Battery Cell Lithium Plating Detection Using SOC Charge Imbalance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack a non-destructive method to detect lithium precipitation in battery cells, which can lead to battery deterioration and risk of ignition or explosion due to internal short circuits.

Innovation Solution

A lithium precipitation detecting apparatus and method that calculates the charge and discharge amounts of a battery cell and estimates the state of charge (SOC) to determine if lithium precipitation occurs, using a control unit to compare these values and correct for SOC deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If lithium precipitation is detected using existing technologies, then detection accuracy may be improved, but the detection method is destructive and requires disassembling the battery cell

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium precipitation detection accuracyVSAvoidbattery cell structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/disconstructive detection methods with an electrical measurement system. The detection apparatus uses voltage and current measurements during normal battery operation to identify lithium precipitation through electrochemical signatures, eliminating the need to disassemble the battery cell while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery cell performs self-detection during its normal charge-discharge cycles. The detection system utilizes the battery's own operational parameters (voltage, current, temperature) to identify lithium precipitation without requiring external intervention or disassembly, making the detection process non-intrusive and continuous

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If lithium precipitation is not detected, then battery operation continues normally, but battery deterioration and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery operation continuityVSAvoidbattery safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection apparatus continuously monitors battery parameters during charge-discharge cycles and provides real-time feedback on lithium precipitation status. When precipitation is detected, the system can alert users or adjust charging parameters to prevent further deterioration, maintaining both operational continuity and safety through ongoing monitoring and responsive control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects lithium precipitation in its early stages before it causes significant battery deterioration or safety hazards. By identifying precipitation trends during normal operation, the system enables preventive measures to be taken before critical failure modes are reached, preserving both battery life and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If charge and discharge amounts are compared to detect lithium precipitation, then detection speed is improved, but accuracy may be affected by SOC deviations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoidlithium precipitation detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameters from simple charge-discharge amount comparison to a multi-parameter analysis including voltage, current, temperature, and state of charge (SOC). By monitoring multiple electrochemical parameters simultaneously, the system maintains fast detection speed while compensating for SOC deviations to achieve accurate lithium precipitation identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system applies different analysis methods to different operational conditions. When SOC deviations are detected, the system adjusts its detection algorithm to account for the specific charge-discharge state, applying localized correction factors to maintain accuracy across varying operating conditions while preserving rapid detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12282068B2Lithium precipitation detecting apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A lithium precipitation detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a measuring unit configured to calculate a charge amount of a battery in a charging process and calculate a discharge amount of the battery in a discharging process; and a control unit configured to estimate a state of charge (SOC) of the battery in the charging process and the discharging process and determine whether lithium precipitation occurs in the battery based on the estimated SOC, the charge amount and the discharge amount.