Battery Cell Maturation Using Open-Circuit Voltage Defect Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current maturation processes for electric batteries introduce significant delays and require substantial storage space, leading to increased costs, and often fail to identify defective batteries until the end of the maturation period.
Innovation Solution
A maturation process involving charging the battery cell, subjecting it to a period of at least one day with only a measurement apparatus connected, taking open circuit voltage measurements between the start and end of the period, and determining integrity based on these measurements to identify defects such as high self-discharge, internal resistance, and temperature anomalies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a maturation period of several weeks is used to identify defective batteries, then detection reliability is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by charging the battery to a specific state (e.g., 30% charge level) before the maturation period begins. This preliminary charging state is optimized to accelerate the manifestation of defects during the subsequent maturation period, allowing defective batteries to show symptoms earlier than in conventional processes. The measurement of open circuit voltage at this predetermined charge level enables earlier detection without requiring extended maturation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters of the maturation process: (1) charging the battery to a specific charge level (e.g., 30%) before maturation, (2) measuring open circuit voltage at this predetermined charge level during maturation, and (3) using these controlled parameter changes to accelerate defect manifestation. This allows the maturation period to be significantly reduced while maintaining or improving defect detection reliability.
2Reliability
If a maturation period of several weeks is used to identify defective batteries, then detection reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By establishing a predetermined charge level (e.g., 30%) before the maturation period and measuring open circuit voltage at this specific state, the patent accelerates defect detection. This preliminary setup enables faster identification of defective batteries, increasing throughput without compromising detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies maturation process parameters by controlling charge level and measurement timing, which accelerates the detection process and enables faster battery throughput while maintaining high detection reliability.
3Reliability
If extensive storage space is allocated for maturation, then defect detection capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the charge level parameter to a predetermined value (e.g., 30%) and measures open circuit voltage at this state during maturation. This parameter change accelerates defect manifestation, allowing shorter maturation periods and reduced storage space requirements while maintaining defect detection capability.
4Measurement precision
If maturation period is extended to detect defects, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by charging the battery to a specific charge level (e.g., 30%) before maturation and measuring open circuit voltage at this predetermined state. This preliminary configuration accelerates defect manifestation, enabling accurate detection in a shorter time period.
Solution Approach 2:
By controlling the charge level parameter and measurement timing, the patent achieves both high measurement precision for defect detection and reduced maturation period duration.
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 allows for early identification of defective batteries, reducing storage needs and shipment delays, and effectively determines battery integrity by analyzing voltage and resistance changes over time, thereby improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the maturation process.
Implementation Method 1
taking at least one measurement of the open circuit voltage of the at least one electric battery cell with the measurement apparatus between the start and the end of the maturation period
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a maturation process for at least one electric battery cell 32. The maturation process comprises charging the at least one electric battery cell 32 and subjecting the at least one electric battery cell to a maturation period of at least one day wherein no electrical load other than a measurement apparatus 30 is connected to the at least one electric battery cell. The maturation process also comprises taking at least one measurement of the open circuit voltage of the at least one electric battery cell 32 with the measurement apparatus 30 between the start and the end of the maturation period. The maturation process further comprises determining the integrity of the at least one electric battery cell in dependence on the at least one measurement.