What are the effects of shock and vibration on battery packs?
Several aspects of vibration and shock affect lithium batteries:
Loss of capacity: Prolonged or substantial vibration and shock may cause spalling or damage to the active materials in lithium batteries, reducing the battery’s capacity and affecting its performance. Especially inside the battery, vibration and shock may rupture or damage the diaphragm between the electrolyte and the electrodes, interfering with the electrochemical reaction.
Risk of short circuit: Strong shocks or vibrations may cause components inside the battery to shift or compress, increasing the risk of short circuits. If the positive and negative electrodes are in direct contact, this will rapidly release heat and gas from the electrolyte inside the battery, which may cause a battery explosion or fire.
Overheating risk: Due to vibration or shock, the welding of the electrodes, etc., is loosened, and the contact area becomes smaller with poor contact, resulting in increased heat release from the contact position during charging. It is more susceptible to thermal runaway, i.e., an uncontrolled increase in temperature, which may trigger a fire risk.
Life cycle and stability: Vibration and shock may also accelerate the aging process of lithium batteries. Structural damage caused by vibration and shock, such as flaking or micro-cracking of the electrode material, can shorten the battery life. In addition, vibration and shock may also damage the battery’s sealing performance, leading to electrolyte leakage or the release of gases inside the battery, thus affecting its stability and safety.
Design and manufacture of anti-vibration protective measures: Batteries in the design and manufacturing process can be used to strengthen the structure, the use of cushioning materials, etc., to reduce the impact of vibration and shock on the battery. For example, in mobile devices or electric vehicles, specially designed vibration-absorbing materials can be used to protect the battery.
Optimize battery packaging and fixing methods: Ensure the battery is securely fixed to reduce the risk of internal component movement. Battery packaging should be designed to consider the effects of vibration and shock, and appropriate measures should be taken to protect the battery’s internal structure.
Reasonable use and storage: You need to avoid severe vibration and shock when using and storing lithium batteries. Especially during long-distance transportation, appropriate measures should be taken to protect the battery from these effects, such as the use of specially designed packaging containers or means of transportation.
In conclusion, vibration and shock can negatively affect lithium batteries’ performance, life, and safety. Therefore, when designing, manufacturing, using, and storing lithium batteries, appropriate preventive and protective measures should be taken to ensure their regular operation and safety. Meanwhile, relevant laws and regulations examine the products’ anti-vibration and anti-shock ability through simulated vibration tests, pressure tests, and drop impact tests.
If the standard is met, relevant certificates are issued to facilitate the sale and transportation of lithium battery products. If the standard is not met, analyze the reasons for not meeting the standard, from the structure, process, materials, etc., to find the problem and solve the problem. Solve the hidden safety problems in advance to avoid losses caused by delaying the progress of transportation; avoid losses caused by delaying the progress of sales; avoid causing fire or battery explosion accidents, resulting in irreparable loss of products and reputation.