Cylindrical Supercapacitor Lithium Insertion Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for preparing hybrid supercapacitors are complex and expensive, requiring precise calibration of metallic lithium quantities and posing risks of dendrite formation and short circuits due to residual lithium, which complicates the assembly process and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method for preparing a cylindrical alkali metal-ion hybrid supercapacitor involving a cylindrical coiled element with a central free volume, where a solid alkali metal mass is inserted and electrically connected to the negative electrode to intercalate ions, then removed before casing closure, simplifying the process and avoiding residual metal issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lithium sheets are inserted into the stack at assembly to form passivation layer and intercalate lithium ions, then the negative electrode formation is achieved, but the assembly process becomes complex and expensive requiring humidity control and precise calibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenegative electrode formationVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the passivation layer on lithium sheets outside the supercapacitor assembly, then inserting the pre-formed lithium sheets into the stack. This eliminates the need for humidity-controlled assembly and precise calibration during assembly, as the lithium sheets are already prepared with the necessary passivation layer before insertion into the electrochemical cell

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the formation process into two independent stages: (1) passivation layer formation on lithium sheets in a controlled external environment, and (2) insertion of pre-formed lithium sheets into the supercapacitor stack. This segmentation allows the complex passivation process to be separated from the assembly process, simplifying both operations and eliminating the need for humidity control during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If precise calibration of metallic lithium quantity is performed to ensure complete consumption, then dendrite formation and short circuits are avoided, but preliminary tests and calculations are required increasing time and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedendrite preventionVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses lithium sheets with a deliberately excess quantity of metallic lithium that is intentionally designed to be consumed during the formation cycle. Rather than precisely calibrating the lithium quantity to be exactly consumed, the method uses an excess amount that ensures complete consumption during formation, eliminating the need for time-consuming calibration tests and calculations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of lithium quantity from a precisely calibrated exact amount to an intentionally excess amount. This parameter change simplifies the process by eliminating calibration requirements, as the excess lithium ensures complete consumption during formation without requiring preliminary tests to determine the exact stoichiometric amount needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If lithium sheets are inserted during assembly, then passivation layer formation is enabled, but the process requires humidity-controlled atmosphere to avoid degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassivation layer formationVSAvoidassembly conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the passivation layer formation as a preliminary action outside the supercapacitor assembly in a controlled environment. The lithium sheets are pre-formed with their passivation layers before insertion into the stack, which eliminates the requirement for humidity-controlled atmosphere during the assembly process itself, making manufacturing easier and more accessible

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method allows for efficient formation of negative electrodes without residual alkali metal risks, enabling stable charge and discharge cycles while utilizing the central volume for gas containment, thus preventing swelling and enhancing the supercapacitor's operational safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

intercalate ions of said alkali metal M1 in the negative electrode of the cylindrical coiled element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntercalation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3488454B1Processes for preparing a hybrid cylindrical supercapacitor comprising an ionic alkalin metal
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 BLUE SOLUTIONS
  • EP3488454B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP3488454B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3488454B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the production of a cylindrical, alkali metal-ion hybrid supercapacitor, and to the resulting cylindrical, alkali metal-ion hybrid supercapacitor.