Blended Battery Cell Layout for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery systems in electric vehicles face challenges with thermal runaway propagation among battery cells, which can lead to damage and safety issues due to differences in thermal characteristics and materials used in existing battery cell configurations.
Innovation Solution
A battery configuration that combines two types of battery cells with different cathode and anode active materials, where the second type of cells is arranged between the first type to reduce thermal runaway propagation, utilizing materials like lithium cobalt oxide and lithium iron phosphate, and graphite or silicon, with specific onset temperatures and connections in series and parallel to balance energy density and voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery cells with different thermal characteristics are mixed in the battery system, then thermal runaway propagation is reduced, but battery system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into different cell types based on thermal characteristics. High-power cells and energy-density cells are divided into separate groups that can be independently managed, allowing thermal runaway propagation to be contained within specific segments rather than affecting the entire battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal barrier elements are introduced as intermediaries between adjacent battery cells of different types. These barriers prevent direct thermal contact and heat transfer, thereby stopping thermal runaway propagation while allowing the battery system to maintain its compact structure without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If different types of battery cells are arranged between each other, then thermal runaway propagation is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into modular segments where each module contains a specific arrangement of high-power and energy-density cells. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes within each module type, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the diversity of cell configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the arrangement parameters of battery cells from uniform to heterogeneous based on thermal characteristics. By systematically varying cell types and their positions according to thermal management requirements, the design achieves improved safety while maintaining manufacturability through parameter optimization rather than complex structural changes.
3Use of energy by moving object
If battery cells with different active materials are used, then energy density balance is improved, but state of charge management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the state of charge of different cell types and adjust charging/discharging rates accordingly. This feedback control enables optimized energy utilization from both high-power and energy-density cells while preventing overcharge or discharge conditions, thereby managing the complexity through intelligent control rather than simplifying the cell configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery includes S battery cells of a first type. Each of the S battery cells includes a plurality of first cathode electrodes and a plurality of first anode electrodes. The battery includes T battery cells of a second type, wherein each of the T battery cells includes a plurality of second cathode electrodes and a plurality of second anode electrodes, where S and T are integers greater than one. The T battery cells are arranged between the S battery cells. At least one of the plurality of first cathode electrodes includes a first cathode active material that is different than a second cathode active material of the plurality of second cathode electrodes. The plurality of first anode electrodes includes a first anode active material that is different than a second anode active material of the plurality of second anode electrodes.