Battery Control Unit Access Detection via Light Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery systems are vulnerable to unauthorized manipulation and misuse, which can lead to reduced lifespan and safety risks, as well as difficulties in detecting such alterations.
Innovation Solution
A control unit with an access detection circuit using a light-sensitive element to detect changes in light intensity within the battery module or system housing, triggering an access detection signal and altering the control module's state to prevent unauthorized access and manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery housing is opened for maintenance or analysis, then access to internal components is enabled, but unauthorized manipulation and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a light-sensitive element and access detection circuit before any opening occurs. The system proactively detects the opening event through light intensity changes and immediately triggers protective measures such as disabling control functions or activating alarm signals, preventing unauthorized manipulation before it can cause harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preparing countermeasures in advance against potential unauthorized access. When an opening is detected, the system automatically executes protective actions such as disabling critical control functions, locking the housing, or sending alarm signals to external devices, thereby counteracting the potential harm from unauthorized manipulation.
2Reliability
If monitoring systems are added to detect housing opening, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a light-sensitive element as a simple mediator between the housing opening event and the control unit. This light-sensitive element converts the physical event of housing opening into an electrical signal that the control unit can process, providing an elegant and minimalistic detection mechanism without requiring complex sensors or monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing complex mechanical monitoring systems with an optical detection approach. Instead of using mechanical switches, pressure sensors, or complex detection mechanisms, the system uses a light-sensitive element that detects housing opening through changes in light intensity, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining effective monitoring capability.
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
The solution effectively detects and prevents unauthorized opening of the battery housing, ensuring the battery system's integrity and safety by disabling critical functions if the housing is opened, while allowing reversible restoration by the OEM.
Implementation Method 1
an access detection circuit that is connected to the control module and that comprises a light sensitive element disposed within said housing. The light sensitive element is configured to detect light intensity within the housing and incident on the light sensitive element
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a control unit (50) for a battery module (90) or battery system (100) with a plurality of battery cells (10) fully enclosed by a housing (30,101). The control unit (50) of the invention comprises a control module (53) configured for performing at least control function with respect to the at least one battery cell (10) and an access detection circuit (52) connected to the control module (53) and comprising a light sensitive element (54) disposed within the housing (30,101). The access detection circuit (52) is configured to output an access detection signal in response to detecting, via the light sensitive element (54), a light exceeding a predefined threshold. Further, the control unit (50) is configured to alter a state of the control module (53) in response to the access detection signal. The control unit may be configured to alter at least one of a hardware state and a software state of the control module (53) in response to the access detection signal.