Battery Charge Power Derating for Regenerative Descent Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Regenerative braking in electric vehicles can lead to battery overcharging during prolonged driving from high altitude to low altitude, necessitating a disconnect between the battery and vehicle system, which results in loss of power.

Innovation Solution

A method for derating battery charging power by calculating a prediction value of charging current increase based on altitude and descent speed data, and adjusting the charging power accordingly using a battery management system and protection devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If regenerative braking is used during prolonged driving from high altitude to low altitude, then battery charging efficiency is improved, but battery overcharging occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery charging efficiencyVSAvoidbattery overcharging
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery management system performs preliminary assessment of altitude change and descent speed before regenerative braking occurs. By calculating the prediction value of charging current increase based on altitude data and descent speed data in advance, the system proactively determines whether to derate charging power, preventing overcharging before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors altitude data from positioning systems or altitude sensors and descent speed data, calculates the prediction value of charging current increase, and adjusts charging power accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures charging efficiency is maximized while preventing battery overcharging during altitude descent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If connection between battery and vehicle system is severed to prevent overcharging, then battery overcharging is prevented, but power supply to vehicle is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery overcharging preventionVSAvoidpower supply to vehicle
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of severing the connection between battery and vehicle system, the invention changes the charging power parameter by derating it according to the prediction value of charging current increase. This allows the battery to remain connected and continue supplying power to the vehicle while adjusting charging power to safe levels, avoiding both overcharging and power loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If charging power is derated based on altitude and descent speed data, then battery overcharging is prevented, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery overcharging preventionVSAvoidcharging power control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery management system performs multiple functions using the same data acquisition and calculation infrastructure. The system obtains altitude data and descent speed data for both vehicle control and battery charging management, calculating prediction values that serve both safety and charging optimization purposes, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4592128A1Method for derating battery charging power and battery pack to which the method is applied
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4592128A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4592128A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4592128A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for derating a charge power of a battery (212), includes: obtaining altitude data (232) of a vehicle; obtaining descent speed data (234) of the vehicle; calculating, based on the altitude data (232) and the descent speed data (234), a prediction value of an increase in a charging current of the battery (212) equipped in the vehicle due to regenerative braking; and derating the charging power of the battery (212) based on the calculated prediction value.