Reference Electrode Activation for Battery Cell Potential Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for activating reference electrodes in battery cells are time-consuming and inaccurate, leading to potential measurement errors and performance degradation, especially when multiple cells are produced, as they require individual activation and do not accurately represent the actual electrode potential.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the simultaneous activation of multiple reference electrodes in a reference cell with a lithium electrode, where the electrodes are formed to achieve a plateau potential, allowing for accurate measurement of electrode potential by positioning the reference electrode between the positive and negative electrodes within the battery cell, thereby reducing activation time and improving measurement reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual activation of reference electrodes is performed for each battery cell, then measurement reliability is improved, but manufacturing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple reference electrodes are combined into a single reference cell for simultaneous activation. The reference cell contains multiple reference electrodes that can be activated together through a single formation process, eliminating the need for individual activation of each reference electrode in separate battery cells.
Solution Approach 2:
Reference electrodes are activated in advance within the reference cell before being installed in battery cells. The formation process is performed preliminarily on multiple reference electrodes simultaneously, so that when they are installed in battery cells, they are already activated and ready for accurate measurement.
2Measurement precision
If conventional activation method is used, then reference electrode potential can be measured, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to potential differences
Solution Approach 1:
A lithium electrode is introduced as an intermediary reference electrode with known and stable potential. This lithium electrode serves as a mediator to measure the potential of other reference electrodes, providing a reliable reference point that eliminates the inaccuracies caused by using battery cell electrodes as references.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system changes from using battery cell electrodes (positive/negative electrodes) as reference points to using a dedicated lithium electrode with known potential. This parameter change in the reference standard enables accurate determination of reference electrode potentials by measuring potential differences against the lithium electrode.
3Manufacturing precision
If reference electrode activation is performed individually, then each reference electrode can be optimized, but activation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple reference electrodes are merged into a single reference cell for simultaneous formation. The reference cell is designed to accommodate multiple reference electrodes that undergo activation together through a single electrochemical formation process, reducing total activation time while maintaining formation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference cell serves as a universal activation chamber for multiple reference electrodes. This multi-functional setup allows the same formation process to be applied to multiple reference electrodes simultaneously, making the activation process more efficient without compromising the quality of individual electrode formation.
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 significantly reduces the time required for activation, ensures accurate measurement of electrode potential, and minimizes performance degradation by directly involving the reference electrode in the electrochemical reaction, providing a highly reliable measurement of the battery cell's electrode potential.
Implementation Method 1
in the inside of the battery cell, measuring a relative potential of the respective one of the reference electrodes subjected to formation and a positive electrode of the respective electrode assembly, and a relative potential of the respective one of the reference electrodes and a negative electrode of the respective electrode assembly
Implementation Method 2
manufacturing a reference cell composed of an electrolyte solution, a plurality of reference electrodes, and a lithium electrode; charging the reference cell by applying a microcurrent, and then discharging the reference cell immediately thereafter
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing n battery cells (n≥2), each including a respective reference electrode for measuring a relative electrode potential, including: (i) manufacturing a reference cell composed of an electrolyte solution, the reference electrodes, and a lithium electrode; (ii) charging the reference cell; (iii) charging the reference cell to 40% to 60% of a capacity discharged in the process (ii), thereby performing formation on the reference electrodes; (iv) manufacturing the n battery cells, each of the battery cells including a respective one of the reference electrodes, an electrode assembly, the electrolyte solution and a battery case; and (v) in each of the battery cells, measuring a relative potential of the respective one of the reference electrodes and a positive electrode of the respective electrode assembly, and a relative potential of the respective one of the reference electrodes and a negative electrode of the respective electrode assembly.