Positive Electrode Pore Structure for Battery Output Estimation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to accurately measure and estimate the improved output performance and rapid charging performance of rechargeable batteries due to varying measurement conditions, such as output holding time, state-of-charge (SOC), cut-off conditions, and measurement temperature, especially when the electrode structure is modified to enhance ion movement speed.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that estimate rechargeable battery performance by comparing a cumulative intrusion value of pores with diameters between 0.1 and 1 micrometer with volume reference values, using a processor to determine if the battery meets expected output or charging performance criteria based on tortuosity and polarization resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the electrode structure is modified to enhance ion movement speed, then the output performance and rapid charging performance are improved, but the measurement accuracy becomes difficult due to varying measurement conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion movement speedVSAvoidoutput measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses cumulative intrusion values as a surrogate measurement that copies the essential information about pore structure and ion transport pathways without requiring actual battery operation. This allows indirect estimation of output performance by measuring electrode pore characteristics rather than directly measuring battery output under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces cumulative intrusion value as an intermediary parameter that bridges the relationship between electrode structure (pore volume, tortuosity) and battery output performance. This intermediary enables estimation of output characteristics without direct measurement, avoiding the problems of varying measurement conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple measurement conditions are considered (output holding time, SOC, cut-off condition, temperature), then the measurement becomes more comprehensive, but the complexity of measurement and control increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement comprehensivenessVSAvoidmeasurement control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential information needed for output estimation from the complex set of measurement conditions by focusing solely on cumulative intrusion value of the electrode. This extraction eliminates the need to control and measure multiple variables such as output holding time, SOC, cut-off conditions, and temperature during performance testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the battery performance evaluation into two independent parts: (1) electrode structure characterization through cumulative intrusion measurement, and (2) output estimation through correlation analysis. This segmentation allows the measurement process to be simplified to only the electrode characterization step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the cumulative intrusion value is used to estimate battery performance, then the manufacturing cost is reduced by avoiding actual battery assembly testing, but the measurement precision requirement for pore volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidpore volume measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical battery assembly and testing system with a pore measurement system. Instead of assembling batteries and performing electrical tests under various conditions, the method uses cumulative intrusion measurement to directly assess electrode properties that correlate with output performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables accurate estimation of battery performance without actual assembly, ensuring only batteries meeting predetermined conditions are manufactured, thereby reducing costs and improving performance.

Implementation Method 1

a cumulative intrusion value that is a summed value of volumes of entire pores per unit area of a positive electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS20250216465A1Apparatus for estimating rechargeable battery performance according to electrode structure and method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

An apparatus for estimating a rechargeable battery performance includes a communication unit that receives a cumulative intrusion value that is a summed value of volumes of entire pores per unit area of a positive electrode from an apparatus for measuring volumes of pores formed in the positive electrode; and a processor that estimates an output performance of a rechargeable battery by comparing the cumulative intrusion value and a volume reference value, wherein the volume reference value is a cumulative intrusion value corresponding to an expected output value required for the rechargeable battery when the rechargeable battery is continuously discharged.