Charging Control Apparatus for Silicon Anode Battery Life Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, face challenges in energy density due to rapid deterioration of anode materials like silicon-based composites, leading to premature capacity loss and uneven State Of Charge (SOC) distribution, which accelerates cathode deterioration when charged under previous conditions.
Innovation Solution
A charging condition control apparatus and battery pack that measures battery capacity, estimates the end-of-charge potential of the anode using an open circuit potential curve, calculates the differential potential, and adjusts the charging conditions to prevent the cathode from being charged in high potential regions, thereby extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If silicon-based composite anode materials are used to increase energy density, then capacity density is improved, but anode deterioration accelerates due to volume change and side-reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the charging parameter (end-of-charge voltage) based on the anode's state of charge position. When the anode SOC position shifts due to volume change and side-reactions, the system detects this shift and adjusts the charging voltage to compensate, thereby maintaining reliable operation despite using high-capacity silicon-based materials
2Quantity of substance
If the anode SOC position shifts due to rapid deterioration, then energy density is improved through silicon use, but cathode deterioration accelerates due to charging in high potential regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the end-of-charge voltage is adjusted based on the detected anode SOC position. When the anode SOC position shifts (indicating deterioration), the system feeds back this information and modifies the charging voltage accordingly, preventing the cathode from being charged in harmful high potential regions and thus extending cathode life while maintaining silicon-based high energy density operation
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a charging condition control apparatus includes a measurement unit, an estimation unit, a calculation unit and a control unit. The measurement unit measures a present battery capacity of a secondary battery. The estimation unit estimates a present end-of-charge potential of an anode of the secondary battery based on the present battery capacity and an open circuit potential curve of the anode. The calculation unit calculates a differential potential between the present end-of-charge potential and an initial end-of-charge potential of the anode. The control unit controls a charging condition of the secondary battery according to the differential potential.