Battery Cell Resonant Pulse Heating for Cold Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems face inefficiencies in thermal conditioning, particularly at low temperatures, leading to reduced performance and the risk of irreversible damage due to lithium plating, with existing heating methods being energetically inefficient and slow.
Innovation Solution
A method that resonantly excites electrochemical processes within battery cells using current pulses tuned to specific time constants, allowing direct and efficient heating of critical components without energy losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external heating elements or heating devices are provided on the battery housing, then the battery housing is heated, but the internal active material of the battery cells is heated with time delay and energy losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cells heat themselves through internal electrochemical processes during charging and discharging operations. The method utilizes the natural electrochemical reactions within the cells to generate heat directly where needed, eliminating the need for external heating devices and associated energy losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is extracted from external heating devices and transferred to the internal electrochemical processes of the battery cells themselves. By removing the external heating system, the patent eliminates the thermal pathway losses and time delays associated with external heating.
2Productivity
If heating systems are equipped to provide adequate driving and charging performance in cold environment, then performance is improved, but energy efficiency is reduced due to thermal losses in warming cell housing
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cells generate their own heat through internal electrochemical processes during normal charging and discharging operations. This self-heating mechanism eliminates the need for external heating systems and associated energy losses, while still providing adequate performance in cold environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochemical processes that normally cause energy losses through internal resistance are utilized to generate beneficial heat during cold operation. The method converts what would normally be wasted energy into useful thermal energy that improves cell temperature and performance.
3Reliability
If charge currents are severely limited at low temperatures to prevent lithium plating, then battery safety is maintained, but charging times are extended
Solution Approach 1:
The method monitors cell temperature and electrochemical process characteristics in real-time, using this feedback information to dynamically adjust charging parameters. When cells reach optimal temperature through resonant excitation, the system increases charge current to maintain safety while reducing charging time.
Solution Approach 2:
The method applies periodic current pulses at resonant frequencies to selectively heat specific cell components. This periodic action allows the system to periodically increase charge current above safety limits during brief intervals when cells are adequately heated, then reduce current when cooling occurs, maintaining safety while improving overall charging speed.
4Temperature
If conventional heating methods are used to warm battery cells, then cell temperature is increased, but heating is slow and energetically ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The method applies periodic current pulses at resonant frequencies to selectively and rapidly heat specific cell components. This periodic excitation creates efficient energy transfer that quickly raises cell temperature compared to conventional continuous heating methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The method changes the frequency parameter of applied current to match resonant frequencies of specific electrochemical processes. This parameter adjustment creates resonant conditions that dramatically improve heating efficiency and speed compared to conventional heating at non-resonant frequencies.
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
Achieves targeted and efficient heating of battery cells, improving performance and preventing irreversible aging, while reducing charging times and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
a pulse frequency of the current pulse is set on the basis of a time constant for an electrochemical process in the interior of the battery cell in such a manner that the electrochemical process is resonantly excited by the current pulse
Implementation Method 2
at least one electrochemical process that contributes to a cell internal electrical resistance of the battery cell occurs during operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a battery system having at least one electrochemical battery cell in which at least one electrochemical process that contributes to a cell internal electrical resistance of the battery cell occurs during operation. A time constant is associated with the electrochemical process. A current pulse is fed into the battery cell, and a pulse frequency of the current pulse is set on the basis of the time constant such that the electrochemical process of the battery cell is resonantly excited by the current pulse.