EV Battery Charging Strategies Mitigating Lithium Plating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries in electrified vehicles are susceptible to lithium plating during low-temperature charging, leading to battery performance degradation, which existing charging strategies often exacerbate, causing range anxiety and reducing battery life.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system with a controller that detects lithium plating and prompts the user to select a charging strategy, limiting high-charging-rate options to mitigate plating, allowing for faster charging while minimizing degradation, and includes a default strategy to reduce charging rate and warm the battery, with options for user selection via a mobile device or vehicle interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high charging current is used to reduce charging time, then charging speed is improved, but lithium plating increases causing battery performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The charging rate is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of lithium plating conditions. The controller monitors battery state and modifies charging current accordingly, transitioning from static high-rate charging to adaptive charging that responds to actual battery conditions, thereby preventing plating while maintaining charging efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by detecting lithium plating conditions and using this information to adjust charging strategy. The controller receives feedback about battery state and modifies charging current in response, creating a closed-loop system that prevents plating while optimizing charging speed
2Loss of time
If conventional charging strategies are used at low temperatures, then charging time is reduced, but lithium plating occurs leading to battery degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by detecting lithium plating conditions before significant plating occurs and adjusting charging parameters proactively. The controller monitors battery state and preemptively modifies charging current to prevent plating, rather than reacting after damage has occurred
Solution Approach 2:
The charging strategy changes physical parameters (charging current, temperature) based on detected conditions. The system adjusts charging rate and may implement thermal management to raise battery temperature, changing the physical state of the battery to conditions less susceptible to plating
3Adaptability or versatility
If user is given multiple charging strategy options, then user flexibility is improved, but complexity of charging control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by automatically detecting lithium plating conditions and recommending or implementing appropriate charging strategies without requiring user expertise. The controller monitors battery state and autonomously adjusts charging parameters, reducing the complexity burden on the user while maintaining multiple strategy options
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 system extends battery operation and capacity range, reduces range anxiety, and increases battery life by allowing flexible charging strategies that minimize lithium plating, without requiring additional hardware and applicable to both battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
metallic lithium may be deposited on the anodes of battery cells under some operating conditions, which may degrade battery performance. Batteries are particularly susceptible to this process, referred to as lithium plating
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a traction battery and a controller in communication with the battery and programmed to control battery charging in response to a user-selected one of a plurality of charging strategies having different charging rates based on detection of lithium plating in the battery. The charging strategies may include options for faster charging with an urgent or emergency charging strategy selectable a limited number of times to mitigate battery performance degradation associated with lithium plating. A method implemented by a vehicle controller in a vehicle having a traction battery, may include controlling, by the controller, battery charging in response to a user-selected charging strategy selected from one of a plurality of available charging strategies each having a different charging rate and displayed on a user interface in response to detection of lithium plating in the traction battery, at least one charging strategy associated with additional lithium plating if selected.