Battery Control Device for Low-Temperature Self-Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rechargeable battery temperature raising methods in low-temperature environments suffer from power loss and inefficiency, particularly when using external heaters or large-capacity capacitors for rapid charging/discharging.

Innovation Solution

A rechargeable battery control apparatus that facilitates large-current charging/discharging between multiple batteries, utilizing a charger/discharger unit and a charge/discharge controller to manage voltage and temperature, thereby minimizing power loss and efficiently raising battery temperature without the need for external heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heater installed outside the battery is used to raise the temperature, then the battery temperature can be increased, but power loss occurs and the temperature cannot be evenly raised within a short time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperatureVSAvoidpower loss

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The battery heats itself through internal resistance heating during large-current charging/discharging operations. The battery's own electrical energy is converted to thermal energy within the battery cells, eliminating the need for external heaters and associated power losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The external mechanical/electrical heater system is replaced with an electrical-electrical energy conversion process. Instead of using an external heating device, the system uses the battery's internal resistance to convert electrical current directly into heat within the battery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If large-current charging/discharging is executed to rapidly raise temperature, then the temperature can be raised quickly, but energy must be ensured and power-consuming elements require discharge operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature raising speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple batteries are combined into a battery group where one battery charges another. The charging battery provides the energy needed for the discharging battery to perform large-current operations, merging their functions so that energy is transferred rather than lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy that would normally be wasted as heat loss during charging/discharging is converted into a useful function: the charging battery's energy output directly heats the discharging battery through internal resistance, turning what would be inefficiency into the desired temperature-raising effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Speed

If a capacitor is used to store energy for large-current charging/discharging, then rapid temperature raising is possible, but the capacitor must have considerably-increased capacity resulting in volume and cost problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature raising speedVSAvoidcapacitor volume

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single large-capacity capacitor, the system uses multiple batteries that can collectively provide the necessary energy. Each battery acts as a smaller energy storage unit, and their combined capacity replaces the need for one large capacitor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The energy storage function is segmented across multiple batteries rather than concentrated in one large capacitor. Each battery in the group contributes a portion of the total energy needed for large-current operations, distributing the volume and cost across multiple smaller units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution allows for rapid temperature increase of rechargeable batteries in low-temperature environments without power loss, reducing impedance and improving energy output, while avoiding the volume and cost issues associated with large-capacity capacitors.

Implementation Method 1

a method of raising the temperature of a rechargeable battery by using a heater installed outside the battery is adopted... a method for raising the temperature of the rechargeable battery by repeated charging/discharging operations is proposed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2782206B1Battery control device

Publication Date: 2017.03.08 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a secondary battery control apparatus includes a charger/discharger (12) and a charge/discharge controller (13). The charger/discharger connects a plurality of secondary batteries (2, 7), and charges one secondary battery by electric power discharged by another secondary battery. The charge/discharge controller controls the charger/discharger such that charging and discharging are performed between the plurality of secondary batteries by using the charger/discharger if battery temperature information detected by temperature detector (11) is lower than a preset threshold temperature, wherein the charging is stopped and switched to discharging or pause if voltage information detected by the voltage detector (10) reaches the upper limit voltage of the secondary battery, and the discharging is stopped and switched to charging or pause if the voltage information detected by the voltage detector reaches the lower limit voltage of the secondary battery.