Rivian IP Holdings, LLC patent applications published on November 30th, 2023

Summary of the patent applications from Rivian IP Holdings, LLC on November 30th, 2023

Rivian IP Holdings, LLC has recently filed several patents related to vehicle control systems, electric charger converters, battery cell materials, platen systems, lithium-ion battery materials, coating materials for cathode active materials, solid-state electrolytes, and communication systems between network systems and vehicles.

Summary:

Rivian IP Holdings, LLC has filed patents for various technologies in recent times. These include a control system for pairing accessories with a vehicle and customizing the user interface accordingly, a dual active bridge converter for electric vehicle chargers that can be put into a heat generation mode based on environmental conditions, a battery cell with specific cathode and anode materials to improve conductivity, a system with rotating platens for stacking layers, a cathode active material for lithium-ion batteries with improved performance and stability, coating materials for cathode active materials in lithium-ion batteries to protect against degradation, lithium transition metal phosphorous oxide coatings for cathode active materials in lithium-ion batteries, an electrochemical cell design with a solid-state electrolyte and a lithium polyanionic oxide deposited on the anode's surface, and a communication system between a network system and multiple vehicles.

Notable Applications:

• Control system for pairing accessories with a vehicle and customizing the user interface.
• Dual active bridge converter for electric vehicle chargers with heat generation mode.
• Battery cell with specific cathode and anode materials to improve conductivity.
• System with rotating platens for stacking layers.
• Cathode active material for lithium-ion batteries with improved performance and stability.
• Coating materials for cathode active materials in lithium-ion batteries to protect against degradation.
• Lithium transition metal phosphorous oxide coatings for cathode active materials in lithium-ion batteries.
• Electrochemical cell design with a solid-state electrolyte and a lithium polyanionic oxide on the anode's surface.
• Communication system between a network system and multiple vehicles.

Overall, Rivian IP Holdings, LLC has been actively filing patents for various technologies related to vehicle control systems, electric charger converters, battery cell materials, platen systems, lithium-ion battery materials, coating materials for cathode active materials, solid-state electrolytes, and communication systems between network systems and vehicles. These patents aim to enhance the performance, efficiency, and user experience of electric vehicles and related technologies.

Patent applications for Rivian IP Holdings, LLC on November 30th, 2023

WIRELESS NETWORK CONNECTIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS (17825395)

Main Inventor

Chakravarthy K. Allamsetty

Brief explanation

The patent application describes a system and method for a charging station that can establish a network connection with an electric vehicle when the regular connection with servers is unavailable. The connection is established based on the detection of the electric vehicle within a certain distance from the charging station.

• The charging station can detect when the regular network connection with servers is not available.
• It can establish a second network connection with an electric vehicle that is within a certain distance from the charging station.
• The second network connection is encrypted using a token provided by the electric vehicle.
• The charging station can collect data and transmit it to the electric vehicle, which will then provide the data to the servers via the second network connection.

Abstract

Systems and methods including a charging station, with one or more processors coupled to memory. The charging station is configured to determine that a first network connection between the charging station and one or more servers is unavailable, detect an electric vehicle having a token within a threshold distance of the charging station, and establish, a second network connection between the charging station and the electric vehicle based the determination that the first network connection is unavailable and the detection of the electric vehicle within the threshold distance. The second channel is encrypted based at least in part on the token provided by the electric vehicle. The charging station is configured to transmit data collected by the charging station to cause the electric vehicle to provide the data to the one or more servers via the second network connection.

STORAGE TUNNEL ASSEMBLY FOR THE BED OF A PICKUP TRUCK OR OTHER VEHICLE (17825401)

Main Inventor

James Dowle

Brief explanation

- The patent application describes a storage tunnel assembly for the bed of a pickup truck or similar vehicle.

- The assembly includes a vertical wall and a cover that can be deployed to create a storage space within the bed. - The vertical wall is separate from the bulkhead of the bed and is positioned across the width of the bed. - The cover is separate from the floor of the bed and is also positioned across the width of the bed. - The vertical wall, cover, bulkhead, and floor together define the storage space within the bed. - The vertical wall and cover can be fixed, separate, or hinged components in different configurations. - The side walls of the bed have access openings that align with the storage space created by the vertical wall, cover, bulkhead, and floor. - The access openings may have doors that can be opened and closed to selectively access the storage space.

Abstract

A storage tunnel assembly for the bed of a pickup truck or other vehicle. The storage tunnel assembly generally includes a deployable vertical wall separated from a bulkhead of the bed and disposed across a width of the bed and a deployable cover separated from a floor of the bed between the vertical wall and the bulkhead and disposed across the width of the bed. The vertical wall, the cover, the bulkhead, and the floor define a storage space within a space defined by the bed. The vertical wall and the cover may be fixed components, separate components, and/or hinged components in various assemblies. One or both side walls of the bed define a storage tunnel access opening coincident with the storage space defined by the vertical wall, the cover, the bulkhead, and the floor and may include a door adapted to selectively open and close the associated storage tunnel access opening.

ACTUATOR MECHANISM (17825313)

Main Inventor

Robert Giannella

Brief explanation

The abstract describes an actuator that consists of a driver and a motor.

• The actuator has a shaft that goes through the driver.
• There is an anchor connected to the shaft.
• The motor can move the anchor in a linear motion by translating the shaft through the driver.
• The motor can also rotate the anchor by rotating the shaft with the driver.
• The rotation of the anchor happens at a different time than the linear motion.

Abstract

The actuator can include a driver coupled with a motor. The actuator can include a shaft extending through the driver. The actuator can include an anchor coupled with the shaft. The motor can be configured to translate the anchor at a first time by translation of the shaft through the driver. The motor can be configured to rotate the anchor at a second time by rotation of the shaft with the driver. The second time can be different than the first time.

AUTOMATED VEHICLE COMMUNICATIONS AND SERVICING SYSTEM (18091132)

Main Inventor

Choon Lim

Brief explanation

The patent application describes a system and method for communication between a network system and multiple vehicles.

• The system includes a communications interface that connects to the network system and allows communication with the vehicles.
• The control circuitry of the system receives queries from the network system.
• Based on the queries, the control circuitry determines relevant information about the vehicles.
• The determined vehicle information is then transmitted back to the network system.

Abstract

Systems and methods include a communications interface configured to communicate with a network system configured to communicate with a plurality of vehicles, and control circuitry configured to receive a query from the network system, determine vehicle information based on the query, and transmit the vehicle information to the network system.

STABLE PROTECTIVE OXIDE COATINGS FOR ANODES IN SOLID-STATE BATTERIES (17752195)

Main Inventor

Rubayyat Mahbub

Brief explanation

The patent application describes an electrochemical cell that includes a solid-state electrolyte, an anode, and a lithium polyanionic oxide. The lithium polyanionic oxide is deposited on the surface of the anode.

• The patent application is for an electrochemical cell design.
• The cell includes a solid-state electrolyte, which is a type of electrolyte that is in a solid state rather than a liquid or gel.
• The cell also includes an anode, which is the electrode where oxidation occurs.
• The innovation lies in the deposition of a lithium polyanionic oxide on the surface of the anode.
• The lithium polyanionic oxide is a specific type of material that is used in the cell.
• The deposition of the lithium polyanionic oxide on the anode's surface enhances the performance of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract

An electrochemical cell includes a solid-state electrolyte; an anode; and a lithium polyanionic oxide; wherein the lithium polyanionic oxide is at least partially deposited on a surface of the anode.

DEGRADATION-RESISTANT COATING FOR CATHODES (17827173)

Main Inventor

Soo Kim

Brief explanation

- The patent application is about coating materials for cathode active materials in lithium ion batteries (LIBs).

- The coatings are made of lithium transition metal phosphorous oxide materials (Li-M-P-O). - These coatings are stable when used with cathode active materials that have a layered-type structure, such as lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide materials. - The coatings are also reactive with battery degradation materials, such as HF and PF, and can remove them from the electrolyte. - The coating materials can be applied to current collectors and other internal components of the LIB. - Specific materials identified as having desirable properties include LiMnPO, LiCoPO, LiNiPO, LiSnPO, LiV(PO), LiCrPO, LiMn(PO), LiMnPO, LiFePO, and LiCo(PO). - Combinations of these materials with LiFePO were also identified.

Abstract

This disclosure is generally directed to coating materials for cathode active materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and the methods used to identify such coating materials. The coatings are lithium transition metal phosphorous oxide materials (Li-M-P-O) that are stable to cycling with cathode active materials having a layered-type structure such as lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide materials and they are reactive with battery degradation materials (i.e., HF, PF, etc.) to scavenge those materials from the electrolyte. The coating materials may also be applied to current collectors, or other internal components of the LIB. Exemplary specific materials identified as having desirable properties are: LiMnPO, LiCoPO, LiNiPO, LiSnPO, LiV(PO), LiCrPO, LiMn(PO), LiMnPO, LiFePO, and LiCo(PO); also identified were combinations of such materials with LiFePO.

PROTECTIVE HYDROPHOBIC MATERIALS FOR SECONDARY BATTERIES (17827177)

Main Inventor

Soo Kim

Brief explanation

- The patent application is about coating materials for cathode active materials in lithium ion batteries.

- The coatings include metal fluoride (MF), lithium metal fluoride (Li-M-F), or both. - These coatings are stable with cathode materials like LiFePO and help protect against battery degradation materials such as HF, LiF, PF, and LiOH.

Abstract

This disclosure is generally directed to coating materials for cathode active materials useful in lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The coatings include a metal fluoride (MF), a lithium metal fluoride (Li-M-F), or both, which are stable with cathode materials such as LiFePO, and helpful in protecting against battery degradation materials (i.e., HF, LiF, PF, and LiOH).

OLIVINE-BASED CATHODE MATERIALS WITH IMPROVED CONDUCTIVITY (17824310)

Main Inventor

Soo Kim

Brief explanation

- The patent application is for an electrode active material that includes a dopant (M) and a lithium manganese iron phosphate host material represented as LiMMnFePO.

- The dopant is a transition metal or main group metal. - The electrode active material has an increased ionic conductivity compared to a lithium manganese iron phosphate (LiMnFePO) without the dopant. - The value of x in the formula LiMMnFePO is between 0.01 and 0.15. - The value of y in the formula LiMMnFePO is between 0.30 and 0.85.

Abstract

An electrode active material includes a dopant (M) and a lithium manganese iron phosphate host material represented as LiMMnFePO, wherein the dopant is a transition metal or main group metal, and the electrode active material exhibits an increased ionic conductivity compared to a lithium manganese iron phosphate (LiMnFePO) without the dopant, wherein x is 0.01 to 0.15, and y is 0.30 to 0.85.

HIGH ENERGY DENSITY OLIVINE-BASED CATHODE MATERIALS (17824259)

Main Inventor

Soo Kim

Brief explanation

The patent application describes a cathode active material for lithium-ion batteries.

• The material is a lithium manganese iron phosphate with a specific ratio of manganese to iron.
• The lithium manganese iron phosphate has an olivine structure.
• The manganese and iron in the olivine structure are partially ordered or partially disordered.
• The invention aims to improve the performance and stability of lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract

A cathode active material includes a lithium manganese (Mn) iron (Fe) phosphate, wherein a mol ratio of Mn:Fe is from about 3:7 to about 9:1, the lithium manganese iron phosphate is an olivine structure, and the Mn and Fe in the olivine are present in an partially ordered or partially disordered sublattice.

BATTERY CELL AND MANUFACTURE THEREOF (17827040)

Main Inventor

Rajeev Dhiman

Brief explanation

The abstract describes a system that includes two rotating platens.

• The first platen rotates in one direction, while the second platen rotates in the opposite direction.
• The first platen has a surface that supports a first layer and contacts a portion of a second layer.
• The second platen has a surface that aligns with the first platen's surface to stack the first layer and the portion of the second layer.

Abstract

A system can include a first platen configured to rotate in a first direction and a second platen configured to rotate in a second direction. The first platen can include a first surface configured to support a first layer and contact a first portion of a second layer. The second platen including a second surface that mates with the first surface of the first platen to stack the first layer and the first portion of the second layer.

WETTABILITY ADDITIVES FOR LITHIUM ION BATTERIES (17752205)

Main Inventor

Liyuan Sun

Brief explanation

- The patent application is for a battery cell that includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte.

- The cathode contains a cathode active material, the anode contains an anode active material, and the electrolyte contains a non-aqueous polar solvent, a lithium salt, and a (RSiO)P(O), a (RSiO)P, or a mixture of the two. - R represents a specific type of alkyl group. - The cathode active material has a minimum areal density of 10 mg/cm² and a minimum press density of 1.7 g/cc. - The anode active material has a minimum areal density of 5 mg/cm² and a minimum press density of 1.3 g/cc. - The inclusion of (RSiO)P(O), (RSiO)P, or a mixture of the two increases the conductivity of the cathode and/or anode compared to a battery cell without them.

Abstract

A battery cell includes a cathode including a cathode active material; an anode including an anode active material; and an electrolyte including a non-aqueous polar solvent, a lithium salt, and a (RSiO)P(O), a (RSiO)P, or a mixture of any two or more thereof; wherein: R is Cto Calkyl; the cathode active material has an areal density of at least 10 mg/cmand a press density of at least 1.7 g/cc; the anode active material has an areal density of at least 5 mg/cmand a press density of at least 1.3 g/cc; and the conductivity of the cathode and/or anode is increased compared to the same battery cell without the (RSiO)P(O), the (RSiO)P, or the mixture of any two or more thereof.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HEATING AN ELECTRIC CHARGER FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE (17825713)

Main Inventor

Steven Schulz

Brief explanation

The patent application describes systems and methods for controlling a dual active bridge converter used in an electric charger for an electric vehicle. The converter can be put into a heat generation mode based on the environmental condition associated with the charger. This helps to improve the environmental condition by generating heat.

• The patent application is about controlling a dual active bridge converter in an electric charger for an electric vehicle.
• The converter can be put into a heat generation mode based on the environmental condition associated with the charger.
• The heat generation mode helps to ameliorate the environmental condition by generating heat.

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling a dual active bridge converter are disclosed herein. An environmental condition associated with an electric charger for an electric vehicle may be determined, where the electric charger comprises a dual active bridge converter. Based on the environmental condition associated with the electric charger, the dual active bridge converter may be caused to enter a heat generation mode that causes the dual active bridge converter to generate heat to ameliorate the environmental condition associated with the electric charger.

IN-VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE ACCESSORY INTEGRATION (18143169)

Main Inventor

Josh BAYER

Brief explanation

The abstract describes a control system for a vehicle that can pair an accessory with the vehicle and customize the user interface accordingly. Here are the key points:

• The control system receives a request to pair an accessory with the vehicle.
• It determines if the accessory is preconfigured for pairing with the vehicle.
• If the accessory is preconfigured, it pairs the accessory with the vehicle.
• The control system then displays a user interface on the vehicle's display that is customized for the paired accessory.

Abstract

A control system for a vehicle may include one or more processors configured to execute instructions to receive, by one or more modules of the vehicle control system, a request to pair an accessory with the vehicle and determine, by the one or more modules of the vehicle control system, whether the accessory is preconfigured for pairing with the vehicle. In response to determining that the accessory is preconfigured for pairing with the vehicle, the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions to pair, by the one or more modules of the vehicle control system, the accessory with the vehicle and cause, by the one or more modules of the vehicle control system, a display of the vehicle to display a user interface customized for the accessory as paired with the vehicle.