Lithium Secondary Battery Anode Current Collector

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing process of lithium metal secondary batteries is complex and costly due to the high reactivity and softness of lithium metal, requiring stringent dehumidification and precision in electrode formation, which complicates continuous processing and increases the price of lithium metal electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A lithium secondary battery design featuring an anode current collector with a single layer, a cathode mixture containing irreversible compensating additives like Li6CoO4, Li5FeO4, and Li2MoO3, which desorb lithium ions during charging to form a lithium metal layer on the anode current collector, eliminating the need for initial lithium metal handling and enabling a simpler, more economical manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If lithium metal electrode is used to increase energy density, then battery energy density is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to high reactivity and softness of lithium metal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery energy densityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the lithium metal layer on the anode current collector before battery assembly. The lithium metal layer is formed in advance under controlled conditions, then the pre-formed anode with lithium metal layer is assembled into the battery. This eliminates the need to handle reactive lithium metal during battery assembly, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by forming a protective layer or using a intermediate substrate to hold the lithium metal layer during manufacturing. The lithium metal is deposited on a current collector that serves as an intermediary carrier, protecting the reactive lithium metal from direct exposure to air and moisture during the assembly process, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If lithium metal electrode with thickness of 20 μm or less is used to increase energy density, then battery energy density is improved, but processability deteriorates due to extreme thinness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery energy densityVSAvoidprocessability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin film technology to create a uniform lithium metal layer with controlled thickness of 20 μm or less on the anode current collector. Advanced thin film deposition techniques are used to ensure the lithium metal layer maintains structural integrity and uniformity at this extreme thinness, enabling high energy density while preserving manufacturability through precise thickness control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional lithium secondary battery assembly process is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but battery energy density is limited due to inability to handle lithium metal effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidbattery energy density

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the manufacturing process into distinct stages: (1) forming the lithium metal layer on the anode current collector in a controlled environment, (2) assembling the battery components using conventional processes, and (3) activating the lithium metal layer through initial charging cycles. This segmentation allows the complex lithium metal formation to be separated from the simple battery assembly, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving high energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and enhances energy density and battery life by forming a lithium metal layer through initial charging and discharging, allowing for continuous production using conventional facilities.

Implementation Method 1

the irreversible compensating additive desorbs lithium ions upon initial charging of the lithium secondary battery to supply the lithium ions to the single layer of the anode current collector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon desorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 2

the irreversible compensating additive from which the lithium ions have been desorbed is converted into an irreversible state so that the lithium ions are not occluded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon occlusion: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3605678B1Lithium secondary battery

Publication Date: 2023.02.01 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a lithium secondary battery assembled without an anode active material. Since the lithium secondary battery of the present disclosure does not contain an anode active material such as a lithium metal during the assembling process, the manufacturing process is simple and easy, and it is possible to improve processability and manufacturing costs. In addition, it has an irreversible compensating additive, thereby exhibiting excellent battery life.