Solid-Electrolyte Battery Measuring Assembly for Stable Electrode Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement setups for solid electrolyte batteries face challenges in reproducibility and simplicity due to complex geometries, high resistance, and thermal deformation issues, making it difficult to perform reliable and quick electrochemical analyses.
Innovation Solution
A measuring arrangement with two electrically non-conductive cell body halves, conductive holding elements, and flat current conductors with conductive and non-conductive areas, allowing for reproducible and flexible electrical connections and uniform force distribution, enabling efficient temperature control and contact with solid electrolyte battery cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex geometries are used in measurement setups for solid electrolyte batteries, then electrical connections can be established, but measurement reproducibility and simplicity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement setup is divided into modular components: a press unit with planar press elements, a cell body with receiving space, and separate current collectors. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity and reproducibility of measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid electrolyte battery cell is nested within the cell body's receiving space, which is formed by recesses in the cell body halves. The current collectors are then nested within the same space to contact the electrodes, creating a compact hierarchical structure that simplifies the overall setup.
2Ease of operation
If longer path between reference electrode and working electrode is used, then reference electrode can be positioned, but resistance increases leading to voltage differences
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement setup uses planar press elements that apply force from above, creating a compressed sandwich structure where all electrodes and the solid electrolyte are arranged in parallel planes. This dimensional arrangement minimizes the current path length between electrodes while maintaining proper contact pressure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If polymer solid electrolytes are used, then flexibility is improved, but thermal deformation causes deliquescence and loss of electrode contact
Solution Approach 1:
The press unit applies preliminary compressive force to the battery cell before thermal testing begins. This pre-compression counteracts thermal expansion and deformation that occurs when polymer solid electrolytes are heated, maintaining continuous contact between electrodes and preventing deliquescence.
Solution Approach 2:
The planar press elements create a cushioning compressive force that compensates for thermal deformation of the polymer electrolyte. This beforehand applied force acts as a mechanical buffer that maintains electrode contact even when the electrolyte softens or expands due to heating.
4Force
If individual compression springs are used for pressure distribution, then contact pressure is achieved, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple compression springs are merged into a single integrated press unit that applies distributed pressure through planar press elements. This consolidation reduces the number of individual components that need to be assembled while maintaining uniform pressure distribution across the battery cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The press unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it applies compressive force through the planar press elements, maintains contact between current collectors and electrodes, and provides structural support for the battery cell during measurement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pressure application mechanisms.
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 allows for quick and reproducible measurement of electrical properties with reduced risk of mechanical damage and measurement interruptions, enabling fast and accurate data collection while maintaining a simple and easy-to-assemble structure.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical contact element for each retaining element, wherein the electrical contact element is configured to change its length depending on the force acting on the element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a measuring assembly for secondary alkali solid-electrolyte batteries, comprising: two electrically non-conductive cell body halves, wherein both the cell body halves have at least one feed-through and one cell body half has at least three feed-throughs, wherein both cell body halves form a receiving space for receiving a solid-electrolyte battery cell formed of at least one anode, a cathode and a solid electrolyte; an electrically conductive retaining element for each feed-through; an electrical contact element for each retaining element, wherein the electrical contact element is designed to change its length according to the force acting on the element; and two flat current collectors having electrically conductive and electrically non-conductive regions, wherein at least one of the current collectors is designed to form at least three separate electrically conductive connections between the contact elements and an electrode of the solid-electrolyte battery cell. The invention also relates to the use of the measuring assembly for determining the electrical properties of secondary alkali solid-electrolyte battery cells.