Secondary Battery Capacity Recovery by Heat and Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries, particularly lithium secondary batteries, experience capacity degradation due to repeated charging and discharging cycles, leading to reduced lifespan and frequent replacement, resulting in significant waste and economic burdens.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that involves heating and pressing a secondary battery with deteriorated lifespan characteristics to compress its electrodes and separator, followed by controlled charging and discharging, using a clamping unit for fixation and a charge/discharge unit to recover the battery's capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If secondary batteries are used until they lose minimum function, then operational duration is extended, but capacity degradation occurs and replacement frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery operational durationVSAvoidbattery capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies thermal energy (temperature parameter change) and mechanical pressure to the battery electrodes and separator. Heating to elevated temperatures softens the separator and electrode materials, while simultaneous pressing compresses the structure to restore contact between electrodes and separator, thereby recovering capacity without replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The heating process induces phase transitions in the battery materials, particularly softening the separator material and electrode binders. This temporary phase change allows the structure to be reformed under pressure, restoring proper electrode-separator contact and improving ionic conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Reliability

If degraded secondary batteries are replaced, then reliability is maintained, but processing costs and purchasing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery functionVSAvoidprocessing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding degraded batteries, the patent recovers their functionality through thermal and mechanical treatment. The process restores the battery's capacity to acceptable levels, allowing continued use and avoiding the costs associated with disposal and replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The battery undergoes self-reformation through the applied heat and pressure, where the materials themselves soften and reconfigure to restore proper structure. The electrochemical components reactivate through controlled charging/discharging cycles performed during the recovery process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If frequent battery replacement is required, then reliability is maintained, but economic burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery performanceVSAvoidpurchasing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary restoration treatment on batteries showing signs of degradation before they complete their failure cycle. By applying heat and pressure during early degradation stages, the battery's lifespan is extended, preventing the need for frequent replacements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method effectively recovers the capacity of deteriorated secondary batteries by re-establishing electrical connections and regenerating the electrode structure, as demonstrated by improved capacity retention and extended lifespan characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

heating the secondary battery with deteriorated lifespan characteristics

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

pressing the secondary battery with deteriorated lifespan characteristics to compress a positive electrode, negative electrode, or separator included in the secondary battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS12166194B2Method of recovering capacity of a used battery and a secondary battery capacity recovery apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A method of recovering a used battery and apparatus for recovering the capacity of a secondary battery comprising: (1) preparing a secondary battery with deteriorated lifespan characteristics; (2) heating the secondary battery with deteriorated lifespan characteristics while pressing the secondary battery with deteriorated lifespan characteristics to compress a positive electrode, negative electrode, or separator included in the secondary battery; and (3) charging/discharging the secondary battery with deteriorated lifespan characteristics, the secondary battery having been pressed and heated, and the secondary battery with deteriorated lifespan characteristics may be charged and discharged while being pressed and heated, thereby exhibiting an effect of recovering the capacity of the secondary battery with deteriorated lifespan characteristics.