Optical Battery Cell Separator for Continuous Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery fault monitoring techniques, such as Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, are not suitable for continuous, in-situ monitoring of secondary battery health in electric vehicles and grid storage applications, as they require battery interruption and are cumbersome and expensive for widespread use.
Innovation Solution
A battery structure and method utilizing optical signals to monitor impending faults through a light transmitting material with integrated light sources and detectors, allowing continuous monitoring without interfering with the battery's operation, using optical fibers to transmit and receive light through the battery cell separator, which changes based on fault states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fault monitoring techniques (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) are used, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the battery operation must be interrupted and the system becomes cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrochemical measurement systems with a simple optical measurement system. A light source transmits light through the separator, and a light detector measures light transmission changes. This substitution eliminates the need for complex electrochemical equipment and allows continuous monitoring without interrupting battery operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system using the battery separator itself as a light transmission medium. The separator's light transmission properties change in response to fault conditions (such as dendrite growth), allowing indirect detection of battery health through optical measurements rather than direct electrochemical measurements.
2Measurement precision
If traditional monitoring methods are implemented, then fault detection capability is achieved, but the cost increases and widespread use becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive optical components (light source, light detector, and the existing separator material) that can be easily manufactured and deployed at scale. These components are far cheaper than traditional electrochemical monitoring equipment, enabling widespread adoption in consumer electronics and electric vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the battery separator multi-functional by giving it both its traditional ion transport function and an additional optical transmission function for fault detection. This eliminates the need for separate monitoring components and reduces overall system cost while maintaining fault detection capability.
3Reliability
If the battery structure is modified to enable monitoring, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but the number of cell penetrations increases creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from external components and integrates it directly into the battery separator itself. By using the separator as both the ion transport medium and the optical sensing medium, the system eliminates the need for additional penetrations through the cell housing or separator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the optical monitoring components (light source and light detector) directly into the cell housing in a non-invasive manner. The light path is established through the separator without requiring additional penetrations, combining the structural housing with the optical measurement system.
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 continuous, non-invasive monitoring of battery health, detecting impending faults such as dendrite growth and chemical changes, improving safety and reducing energy density compromises, applicable to various battery chemistries and types, including lithium-ion batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmitting material that has light transmission characteristics that are a function of a state of impending faults of the battery cell
Implementation Method 2
a light detector, located within the housing, for receiving light transmitted through the battery cell separator
Data Source
AI summary
Light is transmitted from a light source through or from a separator of a battery cell and received by one or more light detectors. The light that is normally transmitted through the separator is scattered, absorbed, wavelength-shifted or otherwise distorted by an impending fault in the vicinity of or within the separator. The change in light due to the impending fault is measured by a detector and a signal from the detector is processed to identify the impending fault so that a warning can be generated indicative of the impending fault. In particular, one or both of the light source and detector are enclosed within a battery cell housing and receive power from the electrodes of the battery cell.