Battery Condition Detector for Micro Short Circuit Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting micro short circuits in rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, are limited by the need to convert the electrolyte into a solid state, restricting detection capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A battery condition detector that calculates remaining capacity, full-charge capacity, and internal resistance to determine micro short circuits, allowing detection regardless of the battery's surroundings, including a system with temperature sensing, voltage sensing, current sensing, and processing parts to output signals based on these calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the electrolyte is converted into a solid state by cooling to detect micro short circuit, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the adaptability to different situations is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicro short circuit detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection situation adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the detection parameter from impedance measurement (which requires solid electrolyte state) to capacity measurement and internal resistance measurement. By calculating charged capacity during charging cycles and measuring internal resistance changes, the system can detect micro short circuits without requiring temperature control or electrolyte solidification, thus maintaining detection capability across various environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical/physical method of cooling the electrolyte to solid state with an electrical measurement approach. Instead of physically altering the electrolyte state through temperature control, the system uses electrical measurements (capacity integration and resistance measurement) to detect micro short circuits, eliminating the need for temperature-dependent detection conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the electrolyte is cooled to solid state for detection, then the micro short circuit can be detected, but the detection process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicro short circuit detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes the battery's own charging process and inherent electrical properties for detection. The capacity calculation uses charging current and time data already available during normal charging operations, and internal resistance measurement uses the battery's own voltage and current characteristics. This eliminates the need for separate detection equipment or processes, simplifying the overall system while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If charged capacity and internal resistance are used to detect micro short circuit, then the adaptability to various situations is improved, but the measurement precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection condition flexibilityVSAvoidmicro short circuit detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors charged capacity during charging cycles and compares it against expected values. When a deviation indicating overcharge is detected, the system identifies this as a potential micro short circuit condition. The internal resistance measurement provides additional feedback to confirm the anomaly. This multi-stage feedback approach ensures accurate detection while maintaining flexibility across different battery types and charging conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8749204B2Battery condition detector, battery pack including same, and battery condition detecting method

Publication Date: 2014.06.10 MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

A battery condition detector configured to detect a micro short circuit of a rechargeable battery is disclosed. The battery condition detector includes a processing part configured to calculate the remaining capacity and the full-charge capacity of a rechargeable battery 200 and to determine the micro short circuit of the rechargeable battery 200 by detecting an overcharge of the rechargeable battery 200 based on a charged capacity charged during the charging of the rechargeable battery 200, the remaining capacity calculated at a calculation time immediately before the start of the charging, and the full-charge capacity calculated before the start of the charging; and a communications part 70 configured to output a signal according to the determination result of the processing part 50.