Integrated Cell Heating for Cold-Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries

Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium-ion cells face challenges in charging at cold temperatures, leading to safety issues due to lithium metal deposition and potential thermal runaway, and traditional heating methods increase system complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a heating element within the electrochemical cell, such as a conductive metallic sheet or wire with an insulative layer, to provide direct heating and enhanced thermal mass for efficient heat dissipation, allowing safe charging at lower temperatures and reducing the need for additional components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional heating methods (water or pads) are used to heat electrochemical cells, then the cells can be charged at cold temperatures, but the system cost increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell temperatureVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is integrated directly into the cell structure by disposing it on the current collector, merging the heating function with the existing cell components. This eliminates the need for separate external heating devices (water systems or heating pads) and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the ability to heat the cell for cold temperature charging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The current collector serves dual functions: as an electrical conductor for charge/discharge operations and as a substrate for the heating element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If traditional heating methods (water or pads) are used to heat electrochemical cells, then the cells can be charged at cold temperatures, but the system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell temperatureVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is integrated directly into the cell structure by disposing it on the current collector, merging the heating function with the existing cell components. This eliminates the need for separate external heating devices (water systems or heating pads) and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the ability to heat the cell for cold temperature charging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The current collector serves dual functions: as an electrical conductor for charge/discharge operations and as a substrate for the heating element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If heating element is integrated within the cell, then system complexity is reduced and cost is reduced, but direct heating capability must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidheating efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is disposed directly on the current collector where it can locally generate heat through resistive heating. The insulative layer is strategically placed between the heating element and separator to direct heat toward the electrode materials, ensuring efficient local heating while maintaining safety through targeted thermal management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables safe and efficient charging of lithium-ion cells at cold temperatures by providing controlled heating and improved heat dissipation, reducing system complexity and cost while increasing the balance current capacity.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element disposed on a second side of the cathode current collector... the heating element may include a conductive material... the heating element may include an electrically conductive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the metallic sheet including grooves for dissipation of heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation through surface area increase: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20240047689A1Systems, devices, and methods for providing heat to electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell stacks

Publication Date: 2024.02.08 24M TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

The embodiments described herein involve electrochemical cells that have a heating element integrated into the electrochemical cell. In some aspects, an electrochemical cell comprises an anode current collector, an anode material disposed on the anode current collector, a cathode current collector, a cathode material disposed on a first side of the cathode current collector, a separator disposed between the anode material and the cathode material, and a heating element disposed on a second side of the cathode current collector, the second side opposite the first side. The heating element may include an electrically conductive material and a conductive material and disposed in an insulative material.