Battery Capacity Reactivation Through Controlled Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery technologies fail to effectively reactivate capacity lost due to aging effects, particularly in high-voltage batteries of electric and hybrid vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A method involving targeted discharging processes with controlled discharge power and depth, combined with cell symmetrization, to restore battery capacity, utilizing data comparisons and voltage characteristic curves for load determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the battery is frequently charged and discharged, then the battery provides electrical energy for vehicle operation, but aging effects cause capacity loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical energy provisionVSAvoidbattery capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing reactivation discharging processes during periods when the battery is not needed for vehicle operation (e.g., when state of charge is above threshold). This prepares the battery in advance by reversing aging effects before they cause capacity loss, allowing the battery to maintain reliability while continuing to provide electrical energy for vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If discharging processes are performed to reactivate capacity, then battery capacity is improved, but vehicle availability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidvehicle availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the discharging process adaptive and dynamic rather than static. The control unit monitors state of charge, temperature, and other parameters in real-time, adjusting the discharging process accordingly. The vehicle can be driven during discharging as long as sufficient energy remains, and the process automatically adapts to changing conditions, maintaining vehicle availability while reactivating capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies periodic action by scheduling reactivation discharging processes at specific intervals or when certain conditions are met (e.g., when state of charge exceeds a threshold, or during overnight parking). This periodic approach allows capacity reactivation to occur during non-critical periods, minimizing impact on vehicle availability while maintaining battery health.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the battery is deeply discharged to reactivate capacity, then capacity restoration is improved, but battery stress increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity restorationVSAvoidbattery stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying discharging parameters (depth of discharge, discharge rate, temperature, number of cycles) based on battery state and requirements. The control unit adjusts these parameters dynamically to achieve optimal capacity reactivation while keeping stress within safe limits. For example, discharge depth is adjusted based on current capacity loss, and discharge rate is modified based on temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250309668A1Method, Device, Computer Program and Computer-Readable Storage Medium for Reactivating a Capacity of a Battery

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

In a method for reactivating a capacity of a battery of a motor vehicle, a load on the battery is ascertained. Depending on the ascertained load, a nature of the reactivation of the capacity of the battery is ascertained. Depending on the ascertained nature of the reactivation, at least one discharging operation of the battery is performed with a specified discharging power in order to reactivate the capacity of the battery.