All Climate Battery Internal Resistance Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, exhibit low performance and safety concerns at extreme temperatures, with sluggish electrochemical kinetics at subfreezing temperatures and safety hazards at high temperatures, necessitating a solution for efficient and safe operation across all climate conditions.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable battery design featuring one level of internal resistance for normal operating temperatures and a higher level activated at extreme temperatures, utilizing resistor sheets and a thermally activated switch to increase internal resistance at subfreezing temperatures, generating heat to rapidly warm the battery and enable high power and energy output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery operates at low temperature (subfreezing), then the electrochemical kinetics becomes sluggish and performance drops, but increasing internal resistance to generate heat reduces power output capability
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system dynamically switches between two internal resistance configurations based on temperature conditions. A switch mechanism allows transition between a first configuration (lower internal resistance) for normal operation and a second configuration (higher internal resistance) for cold weather operation, enabling adaptive optimization of performance characteristics according to environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical resistance parameter of the battery by reconfiguring the internal resistance elements. By altering the resistance value through the switch mechanism, the battery can generate appropriate amounts of internal heat at low temperatures while maintaining power output capability when temperatures are normal
2Power
If the battery operates at high temperature, then safety hazards increase due to thermal runaway risk, but maintaining low internal resistance ensures good power performance
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system dynamically adjusts its internal resistance configuration based on temperature conditions. The switch mechanism enables transition to a higher internal resistance state at elevated temperatures, which naturally limits current and reduces heat generation, thereby mitigating thermal runaway risk while maintaining the capability for high power output when conditions are favorable
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature-dependent switching mechanism provides feedback control for battery safety. The system monitors temperature conditions and automatically adjusts the internal resistance configuration to prevent overheating and thermal runaway, creating a self-regulating safety mechanism that responds to thermal conditions
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 battery achieves high power and energy output comparable to room temperature conditions even at subfreezing temperatures, without requiring voltage boosters or DC/DC converters, ensuring efficient and safe operation across a wide temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing resistor sheets and a thermally activated switch to increase internal resistance at subfreezing temperatures, generating heat to rapidly warm the battery
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A rechargeable battery, module or a pack, having different levels of internal resistance that operate at different temperatures are disclosed. In a subfreezing environment, the battery can exhibit high resistance which once operated or activated, generates heat internally to warm up the battery quickly. Once the batter reaches normal operating temperatures, the battery can switch to a low resistance operating mode, thereby delivering superior power and energy despite operating in a very low ambient temperature.