Enovix has been granted a patent for a method of manufacturing a structure with an electrode assembly and endplates. The electrode assembly consists of a population of unit cells stacked in series, with each unit cell containing an electrode structure, a counter-electrode structure, and an electrically insulating separator. The method involves using a stencil to apply a porous electrically insulating material to the electrode assembly. The endplates have varying thicknesses and the stencil is positioned to cover a portion of the electrode assembly while exposing the vertical end surfaces. GlobalData’s report on Enovix gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Enovix, Battery management systems was a key innovation area identified from patents. Enovix's grant share as of September 2023 was 34%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Method for manufacturing a structure with electrode assembly and endplates
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11777174B1) describes a method for manufacturing a structure that includes an electrode assembly and first and second endplates. The electrode assembly consists of a population of unit cells stacked in series, with opposing longitudinal end surfaces. The first and second endplates are separated in the stacking direction and overlie the longitudinal end surfaces. Each unit cell within the electrode assembly includes an electrode structure, a counter-electrode structure, and an electrically insulating separator between them.
The method involves positioning a stencil, which has a stencil frame defining a stencil aperture, over the first and second endplates. The stencil frame covers a portion of the electrode assembly's periphery, and the stencil aperture allows the first vertical end surfaces of the electrode and counter-electrode structures to be exposed. A porous electrically insulating material is then applied through the stencil aperture to partially cover the first vertical end surfaces of the electrode or counter-electrode structures.
The patent also mentions that the first and second endplates have different thicknesses in different regions. The inner regions, which are adjacent to the stacked series of unit cells, have greater thicknesses compared to the outer regions. The first and second endplates also have maximum vertical thicknesses at cross-sectional areas with the greatest thickness for each endplate. The first and second endplates have vertical end surface regions coinciding with these maximum thicknesses.
Additional steps in the method include rotating the electrode assembly after applying the porous electrically insulating material, positioning the stencil to expose the second vertical end surfaces of the electrode and counter-electrode structures, and applying the porous electrically insulating material to partially cover these second vertical end surfaces.
The method described in the patent aims to provide a manufacturing process for structures with improved electrode assembly and endplate configurations. The use of a stencil and the application of a porous electrically insulating material help in achieving the desired coverage of the electrode and counter-electrode structures. The different thicknesses of the endplates in different regions contribute to the overall structure's performance. The patent also mentions the use of bumpers and pressure application during the manufacturing process.
Overall, this patent provides a detailed method for manufacturing structures with specific electrode assembly and endplate configurations, offering potential improvements in the performance and functionality of such structures.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
