Solid-State Battery Charge Control via Sulfur Sublimation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries with sulfur-based positive electrodes face issues during charging, as sulfur can sublime and melt, leading to overheating and potential exothermic reactions if it reaches the negative electrode, causing battery damage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for monitoring and controlling the charging process of solid-state batteries with sulfur-based positive electrodes, using temperature sensors to detect sublimation and terminate the charge current when a threshold temperature is exceeded, preventing sulfur from reaching the negative electrode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the battery is charged at high temperature, then the charging speed increases, but sulfur sublimation and melting occur causing battery damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing temperature monitoring and predictive control before sulfur sublimation occurs. The system continuously monitors temperature during charging and terminates the charging process before sulfur reaches its sublimation point (102°C) or melting point (115°C), preventing the harmful effect while maximizing safe charging speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through continuous temperature monitoring during the charging process. The temperature data is fed back to the control system, which adjusts or terminates the charging current based on the monitored temperature, ensuring the battery operates within safe temperature limits while maintaining optimal charging speed.
2Reliability
If temperature monitoring is implemented to detect sulfur sublimation, then battery safety improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing the battery's own temperature characteristics during charging as the monitoring mechanism. The system leverages the natural thermal response of the battery components, particularly the phase change temperatures of sulfur, as built-in indicators of safe operating conditions, eliminating the need for complex external sensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors parameter changes in temperature during the charging process to detect sulfur sublimation and melting events. By tracking temperature as a key parameter and comparing it against known phase change temperatures of sulfur (102°C for sublimation, 115°C for melting), the system achieves reliable safety monitoring through simple temperature measurement rather than complex detection systems.
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
Effectively prevents sulfur sublimation and melting, thereby avoiding battery damage and ensuring safe charging by monitoring temperature changes and stopping the charge current when sublimation is detected, thus maintaining battery integrity.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring and storing a temperature of the solid-state battery
Implementation Method 2
sulfur begins to sublime at 102° C., and melts at 115° C.
Implementation Method 3
terminating a flow of charge current upon detection of the indication of sulfur sublimation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a charge process of a solid-state battery having a sulfur-based positive electrode is provided. The method includes monitoring and storing a temperature of the solid-state battery and a predetermined interval, when the temperature exceeds a threshold temperature, monitoring the temperature of the solid-state battery and/or processing the stored temperature data of the solid-state battery, for an indication of sulfur sublimation, and terminating a flow of charge current upon detection of the indication of sulfur sublimation.