ENNOVI, a leading mobility electrification solutions provider, has unveiled a new battery cell contacting system aimed at manufacturers favouring the pouch cell form factor. The new product, named ENNOVI-CellConnect-Pouch, is designed to enhance cost-efficiency and streamline production processes in battery manufacturing, making it a competitive option for companies in the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) sector.
The ENNOVI-CellConnect-Pouch system prioritises faster manufacturing cycles, aided by innovative hot lamination technology, and includes features that facilitate the quick release of gases during a thermal event. This innovation is set to improve the safety and production speed of battery packs, making it a valuable addition to the battery industry.
Gustavo Cibrian, Product Manager at ENNOVI, highlighted the system’s ability to reduce production time and overall costs. “With the ENNOVI-CellConnect-Pouch cell contacting system, we offer battery manufacturers a total vertically integrated production solution,” he said. “The system enables us to produce a part at a lower cycle time using hot lamination. Its design removes the need for traditional plastic cell carriers made from glass-reinforced plastic, eliminating the carrier storage, molding lines, and heat staking process.”
ENNOVI’s new system moves away from the conventional reliance on glass-reinforced plastic, instead opting for a more efficient and environmentally friendly process. The innovative lamination technology ensures the structural integrity and durability of the battery pack while simplifying the production process by eliminating several manufacturing steps.
A key feature of the ENNOVI-CellConnect-Pouch system is its use of flexible die-cut circuit (FDC) technology for low voltage signal traces. This technology replaces the more commonly used flexible printed circuit (FPC), further reducing production time, cutting costs, and minimising the environmental footprint of the manufacturing process. The system’s design streamlines the material usage and helps manufacturers achieve a thinner, more efficient battery pack.
The ENNOVI-CellConnect-Pouch system features an upper dielectric layer incorporating FDC copper traces, while the lower layer is pre-cut to fit the current collectors’ shape. Both layers are made from automotive-grade polyimide (PI) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials, which offer excellent electrical insulation and temperature stability. The layers are laminated together, with built-in fuse traces or surface-mounted fuses and NTC temperature sensors integrated between them. This design not only ensures durability but also enables faster release of gases in the event of a battery failure, helping to mitigate the risk of thermal runaway.
The design of ENNOVI-CellConnect-Pouch places a strong focus on safety, reducing the risk of overheating or explosion in battery systems. Its ability to quickly release gases generated during thermal events adds an extra layer of safety to the overall battery pack.
ENNOVI’s latest innovation is expected to be of great interest to battery manufacturers seeking more cost-effective and efficient production solutions. The system offers a fully integrated approach that could help reshape the manufacturing landscape for electric vehicle batteries and other energy storage applications.
For more information about the ENNOVI-CellConnect-Pouch system, interested parties can visit the company’s website at ennovi.com/cell-contacting-system-pouch.
