Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte and Heating for Wide-Temperature Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion batteries face safety and durability issues due to the need for complex designs and heating/cooling systems to operate within a wide temperature range, which compromises safety and longevity.
Innovation Solution
Operating lithium ion batteries within a controlled temperature range of 5-90°C using a heating device and specific electrolyte compositions like LiBOB, LiFSI, or LiTFSI with solvents such as PC, EC, glycol ethers, and imidazolium compounds, eliminating the need for cooling systems and enhancing stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a heating system is used to bring the cell core to an appropriate temperature for low temperature operation, then the lithium ion battery can function at low temperatures, but the construction becomes very complicated and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is integrated directly into the battery structure by placing heating elements between the electrode stacks and within the separator, merging the heating function with the existing battery components rather than adding separate external heating systems
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte acts as an intermediary medium that facilitates heat distribution throughout the battery cells, working together with the heating elements to achieve uniform temperature distribution without requiring complex thermal management systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If low-boiling-point solvents are used to enable low temperature operation, then the battery can function at low temperatures, but safety deteriorates due to high pressure build-up and tendency toward formation of explosive air-solvent mixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the electrolyte by using specific solvents with appropriate boiling points and vapor pressures, along with adding viscosity modifiers and safety additives to achieve the desired balance between low-temperature performance and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte is formulated as a composite system combining multiple solvents (cyclic carbonates, chain carbonates, carboxylic acid esters), viscosity modifiers, and safety additives to achieve both low-temperature operability and enhanced safety characteristics
3Reliability
If a cooling system is added to manage high temperature safety, then safety is improved, but the construction becomes very complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged with the existing battery structure by utilizing the separator as a cooling medium carrier and integrating cooling channels within the battery housing, eliminating the need for separate complex cooling systems
Solution Approach 2:
The separator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an electrical insulator, a physical barrier between electrodes, and a cooling medium carrier, thereby achieving cooling functionality without adding separate dedicated cooling components
4Adaptability or versatility
If the temperature range is extended to include low temperatures, then adaptability is improved, but the service life deteriorates due to safety risks and structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte and electrode materials to ensure stability and compatibility across a wide temperature range, preventing degradation reactions that would reduce service life
Solution Approach 2:
Safety additives are incorporated into the electrolyte composition beforehand to prevent harmful reactions and degradation processes before they can occur, thereby protecting the battery structure and extending service life under varying temperature conditions
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 approach improves user safety, extends battery life, simplifies design, and maintains high power density without the need for cooling systems, allowing for safer and more durable lithium ion batteries suitable for motor vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device is equipped to operate the lithium ion battery in a temperature range between 5 and 90° C.
Implementation Method 2
Each lithium ion cell further includes an anode, a cathode, a separator, a power outlet lead and an electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for operating a lithium ion battery having at least one lithium ion cell and a heating device, the method includes a step of operating the lithium ion battery in a temperature range between 5 and 90° C. The heating device is designed to operate the lithium ion battery in a temperature range between 5 and 90° C. The lithium ion cell includes an anode, a cathode, a separator, a current collector and an electrolyte. The electrolyte can contain LiBOB as the conducting salt and at least one solvent selected from propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate; or having LiFSI and/or LiDFOB as the conducting salt and at least one solvent selected from glycol ether and/or DMC; or having LiFSI and/or LiTFSI and/or LiDFOB and/or LiTDI as the conducting salt and at least one solvent selected from imidazolium compounds, pyrrolidinium compounds and piperidinium compounds.