Expansion Force‐Based Adaptive Multistage Constant Current Fast Charging with Lithium Plating Detection for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

The multistage constant current (MCC) charging protocol for lithium-ion batteries is commonly used to balance lithium plating and charging time. Traditional methods depend on a pre-defined charging map without considering the feedback of lithium plating and subsequent self-regulation of the charging rate. To tackle this problem, an adaptive MCC charging method is proposed, which is based on expansion force feedback to detect lithium plating. By integrating experiments with simulations, the results indicate that when lithium plating occurs, the force experiences an abnormal, accelerated increase. If the charging rate is reduced until lithium plating ceases, the force decreases. Correspondingly, three thresholds, V1, V2, and V3, in the derivative of force (dF/dSOC), are identified. Utilizing these thresholds, the charging rate can be self-regulated. The results demonstrate that charging speed can be increased by 50% without causing irreversible lithium plating. The proposed method holds great promise for integration into intelligent battery management systems, thereby enhancing the performance of MCC fast charging.