Lithium Ion Capacitor Electrode Unit Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium ion capacitors face challenges in achieving high energy density, large capacity, and high power characteristics due to the lengthy process of doping negative electrodes with lithium ions, especially when the number of electrodes increases, leading to reduced productivity and difficulty in assembling cells with lithium metal.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves alternately laminating positive and negative electrodes with a separator to form electrode units, with lithium metal disposed between these units to facilitate even doping of lithium ions, allowing for a shorter doping time and improved assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of electrodes is increased to achieve large capacity, then the capacity increases, but the doping time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the capacitor into multiple electrode units, each containing a limited number of laminated electrodes (e.g., 3-10 pairs). This segmentation allows lithium ions to be doped into each unit independently and simultaneously, reducing the overall doping time while maintaining large total capacity through the combination of multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-layer electrode structure to a three-dimensional stacked configuration with multiple electrode units arranged in layers. Lithium metal is disposed between these units, enabling lithium ions to access negative electrodes from multiple directions simultaneously, thereby dramatically reducing doping time while scaling up capacity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If lithium metal is disposed to face the negative electrode for doping, then the energy density increases, but the assembly complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the capacitor into multiple electrode units with separators between them, creating standardized modular components. Lithium metal is disposed in specific locations between these units rather than attempting to face all negative electrodes simultaneously, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining high energy density through systematic lithium ion distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates lithium metal during the assembly process itself, performing the doping function in advance before the capacitor enters service. By pre-disposing lithium metal between electrode units during manufacturing, the system eliminates the need for separate doping steps, reducing both assembly complexity and operational time.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of electrodes is increased to achieve large capacity, then the capacity increases, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the capacitor into multiple standardized electrode units that can be manufactured and assembled independently. This segmentation enables parallel production of multiple units simultaneously, significantly improving productivity while achieving large total capacity through the combination of several units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the number of electrodes per unit to a specific range (3-10 pairs) that balances capacity with manufacturing efficiency. This parameter optimization ensures that each unit can be assembled and doped within practical timeframes, maintaining high productivity while scaling up overall capacity through increased unit count.
4Use of energy by moving object
If lithium ions are preliminarily supported by the negative electrode to increase energy density, then the energy density increases, but the doping time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a three-dimensional stacked configuration with lithium metal disposed between electrode units, enabling lithium ions to access negative electrodes from multiple directions simultaneously. This multi-directional approach dramatically accelerates the doping process while achieving the necessary lithium ion content for high energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs lithium ion doping during the assembly process by incorporating lithium metal between electrode units, rather than as a separate subsequent step. This preliminary action reduces the overall time required to achieve high energy density while simplifying the manufacturing process.
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 approach enables the production of lithium ion capacitors with high energy density, large capacity, and high power characteristics, suitable for applications like electric vehicles, while improving productivity and charge/discharge characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
lithium ions are preliminarily supported by the negative electrode by electrochemical contact of a lithium ion supply source with the negative electrode
Implementation Method 2
a lithium ion supply source is disposed between the electrode units, and lithium ions are preliminarily supported by the negative electrode and/or the positive electrode by electrochemical contact of the lithium ion supply source with the negative electrode and/or the positive electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A lithium ion capacitor including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an aprotic organic solvent solution of a lithium salt as an electrolytic solution. The positive electrode active material is capable of reversibly supporting lithium ions and/or anions, the negative electrode active material is capable of reversibly supporting lithium ions and anions, and the potentials of the positive electrode and the negative electrode are at most 2.0 V after the positive electrode and the negative electrode are short-circuited. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately laminated with a separator interposed therebetween to constitute an electrode unit, the cell is constituted by at least two such electrode units, lithium metal is disposed between the electrode units, and lithium ions are preliminarily supported by the negative electrode and/or the positive electrode by electrochemical contact of the lithium metal with the negative electrode and/or the positive electrode.