Structural Battery Pressure Housing for Li-Metal Cycle Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium metal anode secondary batteries face reduced cycle life without external pressure, which limits their energy density and durability in portable electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a structural secondary battery system with thin metal skins and a rigid package plate to maintain Li-metal anode batteries under external pressure, enhancing energy density and cycle life by 20% or more, and integrating this system into the electronic device chassis for improved structural rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If Li-metal anode secondary batteries are used to improve energy density, then energy density increases by 20% or more, but cycle life is dramatically reduced without external pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery pressure housing with the device chassis into a single integrated structural component. The chassis serves dual functions as both the device housing and the battery pressure application mechanism, eliminating the need for separate pressure housing components while maintaining continuous compressive force on the Li-metal anode battery during charge and discharge cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The device chassis is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the structural housing for the electronic device, the pressure application mechanism for the battery, and the mounting structure for internal components. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while ensuring the battery receives necessary external pressure to maintain cycle life
2Reliability
If external pressure is applied to maintain Li-metal anode battery stability, then cycle life increases by 30% or more, but device structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure housing function with the device chassis, creating an integrated structure where the chassis itself applies and maintains the necessary compressive force on the battery. This integration eliminates separate pressure housing components, fastening mechanisms, and adjustment devices, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining the required external pressure for extended cycle life
Solution Approach 2:
The chassis is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides device housing, battery mounting, and pressure application functions. By making the chassis universal, the patent avoids adding dedicated pressure maintenance mechanisms, thus keeping the device structure simple while ensuring battery reliability
3Quantity of substance
If incremental improvements in Li-ion battery energy density are made, then energy capacity increases gradually, but improvements do not keep pace with consumer expectations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional Li-ion batteries to Li-metal anode secondary batteries, representing a fundamental parameter change in battery chemistry. This change enables a 20% or more increase in energy density, providing a substantial leap in energy capacity that meets consumer expectations for rapid improvement rather than gradual incremental gains
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 structural secondary battery system increases the lifetime of Li-metal anode batteries by 30% or more and enhances the structural rigidity of electronic device chassis by approximately 30%, addressing the limitations of existing battery technologies.
Implementation Method 1
A Li-metal anode secondary battery may swell during charge and shrink during discharge. Secondary batteries must typically be maintained under an external pressure, for example about 0.5 atmospheres (̃7.3 psig) to compress the Li-metal particles forming the anode with the other materials in the secondary battery as the charge and discharge cycle repeats.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for improving the rigidity or stiffness of an electronic device chassis or housing using a structural secondary battery. The structural secondary battery includes a compression skin disposed about one or more secondary storage cells. The compression skin exerts a compressive force of at least 0.5 atmospheres on the one or more secondary storage cells. A structural member is bonded to the compression skin. The structural member includes a relatively thin (e.g. 0.1 mm or less), rigid (e.g., Young's Modulus of at least 300 GPa), member, such as a sapphire crystal. The structural member may then be bonded or otherwise detachably or non-detachably affixed to an aperture formed in the electronic device chassis or housing. The bonding of the structural member to the electronic device chassis or housing beneficially improves the stiffness of the chassis or housing.