Electrolyte Wetting Apparatus Using Periodic Pushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Poor electrolyte wetting in rechargeable batteries leads to reduced capacity, local lithium metal precipitation, stability issues, and decreased cycle life, especially as electrode size increases and manufacturing productivity suffers due to prolonged wetting times and non-uniform wetting.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that enhance electrolyte wetting by injecting electrolyte into rechargeable batteries and utilizing a pressure difference between the inside and outside of a pouch, with a pushing member to apply pressure and vacuum to improve dispersion and efficiency of electrolyte penetration, including a chamber with a battery fixing unit, vacuum pump, and pressure pump to manage internal states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If electrode plate size is increased to improve battery capacity, then battery capacity increases, but electrolyte wetting time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing member periodically pushes the electrode assembly at predetermined time intervals during electrolyte injection. This periodic mechanical action accelerates electrolyte penetration into the electrode pores, reducing wetting time from hours to minutes while maintaining complete saturation, thus resolving the contradiction between large electrode size and manufacturing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces passive diffusion-based electrolyte wetting with active mechanical pushing. The pushing member applies direct mechanical force to compress the electrode assembly, forcing electrolyte into the electrode pores much faster than natural diffusion, thereby dramatically reducing wetting time for large electrodes
2Quantity of substance
If electrode plate size is increased to improve battery capacity, then battery capacity increases, but electrolyte wetting becomes non-uniform and electrode characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Periodic pushing at controlled intervals ensures uniform electrolyte distribution throughout the large electrode assembly. Each push cycle allows electrolyte to penetrate uniformly into different regions, preventing localized concentration variations and ensuring homogeneous wetting across the entire electrode
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and distribution parameters of electrolyte by applying mechanical compression. The pushing member alters pressure, density, and flow rate parameters of the electrolyte, forcing uniform penetration into all regions of the large electrode assembly, thereby achieving consistent wetting uniformity
3Reliability
If gases are trapped in electrode assembly during electrolyte injection, then electrolyte wetting is poor and battery stability decreases, but removing gases requires additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing member extracts trapped gases from the electrode assembly by applying compression that forces gases out of the electrode pores and separator. This mechanical extraction of gases during electrolyte injection eliminates gas pockets that would otherwise cause poor wetting and stability issues, without requiring separate degassing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the electrolyte injection process with gas removal functionality. The same pushing member that injects electrolyte also simultaneously removes trapped gases through mechanical compression, combining two previously separate operations into one integrated process, thereby improving stability without increasing processing complexity
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
Improves electrolyte wetting dispersion and enhances battery performance by effectively removing trapped gases and maintaining optimal internal pressures, thereby increasing capacity and cycle life while reducing manufacturing time.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump connected to the chamber and configured to vacuate the chamber to create a vacuum state
Implementation Method 2
a pressure pump connected to the chamber and configured to pressurize the chamber to maintain the internal space of the chamber in a pressurized state
Implementation Method 3
a pushing member configured to push opposite side surfaces of the plurality of rechargeable batteries. The pushing member is configured to push the plurality of rechargeable batteries to enhance electrolyte wetting into an electrode assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for enhancing electrolyte wetting in a rechargeable battery, which can improve an electrolyte wetting dispersion and enhancing electrolyte wetting in the rechargeable battery by vacuating gases trapped in an electrode assembly by injecting an electrolyte into the electrode assembly and pushing the rechargeable battery, and an electrolyte wetting enhancing method utilizing the same. The electrolyte wetting enhancing apparatus includes a chamber having an internal space; a battery fixing unit fixed in the internal space of the chamber and including a plurality of rechargeable batteries mounted therein; and a pushing member pushing opposite side surfaces of the plurality of rechargeable batteries. The pushing member pushes the plurality of rechargeable batteries to enhance electrolyte wetting into an electrode assembly including the plurality of rechargeable batteries into which the electrolyte is injected.