Here is a general overview of how the voltage and current change during the charging process of lithium-ion batteries: Voltage Rise and Current Decrease: When you start charging a lithium-ion battery, the voltage initially rises slowly, and the charging current gradually decreases. This initial phase is characterized by a gentle voltage increase.
Going below this voltage can damage the battery. Charging Stages: Lithium-ion battery charging involves four stages: trickle charging (low-voltage pre-charging), constant current charging, constant voltage charging, and charging termination. Charging Current: This parameter represents the current delivered to the battery during charging.
Charging Termination: The charging process is considered complete when the charging current drops to a specific predetermined value, often around 5% of the initial charging current. This point is commonly referred to as the “charging cut-off current.” II. Key Parameters in Lithium-ion Battery Charging
Charging a lithium-ion battery involves precise control of both the charging voltage and charging current. Lithium-ion batteries have unique charging characteristics, unlike other types of batteries, such as cadmium nickel and nickel-metal hydride.
Traditional fast charging methods usually entail charging the battery with high currents. Nonetheless, prolonged high-current constant charging can cause a progressive rise in battery temperatures. Excessive temperature can shorten the lifespan of LIBs, leading to decreased battery performance and driving range .
The lithium battery charging curve illustrates how the battery’s voltage and current change during the charging process. Typically, it consists of several distinct phases: Constant Current (CC) Phase: In this initial phase, the charger applies a constant current to the battery until it reaches a predetermined voltage threshold.