Segmented Battery Cell Design with Integrated Current Limiters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal short circuits in batteries are difficult to detect and manage externally, leading to potential damage and risk of fires, and existing methods to reduce this risk often compromise battery energy density by altering chemistry.
Innovation Solution
A battery design featuring multiple cell segments with integrated current limiters that can detect and automatically isolate short circuits, preventing further damage and maintaining operational safety without the need for external sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery cell segments are segmented with current limiters to detect and isolate short circuits, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cell is divided into multiple electrically isolated segments, each with its own current limiter. This segmentation allows independent protection of each segment, enabling the battery to maintain operation in healthy segments while isolating faulty ones, thus improving reliability without requiring complete battery shutdown
Solution Approach 2:
Each segment is equipped with an integrated current limiter that automatically detects short circuits and isolates the affected segment without external intervention. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex external monitoring systems while maintaining high safety standards
2Reliability
If battery cell segments are segmented with current limiters to detect and isolate short circuits, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery manufacturing process is structured around modular segments that can be independently assembled and tested. Each segment contains complete functional units (electrodes, separator, current limiter), allowing for standardized production techniques and simplified quality control while achieving high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Current limiters are pre-installed and pre-tested within each segment during manufacturing, ensuring that protection mechanisms are functional before segments are assembled into the complete battery. This preliminary action simplifies final assembly and ensures reliability without requiring complex post-assembly testing
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 segmented battery design effectively detects and isolates short circuits within individual cell segments, ensuring the remaining segments remain safe and operational, reducing the risk of fires and maintaining energy density.
Implementation Method 1
one or more current limiters configured to conditionally electrically isolate the battery cell segment based on an occurrence of a short circuit within the battery cell segment
Data Source
AI summary
A battery and related methods are described. The battery can include a plurality of battery cell segments. Each of the battery cell segments can include an anode segment, a cathode segment, and one or more current limiters. The one or more current limiters are configured to conditionally electrically isolate the battery cell segment based on an occurrence of a short circuit within the battery cell segment. The battery can be used to store electrical power and/or provide electrical power to a load.