Dual Solid Electrolyte Battery for Short Circuit Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing all-solid batteries face challenges in suppressing short circuits, particularly during overcharging, which affects safety and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The battery design incorporates a dual electrolyte layer system, where the first electrolyte layer contains a lithium-based solid electrolyte material without sulfur, incorporating metalloid and metal elements, and the second electrolyte layer is a different material, such as a sulfide or oxide, to enhance ion conductivity and prevent lithium metal precipitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single solid electrolyte material is used in all-solid batteries, then the device complexity is reduced, but short circuit occurrence increases due to lithium metal precipitation during overcharging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort circuit suppressionVSAvoidelectrolyte layer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrolyte layer is divided into a first electrolyte layer containing a first solid electrolyte material and a second electrolyte layer containing a second solid electrolyte material. This segmentation allows each layer to perform specialized functions: the first layer prevents lithium metal precipitation during overcharging, while the second layer provides high ion conductivity during normal operation, thereby suppressing short circuits without requiring excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the electrolyte layer are assigned different material properties. The first electrolyte layer uses a material specifically selected to consume lithium metal and prevent precipitation, while the second electrolyte layer uses a material optimized for ion conductivity. This local differentiation of material properties enables targeted protection against short circuits while maintaining overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If sulfur-containing solid electrolyte materials are used, then ion conductivity is improved, but lithium metal precipitation occurs during overcharging leading to short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium metal precipitation preventionVSAvoidcharge/discharge efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrolyte system is segmented into two layers with different material compositions. The first electrolyte layer uses non-sulfur containing materials (such as oxides or halides) that effectively consume lithium metal during overcharging, preventing precipitation. The second electrolyte layer uses sulfur-containing materials that provide high ion conductivity during normal charge/discharge operations. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between safety and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first electrolyte layer acts as an intermediary protective layer between the electrodes and the second electrolyte layer. It consumes lithium metal through chemical reactions before the lithium can precipitate and cause short circuits, while still allowing ion transport. This intermediary function enables the use of high-performance sulfur-containing materials in the second layer without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration effectively suppresses short circuits, improves charge/discharge efficiency, and enhances safety by consuming lithium metal, allowing for higher ion conductivity and better battery performance.

Implementation Method 1

the first solid electrolyte material consumes lithium metal, allowing for higher ion conductivity and better battery performance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the electrolyte layer includes a first electrolyte layer and a second electrolyte layer... to enhance ion conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11515565B2Battery

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a battery comprising a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte layer. The electrolyte layer includes a first electrolyte layer and a second electrolyte layer. The first electrolyte layer includes a first solid electrolyte material. The second electrolyte layer includes a second solid electrolyte material which is a material different from the first solid electrolyte material. The first solid electrolyte material includes lithium, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of metalloid elements and metal elements other than lithium, and at least one kind selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine. The first solid electrolyte material does not include sulfur.