Secondary Cell Electrolyte Reservoir Spheres for Li-Ion Aging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary cells in energy accumulators for motor vehicles experience reduced charge transport and capacity due to aging processes, primarily caused by the loss of Li ions, leading to undesired performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating hollow glass spheres filled with electrolyte and additives into the secondary cells, which dissolve over time to release additional lithium ions and counteract aging by replenishing the electrolyte, thereby extending the cell's service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If secondary cells are used in energy accumulators for motor vehicles, then electrical energy storage and power delivery are achieved, but aging processes cause loss of Li ions leading to reduced charge transport and capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-filling hollow glass spheres with electrolyte and additives before inserting them into the secondary cell. These spheres are designed to dissolve at predetermined times during cell operation, releasing the stored electrolyte and additives to replenish Li ions and counteract aging processes before significant capacity loss occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow glass spheres act as intermediaries that store and transport electrolyte and additives from a concentrated reservoir state to the bulk electrolyte in the secondary cell. The glass material serves as a temporary containment structure that releases its contents through controlled dissolution, mediating the transfer of critical substances to maintain cell performance.
2Reliability
If hollow glass spheres filled with electrolyte and additives are incorporated into secondary cells, then aging is delayed by replenishing Li ions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous hollow glass spheres as a space-efficient storage medium for electrolyte and additives. The porous or hollow structure allows high concentration of stored substances within minimal volume, enabling the aging mitigation function without significantly increasing the overall cell volume or structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by controlling the dissolution rate of the glass spheres through selection of specific glass compositions and wall thicknesses. This allows predetermined timing of electrolyte release based on operational conditions, enabling adaptive replenishment of Li ions without requiring complex control systems or sensors.
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 introduction of hollow glass spheres delays cell aging by replenishing electrolyte and additives, maintaining electrical performance and increasing the service life of secondary cells.
Implementation Method 1
the glass of the hollow spheres is disintegrated by the electrolyte solution (14) until the wall of the hollow spheres collapses, thus releasing its content
Data Source
AI summary
An energy accumulator, in particular for a motor vehicle, has a secondary cell with two complementary electrodes, a separator spacing them apart, a cell housing which encloses the electrodes and the separator, and an electrolyte with which the cell housing is filled. In addition, hollow glass spheres are located within the cell housing, which are filled with a quantity of the electrolyte and/or an additive and which are in contact with the electrolyte accommodated in the cell housing.