Solid-State Battery Stack Pressure Module With Integrated Coolant Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid-state electrolyte batteries face issues with anode and cathode material expansion and contraction due to lithium ion intercalation, which can disrupt ionic conductivity and mechanical stability, especially in rigid solid-state electrolyte configurations.
Innovation Solution
A battery assembly with a hydraulic actuator and coolant circuit that applies constant pressure and manages coolant flow based on charging or discharging states to maintain ion conductivity and mechanical stability between anode and cathode materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid-state electrolyte is used between anode and cathode materials, then ion transport function is achieved, but mechanical stability deteriorates due to expansion and contraction of electrode materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic actuator that dynamically adjusts pressure applied to the battery stack during charging and discharging cycles. The actuator responds to volume changes in the hydraulic fluid caused by temperature variations, automatically maintaining optimal contact pressure between electrode materials and solid-state electrolyte despite expansion and contraction, thus preserving both ion conductivity and mechanical stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a hydraulic actuator system with temperature-dependent volume expansion of hydraulic fluid to generate and regulate mechanical pressure. The hydraulic system translates thermal energy from the coolant into mechanical force that maintains consistent contact pressure across the battery stack, resolving the contradiction between maintaining ion conductivity and accommodating mechanical stability during electrochemical cycles
2Stability of the object's composition
If hydraulic actuator applies constant pressure to maintain contact, then mechanical stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuator system is designed to automatically self-regulate pressure through the temperature-dependent volume expansion and contraction of the hydraulic fluid. As the coolant temperature changes during battery operation, the hydraulic fluid naturally expands or contracts, generating the appropriate pressure changes without requiring external control systems, sensors, or active regulation mechanisms, thereby maintaining contact pressure consistency while minimizing system complexity
3Stability of the object's composition
If coolant circuit provides coolant to hydraulic actuator during discharge, then mechanical stability is maintained, but heat management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it cools the battery stack during charging and discharging, and simultaneously serves as the pressure regulation medium for the hydraulic actuator during discharging. By using the same coolant for both thermal management and mechanical pressure generation, the system achieves dual functionality without requiring separate systems, thereby maintaining pressure stability while avoiding additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the thermal management function and the pressure regulation function into a single integrated coolant system. The coolant flow path is configured to serve both the battery cells for cooling and the hydraulic actuator for pressure generation, combining two previously separate functions into one unified system that reduces overall complexity while achieving both heat management and mechanical stability
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 ensures consistent contact pressure and heat management, preserving ion conductivity and mechanical stability across charging and discharging cycles, thereby enhancing the performance and reliability of solid-state electrolyte batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a solid-state electrolyte sandwiched between the anode material and the cathode material for transporting ions between the anode material and the cathode material
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic actuator for forcing the battery cells together in the stacking direction
Implementation Method 3
a coolant circuit for providing coolant into the battery housing via a housing inlet to exchange heat with the battery cells
Implementation Method 4
a coolant circuit for providing coolant into the battery housing via a housing inlet to exchange heat with the battery cells and for providing coolant to the hydraulic actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A battery assembly includes a battery housing and a plurality of battery cells stacked within the battery housing in a stacking direction. Each of the battery cells includes an anode current collector, an anode material on the anode current collector, a cathode current collector, a cathode material on the cathode current collector, and a solid-state electrolyte sandwiched between the anode material and the cathode material for transporting ions between the anode material and the cathode material. The battery assembly also includes a hydraulic actuator for forcing the battery cells together in the stacking direction, and a coolant circuit for providing coolant into the battery housing via a housing inlet to exchange heat with the battery cells and for providing coolant to the hydraulic actuator when the battery cells are being discharged.