Battery Pack Current Interruption Detection During Charging

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting unusable lithium ion batteries, such as those experiencing instant short-circuits due to metal deposition, require high-speed sampling and costly equipment, leading to increased costs and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

An indication detection system that acquires current data during battery charging and discharging periods, identifying a section with zero current value and comparing integrated current values to determine if the battery is unusable, allowing for accurate detection without the need for high-speed sampling or expensive hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-speed sampling is used to monitor voltage changes with high accuracy, then detection accuracy is improved, but cost and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage monitoring accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from voltage to current. By monitoring current changes during charging instead of voltage changes, the system achieves comparable detection accuracy without requiring high-speed sampling, thereby reducing power consumption and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the electrical measurement system (high-speed voltage sampling) with a simpler current measurement approach. This replacement uses standard current measurement capabilities already present in battery management systems, eliminating the need for specialized high-speed voltage monitoring hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If high-speed sampling and high-specification measurement systems are used, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system specifications

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from voltage to current. By monitoring current changes during charging instead of voltage changes, the system achieves comparable detection accuracy without requiring high-speed sampling, thereby reducing power consumption and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the existing current measurement functionality already present in battery management systems. The current measurement infrastructure that is already in place for charge control is repurposed for detection, eliminating the need for additional specialized measurement hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If voltage monitoring with high-speed sampling is implemented, then detection accuracy is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from voltage to current. By monitoring current changes during charging instead of voltage changes, the system achieves comparable detection accuracy without requiring high-speed sampling, thereby reducing power consumption and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses standard, low-cost current measurement capabilities that are already integrated into battery management systems rather than expensive specialized voltage sampling hardware. This approach leverages existing inexpensive infrastructure for the detection function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS20240348077A1Indication detection system, indication detection method, and indication detection program

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

In an indication detection system, a battery data acquisition unit is configured to acquire battery data including current data, the current data being obtained by periodically measuring a current flowing through a battery pack. A determination unit is configured to, when the current data in a charge period of charging the battery pack by a charger include a section temporarily having a current value of zero and an integrated value of current in the charge period including the section temporarily having the current value of zero is larger than at least one of an integrated value of current in a discharge period immediately before the charge period and an integrated value of current in a discharge period immediately after the charge period, determine that the occurrence of the section having the current value of zero is an indication of the battery pack becoming unusable.