Finite element analysis of a lithium-ion battery cell under abuse conditions

Lithium-ion battery cells are the fundamental components of all Energy Storage Systems (ESS) used in electric vehicles (EVs). Increasing concerns about safety issues, particularly the response of battery cells to mechanical crushes that can lead to internal short circuits (ISC) and potential thermal runaway (TR), necessitate detailed investigation. To evaluate the response of the battery under abuse conditions, a homogeneous finite element model (FEM) of the battery cell has been developed. The model employs a simplified representation of a battery cell where the internal properties are assumed to be uniform throughout the entire cell. A full factorial approach was utilized to determine the homogenized jellyroll material characteristics. A detailed FEM serves as a benchmark for validating the homogeneous battery model. While requiring less computational effort, the homogeneous model maintains sufficient accuracy, making it suitable for modelling entire battery packs, thanks to the reduced number of elements.