Lithium-Ion Battery Module for Cold-Weather Starting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lead-acid batteries used for starting engines face issues such as high self-discharge rates, poor performance in cold weather, and weight concerns, while existing lithium-ion batteries lack reliable low-temperature operation and high self-discharge resistance.
Innovation Solution
A lithium-ion battery module with a voltage regulating device, featuring cathode materials like LiCoO2 and LiNiO2, and anode materials like graphite, designed to maintain high pulse discharging current at -30°C and low self-discharge rates, with a core-shell structure and doping elements to enhance performance across temperature ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If lead-acid batteries are used for starting engines, then they can deliver high peak current, but they have high self-discharge rate and poor performance in cold weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the battery by using lithium-ion technology with specific cathode materials (LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiMn2O4, LiFePO4) and electrolyte formulations. This parameter change enables the battery to deliver high peak current while simultaneously reducing self-discharge rate and improving cold weather performance through optimized ionic conductivity across temperature ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite electrode materials combining multiple lithium-containing compounds (such as LiCoO2 with LiMn2O4, or LiNiO2 with LiFePO4) to create a cathode structure that leverages the advantages of each material. This composite approach enables high power delivery while maintaining stability and low self-discharge across varying temperatures.
2Weight of stationary object
If lithium-ion batteries are used to reduce weight and self-discharge, then weight and self-discharge rate improve, but low-temperature operation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the electrolyte composition parameters by using specific carbonate solvents (dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate) and lithium salts (LiPF6, LiBF4, LiClO4) in optimized ratios. These parameter changes ensure low viscosity and high ionic conductivity at low temperatures, enabling reliable lithium-ion transport and maintaining operation reliability while keeping the battery lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous electrode structures with optimized porosity to increase the surface area for electrochemical reactions. This porous architecture facilitates better electrolyte penetration and ion transport at low temperatures, improving operational reliability without significantly increasing weight.
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 battery module achieves reliable power delivery in extreme temperatures, maintaining capacity retention and high discharging rates, addressing the limitations of lead-acid batteries and previous lithium-ion battery technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a lithium-ion battery includes a separator, a cathode and an anode
Implementation Method 2
maintaining capacity retention and high discharging rates
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Provided herein is a battery module for starting the engines of outdoor power equipment such as automobiles, boats, trucks and tractors. The battery module disclosed herein has high performance at low temperature and has a maximum pulse discharging current measured at -30 ℃ of not less than 15％ of the maximum pulse discharging current measured at 25 ℃ over a pulse discharge period of about 5 seconds. In addition, the battery module disclosed herein has a low self-discharging rate at both room temperature and high temperature. The capacity retention of the battery module is not less than 85％ of its initial capacity after 7 months of room temperature storage.