Battery Cell Voltage Detection with Impedance Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery management systems inaccurately detect battery cell voltage due to impedance of conductive wires, leading to errors in state of charge (SOC) calculation, which affects battery pack duration and protection.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that store impedance values of conductive wires, detect current, and calculate correction values to accurately measure and correct battery cell voltages, considering the impedance of each wire.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If voltage is detected without considering conductive wire impedance, then detection simplicity is maintained, but voltage measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection simplicityVSAvoidvoltage measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The impedance values of conductive wires are pre-stored in a memory unit before voltage detection occurs. When voltage detection is needed, the system retrieves these pre-stored impedance values and uses them to correct the measured voltage, eliminating the need for real-time impedance measurement while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary correction mechanism that uses pre-stored impedance data to adjust the raw voltage measurement. The controller calculates corrected voltage by combining the measured voltage with impedance-based correction values, thereby eliminating measurement errors without complicating the detection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If conductive wire impedance is considered in voltage detection, then voltage measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage measurement precisionVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Impedance values are pre-measured and stored in memory before the detection system operates. This preliminary action transfers the complexity from the real-time detection process to an initial setup phase, allowing the operational system to remain simple while achieving high precision through data retrieval and calculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own internal memory to store and retrieve impedance data, and its own processor to perform correction calculations. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external complex measurement devices or additional sensors, maintaining system simplicity while improving precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If state of charge calculation uses uncorrected voltage, then calculation speed is maintained, but SOC calculation accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation speedVSAvoidSOC calculation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The impedance correction data is prepared in advance and stored in memory. During SOC calculation, the system simply retrieves this pre-prepared data and performs a straightforward calculation, maintaining high processing speed while improving accuracy through the use of corrected voltage values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex real-time impedance measurement mechanisms with a simpler data retrieval and calculation approach. By substituting physical measurement with computational correction using pre-stored data, the system achieves both high speed and high accuracy in SOC calculations.

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

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

This approach enhances the precision of voltage detection, improving the reliability of SOC estimation and extending battery pack duration by accounting for impedance-related errors.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage detector detecting voltage between the contacts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage detection: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

a current detector detecting current of the battery pack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCurrent detection: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

impedance of conductive wires connecting a plurality of battery cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical impedance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 4

an error corresponding to a drop/rise value of voltage caused by the impedance of the conductive wires

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage drop: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentUS7589534B2Method and apparatus for detecting cell voltage of battery pack
Publication Date: 2009.09.15 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • US7589534B2 patent drawing
  • US7589534B2 patent drawing
  • US7589534B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detecting a cell voltage of a battery pack. The method comprises the steps of storing an impedance of the conductive wire from a part connected to a voltage detector to a part connected with the corresponding battery cell existing between voltage measuring points of each battery cell, detecting current of the battery pack, multiplying the impedance of the conductive wire corresponding to each battery cell and the current to calculate a voltage correction value of each battery cell, detecting voltage of each battery cell, and correcting the voltage of each battery cell, with respect to the voltage correction value of each battery cell such that the voltage correction value corresponding to the voltage of each battery cell is subtracted during charging and the voltage correction value corresponding to the voltage of each battery cell is added during discharging.