Frequently, patent filings for lithium-ion batteries cover a novel component material (e.g., an electrolyte formulation) or novel combination of component materials (e.g., solid-state battery architecture).
Currently, more than 4,000 patents have been granted, mainly in Japan and China, and more than 3,600 patent applications are pending, mainly in the USA and China. More than 590 patent applicants can be found on the NMC Lithium-ion Battery patent landscape.
But unlike most technologies, the initial components of a lithium-ion battery cell can change in complex, irreversible ways during electrode manufacturing and battery cell assembly, and even more so once used in a product.
Considering certain key technical elements of battery technologies before pursuing a claim — or even before filing a patent — can help prepare patent holders and their legal teams to assert ownership of an intellectual property asset efficiently and effectively when it matters most.
The claims in these types of patents typically list specific formulation requirements, including details about the individual components in their initial form (raw materials) or upon assembly of the battery (e.g., concentration of electrolyte salt).
Conventional lithium-ion batteries may include protection circuitry to prevent damage in the event of a low voltage condition. These batteries may be utilized in devices that include protection circuitry, which reduces the current drain from the battery by disconnecting it when necessary.