IP Library Granted Patent US 8,102,152
Granted Patent B2
US 8,102,152 · App. 12/161,104 · Granted Jan 24, 2012

Deterioration detecting method and deterioration suppressing method for rechargeable lithium batteries, deterioration detector, deterioration suppressor, battery pack, and charger

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,102,152
App. No.
12/161,104
Granted
Jan 24, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

According to a deterioration detecting method for rechargeable lithium batteries, battery voltages of a rechargeable lithium battery before and after the completion of charging or discharging are measured. An evaluation value is calculated based on the measured battery voltages. This evaluation value is compared with a reference value of the rechargeable lithium battery stored in advance. A deterioration level of the rechargeable lithium battery is estimated based on this comparison result. In addition, further deterioration can be suppressed by controlling charging and discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the estimated deterioration level.

Claims (190)

1. A deterioration detecting method for a rechargeable lithium battery, the rechargeable lithium battery comprising:

a positive electrode having a positive active material that absorbs and emits a lithium ion;

a negative electrode having a negative active material that contains at least one of elements of silicon and tin; and

an electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, the electrolyte being provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;

the deterioration detecting method comprising:

detecting

a group of a closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage and an open-circuit voltage after charging of the rechargeable lithium battery;

calculating an evaluation value based on the detected group of voltages;

comparing the evaluation value and a reference value stored in advance to have a comparison result; and

estimating a deterioration level of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the comparison result,

wherein the evaluation value is an apparent resistance R 1 at completion of charging, the apparent resistance R 1 calculated based on a relational expression of:

R 1 =ΔV 1 /I 1 ,

where ΔV 1 is a difference between the closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage and the open-circuit voltage after charging, and

I 1 is a closed circuit charge cutoff current.

2. A deterioration suppressing method for a rechargeable lithium battery, the rechargeable lithium battery comprising:

a positive electrode having a positive active material that absorbs and emits a lithium ion;

a negative electrode having a negative active material that contains at least one of elements of silicon and tin; and

an electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, the electrolyte being provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;

the deterioration suppressing method comprising:

detecting

a group of a closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage and an open-circuit voltage after charging of the rechargeable lithium battery;

calculating an evaluation value based on the detected group of the voltages;

comparing the evaluation value and a reference value stored in advance to have a comparison result;

estimating a deterioration level of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the comparison result; and

controlling charging of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the estimated deterioration level,

wherein the evaluation value is an apparent resistance R 1 at completion of charging, the apparent resistance R 1 calculated based on a relational expression of:

R 1 =ΔV 1 /I 1 ,

where ΔV 1 is a difference between the closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage and the open-circuit voltage after charging, and

I 1 is a closed circuit charge cutoff current.

3. The deterioration suppressing method for a rechargeable lithium battery according to claim 2 , wherein a charge time is shortened to control charging.

4. The deterioration suppressing method for a rechargeable lithium battery according to claim 2 , wherein the closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage is reduced to control charging.

5. A deterioration suppressing method for a rechargeable lithium battery, the rechargeable lithium battery comprising:

a positive electrode having a positive active material that absorbs and emits a lithium ion;

a negative electrode having a negative active material that contains at least one of elements of silicon and tin; and

an electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, the electrolyte being provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;

the deterioration suppressing method comprising:

detecting

a group of a closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage and an open-circuit voltage after charging of the rechargeable lithium battery;

calculating an evaluation value based on the detected group of the voltages;

comparing the evaluation value and a reference value stored in advance to have a comparison result;

estimating a deterioration level of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the comparison result; and

controlling discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the estimated deterioration level,

wherein the evaluation value is an apparent resistance R 1 at completion of charging, the apparent resistance R 1 calculated based on a relational expression of:

R 1 =ΔV 1 /I 1 ,

where ΔV 1 is a difference between the closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage and the open-circuit voltage after charging, and

I 1 is a closed circuit charge cutoff current.

6. The deterioration suppressing method for a rechargeable lithium battery according to claim 5 , wherein a discharge time is shortened to control discharging.

7. A deterioration detector for a rechargeable lithium battery, the rechargeable lithium battery comprising:

a positive electrode having a positive active material that absorbs and emits a lithium ion;

a negative electrode having a negative active material that contains at least one of elements of silicon and tin; and

an electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, the electrolyte being provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;

the deterioration detector comprising:

a detector configured to detect

a group of a closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage and an open-circuit voltage after charging of the rechargeable lithium battery;

a calculator configured to calculate an evaluation value based on the detected group of voltages;

a comparator configured to compare the evaluation value with a reference value stored in advance to have a comparison result; and

a determiner configured to estimate a deterioration level of the rechargeable battery based on the comparison result in the comparator,

wherein the evaluation value is an apparent resistance R 1 at completion of charging, the apparent resistance R 1 calculated based on a relational expression of:

R 1 =ΔV 1 /I 1 ,

where ΔV 1 is a difference between the closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage and the open-circuit voltage after charging, and

I 1 is a closed circuit charge cutoff current.

8. A deterioration suppressor for a rechargeable lithium battery, the rechargeable lithium battery comprising:

a positive electrode having a positive active material that absorbs and emits a lithium ion;

a negative electrode having a negative active material that contains at least one of elements of silicon and tin; and

an electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, the electrolyte being provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;

the deterioration suppressor comprising:

a detector configured to detect

a group of a closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage and an open-circuit voltage after charging of the rechargeable lithium battery;

a calculator configured to calculate an evaluation value based on the detected group of voltages;

a comparator configured to compare the evaluation value with a reference value already stored to have a comparison result;

a determiner configured to estimate a deterioration level of the rechargeable battery based on the comparison result in the comparator; and

a controller configured to control charging of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the deterioration level estimated by the determiner,

wherein the evaluation value is an apparent resistance R 1 at completion of charging, the apparent resistance R 1 calculated based on a relational expression of:

R 1 =ΔV 1 /I 1 ,

where ΔV 1 is a difference between the closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage and the open-circuit voltage after charging, and

I 1 is a closed circuit charge cutoff current.

9. A battery pack comprising the deterioration suppressor according to claim 8 and a rechargeable lithium battery.

10. A charger comprising the deterioration suppressor according to claim 8 and a charging part configured to charge a rechargeable lithium battery.

11. A deterioration suppressor for a rechargeable lithium battery, the rechargeable lithium battery comprising:

a positive electrode having a positive active material that absorbs and emits a lithium ion;

a negative electrode having a negative active material that contains at least one of elements of silicon and tin; and

an electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, the electrolyte being provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;

the deterioration suppressor comprising:

a detector configured to detect

a group of a closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage and an open-circuit voltage after charging of the rechargeable lithium battery;

a calculator configured to calculate an evaluation value based on the detected group of voltages;

a comparator configured to compare the evaluation value with a reference value stored in advance to have a comparison result;

a determiner configured to estimate a deterioration level of the rechargeable battery based on the comparison result in the comparator; and

a controller configured to control discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the deterioration level estimated by the detector,

wherein the evaluation value is an apparent resistance R 1 at completion of charging, the apparent resistance R 1 calculated based on a relational expression of:

R 1 =ΔV 1 /I 1 ,

where ΔV 1 is a difference between the closed-circuit charge cutoff voltage and the open-circuit voltage after charging, and

I 1 is a closed circuit charge cutoff current.

12. A battery pack comprising the deterioration suppressor according to claim 11 and a rechargeable lithium battery.

13. A deterioration detecting method for a rechargeable lithium battery, the rechargeable lithium battery comprising:

a positive electrode having a positive active material that absorbs and emits a lithium ion;

a negative electrode having a negative active material that contains at least one of elements of silicon and tin; and

an electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, the electrolyte being provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;

the deterioration detecting method comprising:

detecting

a group of a closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage and an open-circuit voltage after discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery;

calculating an evaluation value based on the detected group of voltages;

comparing the evaluation value and a reference value stored in advance to have a comparison result; and

estimating a deterioration level of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the comparison result,

wherein the evaluation value is an apparent resistance R 2 at completion of discharging,

the apparent resistance R 2 calculated based on a relational expression of:

R 2 =ΔV 2 /I 2 ,

where ΔV 2 is a difference between the closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage and the open-circuit voltage after discharging, and

I 2 is a closed-circuit discharge cutoff current.

14. A deterioration suppressing method for a rechargeable lithium battery, the rechargeable lithium battery comprising:

a positive electrode having a positive active material that absorbs and emits a lithium ion;

a negative electrode having a negative active material that contains at least one of elements of silicon and tin; and

an electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, the electrolyte being provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;

the deterioration suppressing method comprising:

detecting

a group of a closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage and an open-circuit voltage after discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery;

calculating an evaluation value based on the detected group of the voltages;

comparing the evaluation value and a reference value stored in advance to have a comparison result;

estimating a deterioration level of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the comparison result; and

controlling charging of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the estimated deterioration level,

wherein the evaluation value is an apparent resistance R 2 at completion of discharging, the apparent resistance R 2 calculated based on a relational expression of:

R 2 =ΔV 2 /I 2 ,

where ΔV 2 is a difference between the closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage and the open-circuit voltage after discharging, and

I 2 is a closed-circuit discharge cutoff current.

15. The deterioration suppressing method for a rechargeable lithium battery according to claim 14 , wherein a charge time is shortened to control charging.

16. A deterioration suppressing method for a rechargeable lithium battery, the rechargeable lithium battery comprising:

a positive electrode having a positive active material that absorbs and emits a lithium ion;

a negative electrode having a negative active material that contains at least one of elements of silicon and tin; and

an electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, the electrolyte being provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;

the deterioration suppressing method comprising:

detecting

a group of a closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage and an open-circuit voltage after discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery;

calculating an evaluation value based on the detected group of the voltages;

comparing the evaluation value and a reference value stored in advance to have a comparison result;

estimating a deterioration level of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the comparison result; and

controlling discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the estimated deterioration level,

wherein the evaluation value is an apparent resistance R 2 at completion of discharging, the apparent resistance R 2 calculated based on a relational expression of:

R 2 =ΔV 2 /I 2 ,

where ΔV 2 is a difference between the closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage and the open-circuit voltage after discharging, and

I 2 is a closed-circuit discharge cutoff current.

17. The deterioration suppressing method for a rechargeable lithium battery according to claim 16 , wherein a discharge time is shortened to control discharging.

18. The deterioration suppressing method for a rechargeable lithium battery according to claim 16 , wherein the closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage is increased to control discharging.

19. A deterioration detector for a rechargeable lithium battery, the rechargeable lithium battery comprising:

a positive electrode having a positive active material that absorbs and emits a lithium ion;

a negative electrode having a negative active material that contains at least one of elements of silicon and tin; and

an electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, the electrolyte being provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;

the deterioration detector comprising:

a detector configured to detect

a group of a closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage and an open-circuit voltage after discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery;

a calculator configured to calculate an evaluation value based on the detected group of voltages;

a comparator configured to compare the evaluation value with a reference value stored in advance to have a comparison result; and

a determiner configured to estimate a deterioration level of the rechargeable battery based on the comparison result in the comparator,

wherein the evaluation value is an apparent resistance R 2 at completion of discharging, the apparent resistance R 2 calculated based on a relational expression of:

R 2 =ΔV 2 /I 2 ,

where ΔV 2 is a difference between the closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage and the open-circuit voltage after discharging, and

I 2 is a closed-circuit discharge cutoff current.

20. A deterioration suppressor for a rechargeable lithium battery, the rechargeable lithium battery comprising:

a positive electrode having a positive active material that absorbs and emits a lithium ion;

a negative electrode having a negative active material that contains at least one of elements of silicon and tin; and

an electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, the electrolyte being provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;

the deterioration suppressor comprising:

a detector configured to detect

a group of a closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage and an open-circuit voltage after discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery;

a calculator configured to calculate an evaluation value based on the detected group of voltages;

a comparator configured to compare the evaluation value with a reference value already stored to have a comparison result;

a determiner configured to estimate a deterioration level of the rechargeable battery based on the comparison result in the comparator; and

a controller configured to control charging of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the deterioration level estimated by the determiner,

wherein the evaluation value is an apparent resistance R 2 at completion of discharging, the apparent resistance R 2 calculated based on a relational expression of:

R 2 =ΔV 2 /I 2 ,

where ΔV 2 is a difference between the closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage and the open-circuit voltage after discharging, and

I 2 is a closed-circuit discharge cutoff current.

21. A battery pack comprising the deterioration suppressor according to claim 20 and a rechargeable lithium battery.

22. A charger comprising the deterioration suppressor according to claim 20 and a charging part configured to charge a rechargeable lithium battery.

23. A deterioration suppressor for a rechargeable lithium battery, the rechargeable lithium battery comprising:

a positive electrode having a positive active material that absorbs and emits a lithium ion;

a negative electrode having a negative active material that contains at least one of elements of silicon and tin; and

an electrolyte having lithium-ion conductivity, the electrolyte being provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;

the deterioration suppressor comprising:

a detector configured to detect

a group of a closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage and an open-circuit voltage after discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery;

a calculator configured to calculate an evaluation value based on the detected group of voltages;

a comparator configured to compare the evaluation value with a reference value stored in advance to have a comparison result;

a determiner configured to estimate a deterioration level of the rechargeable battery based on the comparison result in the comparator; and

a controller configured to control discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the deterioration level estimated by the detector,

wherein the evaluation value is an apparent resistance R 2 at completion of discharging,

the apparent resistance R 2 calculated based on a relational expression of:

R 2 =ΔV 2 /I 2 ,

where ΔV 2 is a difference between the closed-circuit discharge cutoff voltage and the open-circuit voltage after discharging, and

I 2 is a closed-circuit discharge cutoff current.

24. A battery pack comprising the deterioration suppressor according to claim 23 and a rechargeable lithium battery.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 6, 2009
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022363/0306 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 19, 2008
From: UGAJI, MASAYA; SHIRANE, TAKAYUKI; INOUE, KAORU
To: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 021555/0188 →