Alkaline Battery Over-Discharge Control for Extended Vehicle Travel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles equipped with alkaline secondary batteries often suddenly stop when the batteries enter an over-discharge state, limiting travel distance during evacuation, as existing technologies only focus on preventing sudden stops by limiting discharge current before reaching the over-discharge state without allowing continued travel.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system comprising a battery pack, motor, voltage sensor, and controller that detects over-discharge states by voltage or voltage difference thresholds, allowing continued travel by decomposing electrolytic solutions in the battery, thereby extending travel distance by adjusting power usage and switching to engine power when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If discharge control is performed to prevent over-discharge state, then sudden stop of vehicle is suppressed, but travel distance during evacuation is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidtravel distance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the discharge control strategy based on the battery state. When over-discharge is detected, the controller transitions from preventing discharge to actively utilizing remaining electrolytic solution for continued travel, allowing the vehicle to adapt its operation mode to extend evacuation distance while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller changes the operational parameters of the battery system by detecting voltage thresholds and transitioning the battery from a protected state to a controlled discharge state. This parameter change enables the battery to continue providing power for travel even after entering over-discharge state, thereby extending travel distance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If charging and discharging are stopped when over-discharge state is detected, then battery protection is ensured, but vehicle must stop immediately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery protectionVSAvoidvehicle mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful over-discharge state into a beneficial extended operational state. By detecting the over-discharge condition and then utilizing the remaining electrolytic solution for controlled discharge, the system transforms what would normally be a failure state into an opportunity for extended travel distance during evacuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller performs preliminary detection of the over-discharge state through voltage monitoring and prepares the system for extended operation. By identifying the over-discharge condition early and transitioning to a controlled discharge mode, the system ensures continuous vehicle mobility rather than immediate stopping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of stationary object

If discharge current is limited before over-discharge state, then battery longevity is improved, but available power for traveling is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery service lifeVSAvoidtraveling power

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts discharge current limits based on the battery's state of charge and operational context. During normal operation, discharge current is limited to preserve battery life. When over-discharge is detected and evacuation mode is activated, the system dynamically increases allowable discharge current to maximize available traveling power for the extended operational period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables continued vehicle travel even in over-discharge states by decomposing electrolytic solutions, increasing available travel distance during evacuations compared to immediate stopping, while minimizing electrolyte decrement and ensuring engine startup capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of alkaline secondary batteries 11 connected in series are disposed in the battery pack 10

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

discharging the battery pack while decomposing an electrolytic solution contained in the alkaline secondary battery in the over-discharge state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS10086823B2Vehicle on which traveling motor is mounted

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

After an alkaline secondary battery is determined to be in an over-discharge state, a battery pack is discharged while an electrolytic solution contained in the alkaline secondary battery in the over-discharge state is decomposed so that traveling using power of a motor is performed. The electrolytic solution remains in the alkaline secondary battery even when the alkaline secondary battery is in the over-discharge state. The alkaline secondary battery in the over-discharge state can be discharged and a vehicle can be allowed to travel by decomposing the electrolytic solution. In this manner, a traveling distance available during evacuation traveling of the vehicle can be increased.