical bladder, sealed, and removed from the main bladder. Dispensing the chemical and collecting the gas with the chemical pack adjacent to the main pack allows these functions to be performed without manufacturing additional containers such as an external chemical pack or a gas removal pack. It should be understood that the above summary is provided to introduce in simplified form a set of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. This is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure. Drawings Fig. 1 is a method for manufacturing a soft pack battery cell with a staggered introduction. Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing a cross-introduced soft pack cell comprising one or more soft packs of chemicals containing electrolytes and/or othe