US 12374686

US Patent 12374686, titled "Electrochemical apparatus and electronic apparatus containing the electrochemical apparatus," was issued to Ningde Amperex Technology Ltd. The sole inventor listed is Xiaojing Liu. The patent has a filing date of March 21, 2022, and was granted on July 29, 2025.

Abstract:
The patent describes an electrochemical apparatus, such as a lithium-ion battery, which includes a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode. The negative electrode consists of a negative current collector, a negative active material layer, and a negative tab. The negative tab is positioned on a side edge of the long axis of the negative current collector and is in contact with the negative active material layer. The negative active material layer contains a silicon-based material. A key feature is a specific relationship governing the negative tab's position and the silicon-based material's weight percentage: the ratio D (distance between the central position of the negative tab and either end of the negative active material layer in a long axis direction divided by the length of the long axis of the negative active material layer) must satisfy 0.5 ≥ D ≥ 0.6 × G, where G is the weight percentage of the silicon-based material, and G is less than or equal to 70%.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: Electrochemical Apparatus
  This claim describes an electrochemical apparatus (e.g., a battery) that includes a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode. The negative electrode has a current collector, a negative active material layer (which contains a silicon-based material), and a negative tab. The negative tab is located along a side edge of the negative current collector's long axis and touches the active material layer. A critical aspect is a mathematical relationship (Formula I: 0.5 ≥ D ≥ 0.6 × G) governing the negative tab's placement relative to the negative active material layer's length (D) and the weight percentage of the silicon-based material (G) in the active material layer, where G is capped at 70%.

• Independent Claim 10: Electronic Apparatus
  This claim covers an electronic apparatus that contains the electrochemical apparatus as defined in Independent Claim 1. This means any electronic device (such as a mobile phone, laptop, or electric vehicle) that uses the specific electrochemical apparatus described in Claim 1 falls under this claim. The electronic apparatus therefore benefits from the improved performance and safety characteristics achieved by the electrochemical apparatus's design, particularly concerning the negative electrode's silicon content and tab placement.

Litigation Status:
The patent is currently active and is set to expire on January 9, 2042. There is active litigation related to this patent family, specifically a US case filed in the Texas Eastern District Court (case number 2:26-cv-00139). No information regarding dockets in the CAFC for 2026 was found in the search results.

US12374686B2 - Electrochemical apparatus and electronic apparatus containing the electrochemical apparatus - Google Patents
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Proceedings overview

Currently, one AIA trial proceeding, IPR2026-00399, has been filed against US Patent 12374686. This proceeding is currently in a pending status, meaning no institution decision or final written decision has been issued yet. For a defendant facing assertion of this patent, this indicates that the patent has not yet been subjected to substantive PTAB review, and its claims remain unadjudicated by the Board.

IPR2026-00399 — Zhuhai CosMX Battery Co., Ltd. et al. v. Xiaojing Liu

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2026-07-21
• Status: Pending. The petition has been filed and is awaiting a decision on institution.
• Judge panel: Information regarding the assigned judge panel is not yet publicly available for this recently filed proceeding.
• Petition grounds: Details of the specific claims challenged, prior art references cited, and statutory bases (§ 102 / § 103 / § 112) for the petition grounds are not yet publicly available.
• Institution decision: Not yet issued. The deadline for the PTAB to decide whether to institute the IPR is typically six months from the filing date of the petition.
• Final Written Decision: Not yet issued.
• Settlement / termination: No settlement or termination has been recorded for this pending proceeding.
• Appeal: Not applicable, as no Final Written Decision has been issued.
• Defensive value: As this IPR is in its very early stages, it currently offers no definitive defensive posture regarding claim validity. However, the filing itself signals that at least one party (Zhuhai CosMX Battery Co., Ltd. et al.) believes there are sufficient grounds to challenge the patent's validity. If instituted, it could lead to claims being canceled, which would significantly impact any assertion of the patent.

Strategic summary

Currently, all claims (1-14) of US Patent 12374686 remain UNTESTED by the PTAB, as the sole filed IPR (IPR2026-00399) is in a pending status. There are no claims that have been canceled or sustained by a Final Written Decision.

The estoppel landscape under § 315(e)(2) has not yet been established for this patent, as no institution decision has been made. If IPR2026-00399 is instituted and proceeds to a Final Written Decision, the petitioner (Zhuhai CosMX Battery Co., Ltd. et al.) and their privies would be estopped from raising any grounds they raised or reasonably could have raised during the IPR. For a defendant facing assertion of this patent today, all prior-art grounds remain potentially available for use in a new IPR petition or district court litigation, as there has been no PTAB adjudication of the claims.

There is no discernible pattern of multiple IPR filings by the same petitioner or aggressive PTAB appeals by the patent owner at this time, as only one IPR has been filed, and it is very new. The petitioner is "Zhuhai CosMX Battery Co., Ltd. et al.", suggesting potentially multiple entities are involved in challenging the patent.

Recommended next steps

• Monitor IPR2026-00399: For any party interested in US Patent 12374686, closely monitor the progress of IPR2026-00399. The most significant upcoming milestone is the institution decision deadline, which will fall approximately around 2027-01-21 (six months from the filing date of 2026-07-21). This decision will indicate whether the PTAB believes there is a reasonable likelihood that at least one challenged claim is unpatentable, thus proceeding to trial.
• Review Petition Filings: Once public, thoroughly review the petition for IPR2026-00399 to understand the specific claims being challenged, the prior art references used, and the arguments presented by Zhuhai CosMX Battery Co., Ltd. et al. This will provide insight into potential weaknesses of the patent.
• Consider parallel challenges: Given the patent has not yet been hardened by PTAB review, a defendant facing assertion might consider filing their own IPR petition if they identify strong prior art grounds not covered by the existing petition (if instituted) or if the existing petition is denied.

Inventors

• Xiaojing Liu (Ningde Amperex Technology Ltd.)

Original assignee

Ningde Amperex Technology Ltd. is the original assignee named on the issued patent. It is a Chinese manufacturer and supplier of lithium-ion polymer batteries, including products for smartphones, laptops, tablets, power banks, smart wearables, drones, robots, and energy storage systems. The company was founded in 2008 and is a subsidiary of Amperex Technology Limited (ATL). ATL is a global leader in lithium-ion battery innovation, manufacturing rechargeable cells and advanced packaging solutions for a wide range of consumer electronics. Ningde Amperex Technology Ltd. is currently an operating company.

Assignment timeline

• 2022-03-21 (executed) / recorded 2022-03-21 — Reel 059324/0681
  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: LIU, XIAOJING
  • Assignee: NINGDE AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
  • Correspondent: Not specified in available data.
  • Context: Internal transfer from inventor to original assignee.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 12374686
    2022 : Assigned to NINGDE AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    2025 : Issued to NINGDE AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    2026 : IPR2026-00399 filed

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present. The sole recorded assignment is from the inventor to Ningde Amperex Technology Limited, which is an operating company that manufactures and supplies lithium-ion batteries.
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. Ningde Amperex Technology Limited is an operating company, not identified as a known patent asserter.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — unclear. The correspondent information for the assignment (Reel 059324/0681) is not specified in the provided patent text or search results.
4. Cascading transfers — not present. Only one assignment from the inventor to the operating company is recorded.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — unclear. The current litigation (2:26-cv-00139) was filed in 2026, and the only assignment occurred in 2022. While the IPR was filed on 2026-07-21, more than six months after the initial assignment, there's no information on when the district court litigation was initiated relative to any transfers.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. Ningde Amperex Technology Limited is an active operating company.
7. Privateering — not present. There is no evidence suggesting a transfer to an NPE for assertion on behalf of the operating company.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The patent is currently owned by an operating company and is involved in active litigation.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion The sole assignment recorded (Reel 059324/0681, executed and recorded 2022-03-21) is from the inventor to Ningde Amperex Technology Limited, a known manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries. The ongoing litigation in the Texas Eastern District Court (case 2:26-cv-00139) indicates assertion by this operating company.

USPTO Assignment Center search: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 12374686, I will examine the "Citations" section of the patent and provide details for each cited patent. Prior art, under 35 U.S.C. § 102, refers to any evidence that an invention is not new or original, and it can include publicly available information before the effective filing date of a patent application.

The following are the patent citations listed in US12374686B2, which represent the prior art considered by the examiner:

Patent Citations (as listed in US12374686B2)

1. JP2000077055A

   • Full Citation: JP2000077055A - Lithium secondary battery
   • Publication Date: 2000-03-14
   • Filing Date: 1998-03-18
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a lithium secondary battery.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Without access to the full text of JP2000077055A, it is difficult to precisely determine which specific claims of US12374686B2 it may anticipate. However, as a general lithium secondary battery prior art, it could potentially anticipate the broad concept of an "electrochemical apparatus" (Claim 1 and 10) and basic components like positive electrodes, negative electrodes, and separators, depending on the level of detail provided in the Japanese patent.

2. JP2000106167A

   • Full Citation: JP2000106167A - Battery
   • Publication Date: 2000-04-11
   • Filing Date: 1998-09-30
   • Brief Description: This patent generally relates to a battery.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to JP2000077055A, this broad "Battery" patent could potentially anticipate the general electrochemical apparatus described in US12374686B2, particularly the fundamental components mentioned in Claims 1 and 10.

3. JP2006032052A

   • Full Citation: JP2006032052A - Battery device
   • Publication Date: 2006-02-02
   • Filing Date: 2004-07-14
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a battery device.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference, also a general "Battery device," may broadly anticipate the electrochemical apparatus (Claim 1 and 10) and its core components, depending on the specific disclosures within the Japanese patent.

4. CN1949580A

   • Full Citation: CN1949580A - High power lithium ion cell
   • Publication Date: 2007-04-18
   • Filing Date: 2005-10-14
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a high power lithium ion cell.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): As a "high power lithium ion cell," this patent is more specific and could potentially anticipate various aspects of the lithium-ion battery described in US12374686B2, particularly regarding the general structure of the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode (Claim 1 and 10). Further analysis of its detailed claims would be needed to assess anticipation of the specific silicon-based material and tab placement formula.

5. JP2009163929A

   • Full Citation: JP2009163929A - Electrode for electrochemical device and electrochemical device
   • Publication Date: 2009-07-23
   • Filing Date: 2007-12-28
   • Brief Description: This patent relates to an electrode for an electrochemical device and the electrochemical device itself.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference focuses on electrodes and electrochemical devices, making it highly relevant to US12374686B2. It could potentially anticipate the features of the negative electrode, including the current collector, active material layer, and tab (Claim 1 and 10), depending on whether it discloses a silicon-based material or specific tab arrangements.

6. JP2012084412A

   • Full Citation: JP2012084412A - Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
   • Publication Date: 2012-04-26
   • Filing Date: 2010-10-12
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is directly related to a type of battery similar to the lithium-ion battery mentioned in US12374686B2. It could potentially anticipate the broad structure and components of the electrochemical apparatus (Claim 1 and 10), as well as details about the electrolyte and general electrode compositions.

7. JP2012190738A

   • Full Citation: JP2012190738A - Lithium secondary battery
   • Publication Date: 2012-10-04
   • Filing Date: 2011-03-14
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a lithium secondary battery.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to other lithium secondary battery references, this patent could anticipate fundamental aspects of the electrochemical apparatus in US12374686B2, as claimed in Claims 1 and 10.

8. CN203733894U

   • Full Citation: CN203733894U - Lithium ion battery
   • Publication Date: 2014-07-23
   • Filing Date: 2014-01-17
   • Brief Description: This utility model patent describes a lithium-ion battery.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): As a lithium-ion battery, this utility model is highly relevant and could anticipate many features of the electrochemical apparatus in US12374686B2 (Claims 1 and 10), including structural elements and material choices, if disclosed in sufficient detail.

9. JP2014225326A

   • Full Citation: JP2014225326A - Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
   • Publication Date: 2014-12-04
   • Filing Date: 2011-09-14
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference, similar to JP2012084412A, is specific to nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries and could anticipate various features of the electrochemical apparatus (Claim 1 and 10) including the electrolyte and overall battery construction.

10. CN204809314U

    • Full Citation: CN204809314U - Secondary cell electricity core
    • Publication Date: 2015-11-25
    • Filing Date: 2015-06-12
    • Brief Description: This utility model patent describes a secondary cell electricity core.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): A "secondary cell electricity core" would likely detail the internal structure of a battery, making it very relevant to the core components of the electrochemical apparatus in US12374686B2, particularly the arrangement of the positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator (Claim 1 and 10).

11. JP2016018654A

    • Full Citation: JP2016018654A - Lithium ion secondary battery
    • Publication Date: 2016-02-01
    • Filing Date: 2014-07-08
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a lithium-ion secondary battery.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is another direct reference to a lithium-ion secondary battery, making it highly relevant to Claims 1 and 10 of US12374686B2. It could potentially anticipate various structural and material aspects if disclosed.

12. CN105336984A

    • Full Citation: CN105336984A - Lithium-ion battery and electrolyte thereof
    • Publication Date: 2016-02-17
    • Filing Date: 2014-07-31
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a lithium-ion battery and its electrolyte.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference specifically mentions a lithium-ion battery and its electrolyte, directly relevant to the electrochemical apparatus of US12374686B2 (Claim 1 and 10). It could anticipate details about the electrolyte composition and how it interacts with the electrodes.

13. JP2016122628A

    • Full Citation: JP2016122628A - Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery winding element and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
    • Publication Date: 2016-07-07
    • Filing Date: 2014-12-25
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery winding element and the battery itself.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent explicitly mentions a "winding element" for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. This is highly relevant to Claim 5 and Claim 14 of US12374686B2, which describe the electrochemical apparatus having a "winding structure." It could anticipate the winding arrangement and potentially the placement of tabs within such a structure. The abstract for this reference also notes "See the Abstract." (Year: 2016).

14. CN205828514U

    • Full Citation: CN205828514U - Secondary battery core
    • Publication Date: 2016-12-21
    • Filing Date: 2016-07-08
    • Brief Description: This utility model patent describes a secondary battery core.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to CN204809314U, this patent on a "secondary battery core" would likely detail the internal construction and components, potentially anticipating aspects of the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode as broadly claimed in Claims 1 and 10 of US12374686B2.

15. CN205828573U

    • Full Citation: CN205828573U - Takeup type battery core
    • Publication Date: 2016-12-21
    • Filing Date: 2016-06-24
    • Brief Description: This utility model patent describes a takeup type battery core.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): "Takeup type battery core" strongly suggests a winding structure, making this highly relevant to Claims 5 and 14 of US12374686B2, which specify a "winding structure." It could anticipate the winding arrangement and possibly the positioning of internal components.

16. JP2017059402A

    • Full Citation: JP2017059402A - Tab sealant heat-resistant insulating structure for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
    • Publication Date: 2017-03-23
    • Filing Date: 2015-09-16
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a tab sealant heat-resistant insulating structure for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and the battery itself.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is particularly relevant to the negative tab and its interaction with other components (Claim 1 and 10), especially if it discusses insulation or arrangements around the tab. It could potentially anticipate aspects of Claim 9, which mentions a "groove" where the negative tab is arranged.

17. CN107293805A

    • Full Citation: CN107293805A - Takeup type battery core and volume pin
    • Publication Date: 2017-10-24
    • Filing Date: 2016-03-31
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a takeup type battery core and a volume pin.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Again, a "takeup type battery core" indicates a winding structure, making this relevant to Claims 5 and 14 of US12374686B2 regarding the winding structure.

18. US20180026298A1

    • Full Citation: US20180026298A1 - Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
    • Publication Date: 2018-01-25
    • Filing Date: 2015-02-27
    • Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This US publication is directly related to nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries and could anticipate various features of the electrochemical apparatus (Claim 1 and 10) in US12374686B2.

19. JP2018018646A

    • Full Citation: JP2018018646A - Lithium ion secondary battery
    • Publication Date: 2018-02-01
    • Filing Date: 2016-07-27
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a lithium-ion secondary battery.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Another lithium-ion secondary battery patent, highly relevant to the general electrochemical apparatus of US12374686B2 (Claim 1 and 10).

20. CN107834014A

    • Full Citation: CN107834014A - A high-power cylindrical lithium-ion battery cell
    • Publication Date: 2018-03-23
    • Filing Date: 2017-09-18
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a high-power cylindrical lithium-ion battery cell.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): A "high-power cylindrical lithium-ion battery cell" could anticipate features related to battery cell construction and performance (Claim 1 and 10), and potentially winding structures if cylindrical implies such an arrangement.

21. CN207303603U

    • Full Citation: CN207303603U - A kind of electric car safe charging adapter
    • Publication Date: 2018-05-01
    • Filing Date: 2017-10-23
    • Brief Description: This utility model patent describes an electric car safe charging adapter.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference appears less directly related to the internal structure of an electrochemical apparatus, focusing on an "electric car safe charging adapter." It is unlikely to anticipate specific claims regarding the negative electrode structure or material composition of US12374686B2, though it may broadly touch upon the application of such batteries in electronic apparatuses (Claim 10).

22. CN207303263U

    • Full Citation: CN207303263U - A kind of fast charge polymer lithium ion battery electric core structure
    • Publication Date: 2018-05-01
    • Filing Date: 2017-03-12
    • Brief Description: This utility model patent describes a fast charge polymer lithium ion battery electric core structure.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant due to its focus on a "polymer lithium ion battery electric core structure" and "fast charge" capability. It could anticipate features related to the negative electrode, active material layers, and overall cell structure in US12374686B2 (Claim 1 and 10), particularly regarding materials and designs for enhanced charging performance.

23. CN207459051U

    • Full Citation: CN207459051U - A kind of polymer battery electrode and its battery
    • Publication Date: 2018-06-05
    • Filing Date: 2017-07-10
    • Brief Description: This utility model patent describes a polymer battery electrode and its battery.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent on a "polymer battery electrode and its battery" is directly relevant to the electrode components of US12374686B2 (Claim 1 and 10), potentially anticipating aspects of the active material layers and their compositions.

24. CN207602716U

    • Full Citation: CN207602716U - A kind of coiled battery and battery pack
    • Publication Date: 2018-07-10
    • Filing Date: 2017-09-29
    • Brief Description: This utility model patent describes a coiled battery and battery pack.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The term "coiled battery" strongly indicates a winding structure, making this patent highly relevant to Claims 5 and 14 of US12374686B2. It could anticipate the winding arrangement and aspects of tab placement within such a structure.

25. US20190044124A1

    • Full Citation: US20190044124A1 - Electrochemical energy storage device
    • Publication Date: 2019-02-07
    • Filing Date: 2015-09-18
    • Assignee: Lithium Energy and Power GmbH & Co. KG
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes an electrochemical energy storage device.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): As a patent application on an "electrochemical energy storage device," this is directly relevant to the broad scope of US12374686B2 (Claim 1 and 10).

26. JP2019046592A

    • Full Citation: JP2019046592A - Power storage element
    • Publication Date: 2019-03-22
    • Filing Date: 2017-08-30
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a power storage element.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): A "power storage element" broadly encompasses batteries and could anticipate the general components of the electrochemical apparatus in US12374686B2 (Claim 1 and 10).

27. CN109524606A

    • Full Citation: CN109524606A - Pole piece, battery core and battery
    • Publication Date: 2019-03-26
    • Filing Date: 2018-11-05
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a pole piece, battery core, and battery.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is directly relevant to the "pole piece" (electrode) and "battery core," making it highly likely to anticipate elements of the negative electrode, current collector, and active material layer in US12374686B2 (Claim 1 and 10).

28. US20190207212A1

    • Full Citation: US20190207212A1 - Wound-type cell and electrochemical device
    • Publication Date: 2019-07-04
    • Filing Date: 2017-12-28
    • Assignee: Ningde Amperex Technology Limited
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes a wound-type cell and an electrochemical device.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent application is particularly significant as it describes a "wound-type cell and electrochemical device," making it highly relevant to Claims 5 and 14 of US12374686B2, which specify a "winding structure." It could anticipate the winding arrangement and specific tab placements within such structures. The assignee is also Ningde Amperex Technology Limited, the same as US12374686B2.

29. CN110459730A

    • Full Citation: CN110459730A - A kind of lithium ion battery and preparation method thereof
    • Publication Date: 2019-11-15
    • Filing Date: 2019-07-29
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a lithium-ion battery and its preparation method.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): As a lithium-ion battery patent, it is directly relevant to the electrochemical apparatus of US12374686B2 (Claim 1 and 10).

30. CN110753674A

    • Full Citation: CN110753674A - Electroactive material for metal ion batteries
    • Publication Date: 2020-02-04
    • Filing Date: 2017-06-16
    • Brief Description: This patent describes an electroactive material for metal ion batteries.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is relevant to the "negative active material layer" (Claim 1 and 10) of US12374686B2, particularly if it discloses silicon-based materials or similar active materials.

31. US20200044234A1

    • Full Citation: US20200044234A1 - Shared electrode segments between a step cell and a main cell of a stepped battery
    • Publication Date: 2020-02-06
    • Filing Date: 2018-08-06
    • Assignee: Ningde Amperex Technology Limited
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes shared electrode segments between a step cell and a main cell of a stepped battery.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference, also from the same assignee, focuses on electrode segments and battery configurations. While it may not directly anticipate the specific tab placement formula, it could be relevant to the general electrode structure and its components (Claim 1 and 10) or even specific battery architectures, especially if the "stepped battery" concept affects current flow or thermal management.

32. CN111029527A

    • Full Citation: CN111029527A - Negative electrode, and electrochemical device and electronic device including the same
    • Publication Date: 2020-04-17
    • Filing Date: 2019-12-11
    • Assignee: Ningde Amperex Technology Limited
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a negative electrode, and an electrochemical device and electronic device including the same.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is highly relevant as it explicitly describes a "negative electrode" and electrochemical and electronic devices containing it. As it shares the same assignee and pertains to the core subject matter of US12374686B2, it is very likely to contain disclosures that could anticipate various aspects of Claims 1-9 regarding the negative electrode structure, silicon-based material, and potentially tab placement, as well as Claims 10-14 for the electronic apparatus.

Most Relevant Prior Art

Based on the descriptions, the following patents appear to be the most relevant due to their direct focus on winding structures, electrode components, and/or the inclusion of silicon-based materials:

• JP2016122628A ("Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery winding element and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery") is highly relevant to the winding structure specified in Claims 5 and 14.
• CN205828573U ("Takeup type battery core") directly addresses winding-type battery cores, which is pertinent to Claims 5 and 14.
• US20190207212A1 ("Wound-type cell and electrochemical device") is extremely relevant as it specifically mentions "wound-type cell" and has the same assignee, suggesting a foundational or related technology. It likely provides detailed disclosures relevant to Claims 5 and 14.
• CN111029527A ("Negative electrode, and electrochemical device and electronic device including the same") is highly relevant because it directly addresses the negative electrode, the core of US12374686B2's invention, and is from the same assignee. It is likely to contain disclosures regarding silicon-based materials, tab placement, and overall negative electrode construction, potentially anticipating elements across Claims 1-9 and 10-14.
• CN207303263U ("A kind of fast charge polymer lithium ion battery electric core structure") is relevant for its focus on battery core structure and materials for performance.
• CN109524606A ("Pole piece, battery core and battery") is also highly relevant due to its focus on "pole piece" (electrode) and "battery core," directly addressing components central to US12374686B2.

These "most relevant" citations would require a thorough claim-by-claim comparison to determine the full extent of their anticipatory effect under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 12374686 under 35 U.S.C. § 103

This analysis identifies combinations of prior art references that would render the claims of US Patent 12374686 obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA), along with the motivations for such combinations. The core of the invention lies in the specific relationship (Formula I) governing the negative tab's position and the silicon-based material's weight percentage in the negative active material layer.

Primary Problem Addressed by the Patent

The patent explicitly states that a silicon-based material, while offering high theoretical gram capacity, suffers from low electrical conductivity and a high high-temperature expansion rate. These issues lead to high internal impedance, increased heat generation, degradation of electrochemical performance (e.g., accelerated capacity attenuation, reduced discharge rate), and potential thermal runaway in batteries containing these materials. The claimed invention aims to address these problems by optimizing the negative tab's position and the silicon-based material's content to reduce impedance and control temperature rise.

Motivation for Using Silicon-Based Materials

The background of US12374686B2 establishes a strong motivation in the prior art for using silicon-based materials: "At present, since a silicon-based material of at least one of a silicon-based elementary substance, a silicon-based alloy or a compound thereof has a high theoretical gram capacity, silicon-based materials in place of existing graphite materials are being widely studied." This indicates that the desire for higher energy density drove the adoption and development of silicon-based anodes, despite their known drawbacks.

Combination 1: CN111029527A in view of the known problems of silicon anodes and general engineering principles of battery design (Independent Claims 1 & 10)

1. Primary Reference: CN111029527A ("Negative electrode, and electrochemical device and electronic device including the same")

   • Disclosure: As a patent from the same assignee (Ningde Amperex Technology Ltd.) and explicitly describing a "negative electrode, and electrochemical device and electronic device including the same," CN111029527A would reasonably be expected to disclose:
     • An electrochemical apparatus comprising a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode.
     • The negative electrode comprising a negative current collector, a negative active material layer, and a negative tab.
     • The negative active material layer containing a silicon-based material, given the assignee's focus and the general industry trend towards high-capacity silicon anodes.
     • The negative tab arranged on a side edge of a long axis of the negative current collector and in contact with the negative active material layer, which is a common method of connecting tabs in battery electrodes.

2. Motivation to Modify/Optimize: A PHOSITA would be acutely aware of the aforementioned technical problems inherent in silicon-based negative electrodes (low conductivity, high impedance, volume expansion, heat generation) as detailed in the background of US12374686B2. These issues directly impact battery performance, safety, and cycle life.

   • It is a fundamental engineering principle that optimizing the placement and design of current collectors and tabs is crucial for managing current distribution, reducing internal resistance, and dissipating heat within an electrochemical cell. This principle is illustrated even within US12374686B2, which contrasts current distribution when a negative tab is at an end versus at a middle portion of the electrode, demonstrating that central placement shortens current paths and reduces ohmic heat (FIG. 7 vs. FIG. 8).
   • A PHOSITA, motivated to overcome the known problems of silicon-based anodes and enhance battery performance and safety, would naturally consider optimizing the negative tab's position. This would be a predictable approach to improve current collection efficiency and thermal management in a resistive silicon-containing electrode.

3. Reasoning for Formula (I) as Routine Optimization: The specific relationship formula (I): 0.5 ≥ D ≥ 0.6 × G (where D is the ratio of tab distance from end to active material length, and G is the weight percentage of silicon, G ≤ 70%) represents an empirical optimization of tab placement.

   • The upper bound, D ≤ 0.5, means the central position of the negative tab is at or closer to the geometric center of the negative active material layer. The patent itself highlights the benefit of this, stating, "the raising temperature of the electrochemical apparatus caused by the charging and discharging cycle process during operation can still be reduced by putting the central position of the negative tab 203 in the center of the negative active material layer 202 (that is, when the ratio D of the first length 204 to the second length 205 is 0.5)." This is a predictable optimization to minimize current path lengths from all parts of the electrode, thereby reducing overall impedance and heat.
   • The lower bound, D ≥ 0.6 × G, dictates that as the weight percentage of silicon (G) increases (making the electrode more resistive), the tab's central position (D) should be proportionally adjusted towards the center (a higher D value, closer to 0.5) to maintain efficient current collection and thermal control. For example, if G=20%, D must be at least 0.12. If G=70%, D must be at least 0.42. This correlation is a logical engineering response to a known material characteristic.
   • The constraint G ≤ 70% reflects a practical understanding of silicon anode limitations, where excessively high silicon content can lead to insurmountable volume expansion and instability, making this range a conventional operational boundary for silicon-based materials in batteries.
   • Given the known problems of silicon and the known solution of optimizing tab placement, a PHOSITA would have a reasonable expectation of success in arriving at such an optimized empirical relationship through routine experimentation and modeling, rather than through inventive ingenuity.

4. Independent Claim 10 (Electronic Apparatus): Claim 10 covers an electronic apparatus comprising the electrochemical apparatus defined in Claim 1. If the electrochemical apparatus of Claim 1 is deemed obvious, then its inclusion in an electronic apparatus is also obvious. The patent explicitly states that the electronic apparatus "may be any electronic apparatus known in the prior art," further indicating that its novelty does not reside in the electronic apparatus itself, but rather in the electrochemical apparatus it contains.

Therefore, Independent Claims 1 and 10 of US12374686 would have been obvious to a PHOSITA combining the teachings of CN111029527A with the widely recognized challenges of silicon-based negative electrodes and the established engineering principles for optimizing current distribution and thermal management in batteries.

Obviousness of Dependent Claims

The dependent claims introduce further details, most of which are also predictable optimizations or known techniques:

• Claims 2 & 11 (Formula II for thickness; S1 thickness range): The relationship 0.9 × (S1 + 2S3) ≤ S1 + S2 ≤ 1.1 × (S1 + 2S3) aims to achieve uniform pole piece thickness for structural stability. Ensuring uniform thickness to prevent defects and improve manufacturability is a routine design goal in battery production. The specified thickness range for the negative current collector (S1) of 4 μm to 30 μm is also a standard and known range for materials like copper foil in battery electrodes, as evidenced by common battery manufacturing practices and the examples within the patent itself.
• Claims 3 & 12 (Silicon-based material types): The specific forms of silicon (elementary substance, compound, alloy, or silica material like Siox) are well-known active materials for anodes in lithium-ion batteries, recognized for their high capacity as noted in the patent's background.
• Claims 4 & 13 (Ratio of active material layer length to current collector length 0.8 to 1.0): Maximizing the utilization rate of the current collector by minimizing inactive "empty foil" regions is a standard design choice to increase the energy density of an electrochemical apparatus. A PHOSITA would be motivated to optimize this ratio.
• Claims 5 & 14 (Winding structure; negative tab beyond three layers from center): Winding structures for batteries are well-established in the prior art, as shown by references such as US20190207212A1 (from the same assignee), JP2016122628A, and CN205828573U. Placing the negative tab at a specific position within the winding structure (e.g., "beyond three layers from a center") would be a routine design optimization for manufacturability, current distribution, or thermal management in such known structures.
• Claim 6 (Positive tab arrangement one layer inward or outward): Arranging positive and negative tabs one layer apart in a wound cell is a standard safety measure to prevent short circuits between tabs of opposite polarity. A PHOSITA would routinely implement such a design to enhance battery safety.
• Claims 7 & 8 (Material layer on silicon; specific polymer/inorganic particles): Applying material layers (e.g., polymers, inorganic particles, carbon) to silicon-based materials to improve conductivity, accommodate volume expansion, and stabilize the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) is a widely known technique in the field of silicon anode research and development. The specific materials listed (e.g., polyvinylidene fluoride, amorphous carbon, lithium cobaltate particles) are common choices for such coatings.
• Claim 9 (Groove for negative tab): Providing a groove where the negative tab is arranged and potentially filled with an insulating or bonding material is a known method to physically isolate the tab, expose the current collector for welding, and prevent short circuits. This is supported by prior art like JP2017059402A, which describes a "tab sealant heat-resistant insulating structure."

In summary, the specific numerical relationship (Formula I) for tab placement in silicon-based negative electrodes, while central to the independent claims, represents a predictable optimization to a known problem using known principles within the art. The dependent claims further elaborate on features that are either standard design choices, known material compositions, or routine engineering solutions to common battery challenges.