Heated Battery Cell Tray for Uniform Electrolyte Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional method of manufacturing secondary batteries results in insufficient impregnation of electrolyte solution due to its concentration at the lower end of the battery cell, affecting performance, and requires lengthy aging processes.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell tray with movable heating plates that support and apply heat to the battery cell during the aging process, improving the wetting property of the electrolyte solution by enhancing its movement and impregnation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery cell tray is used during battery cell formation, then the battery cell can be stably supported and management is facilitated, but the electrolyte cannot be uniformly distributed, causing poor wetting property and insufficient solid electrolyte interface film formation
Solution Approach 1:
The tray bottom surface is divided into multiple inclined surfaces that slope downward toward the sump, creating distinct flow paths for electrolyte distribution. This segmentation allows electrolyte to be systematically directed to all regions of the battery cell, ensuring uniform coverage and proper wetting properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray design incorporates a three-dimensional sump structure at the bottom with inclined surfaces that create depth variation. This dimensional change enables the electrolyte to pool and distribute uniformly across the battery cell base, improving wetting properties while maintaining stable support during formation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tray has a flat bottom surface for simple manufacturing, then manufacturing is easy, but the electrolyte pools unevenly causing poor wetting property
Solution Approach 1:
The tray bottom surface incorporates inclined surfaces that create a curved or sloped geometry rather than a flat surface. This curvature design guides electrolyte flow naturally toward the sump and ensures uniform distribution, improving wetting properties while remaining manufacturable through standard molding processes.
3Loss of time
If the battery cell is activated without proper electrolyte wetting, then activation time is reduced, but the solid electrolyte interface film formation is insufficient leading to poor battery performance
Solution Approach 1:
The tray with inclined surfaces and sump structure performs preliminary action by pre-distributing electrolyte uniformly before the battery cell formation process begins. This preliminary electrolyte distribution ensures proper wetting properties are achieved from the start, enabling complete solid electrolyte interface film formation during the activation process without requiring extended time.
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 tray significantly reduces aging time to 12-24 hours by improving electrolyte solution impregnation, ensuring uniform distribution and enhancing battery cell performance.
Implementation Method 1
a bottom surface of the tray may have an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the sump
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery cell tray includes a tray body having a storage space therein, and first and second plates arranged in the storage space of the tray body, the first and second plates being configured to support opposite surfaces of at least one battery cell to allow the battery cell to be mounted in an erect state, the first and second plates being movable in a horizontal direction in the storage space, and each of the first and second plates having a heating member therein. A method of activating a battery cell using the battery cell tray is also provided.