Lithium-Ion Battery Preconditioning for Fast Charging in Cold Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries face performance issues under harsh conditions such as low temperature and high charge/discharge rates, limiting their cycle life and charging speed, which existing technologies struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
Initial one-time preconditioning of battery cells through elevated temperature cell formation or charge/discharge cycling within a specific temperature range and cycle count, either during manufacturing or after assembly, to stabilize performance under subsequent harsh conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If battery cells are charged at high rates or low temperatures without preconditioning, then charging speed is improved, but battery stability and cycle life deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing elevated temperature preconditioning cycles before the battery is placed into service. This preliminary treatment at temperatures above 40°C for 5-10 cycles prepares the battery cells to withstand subsequent harsh operating conditions including fast charging and low temperature operation, thereby improving both charging speed and maintaining battery stability throughout the battery's life.
2Productivity
If battery cells are subjected to harsh charging/discharging conditions from the start, then initial performance is improved, but long-term stability and cycle life deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by conducting elevated temperature preconditioning cycles (above 40°C) for 5-10 cycles before the battery enters normal service. This preparatory treatment enables the battery to achieve high initial performance under harsh conditions while maintaining long-term stability and extended cycle life throughout its operational lifetime.
3Adaptability or versatility
If battery cells are charged at low temperatures without preconditioning, then operational flexibility is improved, but charging performance and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing elevated temperature preconditioning cycles before service deployment. This enables the battery to operate flexibly across a wide temperature range including low temperatures below 10°C, while maintaining reliable charging performance and stability throughout the battery's operational life.
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
Preconditioning significantly enhances battery stability and charging/discharging performance, enabling faster charging and discharging at lower temperatures, with improved charge capacity retention even under harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
initial, one-time preconditioning of battery cells prior to being placed in normal service operation by cell formation at an elevated temperature or by charge/discharge cycling at elevated temperature for a limited number of cycles during a limited time period
Data Source
AI summary
A lithium-ion battery cell is preconditioned using an initial, one-time process of cell formation at an elevated temperature, or after cell formation, charge/discharge cycling for a predetermined number of cycles within a specified period of time at an elevated temperature prior to being placed in service. The process may be performed as part of manufacturing during cell formation after electrolyte filling and pre-charging. Alternatively, the pre-conditioning process may be performed after assembly of finished cells within a multi-cell battery, either before or after installation of the battery in a product, but before the battery is subjected to harsh conditions, such as fast charging and/or discharging at low temperature. An electrified vehicle may include an electric machine powered by a multi-cell lithium-ion battery preconditioned according to the initial, one-time process.