Battery Compression Housing for Uniform Cell Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Batteries with multiple electrochemical cells face challenges in managing dimensional changes during charging and discharging, leading to uneven pressure distributions and potential battery pack failures, particularly with lithium metal cells, where dendrite formation and surface roughening can occur.
Innovation Solution
The use of a housing configuration that applies an anisotropic force with a component normal to the electrochemical cell surfaces, utilizing solid plates made of materials like carbon fiber, and incorporating thermally insulating compressible solid articles to mitigate dimensional changes and ensure uniform pressure distribution across multiple cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrochemical cells are subjected to high compression force during cycling, then performance is improved, but dimensional stability deteriorates leading to uneven pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies anisotropic compression with different force magnitudes in different directions (higher normal force perpendicular to cell surfaces, lower lateral force parallel to surfaces). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining high compression for performance while reducing lateral compression to preserve dimensional stability and prevent uneven pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric compression forces where the normal component (perpendicular to cell surfaces) is significantly higher than the lateral component (parallel to surfaces). This asymmetry allows the system to achieve both improved cell performance through high compression and maintained dimensional stability by limiting lateral compression that would cause uneven pressure distribution.
2Productivity
If high compression force is applied to electrochemical cells, then current density improves, but dendrite formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compression force parameters by applying anisotropic forces with different magnitudes in different directions. The high normal force improves current density while the controlled lateral force prevents dendrite formation, resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different compression force magnitudes to different spatial locations and orientations - high force normal to electrode surfaces for improved current density, and lower force in lateral directions to prevent dendrite formation. This local differentiation of force quality resolves the contradiction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If housing allows cell expansion and contraction, then cell volume changes are accommodated, but pressure distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical constraints of the housing by implementing anisotropic compression that allows controlled volume changes while maintaining uniform pressure distribution. The housing design with specific force application points and directional constraints enables this parameter change.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it accommodates cell volume changes during cycling, maintains uniform pressure distribution through anisotropic force application, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between adaptability and pressure uniformity.
4Quantity of substance
If battery pack size is reduced for high energy density, then energy density improves, but thermal management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin, flexible thermal management components including flexible heat spreaders and phase change materials that can be integrated into compact battery pack designs. These thin-film solutions provide effective thermal management while minimizing space consumption, resolving the contradiction between high energy density and thermal management capability.
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
This configuration reduces dendrite formation, improves current density, and maintains battery integrity by minimizing expansion and contraction, achieving high energy densities and durability while maintaining a low pack burden.
Implementation Method 1
the housing is configured to apply, via the solid plate and tension in a solid housing component coupled to the solid plate, during at least one period of time during charge and/or discharge of the first electrochemical cell and/or the second electrochemical cell, an anisotropic force with a component normal to a first electrode active surface of the first electrochemical cell and/or a second electrode active surface of the second electrochemical cell defining a pressure of at least 10 kgf/cm2
Implementation Method 2
thermally insulating and compressible components for battery packs
Implementation Method 3
thermally insulating compressible solid articles to mitigate dimensional changes
Implementation Method 4
utilizing solid plates made of materials like carbon fiber, and incorporating thermally insulating compressible solid articles to mitigate dimensional changes and ensure uniform pressure distribution across multiple cells
Data Source
AI summary
Batteries including electrochemical cells, associated components, and arrangements thereof are generally described. In some aspects, batteries with housings that undergo relatively little expansion and contraction even in cases where electrochemical cells in the battery undergo a relatively high degree of expansion and contraction during charging and discharging are provided. Batteries configured to apply relatively high magnitudes and uniform force to electrochemical cells in the battery, while in some cases having high energy densities and a relatively low pack burden, are also provided. In certain aspects, arrangements of electrochemical cells and associated components are generally described. In some aspects, thermally conductive solid articles that can be used for aligning components of the battery are described. In some aspects, thermally insulating and compressible components for battery packs are generally described.