A coupled thermal–electrical–mechanical analysis for lithium-ion battery

A lithium-ion battery simulation model is developed for a fully coupled thermal–electrical–mechanical analysis. The model is calibrated with the hemispherical punch test for its mechanical response and an external short-circuit test for its electrical property. Realistic physical property and representative geometry are used to model each battery component. Randles circuit is used to represent the electric property of the battery. A piecewise linear plasticity model is applied to model the deformation and failure of each cell material. The simulation result of the external short-circuit test suggests that most heat is generated at the layer of cathode material near the current-collecting tabs. The punch test of a discharging battery is simulated; the result suggests the mechanical deformation can cause extra Ohm heating at the deformed location. The mechanically generated heat caused by impact also plays a role in the rise of the cell temperature.