Nonaqueous Battery Sorting via Perpendicular Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for diagnosing the reusability of nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries inaccurately determine batteries as unreusable due to increased internal resistance caused by salt concentration unevenness or liquid shortage, which is reversible.

Innovation Solution

A method involving vibration of the battery in a direction perpendicular to the lamination of its electrodes to redistribute electrolyte solution and reduce internal resistance, followed by comparison with a predetermined threshold to assess reusability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If internal resistance is used as a determination indicator for battery reuse, then the diagnosis process is simple, but reusable batteries are incorrectly identified as unreusable due to salt concentration unevenness or liquid shortage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnosis process complexityVSAvoidreusability determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration to the battery in a direction perpendicular to the lamination direction of positive and negative electrodes. This vibration redistributes the electrolyte solution within the electrode body, eliminating salt concentration unevenness and liquid shortage, thereby reducing internal resistance and enabling accurate reusability determination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs vibration treatment before measuring internal resistance to restore the battery to a normal operational state. This preliminary action ensures that the subsequent internal resistance measurement accurately reflects the battery's true condition rather than temporary anomalies caused by electrolyte distribution issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If batteries are sorted based on internal resistance without vibration treatment, then the sorting process is quick, but the accuracy of identifying truly unreusable batteries is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting speedVSAvoidbattery reusability assessment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vibration step that quickly redistributes electrolyte solution within the battery, eliminating the need for lengthy rest periods while ensuring accurate internal resistance measurements for reliable reusability assessment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte solution through vibration-induced redistribution, transforming the battery from a state of salt concentration unevenness to a uniform distribution state, thereby enabling accurate parameter measurement for reliable sorting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Accurately determines the reusability of nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries that were previously deemed unreusable, allowing for the effective reuse of batteries with reduced internal resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a step of vibrating the prepared nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery in a direction perpendicular to the lamination direction of the positive electrode and the negative electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10101405B2Method for sorting reuseable nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

Provided is a method that makes it possible to determine more accurately whether or not a spent nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is reusable. The method for sorting a reusable nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, which is disclosed herein, includes: a step of preparing a spent nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having an electrode body in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are laminated; a step of vibrating the prepared nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery in a direction perpendicular to the lamination direction of the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a step of acquiring a value of an internal resistance of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery subjected to vibrations; and a step of determining whether or not the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is reusable by comparing the acquired value of the internal resistance with a predetermined threshold of the internal resistance.