Battery Degradation Determining Apparatus Using Constant Voltage Charging Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle batteries degrade over time, affecting their performance and reducing travel distance and acceleration output, as existing battery management systems lack effective methods to determine and address battery degradation accurately.
Innovation Solution
A battery degradation determining apparatus for electric vehicles that calculates degradation based on the time spent in constant voltage mode, using a controller to measure charging times and temperatures, and outputs an alarm when degradation exceeds a predetermined level, allowing for timely inspection and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If battery management systems measure voltage and current to monitor battery status, then battery performance can be tracked, but the systems cannot accurately determine battery degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces constant voltage mode charging time as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure battery degradation. Instead of directly measuring degradation, the system uses the charging time during constant voltage mode as a mediator that reflects the battery's health state, enabling accurate degradation determination without complex direct measurement apparatus
Solution Approach 2:
The battery management system uses the existing charging process itself to generate the degradation indicator. The constant voltage mode charging time is obtained during normal charging operations without requiring separate testing or additional measurement equipment, allowing the system to self-diagnose degradation using routine operational data
2Reliability
If existing battery management systems monitor voltage and current, then basic battery status is tracked, but timely degradation detection is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary degradation assessment during every constant voltage mode charging event. By continuously measuring and accumulating constant voltage mode charging times during regular charging operations, the system proactively detects degradation trends before they significantly impact battery performance, enabling timely maintenance intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The degradation detection operates continuously during each constant voltage mode charging phase. Rather than periodic testing, the system continuously monitors the charging time parameter throughout the charging process, ensuring uninterrupted degradation assessment and enabling real-time reliability evaluation
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery degradation determining apparatus and method for a vehicle is provided. The method includes charging a battery in a constant current mode to a predetermined voltage and charging the battery in a constant voltage mode when a voltage of the battery reaches the predetermined voltage. A time is measured for maintaining the constant voltage mode from the charger and a degradation degree of the battery is calculated using the measured time for maintaining the constant voltage mode. Accordingly, degradation of a battery is determined quantitatively using a time for maintaining a constant voltage mode in quick charging of the battery disposed within a vehicle.