Vehicle Battery Authenticity Check Using Temperature Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the authenticity of secondary batteries based on internal resistance measurements can erroneously identify non-genuine products as genuine due to variations in battery cell materials, even if they have the same internal resistance.
Innovation Solution
A determination system that utilizes a processor to compare temperature change characteristics, such as open circuit voltage and binding load, of a secondary battery with stored genuine product characteristics without charging or discharging the battery, using sensors to acquire these characteristics post-installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If internal resistance measurement is used to determine battery genuineness, then the determination process can be simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates because batteries with different materials can have the same internal resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from internal resistance to temperature change characteristics. By measuring how the battery temperature changes during charging and discharging cycles, the system can identify genuine products more accurately because temperature change reflects the actual material properties and internal structure of the battery, which are difficult to replicate in counterfeit products.
2Measurement precision
If charging and discharging cycles are performed to measure temperature change characteristics, then genuine product identification accuracy improves, but loss of time increases due to multiple charge-discharge cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-measuring and storing the temperature change characteristics of genuine batteries during their manufacturing process. These reference characteristics are saved in a database, allowing for rapid comparison with suspect batteries without requiring time-consuming charge-discharge cycles during the determination process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action by conducting brief, standardized charging and discharging cycles at specific intervals to activate the battery and elicit temperature changes. These periodic cycles are optimized to be short yet sufficient to generate measurable temperature characteristics for comparison with stored reference data.
3Measurement precision
If temperature change characteristics are measured during charging and discharging, then genuine product determination accuracy improves, but use of energy increases due to charging and discharging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing only the minimum necessary charging and discharging to generate measurable temperature changes. Rather than completing full charge-discharge cycles, the system uses brief, partial cycles that are sufficient to activate the battery and produce detectable temperature characteristics, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining determination accuracy.
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
Accurately determines the authenticity of secondary batteries without charging or discharging them, enhancing precision by comparing temperature-dependent indices like open circuit voltage and binding load with predefined genuine product characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary battery that stores power used for running a vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A battery ECU is a system that determines a battery assembly that stores power used for running a vehicle and that is mounted on the vehicle in a replaceable state, the system comprising: a processor; a memory that stores a genuine product characteristic that is a temperature change characteristic of a genuine product, the temperature change characteristic being a characteristic of an index which changes with temperature of the battery assembly and when not being charged or discharged; and a sensor that acquires a determination target characteristic that is a temperature change characteristic of the index of the battery assembly after replacement mounted on the vehicle when not being charged or discharged. The processor compares the determination target characteristic acquired by the sensor with the genuine product characteristic stored in the memory, and determines whether the battery assembly mounted on the vehicle is the genuine product from a comparison result.