Solid-State Battery Test Cell Pressure and Hermetic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state battery testing devices struggle to exert and maintain uniform pressure on test samples, operate within an extended temperature range, and maintain a hermetic seal without requiring a glovebox environment.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state battery testing device comprising a cell module, a pressure control module, and an environment control module, which allows for uniform pressure application up to 50 MPa, operation within -50°C to 100°C, and a hermetic seal using a metallic sealing gasket and metal-to-glass sealing method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If multiple screws are used to control stack pressure, then pressure control is achieved, but uniform pressure distribution becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control mechanism is segmented into multiple independent compression springs, each applying force through its own plunger. This segmentation allows each spring to independently maintain contact and apply pressure, ensuring uniform distribution across the battery stack without requiring precise coordination between multiple screws.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression springs provide self-adjusting pressure control through their elastic properties. As the battery expands or contracts during operation, the springs automatically adjust their compression force to maintain constant contact and uniform pressure distribution, eliminating the need for external adjustment mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If compression springs are used for pressure control, then flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression springs are pre-loaded with specific force constants to provide the required pressure range. Once installed, they automatically adapt to different battery configurations and pressure requirements without requiring external adjustment mechanisms, reducing operational complexity while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different compression springs with varying spring constants can be selected to match different testing requirements and temperature ranges. This parameter-based selection approach provides flexibility without increasing mechanical complexity, as the same basic spring mechanism handles all pressure control needs.
3Reliability
If hermetic sealing is implemented, then battery protection from ambient air is achieved, but device complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible sealing gasket made from elastomeric material is used to create the hermetic seal. This thin film approach provides effective sealing between the battery and the testing device housing without requiring complex mechanical sealing structures, reducing both device complexity and footprint while maintaining reliable protection against ambient air.
4Ease of operation
If testing is performed outside glovebox, then operational convenience is improved, but risk of battery degradation from ambient air exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sealing gasket creates a hermetic barrier that allows the battery to be tested outside the glovebox while protecting it from ambient air exposure. The battery can be loaded into the sealed testing chamber, and the gasket ensures no air ingress during testing, combining operational convenience with battery protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The hermetically sealed testing chamber creates an isolated environment that maintains inert conditions for the battery during testing. This allows the battery to be handled and tested outside the glovebox while the sealed chamber preserves the protective atmosphere, eliminating the need for continuous glovebox operation.
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 device effectively maintains uniform pressure, operates across an extended temperature range, and maintains a reliable hermetic seal, enabling testing outside of a glovebox environment while ensuring the integrity and performance of solid-state batteries.
Implementation Method 1
A voltage may then be established between the top and bottom parts of the device made from conductive materials, as they are in contact with the positive and negative electrode of the battery. Solid-state batteries, in particular, inorganic-type solid-state batteries, generally need a high stack pressure of greater than 1 MPa to achieve optimal performance.
Implementation Method 2
as most solid-state batteries degrade in ambient air, the entire assembly can either be tested inside a glovebox (an enclosed chamber filled with inert gas), or it must be placed in a hermetically sealed vessel.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure teaches a solid-state battery testing device that provides uniform pressure over the test cell and provide a hermetic seal to protect the cell. The solid-state battery testing device includes a cell module, a pressure control module, and an environment control module. The pressure control module utilizes a single lead screw and the cell module contains a swivel-type plunger assembly to apply uniform pressure to a solid-state battery contained within the cell module. The environment control module utilizes all inorganic components to provide a low leak-rate and cost-effective sealing solution.