Flooded Lead-Acid Battery Electrolyte Ion Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flooded lead-acid batteries used in idling stop vehicles experience high discharge rates and partial state of charge, leading to increased risk of permeation short circuits due to low electrolyte solution utilization and stratification, which affects durability and regenerative charge acceptability.

Innovation Solution

The battery design includes a negative electrode with a small pore volume and an electrolyte solution with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal ion concentration of 0.07 to 0.3 mol/L, maintaining a utilization factor of at least 75% and using a separator for the positive electrode plate, to prevent permeation short circuits and enhance regenerative charge acceptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the battery is used in PSOC-controlled state to accept regenerative energy, then the regenerative charge acceptability is improved, but the stratification easily occurs leading to permeation short circuit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregenerative charge acceptabilityVSAvoidpermeation short circuit resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the pore volume of the negative electrode material (0.08 to 0.16 mL/g) and electrolyte solution utilization factor (75-85%). These parameter optimizations enhance the battery's ability to accept regenerative charge while preventing stratification-induced permeation short circuits through improved electrolyte distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a optimized pore structure distribution in the negative electrode material. This localized structural optimization ensures uniform electrolyte distribution throughout the electrode, preventing concentration stratification in the upper portions of the cell even during PSOC operation, thereby preventing permeation short circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If the number of electrode plates is increased to enhance capacity, then the energy storage is improved, but the electrolyte solution quantity becomes small leading to high utilization factor and permeation short circuit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidpermeation short circuit resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the pore volume of the negative electrode material (0.08 to 0.16 mL/g) and maintaining electrolyte solution utilization factor between 75-85%. These parameter optimizations allow for increased number of electrode plates while preventing excessive electrolyte consumption, thereby avoiding permeation short circuits even with high energy storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly reduces the occurrence of permeation short circuits and maintains high regenerative charge acceptability, ensuring improved durability and performance for flooded lead-acid batteries in idling stop vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

the concentration of an alkali metal ion or an alkaline earth metal ion in the electrolyte solution is 0.07 to 0.3 mol/L

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon repulsion/attraction: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 2

the pore volume of the negative electrode material is 0.08 to 0.16 mL/g

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 3

the pore volume of the negative electrode material is 0.08 to 0.16 mL/g

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 4

when the charge-discharge is repeated, water is produced at the time of discharging and thick sulfuric acid is produced at the time of charging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentEP2960978B1Flooded lead-acid battery
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 GS YUASA INT LTD
  • EP2960978B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2960978B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2960978B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a flooded lead-acid battery which hardly causes a permeation short circuit and is also excellent in regenerative charge acceptability. A flooded lead-acid battery, including a negative electrode plate holding a negative active material, a positive electrode plate holding a positive active material, and a flowable electrolyte solution in which these plates are immersed, and allowing the electrolyte solution to have a utilization factor greater than or equal to 75%, wherein the concentration of an alkali metal ion or an alkaline earth metal ion in the electrolyte solution is allowed to be 0.07 to 0.3 mol/L, and the pore volume of the negative active material after formation is allowed to be 0.08 to 0.16 mL/g.