Induction Heating Battery Case for Electrolyte Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing viscosity of electrolytes in batteries reduces their injectability, leading to decreased productivity, and direct heating to improve fluidity results in volatilization and offensive odors.

Innovation Solution

A method involving high-frequency induction heating of the battery case to increase the internal temperature, allowing for the indirect heating of the electrolyte and enhancing its injectability without causing volatilization or odor issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the electrolyte amount and viscosity are increased to improve battery capacity, then the energy storage capability is improved, but the injectability of the electrolyte deteriorates and injection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte amountVSAvoidinjection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the electrolyte to alter its physical properties. By heating the electrolyte, its viscosity decreases and fluidity increases, enabling high-viscosity electrolytes to be injected quickly without compromising injection speed or productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition behavior of the electrolyte through temperature control. By controlling the temperature during injection, the electrolyte transitions between different viscosity states, allowing it to be injected efficiently while maintaining the required amount and capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Ease of operation

If the electrolyte is directly heated to improve fluidity and injectability, then the injection speed is improved, but the electrolyte volatilizes and causes offensive odor

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinjectabilityVSAvoidvolatilization and odor

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary heating system that indirectly heats the electrolyte through the battery case or injection system components, rather than directly heating the electrolyte itself. This intermediary approach transfers thermal energy without causing electrolyte volatilization or offensive odors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct thermal contact heating with indirect heating through conduction via the injection system components. This substitution of heating method eliminates the harmful effects of direct electrolyte heating while maintaining the benefits of improved fluidity and injectability

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

This method effectively increases electrolyte injectability while minimizing volatilization and odor problems, improving battery production efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs by quickly and uniformly heating the case.

Implementation Method 1

the heating of the case may include heating the case through high-frequency induction heating using a coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHigh-frequency induction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

injecting an electrolyte into the case after the heating of the case... the case can be quickly and effectively heated to improve the productivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9601746B2Method for injecting electrolyte

Publication Date: 2017.03.21 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A method for injecting an electrolyte includes heating a case in which an electrode assembly is accommodated, and injecting an electrolyte into the case after the heating of the case. Here, the heating of the case may include heating the case through high-frequency induction heating using a coil. Also, the coil may have a spiral shape to surround the outside of the case along a longitudinal direction of the case.