Bipolar Li-S Battery Pack With Flame-Resistant Electrolyte
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries face safety concerns due to flammable organic liquid electrolytes, and conventional ionic liquids and solid state electrolytes have performance issues such as low conductivity, interfacial resistance, and mechanical brittleness, limiting their effectiveness in high-power applications.
Innovation Solution
A power system utilizing bipolar electrodes with a flame-resistant quasi-solid or solid-state electrolyte system, where multiple electrodes are internally connected in series and/or parallel, incorporating a conductive foil with opposing primary surfaces coated with cathode and anode materials, and a separator layer to prevent electrolyte migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional ionic liquids are used as electrolyte, then fire safety is improved, but conductivity and power density deteriorate due to high viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the ionic liquid by adjusting the cation and anion composition ratios, adding co-solvents, and controlling molecular weight distribution to reduce viscosity while maintaining flame resistance, thereby improving power density without sacrificing safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system combining ionic liquids with other compatible substances (such as cyclic carbonates, chain carbonates, or gel matrices) to achieve synergistic effects that simultaneously provide fire safety, adequate conductivity, and acceptable viscosity for high-power applications
2Power
If inorganic solid-state electrolyte is used, then conductivity is improved, but interfacial resistance and mechanical brittleness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops composite solid-state electrolytes that integrate inorganic particles (providing high conductivity) within an organic polymer matrix (providing flexibility and reduced interfacial resistance), combining the advantages of both material types while mitigating their individual drawbacks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material compositions and structures to different regions or interfaces of the electrolyte system, optimizing local properties at electrode-electrolyte interfaces to reduce interfacial resistance while maintaining bulk conductivity
3Device complexity
If bipolar electrode structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates protective layers, buffer zones, or pre-formed interface structures during manufacturing that compensate for tolerances and reduce the impact of coating variations, allowing for relaxed manufacturing precision while maintaining device performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes coating parameters such as thickness, composition gradient, or porosity to create more tolerant structures that perform adequately even with variations in manufacturing precision, reducing the stringency of quality control requirements
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 system provides a safe, high-power density lithium battery module or pack with reduced internal resistance and increased energy storage capacity, eliminating the need for external connectors and reducing the risk of fire or explosion.
Implementation Method 1
a separator layer to prevent electrolyte migration
Implementation Method 2
a bipolar electrode includes a current collector having two opposing primary surfaces with a first primary surface being deposited with a cathode material and a second primary surface being deposited with an anode material
Data Source
AI summary
A power system including at least a lithium-sulfur (Li—S) battery module or pack and a second battery module or pack, different than the Li—S module or pack in composition, structure, or configuration, wherein (i) at least one of the Li—S module or pack and the second battery module or pack includes a first set of multiple bipolar electrodes internally connected in series; and (ii) the at least a lithium-sulfur (Li—S) battery module or pack and the second battery module or pack are internally or externally connected in parallel to form a power source. The power source May be connected in parallel to a supercapacitor, a fuel cell, a high-power battery, etc. The power system may further contain a controller, a DC/DC converter and/or a high-voltage bus electrically communicating with the controller. The power system may be used to power a vehicle or other device.