Battery Cell Pre-Lithiation Box for Uniform Batch Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pre-lithiation technologies for electrochemical energy storage devices face inefficiencies, particularly in large-scale applications, with methods like positive electrode, negative electrode, chemical, and electrochemical lithium supplementation being inadequate for batch processing and introducing impurities that lower energy density.
Innovation Solution
A pre-lithiation apparatus comprising a pre-lithiation working box with a battery cell fixing element, negative and lithium source current collectors, and an external power supply, allowing simultaneous pre-lithiation of multiple battery cells, including cylindrical and laminated types, using a scalable and cost-effective setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional chemical lithium supplement or electrochemical lithium supplement is used, then lithium supplement for single electrode sheet is achieved, but batch pre-lithiation and large scale applications are not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple battery cells into a single integrated pre-lithiation structure where multiple negative electrodes are connected in parallel to a common lithium source half-cell. This merging approach enables batch pre-lithiation of multiple cells simultaneously, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining manageable process complexity through standardized integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The lithium source half-electrode serves as a universal lithium supplement for multiple negative electrodes simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows a single lithium source to supply lithium ions to numerous battery cells, enabling large-scale pre-lithiation applications without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If positive electrode lithium supplement using lithium-containing compounds is used, then lithium supplement is achieved, but inactive ingredients are introduced lowering energy density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and uses pure lithium metal from the lithium source half-electrode as the lithium supplement, eliminating the need for lithium-containing compounds and inactive ingredients. This extraction approach provides pure lithium ions to the negative electrode while maintaining high energy density, as no additional inactive materials are introduced into the battery structure.
3Quantity of substance
If lithium powder supplement is used, then lithium supplement is achieved, but explosive dust hazard is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a lithium source half-electrode that is intentionally designed to be consumed during the pre-lithiation process. This disposable lithium source provides controlled lithium supplementation without the safety hazards of lithium powder, as the lithium is contained within the structured half-electrode rather than dispersed as explosive dust.
4Quantity of substance
If lithium supplement with ultra-thin lithium foil is used, then lithium supplement is achieved, but high requirements on ultra-thin lithium foil process are imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lithium source into a structured half-electrode configuration that can be easily manufactured and integrated. Rather than requiring ultra-thin lithium foil processing, the lithium is organized into a practical half-cell structure with current collectors and electrodes, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining effective lithium supplementation.
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
Enables high-efficiency, consistent, and uniform pre-lithiation of multiple battery cells, reducing costs and simplifying the process while maintaining high energy density by minimizing impurities.
Implementation Method 1
the power supply has a positive electrode connected to the negative electrode current collector, and a negative electrode connected to the lithium source current collector
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an integrated battery cell pre-lithiation apparatus and method, which use a lithium source half electrode to pre-lithiate the battery cell in batch through an electrochemical method. The pre-lithiation apparatus comprises a pre-lithiation working box and an external power supply, wherein the pre-lithiation working box comprises a box body; a battery cell fixing element and a lithium source half electrode disposed within the box body; and a negative electrode current collector and a lithium source current collector, wherein the negative electrode current collector comprises a negative electrode busbar configured for being communicated with negative electrodes of a plurality of battery cells simultaneously, and the lithium source current collector is configured for being communicated with the lithium source half electrode. The negative electrode of the battery cell and the lithium source half electrode are connected to the external power supply via an electrical circuit, and provide an electrochemical lithium supplement under the action of the power supply. The pre-lithiation apparatus of the present application is easy to operate, and can perform pre-lithiation in batch. As compared to traditional pre-lithiation, the electrochemical pre-lithiation of the pre-lithiation apparatus of the present application results in better consistency and uniformity of the negative electrode pre-lithiation, better pre-lithiation effect, and lower requirements on the lithium source.