Secondary Battery Activation for Electrolyte Permeation at High Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional secondary battery activation methods fail to sufficiently permeate electrolyte solution into the electrode, leading to insufficient capacity and potential thickness increase, especially at high voltages.

Innovation Solution

A method involving pre-aging, initial-charging, room temperature aging, full-charging to 4.4V or more, degassing, and controlled CC and CV charging processes to secure electrolyte solution and minimize electrode thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional charge/discharge repetition is performed, then battery activation is attempted, but electrolyte solution is not sufficiently permeated into the electrode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremaining amount of electrolyte solutionVSAvoidcapacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the charging voltage to 4.4V or higher, which creates sufficient electrostatic pressure to force electrolyte solution permeation into the electrode structure. This voltage threshold parameter change directly addresses the insufficient permeation issue while maintaining capacity requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If battery capacity is increased to operate at high voltages, then maximum capacity in limited space is achieved, but sufficient remaining amount of electrolyte solution inside electrode becomes necessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremaining amount of electrolyte solutionVSAvoidbattery structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating voltage parameter to 4.4V or higher, which enables the battery to achieve maximum capacity in limited space while simultaneously ensuring sufficient electrolyte solution remains inside the electrode through the enhanced electrostatic pressure for permeation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of stationary object

If electrode thickness is reduced to minimize battery size, then space efficiency improves, but sufficient electrolyte solution penetration becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode thicknessVSAvoidremaining amount of electrolyte solution
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By increasing the charging voltage to 4.4V or higher, the patent generates sufficient electrostatic pressure to overcome the reduced diffusion path length in thinner electrodes, ensuring adequate electrolyte solution penetration and remaining amount even when electrode thickness is minimized for space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Increases the remaining amount of electrolyte solution inside the electrode, ensuring high capacity and preventing excessive electrode thickness, thereby enhancing battery performance.

Implementation Method 1

the electrolyte solution was not sufficiently permeated into the inside of the electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

electrolyte solution permeation into the electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

a degassing step of removing gas inside the secondary battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDegassing:

Data Source

PatentEP4060788B1Secondary battery activation method
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4060788B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4060788B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4060788B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method of activating a secondary battery according to the present invention includes: a pre-aging step of aging a secondary battery, where an electrode assembly and an electrolyte solution are accommodated in a battery case, at a room temperature; an formation step of initial-charging the pre-aged secondary battery; a room temperature aging step of aging the initial-charged secondary battery at a room temperature; a step of full-charging the room-temperature-aged secondary battery to a voltage of 4.4V or more; and a degassing step of removing gas inside the secondary battery. According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the remaining amount of an electrolyte solution inside an electrode by full-charging a secondary battery.