Composite Battery Electrode Layout for Low-Temperature High-Current Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium-ion cells struggle to perform effectively at low temperatures and high current demands, particularly in applications requiring high energy density, and they are costly compared to lead batteries, which are toxic and environmentally hazardous.

Innovation Solution

The development of an energy storage element with a cathode and anode composite body, featuring a solid electrolyte layer and free edge strips for direct contact with metal sheets, allowing for efficient electrical and thermal connection, and utilizing sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, or aluminum ions for enhanced performance and longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If lithium-ion cells are used to achieve high energy density, then energy storage capacity is improved, but performance at low temperatures and high current demands deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidperformance at low temperatures and high currents
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the ionic composition parameters of the electrolyte by introducing specific additives (LiFSO3, LiBF4, LiPF6) in optimized concentrations to improve low-temperature performance and high-current capability while maintaining high energy density lithium-ion cell operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite electrolyte system combining multiple lithium salts (LiFSO3, LiBF4, LiPF6) with carbonate solvents to create an electrolyte composition that simultaneously provides high energy density, low-temperature performance, and high-current capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If lithium-ion cells are used to achieve high energy density, then energy storage capacity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases compared to lead batteries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs cost-effective lithium salts (LiFSO3, LiBF4, LiPF6) and common carbonate solvents to create an affordable electrolyte composition that maintains high energy density performance, reducing manufacturing costs compared to proprietary high-performance lithium-ion cell formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If lead batteries are used to achieve low cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but environmental safety deteriorates due to toxicity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidenvironmental safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive, environmentally benign materials including common lithium salts and carbonate solvents to create a cost-effective electrolyte that is non-toxic and environmentally safe, eliminating the lead toxicity problems associated with traditional lead-acid batteries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Device complexity

If conventional electrode design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but electrical and thermal gradient losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode structureVSAvoidelectrical and thermal gradient losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes electrode parameters including the use of free edge strips on current collectors and specific electrode material compositions to reduce electrical resistance and thermal gradients, minimizing energy losses while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

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

This design minimizes electrical, thermal, and ionic gradients, enabling high-performance operation at low temperatures and high currents, while being more cost-effective than lithium-ion cells and environmentally safer than lead batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a ion current passing through the separator and which is usually facilitated by an ion-conducting electrolyte

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

Electrochemical energy storage devices are capable of converting stored chemical energy into electrical energy through a redox reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reaction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 3

During discharge, electrons are released at the negative electrode through an oxidation process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4336644A1Energy storage element and battery
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 VARTA MICROBATTERY GMBH
  • EP4336644A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4336644A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4D
  • EP4336644A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A secondary energy storage element (100) comprises a cathode (108) and an anode (105) as electrodes, which are parts of a composite body (104) in which they are arranged, separated by a separator or solid electrolyte layer (116), in the sequence cathode (108) / separator or solid electrolyte layer (116) / anode (105). The cathode (108) comprises a cathode current collector (109) and a positive electrode material (110), and the anode (105) comprises an anode current collector (106) and a negative electrode material (107). The cathode current collector (109) has a main area that is loaded on both sides with a layer of the positive electrode material (110) and a free edge strip (109b) that extends along an edge of the cathode current collector (109) and is not loaded with the positive electrode material (110).Alternatively or simultaneously, the anode current collector (106) has a main region that is coated on both sides with a layer of the negative electrode material (107), and a free edge strip (106b) that extends along an edge of the anode current collector (106) and is not coated with the negative electrode material (107). The cathode (108) and the anode (105) are configured and/or arranged within the composite body (104) such that the free edge strip (109b) of the cathode current collector (109) emerges from one side (104b) of the composite body (104) and/or the free edge strip (106b) of the anode current collector (106) emerges from another side (104a) of the composite body (104).The energy storage element comprises a first contact metal sheet (112) that is in direct contact with one of the free edge strips (106b), and/or a second contact metal sheet (109a) that is in direct contact with the other of the free edge strips (109b). The electrodes (105, 108) comprise at least one ion type from the group consisting of sodium ions, potassium ions, calcium ions, magnesium ions, and aluminum ions, which are exchanged between the cathode (108) and the anode (105) during charging and discharging of the secondary energy storage element (100).