Battery Charging Control Using Anode Voltage Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery control methods fail to effectively prevent lithium precipitation during regenerative charging of lithium-ion batteries, which can lead to decreased battery life, energy efficiency, and potential fire hazards due to dendrite formation.

Innovation Solution

A battery management apparatus estimates anode voltage using an anode voltage estimation model based on state of charge, voltage, and temperature, and adjusts charging power output to prevent lithium precipitation by controlling anode voltage within safe ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If terminal voltage control is used to prevent lithium precipitation, then battery safety is improved, but the control effectiveness is insufficient during regenerative charging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelithium precipitation preventionVSAvoidanode voltage monitoring accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an anode voltage estimation model as an intermediary to indirectly measure anode voltage. Since direct anode voltage measurement is difficult, the model uses terminal voltage, current, and temperature as inputs to estimate anode voltage, thereby enabling effective monitoring and control of lithium precipitation risk during regenerative charging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct physical measurement of anode voltage with a computational estimation system. Instead of using complex physical sensors to directly measure anode voltage, the system substitutes this with an estimation model that calculates anode voltage based on easily measurable parameters (terminal voltage, current, temperature), achieving the same safety control objective with simpler means

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If charging power is increased to improve productivity, then charging speed is improved, but lithium precipitation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidlithium precipitation prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the estimated anode voltage is continuously monitored and fed back to adjust charging power. When the estimated anode voltage approaches the precipitation threshold, the system automatically reduces charging power to maintain safety, enabling dynamic balance between charging speed and lithium precipitation prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the charging power dynamic rather than fixed. The charging power is continuously adjusted based on real-time estimation of anode voltage, allowing the system to optimize charging speed while preventing lithium precipitation. This dynamic adjustment enables higher overall charging productivity compared to conservative fixed-power charging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4685504A1Battery management device and battery control method
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4685504A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685504A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4685504A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Disclosed is a battery control method comprising the steps of: acquiring at least one of a voltage value, a current value, and a temperature value of a battery cell from on e or more sensors; calculating the state of charge of the battery cell on the basis of at lea st one of the voltage value, the current value, and the temperature value; estimating a ne gative electrode voltage value on the basis of at least one of the state of charge, the volta ge value, the current value, and the temperature value of the battery cell; and determinin g a target output value of the battery cell on the basis of the estimated negative electrode voltage value and a reference output value of the battery cell.