Battery Cell Enclosure Wettability Gradient for Electrolyte Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lithium-ion batteries face challenges in maintaining effective electrolyte distribution and temperature control due to internal reaction rates generating significant thermal energy, which can lead to performance degradation and safety issues.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell enclosure with a case interior wall featuring a pattern of surface tension varying from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, facilitating self-propulsion of the liquid electrolyte against gravity and ensuring uniform distribution, thereby aiding in thermal energy dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If liquid electrolyte is used in battery cells, then ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance are improved, but thermal management and electrolyte distribution become problematic due to gravity-induced pooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidthermal management

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The case interior wall is engineered with a wettability gradient, creating different local surface properties (hydrophobic to hydrophilic transition) along the vertical direction. This local variation in surface energy drives the electrolyte to distribute uniformly across electrode surfaces rather than pooling at the bottom, thereby improving thermal contact between electrolyte and electrodes while maintaining ionic conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If liquid electrolyte is used in battery cells, then electrochemical reactions are enhanced, but electrolyte distribution uniformity deteriorates due to gravitational settling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrochemical reaction rateVSAvoidelectrolyte distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The surface energy parameter of the case interior wall is deliberately varied along its height, creating a wettability gradient that changes from hydrophobic at the bottom to hydrophilic at the top. This parameter change counteracts gravitational settling by generating capillary forces that pull electrolyte upward and distribute it uniformly across the electrode surfaces, maintaining both high reaction rates and uniform distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional battery enclosures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but electrolyte distribution control and thermal management capability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosure manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidelectrolyte distribution control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than redesigning the entire enclosure system, the invention applies a localized modification to the case interior wall surface with a wettability gradient. This approach maintains the overall simplicity of enclosure manufacturing while introducing a functional gradient that provides active control over electrolyte distribution and enhances thermal management capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution enables efficient electrolyte distribution and thermal management within the battery cell, enhancing performance and safety by maintaining electrode immersion and preventing thermal runaway.

Implementation Method 1

The case interior wall defines a pattern of surface tension varying between hydrophobic and hydrophilic along the case interior wall between the battery case floor and the battery cell ceiling. The pattern of surface tension thereby facilitates self-propulsion of the liquid electrolyte in opposition to the force of gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

The pattern of surface tension may have a wettability gradient progressing from hydrophobic to hydrophilic up the case interior wall to thereby transfer the liquid electrolyte from the battery case floor up the battery case interior wall in opposition to the force of gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Data Source

PatentUS12308448B2Battery cell enclosure with anti-gravity electrolyte distribution

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A battery cell includes an anode, a cathode, a liquid electrolyte, and a battery cell case. The battery cell case is configured to house the anode, the cathode, and the liquid electrolyte and includes a case interior wall arranged proximate one of the anode and the cathode, a battery case ceiling, and a battery case floor catching and collecting the liquid electrolyte due to force of gravity. The case interior wall defines a pattern of surface tension varying between hydrophobic and hydrophilic along the case interior wall between the battery case floor and the battery cell ceiling. The pattern of surface tension thereby facilitates self-propulsion of the liquid electrolyte in opposition to the force of gravity and a predetermined distribution of the liquid electrolyte along the battery cell wall.