Cathode Lithium-Replenishing Particle Structure for Uniform Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy storage systems face issues with non-uniform lithium replenishment, leading to poor cycle life and safety hazards due to local areas with poor lithium replenishment effects and lithium precipitation.

Innovation Solution

An energy storage apparatus with a positive electrode sheet containing a first lithium-containing compound and a second lithium-replenishing compound, where the lithium-replenishing particles have a specific structure with a lithium-replenishing core and shell, ensuring a standard deviation of path length ratios less than 0.18, and a defined connection and separation area, to achieve uniform lithium replenishment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lithium-replenishing particles are added to the positive electrode active material, then the lithium replenishment effect is improved, but the uniformity of lithium distribution deteriorates due to local aggregation and poor dispersion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium replenishment effectVSAvoiduniformity of lithium distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The lithium-replenishing particles are segmented into discrete spherical units with controlled size distribution (Dv10-Dv90 ratio ≤ 1.5), preventing aggregation and ensuring uniform dispersion throughout the positive electrode active material matrix. This segmentation allows individual particles to distribute evenly without forming local clusters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating distinct regions within the positive electrode: areas with lithium-replenishing particles embedded in the active material, and areas without such particles. This localized distribution ensures that lithium replenishment occurs precisely where needed while maintaining overall uniformity through controlled particle placement and dispersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Duration of action of stationary object

If lithium-replenishing particles are added to extend cycle life, then the duration of action is improved, but safety hazards increase due to lithium precipitation in local areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle lifeVSAvoidsafety hazards from lithium precipitation

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Lithium-replenishing particles are pre-dispersed uniformly throughout the positive electrode active material before battery assembly and initial charging cycles. This preliminary uniform distribution prevents subsequent local aggregation and lithium precipitation during operation, eliminating safety hazards before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harmful effect of lithium precipitation into a beneficial outcome by using lithium-replenishing particles that actively prevent precipitation. The particles serve as controlled lithium sources that regulate lithium distribution, transforming what would be an uncontrolled harmful precipitation process into a controlled beneficial replenishment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional lithium-replenishing materials are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the lithium replenishment uniformity is poor leading to reduced productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlithium replenishment uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes critical parameters of the lithium-replenishing particles: spherical morphology, controlled size range (Dv10-Dv90 ratio ≤ 1.5), and specific composition ratios. These parameter changes enable uniform dispersion and replenishment while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through straightforward mixing and coating processes that leverage the optimized particle characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4597610A1Energy storage apparatus, method for determining uniform lithium replenishment, and electrical device

Publication Date: 2025.08.06 HITHIUM TECH HK LTD

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AI summary

The energy storage apparatus includes: an electrode assembly, including a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet and a separator. An active material layer of the positive electrode sheet includes a first lithium-containing compound and a second lithium-containing compound. The second lithium-containing compound is lithium-replenishing particles. The lithium-replenishing particle includes a lithium-replenishing core and a shell. A connection area and a separation area are formed between the lithium-replenishing core and the shell. A standard deviation of path length ratios of D lithium-replenishing particles is less than or equal to 0.18. The path length ratio of the lithium-replenishing particle refers to a ratio of a path length of the shell of the lithium-replenishing particle in the connection area to a total circumference of the shell in a cross section of the positive electrode sheet.