Sanyo Announces High-capacity Battery Modules Using Cylindrical Cells

Nov 17, 2009 15:45 Hideyoshi Kume, Nikkei Electronics

Sanyo Electric Co Ltd announced lithium-ion battery modules with capacities increased by connecting some cylindrical lithium-ion secondary battery cells, which are mainly used for notebook PCs.

The "DCB-101" is aimed at storing electricity for photovoltaic and wind generator systems and back-up power supply systems, and the "EVB-101" is intended to be used to power electric motorbikes and electric light cars.

Sanyo plans to ship samples from January 2010 and start volume production in March 2010. The sample prices of the DCB-101 and EVB-101 are ¥400,000 to 500,000 (approx US$4,464-5,580) and ¥150,000 to 200,000, respectively.

The modules use so-called 18650 lithium-ion battery cells (18mm in diameter and 65mm in height), which are commonly used for notebook PCs. Sanyo employed the general-purpose cylindrical battery cells because they have performance and safety proven in the market and can expand the applications of the modules, the company said.

The battery modules can be completely charged and discharged 700 to 1,000 times. Sanyo expects that the costs of the modules can be reduced by volume production.

DCB-101

The DCB-101 is equipped with 312 cells (13 in series x 24 in parallel). The voltage of the module is 48V on an average (from 39 to 52V). The battery capacity, power capacity and maximum output are 33.6Ah, 1,613Wh and about 1.5kW, respectively. The cell is based on the UR 18650Y, which is used for various applications. And the battery capacity of the cell is 1,900mAh.

The module measures 438 x 386 x 80mm, which is equivalent to the size of a 19-inch server rack. It weighs about 19kg.

EVB-101

The EVB-101 comes with 84 cells (14 in series x 6 in parallel). The maximum output is as high as 5.2kW at the peaks, and the maximum continuous output is 1.5kW. The cell used for the module is based on the UR 18650E, which is a high-power cell with a battery capacity of 2,050mAh and is intended for electric power-assisted bicycles.

In addition, the EVB-101 has a higher ratio of the cells connected in series than the DCB-101 to enhance the output of the module. The voltage, battery capacity and power capacity are 50.4V (42.0-57.4V), 10.8Ah and 544Wh, respectively.

An electric scooter can run about 10 to 15km with one module and 30 to 50km with two or three modules though the distances may vary according to conditions, the company said. The module measures 366 x 213 x 66mm and weighs about 7kg.

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