Vehicle Battery Characterization via Existing Energy Transfer Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery characteristic determining devices for vehicles incur design and cost inefficiencies and security risks due to the need for a dedicated two-pulse current load circuit, which can lead to uncontrolled battery discharge.
Innovation Solution
A battery characteristic determining device with a control module that adjusts the current of a battery module to a predetermined test value when it reaches a specific state of charge, allowing the energy transfer module within the vehicle to manage the current change, thereby avoiding additional circuit design and ensuring controlled discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a two-pulse current load circuit is added to determine battery characteristics, then battery C rate and fully charged capacity can be determined, but device complexity and design costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing energy transfer module, originally designed for charging/discharging operations, is made multi-functional by enabling it to also perform battery characteristic determination. The control module leverages the existing circuitry to apply test currents and measure voltage variations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated test circuits while maintaining measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery characteristic determination system uses the vehicle's own energy transfer module and control systems to perform self-diagnosis and characterization. The existing battery management system components are repurposed to conduct the determination process, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external or additional specialized equipment.
2Measurement precision
If a two-pulse current load is applied to discharge the battery module, then battery characteristics can be determined, but security issues arise from uncontrolled discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The control module continuously monitors battery parameters during the determination process and uses feedback signals to regulate the discharge current. Based on real-time voltage and current measurements, the control module adjusts the energy transfer module's output to maintain safe operating conditions, preventing uncontrolled discharge while completing the characteristic determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the discharge current profile based on real-time battery state assessments. Rather than applying fixed predetermined current pulses, the control module modulates the current magnitude and duration according to the battery's instantaneous condition, ensuring safety while obtaining accurate characteristic data.
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 reduces design and cost burdens while preventing security issues associated with uncontrolled battery discharge, enabling accurate determination of battery characteristics like C rate and state of health without additional circuitry.
Implementation Method 1
a two-pulse current load that is switched between zero and twenty Amperes and that has a pulse width of ten seconds and an inter-pulse space of ten seconds is applied to discharge a battery module, such that a voltage of the battery module is decreased during the application of each pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A battery characteristic determining device includes a control module and a processing module. The control module outputs a control signal when a battery module is in a charging state and an SOC (state of charge) of the battery module reaches a predetermined target value, so as to result in change of a current of the battery module to a predetermined test value for a predetermined test time period. The predetermined test value is such that the change of the current causes a voltage of the battery module to decrease in the predetermined test time period. The processing module obtains a voltage variation of the battery module in the predetermined test time period, and a C rate of the battery module with reference to the voltage variation.