Layered Graphite Negative Electrode for Lower-Cost Fast Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of artificial graphite used in negative electrodes of lithium-ion batteries, despite its advantages in energy density and fast-charging capability, necessitates a cost-effective solution while maintaining performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating both natural and artificial graphite in multiple layers of the negative electrode active material, with strategically designed blind holes to enhance lithium intercalation channels, thereby balancing cost and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If artificial graphite is used as the negative electrode active material, then energy density and fast-charging capability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure with multiple negative electrode active material layers containing different materials (natural graphite, artificial graphite, and other graphite materials) with different particle sizes. This composite approach allows the battery to achieve high energy density and fast-charging capability through artificial graphite while using cost-effective natural graphite for other functions, thereby resolving the contradiction between performance and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Speed

If artificial graphite is used as the negative electrode active material, then fast-charging capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefast-charging capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite material strategy where artificial graphite layers provide fast-charging capability while natural graphite and other graphite materials contribute to cost reduction. The multi-layer structure with varying particle sizes optimizes both charging speed and manufacturing economics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If natural graphite is used instead of artificial graphite, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but energy density and fast-charging capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite negative electrode structure that combines natural graphite (cost-effective) with artificial graphite and other graphite materials (performance-enhancing). This composite approach allows the battery to maintain high energy density while achieving cost reduction through the inclusion of natural graphite.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different functions to different layers: artificial graphite layers are positioned to provide fast-charging capability and structural stability, while natural graphite layers contribute to cost reduction and capacity. This spatial differentiation of material functions allows simultaneous optimization of cost and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If natural graphite is used instead of artificial graphite, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but fast-charging capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidfast-charging capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system where artificial graphite layers provide the necessary fast-charging capability while natural graphite layers reduce manufacturing costs. The synergistic combination of different graphite materials in a multi-layer structure resolves the trade-off between cost and charging speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 combination of natural and artificial graphite in the negative electrode plate achieves high energy density and fast-charging capability while reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

the at least two negative electrode active material layers include at least one negative electrode active material layer containing natural graphite and at least one negative electrode active material layer containing artificial graphite

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIntercalation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250336956A1Negative electrode plate, battery, and electric apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

A negative electrode plate includes: a current collector; and a negative electrode active material layer formed on the current collector; where the negative electrode active material layer includes at least two negative electrode active material layers from inside to outside; the negative electrode active material layer includes a negative electrode active material selected from natural graphite or artificial graphite; and the at least two negative electrode active material layers include at least one negative electrode active material layer containing natural graphite and at least one negative electrode active material layer containing artificial graphite.