Three-Tab AC Battery Cell Switching for High-Voltage Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial lithium-ion batteries face safety issues due to voltage below 3V, leading to potential explosion, whereas AC batteries with alternating current capabilities are safer but have lower voltages, making them less suitable for high voltage applications like drones and EVs.
Innovation Solution
AC battery systems with three electrode tabs (anode, biode, and cathode) utilize switches to connect biode tabs with each other or cathode tabs, maintaining anode stability and achieving high voltage between cathode and biode, ensuring a safe and high voltage electrical accumulator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If AC battery systems are used to ensure safety by preventing anode-cathode contact, then safety is improved, but voltage remains low (below 3V) making them unsuitable for high voltage applications
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple independent battery modules, each with its own anode, biode, and cathode tabs. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the safety benefits of AC battery architecture while enabling voltage scaling through modular series connections of multiple modules
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple battery modules are combined in series connection to achieve high system voltage. The patent shows that by connecting multiple modules with voltages of 2.33V each in series, the system can achieve voltages suitable for high voltage applications while maintaining the safety characteristics of individual AC battery cells
2Power
If commercial lithium-ion batteries operate at high voltage (above 3V) to provide sufficient power, then power capability is improved, but safety deteriorates due to potential explosion risks
Solution Approach 1:
The biode (bipolar electrode) serves as an intermediary element between the anode and cathode, preventing direct contact between them. This intermediary structure enables the system to operate at high voltage through series connection of multiple modules while maintaining safety by eliminating the direct anode-cathode contact pathway that causes explosion in conventional lithium-ion batteries
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different connection configurations (anode-biode, biode-cathode, and free) to control voltage output and operating mode. This dynamic switching capability allows the battery to operate safely at high voltage when needed while maintaining the ability to revert to safer lower voltage states
3Power
If switches are added to connect biode tabs to achieve high voltage, then voltage capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biode tabs serve multiple functions: they act as electrical connectors between modules, provide mechanical support for the modular structure, and enable both series and parallel connection configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components and simplifies the overall system architecture despite the need for switching capability
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 AC battery system maintains anode stability and achieves high voltage, enhancing safety and efficiency for applications like drones and EVs by preventing anode copper foil dissolution and maintaining stable voltage.
Implementation Method 1
The AC battery cell is constructed by graphite (C6) as the anode, lithium titan oxide (Li4Ti5O12) as the biode, and lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) as the cathode. The initial step of the discharge starts with the connection between the anode and biode. The voltage marks minus(−) 1.37V like (a) in FIG. 4. And then the switch changes the connection between the cathode and biode. The voltage becomes plus(+) 2.33V like (b) in FIG. 4. The cell generates an alternating electrical power and current.
Implementation Method 2
The electrical collector which is copper foil of the commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) dissolves if the voltage of anode (C6)-cathode (LiCoO2) falls to under 3V. This is the most dangerous thing for users of LIBs, because the batteries are highly likely to burn and blast.
Data Source
AI summary
AC battery cells having in each three electrode tabs (terminals) which are anode, biode, and cathode are able to become a high voltage system by the connection of the biode tabs with the biode tabs one another or with the cathode tabs one another by using switches. At the same time, all tabs of anode are always connected one another. These connections of AC batteries give a high voltage between the cathode tab and the biode tab in the stable voltage between the biode and anode. Finally, this system is a high voltage electrical accumulator.