Mechanical analysis of a flexible cable battery using the finite element model

Abstract

Portable flexible electronic devices are receiving much attention for their flexible, portable, and wearable characteristics. The performance of such devices depends on the performance of the flexible battery to a great extent. The resistance of the battery is an important index of performance and a series of tests show that the resistance increases during deformation of the battery. In investigating how the mechanical behavior affects the resistance of the battery and optimizes the battery structure, a finite element model is developed to analyze the properties of the flexible-cable battery from a mechanical view. The model is used to analyze the mechanical behaviors of a wire-cable-type battery when the battery is solely subject to axial stretching, bending, or torsion. Effects of the cable lay angle and friction coefficient are considered. Effects of different loads on the resistance are presented considering the relationship between the strain and resistance. Simulation results show that the effect of the friction coefficient can be ignored. When the battery bears different loads, different lay angles are suggested for good flexibility and a small increase in resistance.